On this episode, James Paul Wisner (Paramore, Dashboard Confessional, Underoath) joins us for a conversation that goes in a ton of interesting directions, from amazing points related to artistry and mindset and deep into the technical end of things.

This is an extra long one, people. But we needed that added time to get in all the information that’s in this discussion. James is an amazing producer, and not only does he bring his impressive technical know how to the table, he also has philosophies for approaching his work that anyone could benefit from.

“For me, what motivates me, is wanting to get together with a group of talented guys, and bring out what their potential is.” - James Paul Wisner

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

The benefits of being a multi-instrumentalist

Doing homework on a band before you get them in the studio

Setting clear goals, and making room for potential setbacks

Managing your personal space and not allowing negative influences to take hold

James’s approach to vocals

And much, much more

TIME STAMPS:

2:30 Discovering recording and the Beatles around age 11, 4 track + 2 track

12:00 Approaching writing from piano vs guitar

14:00 Multi-instrumentalist, thinking like a drummer

17:40 Listening to a mix of the Beatles with drums up and some Lars Ulrich talk

22:00 Learning about a drummer, talking to bands before production

23:14 Eyal’s metronome tip

30:38 Doing homework on bands before entering the studio

33:00 Importance of inter-band communication

35:00 Getting clear on the goal, be committed to it, but have space for potential bad moments

42:06 Developing vision

43:50 Gut check moment: change or nothing’s going to happen

56:30 Getting new clients, placing ads back in the day

1:00:44 Not letting all the potential reasons that things could go wrong get in your way

1:02:57 Actively removing negative influences, managing your personal space

1:12:00 Getting involved with Further Seems Forever, Underoath, Tooth and Nail records

1:17:00 Working with David Bendeth

1:23:04 Conveying to musicians that simpler is better

1:29:06 James’s approach to tracking vocals

1:32:06 The technical side of things: clocking, high resolution audio, power conditioning

1:44:00 Getting drum sounds, tube traps for home studios

1:48:48 Getting clear and powerful vocals

1:50:33 Handling mix notes

1:58:00 Programming, mixing digital sounds with rock productions

2:02:00 James’s biggest piece of advice for vocal production

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