It's been over 4 years since we did this video. Bob Ludwig has since retired, however his legacy of incredible music will live on forever! Some of the greatest music ever made was mastered by Bob! Please enjoy the video and let me know who else you'd like to see us interview.
He mastered one of my records, when he called me to see if I liked the results, I answered the phone and he was singing one of my songs back to me, I was blown away, Bob Ludwig was singing one of my songs... that little act of kindness let me know he really listened and liked it. Not a sucky day,
Bob is not only the world's best ears IMHO but he is an awesome individual. No matter who you are when you walk in he makes you feel like the most important person on the planet. And to him in that moment you are. I toured his facility when I owned a studio not realizing he wanted to meet me personally. He was mastering Springsteen that day. He greeted me like I was a long, lost friend then explained the technology build of the room. Now already blown away twice he asked if I had anything of my own material. I "happened" to have an A-DAT of a song and he asked to hear it. I felt like a shy schoolboy hesitant to turn in my flawed assignment to the teacher. I gotta tell you - when I heard my own song coming through the best sounding setup in the world with Bob Ludwig attentively listening..... I teared up. Unsuccessfully hiding this display of emotion Bob looked me in the eye with that wry all-knowing grin and gave me a pat on the shoulder. Amazing person.
It's so awesome to see the people "behind the scenes" of some of the best music ever created. This kind of channel is what makes youtube such a goldmine for humanity.
Wow. Just, wow. Bob's DNA is in almost every vinyl album I had back in the day. Warren, a HUGE thank you to you and Eric for taking the time to film this, and the many other interviews you're amassing. I'm noticing that a good chunk of engineers you're interviewing have the old standard by their side: the Tandy/Radio Shack SPL meter. I picked one up in the early 80s but I have no idea where it is or where it went. Whodathunk inexpensive Radio Shack gear would be a staple of so many of those mixes and masters. Thanks again, Warren!
Hi Dave Merkel • Music & Sounds thanks ever so much my friend! I feel blessed to be able to talk such amazing people! Bob is the mastering engineers mastering engineer!
You're right! That Radio Shack SPL meter is great ... I've got multiple, high quality hand-held SPL meters, but the Radio Shack VU meter version can be read the easiest instinctively by simply noticing the meter deflection. Once set for the appropriate range, the level is so easily discernable via needle deflection. It's worth noting... one of the finest sounding systems in the world, +800lb monitors, bespoke Mark Levinson Class A amplification ... and the ubiquitous RadioShack handheld meter!
How can anyone 'dislike' this stuff!?! Heads over here in sunny Peterborough (UK) are bowing to our heroes, Warren.. and Bob of course! We are a humble non-profit community music service that mainly work with disadvantaged young peeps and vulnerable adults. We are always aspiring to reach the level that you folks at PLAP are always sharing with us. Much love, Benny x
Bob is my hero!! Almost No Compression on the way in...limited outboard effects. Get the great sound at the source and best performance possible. Get a static volume mix and don't stray too far from that sound you like. Words of wisdom!!
Wow thank you Warren - Growing up in the 70-80's and even today I have always respected Bob Ludwig and thru you I finally got to meet/listen to the master :-)
Whenever I see Robert Ludwig's name on a mastering credit, I can rest assured it will sound as good as it possibly can. A man who truly understands sound and cutting, his original hot mastering of 'Led Zeppelin II' is legendary in audio circles and with good reason. It's an absolute monster and has arguably never been bettered in terms of how to present a hard rock album but still be sympathetic to the quieter portions of the tracks. I have a copy that has the narrow deadwax on Side 2 that almost reaches the centre label and yet the sound holds up right to the last note. It's the perfect test for any new turntable - If your system can handle it then it will be able to cope with anything else you throw at it.
He's a lovely bloke. I did a seminar with him about 15ish years ago. He had this amazing story about mastering Waking up the Neighbors which he got tapes for every single day for months from Bob Clearmountain and Mutt Lang in England. They flew the tapes in every day on Concorde! He also had this recording that dated from the turn of the 20th century that he used to demonstrate how good recording has always been. The sound was incredible and I don't mean incredible for the turn of the 20th century, I mean incredible for the turn of the 21st century. I forget the actual details - I just remember being totally blown away. Probably the most interesting person I've ever met.
As music fan who always reads the linear notes on an album it’s so great to see this interview with Bob Ludwig as his name is a constant as the mastering engineer on the records in my collection
What a terrific interview with the man that signed off on most of my vinyl, back in the day! And what a joy to witness his enthousiasm for sound, not gear❤
Bob (and others) taught me one of the tricks to mastering is repetition - re-running a track multiple times through the same configuration until a smoothness is achieved.
Wow... THE Man being interviewed, what a pleasure listening to Mr. Ludwig. That room, with that equipment monitored through Dynaudio/Morel speakers has to sound almost surreal. Thanks so much Warren!
these are great interviews, i'd like to hear a before and after of something that they do, it's great to hear their stories but i'd like to hear what they do!
Love that bit about the Indigo Girls! They're both so great, I especially feel that Emily Saliers doesn't always get the credit she deserves in terms of her skills/ear/musicianship so that was a nice treat.
Bob Ludwig's humility is as immense as his work. The genius of simple people. "Frampton Comes Alive!", "The Song Remains the Same" ... Amazing and Huge! Thank you very much for sharing this spontaneous and brilliant moment. Saludos!
Thank you so much for a great interview with the master of masters. Good questions, awesome stories. Loved it too when Bob apologized for accidently hitting his lavalier mic asking if Eric's alright. Says all on his awareness and care for everything 'sound'.
I am an avid record collector & anytime i saw Bob's name on it i bouggt it whether i knew the group or not bc i knew sonically it would b awesome plus u knew the group took their music & sound seriously..same w bob clearmountain..george marino & hugh padghem from england..there were a cpl more but the names escape me now..Lord..the cost of equipment in that room
I remember when I first started gettin in to high end audio which was also at the beginning of the introduction of Compact Discs and I would come across some albums (CDs) that had this lush, full and just remarkable texture to the sound and without fail, his name would be on the credits. I developed tinnitus in 2013, (bad genes and four Aircraft Carrier tours in the USN) but I can still tell if an album was mastered by him.
Another awesome video... Bob Ludwig sounds like the legend that he is. In this video theres lots of talk on Bob's gear use and their history, realistic approaches to the studio business along with some insights on monumental recordings. Videos like these help me relate and feel that we are all can relate on a similar level... along with the love for recording music. This studio is very inviting... Wish I was there just to continue hearing the stories. Thanks... please keep these coming!
Thanks Warren for widening your scope and visiting the legendary Bob Ludwig. Mastering is a mysterious field for many of us. I was amazed by the Frank Zappa story he told. I don't have golden ears but I would love one day to have one of my mixes mastered and to be there to listen on a high end monitoring system and room. I love your videos. You have a great rapport with people and it adds a level of enjoyment to what might otherwise be just another tech talk.
Warren, thank you sir! What a sweet treat! I know Bob is a mere human being, but hey, you were in the Temple of the Golden Pavilion :) And ya gotta love the hardware. Ha! super divine stuff...
Thank you. That's an amazing video you've done. I loved watching every minute. When you spoke of Zappa and Eggleston (the photographer) my heart beated a little faster. Thank you for that. Cheers
Finally I found time to watch this video and once again I'm fascinated about what's happening here. Warren, all these videos are becoming more and more an encyclopedia of the music business. Absolutely fantastic! I am honestly convinced that future generations will appreciate this even more than we do today. I mean, you are documenting music history in the best way I can imagine! Bob Ludwig is such a great guy. Thank you so much for letting us have this insight! Love you guys!
What a fabulous interview! Bob is such a humble man and yet he is up there with the best of the best! You’re a great bloke too Warren...I love your channel and the informative content you provide for those of us who are wanting to learn more about the art of recording! 🙏
Hi Warren, I watched from the beginning to the end and the most important lesson from Bob is that we have to imagine the result we want before starting an artistic process, working hard to accomplish the mission. In my case I have to imagine the result since of composing the song, because I write, play, record and mix all in my studio. It’s a real brain storm! But mastering it’s for engineers, you even can try but always compare the result and you will see that gear (and what gear!) and experience of men that work mastering many hours a day for years wins.
It's been over 4 years since we did this video. Bob Ludwig has since retired, however his legacy of incredible music will live on forever! Some of the greatest music ever made was mastered by Bob! Please enjoy the video and let me know who else you'd like to see us interview.
His gear is worth more than my shoes
He mastered one of my records, when he called me to see if I liked the results, I answered the phone and he was singing one of my songs back to me, I was blown away, Bob Ludwig was singing one of my songs... that little act of kindness let me know he really listened and liked it. Not a sucky day,
what a nice moment.
how much?
@@ClaudioRowe well let me put it this way - do I buy a new car or have the legend master my EP
@@realmusic962 Well, no wonder he was singing your song.
Holy cow, it's Brynn from Flipp. Small world.
Probably the most frequent name on all the CDs and albums I own. A true legend! Thank you for bringing this to us Warren!
Agreed 100%!! You're very welcome!
I care more about how he got his gigs than his gear, hehehe.
Bob is not only the world's best ears IMHO but he is an awesome individual. No matter who you are when you walk in he makes you feel like the most important person on the planet. And to him in that moment you are. I toured his facility when I owned a studio not realizing he wanted to meet me personally. He was mastering Springsteen that day. He greeted me like I was a long, lost friend then explained the technology build of the room. Now already blown away twice he asked if I had anything of my own material. I "happened" to have an A-DAT of a song and he asked to hear it. I felt like a shy schoolboy hesitant to turn in my flawed assignment to the teacher. I gotta tell you - when I heard my own song coming through the best sounding setup in the world with Bob Ludwig attentively listening..... I teared up. Unsuccessfully hiding this display of emotion Bob looked me in the eye with that wry all-knowing grin and gave me a pat on the shoulder. Amazing person.
You can tell that the main reason ASIDE from his golden ears and skills he is so successful is that he is a genuinely kind and nice man 🙂
True
It's so awesome to see the people "behind the scenes" of some of the best music ever created. This kind of channel is what makes youtube such a goldmine for humanity.
Wow! Thanks ever so much
Wow. Just, wow. Bob's DNA is in almost every vinyl album I had back in the day. Warren, a HUGE thank you to you and Eric for taking the time to film this, and the many other interviews you're amassing. I'm noticing that a good chunk of engineers you're interviewing have the old standard by their side: the Tandy/Radio Shack SPL meter. I picked one up in the early 80s but I have no idea where it is or where it went. Whodathunk inexpensive Radio Shack gear would be a staple of so many of those mixes and masters. Thanks again, Warren!
Hi Dave Merkel • Music & Sounds thanks ever so much my friend! I feel blessed to be able to talk such amazing people! Bob is the mastering engineers mastering engineer!
You're right!
That Radio Shack SPL meter is great ... I've got multiple, high quality hand-held SPL meters, but the Radio Shack VU meter version can be read the easiest instinctively by simply noticing the meter deflection. Once set for the appropriate range, the level is so easily discernable via needle deflection.
It's worth noting... one of the finest sounding systems in the world, +800lb monitors, bespoke Mark Levinson Class A amplification ... and the ubiquitous RadioShack handheld meter!
How can anyone 'dislike' this stuff!?! Heads over here in sunny Peterborough (UK) are bowing to our heroes, Warren.. and Bob of course! We are a humble non-profit community music service that mainly work with disadvantaged young peeps and vulnerable adults. We are always aspiring to reach the level that you folks at PLAP are always sharing with us. Much love, Benny x
At the age of 75 without the ability to hear high frequencies as in his 20's, this guy is still a legend.
AWESOME
Bob is my hero!! Almost No Compression on the way in...limited outboard effects. Get the great sound at the source and best performance possible. Get a static volume mix and don't stray too far from that sound you like. Words of wisdom!!
Lots of my favourite album mastered by Bob Ludwig. Good job 👍👍 Warren
Oh wow!! Bob Ludwig is a proper legend. What an amazing opportunity. Thanks so much to Bob & yourself, Warren, for this interview.
Paul Motion thanks ever so much my friend!!
He just finished up the TOOL album. So stoked!!!
Thanks ever so much my friend!! Agreed!! Exciting!
Whoah! Release date?
@@meadish August 30th, 2019.
Did some of the best work I've ever heard. The drums man, did great at capturing them.
You're easily the best interviewer for the audio format I've ever seen, thanks for the great vid I couldn't pull away
Wow thank you Warren - Growing up in the 70-80's and even today I have always respected Bob Ludwig and thru you I finally got to meet/listen to the master :-)
Thanks ever so much!!
Whenever I see Robert Ludwig's name on a mastering credit, I can rest assured it will sound as good as it possibly can. A man who truly understands sound and cutting, his original hot mastering of 'Led Zeppelin II' is legendary in audio circles and with good reason. It's an absolute monster and has arguably never been bettered in terms of how to present a hard rock album but still be sympathetic to the quieter portions of the tracks.
I have a copy that has the narrow deadwax on Side 2 that almost reaches the centre label and yet the sound holds up right to the last note. It's the perfect test for any new turntable - If your system can handle it then it will be able to cope with anything else you throw at it.
You can tell he is such a sweetheart, class act, and true gentleman. All the coolest dudes are humble gentlemen like this.
He's a lovely bloke. I did a seminar with him about 15ish years ago. He had this amazing story about mastering Waking up the Neighbors which he got tapes for every single day for months from Bob Clearmountain and Mutt Lang in England. They flew the tapes in every day on Concorde! He also had this recording that dated from the turn of the 20th century that he used to demonstrate how good recording has always been. The sound was incredible and I don't mean incredible for the turn of the 20th century, I mean incredible for the turn of the 21st century. I forget the actual details - I just remember being totally blown away.
Probably the most interesting person I've ever met.
So good. Warren set him off and then let the legend talk and talk. This is how a great interview is recorded! Thanks folks!
+Produce Like A Pro
Thanks so much Warren, Eric, and Bob. These interviews are absolute GOLD.
Thanks... this confirms my suspicions about how mastering engineers been holdin back on the sauce!!!
Warren and Bob, that was absolutely fantastic. Totally in awe of thetalent, the precision and gear.
Thanks ever so much my friend!!
He is so humble , I enjoyed every moment of this video tnx
Thanks ever so much
@@Producelikeapro you are welcome Dear Warren
As music fan who always reads the linear notes on an album it’s so great to see this interview with Bob Ludwig as his name is a constant as the mastering engineer on the records in my collection
What a terrific interview with the man that signed off on most of my vinyl, back in the day! And what a joy to witness his enthousiasm for sound, not gear❤
All my classic Rush albums & countless others were mastered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk.....Legend!
Bob (and others) taught me one of the tricks to mastering is repetition - re-running a track multiple times through the same configuration until a smoothness is achieved.
can you be more specific in your explanation? I am curious to know what you mean? Did you learn it by listening to his masters?
Wow... THE Man being interviewed, what a pleasure listening to Mr. Ludwig. That room, with that equipment monitored through Dynaudio/Morel speakers has to sound almost surreal. Thanks so much Warren!
Steve A thanks ever so much my friend!! Yes, Bob is incredible!!
The only thing to say Is thank you. And I’m glad bob just talked freely the first half and it wasn’t just all about the gear
The legendary Bob Ludwig - I think he's mastered almost Every album Ive ever loved...
Thx Warren- always a great informative interview -- Cheers Mate!
Me too Timothy! What an amazing talent Bob is!
It's freezing in Asheville, NC today good to see that someone else is relatively warm inside a studio. Great episode.
Bob Ludwig’s mastering on the Phil Spector “Wall of Sound Retrospective” CD is absolutely outta sight. Bob has the Midas touch
So great! I had no idea he was such an accomplished trumpet player and music literature scholar. Explains why he’s got such great ears!
Thank you so much for doing this fantastic interview!!! Bob is such a hero of mine. Your channel is the best!!!
This interview makes me so happy. Such a legendary talent and generous human.
What an absolute Legend. Great interview Warren. Thanks!
Thanks ever so much my friend!! You Rock Tim!
One of the best videos, wow thanks for bringing on the legend of mastering : )
Awesome surprise to find this! And Zappa stories to boot! :) Thank you!
these are great interviews, i'd like to hear a before and after of something that they do, it's great to hear their stories but i'd like to hear what they do!
I understand Mike! Yes, more to come!! Thanks ever so much my friend!!
What a humble gentleman! Thanks for this content!
Love that bit about the Indigo Girls! They're both so great, I especially feel that Emily Saliers doesn't always get the credit she deserves in terms of her skills/ear/musicianship so that was a nice treat.
Thanks for this!! Would be marvelous to have this interview on the podcast so we can stream it without the burden of video eating our data plans. :)
Great to see the legend and his room!
Bob Ludwig's humility is as immense as his work. The genius of simple people.
"Frampton Comes Alive!", "The Song Remains the Same" ... Amazing and Huge! Thank you very much for sharing this spontaneous and brilliant moment. Saludos!
Thank you so much for a great interview with the master of masters. Good questions, awesome stories.
Loved it too when Bob apologized for accidently hitting his lavalier mic asking if Eric's alright. Says all on his awareness and care for everything 'sound'.
You could probably weld with those.
The man is a legend and still has the passion. Amazing
Can't believe I missed this one! What a great soul Bob is. This was an amazing interview. Thx!
I am an avid record collector & anytime i saw Bob's name on it i bouggt it whether i knew the group or not bc i knew sonically it would b awesome plus u knew the group took their music & sound seriously..same w bob clearmountain..george marino & hugh padghem from england..there were a cpl more but the names escape me now..Lord..the cost of equipment in that room
Warren, Thanks a million for this. Bob is a gift. Massive inspiration.
Really awesome interview. It's cool to see that he's so down to earth and still loves and enjoys his job. Great video.
I remember when I first started gettin in to high end audio which was also at the beginning of the introduction of Compact Discs and I would come across some albums (CDs) that had this lush, full and just remarkable texture to the sound and without fail, his name would be on the credits. I developed tinnitus in 2013, (bad genes and four Aircraft Carrier tours in the USN) but I can still tell if an album was mastered by him.
Another awesome video... Bob Ludwig sounds like the legend that he is. In this video theres lots of talk on Bob's gear use and their history, realistic approaches to the studio business along with some insights on monumental recordings. Videos like these help me relate and feel that we are all can relate on a similar level... along with the love for recording music. This studio is very inviting... Wish I was there just to continue hearing the stories. Thanks... please keep these coming!
This was great Warren! Finally another old school New York guy! Thank You! Enjoy NAMM! wish I could be there.
led zep II and back in black is all that needs to be said about this masters skills, THE MAN!!!
Too bad Jimmy never gave Bob those LZ2 masters and let him have another go since there have been several versions. Nothing tops that original.
Warren my friend, thank you for the video! You nailed it again!!! Best from Zagreb, Croatia. Krešo
Thanks ever so much my friend!!
Both my parents come from the former yugoslavia.
Bob has such a wealth of experience, a pleasure to hear some of it.
Thanks to both of you :0)
You're very welcome my friend!
The maestro mastered our “Roll Over Richard” album by Ronnie and The Jitters. Exciting days!
Bob monitors at 85dB which is what I was looking for.
Indeed ✔️.! !!
Thanks Warren for widening your scope and visiting the legendary Bob Ludwig. Mastering is a mysterious field for many of us. I was amazed by the Frank Zappa story he told. I don't have golden ears but I would love one day to have one of my mixes mastered and to be there to listen on a high end monitoring system and room. I love your videos. You have a great rapport with people and it adds a level of enjoyment to what might otherwise be just another tech talk.
Amazing history lessons, amazing stories, amazing man. Thank you Mr Ludwig.
Humility and great talent---a winning combination,can't lose.
If you took all the albums this man has touched and they disappeared we would have very little left. He is the master
Agreed 100%!!
Amazing interview! Thank you warren! Thank you Bob!!
Thanks ever so much!!
A true legend. I wish I had 5% of Bob's hearing approach....Thanks Warren! Thanks Bob!
Zappa was and remains a Giant... love hearing the stories.
I agree 100% Michael!
Zappa “music is the best”
I've never seen him, only his name on the back of every second record I've ever bought. Totally the Yoda of Mastering he is! :D
What a wonderful story, and you two are some of the most humble, heart-warming souls. Thanks!
Warren, thank you sir! What a sweet treat!
I know Bob is a mere human being, but hey,
you were in the Temple of the Golden Pavilion :)
And ya gotta love the hardware. Ha! super divine stuff...
What a Great Interview, a true Mastering Legend.
I could listen for hours to this legend!
Love the truth spoken about where digital is now. Way to go Mr. Ludwig
great interview
Thanks ever so much
Hi Warren, fantastic interview, thank you Bob for chatting to us, mega legend! , thank you Warren, Eric for this great vid, all the best, Darren Ross.
Thank you. That's an amazing video you've done. I loved watching every minute. When you spoke of Zappa and Eggleston (the photographer) my heart beated a little faster. Thank you for that. Cheers
What an absolutely class gentleman!
Proud to say I'm from Maine!!!! Gateway for the win!!
Another absolute legend!
I would really love to look at Bob's record collection. I'll bet it's quite amazing.
Oh my god what an absolute sweetheart! Love this man
Beautiful work, Wazza. Bob is legendary, ears the size of a planet, about the size of your heart! Lovely stuff! Thank you.
That was great! Tremendous hearing from such a big name in the industry.
Finally I found time to watch this video and once again I'm fascinated about what's happening here. Warren, all these videos are becoming more and more an encyclopedia of the music business. Absolutely fantastic! I am honestly convinced that future generations will appreciate this even more than we do today. I mean, you are documenting music history in the best way I can imagine!
Bob Ludwig is such a great guy. Thank you so much for letting us have this insight! Love you guys!
What a great interview with Bob Ludwig.
Thanks ever so much my friend!!
Fabulous interview! Thanks Bob and Warren! I thoroughly enjoyed it! 👍👍
Thanks Warren! Bob is a legend! Greetings from Perú.
great show ,one of the truly greats, thank you
What a treasure this man is!
Awesome! Look forward to more interviews like this!
Hi Armando! Thanks ever so much my friend!!
Dynaudio. I thought so! That studio looks amazing
✔️ Indeed.! !!
Such a fun interview! Bob is awesome! What a legend
Thanks ever so much Eric!!
Wonderful interview. Thank you Mr Ludwig
One of your greatest interviews,✌🏾
Amazing! That had to be one of your lifetime highs!
A Bob Ludwig mastering you can buy blind...or is it deaf regarding sound?
One of the greats!!!
How I loved this interview.
Thanks ever so much
What a fabulous interview! Bob is such a humble man and yet he is up there with the best of the best! You’re a great bloke too Warren...I love your channel and the informative content you provide for those of us who are wanting to learn more about the art of recording! 🙏
Hi Warren, I watched from the beginning to the end and the most important lesson from Bob is that we have to imagine the result we want before starting an artistic process, working hard to accomplish the mission. In my case I have to imagine the result since of composing the song, because I write, play, record and mix all in my studio. It’s a real brain storm! But mastering it’s for engineers, you even can try but always compare the result and you will see that gear (and what gear!) and experience of men that work mastering many hours a day for years wins.
Just watched what a treat.👍
Legend 🔬🔬🔬
Yes! He is a legend!!
@Produce Like A Pro THANK YOU WARREN!!!This made my day!!