Gareth Connor
Gareth has worked professionally in the UK’s audio industry since 1982, principally in research and development roles. Since 1993 he has owned and run GJC Designs, a pro-audio focused consultancy.
Hands-on technical work includes studio installation, refurbishment and re-sizing of Neve, SSL and Calrec mixing consoles
Major clients
Through the years I have been associated with; Abbey Road Studios, British Grove Studios, Calrec Audio Ltd, AES Pro Audio, TL Commerce Ltd, BBC Technology, Audio Partnership and Roll to Record, and most recently, Sound Techniques USA.
Types of work
I have been involved with; product development, custom design and build of equipment, console system and circuit schematic design, printed circuit board design, studio installation, and refurbishment of both analogue and assignable consoles.
Some Notable Roles played in the last 40 years have been at:
Soundcraft Electronics 1982 -1992
Design of mixing consoles. Projects include: Series 4 (PA console, 1983/1984 design), Series 500 & Series 600 (PA & 8/16/24 track recording consoles); Series 200B, 400B, 800B stereo input modules, Series 8000, input module, TS24 LED meter bridge,
2015 and 2016 Sound Techniques
I worked for Danny White on re-building the Manor Mobile Helios console in 2015 and 2016. This led to the start of the Sound Techniques ZR console project in early 2017. From then on, I have been involved in design activities for Sound Techniques, bringing together and working with a small team of designers based in West Yorkshire. Originally a UK company, Sound Techniques is now based in the USA, with electronics design and most of the electronic production being done in the UK at my facility.
There are currently 4 Sound Techniques products:
- ZR recording console.
- 7064CS rack-mount mic pre & equaliser (same as in the ZR console).
- “Liverpool” mic pre & filters in 500-Series format.
- “Mersey” 4-band equaliser in 500-Series format.
ZR console installations include:
- Tweed Recordings in Athens, Georgia, USA.
- Sleeper Sounds, London.
- A privately owned studio in the USA.
- Music For Freedom (MFF) Studios, Croix, France.
- Boulevard Recording Studio, Los Angeles.