Mike is an oasis of calm in a stormy creative world. He is unfailing in his efforts to make the most out of the audio he is given and he works to the highest professional standards. He is genuinely interested in helping producers feel happy with the end result, and always delivers the best possible product in the shortest time. Presenter Martin Wainright dubbed him a ‘wizard’ and he probably is.
Mike Thornton is a true wizard when it comes to Radio production. I can highly recommend his talents if you require any production services or technical support.
Mike has edited and mixed quite a few complex features that I’ve produced for BBC Radio 4. He is fast, clever, tasteful and doesn’t make mistakes. I recommend him for any audio work.
Mike is a fantastic audio editor. He’s quick, creative, helpful and easy to work with. Chances are he’s edited the radio programmes you’ve enjoyed the most.
Mike is a brilliant editor to work with. As well as being fantastic technically, I really appreciate everything else he brings to the table – his own ideas, creativity & endless patience. I wholeheartedly recommend him.
Mike is a great person to work with. He is expert without being condescending. He fully engages with the creative process and invests himself in the success of your project. He offers you solutions rather than problems. And he has a sense of fun that helps you to keep going when you’re both working hard.
I know Mike primarily as one of the main, regular contributors to Sound On Sound where his reviews and ProTools articles are always informative, clearly written and — important from my perspective — on time! One of my main concerns in Sound On Sound is getting over information that is sufficiently deep while still not intimidating the less experienced reader and Mike manages this particularly well.
See our portfolio pages to see the range of work we have undertaken.
I have worked with Mike many times both when I was a BBC in-house producer and subsequently as a freelance producer/director. His work is first rate. As a recording engineer his expertise is a great reassurance, and as an editor I have always found him extremely easy to work with – he is diligent, he has a great deal of technical knowledge and he is always happy to look for fresh solutions to problems.
Mike is a fantastic sound designer, with a passionate commitment to the work. He is a total enthusiast, who works tirelessly to produce the best possible sound for the programme. He is full of ideas and creative solutions. It is a joy to work with Mike, every time.
Great Radio Drama recording and editing job for me, always going the extra mile, completely reliable safe pair of hands and very personable. A pleasure to work with. Jeremy Howe the Commissioning editor for Radio 4 had this to say about the production and Mikes work “It is a good story, each episode work well, and I think you have given it an excellent production – good performances across the board, and I like the voice distortion.
Mike Thornton puts the ‘sound’ in Sound Designer. Mike’s king capacity forsound creation combined with an unending patience and willingness to be the voice of experience has been a bedrock of creativity and experimentation for Woolyback’s first few productions. As a new company we are trying to establish a fresh style and sound in each production we make as we work alongside Mike to breathe life into our ideas. Even the most bizarre request is honoured – and when it doesn’t work there is never an, “I told you so”, always a patient grin and another suggestion. Mike leaves no stone unturned, no box unticked, no sound unmanaged. He has an impressive discipline and control in his work that gives producers a rare and precious combination to behold. As our sound-pilot Mike provides a feeling of utter safety combined with the excitement and anticipation of knowing you’re going to hear what you didn’t even know you could hear, in just a matter of moments.
I just wanted to thank you all for yesterday’s Pro Tools training. It was much appreciated by everybody and seems to have really lifted everyone’s spirits knowing that there is a way to work from home and that there are people out there getting work as freelancers and that there is someone like you Mike providing a support service that we can subscribe to so we can start buying the kit with confidence. Thank you so much.
Hi Mike – thanks very much for your patience yesterday – I felt I learnt a great deal – and writing up my scribbles when I got home – it had all made sense & been remembered!!
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Seven radio producers – all based in the north of England – have joined forces to launch a new co-operative venture – ‘Radio Wizards’. It’s equally remarkable that their aim now is to work together on every kind of sound production... except radio!
"It’s taken over a year to get to this point," says ‘wizard’ Mike Thornton, "but now we’ve got a viable business plan, we’ve launched our website and we’re already starting to attract commissions. As a facilities provider we decided to facilitate this partnership and set them up with a web site to help kickstart this excellent partnership."
