Peter Beeston

Who We Are & What We Do

‘Cornucopia Radio’ started in 2008 and is the name that’s given to all the different award winning audio projects that are overseen by Peter Beeston in Sheffield, UK.

Most of the productions are recorded in various different locations across Sheffield, using local writers and performers. We hire out the spaces and then have as much fun as we can, rehearsing and performing all the varied scripts and shows that we’ve been sent. Most of our shows are ‘one-off’ productions, but we do have some permanent ongoing shows; like our sci-fi comedy sitcom Pod To Pluto

We tackle a wide mixture of genres, from ‘serious drama’ to ‘silly comedies’. Essentially, if the concept is interesting and well written; we’ll try and make it. Regardless of the subject!

A ‘Cornucopia’ Recording

Our recording equipment is pretty simple. We use a 5 port xlr ‘Behringer Mixer’ and a whole load of xlr mics. We set them up in a good acoustic space (again we try and hire local spaces, as we don’t have our own recording studio) and set the mics/stands up so all the performers are facing each other (so the group can perform more naturally & react against each other) This audio is then feed into a simple laptop (using a usb interface like this) and recorded via ‘Adobe Audition’.

A ‘Cornucopia’ Recording

We do sometimes use online vocal performers (and writers) from across the world; who’ll record their lines for us remotely (we ‘direct’ them via back-&-forth email correspondence). We tend to cast and find performers for this type of external work through services such as VoiceActing on reddit, CastingCall.club or Audio Drama Auditions on Facebook.

Later when it comes to the editing, we’ll use the same ‘Adobe Audition’ software to layer the recordings together. Sound effects often come from freesound.org and music tracks often come from freemusicarchive.org or jamendo.com

We always want the final production to sound exciting and different. We don’t want it to sound like performers just reading a script in an empty room. Instead, we try and make it feel like an ‘audio movie’, something that excites your imagination and makes you feel like you’re literately in the middle of the scene.

All this work is then added to our website, radiostream and podcasts. Our main podcast feed (the ‘Cornucopia Radio Podcast’) has been running for many years and has had over half a million downloads in total. We also approach other radio stations to rebroadcast our productions and help promote the things that we do.

We also have our own ‘internet radio’ station called ‘Cornucopia Broadcasting’. This automated rotating stream features all the work created by our amazing talented team of writers, performers and producers. Plus, we also re-broadcast other shows and podcasts from fellow creative people from across the world!

Get In Touch

If you have an idea for an audio production or script/podcast/show you’d like to try and co-produce with us, then email studio@cornucopia-radio.co.uk We can’t guarantee it’ll get made, but you won’t know unless you ask. Also drop us an email if you’re a performer; I’m sure we can find a role for you!

All of our self-produced shows and work are also available for other radio-shows and radio stations to rebroadcast (under a creative commons license) so again send us an email to studio@cornucopia-radio.co.uk for all media enquiries.

TLDR

We’re called ‘Cornucopia Radio’. It’s all run by Peter Beeston. We make comedy & drama radio in Sheffield. Email us if you want to get involved. Also, we’re totally awesome!