Interviews

Photo by Lissyelle Laricchia The current music industry landscape finds many artists handling every aspect of their creative output. They are the performer, engineer, mixer, and promotor all wrapped up in one package. For some, it's a system that kind of works, and for others, not so much. But then there is Sarah Tudzin, someone operating on all fronts at an elite level and having a lot of fun doing it. Continue reading →

This article was originally published in Playback Issue 002. Subscribe to Playback for free to stay up to date with our latest articles, interviews, product reviews and more. While visiting Bob Clearmountain at his home studio for this interview, we talked about some of his most essential pieces of gear. Read on to learn about the console, EQs, and compressors that have helped Bob get the job done on records for Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and many more. Continue reading →

This article was originally published in Playback Issue 002. Subscribe to Playback for free to stay up to date with our latest articles, interviews, product reviews and more. For those that have been lucky enough to meet Bob Clearmountain, they know what a humble man he is about his impressive legacy. We pressed him to talk about three records from his discography that stand out to him as his best work. Continue reading →

TIERRA Audio is a newer brand on the pro audio scene, one that got started in Madrid, Spain in 2018. Dubbing themselves the “ECO-Smart Pro Audio Company,” TIERRA puts a focus on not only achieving high end sound in their products, but also on being an ecologically responsible company. As a part of our ongoing Behind The Gear series, we sat down with TIERRA Audio Co-Founder and CEO Javier Pascual to learn more about the brand, its product lineup, and the important work the company is doing to ensure the safety of our planet. Continue reading →

To say that Gena Johnson has had one hell of a 2021 is the understatement of the year. The Nashville-based engineer and producer garnered a nomination from the Academy of Country Music Awards for Engineer of the Year, in addition to seeing several records she worked on grab 2022 Grammy nominations. Oh, and did we mention she got married?! Prior to tying the knot, Vintage King sat down with Gena to give her the 20 Questions treatment. Read on to discover how she got started in the world of recording, learn about some of her favorite gear and find out the one artist that she's been dreaming of working with. Continue reading →

Vintage King client Brian Alston is an Arizona-based singer/songwriter who recently elevated his project studio to a whole new level. As a long-time fan of the Neve console sound, Brian wanted the benefits of the brand's storied desks, but needed to be mindful of both budget and space. Enter the Neve 8424 recording console. “I basically wanted a console that would be with me for a very, very long time and one that would continue to inspire me to work every day," Brian says. "I have found that in the 8424.” Continue reading →

Erin Tonkon broke into the world of engineering at a young age and started learning under the best at NYU's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. During her studies, the budding engineer began working with production legend Tony Visconti. Over the course of six years, Erin would work side-by-side with Tony, including handling the engineering duties for David Bowie's final record, Blackstar, in addition to releases from Esperanza Spalding and The Damned. In recent years, Erin has continued to amass an incredible discography of work, including mixing albums for Sad13, Richard Hell, Rosie Tucker, Lady Lamb and more. She is also the co-founder of a new company that is trying to revive the New York City music scene post-pandemic by bringing together musicians, producers, multiple studios and a new live venue. Continue reading →

Kim Rosen is a mastering engineer based out of Ringwood, New Jersey, where she owns and operates her own studio, Knack Mastering. Over the course of the past decade and some change, Kim has put together an impressive resume of records, including Grammy®-nominated releases from Bettye LaVette, Bonnie Raitt, and The Milk Carton Kids, in addition to a win for Aimee Mann's Mental Illness. We had the pleasure of talking with Kim as a part of our ongoing 20 Questions series in which we interview top engineers and producers about their careers and day-to-day lives. Continue below to learn more about how Kim got started in the industry, find out what song defines her mastering work, and get details on the tube amplifier she created with her husband. Continue reading →

Over the last few years, hybrid mixing has exploded in popularity. More and more engineers are making the switch to hybrid systems to utilize the best of both worlds, combining the unmistakable sound of analog recording equipment with the lightning-fast workflow of digital audio systems. New tools like the SSL Origin, Neve 8424, and Avid Pro Tools MTRX Studio are making it easier than ever for engineers to integrate their analog and digital workflows with versatile I/O, monitoring, and routing solutions. Whether you prefer the tactile response of a console or the familiar feel of a mouse and keyboard, these powerful tools are changing the way we mix. Continue reading →

When it comes to legendary figures in the studio, it doesn't get any bigger than Bob Clearmountain. One look at his resume confirms this notion; Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, etc. It reads like the roster of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Yet, throughout his journey, Bob has done it all and remained extremely humble. He's the same polite kid who began as a runner at Media Sound in New York, and fumbled his way into working on a Duke Ellington session on his first day. More on that in one second though... Continue reading →