A British sound engineer invented the one gadget James Bond doesn’t have – to help create the song ‘Skyfall’.
Talented Mark Crabtree, 60, is responsible for inventing a key piece of sound mixing equipment that has become a staple for Hollywood blockbusters.
Mark has spent 40 years developing his recording consoles which cost half-a-million pounds each – and are now the toast of Hollywood.
His company, AMS Neve, is regularly involved in producing the sound for award-winning films including Avatar.
Last year he also picked up an Oscar for best original score for The Artist.
He developed his unique sound equipment at his studio in Burnley, Lancashire.
His technology has now been used to record ‘Skyfall’ – the hit single by Adele from the latest James Bond film.
Mark said he first tested his newly-invented recording equipment 40 years ago at Abbey Road Studios in London – in front of Paul McCartney.
Mark said: “It was a small box which added a range of effects to a recording. Paul tried it out, loved it, and the rest is history.
“I never thought that one day I’d be walking down the red carpet at the Oscars with photographers snapping at me and wondering who the heck is that?”
Mark has spent for 40 years producing music and film scores and now 80 per cent of Oscar-winning films have used Mark’s advanced technology.
He frequently travels to Tinseltown to work with top film directors like James Cameron and Sam Mendes.
He said: ”We’re a hive of industry here in Burnley with world-class manufacturing and are right on the edge of beautiful countryside.
“We’ve taken some of the biggest names in music down to the local pub for a pie and a pint – they love it here.”
