The cabling for the Audient ASP8024-HE console had barely been finished at the brand new recording studio at BIMM Birmingham, when the Fire Tones came in to record their rendition of Do They Know It’s Christmas? a few weeks ago.
No ordinary inauguration for the educational facility’s studio, this group of fire service personnel from around the UK were recording the well-known song in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity and the Band Aid Charity Trust, with their eyes firmly on the coveted UK Christmas no’1 chart position.
Released on 29 November, the single was produced by BIMM Birmingham tutor Steve Osborne (U2, Happy Mondays, Massive Attack) and overseen by their expert vocal tutor Louise Warren (Ringo Starr, Beverly Knight, Little Mix).
Steve gives us an insight into the 12-hour recording session at BIMM studios. “Getting through a chaotic day recording The Fire Tones’ version of Do They Know It’s Xmas? was made all the more easy because of the flexibility of the Audient ASP8024-HE,” he says. “Not only that, but the desk sounds great – especially when you pop in the ‘better buttons’ like Retro Iron, Low Bump and Air Lift.”
News of the single has been spreading – with interviews on This Morning and Sky News – but perhaps the biggest boost was the message from one of the original writers of the song, Midge Ure. “I have nothing but the highest respect for these guys […] for going way above and beyond the call of duty in making this record.”
The song’s official video on YouTube was filmed at BIMM Birmingham, staying true to the original spirit of the 1984 Band Aid video, and allowing viewers a few glimpses of the new facility. It was designed from the ground-up combining the talents and expertise of college Principal Antony Greaves, UK studio design and building company, The Studio People, BIMM tutors and some of us here at Audient.
Producer Steve Osborne of the Audient ASP8024-HE: “the desk sounds great”
Now fully operational, the new, improved facilities provide BIMM Birmingham’s Music Production, Songwriting and Performance students with the opportunity to apply their skills in a professional-level recording environment.
We have recieved a message from @midgeure1, one of the orignal writers of the song and one of the few who have heard our single!
We can't wait to share with you our Christmas charity single in aid of @firefighters999 and The Band Aid Trust!#TheFireTones #DoTheyKnowItsChristmas pic.twitter.com/g8GX5wWUcM
— The Fire Tones (@thefiretones999) November 28, 2018
Echoing the words of Midge Ure, Audient also wishes the Fire Tones all the luck in the world with this. We’ll come back for a more in depth chat with BIMM in 2019, but for now, go and check out the charity single today:
Buy or Download: http://thefiretones.com
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2ANVCN6 AppleMusic: http://apple.co/2PfqpHH
