Storys from Zen

Fresh for 2012!

2012-04-01T21:41:00.000+01:00

Oh yeah.

We have just secured a contractual deal that supports the Olympics in London...

Further details to follow!

This involves a whole host of Zendell business applications....we may have to start hiring!

"We did not expect this to come through...One can only assume this has something to do with our product. We are a simple company doing simple things, however, we are a simple company doing things that no other company, in the UK, are offering - at our simple costings. What we offer is simple. A great product at a price that no UK competitor can compete with. Let's get real. There are many companies offering 'audio' solutions in the UK - but do any actually deliver the 'equal' that we do, worldwide, for the same cost. - I don't think so.........put the rest of 'production' aside - if one whats to talk about a simple audio production, then we can also hire the best session artist in the world, just like any other - it is down to project budget and availability. There is really nothing more to say on this matter, basically, save yourself some money for the same thing! Simple."
Zendell Director

Zendell, once again, continues with HP

2012-04-01T21:14:00.000+01:00

Zendell have extended their contractual deal with Hewlett Packard - one of the world's leading providers in computer hardware solutions.

Considering the current economic climate, the offer was too good to refuse, regardless of the build up that is about to happen!

The BEATS Programme is one thing HP are doing on the whole with engineers world-wide doing their thing to perfect, never mind the rest of it!

It's far too exciting not to be a part of - forget the debates between PC and Mac!

"It is overwhelming.... We are really pushing our boundaries now. There is nothing more too say. We are in a great position to implement quality, across all of our capabilities, to a world-wide leading organisation. It is an honour to be asked to continue delivering."
Zendell Director

Festive period - support desk staffing

2011-12-19T20:06:00.000Z

The Zendell support desk will be operating under skeleton manning from Saturday 24 December 2011 until Monday morning 2 January 2012.

During this time, we are only contactable via the Zendesk ticketing system.

Have a fantastic break!

A true beat-boxer!

2011-12-04T16:45:00.000Z

Keep it 'reole!

We love how audio can be manipulated - especially the art of human Beat-boxers.........

But - with our heart on our sleeve - we are deep down Jazz cats - we can't operate without the odd 'off key, on key' production of music. In fact - it makes music!

We have worked with 'big' guys and 'small' guys within the industry, as session artists yadda yadda. One gets a better product from the 'nu' cat rather than the old hat!

One thing for sure.....Zendell, now, are only interested in the 'nu' cats!

Hopefully, this will touch your heart.

Please give homage on this nu-skool battle-field to....

To this day, our favourite music video - hands down!

2011-10-18T19:46:00.000+01:00

Over the years, we have always had something for Clutchy Hopkins.

Regardless of the stories about living in caves and all the rest of it...his compositions have always carried that particular mood - even at times, inspired some of our own pieces!

We always loved the fact that all the live instrumentation, always kept that raw urban sample vibe to it, as if it was taken from classic breaks with a bit of added vinyl crackle.

So, to this end, we thought it be time to let you see, in our eyes, probably the 'coolest' music video ever made!

Watch out...Josh Osho is in the area!

2011-09-14T00:46:00.000+01:00

Well - this guy is hot...

Lovely to see the UK get some 'reole' soul delivery....to counter-balance! lol (darn - we do struggle with txt chat...)

Anyways...forget the stock market and the economic decline - our (un-biased) - pick is the cream of the South...

Josh Osho

DMC World Championships - The Final

2011-09-05T18:53:00.000+01:00

Tremendous result for our bhoy Ritchie Ruftone

Even though he came first from the Public vote, the judges placed him second...(we won't explain the typical type of politics that gets involved at this stage)

The winner was DJ Unkut from Germany. For the full Final standings, click here.

So - next year it is....watch this space.

Ritchie! - we love you - for keeping it 'reole!

X

A DJ and his toys!

2011-09-01T00:37:00.000+01:00

While we are on the whole international DJ battle thing, with Ritchie Ruftone getting top of the leader board vote for the World Championships - awaiting the judges decision - this little clip below is absolutely classic.

Retro as it gets, from DJ Nu-Mark.

DMC World Championships - Online

2011-08-16T21:49:00.000+01:00

Vote Now!

For the Zendell in-house battle cat Ritchie Ruftone

So, after the UK Championships loss on 1 point, the old timer is still pushing urban B-Breaks to a whole new level for the DMC World Championships!

Keeping it simple stupid. Keeping it 'reole.

2nd in the UK DMC DJ Championships...Ritchie Ruftone

2011-07-26T23:38:00.000+01:00

Bless!

Our long standing associate and B-Boy of the B-Breaks, Ritchie Ruftone, fighting out of Edinburgh, came 2nd in the UK DMC DJ mixing championships. It's been some time since many awards, including World ITF Champion, that Richie battled it out amongst his peers. Ritchie Ruftone has always been deep routed with our operations from clandestine audio throw ups to straight up music production.

Initially winning the DMC online battles to win a place in the championships held in London, it was a shame to see, once again, a flawless routine, being pipped by a rival turntable avenger......by 1 point!

Long live the King! x

(The online submission that won the votes to represent Scotland in the final)

Zendell to carry on with HP

2011-07-07T17:43:00.000+01:00

Zendell have extended their contractual deal with Hewlett Packard - one of the world's leading providers in computer hardware solutions.

The associate contract will be for an extended 6 months. Considering the current economic climate, the offer was too good to refuse. We have a set amount of 'deliverables' to achieve by the end of the year stretching the A to Z of our capabilities.

"It is fantastic news for us. We are certainly pushing out our boundaries here and love the fact that we can be 100% creative with our output and simply allowed to crack on - basically, get on with it and approach each task in the best way that we deem fit."
Zendell Director

Production update

2011-06-19T21:09:00.000+01:00

The current financial climate is hitting everyone hard at the moment, so, besides keeping in touch with our regular clients, pushing out products, we have somehow found ourselves back where we belong!

Mixdowns!

....and totally loving it!

Our audio forensic work is still the main drive at the moment, but we are ever so quickly finding artists/producers and recording labels coming to us for mixing down their productions, prior to mastering. Then - we find ourselves involved in finishing the job with mastering.

It must have something to do with the fact that we work solely outboard using valve/tube technology - bringing back the true essence of audio production - keeping it sounding authentic and warm, then introducing the digital domain at the very end.

We are working with many known and unknown artists at the moment and even giving us that all important moment in time to get back and work on our own productions!

So, its full time music at the moment. Not much going on with the TV stuff......just straight up creative music!

Which leads us to an in-house production we are working on at the moment.

Well, we believe its huge! Currently, we are working on arrangements and mixing and then push the track out for some music video treatment.

Hold tight!

Production update

2011-04-03T18:30:00.000+01:00

There is a whole heap of things going on with Zendell at the moment!

Firstly, we are happy to introduce the completed set up of our country based pre-production studio in the Cotswolds!

Its basically our break away creative spot, away from the urban hussle that is London. We still have our London studio, but the West Country studio set-up is for us to extent our UK boundary, offer the region our services and most importantly, be able to produce and excel our audio capability with piece of mind, fresh air, thus bring true Zen!

We are also in design and project development of a Voice Over studio in Johannesburg, which is expected to be open mid-year!

The start of the new tax year is now - we have introduced a budget bargain for the UK market only, in the way of audio production for the month of April.

Basically, 50% off all quotes, as long as the production and project trigger is initiated during April 2011. However, there is also an offer for a 'free' production, if you are signed up to our eNewsletter service, then you would of already been made aware in how to qualify for this!

All in all, pretty attractive really - 50% off - considering that our 50% off is still outrageously cheap in comparison to other UK production houses! Even our 'normal' price probably comes to 50% of theirs!

The audio forensics project and consultancy is still on-going which is also introducing new work - which is good, considering the current state of the economy!

As for internet solutions, Zendmail has just gone through a re-vamp, with a new bad bhoy server, updates, upgrades and some heavy weight's jumping on board, using this powerful email send engine!

Some pretty cool work is just around the corner, so without stealing anyones thunder, we will wait until sealed, before we comment! ;)

As always, keeping it reel.

Sony Vivid TV Commercial

2011-01-12T23:38:00.000Z

Once again, Zendell stepped up to the plate with a fully composed audio composition for Unleashed.

Advertising agency Penquin were tasked to provide Sony with a 30 second TVC to promote the new Sony Vivid E Series laptop during the Christmas period.

We were supplied a brief by Unleashed about music genre direction and the edited footage. The piece was produced in-house as always and it was decided to push the boundaries a little by bringing in some top 'cats' for some session actions!

Drums, ill programming and mixdown was done by Zendell Producer 'Reole.

Ridiculously tight bassline runnings by Geoff Gascoyne - Jamie Cullum, Van Morrison, Everything but the Girl session supremo - to name a few.

A beautiful brass part was pounced on by Ed Jones - Incognito, Kid Creole, Tom Jones, George Benson session supremo - to name a few...

Vocals provided by the infamous Bridge Fazio, with backing support from the UK's soul sensation Bukola.

Our regular mastering partner Nick Bennett on polishing the final product. Mammoth kit over there @ Revolution.

As usual, everything ran beautifully. Sessions were short and sharp, capturing the exact sound we were looking for pretty quickly. 'Reole ran all vocals and brass through the sE Electronics Gemini II dual value mic and Focusrite Liquid pre. New techniques were also on trial using some SSL bits too!

Sounds sweet. Check it out for yourself!

The 'reole Call of Duty!

2010-11-11T23:42:00.000Z

We are loving this. Sit back and enjoy. Who needs the Xbox?!

Production update

2010-10-24T15:03:00.000+01:00

There has been lots of developments recently with Zendell. On return from a short production trip out in South Africa, various projects were completed and many more on the way!

In partnership with our video partners Unleashed, we were involved in various projects ranging from audio production to internet solutions.

Audio. A composition for a TV commercial was made for the National Children and Violence Trust, a non-profit organisation. The agency behind the project was once again Volcano, who once again farmed the production out to Unleashed. This hard hitting advert was initially made as a 45 sec piece, but after the success of the initial flighting, we were requested to edit a 30 sec piece for other channels. Zendell provided the audio production and the piece was finally mastered courtesy of our UK partners Revolution Mastering. Check out our video showreel here.

Also, a composition was made for the new and exciting South African based burlesque troop Circus Gothica. In the near future, Zendell plan to supply the troop with further compositions and potential development support. Check out our video showreel here.

After the success of the Suzuki campaign, it looks like Unleashed are going back into production with the leading agency Penquin........

There is more Zendell sound to picture, with a series of 5 adverts for Business Connexion.

We also introduced the concept of eMastering to various clients and recording artists out in SA. So, very shortly one will be able to hear an obvious change in 'sound' popping out your speakers from across their way! Hopefully soon, this will include potential construction of recording facilities under the roof of Unleashed, supported by us, on site, on demand, on point!

As soon as we got back to the UK, we found ourselves doing the 'usual' at the UFC EXPO.

Internet. Design work has come in for a number of requirements, ranging from Circus Gothica to a leading 'fairings' manufacture in SA for motorcycles, Omega Fibre.

PMO/Audio forensics. Now we're back, we have parachuted into the deep end with leading computer hardware provider HP.

Support centre. During all this, we have managed to upload our new online knowledge base, contact and support centre. From now on, this should grow and grow...

There is more.......but we will save the best till last - another time, another post!

Zendell secures contract with HP

2010-10-24T14:52:00.000+01:00

Zendell have secured a contractual deal with Hewlett Packard - one of the world's leading providers in computer hardware solutions.

The associate contract will be for 12 months, involving PMO support, consultation and various other functions. Following on from the successful project management and consultation duties Zendell have provided for the likes of Detica and the like, this role once again puts our consultant capabilities back to the forefront of forward-thinking design and development.

"Well, following on from the success story with Detica, we have found ourselves again integrating creative capture and design functions with project and production management - as an essentially UK based audio production company, tapping into cooperative markets offering specialist expertise is still top of our list in priorities and is steadily being noticed"
Zendell Director

Central America - ¡Suelta!

2010-08-01T19:35:00.000+01:00

There is a strong possibility that one may find it hard getting in touch with the Zendell team at the moment.

Half of us are still out in South Africa, while the other half has just departed to Cabo St Lucas, Mexico.

Mexico is internet solutions related, representing Zendmail. However, we will refrain in stating the percentage share between business and pleasure for this trip, as the 3 week duration went through a rather 'hard' sell to the accountants!

Not to mention the 'err, I don't know how long the stop overs will be' detours via Chicago and New Orleans!

So, we are only in a position of providing support services to our current clients during the month of August 2010 via support@zendmail.co.uk.

Le adoramos personas!

Siempre!

Zendell secures contract with Detica

2010-05-21T13:11:00.000+01:00

Zendell have secured a contractual deal with Detica - the UK's leading organisation in Information Intelligence.

The contract will be for 2 months, involving PMO support, consultation and various other functions. Following on from the successful project management and consultation duties Zendell have provided for the likes of Lockheed Martin and the like, this role once again puts our consultant capabilities back to the forefront of forward-thinking design and development.

"We love to integrate our creative capture and design functions with our project experience - as an essentially UK based audio production company, tapping into cooperative markets offering specialist expertise is still top of our list in priorities, as we always strive to maintain continuity with these sectors preforming above expectations."
Zendell Director

Suzuki TV commercial

2010-05-17T18:19:00.000+01:00

Zendell were once again brought in by Unleashed - providing audio for their 'big bang' TV commercial for Sukuzi South Africa.

The film production of the commercial was epic enough, so without stealing the guys thunder, have a little read of the processes that Marc has so kindly submitted by clicking here.

Basically, its all about the Canon HDSLR EOS-7D.

Anyway, the audio production that was created was also quite an epic. We were given the nod on a Friday and had the whole thing turned around in 6 days. However, in between the delivery date, we encountered a wonderful world of frustration, enjoyment and pain. The pain was simple - the client had a specific 'audio sound' request. We kind of went on a totally different genre at the beginning, ranging from drum and bass, electro, jungle, hip hop, classic rock, orchestral, grunge to hard rock.......

We kept sending the pieces out to SA and kept on getting them sent back! It wasn't the fact that the compositions were not any good, in fact, they were all pretty awesome and we are happy that we have them archived for future use. The thing was that the client Penquin, rightfully so, wanted a 'particular' sound. It's all down to following the brief to be honest! ;)

So, session artist after session artist, recording after recording, we finally nailed the rawkus 30sec cut with the help of 'Matt King' on guitar, 'Eddie Hoffmann' on bass and a drum session recorded with each part recorded 7 times - sampled at different velocities of a Ludwig kit - so we can stick it into Battery...........for some ill programming!

'Can we have some vocals also please'..............no problem, a simple hook up with the man 'Bridge Fazio' would certainly add the lick we had in mind!

The biggest thing on this sound to picture production is that the visuals were finished - it was just down to Unleashed polishing it up and getting it graded, whilst the clock was ticking for us to complete the audio in time and get some form of sync on the go. So, once complete, we took the audio parts down to Nick at Revolution Mastering, where we wanted to run the stem parts individually through his 'bloody lovely' Manley compressor, just to get that sound, rather than our SSL set up.

Smash. We all got home just in time for tea and medals.

South America!

2010-04-01T18:00:00.000+01:00

Recently, a Zendell representative was venturing out in the Southern Hemisphere region for 2 weeks on a little recon mission that has turned out rather interesting!

This involves all components of the Zendell arsenal, from audio and film production, to PMO and internet solutions.

Details to follow soon!

Bukola - 'Make your move' single out now!

2010-03-13T20:55:00.000Z

While we are on it - have a listen and look at one of our artists who is destined for big things going by the response and build up we had on this track during the campaign.

The name Bukola will be at the end of everyone's lips during 2010, especially when we produce and release the all new exciting forthcoming 'new jam'!

Make your move is available as a digital download on iTunes now!

No. 3 in 'Best Ad on TV'

2010-03-13T18:48:00.000Z

As a team, Unleashed and Zendell came with the killer Sony Vaio series of adverts for leading Joburg agency Volcano. The second one in the series was voted No.3 in 'Best Ad on TV'.

Click here for the screenshot!

The graphics were painstakingly manufactured by Unleashed while the audio was scored to visual by ourselves - with a vibrant forward stepping sound collage keeping with the blimp, stadium and Sony FIFA World Cup theme, with a tint of 31st century urbanism. The advert can be viewed at our video showreel section - listen out for the infamous African horns, that will certainly be more widely recognised after the Summer of 2010!

Our new website...

2010-03-13T17:42:00.000Z

Welcome to our new site, hope you like it. We are trying to keep away from the Flash design, as we feel the novelty has worn off. It used to look great when it came out and designers were more or less having wet dreams with the stuff they were pushing out...which looks great - if your system can view it! Flash seems to be used on nearly every media type of site, being it film, music, fashion etc, because some of the stuff you can do looks wicked. In fact, take a look at this site, a major advertising company in Joburg called Volcano. Its great, in fact, one of our fav's - you can can lost in a journey trying to navigate through it, really good fun - but it is purely Flash!

By using HTML, like our new Zendell site, then you can get to work with CMS systems that allow anyone to log in and change the content of the site - blogs like this page - SEO yourself up the google search engines by hyperlinking blah blah blah. Most importantly, it looks clean and tidy. So, it looks like things have gone proper full circle eh!!

In fact, if you fancy a web site designed at the most competitive UK rates out there, then why not give us a shout, or have a look at our Internet Solutions site, Zendmail.