Mike O'Donnell was the co-music composer for Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, from it's debut in 1984 until 2003. He was also the music composer for TUGS.
Mike, a bass guitarist and vocalist, worked at the Beatles' "Apple Studios", where his love for music grew stronger after some memorable sessions with several famous singers. He also joined a band, Gold, who, despite having few hits, sold a number of singles such as "Stay with Me My Love" and "Paradise".
At some point Mike and Junior Campbell signed to the same publisher and their partnership sparked. They have collaborated on writing television jingles, which continued even after leaving their bands.
Mike lives in Surrey with his wife Barbera, daughter Sian and son Ben.
Equipment overview[]
Roland Jupiter-6[]
- Factory Presets: A2
- Factory Presets: A6
- Factory Presets: A7
- Factory Presets: B5
- Factory Presets: D1
- Factory Presets: D2
- Factory Presets: D5
- Factory Presets: D6
- Factory Presets: D8
YAMAHA C7 Semi-Concert Grand Piano[]
Linn LM-1[]
- Cabasa
- Tambourine
- Conga Hi
- Conga Lo
- Cowbell
- Hi-Hat
- Hi-Hat Open
- Toms
- Rim
- Snare
- Kick
Triangle[]
E-MU Proteus/1 (Pop-Rock)[]
- 001 Stereo Grand
- 005 Acoustic Guitar
- 032 Harpsikord
- 167 Alto Sax
E-MU Proteus/2 XR (Orchestral)[]
- 005 Arco Basses
- 006 Arco Celli
- 007 Arco Violas
- 008 Arco Violins
- 009 Marcato 1
- 011 Legato Strings
- 013 Pizz Basses
- 014 Pizz Celli
- 017 Pizzicato 1
- 018 Pizzicato 2
- 019 Tremolo Strings
- 024 Flute
- 025 Piccolo
- 026 Oboe
- 028 Clarinet
- 029 Bass Clarinet
- 030 Bassoon
- 033 Section Winds
- 036 FrenchHorn 1
- 037 FrenchHorn 2
- 039 Trumpet 1
- 042 Harmon Mute
- 043 Trombone 1
- 046 Back Brass
- 050 Timpani
- 054 Xylophone
- 055 Glockenspiel
- 057 TubularBells
- 058 Percussion 1
- 060 Harp
- 122 Nice Night
- 148 Quartet 3
E-MU Proteus 2000[]
- 002 Bell Tree 1
- 004 Bells1
- 034 Clarinet
- 038 Shakers
- 039 Flute
- 103 For Real
E-MU Ultra Proteus[]
- 000 Stereo Piano
- 092 Clarinet
- 094 Harpsichord
- 113 Accordion
- 125 Bagpipe
E-MU Virtuoso 2000[]
- 006 prc:Batterie
- 027 str:Studio Leg
- 032 str:Hall Trems
- 071 str:Hall Marcato
- 091 str:HallLegato
Eventide[]
- DDL-1745M Digital Delay
- FL-201 Instant Flanger
E-MU Emulator II[]
- 2 Trombones
E-MU Emulator III[]
- All Glisses
- Timpani Rolls
Sequential Circuits Prophet 2000[]
- Harp Glissandos
- Harp Plucks
- Choir
- Marcato Strings
- Flute
- Tenor Saxophone
- Electric Guitar
- Acoustic Guitar
- Orchestra Hit
- Timpani
- Clarinet
- Oboe
KORG DSS-1[]
- Bell Tree
- B02 PIZ-VIOL
- A04 Trumpet
Roland S-770[]
- Bassoon
YAMAHA Acoustic C3 Grand Piano[]
Alto Saxophone[]
Harmonica[]
Electric Guitar[]
Rickenbacker 4001 Bass Guitar
YAMAHA RX-5[]
- Bongo Hi
- Bongo Lo
- Chinese Cymbal
- Castanet
- Crash
- FM Percussion 1 (aka Smack)
- Hi-hats Closed
- Hi-hats Open
- Bass Drum 1
- Tambourine
- Snare Drum 1
- Snare Drum 2
- Shaker
- Ride (Edge)
Linn 9000[]
- Claves
- Vibraslap
Alesis SR-16[]
- 018 Lo Foot
- 050 Hi Honest Snare
- 054 True Snare
- 075 Plate Snare
- 105 Side Stick
- 109 Closed Hat
- 111 Edge Hat
- 129 Hard Ride
- 134 Hi Crash
- 135 Md Crash
- 140 Hi Tom Dry
- 141 Md Tom Dry
- 142 Lo Tom Dry
- 152 Lo Room Tom
- 158 Flr Hi Tom
- 165 Hi Cannon
- 166 Md Cannon
- 167 Lo Cannon
- 192 Tamborine
- 193 Shaker
- 217 Finger Snap
- 225 Cabasa
- 226 Hi Sticks
- 227 Lo Sticks