RSR111 – Ken Sluiter – Recording with Jim Scott, Andrew Scheps, Joe Chiccarelli, and Keith Richards

Ken Sluiter shares inside stories about working with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Keith Richards, Weezer, and gives epic tips on how to start a career in recording.

My guest today is Ken Sluiter, a recording engineer, producer, and mixer who started out in the Chicago jingle and ad scene, and was also an early pioneer in Pro Tools. He worked with Dave Trumfio and Mike Hagler at Kingsize Sound Labs recording bands like Wilco, Billy Bragg, Andrew Bird, Steve Earle, OKGO, My Morning Jacket, Jesus Lizard, and hundreds of other bands, while also playing in the new wave revival band the Pulsars.

By 2003, Ken moved to Los Angeles where he assisted Andrew Scheps on Weezer’s “Red Album”, Greg Fidleman on Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “I’m With You” and Jim Scott on multiple records. His Pro Tools skills saw him on projects ranging from Barry Manilow to Pink to Metallica. He also got involved with EastWest Studios in Hollywood to “shake out” the analog gear and configure the Pro Tools systems for each room. So he could ultimately record the entire EastWest “Hollywood” series of orchestral virtual instruments.

In 2009, Ken engineered and mixed two records for Jerry Lee Lewis with legendary drummer Jim Keltner as producer. This included doing overdubs with a “who’s who” of rock royalty, including Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Shelby Lynne, Kris Kristofferson, Robbie Robertson, Nils Lofgren, Aaron Neville, Mavis Staples, Gillian Welch and Jon Brion. And his engineering and mix credits include a staggering list of talent like Mick Jagger, Ron Wood, Sheryl Crow, Derek Trucks, Kid Rock, Daniel Lanois, Ringo Starr, John Mayer, James Burton, Leon Russell, Tim McGraw, Neil Young and Slash, The Pretenders, Marshall Crenshaw, Heart, Veruca Salt, Flogging Molly, James Blunt, Ron Sexsmith, and Dwight Yoakam. Ken has also has worked closely with producer Joe Chiccarelli, mixing for Morrissey, Augustines, and Nightriots.

Ken’s production credits include Weezer, the B52’s, Debbie Harry, Shirley Manson, and Siouxsie Sioux. And he has worked with film composer Brian Reitzell on several film scores including “Hannibal”, “American Gods”, and “Kicks”.