In this Q&A edition, we catch up with Callum Vernon, a FOH & Monitor engineer from Blackpool, who is currently monitor engineer for The Rock Orchestra who are a band of 14 orchestral musicians and singers performing covers of rock classics.
Who have you worked with in the past?
I’m an ex Adlib employee, where I worked with a range of artists, mainly taking care of FOH duties and IEM monitor teching . Some of those artists included Jason Derulo & NDubz. I’ve also taken care of House Monitors at some festivals/outdoor summer sessions including Radio 1 Big Weekend, Sounds of the City (Manchester) and Southampton Summer Sessions.
What music and/or artists do you like to listen to at the moment?
I’m a rock/metal fan at heart, but I listen to a vast array of genre’s. My main listens at the moment are new band, House of Protection, along with everyone’s favourite Sleep Token. Also in my recents are TesseracT and Leprous for a slightly more “proggy” take on things. I’ve always been a fan of musical geniuses for the likes of Louis Cole and Micheal League too so naturally I enjoy listening to Snarky Puppy, as well as Knower (and anything L.C related!)
I’m hugely into Deadmau5 and his production style too. It goes without saying all of his tracks are mixed incredibly well and I often use some of his tracks as a reference/tuning a PA system.
What exciting new music or shows have you got coming up?
We’re touring the EU/UK from the start of February thru to the start of summer 2025. Tour dates can be found on the URL www.the-rock-orchestra.com
It’s a fun show to watch with some seriously talented musicians who have played for the likes of Seal, Rhianna and John Legend. Plus a lead violin player guaranteed to melt your face off!
Which band or artist would you like to sing the soundtrack to your biopic?
I’ve always been a fan of film scores, I’d absolutely love for Hans Zimmer to write me my own soundtrack. I’d feel just like Piolet Cooper docking his ship in Interstellar (also my favourite film) constantly, and that would be epic!
What is the most important factor for you when choosing custom IEMs and what model of Cosmic Ears are you currently using?
I’ve been lucky to try out early versions of the C8A, which ultimately lead to the custom pair I currently have, and I’ve also been a past user of the C6A and C4A.
I’m purposely looking for a sound signature that suites my mixing style, this way I can ensure I’m giving a balanced mix to a performer on stage. Obviously the fit is super important too for a decent seal otherwise all of the above gets thrown out of the window.
I’m looking for a set of IEMs that offer different strengths against my other brands so that I can reference mix against myself, somewhat like going into a studio and using a few sets of monitors to check your mix. Whilst my other brands are a little more “excited” or “hi-fi like” in the airy highs and sub-lows, I think the C8’s offer a bit more bite in the upper mids whilst keeping a flat, but slightly emphasised low end. Working with a bunch of musicians who all own a range of different IEM’s its great to have a set more natural sounding with the option of switching to something else to check other areas of my mix. I’ve found with the rock orchestra the C8’s have been great for dialling in the lows and low mids, particularly between the kick and bass because of the fast and punchy transient response these IEMs can deliver in those areas, also with the low mids of a vocal against the rest of the music.
How would you describe the sound of your Cosmic’s in 3 words?
Punchy, Crisp, Detailed.
Why do you trust Cosmic Ears?
I’ve trusted them since the very start and speaking first hand to Mike and the team its obvious they have a real passion for creating IEMs, plus they’re always up for a chat and a brew! They all listen to what you have to say and understand the challenges of mixing monitors. Being a small company I’ve felt that I’ve been treated almost on a 1 to 1 level, I can’t say thank you enough to CE.
Their new cable is a solid choice as well, we all know how many times we get cables caught around mic stands! Though I would absolutely recommend the provided shirt clip as its quite chunky and tends to fall down the shirt and pull on the ears a little.
What words of wisdom do you have for anyone reading this story?
High pass is your best friend, and mix with your ears, not eyes. But most importantly your ability to communicate well within all aspects of the industry is key. We’re all here because we love what we do, so keep on at it!
Instagram: @noisy_nutritionist
