Rowan Wilson.

Since completing his MA in Music Production at Spirit Studios, Rowan Wilson has explored multiple sides of the audio industry, from releasing original music with his jazz-rock fusion band ‘Lagoon’ and promoting Manchester’s Jazz scene through running the promotion company Mindslip Records, to working as a freelance producer and sound engineer.

Today, Rowan brings those experiences into the world of broadcasting as a studio director at the BBC, where he works on live radio programmes for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC World Service, aswell as recording and editing podcasts for BBC sounds.

We caught up with Rowan to discuss his journey through the industry, the projects he’s most proud of and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on?

I’m Rowan, a 24-year-old sound engineer, originally from Somerset, I have been living in Manchester for the past 6 years. I came up here to study music at UoM and then went on to do a master’s in Music Production at Spirit.

Outside of my studies, I run Mindslip Records a small jazz promotion company and have recently released a jazz rock fusion album with my band Lagoon. After Graduating, I worked as a freelance producer at Resonance Studios in Stockport.

In April, I began working full-time as a Studio Director for the BBC in Salford Quays.

This is essentially a fancy name for a sound engineer! My job is to run the mixing desk for live Radio programmes on Radio 5 Live and the BBC World Service, as well as this I also record and edit a range of podcasts for BBC Sounds.

How did you first get into production and recording engineering?

I first got into production whilst studying Music at the University of Manchester. We had a module called Electro-acoustic composition in which we had to create unique textures and soundscapes through the manipulation of field recordings. It was this module that introduced me to some of the basic principles of synthesis, recording, editing and mixing.

What made you choose to study the MA Music Production course at Spirit Studios?

Having found a passion for audio whilst at university, I was looking for somewhere to study my postgraduate degree in production and sound engineering. I actually saw a picture on social media of someone using one of the studios in Spirit and was really impressed.

After looking at the Spirit website, I found out that they were starting a master’s course in the September I was hoping to join. I enquired and was invited in for a meeting with the course leader and a tour of the studios.

After meeting with Josh and discussing the course, I was already really keen to join, but what really sealed the deal was seeing all of the amazing facilities and equipment at Spirit. Especially Spirit Studio itself with its large open-plan design, perfect for the sort of music I was hoping to record.

Looking back, what did you enjoy most about your time at Spirit Studios?

I enjoyed so much about my time at Spirit, but I think the main thing for me was just the amount of access we got to the studios and equipment.

I made sure to use every single booking credit I possibly could, and used my two years there to record an album with my own band, an album with a friend’s band, as well as bring in over 30 different bands and artists from across Manchester to record.

You’re involved in a range of projects including production, studio engineering and performing as part of the band ‘Lagoon’. What part of your work do you enjoy the most?

My favourite thing about being a producer and sound engineer is the time you get to spend with the artists in the studio.

When you are producing and engineering a session, your job is so much more than just capturing a nice recording; you are responsible for making the artists feel comfortable in the space, advising them on the music, and telling them when to stop or when to try another take. However, all of this must be done without getting in the way or slowing down the session. It’s a fine line you have to tread, but it is this social challenge of being a producer that I really enjoy.

It’s a real privilege to get to work with so many musicians and often be the only other person in the room whilst the music is being recorded. When the bands are playing well, it’s almost like you are receiving a private performance, and that can be really special.

You’re a promoter for Mindslip Records in Manchester. How did that come about?

During my final year of university, I was running Fuse FM, the University of Manchester’s student radio station. At the end of the year, we were given a budget to host a live broadcast music event. The result of this was Mindslip, an evening of jazz and jazz-related music from Night and Day Café.

The event was a success, and I had really enjoyed promoting and organising it, so upon joining Spirit, I decided to continue running events under the name Mindslip Records.

Over the past few years, we have put on a variety of jazz events across Manchester, including bigger gigs at Night and Day and Lions Den and more intimate, recorded sessions at Habitat Studios next door to Spirit. Most recently, we have been running monthly Jazz Jams at the Rat and Pigeon in the City Centre. I actually started to plan these jams as part of the professional pathway module for my master’s degree.

The jams have been really successful, and it has been great to see a real community building around the events.

If any Spirit Students wanted to come down and check them out, it is a great place to meet young musicians in Manchester, all of whom I’m sure would be keen to record in Spirit!

Our upcoming events and details can be found on our Instagram account – @mindslip.records

What’s it been like working as an engineer at Resonance Studios in Stockport?

It was really interesting to work somewhere with such an emphasis on analogue recording and equipment. It was great learning how to use the huge collection of vintage synthesisers they own and getting to play with gear that I’d never seen in real life before.

Unfortunately, my new full-time role at the BBC means that I don’t get the chance to work there very often anymore, however, by the looks of it, they are continuing to upgrade their facilities, so I look forward to visiting and hopefully working with them again in the future.

Do you have a favourite piece of equipment or software?

I love the AKG C414 Microphones. They are so versatile and just sound great on basically anything. I often use them for overheads, snare, acoustic guitar, vocals and so much more. As soon as I can afford them, I’m buying a pair for the home studio!

What is a standout moment in your career so far?

Whilst things like releasing my band’s album or running some really fun events have to be up there, I think getting my full-time job as a sound engineer for the BBC has to be the standout moment of my career so far.

Having always loved the radio, this job really does feel like a dream come true, and whilst I am not recording or producing music as part of my work at the moment, there are so many opportunities for career movement and progression in the BBC, so it feels like a really exciting place to be!

What advice would you give to students hoping to build a career in music production or engineering?

My advice would be to say yes to as many opportunities as you can. If you are studying in Spirit, then get out there into Manchester and meet other producers and musicians, invite them into the studios for a session and just see where things go. You never know who you might meet or what opportunities might pop up, but you’ve got to put yourself out there.

Try to record music that might be outside of what you normally listen to or record, as there is so much to be learned from immersing yourself in other genres. Use the RNCM contact sheet; for example, there are so many amazing classical musicians to work with, and you can learn so much from working with them!

And make sure to use all of your booking credits and just make as much music as possible! Trust me, you are really going to miss the access to those studios when you don’t have them anymore!

You have your time at Spirit to fully focus on music, which is a real privilege and something you might not have after you graduate.