I’m an experimental sound artist, active since 1984 with music on the border between avant-garde, industrial, experimental, and ambient for more than 35 years. I established a large discography with solo releases, albums under my pseudonyms and alter-ego’s VIDNA OBMANA, FEAR FALLS BURNING and the MICROPHONICS series while collaboration with international acclaimed musicians like Steven Wilson (as Continuum), Justin K. Broadrick (as Loud As Giants), Cult Of Luna, Steve Roach, and toured extensively on the sides of Jesu, MONO, Low, My Bloody Valentine, and Cult Of Luna.
However, being a follower of (free) jazz for years, when meeting Tomas Järmyr (Motorpsycho) and Kristoffer Lo to form YODOK III I got fully drawn into the free improvisation scene and set up my own label A NEW WAVE OF JAZZ while working together with some of the best and modern improvisors like saxophonists Alan Wilkinson, Rodrigo Amado, John Dikeman, Colin Webster, José Lencastre, Cath Roberts and Cel Overberghe, drummers Tomas Järmyr, Steve Noble, Teun Verbruggen, Tom Malmendier, George Hadow and Andrew Lisle, tuba player Kristoffer Lo, viola player Benedict Taylor, Otto Willberg (double bass), John Edwards (double bass), Peter Jacquemyn (double bass), Daniel Thompson (guitar) Kris Vanderstraeten (percussion), Patrick De Groote (trumpet), Charlotte Keeffe (trumpet), experimentalist Graham Dunning and pianist Martina Verhoeven, and many others.
Additionally to all the concerts, I also took care of most of the recordings (KODIAN TRIO, YODOK III, COLIN WEBSTER LARGE ENSEMBLE, TONUS, etc.) and therefor built up an expertise in mixing and mastering music, whether free or composed / acoustic or electronic, for digital, cassette, cd or vinyl productions.
Most of the projects have been done through the connections in the scene. A search on discogs will give you an insight in how many I’ve already done over the years : Raw Tonk Records, Conspiracy Records, N, Colin Webster, Growing, John Dikeman/William Parker/Hamid Drake, Dans Dans, Robert Rutman, Alan Wilkinson, Tombed Visions, Monkey Okay, Ana Ott.
If you’re interested in my services as a mixer / mastering (incl. DDP master, etc.) engineer, please get in touch with me at dirkserries(at)gmail(dot)com
“Over the past five years, Dirk has worked on a diverse range of music slated for release on vinyl, CD, and cassette, each presenting their own unique sonic challenges. I’ve trusted him with raw rehearsal room recordings, minimal chamber music, and at least three albums for vinyl that feature significant shifts in volume and intensity from track to track. I initially approached Dirk because of his extensive experience in producing similar records over the decades, some of which I’ve had the privilege to release. His expertise spans from spacious free improvisation to crushing industrial noise. The reason I continue to return to Dirk is that each record he has mastered has come back more fully realized and focused, particularly the vinyl records. Pressing music to vinyl is notoriously stressful and expensive, but with Dirk, I felt assured throughout the entire process. The last two test pressings I received have revealed new sounds in the speakers that I hadn’t heard before, even after hours of mixing and editing. Dirk works quickly, is extremely affordable, and is highly sensitive to the music, because he cares deeply about the clarity of the musician’s vision. But most importantly, Dirk has been so friendly and generous with his time. He’s brilliant at explaining complex parts of the process to those with limited engineering skills, never patronising, ensuring you feel informed and involved to make the right decision together. For all these reasons, I couldn’t imagine a safer pair of hands. It’s a gift to work with Dirk.” David McLean/Tombed Visions
“Dirk Serries has done fantastic work for me before, especially on the Dikeman Parker Drake album, Live at Cafe Oto. Live recordings are never the easiest but Dirk managed to get everything sounding clear and dynamic while still capturing the vibe of the room and the live atmosphere. I really appreciate that he understood our music right away and didn’t try to approach it like something it wasn’t, over emphasizing the bass drum or putting heavy compression on what was an acoustic jazz setting. He gave us exactly what the music called for! Highly recommended!!” John Dikeman
“Dirk has mixed and mastered dozens of the releases on Raw Tonk, ranging from live recordings of acoustic large ensembles to electronic studio sessions. Always excellent, quick, professional and friendly.” Colin Webster/Raw Tonk Records
“A Fear Falls Burning mastering really brings forward the original recording: in sound, atmosphere and headroom; like putting the music on a complete new level. I am returning to Fear Falls Burning mastering since years. …and will go on like this.” Hellmut Neidhardt/N
“Working with Dirk has been an absolute pleasure. We’ve returned to him for mastering multiple times now, and every experience has been seamless, professional, and artistically satisfying. Regardless if its mastering for Vinyl, CD, Cassette or Streaming the end result has turned out flawless. Dirk has a great ear for detail and tone and delivers a very balanced mastering every time. Highly Recommended!“
Mads Siegenfeldt/Monkey Okay
dirkserries.com 