The Crow Hill CompanyThis has been a tricky film to make, seriously considering the length of time it takes to become a successful composer based on the thousands of composers I have met. The sacrifices are huge and are usually made earlier in life where you have less commitments and responsibilities to turn your back on. But, this has got me into trouble. What do you think, is it possible to become a successful composer later in life?
To check out those other vids I’ve been tarting around:
How Long Does It Take To Become A Successful Composer???The Crow Hill Company2021-08-03 | This has been a tricky film to make, seriously considering the length of time it takes to become a successful composer based on the thousands of composers I have met. The sacrifices are huge and are usually made earlier in life where you have less commitments and responsibilities to turn your back on. But, this has got me into trouble. What do you think, is it possible to become a successful composer later in life?
To check out those other vids I’ve been tarting around:
and Christian’s “Cinematic Percussion Programming Day One”: youtu.be/YKDVc4STrr4What is The Crow Hill Company?The Crow Hill Company2023-10-21 | Hi, Welcome to The Crow Hill Company.
Based in Edinburgh, The Crow Hill Company is a small team obsessed with all things audio — sampling it, composing with it, breaking it. We exist to make tools that support the music-making community. From free plug-ins and resources all the way through to premium professional-grade libraries, our aim is to build and nurture an inclusive community of sound enthusiasts, music-makers, and VST advocates alike, all the while abiding by our motto: Make Music, Your Music.
Track used in this video "Filet O' Funk" performed by the Caledonian Dirt Funk Allstars, written by Christian Henson, arranged by Theo Le Derf and Christian Henson.Reply-fest.The Crow Hill Company2023-10-11 | ...T minus 9 setting up our “Nina” shot.The Crow Hill Company2023-10-10 | ...Composer Walk Live StreamThe Crow Hill Company2022-12-21 | Couldn’t make it? Join us as if you were there and ask questions live.NEVE 88M - Any Good???The Crow Hill Company2022-12-01 | OH YAY OH YAY - WINTER SOLSTICE COMPOSER WALK!!!
Weds 21st Decemeber - Lets meet at Dunsapie Car Park (map link below) at 15.00 Hollyrood Park Edinburgh.
To find out more about the NEVE 88M here's the website: ams-neve.com/88m
...and poor old Pierre! https://nuancescontroller.fr
#neve #neve88mINSIDE No9 - Inside The Music - SEASON 7The Crow Hill Company2022-11-25 | Please let me know what you think about this looser format.
Here's some sample libraries I featured here… all are made by spitfire which you can find here: bit.ly/3ibJbUy
Cinematic Soft Piano Solstice Glass & Steel (Kitchenware) Hammers The strings I use are always a combo of Chamber Strings and Albion Neo.
For Chamber Strings and Brass I use Pro but the added functionality of the pro version i use maybe 0.5% of the time so go for the core version if you want it sounding like you heard here today!
#insideno9 #insidenumbernineHow To Iron Out Lumps In Your IncomeThe Crow Hill Company2022-11-14 | Sorry about the sound on this one, I gain staged my mic too low. I've become a little rusty making these but will get myself match fit soon. What ways have you found to diversify and regulate your income better?
MAP LINK: goo.gl/maps/BAGLALTSt79diepr8The Next Craze In DESK STOMP???The Crow Hill Company2022-11-07 | The click the drag, the click and drag again. Left hand doing nothing.... whats with these opposable thumbs? This is my theory why Desktop Stompboxes (Deskstomps as I call them) have become so popular amongst producers and composers not just guitarists. This week I look at the youtube.com/c/MerisUs latest incarnation. Bang for buck or too big for its boots?
Ooooh and I'm using my new Rhodes Mk8 piano: rhodesmusic.com
#meris #merislvxRHODES MK8 - Any Good???The Crow Hill Company2022-10-12 | In this video I take my new Rhodes Mk8 for a spin. Is this a modern classic or a poor imitation. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
* ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED*
I’m going rogue again! This time, I have decided to test my limits using the Wim Hof method and jump in an ice bath LIVE for as long as possible, whilst talking sampling! 🥶
We are also offering 50% off Spitfire Chamber Strings Core and Pro, as voted for by you. Even better, If you guessed correctly how long I can stay inside the bath, you will be awarded with the winning library for free! The winner will be notified within an hour of the live stream ending.
All you have to do is fill in the form below and join us tomorrow Thursday 30th of June at 5pm BST/ 9am PT to find out what the winning library is and witness me enduring the freeze (hopefully for as long as you guessed!)
Entries close at 3pm BST on Thursday 30th of June.How To FINISH Your Music...The Crow Hill Company2022-05-29 | Many of us struggle with actually finishing our music. Here's a selection of strategies I've developed to make sure you spawn plenty of toads that aren't dogs dinners!
Subscribe to this exciting new channel and be part of a community shaping the future of music (and be eligible to the most exciting prize in Spitfire's history!): youtube.com/c/LABS_IIOHow To Compose For Multi Episodic Drama (or rather, how I do it!)The Crow Hill Company2022-05-12 | In this vid I argue that of all the forms we work for as an HOD (Head Of Department) probably the most demanding is writing for multi episodic TV franchises. In this film I take you through how my workflow has evolved but is far from perfect! Please let me know how I can improve in the comments down below!!!CH Goes ROGUE - LIVEThe Crow Hill Company2022-03-29 | How long will it take me to put together a piano library like no other for International Piano Day? Guess correctly for the chance to win a bundle of piano libraries! — ENTER NOW: bit.ly/3tL1val
Here’s how it works:
🎹 Armed with sampled notes at the ready, I will work against the clock to create a piano library and upload it to Piano Book ready for you to download.
⏰ Click the link to enter the time you think it will take for me to complete this task — Maximum 2 hours: bit.ly/3tL1val
🎁 Every 10 minutes, a new piano library will be added to the prize pool, the closest guess could take home this incredible piano collection!
🍿 Join us tomorrow at 5pm GMT / 9am PT for the live stream.
Entries close at 4:30pm GMT on Tuesday. We will contact you by email if you are the winner. Good luck!
JOIN US ON THE PIANOBOOK DISCORD FOR MORE CHALLENGES!!! discord.gg/Zf4FFmKynuHow NOT To Give UpThe Crow Hill Company2022-03-15 | The best advice I can give for success is simply NOT giving up. WHY? Because MOST people DO. Whilst you're not giving up you're also getting BETTER! In this video I talk about how NOT to give up. What are your strategies for "trucking on".
Here's the original video where I spoke about this: youtu.be/YgYuxzvuQ5MThe Most Beautiful Outboard Unit EVER???The Crow Hill Company2022-02-25 | In this episode I unbox one of the most incredible pieces of outboard I've ever laid my eyes on. But ask the question, another posh saturation box, est-ce vraiment nécessaire?
Do you have a posh saturation box, if so what is it? (this could get expensive)
Like those drums?: bit.ly/3ttcQL9How LONG Does It Take To Become A Working Composer?The Crow Hill Company2022-02-16 | How long has it taken YOU to become a working composer, would you say the 10 year suggestion is accurate?I Made A BIG eBAY Mistake!!!The Crow Hill Company2022-02-07 | We’ll be putting full interviews up on the pianobook youtube in due course, subscribe and hit notifications here:
00:00 INTRO 01:16 WHY I LOVE SAMPLING 04:06 KADY 07:45 THE EVERGREEN PIANO 08:36 THE FAZIOLI 10:58 HARMONIC FLIGHTS 11:49 SAGE 15.21 THE BEST GUI EVER? 16:52 PHILLIP GLASS FREE PIANO 17:34 WARTY DULCITONE
Many congratulations to the winners of this year's awards. You truly deserve them. We will get in touch with you direct via email before the 4th of January 2022.
Best reviewers: Alex Raptakis, Sam Ecoff, and the poetic Mark Lord.
Our saint and hero: Fred Poirier and Kyle Bradshaw respectively.The 3 HARDEST Things About Media Composition???The Crow Hill Company2021-12-23 | In this video I hard-sell the importance of taking advantage of the Xmas "perineum" as a moment to reflect and recalibrate. What will be your thinking points for this period ahead of what I'm certain is going to be a stonking 2022?
Spitfire is expensive. Which is why Paul, myself and the teams have sales at key parts of the year so that you can update your arsenals ahead of your new batch of work.... Sale live soon!!!! spitfireaudio.comNew STRYMON REVERB… Best Ever???The Crow Hill Company2021-12-14 | In this vlog I investigate Strymon's latest modular offering, their Starlab reverb unit. Does this at last bring their insane reverb effects to Eurorack or is it just them stomping over well trodden turf? A Big Sky for modular or something more???
Do you think this is a welcome addition to the toy box? Answers in the comments down below?
I bought this unit so this isn't a sponsored review.
#strymon #strymonskylabHow Do You Make BLADE RUNNER Music???The Crow Hill Company2021-11-12 | In this week's vlog I do a live (poor mans) homage to #vangelis' seminal score from Ridley Scott's seminal film #bladerunner . What do YOU use to make dystopian soundscapes?
and Spitfire Harp: spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/spitfire-harpCan This Make Anything Sound AWESOME???The Crow Hill Company2021-10-26 | In this video I tryout the Pill Pedal, a ducking pedal that I think would make anything sound cool. Do I take it too far? And what do you think? Also I announce the winners of my Shallow Water competition.
And thanks again to Monogram for donating an awesome gift to the competition: monogramcc.com
I'll be reaching out the winners to get them their prizes!
Check out my workings out and what "spots" you missed here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RponsBL815R-_ceDh939iY9K_h1S-Sd5JNYdob9k-_c/edit?usp=sharingDo I Actually LIKE Being A Composer???The Crow Hill Company2021-10-20 | In this one I get a bit deep talking about my Mum and the influence she's had on my career and what it is if anything that I actually LIKE about composing? Oh and don't worry about the Shallow Water, it was just grazing. Great pedals, high maintenance though.I Bought The RAREST Keyboard In The World...The Crow Hill Company2021-10-07 | In this video I do as genuine unboxing of an extraordinary piece of keyboard history without knowing what it really is. Will this be my rock bottom or have I become the custodian of something my children will pass down to their children? Are you as foolhardy as I with your purchases, a category one consumer or are you a spec hound category two?
Join me back here on the 12th of October 17.00 GMT for the launch of pianobook v3.0 check back after then for a link to the **FREE** "Pitched Electric Celeste"
Remember if you want to be part of the fun and games at the end of this month SUBSCRIBE!!!
#freesamples #fenderrhodesThe Format Were ALL Gonna Have To Adopt???The Crow Hill Company2021-10-05 | Here's my workflow for working in surround formats. There's not much to it other than a few hard and fast rules that I would strongly advise you to adhere to. Do you have any plans to adopt more "immersive" protocols in your workflow and how do you work in surround? Do you like the idea of working with a speaker above your head or do you think it's a bit overkill. I'd be fascinated to hear your opinions in the comments below.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.... WE'RE GONNA HAVE SO MUCH FUN!!!Studio Tour 2021The Crow Hill Company2021-09-30 | I've just spent a week in London so grabbed that opportunity to tweak the spec of my shed studio. I say tweak, we went from a stereo set up to a permanent 5.1 with a totally new camera system! So I thought it was high time to take you on another studio tour running through an inventory of divorceware and changes to my workflow. Is there anything you'd like me to focus in on specifically, if so please leave in the comments below.
Lots of people ask this, whats my expression controller?: monogramcc.comBeing A COMPOSER, What Does It Mean???The Crow Hill Company2021-09-15 | Happy Composers day!!! How would you define "being a composer"?
CELEBRATE #COMPOSERSHow To Write Music (If You Cant Read It???)The Crow Hill Company2021-09-13 | In this video I use a live 24 piece orchestra to demonstrate the transformative power of live musicians. How you can do this with little to no theoretical knowledge, nor indeed by having to employ orchestrators and copyists and how (courtesy of a cheat sheet I'm making) you can blag your way into sensitive and nuanced performances by the people who are kind enough to play your music. Time to get on that ladder and practising HOW TO WORK WITH MUSICIANS. They make our lives so wonderfully easy!!!
Here's the vid I made that inspired this "Orchestral Programming Day One": youtu.be/wtwQMlB1Gus
Grab the study pack here: https://we.tl/t-CCycLqVRm9
0:00 Subscribe! 0:30 Intro 2:09 A badly Programmed Piece 3:45 Blaggers Guide 4:18 Getting Started 6:10 Voicing Your Piece 9:55 Take 1 “Un-phrased” 12:02 Phrase Markings 14:57 Dynamic Markings 16:14 Take 2 “Phrased & Dynamics” 18:15 Next steps, Instructions! 23:00 Take 3 “Instructed” 24:30 The Mute or “Con Sordino” 25:22 Take 4 “Con Sordino” 26:25 Producing Orchestras 28:30 Collaborating 30:28 Goodbyes & ThankyousMy Favourite Synth Of ALL TIME???The Crow Hill Company2021-09-07 | In this episode I take a look at what is possibly my fave synth. I discuss why I love it so much and highlight its only fault, that you can’t pan the oscillators…. so I come up with a novel way of overcoming this drawback… Thanks to #somalaboratory for lending us 5 of their awesome #lyrasynthesizers check out more about them here: somasynths.com/lyra-organismic-synthesizer
Remember to subscribe to my channel, if I do over 100k total subs before the end of October I’m gonna do something NUTS… Or maybe somethings nuts…. keep track of my socials to know what’s going on:
instagram.com/christianhensonmusic twitter.com/chensonmusicIve Got A New JobThe Crow Hill Company2021-09-01 | ...and I'm not allowed to talk about it. But I have a rule, "New Job, New Template" I explain why I make a fresh new template for every job I do and how by using the Japanese concept of "Kaizen" I have learned to shave those precious minutes off a file that will be duplicated not dozens of times, not hundreds, but possibly thousands. What are your new rules when you start a new gig?
If you're interested in finding out why I use a combination of Pro Tools (aka Sauron) and Logic I made an in depth video here: youtu.be/YLayIcGWsDQ
If you're a Logic user and want to have a look at my stripped back version of the template to see how I've routed everything go here: https://we.tl/t-IJUCq6NS1T
and these are the main libraries I used in my template:
To find out more about Clockwork Studios, and the nose to tail orchestral solutions of Clockwork Sessions go here: clockworksessions.com
To hear how this place sounds check out the orchestra on Music By 300 Strangers: youtu.be/enFB33SOo6k
Make sure you subscribe (and hit the bell to be notified) to see how this project evolves.Have You Ever Seen A Drum Machine Like THIS???The Crow Hill Company2021-08-16 | Roll up roll up! Get your free Spankie’s here! This week I make up for sadly lost time by mashing up Modular Monday with a pianobook. We look at my bestist new friend “Spanky” make some “Spankies” with it and have a look at how to make Kontakt synchronise loops with your host tempo. There’s highlights and news too.
With these 5 being our faves who are getting a gift of “Jangle Box Piano” Pianoconfetti - Jonathan MacKenzie Be Stayed - diffie bosman 4OA - Perfunctory The Way Home - Frederic Poirier Whispered - Ryan Weeks
Our three favourite sample pack submissions (who also get a gift):
Check out Audio Artemis “Perseverance” here: audioartemis.com/product/perseverance …and the lite pianobook version: pianobook.co.uk/library/perseverance #pianobook #freesamplesSocial Media & Short CutsThe Crow Hill Company2021-08-13 | In a video made earlier this week I look at two “themes” that came up from the many amazing comments that you contributed to my last vlog “How Long Does It Take To Become A Successful Composer?“. Those being whether social media is as important as I implied in the face of many successful composers never dabbling. But also is there any short cut to the 10 year rule (spoiler alert - there is but it's just on the surface, the “short cut” is far more difficult.
What do you think about social media, essential, as part of a more varied marketing strategy or not important at all and if you DO use social media what success has it brought you?
...and more info about Matt here: air-edel.co.uk/representation/matt-biffaInside No.9 - Inside The MUSIC (season 6)The Crow Hill Company2021-06-20 | *** WARNING THIS VIDEO CONTAINS SPOILERS *** In this vlog I give an overview of how I write music for a season of the BAFTA winning UK TV show Inside No.9. I've made sure not to get too technical in this one so hopefully anyone would enjoy an insight into a rarely discussed contribution to UK comedy.
00:00 Intro 01:37 Inside No9 An Overview 04:13 Last Night Of The Proms 07:02 How Do You Plead 17:37 Hurry Up & Wait 25:29 Lip Service 30:15 Simon Says 34:26 Wuthering Heist
Are you a fan of Inside No9? Are there any episodes you have any questions about music-wise?
JOIN US FOR A MAJOR NEW SPITFIRE RELEASE ON Monday 21st June!!! spitfireaudio.com/621
#insideno9 #insidenumber9 #insidenumbernineThe DAW All Media Composers Must LearnThe Crow Hill Company2021-05-19 | In this weeks vlog I look at the (some would say tiresome) reality of a DAW you will need to learn to use if you're to forge a career in media composition. Whether it be to introduce to your own workflow or indeed to protect your own work in studios and dubbing theatres. I take you through my latest workflow using a combination of Apple's Logic Pro X and Avid's Pro Tools whilst also bringing you up to date on my new computer and screen. Are the days of super widescreen over?How To Mangle Samples Like A ProThe Crow Hill Company2021-05-12 | In this month’s pianobook I have a go at using a recent “pedal bomb” set up I’ve been using for a massive Spitfire project to put my “Claustrophobic Piano” through the ringer to create a “Cool Piano”. Whilst also looking at highlights from April’s pianobook submissions and how they have inspired me.
Audio Artemis: audioartemis.com (and their forthcoming book “The Basics Of Kontakt Sampling”.
Sufjanwho: pianobook.co.uk/library/sufjanwhoThe Most Beautiful Synth Of ALL TIME???The Crow Hill Company2021-05-01 | Both #andrewhuang and I recently received delivery of some large scale synths. Andrew beat me to the chase claiming his synth was the most beautiful in the world. In this film I challenge that notion with an absolutely colossal beast by #analoguesolutions . Indeed it is actually called "The Colussus" by Analogue Solutions. I put it immediately to work making a free sample the "12 oscillator doom drone" for you to put in your own music. But I also possibly uncover the most beautiful synth that neither of us own nor will ever?
CONTENTS: 00:00 Intro 00:52 Whats It All About 01:58 Setting Up A Patch 07:45 So How Does It Sound? 08:27 Why Did I Make This Investment? 09:13 Making The “DOOM DRONE” 10:07 Playing The Free Doom Drone Sample Pack 10:47 The ACTUAL Most Beautiful Synth Of All Time
Get your free "DOOM DRONE HERE": pianobook.co.uk/library/12-oscillator-doom-droneHow To Make Your Garden Shed Sound GoodThe Crow Hill Company2021-04-23 | In today’s vlog I venture into the shed with @yellowtechnology to see if I can make it into an acoustically sound environment from where I can mix and deliver masters that I’m confident will “translate”. We’re offered an amazing crash course in acoustic measurements and treatments with some great tips on how you can improve your space with just minor tweaks and inexpensive solutions.
00:00 Intro 01:12 Studio Tour 04:08 What Makes A Bad Room 06:03 Measuring A Room 09:01 My Measurements 12:11 The Solution(s) For My Room 21:02 Modes, Nodes & Antinodes 23:52 Making An Imperfect Room More Perfect 32:53 How YOU Can Improve YOUR Room
Where Jack Conte says we’re moving into the 2nd renaissance: youtu.be/xeDBSwVneyw
…and the Trinnov device here: trinnov.comWhy Does TV Timecode Start At 10 HOURS???The Crow Hill Company2021-04-07 | In a recent series of seminars about writing FACENT or "factual entertainment", a few of you asked why did the timecode for TV start at 10 hours??? Well in this vlog I attempt to explain that with a few historical nuggets that even the most seasoned of you may be surprised you didn't know!Piano Falling To Earth (What Does It Actually Sound Like?)The Crow Hill Company2021-03-29 | This film is the final part of a three-stage process that had me fire myself as a composer on a piece of “facent” or factual entertainment, and offer out compositional duties to students at Edinburgh college and the world at large.
Being a media composer has very little to do with just composing but more managing a collaborative process of which you are just a part. To try your hand at composing to picture and experiencing a process similar to that in the real world, check out the previous two films below and be sure to download the study packs in their video descriptions.
Congratulations to Craig Sommerville on his wonderful work re-scoring this film.
For this of you who have taken part, you can now download this finished edit with a pre-mixed soundtrack that you can dub in your score and in any simple editing software credit yourself at the end.
Full 4K version: https://we.tl/t-zE2HmEu4bQ 1080p version (best for lower internet speeds): https://we.tl/t-hZ8J7Bb5Jy
Use it as part of your showreel or indeed upload to YouTube for us all to see! Make sure you attach the handle #edicol2021 to your video title or description so we can see your work!
#pianodayCan YOU Write Music To Picture??? (part TWO)The Crow Hill Company2021-03-26 | This is part ii of a three part series offering you the opportunity to get some real life experience of writing to picture. In this episode a rug is pulled from under us…. what has happened to the film???!!!
We’d love to see how you get on so please use the handle #edicol2021 in the the title or description of the video you upload to YouTube BUT come back after Monday 29th March to download a totally colour graded pre-mixed version of the film that you can add your music to and your own "music composed by" credit to use for your showreel or indeed to upload to YouTube and share with peers or even future employers!
Many congrats to everyone’s efforts so far especially the four films featured at the beginning of the film today:
You can now download this finished edit with a pre-mixed soundtrack that you can dub in your score and in any simple editing software credit yourself at the end.
Full 4K version: https://we.tl/t-zE2HmEu4bQ 1080p version (best for lower internet speeds): https://we.tl/t-hZ8J7Bb5Jy
Grab all the LABS Free Samples by Spitfire: labs.spitfireaudio.com A great resource for free samples by other composers for composers: pianobook.co.ukA Pro Score Using Free Samples??? - Andrew Huang SPACETIMEThe Crow Hill Company2021-03-24 | With many thanks to #andrewhuang for inviting me to collaborate on his film Spacetime where a bunch of composers all score the same amazing sci-fi sequence. I asked myself "instead of hawking all the Spitfire libraries I use, how about I try scoring the whole thing using free samples?".
Get your hands on LABS free samples here: labs.spitfireaudio.com ...and join the Pianobook community of composers sharing sounds for free here: pianobook.co.ukCan YOU Write Music To Picture??? (part ONE)The Crow Hill Company2021-03-18 | This is your chance to gain experience writing for "FACENT" or factual entertainment, arguably one of the most profitable areas of media composition.
To take part download this study pack below: https://we.tl/t-GPLxwQfDTw
To get your copy of the GIMP and checkout my side hustle go to pianobook.co.uk
By all means upload your efforts and add #edicol2021 to your title or description so we can check out your efforts!
Come back next week for the next instalment…. And…. You may be in for a surprise!!!
(urm also, Skaeltrix ISN'T massive in Jamaica.... it's Trinidad and Tobago)Making Cinematic Music With GUITAR PEDALS???The Crow Hill Company2021-02-25 | Film, TV and Games composers are increasingly turning to stompboxes to add a degree of individuality to their sound. Christian takes us through his all new "Filth Box" an array of 23 of his fave pedals in a new "environment" designed to inspire and mutate. CH takes us through what he'll be using the filth for and how he incorporates it into his DAW and workflow.
00:00 Intro 01:19 How It's Wired? 03:52 The Pedals 15:59 Incorporating Into My Workflow 21:56 Marimba Jam