Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Max Smith, Vocal Producer at Numen Studios, to talk about vocal editing and tuning.

Max Smith, Jordan Timms, and Liam Dean form the songwriter/producer trio, Spacemen, working out of Numen Studios. They have worked with major artists, including Dua Lipa, Sigrid, and Dermot Kennedy. 

Today, you’ll hear about Max’s recording and editing process, compressing vocal breaths, using Melodyne, Max’s workflow, and get Max’s advice to his younger self.

Episode Timestamps

• [01:30] Max’s process.
• [09:29] The recording/editing process.
• [14:09] Compressing vocal breaths.
• [16:10] Timing.
• [17:16] Using Melodyne.
• [20:18] Tuning.
• [25:32] Backing vocals.
• [35:25] Max’s workflow.
• [40:08] Quirky recording mics.
• [49:33] Max’s advice.

Notable Quotes

• “If you have great production but a bad song, it’s not going to do well.”
• “If you’re using autotune for the sound, then that’s what you’re going to get.”
• “You could record a No.1 record on a potato nowadays.”
• “The moment someone walks into the room, your job starts.”
• “Don’t overthink it.”

Connect with Max

Instagram:@maxsmithproductions.

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Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Henry Watkins, renowned mixing engineer, to talk about why you need to be using a mixing template in your workflow.

Henry Watkins is currently based in Thailand. His work has featured in numerous notable productions, including Def Jam’s ‘IAM’, Disney’s Mulan Soundtrack, You Me At Six’s “SUCKAPUNCH”, and many domestic projects. He has amassed over 2 billion streams on his engineered or mixed material.

Today, you’ll hear about Henry’s mixing process and mix prep, timing on the grid, his technical template, aligning drums on separate grids, gainstaging, The God Particle, the mastering stage, doing automation, and intuitive mixing.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:24] A bit about Henry.
• [01:28] Henry’s mixing process.
• [03:29] The reference tracks.
• [04:51] Henry’s mix prep.
• [06:36] The grid.
• [09:05] The technical template.
• [14:31] Aligning separate drum grids.
• [18:45] Henry’s template.
• [25:49] How Henry does gainstaging.
• [31:22] Mixing and plugins.
• [35:55] The mastering stage.
• [46:13] Comparing the rough mix and your mix.
• [48:05] Automation.
• [51:30] Parallel.
• [54:06] Henry’s advice.

Notable Quotes

• “The mix starts even before you get the files.”
• “You can still be loud by feeling.”
• “Mixing is a feeling, as well as the engineering side of it.”
• “A lot of it is just patience.”
• “If it feels good, go for it.”

Connect with Henry

Website:www.henrywatkinsmusic.com.

YouTube:Henry Watkins.

Spotify:Henry Watkins.

Instagram:@henrywatkinsmusic.

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Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Jordan Timms, Director of Numen Studios, to talk about running a commercial studio, and working with clients and artists.

Jordan Timms is a record producer from south London and the director of Numen Studios, facilitating Recording, Production, Mixing, and Mastering, and working with renowned artists from all over the world. 

Today, you’ll hear about keeping up the excitement by doing new things, how the studio stays productive, the production trio, the importance of creativity, how to work with artists when you don’t vibe with them, choosing a sound, and get Jordan’s advice for others in the industry.

Episode Timestamps

• [01:00] A bit about Jordan.
• [05:31] Doing something new.
• [08:58] Mixing.
• [13:17] What do they do?
• [15:41] The production trio.
• [17:46] Keeping the studio productive.
• [24:30] Their business model.
• [26:56] Contracts and agreements.
• [30:26] Staying creative and paying bills.
• [33:04] Not vibing with an artist.
• [37:17] Whose sound is the result?
• [40:07] What has changed since Covid?
• [43:05] Jordan’s advice. 

Notable Quotes

• “You can come to us with an idea, and you can walk out at the end of the day with a finished product.”
• “If you want to be an engineer, you’ve got to be best friends with the artist you’re working with.”
• “The creativity is the most important.”
• “Keep it simple. You don’t need a studio to be doing what we do.”
• “It’s not just about the gear.”

Connect with Jordan

Website:www.numenstudios.com.

YouTube:Numen Studio.

Twitter:@WeezyBoiUK.

Spotify:Numen Studios.

Instagram:@numenstudios.

LinkedIn:Jordan Timms.

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Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Joe Rodwell, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, and producer, to talk about mixing keys and synths.

Joe is a composer/arranger, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. His work has featured alongside the likes of Ed Sheeran, Craig David, Chase & Status, JP Cooper, Shy FX, Sam Smith, Rag’n’Bone Man, London Grammar and Protoje, and his own compositions have been featured on MTV, BBC One, Channel 5, and many films.

Today, you’ll hear about hardware vs software synths, how Joe mixes synths, using various plugins and chains, layering synths, mixing in mono vs stereo, the importance of timing, using FX, having countless unused plugins, automation, and get Joe’s valuable advice.

Episode Timestamps

• [01:13] A bit about Joe.
• [04:15] The rough mix.
• [07:33] Hardware and software synths.
• [10:14] Mixing synths.
• [12:43] Using plugins.
• [17:50] Joe’s go-to chain.
• [24:16] Layering synths.
• [25:13] Mono vs stereo mixing.
• [29:30] High-passing synths.
• [32:57] Timing.
• [35:56] Synth FX.
• [39:17] Joe’s recommended spring reverb.
• [40:36] Unused plugins.
• [42:50] Automation.
• [47:00] Joe’s advice.

Notable Quotes

• “If there’s a rough mix, more often than not, that artist loves that rough mix.”
• “If something’s not working for you, instead of trying to work o that sound, add another sound.”
• “The more stuff you have, the more you’re high-passing.”
• “Get used to mixing not in solo.”
• “Timing is the most important thing.”
• “Abstain from soloing anything.”

Connect with Joe

Website:www.joerodwellmusic.com.

SoundCloud:Joe Rodwell.

YouTube:Joe Rodwell.

Twitter:@JoeRodwellMusic.

Instagram:@joerodwell.

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Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Patch Boshell, legendary producer/engineer, to talk about all things recording and mixing drums.

Patch Boshell is a creative and versatile Producer, Mix Engineer, Songwriter, and General Legend based in South-West London.

Today, you’ll hear about Patch’s go-to drum recording setup, using free plugins, Patch’s preferred recording level, groove, how Patch mixes drums, using compression and automation, being a fixer, and how to process a lead vocal.

Episode Timestamps

• [02:00] Setting up drums for recording.
• [05:11] Overheads.
• [07:19] Free plugins.
• [08:00] What is Patch’s recording level?
• [11:22] Drum timing.
• [14:30] Elastic Audio.
• [17:00] Timing and groove.
• [24:52] Patch’s drum mixing process.
• [34:31] Compression.
• [42:48] Fixing, not mixing.
• [46:04] Parallel compression.
• [48:18] Automation.
• [52:00] Patch’s advice.
• [52:44] Processing a lead vocal.

Notable Quotes

• “If you’re not clipping, I don’t really care.”
• “Things that are behind the beat sound more relaxed, and therefore, more confident.”
• “Less is more.”
• “Don’t drink too much alcohol, get lots of exercise, and take risks in all of your mixing and your music production, because being safe is being boring.”
• “I spend so long on vocals because they’re the most important thing.”
• “The difference between a good singer and a bad singer is everything.”

Connect with Patch

LinkedIn:Patch Boshell.

Facebook:Patch Boshell.

Instagram:@patchboshell.

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Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Gary Mictian, producer/songwriter, to talk about vocal mixing techniques.

Gary Mictian is a producer, songwriter, and artist, based in London. His unique vision draws influence from vintage pop, dystopian sci-fi, and cinematic sound. He uses modern production techniques to create a fantastic world within a carefully constructed pop song. You could say his songs sound like an explosive blend between Charli XCX and Tove Lo, with a passion for sound design, he loves creating raucous and glitchy features for his productions. He explores the depths of love and heartbreak with an amalgam of nostalgic and soul-laden pop sounds.

Today, you’ll hear about Gary’s daily studio techniques, doing dummy takes, compression, headphone mixing, Gary’s maximum number of takes, nudging vocals, tuning vocals, timing vocals, Gary’s aversion to ad libs, and his interesting use of vocal effects.

Episode Timestamps

• [01:01] 
• [02:04] A bit about Gary.
• [03:42] Daily session techniques.
• [08:40] A song from start to finish.
• [09:12] Compression.
• [10:21] Reverb in the headphone mix.
• [14:05] How many takes per verse?
• [17:35] The best DAW.
• [18:09] Nudging the vocals.
• [22:27] Vocal tuning.
• [31:17] Timing vocals.
• [34:43] Pop vocal ad libs.
• [37:31] Stacking vocals.
• [39:33] Vocal effects.

Notable Quotes

• “When the artist comes into the studio, the very first thing I do is to make sure that they’re comfortable.”
• “You’re going to get what you need in no more than 5 takes.”
• “Always serve what the singer actually sang.”
• “If it sounds good, it sounds good.”
• “Every time I have a harmony, I always layer it with the lead.”

Connect with Gary

SoundCloud:Gary Mictian.

YouTube:Gary Mictian.

Spotify:Gary Mictian.

Instagram:@gary_mictian.

Support the show