Steve is very interesting and rewarding to listen to. The irony, perhaps, is that he doesn't want a creative role in the process and sees his studio as a kind of workshop in a service industry (grease monkey overalls and all...), yet is now very much a 'name' and is pursued by hoards of bands who see him as a kind of sound auteur.
I appreciate how open he is with his techniques. He could be really general in his answers, but instead he's going into a lot of detail. Thanks, Steve!
Albini's approach to recording has given rock some of the best sounds in history.In particular the way he captured Pixies' Surfer Rosa has influenced so many bands.
I really love his philosophy on recording and mixing. He truly stands separate from the rest, much like the bands he works with; Neurosis, Nirvana, etc.. …Nothing on the Stereo Buss, very interesting.
It's awesome how specific Albini is. I used to throw comp and limiters all over the 2Mix but it really does nothing major unless ur really pressing, other than that leave the mix buss level to the master engineer to blow up with their gear. Even with a little 2:1 ratio it's not even worth it really, but I still chuck it on here and there
Not to be "that guy", but I would be curious to hear the mixes before the mastering. Yeah, doesn't put anything on the bus mix, but someone else will :) Sure, it's nice to know that you will have the best people at mastering with the best tools...but most of us can't really afford that.
So many of the questions Albini is asked are answered by how he identifies himself, as an engineer. Specify what you want to create, and the engineer will tell you how to achieve it. The engineer has his/her own creative process of solving problems and designing methods, but that can only start once the client decides what they want. Engineers don't want to be involved in the client figuring that out, because then they're taking responsibility for something that's outside their role.
So many useful gems of knowledge in here. I've always loved his information; it's always explained in a direct and useful way. Definitely trying out some room mics on the floor (resting on Auralex foam with the diaphragms peaking out).
The four people who disliked this video. Probably don't understand what technical aspects of recording that you get from rock music or any other type of music that uses a specific process and distinctive sound. Unlike pop music or rap or r&b music that doesn't use actual instruments but instead they use pre recorded snippets or sound bits to replace the authentic sound you would originally have with real instruments and not just bland auto tune.
Albini seems like a great guy, but he isn’t a good ‘producer’ per-se, he’s a great engineer - there’s a difference. instead of owning the fact he lacks the talent to make a dynamic sounding album - he’s big on preaching about engineering instead. 30 mikes around a drum kit will provide an authentic sound of a drum kit, but like Nirvana found out, it will still sound flat and lack dynamics. There’s a reason they brought in Scott Litt. And I say that as as a fan of the guy.
in the semi pro world most times you record a band in ur home studio you also do a quick master to get it loud enough for the band to release if they're not getting it mastered, I wonder if Steve would have agreed to do a master for people who couldn't afford to get it done separate? or would he insist on you sending it to master? seeing as he doesn't use any stereo bus processing most of the time, maybe that works if its been mastered after the mix by someone else?
how do i force somebody to buy a reel-to-reel tape machine if they dont want to buy it? how to i strong arm musicians into purchasing equipment they "dont think they need" when is it okay to feast during a session?
just a noob question: by setting a small delay to the drum mics like he says, does it technically mean that he is putting them out of phase with the close mics?
A mic will never be 100% in phase with another. They would have to occupy the exact same space. Extreme phase horribleness usually happen when the mics are pretty close to each other. Upon delaying the ambient mics, phase will change for each millisecond (or less if your equipment allows it.) It will get better and it will get worse, as you move into and out of the periods of the waves, so the trick is just to dial back and forth, and listen for the point where it sounds cool, alternatively where it sounds extremely crappy, and then phase flip the mics. The more you delay them, the less they will interfere (because the sounds will stop happening at the same time) and phase will become less of an issue.
You wont get any phase issues with close and room mics, no matter what the delay. Its possible to get small amount at very low frequencies, but it wouldn't be audible (and could be removed with a HPF)
Gant Jensen Depends on what you would consider an issue, and perhaps on what you would consider a room mic. If I record with two mics - one right at the source, and one 5-10 ft. away - and play them back at the same level, then flip the phase, the sound will change. Audibly.
I'm sure he means uses both, but basically when he says that he's kinda implying they're the same in that what ever gets the job done gets it done. Depends on the sound the job requires :)
VeKtorVacuum when he said half million dollar consoles he pointed to the one behind him. And he's visiting at a camp for the week.. he is willing to use whatever is avail .👌
Steve comes across quite flat I feel, in contrast to his recordings which are far from flat?! A lot going on imbetween the lines here for my feeling especially on the subject of creativity...
This guy is clueless with this "make a record in a week" bullshit. He says he can't think of a record that couldn't. He's obviously inexperienced in this department, even though he worked 5 months on Page/Plant.
Brian Stoltz “He says he can’t think of a record that couldn’t.” He does not say that. He says he can’t imagine a record that isn’t an elaborate production taking a huge amount of time. If the bands you like spend four months on a record, fine, your prerogative. But to suggest Albini’s feelings on time management and energy capturing mean that those bands are doing it “right” and he’s inexperienced? Like the other guy said, you’re just trying to belittle someone who, unlike you, is the one with the experience.
Rest in Peace, Steve. Your methods in recording those prolific albums will be remembered forever....
Forever in debt to your priceless advice!
booooooo!
I really like Mr. Albini. He seems very honest, humble and intelligent. He seems to be very laid-back. I really appreciate his attitude.
Albini is a good dude. Glad he's still kicking. I want to live in his studio.
As a mix-engineer, that doesn't do much recording, I'd SO like to be a fly on the wall with Mr. Albini in the studio.
@@jakobole
Check out a 6-part series he did on mixing at a college campus. The 6 hours just flies in.
@@ToneSherpa Still kicking jesus christ he's a year younger than i am
Steve is very interesting and rewarding to listen to. The irony, perhaps, is that he doesn't want a creative role in the process and sees his studio as a kind of workshop in a service industry (grease monkey overalls and all...), yet is now very much a 'name' and is pursued by hoards of bands who see him as a kind of sound auteur.
He seems like a master at what he does but it probably took so long to learn
I appreciate how open he is with his techniques. He could be really general in his answers, but instead he's going into a lot of detail. Thanks, Steve!
Albini's approach to recording has given rock some of the best sounds in history.In particular the way he captured Pixies' Surfer Rosa has influenced so many bands.
I really love his philosophy on recording and mixing. He truly stands separate from the rest, much like the bands he works with; Neurosis, Nirvana, etc..
…Nothing on the Stereo Buss, very interesting.
It's awesome how specific Albini is. I used to throw comp and limiters all over the 2Mix but it really does nothing major unless ur really pressing, other than that leave the mix buss level to the master engineer to blow up with their gear. Even with a little 2:1 ratio it's not even worth it really, but I still chuck it on here and there
Not to be "that guy", but I would be curious to hear the mixes before the mastering.
Yeah, doesn't put anything on the bus mix, but someone else will :)
Sure, it's nice to know that you will have the best people at mastering with the best tools...but most of us can't really afford that.
I could listen to albini tell stories and talk about recording all day long
Steve gives experienced insight into traps you can avoid. I find that very helpful. Among the other interesting nuggets of info.
Perfect; no lousy background RAWK music, no convoluted intro from an overly-caffeinated try-hard, just PERFECT!
That room microphone question/answer was super interesting!
that totally makes sense practically to put them on the floor, it has less mud than using stands; counterintuitively.
So many of the questions Albini is asked are answered by how he identifies himself, as an engineer. Specify what you want to create, and the engineer will tell you how to achieve it. The engineer has his/her own creative process of solving problems and designing methods, but that can only start once the client decides what they want. Engineers don't want to be involved in the client figuring that out, because then they're taking responsibility for something that's outside their role.
So many useful gems of knowledge in here. I've always loved his information; it's always explained in a direct and useful way.
Definitely trying out some room mics on the floor (resting on Auralex foam with the diaphragms peaking out).
I love the jumpsuit. Its perfect.
Taking engineering literally.
Gotta keep the plumbers crack out of the studio!!
The four people who disliked this video. Probably don't understand what technical aspects of recording that you get from rock music or any other type of music that uses a specific process and distinctive sound. Unlike pop music or rap or r&b music that doesn't use actual instruments but instead they use pre recorded snippets or sound bits to replace the authentic sound you would originally have with real instruments and not just bland auto tune.
Albini seems like a great guy, but he isn’t a good ‘producer’ per-se, he’s a great engineer - there’s a difference. instead of owning the fact he lacks the talent to make a dynamic sounding album - he’s big on preaching about engineering instead. 30 mikes around a drum kit will provide an authentic sound of a drum kit, but like Nirvana found out, it will still sound flat and lack dynamics. There’s a reason they brought in Scott Litt. And I say that as as a fan of the guy.
Such an artist forward approach. I love this.
in the semi pro world most times you record a band in ur home studio you also do a quick master to get it loud enough for the band to release if they're not getting it mastered, I wonder if Steve would have agreed to do a master for people who couldn't afford to get it done separate? or would he insist on you sending it to master? seeing as he doesn't use any stereo bus processing most of the time, maybe that works if its been mastered after the mix by someone else?
Is that fucking Scott Litt's remix of Heart Shaped Box they're playing at the end???
I guess atleast he was still one who recorded it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
for someone known for his crude lyrics he's a very articulate guy.
Crude? Maybe. Difficult? That's the real point. His lyrics make an ugly mess that you feel like you might be responsible for just for listening
Lol I love how at the end they used one of the songs Nirvana had remixed off of In Utero!
I bet Steve has Garageband on his Mac
Dude could put out some straight up bangers on fruity loops
it's not about the tools you have, it's about what you can do with the tools.
This was amazing
Thank you
Big help honestly
Albini genius
how do i force somebody to buy a reel-to-reel tape machine if they dont want to buy it?
how to i strong arm musicians into purchasing equipment they "dont think they need"
when is it okay to feast during a session?
where does he get his coveralls
Thanks Steve, cristal clear.
Really really insightful
great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RIP legend.
amen
The people's audio engineer.
just a noob question: by setting a small delay to the drum mics like he says, does it technically mean that he is putting them out of phase with the close mics?
A mic will never be 100% in phase with another. They would have to occupy the exact same space. Extreme phase horribleness usually happen when the mics are pretty close to each other. Upon delaying the ambient mics, phase will change for each millisecond (or less if your equipment allows it.) It will get better and it will get worse, as you move into and out of the periods of the waves, so the trick is just to dial back and forth, and listen for the point where it sounds cool, alternatively where it sounds extremely crappy, and then phase flip the mics. The more you delay them, the less they will interfere (because the sounds will stop happening at the same time) and phase will become less of an issue.
cool, thanks for the reply and for the nice explanation!
You wont get any phase issues with close and room mics, no matter what the delay. Its possible to get small amount at very low frequencies, but it wouldn't be audible (and could be removed with a HPF)
Gant Jensen Depends on what you would consider an issue, and perhaps on what you would consider a room mic. If I record with two mics - one right at the source, and one 5-10 ft. away - and play them back at the same level, then flip the phase, the sound will change. Audibly.
He shows his technique to overcome that by mic placing and an oscilloscope, in another video on YT. He fixes that before starting to record.
I use consumer grade equipment, sometimes half million dollar consoles.
lol you caught that huh?
I'm sure he means uses both, but basically when he says that he's kinda implying they're the same in that what ever gets the job done gets it done. Depends on the sound the job requires :)
VeKtorVacuum when he said half million dollar consoles he pointed to the one behind him. And he's visiting at a camp for the week.. he is willing to use whatever is avail .👌
College corse in music engineering?
Na lo, youtube
Journal for plague lovers was amazing
Great.
No 2 bus maybe because he's bouncing to tape?
Anyone that liked this should. checkout Steve’s interview with Nardwuar. You get to see his sense of humor and it’s great!
This dude looks like he's gonna change the oil in your car.
Steve comes across quite flat I feel, in contrast to his recordings which are far from flat?! A lot going on imbetween the lines here for my feeling especially on the subject of creativity...
Lots of beating around the bush on this one. Maybe cut to the chase?
Crack
This guy is clueless with this "make a record in a week" bullshit. He says he can't think of a record that couldn't. He's obviously inexperienced in this department, even though he worked 5 months on Page/Plant.
Brian Stoltz you believe Steve Albini is “inexperienced?”
@@michaelmcdonald8452 He doesn't realize that Steve, NOT "this guy" which is just a way of belittling Mr. Albini is a genius!
Brian Stoltz
“He says he can’t think of a record that couldn’t.”
He does not say that. He says he can’t imagine a record that isn’t an elaborate production taking a huge amount of time.
If the bands you like spend four months on a record, fine, your prerogative.
But to suggest Albini’s feelings on time management and energy capturing mean that those bands are doing it “right” and he’s inexperienced?
Like the other guy said, you’re just trying to belittle someone who, unlike you, is the one with the experience.
@@michaelmcdonald8452 100% right on!
An Example, Black Sabbath debut album, Tony & Ozzy said it took less than a day from start to finish!
You are an Idiot. 😂