John Leonard is a theatre and exhibition sound designer and effects recordist from London. With a history of 30 years in the sound business, John brings us some dynamic and rare sound effects. His Hong Kong Terminal Ferry chimes the full Westminster clock then strikes 12, plus a Spitfire Mk IX takes a pass so fast and low you'll duck for cover! He now records in B-Format Surround at high sample rates and bit-depth, so his SFX are of the highest quality. John's theatre work has been heard all over the world and his effects are used in many other theatre, film and TV productions.
John Leonard is an icon in sound design and a pioneer in so many technical innovations, including surround sound and much more! Some highlights of his career in theatre sound include Piaf, Nicholas Nickleby, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Much Ado About Nothing and Cyrano de Bergerac, all for the Royal Shakespeare Company and all later seen in New York on Broadway: Medea, Hamlet, Plenty, Coriolanus, Richard III, Phedre and Brittanicus, all for The Almeida Theatre Company and also seen in New York; all but two plays in the Shakespearean canon for assorted theatre companies.
John also worked for The Norwegian National Theatre, The Deutsches Shauspeilhaus in Hamburg, and in many productions with directors Howard Davies, John Caird, Michael Bogdanov, Trevor Nunn, Terry Hands, Kathy Burke, Michael Blakemore, Michael Attenborough and Mike Leigh, amongst others, and a continuing involvement with new productions in many of the UK’s leading theatres.
English soccer game, medium sized crowd lead up and reaction to a goal scored. Huge cheer and applause, followed by recorded drums over the PA system. Great sound. Sports, Soccer
Pretty much perfect ocean waves on sandy shore. Big and heavy rollers breaking on a beach from about 100ft away. Strong rhythmical sound with no other distractions. Water, Waves
Ride on a vintage London Tram. Starts with another tram passing, then bells ring and tram rattles off to stop, with assorted bells and gongs en route. Transportation, Streetcars & Trolleys
English soccer game, medium sized crowd agrees/disagrees with referee's decision. Possibly the only soccer recording with the typically English refrain impugning the referee's character by suggesting that he indulges in a certain practice, i. e. "The referee's a w*nker!" Sports, Soccer
Battle of Britain Scenario: Sixteen Supermarine Spitfire Variants in an aerial chase sequence. Diving, low passes and fast climb away variations. Stunning set of sounds, pretty much unique in the Warbird recording world. Aircraft,
Old British Payphone as found in Red Telephone Kiosks. You insert money, dial call and on answer, push a button (Button A) to connect. If no answer, you push another button (Button B) for coin return. Ringers Phones,
A group of Spitfires in a chase formation, dodging and weaving around the sky as if in battle. Add your choice of weaponry and you have a fantastic WW2 aerial battle scenario in glorious full frequency stereo sound. Aircraft,
Large theater audience gives a very long standing ovation at the end of a long run of a play or musical Cheering, whistling, applause surges, shouts, etc. Just keeps going and going for over seven minutes. Crowds, Theater Crowds
