recording studio Archives - Page 37 of 38 - Recording Studio Rockstars

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Dave Hagen

RSR016 – Dave Hagen – Dark Horse Recording

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

If you dig the show I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR016 - Dave Hagen - Dark Horse Recording

My guest on the show today is Dave Hagen, Head Engineer at Dark Horse Recording in Franklin, TN. Dark Horse is one of the longest lived large studio complexes in the Nashville area featuring multiple studios, and complete artist accommodations amid a stunningly beautiful Tennessee countryside backdrop.


Dave works with an extremely diverse client base including OneRepublic, Relient K, Matthew West, For King and Country, Tenth Avenue North, Ashley Judd, Newsboys and many others.

And not only are his recording credits impressive but so is his beard which has been featured on CNN Money, and many band documentaries.


Dave also helped develop teaching curriculum for the Dark Horse Institute, build and design several new studios, and has taught many students the skills needed to get started in the music industry.


But most importantly, Dave is about to adopt his second child and has the enviable task of struggling to split his time between family and work that he loves.



Cool Stuff Lij & Dave Talked About...

Jiro Dreams Of Sushi “I do the same thing over and over improving bit by bit. There’s always a yearning to achieve more. I’ll continue to climb trying to reach the top, but no one knows where the top is.”

Listen to The Pilgrimage Sessions on NoiseTrade. “Dave was the wizard of the studio!”

The ReGeneration Documentary. In one scene the Meter's drummer Zigaboo sounds exactly like himself even through the camera mic. A testament to great musicianship!









The Jam Session:

Q: What was holding you back when you started recording?

A : I couldn’t get people in front of my microphones! And finding good instruments and good people to record is really key to getting a good sound. I did a lot of going to shows, talking to bands, offering them free recording time.

Often free means it’s worth nothing. And so there’s a good chance that if you’re offering to record for free that people will assume that you’re no good. And so they might want to go somewhere to spend money because their time is valuable. But by the same token you can’t charge what the real working professionals are charging if you’re just starting out. So there’s always this fine line I wanted to walk between not trying to undercut people who are actually doing all the work. So you have to be careful advertising for something like that, because that can really distance you from all the other professionals in your career.

“Finding good instruments and good people to record is really key to getting a good sound.” @DarkHorseRec 

Click to Tweet


Q: What was some of the best advice that you remember receiving?

A: Early on the best advice I got about mixing was just don’t do so much. If it’s a great instrument it will sound great with almost nothing done to it. A lot of times I can just turn up the pre amp on the snare drum and it sounds pretty dang good! When I find myself trying to crank an EQ on a snare drum to make it sound good it’s just never gonna sounds good…

When you start overdoing your EQ overdoing your compression, or reverb that stuff to me just never sounded very successful. And a few people helped me find the error of my ways when I was doing that.

“Often free means it’s worth nothing…” @DarkHorseRec @DarkHorseInst

Click to Tweet


Q: Share a recording tip, hack, or secret sauce.

A: I heard people talking about using all sorts of tricks to get that telephone sound. So I just went out and got an old telephone instead and wired it up. It’s very much like a copperphone. So Ill load it up underneath the drums and often it might get deleted, but every so often it gives me this perfect brightness on the snare that somehow doesn’t capture any cymbals. It sort of becomes my snare bottom mic and Ill blend it in with the others. It gives me that texture and grit of the snare but without the individual wires. It’s just a crunch that layers on top of the drum kit. Ill put it on the floor and wrap it in a hand towel. It gives it the “Dave Hagen flair”


“I’ve always found that It’s better for me to over deliver on what I’m promising to bands” @DarkHorseRec 

Click to Tweet

Q: Tell us about a favorite hardware tool for the studio.

A: Geffell M71 is great for piano, acoustic, and often wins vocal shootouts. Gefel is the East German side of Neuman. They had all the same patents.


Q: What is a favorite software tool?

A: Klanghelm MJUC and VUMT . Cool Vari Mu compressor and VU meters


Q: What business advice do you have?

A: Dave’s advice for business is to talk to somebody that knows more than you do. He was not an expert so he talked to those who knew more about it


Q: If you were dropped into a strange land and could only take a simple setup to record. What would you take? How would you find people to record? And how would you make ends meet to start out?

A: “The key to being successful in the music industry is just outlasting a whole lot of other people. This is what you do instead of getting a real job. There’s a whole lot of people that want to get out here and do this. And so most of them will realize that this is also hard work and give up on it in a short amount of time. So if you are persistent about it you’ve got a really good shot at making that work.

In terms of a personal setup Lij you’ve got it! You’ve got it right here in a suitcase:

Get a job that allows you to be flexible enough to take any session whenever it comes along. And surround yourself with great music, people, and every recording session that you can get into.


Q: What is the single more important thing to do to become a Rockstar of the recording studio?

A: Just keep doing it. So many people quit after a couple of years and don’t stick it out. Even though I still feel regularly like I have failed I continue on and don’t quit. But I still strive to balance dedication to work in the studio, and family at home.



DarkHorseRecording.com


DarkHorseInstitute.com


Dave@DarkHorseRecording.com

If you have any or questions about recording you would like me to answer on the show or suggestions for the show please email me:

lij@recordingstudiorockstars.com

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy
RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

And if you want to get on the email list for free content full of videos, tips, studio tricks, and special offers just text RSROCKSTARS to 33-444 from your phone (super easy and I promise you won’t get spammed!)

Credits: Thanks so much to Merissa Marx and Hunter Hansen for assisting with editing audio and show notes. You guys totally rock!

Cheers!

Lij

 

 

 

Ronan Chris Murphy

RSR015 – Ronan Chris Murphy – Recording Boot Camp

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR015 - Ronan Chris Murphy - Recording Boot Camp

My guest today is Ronan Chris Murphy, a producer, mixer, and recording artist. Ronan has spent the past 25 years playing and recording music. He started out playing in punk bands in Washington DC touring and sharing stages with Dinosaur Jr, The Flaming Lips, the Henry Rollins Band, and Gwar (In fact he may still be covered in fake blood as we speak).


Ronan then moved into production and mixing in a multitude of music genres. Jazz, Rock, Progressive, folk, pop, classical, and world music are all part of Ronan’s discography. Recording has taken him to three continents with artists from Dozens of different countries where he has helped some of the greatest artists in the world push the envelope and take their music visions to the next level. His productions have received wide critical acclaim, been featured in films and television, won awards, and hit the top ten around the world.


As a producer, engineer and/or mixer, Ronan Chris Murphy has worked with the likes of King Crimson, Steve Morse, Terry Bozzio, Steve Stevens, Tony Levin, and Nels Cline to name a few, as well as various projects featuring members of Tool, Ministry, Weezer, Dishwalla, and Yes.


He continues to collaborate with artists as a songwriter and musician and perform his own music with Lives of the Saints and will soon release his first solo album featuring Tony Levin, Terry Bozzio, Pat Mastelotto and Mike Keneally.


Ronan is a member of the Music Producers Guild of the Americas, the Recording Academy, writes for multiple publications, and is a speaker and panelist at various recording and music events. Ronan also has a cool podcast called Ronan’s Recording Show.


And one of the coolest things Ronan has for you, Rockstars, is a series of international recording workshops called Home Recording Boot Camp. This is an opportunity for you to get inside the studio for a powerful face to face classroom session. Ronan takes you through an intense journey of the studio and all its components from the gear, to recording, to mixing. Class is in session a few times a year, and you can click through below to learn more.

Drum Recording Boot Camp

Drum Recording Boot Camp
Ronan Chris Murphy shares everything he has learned recording and mixing some of the greatest drummers in the world.

RECORD DRUMS LIKE THE PROS



What was an important failure for you?

I was working at a studio and that relationship ended because I didn’t want to actively support their religious agenda. That was a bummer. I was living in Boston at the time walking around saw a guy in the subway playing guitar. I missed my train to hang out with him. Turns out it was Steve Ball, it turned out he was a part of Robert Fripp and the League of Crafty Guitarists. Turns out we got to be great friends and collaborated on a bunch of things. The web of connections from Ball and expansion of my career happened because I got dumped from this studio. 




Cool stuff Lij & Ronan mentioned on the show:

What are you excited about right now?

I'm working on Kathleen Blackwell's new album. We’re making a record that fuses world music with pop music, creating beats and bringing in different worldly music elements. We’ve been recording in Turkey, Mexico, Italy, Texas; really harvesting sources in the studio or out in the street.









The “Jam Session” Q&A:


Q: What was holding you back at the beginning?

A: I think it was not going for stuff all the way. Why didn’t I just pick up the phone and call? Why wasn’t I proactive? I didn’t have the courage to get up and go for stuff that I wanted.

Q: Some of the best advice you received early on?

A: Tony Levin taught me to, “Show up on time.” One of the most professional musicians schooled me, saying I’ll be here and I’ll be ready to work. It humbled me. Ever since then, I try hard to never be late. You never want to be that person in a project that keeps it from moving forward.

"Awesome doesn’t need to be meticulous. Just put forth your best!" @RonanCMurphy

Click to Tweet

Q: Recording tip, hack or secret sauce?

A: When you are recording to 24 bit or greater digital DO NOT RECORD WITH HOT LEVELS. There are so many downsides. Keep it at -10dBFS max for the loudest peaks.


Q: Favorite hardware tool?

A: I’m nuts about the A Designs Pacifica mic pre. Empirical Labs Distressors allow me to push things farther than a lot of other hardware will let me do.


Q: Favorite software tool?

A: Izotope RX (sound restorator) I got a free copy, but I went and bought it anyways. I love that it removes a lot of limitations and barriers of my creativity. 

"I would love to see the day where Spotify combined with All Music Guide" @RonanCMurphy

Click to Tweet

Q: A good resource for the business?

A: Use social media smartly in terms of how you want to be presented and the people you want to attract. Be relatable and a good resource, people are looking for people they trust. I have a bookkeeper that does mine, but if you can, build a team of people to help you.

Q: Single most important thing a listener can do to become a rockstar of the recording studio?

A: Listen. One - developing craft. Really listen not only to the music but go in and study records you love academically. How bright or dark are the reverbs? Where is the kick drum sitting, how bright? Go component by component.

Two - At the end of the day this is a people business. Find ways to get out and really connect with people and make friends! Online communities are a start too. At the end of the day we work with people we like and trust being with.


Q: If you moved to a new place, what simple set up would you bring?

A: We take Macbook Pro, Apogee Duet 2, Shure SM7B, Shure KSM 32, Shure SM 57, Triton Audio Fethead, couple headphones and splitter. That covers almost all settings we run into.



How can listeners find you?

Recordingbootcamp.com

Ronan’s Recording Show

Studio - Venetowest.com

Twitter- @RonanCmurphy

Facebook - recording bootcamp








If you have any or questions about recording you would like me to answer on the show or suggestions for the show please email me:

lij@recordingstudiorockstars.com

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy
RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

And if you want to get on the email list for free content full of videos, tips, studio tricks, and special offers just text RSROCKSTARS to 33-444 from your phone (super easy and I promise you won’t get spammed!)

Credits: Thanks so much to Merissa Marx and Hunter Hansen for assisting with editing audio and show notes. You guys totally rock!

Cheers!

Lij

 

 

 

RSR014 – Greg Norman – Electrical Audio & Normaphone

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR014 - Greg Norman - Electrical Audio & Normaphone

My guest on the show today is Greg Norman. He is a freelance recording engineer, producer, and audio designer and technician from Chicago, IL. Greg records both from his home studio and at Electrical Audio, a multi-room studio belonging to Steve Albini that specializes in recording to analog tape.


His discography is  a “list of who’s who in cool bands” including: Andrew Bird, The Killers, Guided By Voices, The Autumn Defense, & Kim Deal (of The Pixies).


The search for new and better sounds pushed Greg to start creating his own audio gear. He created Normaphone which is his moniker for all audio electronic constructions that he does independent of Electrical Audio (where he has been steadily running the tech shop for many years). One of his notable products is the beautiful MXPre L1c mic preamp that he designed for use in the Sony MXP 3000 series console.


Norman equipment for sale at Electrical


Despite all these talents, as Larry Crane of Tape Op Magazine says, -- Greg is “a nice guy.”


“It’s great to share in someone else’s best moment. Be a part of their best creation.” @Normaphone

Click to Tweet






Greg and his friends had always been big fans of Steve Albini. Albini played in and produced bands Greg loved listening to including the Pixies and Nirvana. Greg got Albini’s number through a friend and decided to call him and ask if he was offering an internship. After a resounding yes, the rest seems to be history! Today Greg and Steve work at Electrical Audio based out of Chicago, IL.


Check out Greg’s Tech Journal from Electrical Audio, which he has been faithfully documenting since the start of 2003.


“Keep your band insulated from studio related problems” @Normaphone

Click to Tweet

Q: Can you share an important failure or setback in your career that turned out to be a great lesson?


A: When I first started I noticed I would record every band the same, using that “Steve” sound. I ended up getting into a rut, all my music starting sounding the same. I had to re-light the fire to try something new and creative. I opened myself up to new music and bands such as Locrian and Sonic Soundscapes to notice different sounds and production techniques.


Q : While making experimental records, how did you come up with some of your recording techniques?


A: Sometimes I feel trapped in front of a computer using plug-ins all day, so I like to improvise and look for real objects to use. Anything that produces sound can be used to record such as a handheld tape recorder, boom box, or speakers. They just have to be re-wired.


Q: Conceptually, when do you know it’s a good idea to get outside the box?


A: You can tell when a band has an urge to do something different. If a song reaches a dead zone, verify why and then see if something can make it better. I try to make the best out of every little bit.

““Open yourself up to new music and bands, notice different production techniques” @Normaphone

Click to Tweet


The “Jam Session” Q&A:


Q : At the beginning, what was holding you back?

A: Nothing serious, once I realized I could just walk up and talk to anyone, my inhibitions disappeared. Everyone needs time and courage to realize they can talk to people.


Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

A: When I was working with a freelance engineer, our clients were getting upset. He told me to keep cool and keep things moving not focusing on the negative things. Keeping band insulated from studio related problems, keeps them happier clients.



Q: What’s a fun recording tip?

A: When trying to get that telephone sound on a vocal track. Transfer the signal to another channel and flip the phase. Then you can EQ the flipped signal to create the weird filter.



Q: What’s your favorite book or movie?

A: Movies - Year in life of Metallica. Spotlights Bob Rocket from their black album. It’s fun to see an album cut on tape and all the effects they used.

Books - Yamaha sound reinforcement handbook – It really helps you learn the basics of sound in studio from Mics to signal flow. If you want to dive deeper into sound and theory check out Audio encyclopedia for sound engineer, it’s a BIG book, but has a great deal of information.



Q: What’s your favorite hardware tool?

A: GML compressor. Great compressor for almost anything from kick drum to vocals to stereo mix.


Q: Favorite software tool?

A: Pitch shifter. A quick fix and can process music fast.


Q: What’s the single most important thing person can do to become rockstar in recording?

A:

“If you have ability to instill patience and good attitude for what you’re doing in the sessions, people will be easier to deal with and things will fall into place” @Normaphone

Click to Tweet


http://www.normaphone.com/normaphone-mxpre-lc1


http://www.electricalaudio.com/


http://www.normaphone.com/home


http://www.electricalaudio.com/phpBB3/

If you have any or questions about recording you would like me to answer on the show or suggestions for the show please email me:

lij@recordingstudiorockstars.com

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

FREE Mix Training

Check out the Mix Master Bundle!

FREE Mix Training with over 2 hours of video, the recording eBook, and complete multi-tracks​ and mix session.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

And if you want to get on the email list for free content full of videos, tips, studio tricks, and special offers just text RSROCKSTARS to 33-444 from your phone (super easy and I promise you won’t get spammed!)

Credits: Thanks so much to Merissa Marx and Hunter Hansen for assisting with editing audio and show notes. You guys totally rock!

Cheers!

Lij

 

 

 

RSR013 - Joe Hutchinson

RSR013 – Joe Hutchinson – Garage Masters & Bonnaroo

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR013 - Joe Hutchinson - Garage Masters & Bonnaroo


My guest on the show today is a friend and studio team member, Joe Hutchinson. Joe is a professional mastering engineer right here in Nashville TN. But he masters records for artists from all over the world. Whether Canadian blues, Austrian folk music, or American Christian music Joe often helps indie artists finish their records with a major label sound.


Joe is also a part of my team at the Bonnaroo Hay Bale Studio and The Pilgrimage Sessions, where we record, mix, and master up to 40 bands and a hundred songs in a single weekend! Recording amazing artists like The Avett Brothers, Ben Folds, and Cage The Elephant Joe will deliver finished masters ready for upload and airplay on the radio as fast as an hour after the performance.

Get a FREE

Test Master

For Your Record!

If you are at the stage where you have finished recording and mixing your record then you might be wondering if you are ready for mastering now. I want to master your record and make it sound great! But also want to help make that an easy decision for you make!


I realize that while you know your own work intimately, you probably don’t know my work yet. So you are probably wondering whether my mastering would be a good choice for your music...


No worries, I can make it easy for you to decide.

I’m not happy unless you’re happy!


I will be glad to do a test mastering of your favorite song on your record so you can see whether it’s the right sound for you. This way you can decide if I am a good fit to help make your record sound fantastic at no risk to you!

-Joe Hutchinson​

Joe Hutchinson Garage Masters

What is mastering?

The final step in the recording process. Making sure the album fits together and its balanced. Checking the loudness and over all levels. The goal is to make the track sound comparable to commercial songs being played on the radio. There are ways to make things louder without raising the volume. compress the track a little, a bunch of times. I’ll use 3 compressors sometimes and vary the attack and release times.

Joe Hutchinson 
Garage Mastering







"Music is the short-hand of emotion.” Tolstoy 

Click to Tweet

Jam Session


What was your biggest obstacle at first to getting started in mastering

  • A general lack of knowledge


What was your first recording setup?

  • M-box interface a sure sm57 and an apple macbook with pro tools.


What was the best advice you received when starting out?

  • To listen. You can get caught up in new gear or watching the meters but listening will take you far.


Can You share a Pro Tools hack that Rockstars can use right now?

  • Use parallel compression! It can bring out different dynamics. Just add a little bit of the “squashed” (heavily compressed) mix to the uncompressed or “raw” track to get more excitement from your mastering.


Favorite books or movie?


Favorite piece of gear?


A good business resource?

  • My accountant! He saved me a lot of time and trouble with my self employment venture.

  • Gene Riley of Brentwood, TN. Zeal Financial Services gene@zealfinancial.com



If you were dropped in a strange town and could only take a simple setup to record, what would you take, how would you find people to record, and how would you make ends meet while you got started...


Best way to find clients?

  • Get a part-time job to meet new people and networking are the best ways to find clients.

  • Remember It’s okay to do work for free starting out.


What’s the one thing someone can do right now to become a Recording Studio Rockstar?

  • Just working, making mistakes, and doing things right. Definitely get an internship.


garagemasters.net

Get a FREE

Test Master

For Your Record!




I will be glad to do a test mastering of your favorite song on your record so you can see whether it’s the right sound for you. This way you can decide if I am a good fit to help make your record sound fantastic at no risk to you!

-Joe Hutchinson​




If you have any or questions about recording you would like me to answer on the show or suggestions for the show please email me:

lij@recordingstudiorockstars.com

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

FREE Mix Training

Check out the Mix Master Bundle!

FREE Mix Training with over 2 hours of video, the recording eBook, and complete multi-tracks​ and mix session.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

And if you want to get on the email list for free content full of videos, tips, studio tricks, and special offers just text RSROCKSTARS to 33-444 from your phone (super easy and I promise you won’t get spammed!)

Credits: Thanks so much to Merissa Marx and Hunter Hansen for assisting with editing audio and show notes. You guys totally rock!

Cheers!

Lij

 

 

 

Mark Haffner

RSR012 – Mark Haffner – Emmy Award Winning Composer

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR012 - Mark Haffner - Emmy Award Winning Composer

My guest on the show today is Mark Haffner, an Emmy Award-winning TV/film composer, with many film studio & TV network credits. Some of Mark’s clients include Disney, NBC, CBS, ABC, Orion Pictures, Atlantic Records, P. Diddy, Usher, Busta Rhymes, Notorious B.I.G., and many major-market USA TV stations.

Mark Haffner is a creative media production professional with over 25 years experience in the television, film, music, and advertising industries. He is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and businesses shape their personal and business brand with well-crafted storytelling and focused messages.

He provides consulting and production services to clients combining his unique blend of experience in copywriting, voice coaching, music consulting and original production, video editing, show packaging, & promotional videos.

For you as a listener of Recording Studio Rockstars and for a limited time, Mark is offering a FREE 30 minute consultation on how you can better brand your business with video, music, & podcasting. 



Mark is also a business partner of mine and cohost of Podcast Professors were we teach you how to get started in podcasting. If you are interested in podcast yourself or even the audio side of podcasting you can check us out at;

Podcast Professors
podcastprofessors.com

And yes we do have a sense of ironic humor 🙂

“Having music in your heart and soul. There’s very few things that can’t be taught, but that’s hard to teach.” 

Click to Tweet

Q: Can you share an inspirational quote for making music, recording, your business, or life in general?

A: Star Wars- “These are not the droids you’re looking for.” We in the music business have had to money move around a lot. It’s a very exciting time for musicians to branch out. You don’t wait for permission anymore. It’s a magnificently, democratically, freeing thing for the artistic spirit.

“Those passions that ignited your dreams] are important to remember.” @mhprod

Click to Tweet

Q: What was an important failure or setback that became a learning lesson for you in the studio?

A: The excitement of composing in multiple genres, drove me into television and I got to work with a lot of big names doing a lot of different projects. After awhile I realized why I was getting paid so well, because I wasn’t putting out my own message, I was putting out the message of my client, the TV company that needed to raise ratings. I lost myself.

“I don’t think that music has to be a hobby, I think you can make money doing it and have a great time!” 

Click to Tweet

Q: Tell us about a moment of success for you in recording?

A: When I was 15, I wrote a song about my band called ‘A Dream in the Making.’ It got on our first record, and others heard it and related to the message. It became a generic “dream” not just for a rock band.

Q: What are you excited about right now with your recording?

A: With podcasting and social media. I’m coming out of the box starting Mark Haffner show (podcast). I want help people make money; I want people to enjoy themselves. My area of doing that is television and film. It’s still music, still your rock band, and still song licenses but instead of licensing to Atlantic Records, you license it to Paramount and then earn royalties that can be substantial over the years if you get in a good show!

“Performance needs to be automated in your body, you can’t get it any other way than practice.” 

Click to Tweet

FREE Mix Training

MixMasterBundle.com

FREE Mix Training with over 2 hours of video, the recording eBook, and complete multi-tracks​ and mix session template.

The Jam Session

Q: What was holding you back at first from getting started in recording?

A: I had a fair amount of talent at a young age, and it was not hard for me to amaze people with music. But at the same time it made me very lazy. In high school I started to see people who practiced their asses off start smoking me, and I realized I needed to practice.

Q: What recording tip, hack, or secret sauce would you like to share from your experience?

A: Work backwards from the talent you have available. Record them first because then you’ll hear what they’re good at. Instead of structure and forcing everything,

Q: Can you recommend a favorite book or film about making records?

A: It’s a book about film. Rebel without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez. Book is basically a journal about how he made a movie with $7,000 while balancing a family. It sparked the revolution of people making their own movies.

Q: Can you share a favorite hardware tool for the studio?

A: Miktek ProCast SST. I have always used Neumann U-89. If you are a serious musician, save up your money to get an amazing mic!!

Q: Can you share a favorite software tool for recording?

A: CLA plugins. I think they are very quick and easy. They add all the elements you need, they tweak everything behind the scene. It gets everything in the zone quickly.

Q: If you were dropped in a strange city and could only take a simple setup for recording what would you choose? How would you find people to record, and how would you make ends meet right away to continue recording?

A: It’s all about the energy. Meet musicians wherever you can find them. I have a Zoom H6. I could walk in, meet a band, plug into their board and start recording a multitrack! I would also make videos because of social media to share a piece of the action. I’m old school and use Digital Performer to edit music. For videos I use Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, and After Effects those three programs are available through Adobe Creative Suite. You can also use Final Cut Pro, but I recommend the Adobe products!

Markhaffner.comE-mail- Mark@markhaffner.com

Twitter @mhprod

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/MarkHaffnerProd

If you have any or questions about recording you would like me to answer on the show or suggestions for the show please email me:

lij@recordingstudiorockstars.com

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

FREE Mix Training

Check out the Mix Master Bundle!

FREE Mix Training with over 2 hours of video, the recording eBook, and complete multi-tracks​ and mix session.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

And if you want to get on the email list for free content full of videos, tips, studio tricks, and special offers just text RSROCKSTARS to 33-444 from your phone (super easy and I promise you won’t get spammed!)

Credits: Thanks so much to Merissa Marx and Hunter Hansen for assisting with editing audio and show notes. You guys totally rock!

Cheers!

Lij

 

 

 

Kern Ramsdell

RSR011 – Kern Ramsdell – Home Recording Weekly

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR011 - Kern Ramsdell - Home Recording Weekly

My guest today is Kern Ramsdell a music lover and creator of the recording blog Home Recording Weekly. His goal is to share everything that he learns about writing, playing, recording, mixing, and mastering music in home recording studios.

“I simply must get the music that I hear in my head, out. I love it when a song begins to come to life.”

Kern publishes videos, product demos, and reviews to help you out as well as hosting the Home Recording Weekly Podcast.

Home Studio eBundle

Home Studio eBundle

​Kern also created the FREE Home Studio eBundle to help you get more realistic MIDI instruments in their productions, better sounding bass and guitars using Virtual Instruments, and better mixes as a whole. You can find out more at his site HomeRecordingWeekly.com

“It’s about recording correctly, not mixing as you go. There are steps, and each step of the process you have to get right. It is an art, and it is fun, but there are some rules you have to follow.”

Kern Ramsdell
HomeRecordingWeekly.com





Q: What were some of the first failures you experienced that probably someone with a home studio is experiencing right now?

A: I knew I had to EQ my tracks, but I thought there was a right way and a wrong way. I was putting the same “happy face” EQ’s on all my tracks and they weren’t sounding right. I didn’t understand how to make each track have its own frequency space. It’s something you learn over time.

“I simply must get the music that I hear in my head out; I love when a song begins to come to life.” @HomeRecordingW

Click to Tweet

Q: What were some of the things you started to see that felt like you were succeeding?

A: When people started asking me questions and I was able to help. It made me feel like they trusted me because I’ve been in their shoes.

“This music thing is so life enriching, I want everyone to experience it!” @HomeRecordingW

Click to Tweet

Q: How do you manage time with your studio and your family?

A: It’s tough, I wasn’t good at it. I was absent when I started my podcast. It takes great amounts of time to be an online presence. You have to wake up early and stay up late, do what you have to do to make the time you need. To balance time, you have to schedule and plan ahead. Realize what time you have available and how to use it the best you can.

“Commit. Don’t save all of your options for later on in the mixing and mastering, make up your mind and commit!” 

Click to Tweet

The “Jam Session” Q&A:

Q: What was holding you back from getting started in recording music and running your home studio?

A: I didn’t think I had anything to offer. I didn’t believe in myself. Once I got over those hurdles, I put my head down and said I want to share what I’m learning. I got so frustrated and I know there are others out there going through the same things, I don’t want them to stop.

Q: What was some of the best advice you received when you were getting started?

A: Definitely “get it right at the source.” The song production pyramid is set up so you spend most of your time in the pre-production songwriting portion. The higher you climb the pyramid the less time you spend on the task, recording, mixing, and mastering at the top. Get that instrument sounding the way you want at the beginning, you don’t want to take away from the sound with the computer.

Song Production Pyramid Podcast

Q: What is a great recording tip, hack, or secret sauce that our listeners could use for their records?

A: Put your microphone up, record a piece, listen to it, then move it. Do it a few times until you find the best spot. You can even use the light on your phone to look in the speaker cabinet to get a better idea of what the speaker actually looks like to place your mic in a better place.

Q: What’s a favorite hardware tool you love having with you in the studio?

A: Due to my injury, I just got a standing work station. You push a button and my desk goes up or down. It’s amazing, I can work longer and feel better at the end of the day. Another one is my Heil PR-30. I didn’t get it due to G.A.S. but to fix a problem in my band, but man it’s a great mic.

Q: Can you explain G.A.S?

A: Product manufactures hype up their products to make it seem we can’t get good recordings unless we buy their equipment or plugins. G.A.S is that Gear Acquisition Syndrome we all fall into where we think we need more gear to sound better. We don’t, we just need to learn to use what we do have.

Q: What is a favorite software tool you use?

A: Definitely StudioOne. Their mastering part of it just sold me on it. Also the T-RackS collection. I think their stuff is great, I use it all the time. You can do mid-side processing with most of their stuff. In mid-side mode, you can treat the extreme left and right stereo field separate then the mono center channel.

Q: What’s a good resource for the business side of recording your music?

A: Any business person you know, if they’re successful, emulate what they do. That being said, I recently reviewed a product called The Voiceover Playbook written by voiceover expert, Bill Dewees. He talks about branding, how to get clients, how to conduct yourself. I learned a lot from that.

Q: Imagine you were dropped in a strange, new city and you could only take a simple set up to record AND you had to make ends meet somehow. What would you do?

A: It’s all about word of mouth. You have to be out there meeting people. Go where the musicians are, be a friend first and eventually your name will get passed around.

Q: Can you share with us the single most important thing a listener could do to become a rock star of the recording studio?

A: Slow down and get it right. Experience with your microphones and do the heavy lifting before you hit the record button. Also commit. Don’t save all of your options for later on in the mixing and mastering, make up your mind and commit! Don’t be scared there are no mistakes, it’s art.


Sites:

Website/ Blog - http://www.homerecordingweekly.com/

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/user/kernman2

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Home-Recording-Weekly-blog-240576362700652/?fref=nf

Twitter - @SKernR

Email – Kern@homerecordingweekly

Pat Flynn The Smart Passive Income Blog - http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/smart-passive-income-podcast/id383084001?mt=2

All About Microphones

Get the Mix Master Bundle

Remember to pick up the Mix Master Bundle.

FREE Mix Training with over 2 hours of video, the recording eBook, and complete multi-tracks​ and mix session.

If you have any or questions about recording you would like me to answer on the show or suggestions for the show please email me:

lij@recordingstudiorockstars.com

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

Credits: Thanks so much to Merissa Marx and Hunter Hansen for assisting with editing audio and show notes. You guys totally rock!

And if you want to get on the email list for free content full of videos, tips, studio tricks, and special offers just text RSROCKSTARS to 33-444 from your phone (super easy and I promise you won’t get spammed!)

Cheers!

Lij

 

 

 

RSR010 – Bobby Owsinski – 101 Mixing Tricks

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR010 - Bobby Owsinski - 101 Mixing Tricks

My guest today is Bobby Owsinski, a producer, mixer, podcaster, and author.

Bobby has a long list of credits that include Surround Mixing for household names like: The Who, Thin Lizzy, Todd Rungren, Dead Kennedys, Mel Tormé, The Kinks, and Pantera. Bobby’s production credits include Amon Tobin, Gerry Groom, Mick Taylor, and Joe Houston to name a few. And he recently produced and mixed the #2 album on the Billboard Blues chart, The Adrian Marie Blues Project.


Bobby is a prolific author, and has written 23 books that are now staples in audio recording, music, and music business programs in colleges around the world, including the best selling:

Mixing Engineer’s Handbook

The Recording Engineer’s Handbook

Music 4.0: A Survival Guide For Making Music In The Internet Age 

His podcast, Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, is one of my favorites. He shares tips and insights for musicians about recording and the state of the music industry followed by interviews with many of the great minds in music production.

Check out some of Bobby's most popular books on Amazon:

Click on a cover below!

Bobby Owsinski - The Mixing Engineer's Handbook
Bobby Owsinski - The Recording Engineer's Handbook
Music 4.1 by Bobby Owsinski

Music 4.1 by Bobby Owsinski - A Survival Guide For Music In The Internet Age

Bobby has also created the ultimate resource to help you to take your mixes to the next level! (and a special coupon below)

101 Mixing Tricks - Big Studio Tricks for the Small Studio

Have you ever wanted to get your mixes to sound as good as the pro's mixes?

Frustrated with the limitations of his own mixing Bobby decided it was time to learn from the best. So he interviewed the top A-List mixers from New York to Los Angeles and created the ultimate collection of mixing tricks that you can use right now to take your mixes to the next level.

" it suddenly dawned on me that every mixer had a bag of tricks that he’d regularly dip into to make a mix element more interesting."

Bobby Owsinski's 101 Mixing Tricks course contains those tricks, and you’ll be able to use them to make your mixes bigger, fatter, rounder, slicker and more rocking then you ever thought.

Bobby has generously offered a discount for you Rockstars! Just use the code RSRPOD at checkout for $50 off of 101 Mixing Tricks!






Jam Session:


Q: What was something holding you back?


A: Ego. I hate to say it, but thinking I was better than I was. It’s a big slap of reality when you find out how good you are.

"I knew all best mixers in LA and NY. So I went and interviewed all of them!" @bobbyowsinski 

Click to Tweet

Q: What was some of the best advice you received early on?


A: Distance equals depth. Basically if you move mic back from the source, it will sound bigger. (Learned from Eddie Kramer)

"If You Can Make Things Work On 8 Tracks, Then You Can Do Anything." @bobbyowsinski

Click to Tweet

Q: Recording tip, hack or secret sauce?

A: Shorter delays and shorter reverbs have more of a place in mixing than you may think. Things can get muddy with longer delays.

“I believe today is the best it’s ever been” on recording technology. @bobbyowsinski

Click to Tweet

Q: Favorite hardware tool?

A: Without a doubt Urei 1176. It always sounds good and you can make it work for just about anything you need. And the Warm Audio WA76 sounds great! It’s what I’m using on my voice for the podcast in fact.


Q: Favorite software tool?

A: An 1176 plugin. I’m partial to everything Universal Audio makes. And the reverbs from Exponential Audio, founded by Michael Carnes, who designed Lexicon’s reverbs for 25 years.

“Look it's just not getting any better. It’s getting different…” @bobbyowsinski about overdubs

Click to Tweet

Q:A good resource for the business?

A: I really think the Music 4.0 book is unique in that it not only gives you history of music biz but in a different approach, but there's a lot of research where all the money goes, down to the very last percentage of streams on iTunes and such.

“Try to get one fan at a time, one gig at a time.“ @bobbyowsinski

Click to Tweet

Q : If you ended up in a new city, didn’t know anyone and could only take a simple set-up to record, what would you take and how would you find people to record?


A: I would take my macbook pro, Apollo Twin Interface, Equator D5 Monitors, and a couple of Advanced Audio Mics. Go where the musicians go: clubs, studios, venues to meet people! For meeting people on line you can also use Gigmor.com - the idea is for musicians to meet other musicians at particular skill level they need to be.


Q: What is the single most important thing to become a rockstar of the recording studio?

A: Persistence always wins. It wins over talent every day” unless you are so freakishly brilliant. The people that hang in there are the ones that get ahead.

"Persistence always wins. It wins over talent everyday!" @bobbyowsinski

Click to Tweet










If you have any or questions about recording you would like me to answer on the show or suggestions for the show please email me:

lij@recordingstudiorockstars.com

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

Credits: Thanks so much to Merissa Marx and Hunter Hansen for assisting with editing audio and show notes. You guys totally rock!

And if you want to get on the email list for free content full of videos, tips, studio tricks, and special offers just text RSROCKSTARS to 33-444 from your phone (super easy and I promise you won’t get spammed!)

Cheers!

Lij

 

 

 

Michael Beinhorn

RSR009 – Michael Beinhorn – Unlocking Creativity

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR009 - Michael Beinhorn - Unlocking Creativity

My guest today is the extraordinary producer, programmer, performer, songwriter, arranger, mixer, engineer, and author, Michael Beinhorn. He began his career as a keyboard player with Bill Laswell in the band Material and had a major breakthrough in the 80's as co-writer of the seminal hip hop classic “Rockit” with Herbie Hancock.


He went on to produce an impressive discography that includes Soundgarden Superunknown, The Red Hot Chili Peppers Uplift Mofo Party Plan & Mother’s Milk , Soul Asylum Grave Dancer’s Union, and Korn Untouchables among many others.

Michael developed a reputation for producing artists’ “career records” and was ultimately Nominated for a Grammy in 1998 as Producer of the year for his work with Celebrity Skin by Hole and Mechanical Animals by Marilyn Manson.


And if that wasn’t enough Michael has also gone on to create new technology as well. Looking for the best way to capture a broad frequency range during the recording process he commissioned John French of JRF Magnetics to develop the “Ultra-Analog” recording format in 1994. This format featured the first 2” 8 track tape machine with unequalled bass and transient response.

(Basically think of the fattest drum sound you can possibly put onto analog tape)


And Michael is a prolific author. He has an ongoing blog called How To Save Popular Music where he comments on the state of music today. And In 2015, Beinhorn wrote a book called "Unlocking Creativity" which outlines his personal experience with the creative process as a record producer.


Order his book Unlocking Creativity here!

Unlocking Creativity by Michael Beinhorn - A Producer's Guide To Making Music And Art

Talent is often nothing other than being far more dedicated, focused, patient, and intent driven, than anyone else who does the same job as you."

Michael Beinhorn
Producer - Author

Q: Any tips for recording at home?

A: Have a profound knowledge of what it is that you do. While passion alone is one of the most important aspects, having knowledge and skills to master is most important. You have to look at every piece of equipment as an extension of yourself. Know all your equipment and the room.

“Being flexible may be the single most difficult—and important—aspect of producing records.” @michaelbeinhorn

Click to Tweet

Q: How do you contribute to the artist's vision?

A: Know what you like and don’t like. It’s easy to get swayed by other opinions. Know when you're allowing your point of view to be swayed and be able to sense what you feel really strongly about in life and music alike.

“Music is the most proficient delivery system of emotion” @michaelbeinhorn

Click to Tweet

Q: What’s your opinion on the loudness wars?

A: If people want to make records louder it’s none of my business. I’ve had to deal with people applying compression to boost gain and squash peaks. When you affect peaks it changes the overall sound. If that’s acceptable to them, fine. I don’t enjoy that. I prefer to have a direct conversation with my mastering engineer.

Where music is concerned, the now is all that matters. Now is when you are hearing it, now is when you find it exciting, now is when you are tired of it. @michaelbeinhorn

Click to Tweet


Jam Session

Q: What was something holding you back at the beginning of your career?

A: Self esteem, insecurity. Don’t be afraid of sharing a vision. Go out and do it. I was insecure going out alone when I’d stopped working with a team (Material). I doubted myself alone.

If You Withhold Your Brilliance From The World You Will Suffer For It Later.” @michaelbeinhorn

Click to Tweet

Q: What is a great recording tip, hack, or secret sauce you can share?

A: Use your ears, and find best way to optimize space. And here is one for drums: you can screw thick sheets of plywood together, connect with 2x4's, drill the bass drum pedal and a board to hold the bass drum in place.The plywood now acts as an amplifier.

RSR009 - Michael Beinhorn - Unlocking Creativity - Drum Platform Design

Q: What’s your favorite hardware tool?

A:Telefunken 251, Neve Germanium, Check out the Sonoma DSD recorder.


Q: Favorite software tool?

A: Reason, Pro Tools, Blackface 1176 plugin from Ik Multimedia


Q: What’s a great resource for the business side of things?

A: Cover your ass - be clear about what you’re doing. If you do favors make sure they're recognized. Know your contracts and rights. Check out these music business books.


Q: If you were dropped into a strange city and you could only take a simple setup for recording, what would you choose, how would you find people to record, and how would you make ends meet right away to continue recording?

A: I would go to shows, watch performances, make inroads into communities where musicians are rehearsing. Get your name out there, reference forums where artists are looking for help recording a record. 

“You only get one shot, it’s best if you take it while not aiming at your feet” @michaelbeinhorn

Click to Tweet

Q: What’s the single most important thing you can do to become a rockstar of the recording studio?

A: Be great, be patient, be intent driven. Make it known you’re willing to go all the way and prove to yourself and to them that you have what it takes.

Unlocking Creativity by Michael Beinhorn - A Producer's Guide To Making Music And Art

Order Michael's book Unlocking Creativity here!

Follow Michael on: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram


If you have any or questions about recording you would like me to answer on the show or suggestions for the show please email me:

lij@recordingstudiorockstars.com

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

And if you want to get on the email list for free content full of videos, tips, studio tricks, and special offers just text RSROCKSTARS to 33-444 from your phone (super easy and I promise you won’t get spammed!)

Credits: Thanks so much to Merissa Marx and Hunter Hansen for assisting with editing audio and show notes. You guys totally rock!

Cheers!

Lij

 

 

 

Ian Shepherd

RSR008 – Ian Shepherd – Home Mastering Masterclass

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR008 - Ian Shepherd - Home Mastering Masterclass

Home Mastering Masterclass (Click the link to check it out)


Ian Shepherd is a professional mastering engineer with over 20 years experience and owner of Mastering Media Ltd. Ian has mastered thousands of CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays for all of the major record labels, TV stations and independents, including several number one singles and award-winning albums.


Some of the artists and clients include: Keane, Tricky, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Deep Purple, The Orb, Leslie Garret, Culture Club, Porcupine Tree, Andy Weatherall, The Las, Ozric Tentacles, Christine Tobin, New Order and King Crimson amongst many others.


Ian has taken all of that experience and created the popular website, Production Advice.

He is also the founder of Dynamic Range Day raising global awareness for the loudness wars, and he is creator of  the award-winning Perception Plugin with MeterPlugs. The one tool you need to make sure your masters sound 'better" not "worse!"


But the best tool that Ian has created for you is:

The Home Mastering Masterclass

This class will help you get better results mastering your own music.

This is an awesome resource that can help you with your mastering whether you are just starting out and wanting to master from home on your laptop or looking to deepen your understanding of what mastering is really all about. Even if you still rely on professional mastering!

Home Mastering Masterclass

Use this link below for the RSRockstars discount!

The Home Mastering Masterclass


Here is a sweet deal for you Rockstars!

Ian has a special offer for you Rockstars! If you purchase through the link below he will throw in a FREE copy of  The Essential Production Advice. ($25 value!) 

And you can also get an exclusive 33% discount on Perception Plugin, too ! Just click here.

The Home Mastering Masterclass (Click Here) 





Mastering Advice - Q&A:

Q: Have you worked at a number of mastering studios or do you do it mostly at your own?

A: I worked at SRT for about 15 years. I learned most of what I know there, and now I do my own work.


Q: What is mastering?

A: It’s actually really simple. It’s like Photoshop for audio. It’s about taking the mixes and taking them to the next level. Mastering is balancing the songs within an album. Mastering mostly consists of EQ, Compression, and Limiting.


Q: What is the loudness war?

A: People like louder music. If you play them the same song at different volumes, they will like the louder one most of the time. Over the years, people have been compressing or limiting as close as possible to 0dB Full Scale. The trouble is if you go too far, it can actually make the music sound worse, and that’s the situation we’re seeing today.


Q: Tell us a little bit about your Home Mastering Masterclass.

A: I’m still learning all the time. I understand most people do not want to pay someone to master something when they can just do it themselves, so I want to teach them to do it well.

Home Mastering Masterclass covers EQ, reference tracks, compression, and limiting.


Q: What are some of the most frequent questions you get about mastering?

A: How loud should it be? How loud is too loud? How loud should your monitors be when mixing or mastering?


Q: How often is your Home Mastering Master Course available?

A: Usually about 3 or 4 times a year. The course lasts for 8 weeks. Every week I master a different song of a different genre, using a different DAW and software. I assign the listeners a small task that will help them improve their own mastering skills.



“Jam Session” - Q&A:

Q: Tell us about what was holding you back at the start of your Mastering career?

A: I had no gear. I had nothing at all. I persuaded my parents to buy me an old computer that had an 8-bit sampler. It got me started making noises and allowed me to create little songs. It doesn’t matter what gear you have, just how you make use of it.


Q: What was some of the best advice you ever received about recording or mastering?

A: When you’re making comparisons, always loudness-match first, so you’re not fooled into thinking it sounds better just because it’s louder.


Q: Can you share a recording tip, hack or secret sauce?

A: Loudness matching. My plug-in called Perception, allows you to loudness match with the click of a button. You can do this without a plug-in, but it takes much longer.


Q: Can you share a great resource related to the business aspect of mastering?

A: My advice would be just be as generous as you can with the knowledge you have. Don’t be afraid to provide free information or lower your rate for a band you think is truly amazing. You never know who you’re interacting with.


Q: If you were dropped into a strange city with only a simple mastering set-up, what would you use, how would you find music to master, and how would you make ends meet while you do it?

A: All you need is a laptop. I can improve the way you perceive a song with just an EQ and Limiter. If you’re just getting started, you will probably have to do work for free to begin with. People will not want to pay you to master until they can see that you really can master.



Twitter - (@IanShepherd)

Folow Ian on Twitter - @IanShepherd

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/shepherd.ian

http://mastering-media.blogspot.com/

Rockstars don't forget your special discount!

Ian has a special offer for you Rockstars! If you purchase through the link below he will throw in a FREE copy of The Essential Production Advice. ($25 value!)

And you can also get an exclusive 33% discount on Perception Plugin, too ! Just click here.

The Home Mastering Masterclass (Click Here) 


If you have any or questions about recording you would like me to answer on the show or suggestions for the show please email me:

lij@recordingstudiorockstars.com

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

And if you want to get on the email list for free content full of videos, tips, studio tricks, and special offers just text RSROCKSTARS to 33-444 from your phone (super easy and I promise you won’t get spammed!)

Credits: Thanks so much to Merissa Marx and Hunter Hansen for assisting with editing audio and show notes. You guys totally rock!

Cheers!

Lij

 

 

 

David Glenn

RSR007 – David Glenn – The Mix Academy

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would subscribe, and leave a rating, & review in iTunes.

RSR007 - David Glenn - The Mix Academy

The Mix Academy (Check it out)

My special guest on the show today is David Glenn, a professional mix engineer from Orlando, FL, who has worked with many great artists including Pablo Villatoro, Blanca Callahan , LaRue Howard, the American Idol Finalist Jeremy Rosado , and Aimee Allen on Warner to name a few.

David generously shares his expertise with you through his site DavidGlennRecording.com where he creates Youtube tutorial videos, a podcast, blog articles, and a complete set of products to help you learn recording and mixing.

One of his coolest products is The Mix Academy, a membership site where David shares the complete mixing process from start to finish while members virtually watch over his shoulder to learn the tricks and techniques that David uses to create professional mixes.

And David has created a special offer just for you, Rockstars!

If you text MIXACADEMY to 33-444, David will throw in two extra multitrack songs for you to start mixing right away when you become a member. That’s on top of the sign up bonuses that already come with every new Mix Academy membership. (That’s a $100 bonus right there) Awesome!

Intro -

Born and raised in Orlando florida, David Glenn’s interest in music began early. He began playing guitar in his free time on the road with his soccer team. He was inspired to pursue a career in music after hearing Weezer’s Blue Album for the first time. Hs grandmother bought him his first guitar, a Fender Washburn Stratocaster. Armed with his guitar, a zoom pedal and a 4 track recorder, Glenn set out to begin his music career.

Some of the topics we talked about on the show:

  • David started out recording with Cakewalk and later got Pro Tools.

  • Mixed bag of influences include: Blink 182, Misfits, Nirvana, also Martina McBride, Backstreet Boys, & top 40.

  • His first recording setup was the Digidesign DIGI 001 with Pro Tools 6, a G4, and an M-box.

  • Early drum machines he used: Korg Electribe, Emu, Akai.

  • His first real studio internship and gig at 18 years old was at Starke Lake Studios in Ocoee FL a beautiful studio with a variety of vintage mics including the AKG C12 and SONY C800G.

“Git r done” @davidglennjr on mixing advice

Click to Tweet

“Make commitments, get stuff done. I have to push myself to set goals and meet them." @davidglennjr

Click to Tweet

What was a setback or failure?

  • Over promising and under delivering.
  • Communication with clients and people; serving their interests first is key.
  • "If they want the dang house door painted yellow, it’s their house. I had to learn to serve the clients and humble down."

David Glenn

What was successful moment or win for you?

    • When I started my internship I was certified in Pro Tools. So after a few months at the studio I got my hands on the console and helped record Amy Allen (signed to Warner Bros. at the time). Getting in there, being quiet but having the right suggestions were the right thing to do. And my big win was that she later asked me to help her and Ryan Adkins produce as a team and it took my confidence to a new level!


What are you excited about right now?

  • “I’m excited about running mix academy and I thought it’d be cool to have a web show for tutorials so I started one with my friends similar to Pensado’s Place but more laid back. we’ve done 6-7 episodes.

  • I learn a ton from my students every day on the forums or facebook group.

  • I miss the interaction with people in the big studios which is key. that’s why I love the web show community aspect of the home recording.

Jam Session:


Anything ever hold you back when starting out?

  • Grades. My parents took away my guitar because of my grades! I held myself back by not doing well in school.


Best advice received?

  • Graham Cochran of The Recording Revolution told me don’t hold back, serve people and you’ll see business growth. And don’t over promise/under deliver. If you say a week make it 3 days.


Recording hack/secret sauce?

  • So many small moves add up to a great record.

  • Top-down mixing

  • Sonar workshttp://sonarworks.com/ headphones, calibration reference 3 headphones plugin flattens response of frequencies. They modeled custom profiles on 50 pairs of headphones and come up with the average eq measurement.

  • And just for you Rockstars Sonarworks has offered a special discount of 15% off! Just gp to Sonarworks and use the code RSR-15SW at check out (Good thru 10/31/15).


Fav book or film?


Fav studio hardware tool?


Fav software tool?

  • Soundradix Auto Align and pi helps align phase on multi instruments.


Great business resource?

  • Bookkeeping websites. Facebook ads. hire an assistant to cut out prep work and the tech side of things.


Online resources for outsourcing assistants or editors?


If you were dropped in a strange city, had to take a simple setup to record, what would you take? How would you meet people to record? And how would you make ends meet to survive at first?

  • Grab a 4 track recorder, couple of mics and go to open mics; find street musicians and do whatever you can to find people who have great songs.

  • That’s the goal; to make great music.

  • You’re name will grow faster with a good song and bad recording than the other way around.

  • Find talented artists and vocalists.

  • The soul of a great song is in its vocalist.


What is a modern version of a 4 track?


What is the single most important thing to becoming a recording studio rockstar?

  • listen to Lij’s podcasts! (Thanks David!)


Here's how you can find David Glenn:



And remember David has created a special offer just for you, Rockstars!

If you text MIXACADEMY to 33-444, David will throw in two extra multitrack songs for you to start mixing right away when you become a member. That’s on top of the bonuses that already come with every new Mix Academy membership.

(That’s an added value of one hundred dollars right there)

So awesome!

If you have any questions or suggestions for the show please email me:

lij@recordingstudiorockstars.com

(If you dig the show and find it helpful I would be honored if you would leave a rating and review in iTunes. You can tap through right on your phone from the podcast search page or go to recordingstudiorockstars.com/review for easy instructions.)

And if you want to get on the email list for free content full of videos, tips, studio tricks, and special offers just text RSROCKSTARS to 33-444 from your phone (super easy and I promise you won’t get spammed!)

Cheers!

Lij