In the spotlight: Marc Carolan
Posted on February 26, 2008
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For now though - enjoy our interview with Marc Carolan - a truly big time Sound Engineer, great bloke, and someone who has achieved what many of us long to.
Wembley Stadium!
(I’ve done the arena, but never the stadium).
You’ve worked with loads of artists. How did you get started as a sound engineer?
I always mucked about with tape recorders and stuff as a kid. My first “multitracked” recordings were done with 2 ghetto blasters. Record drums in one, then play that back while playing bass and recording that on the other etc etc!! I then graduated onto the mighty amstrad 4 track which had a record deck and radio!! But learned alot from mucking about with it. When i moved to dublin from my hometown of dundalk, i got involved with setting up an independent lable. Some of the guys had an 8 track 1/2 inch tascam and some gear, but didn’t know how to work it. That’s were i came in.
My first recordings, for a band called wormhole, were released worldwide by Roadrunner (in fact i still have the vinyl japanese version of the album!!). This gave me a great break into the underground recording scene in dublin. Then i started blagging my way into doing sound for sound of the bands live gigs. Hadn’t a clue what i was doing, but learned pretty fast!!
Everyone has their nightmare stories, especially in a live environment… So tell us about yours 
On one recent high profile show, i lost ALL power 2 mins before the show.
In this photo - notice the sheet holding water off Marc’s head… as well as the equipment. Glad it happens to him too!
Ouch! What have been your career highlights?
Muse at Wembley would have to be the one!
Any favourite memories from recording sessions and/or live work?
Mixing an album for an amazing Irish jazz singer called Mary Coughlan in Kampo studios in New York (Tom Waits and Elvis Costello dropped by!).
My first recording session in Abbey Road. And the first album mix session i finished in my own Suite Studios, here in Dublin.
Marc works with Muse in the studio as well as in a live capacity, so it’s no wonder the shows are sonically brilliant. Audiotechnews wanted to know about Marc’s influence on the sound of the artists he works with. His gear preferences, if you will.
Do you have any particular gear that you consider puts the ‘Marc Carolan stamp’ on things?
Pre Amps - Live the XL4 pre’s cannot be beaten. Studio, loving my new John Hardys at the moment. Comps - All hail the Distressor!!
Live, I must have a few bss901s (multiband comp). Also, I love Tubetech LCA2B’s, Urei 1176’s and the humble dBx 160’s.
Plugins - Wave’s R Bass (studio only, never live), URS N series EQs.
The humble Sans Amp plugin (useful on so much stuff), and the Crane Song Phoenix.FX - eventide H3000, TC System 6000 and the SPX90!!
Going into it more - whats your ideal gear rider for a recording session?
Well, i’ve just bought an SSL4032 g+, my favourite studio desk!!
Always nice to have a couple of the classic pieces of vintage stuff kicking around. For example, 1073’s, Pultecs, Fairchilds etc. As long as they WORK!!!
Lot and lots of mic choice!
I love the Royer 122, the Nuemann 149, the Coles 4032.
And what about live? I imagine you’re able to demand your perfect setup now.
You’d think!!!
Actually for the Muse summer stadium i did have my dream rig.
Aside from the Muse stuff, is there anything you’re working on right now?
Back doing lots of studio stuff in dublin now. I love getting back to working with developing artists. Recent one’s of note hear are the Laundry Shop, Evil Harrions and Sickboy.
Anything you’d like to work on/anyone you’d like to work with?
On the bands I’d like to mix front, I guess U2 for the technical challange and Muselike attitude to shows, AC/DC for the sheer fuckoffness of it all!
What should we look out for of yours in 2008 then?
Your chance to plug yourself or pimp what you like goes… here!
I’m in the middle of massive upgrade of my Suite Studios facility at the moment, with an SSL4032 G+ at the heart. Lots and lots of lovely lovely outboard. Trying to create a cool mix room in Dublin, which i think has been lacking.
Other than that, a handful of shows with Muse. I’m trying to take a break from touring this year. That said, if the right thing came along, I’m sure i could be tempted back out.
Somehow Audiotechnews thinks there will be more than a couple of offers being thrown at Marc, and a break from touring is probably going to mean more studio work! Good on him.
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