Don't touch that kick drum! Bryan talked about riding the drums during fills, adding drum distortion, setting up your Pro Tools mix template, how to mix with reverbs and delays, keeping the vocal realistic, and how to use mix bus plugins and stems.

My guest today is Bryan Cook a Los Angeles based mixer whose credits include U2, One Republic, the Raconteurs, Fleet Foxes, Iggy Pop, Queens of the Stoneage, Cold War Kids, Damien Rice, The Eels, and Autolu to name a few. He has been a previous guest on the podcast for episodes RSR333 where we talked about his beginning at Berklee School of Music, working at A&M Studios, mixing with composer/producer Michael Andrews, and his recent work on Jeff Goldblum’s latest album.

Today we will dive back into talking about mixing, and Bryan’s thought process and workflow in the studio to bring his experience to your home studio and help simplify what can seem like a very complex process.

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Website Links:

RSR333 – BRYAN COOK – PRODUCING AND MIXING TIPS – JEFF GOLDBLUM, U2, ONE REPUBLIC
https://www.bryancookmixer.com/

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko

Replace the Replacements? Justin talked about delivering mixes and masters with Samply, remastering Can’t Hardly Wait by the Replacements, the best plugins you can use for mastering, fixed-level monitoring, and mastering with speakers and headphones.

My guest today is Justin Perkins a mastering engineer in Madison, Wisconsin with Mystery Room Mastering who has worked on remastering projects for The Replacements, En Vogue, Ol’Dirty Bastard, Busta Rhymes, Jason Mraz, and mastering projects for Michael Franti & Spearhead, North Mississippi Allstars, Tommy Stinson, Lydia Loveless The Gaslight Anthem, G. Love, Screeching Weasel, The Figgs, and thousands of other independent bands and artists around the world.

Justin also masters nearly all the content for The License Lab which is a library music company based in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and does a monthly livestream for Steinberg Media to help both new and current users of WaveLab Pro get a better understanding of how to use it. And he has also written a number of articles for the popular website The Pro Audio Files on the topic mastering, preparing for mastering, and an overview of what types of master files you may need for various release formats.

Check out episode RSR303 for my previous interview with Justin about his background in mastering. 

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Website Links:

RSR303 – JUSTIN PERKINS – MYSTERY ROOM MASTERING TIPS FOR HOME STUDIO MIXING & MASTERING
https://www.mysteryroommastering.com
Twitter: @MysteryRoomMKE
Instagram: @mystery_room_mke
LinkTree

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko

Where is the attack of a bass anyway? Damian talked about wireframing production, mixing on small speakers, Pro Tools editing by hand, recording modular synths, pen and paper producing, how to get wide bass, and why you don't need no stinking mono!

My guest today is Damian Taylor a 10 x Grammy nominated producer, engineer, and mixer best known for his work with Bjork, The Prodigy, The Killers, Arcade Fire, UNKLE, TR/ST, Odette, The Temper Trap, City of the Sun, and Dizzy and recently for Bomba Estéreo’s album “Deja” picking up 4 nominations between the Anglo and Latin Grammys, including an album of the year nomination at the Latins. Damian has also been a guest on the podcast previously for episode RSR316 where we talked about his background in recording.

Damian hosts an online community The Complete Producer Network is a positive and supportive place for folks to talk about all aspects of creating and releasing music at www.completeproducer.net and there are a few music production programs within the network.

The Mix Accelerator Process is all about ensuring your vision and creativity are in the driving seat when you mix. The Beats Accelerator Process establishes the foundations of instant creativity through a drum programming and practice system. Damian’s Online Studio makes the community, learning, networking and collaborative aspects of multi-room studio facilities available in an online format for people anywhere in the world.

Thanks so much to Colin Ramsay at GPS Management for making our introduction.

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Website Links:

RSR316 – DAMIAN TAYLOR – COLLABORATING WITH BJORK AND ARCADE FIRE
http://www.damiantaylor.com/
https://globalpositioningservices.net/damian-taylor/
https://www.instagram.com/hereisdamian
https://twitter.com/hereisdamian
https://www.twitch.tv/hereisdamian
https://www.completeproducer.net

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko

I love the smell of analog tape in the morning! Larry shared tips for mid-side two-track remixing, improving your recording craft, four-track cassettes, mixing She & Him, Pavement, mixing in Pro Tools, and referencing with multiple speakers.

My guest today is Larry Crane the founder of Tape Op Magazine, owner of Jackpot! Recording Studio, a producer/engineer/mixer, and recording arts educator. He has been on the podcast previously to talk about starting out in a band, launching the magazine TapeOp, producing records and mixing at Jackpot! He also talked about recording and curating the musical archives of Elliott Smith, and lots of other fun stuff.

Today we will talk about what's new in the studio, various archival/restoration jobs, and more recording and mixing insights.

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Website Links:

RSR385 – LARRY CRANE – RECORDING, MIXING, AND ARCHIVING ELLIOTT SMITH STORIES AND STUDIO TIPS
RSR247 – LARRY CRANE – HOW TO GET A PRO MIX WHILE AVOIDING COMMON MIXING MISTAKES
RSR051 – LARRY CRANE – TAPE OP MAGAZINE AND JACKPOT! RECORDING STUDIO
Instagram: larry_crane_producer
Twitter: LCraneTapeOp
https://larry-crane.com/
https://jackpotrecording.com/
https://tapeop.com/

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Jon Richardson

"Damn it Jim I'm a mixer, not a bricklayer!" Collin reminds you to make sure that the arrangement is right before the mixing session, why old houses sound great, how to mix drums with phase and polarity, mix into busses, and soothe bass and vocals.

My guest today is Collin Dupuis a Nashville and Detroit based multi-Grammy nominated and two times Grammy winning mixer, producer, and engineer who has been on the podcast previously to talk about working with artists and projects including, Lana Del Rey, St. Vincent, Dr. John, The Black Keys, and many others. You can catch those episodes at RSR252 and RSR341 

Currently, Collin is busy working as a freelance mixer and engineer, recording, and mixing songs and albums for artists including, Angel Olsen, Yves Tumor, Boy and Bear, Cherry Glazer, Lawrence Rothman and many others.

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Website Links:

RSR252 – COLLIN DUPUIS – STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW TO MAKE GREAT RECORDS
RSR341 – COLLIN DUPUIS – MIXING ANGEL OLSEN, LANA DEL RAY, YVES TUMOR
IG : @collin_dupuis_mixer
www.collindupuis.com

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Jon Richardson

Got mixing questions? Vance answered all your questions from the RSR Facebook group, talked about the challenges of mixing in Atmos, multi-miking Chris Stapleton guitars and vocals, the SSL mixing template breakdown, and how to make a washtub bass.

My guest today is Vance Powell, a multi-Grammy award-winning producer, engineer and mixer, and owner of Sputnik Sound in Nashville with Mitch Dane. Vance’s many credits include Chris Stapleton, The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, and Wolfmother to name just a few. Vance is a repeat guest on the podcast and you can hear his previous episodes on RSR 002, 171, 293 and 360 to hear about his backstory and get some great tips on mixing and mixing in Atmos.

Today we will catch up with Vance and see what's new in rock and roll, and find out more about mixing in both stereo and Atmos as well. Vance also has a ton of great videos on Youtube if you want to go learn more plus he has some great courses over at Puremix.net

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Website Links:

RSR360 – Vance Powell – Mixing in Dolby Atmos on Pro Tools at Sputnik Sound
RSR293 – Vance Powell – Answers All Your Home Studio Recording And Mixing Questions
RSR171 – Vance Powell – How To Produce, Record, And Mix A Record That Rocks
RSR002 – VANCE POWELL – GRAMMY WINNING PRODUCTION, MIXING, AND ENGINEERING AT SPUTNIK SOUND
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/vance-powell-mn0000307596/credits
http://www.sputniksound.com/
https://puremix.com/mentors/vance-powell

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Jon Richardson

Gloria Estefan was right! Stephen talked about Sphere and the history of American consoles, Smoky Joe amps, printing fx plugins, recording drums, acoustic, and electric guitars, deconstructing your tape machine alignment, and stereo ribbon mics.

My guest today is Stephen Shirk an Engineer, Co-Producer and Musician. Stephen has been a guest on the podcast back on episode RSR272 when he talked about his background and starting Shirk Studios in Chicago restoring a beautiful Sphere console and building a dedicated space for recording full bands to analog tape. 

“CONSOLE: 1976 Sphere Eclipse A - Discrete Inline Console.  32 Channels - 24 Mic Pres - 16 + 8 busses (24 outputs during recording) - With Eight 920 EQ’s and twenty four 910 EQ’s - Reichenbach input and Jensen output transformers give the console a punchy tone that defines the pinnacle of the 70’s American console design. Balanced Line Input mod features Cinemag Transformers and Discrete GAR6220 Op Amps (SPA62).” 

In 2019 Stephen open up the studio to Recording Studio Rockstars for a weekend mixing clinic with Anthony Gravino which was a blast! We had Rockstars traveling overnight on the bus from Canada and flying in from New York state just to be there and were able to listen to everyones music and offer feedback. Today we will catch up and see whats new at Shirk studio and learn more about how Stephen is recording and mixing such great sounding records. Thanks again to Anthony Gravino for the introduction.

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Website Links:

RSR272 – Stephen Shirk – How to Record a Great Band Performance in the Studio
www.shirkmusic.com
Instagram: @shirkstudios

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Jon Richardson

Is it bad to print your mix offline? John talked about the importance of arrangement, mastering dynamics in your mix, the Fletcher Munson curve, listening loud and quiet, crest factor, customer care, and why some plugins are different every time!

My guest today is John Mayfield a mastering engineer with over 50 years of experience and owner of Mayfield Mastering in Berry Hill. Originally a career musician, John turned to recording and mixing in the 80s travelling to studios all over the world. He has also been a guest on episode RSR036.

Originally a successful touring and studio musician John started out in the studio recording and then mixing all over the world finally settling on Nashville to start his own mastering studio. Dave Matthews Band, Sara Evans, Kathy Mattea, Naturally 7, Warner Brothers Records and Universal Music Group-UK, to list a few.

John notes on his website that everyone in music is trying to figure out what is next and define the new business model. Since records are being made more often by independent sources with smaller budgets that cannot always afford the high dollar mixer the need for quality mastering is very much in demand. “Music will always be a part of our lives. Maintaining and improving the quality of that music has always been at the heart of my efforts. It is not a job to me, but rather a true joy, You would be amazed at what we can do with a project in mastering that might not have been an A+ mix.”

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Website Links:

https://www.mayfieldmastering.com/
RSR036 – JOHN MAYFIELD – MAYFIELD MASTERING

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Jon Richardson

"Made Loud To Be Played Loud!" Bill talked about recording with his son Michael, how to create cinematographic drums, single mic vocal stacking with The Eagles, producing demos on a boat, how to record great rock guitars, and singing at 8000 feet.

My guest today is Bill Szymczyk (and his son Mike Szymczyk) a Grammy-winning and multi-nominated American music producer and engineer best known for producing Hotel California by The Eagles. He produced many top albums and singles of the 1970s, though–aside from continuing to work with Joe Walsh–he retired from the music business by 1990  re-emerging in the late 2000s for select projects including the 2007 Eagles album Long Road Out of Eden and the 2008 eponymous debut of Brian Vander Ark.

Unlike many music producers, Szymczyk has no background as a musician. He was originally a sonar operator for the U.S. Navy and took some audio production classes as part of his Navy training. Besides his work with the Eagles, he has produced hit songs and albums for such diverse artists as B.B. King, Joe Walsh, The James Gang, and Elvin Bishop.

Thanks to Rick Carson with Make Believe Studio for making our introduction, and to Jonathan Roye. 

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Website Links:

https://www.michaelszymczyk.com
IG - @mikeszymczyk

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Jon Richardson

Delete most of those damn tracks before you mix! Billy talked about narrowing the drum and guitar mics down to the essentials for mixing, his vocal chain, bass eq roll-off, designing the perfect mixing chain plugins, and how mixing mono can help you.

My guest today is Billy Decker aka The Deckerator is an award winning Nashville mixing engineer known for his efficient and effective mixing method. 

He’s mixed 16 Billboard #1”s to date such as Dustin Lynch’s “Riding Roads” and notable artists as Sam Hunt, Chris Young, Rodney Atkins, Parmalee, Colt Ford, and the metal band Starset to name just a few. He also mixed George Jones’s last album before he passed. Billy Decker made history in July of 2014 when Sam Hunt became the most added new artist of all time. 

Decker works in a unique way. “I mix really fast. Most of my mixes are finished within an hour. To be able to do this, I use a lot of templates in pro tools. Instead of spending two hours EQing a kick drum I can do it in thirty seconds, because I have set up templates for the album that outline all the basic parameters for each instrument. I can then work on fine tuning - working on the entire mix, rather than focusing on individual adjustments. It’s a good way to work. It’s fast efficient and most importantly it’s fun."

He has been on the show recently for episode RSR281 and is also now a published author for his book “Template Mixing and Mastering: The Ultimate Guide to Achieving a Professional Sound” and has created a series of mixing plugins called the Bus Glue Billy Decker Bundle over at Joey Sturgis Tones. 

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Website Links:

RSR281 – Billy Decker – New Book Template Mixing & Mastering
RSR210 – Billy Decker – Speed Mixing #1 Hits Inside Pro Tools
billydecker.com
Facebook: billydecker
Instagram: deckerboards

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Jon Richardson