“My philosophy is that the song informs my methods of recording and mixing, and dictates the sounds we capture in the process," says producer Ryan Hewitt. "I want to be known as a chameleon, working on music that inspires me to try different palettes in order to paint an appropriate sonic picture for the artist’s song.”
This desire to work on diverse musical forms using methods apropos to the artist is evident in Ryan’s discography. He is as comfortable mixing major label radio singles as he is producing a jazz record. Throw in traditional Irish instruments, cutting edge indie bands, legendary blues artists, down home country singers, classic rockers and eclectic guitar players, and you get a picture of the wide eyed enthusiasm Ryan has for music as a whole.
Ryan has garnered a robust career working with client such as: The Alkaline Trio, The Automatic Automatic, blink-182, Buddy Guy, Eulogies, Flea, The Heavens, Jimmy Buffet, John Frusciante, Three Days Grace, Tift Merrit, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, We Are Scientists and many more.
www.ryanhewitt.com
Check out this list of some of Ryan Hewitt's favorite pieces of gear and how he likes to use them in the studio:
1. UREI 1176 Blackface
The original one. It's the single greatest compressor ever. I'd like a whole rack of these one day...
2. Tonelux EQ
Essential for mixing other people's recordings. Surgical, but with vibe.
3. Aphex 204
Fixes anemic sounds. Can make a tiny, boxy sounding kick sound giant. Adds balls to bass. Adds sheen to guitars. Adds girth to toms...
4. Empirical Labs Fatso
In a digital world, like a nice scotch; mellows your world.
5. Chandler Germanium Tone Control
FAT. There's a common thread here!
6. SPL Transient Designer
Everyone needs one of these.
7. Tonelux Mic Pre
Ballsy and open sounding, and the tilt feature often negates the need for EQ.
8. Audio Ease Altiverb
When you can't have a collection of the greatest reverbs, rooms, chambers and effects units in your room at the same time, this is the greatest invention ever!
9. Yamaha Analog Delay and API 205 DI
My favorite vocal effect. Clean, dirty, fat, thin, whatever you want...
10. Tape
I love tape. Nearly all music sounds better when it hits tape. I like to track to tape, but that's not an affordable option with budgets the way they are, so mixing to tape is one of the only saving graces these days. 1/4" 15ips can sound amazing!
