Rising Stars: Tarek Musa

Audio Pro International’s focus on the best of the industry’s young audio engineers continues this week with the latest addition to our Rising Stars section.

This week we catch up with engineer Tarek Musa…

Where did you study?

I studied at LIPA. I was on the Sound Technology degree there, and graduated last year.

Which band/project are you currently working on?

I’m currently working with Jethro Fox, All We Are and Chateaux. I also produce music for a few bands that I’m in – Kankouran and Spring King.

Jethro, and All We Are are both Liverpool-based musicians. I’ve just finished a new single for Jethro Fox and am working on two tracks for All We Are. Chateaux, on the other hand, are Manchester musicians who do a lot of cool indie surf. We’re constantly working on stuff and hope to release something with them in the not too distant future.

Where are you based/working at the moment?

I’m based in Manchester/Liverpool at the moment; I travel between the two a lot. I work from various spaces and just load my gear from place to place as necessary. I do a lot of the stuff at home as well, which is really laid back and means I can cook for people!

Which audio console are you currently using? And how many channels?

I’m currently working in the box, with a few pieces of outboard here and there. I just tried out some Golden Age Pre 73s, which I think I will be buying. They sound great and do the trick for what I’m after. I also use a Tascam 388 Mixer and Tape machine for tracking certain things to or bouncing stuff down onto. A lot of my favourite artists use the Tascam 388; once you get your head around it it’s superb.

Do you use any outboard effects/EQ, and if so, what are they used on and why?

I use a lot of outboard delay units and reverbs. I have a RE-201 Space Echo, two Melos Echo Chambers, a JSL Echo Chamber and a custom built Spring reverb, made by a friend of mine.

I’m obsessed with surf music, and a lot of garage rock, so I find myself straying to using trashier analogue delays like the Melos, which is a very temperamental unit. You never know what it’s going to do to a signal!

I try to use them live or mix them down onto the same track as the original dry signal; it really helps with being decisive and committing to sounds.

What is your console of choice?

My console of choice would definitely be an Audient ASP 8024 or an SSL AWS 900. I really love both of those consoles.

If you could work with any band/artist who would it be?

It would be between Lee Scratch Perry, TY Segall and Seun Kuti. It’s definitely a tricky decision, those guys all have their own amazing talents. If they all toured together that’d be a dream!

To get involved in our Rising Stars column, whether you are an engineer who is new to the industry and would like to be featured, or an experienced engineer who would like to nominate a particular student/apprentice, please contact Audio Pro International editor Daniel Gumble on daniel.gumble@intentmedia.co.uk or 01992 535646.

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