Timothy Clerkin

What did you do before joining dBs?

I was a DJ, live act, mix engineer and producer, running a number of record labels and a monthly radio show host, all of which I still do on a part time basis.

Why did you first get into music production and sound engineering?

About 25 years ago at school - having learnt guitar and drums from a young age, I got more interested in technology via the magic of guitar pedals. At age 16 I severed all the nerves in my left hand, so I decided to study music production and learn how to work behind the control room glass, instead of in front of it.

University is where I was introduced to clubbing and, as a result, started making dance floor based music, which is where I got my ‘break’ in the industry.

Any special areas of interest?  

All areas of music are interesting, but my skill sets tend towards mixing, hardware production, recording and synthesis. My vast collection of vintage synthesisers would probably be considered slightly abnormal.

What do you love most about what you do?‍

Being a nerd, I do like to hyper-focus on things and have a fairly obsessive nature, so geeking out about music gear is one of my favourite things to do and I have somehow managed to make a career out of doing just that. Music is everything to me, so enabling artists to make their art sound great is incredibly rewarding.

Tell us about your proudest career moment?

Rather too many to mention, but working with one’s heroes is always a pleasant experience. I released an album with Andy Bell of Ride and Oasis at the end of last year, both of which were a huge influence on me growing up. Winning a DJ Mag award for one of the record labels in 2023 was nice too.

What do you get up to outside of your role at dBs?

All of the above really - I spent a lot of time in my analogue synth recording facility / dungeon making records, mixing other artists, running the record labels, hosting my radio show, playing occasional gigs and collecting guitars and vinyl.

Tell us something our students may not know about you?

At university I won a competition to be crowned the fastest barman in West Yorkshire.

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