Pride of place at Black Barn, alongside a classic MTA console, is a pair of Focusrite ISA428 Pre Packs and a vintage ISA215 dual mic pre and EQ. Charles Rees, Weller's producer/engineer, comments "we've had the ISA215 since the nineties, and since then it's been the main thing for the snare drum — we use it all the time. As for the 428s, we've had them for about four years, and they are so useful on everything from drums to vocals."I know where I stand with the Focusrite preamps. I know that they're not going to drive, but as the same time, I know they'll be clean.

Black Barn have a selection of other vintage preamps at their disposal, but Charles always falls back on the Focusrites when he wants a consistent, reliable sound. "Sometimes you need that bit of equipment that's more neutral rather than colourful. I know where I stand with the Focusrite preamps. I know that they're not going to drive, but as the same time, I know they'll be clean. So I like to keep it clean and reliable on the Focusrites and use the contrasting equipment we have to add the colour. The Focusrites shine when there's lots of variety in there."

For more information on Black Barn, head to www.blackbarnstudio.com.