Composer’s blog – the ‘technical stuff’ Thursday, 5 March 2009

Throughout the episode there were a number of what we call ‘hit points’. These are moments in the animation that the music should acknowledge. Examples of these would include ‘Kyle having to hang up the phone’, ‘Aileen’s gasp as she sees the missing pages of the journal’, ‘Watson sniffing the damaged book for clues’ and ‘Lyn covertly passing Aileen the hint for where to go next’.

Another technical consideration is the mixing process where I’m hoping to make use of some light reverb for all the instruments and compression (just on the percussion) to suit the style of the music. Finally, in some instances of the score we’ll have to record an instrumentalist over themselves by doing two takes. For example it’s easier for the percussionist (Iain) to play glockenspiel and bass drum in different takes rather than play both at the same time. (Though I’m sure he’d be more than up to the challenge!)

Composing the music was great fun as I always work best under pressure and I couldn’t wait to hear the SCO players bring it to life!