“I have achieved a lot for a girl born and raised in the middle of the Kalahari desert,” says world music singer songwriter, Lorraine Lionheart. She has performed for Prince Harry & Meghan and won Music Artist and Entertainer of the Year 2015 at the AWE Awards in Geneva. A mature student and mother, she is passionate about embracing cultural diversity through music, has four albums and numerous singles on Spotify and iTunes – and is an all round inspiration.
“I consider myself an aspiring sound engineer/music and film producer,” she says, glossing over the fact that she has already recorded and produced two of her albums from her home studio, using the Audient iD4 audio interface as part of her setup. Recently completing her BSc(Hons) in Music Technology and Management – winning best final year music and sound project for Staffordshire University Gradex 2019.
“As a student with limited financial resources, I was looking for affordable kit that does not compromise on quality and I got that and more from the iD4,” she continues, when asked about her home recording setup. “I initially bought it to use it at home for songwriting and recording demo songs but developed a very close personal relationship with it because it exceeded my expectations, and continues to blow my mind with just how much work it has been able to handle.
“One of my favorite things about iD4 is the fact that it is so portable and light to carry, and I can take it anywhere. I usually take it with me even when I have no plans to record, because…you just never know.”
She was introduced to Audient during her four years as an undergraduate at Staffordshire University, where she continues her studies with a Masters degree in Music Production this September.
“We are very fortunate here, because we are spoilt for choice of equipment. However, I have learnt most of my practical studio technology from the Audient desks we have here at the University,” she says. “I have recorded an entire album using the ASP8024|HE and done the majority of my degree work with it. Lately I have been spending a lot of time [in the University studios] recording other artists for their projects as a way of trying to gain more experience in producing different kinds of music. The Audient console has always been my personal first choice for it is reliable and I never have any issues with it.”
If that weren’t enough, Lionheart is also developing her passion project: AMACAH, a music of Africa cultural exchange venture. Drawing on her Botswanan upbringing as well as a love of bringing people together through music and education, she explains, “I am in the process of setting up a community interest company; providing lectures, masterclasses, music cultural exchange workshops and keynote speeches on the music of Africa, to universities, colleges, music schools, art galleries, cultural centers, events and more. Our lectures/masterclasses consist of in-depth education about African music, which also encourage creativity by giving students/clients opportunities to practically and technically experiment with African music/sounds.”
