For any recording artist, one of the most exciting moments of the process of making an album is the moment when you’re presented with a cardboard box full of freshly baked CDs. Yes, yes, yes, I know the future (present?) is digital downloads, but the feeling of finality when you receive an hard copy simply cannot be replicated! When I walked away from the ABC Centre in Ultimo with 25 copies of The Good, the Bad and the Awkward I found myself taking a moment to consider all the people who were so vital to its production. One of the most important people in this process is the recording engineer. I have had the great pleasure and privilege of working on this album with ABC Classics engineer Virginia Read, and spoke to her about her thoughts on the recording process.

Sally: You’ve had quite a few years’ experience working in the classical music recording industry, with a great variety of artists both here and abroad. What would you say are the most important qualities for a recording engineer who specialises in classical music, as opposed to those working in other genres?

Virginia: The most important skill an engineer needs to have...