Al/Alan/Allan Wright

[Manning]

I was going through some of my favourite 80s Oz-rock albums, and I kept seeing the name Al Wright/ Alan Wright/Allan Wright appearing as the engineer on them.

I'm guessing they are all the same person - anyone know any more about him?

He had a real gift for drum sounds, I must say - I've got the Guru's 'Blow Your Cool" on at the moment and I'm loving it.

[jasound]

I assisted him a few times in the late 80s at Apocalypse and in the early 90s at Rich music studios.
I remember him being a really nice guy.
From memory if think he was one of the head engineers at Rhinoceros studios when Inxs owned it.
Everyone I knew called him Al Wright.
Im sure Rick will know more.

[rick]

Big al wright

Long story
We did ALOT together back then
It seemed weekly but at least monthly .

His life got complicated In the most rock n roll
Of ways and he disappeared for a decade or so ..

He is down Illawarra way now .. Last i heard Was hooked up
Helping / councilling kids and also working in that
Studio in Wollongong engineering again and teaching I think ?
I have had few gong rock kids come In that have told me
Al was in their lives and was a huge help.

Short story he was the house engineer at rhino studios in the 1980s

And made some of the most famous records and best sounding songs
of the time .
He used to win engineer of the year as a given .

Then his life got complicated in the most rock n roll of ways


Lovely lovely .. And Funny man

I haven't seen him in maybe 20 years .

[Ben M]

I've been working with Al for the past 6 years or so down this way (South Coast). He is still recording and now training audio.

[Manning]

Ben - that's great to hear he is still working and teaching. He is a truly superb craftsman.

[rightintheface]

Yep, he's at 313 studios in Coniston (is that where you are Ben?), Al is a champion and has some killer stories. Helped my band out when we were young and didn't have much cash, made us sound a lot better than we were... Taught me the awesome potential of riding a live mix on a big desk instead of fooling around ITB. Magician with a space echo.
Haven't seen him in a while now but he's always got a grin on his face and looks like he's up to mischief. A classic bloke!

[Ben M]

Yep, he's at 313 studios in Coniston (is that where you are Ben?), Al is a champion and has some killer stories. Helped my band out when we were young and didn't have much cash, made us sound a lot better than we were... Taught me the awesome potential of riding a live mix on a big desk instead of fooling around ITB. Magician with a space echo.
Haven't seen him in a while now but he's always got a grin on his face and looks like he's up to mischief. A classic bloke!

haha yep that's a good description Mitch. Fun, mischievous and a classic bloke.
I've been engineer/audio trainer at 313 studios further south in Nowra for the past 6 years. So Al and I have been counterparts for the same training org. Due to mergers/communication/funding bods/local council/gov't, the studio closed in Nowra late last year. A real shame for local muso's and upcoming soundies.

[Paul Maybury]

I have noticed the "Al/Alan/Allan Wright" engineering credit on many great sounding Australian records for a long time.
Not many radio friendly "indie" rock records from the '80's sound right or convincing today. "Al/Alan/Allan Wright" engineered records do.
It would great to know more about him and his methods.
Cheers,
Paul

[obutcher]

I've met Al a couple of times. Always been a super nice guy who's keen to talk tips and tricks and help people out.

[Chinagraf]

I assisted Al with Mike Stone producing. I'm OS at the moment so don't really have time to go into detail, but he is a recording animal. Guitar stacks so loud you have to wear industrial earmuffs and move the mic around till he waves at you to stop. When I assisted him he was one of the few to start the thing of mastering half inch at around +13dB.
Maybe Rick can elaborate on that stuff..
On the stuff I worked on he was using dolby A's on backing vox, ATR 1/4" as a predelay to EMT plate on vocals and AMS delay as stereo pitch. Never triggered any drum samples from the DMX. Liked a setting on the PCM 70 on drums that was some sort of percussion delay thingy (it was 20 years ago can't rememeber the name) and 480 for drum verb.
A guy maned Niven Garland assisted Al a lot at Rhino, he would know lots more, I think he may be back in the UK nowdays.
Al was was on the most fun people I have worked with. Off the planet and over the top in everything in a good way.

[rightintheface]

I'll give him a call sometime soon and see if he's willing to write a few things down for anyone that's interested? Any specific questions?

[rick]

Ask him about the future of the industry

[Paul Maybury]

Nice one Rick.
I think we all have to except that there is no yacht made of cocaine waiting for us, even if we have worked on a song or two that has had a brush with fame.
The work IS the reward.
Cheers,
Paul