Ya, but Steve Albini makes a great point... What happens in 20 years when your Pro Tools session is no longer able to open because of version number, computer cant read the old format, license on a plug in is expired or out of business... I can't believe a legend like him went the route of in the box.
This is a man who's work I've been madly in love with for many, _many_ years. Yet, I had no idea who he was. It wasn't until recently that I discovered the secret ingredient behind many of Rock's GREATEST band's for the last 30+ years. The incredible Andy Wallace. Engineer's receive so little credit, yet play such an integral role in all of the music we know and love.
Exactly. I've seen so many interviews with Butch Vig re Nevermind, even ones where he was moving faders, but Andy Wallace was the real sound guy? Weird.
@@Tomix098 he is pretty humble. You will never hear him say that the way he does things is better or call out certain ways other people tend to do stuff "wrong". Someone can be humble and confident at the same time.
I'm a melophile. Mr. Wallace procuded/mixed several albums I've listened to repeatedly over the past three decades and will continue to enjoy for the rest of my life. Thank you!
With regard to the down-beats on the intro/chorus of Smells Like Teen Spirit: If you listen to the isolated drums (readily available online), you can distinctly hear that Dave Grohl is playing the first beat of each bar slightly late. The tiny deviation from perfectly gridded time makes the start of each bar punch out and gives it an extra impact that it would otherwise not have.
@@BobbyGeneric145 The beauty of using a DAW, for editing, is that I can literally place a note wherever I want to put it. I can even quantize it to a grid, if that's what I'm going for. Just because I can't play every note the way I hear it in my head (because I'm a human being), doesn't mean the final product can't still sound like what I have in my head.
So good to see this video, I was lucky enough to work with Andy in the 90s and see what he does, it was a great inspiration to how I approach any song in Pro Tools now.
What a great bunch of questions, and well articulated answers. Clearly Andy's personality shines on his mixes. Very much a "do no harm" mentality. Thanks for your amazing body of work Andy!
Holy shit.. the records he’s done all on only an ssl.. no fancy 1176 or neve compression or vacrac. Christ al classic records that I adore and listened to every day of my life.. #respect
The one thing on the Smells Like Teen Spirit drums that backs this up is how you can hear the snare drum has detuned from the beginning of the song, to the end.
You know, it's funny because I read this, went to the song, and flipped back and forth between the end in both the verses and the intro and outro to see if I could hear any difference, and although I could, it seemed more like because the mix was just more dense at the end was why the snare sounded more buried. Not that I believe it was sampled replaced anyways (MAYBE sample *augmented*, as so much stuff is - even from "the good old days" which most don't realize. But I didn't think it was outright sample replaced) but was just curious about the detuning throughout the song and how audible it was. I was about to comment along the lines of that and add that I don't hear the detuning. And then I remembered it's 2022 and there's probably an isolated drum stem that I can listen to somewhere (Spoiler alert: There is, lmao) and sure enough it absolutely is "detuned" at the end compared to the beginning, but because it's only the batter head that's detuned from him beating the shit out of it, and not the resonant head - it still has mostly the same fundamental note when it's sitting in the mix, it just sounds sloppier because of the looser top head. Really interesting to hear. Also goes to show how important the dynamics and performance itself is, with regards to giving the proper energy to a respective song. Most professional drummers (at least from what I've seen) would probably not have that intense of result despite playing an aggressive song like that with "appropriate" energy, but the song is an imperfect, grungy and angry wall of sound and it absolutely serves the energy of the song despite not being the "cleanest" way to play. Besides actual rhythm, ability and taste, I think the intuition and ability to give a performance like that is was sets great drummers apart from the rest. It's that extra little "Oomph" that you can't really hear per se but you can feel it 100%.
Oh man, I'm old college friends with Andy's son and he used to come up now and then when there were performances at the college - we were all music majors - and it was like a big event for us when he'd visit. Of course, he was just someone's dad when it happened, we'd maybe have a few words over a beer at the local dive bar, but he'd be gone as fast as he came.
Thank you MWTMs! When I see audio things that involve Andy Wallace (or Max Norman or Toby Wright or Greg Fidelman, but I digress), I know my ears will be happy! Though I would be extremely nervous and anxious, I can only imagine how much my playing could benefit from a few hours session with Andy's ears and his seasoned feedback (no pun intended).
What OP wanted to hear: "If I recall correctly, we record in stereo with 2 different mics which then we'll mono at different gain levels inside the console. In terms of the chain, I think the first part is we double up the preamp. One set to HPF the other adding 3db of air. Then the L channel goes to an LA2A doing about 4db GR, and the R channel goes to an 1176. We do that because it creates a subtle sense of tension, particularly in the chorus section. We run that line to the Massive Passive for 8 db boost to the mids, then it goes into an old warehouse transformer that Jake found in storage at his old studio, it just adds some saturation to the bottom section and tightens the highs. Finally, we run it through a Fairchild 670 with no reduction, just on, for that touch of mojo. I hope that answers your question."
Whenever I would hear an album that sounded phenomenally mixed, it would never surprise me to see Andy Wallace in the credits. It's great to finally hear him talk about some of his processes. Great channel!
QUITE impressive mf'er!!! Upper percentile sonic approach indeed...Enlightenment is often palpable, and on full display here Master Wallace! Time well spent!!!!!!!
Love his response on P Compression, alot of people seem to think it's the solution for everything now adays, when if you just get it right in the sound it's generally unecessary.
Seany06 I was going to rant on that myself, but deleted it. If also there were no vocal auto-tune I'd be happy. Not a fan of digital drum replacements either. Just record it right to begin with, yup.
He still uses it quite handily; every channel on the SSL, for example. SSLs aren't exactly subtle. Then you have the guys like CLA and Joe Barressi who's sound it's central to, so saying it's "generally unnecessary" to them would get you laughed out of the room.
This man literally mixed Nu metal itself by raiding faders, hardly compressing, gain and phase staging in half an hour and with just "no big deals" of ambience and samplings. I mean, dude
12:30 people who ask that may never have listened Grohls playing style (super strong hits) even at the bloody conservatory they know about Grohls strenght, and recommend NOT to play so loud or you will break the patches (we shared the shool drum kits)
I just learned this from Rick Beato. If you listen to all of Andy's mixes from the 90s he uses the exact same kick & snare sample on all of them. Each band's drums sound the same. Here he says he doesn't put samples in himself, but they come already present in the multi track. Odd.
Remember only top singer and musician can help great sound engineer, especialy with Jeff Buckley, he sounds good, because he was a good performer ^^ just a regular studio standard mic and tape recorder, no magical secret trick behind this, you should listen him on rare stage video, is realy impressive also the band who play with him.
well, you could say so. but it is kind of magic because he covers every primary color of sound engineering here. Granted, he might not have had his process as intellectualized when he was working with Buckley, but clearly had integrity.
Vincent Jacob's question at 5:00 .... I liked his response, but if your painting broad strokes in the first 30 minutes to get something you like based off the architecture you received, i.e. good musicians, good mic placement, wouldn't you still want to fine tune any phasing issues before getting a snapshot of what you want to achieve at the end state?
I hope this video finally puts the Dave Grohl drum sample thing to bed. Maybe he did use drum sample ambients in later recordings as Ric Beato has famously pointed out. The drums on Nevermind don't sound like those albums. You can definitely make drums sound the same even without those samples. Listen to Butch Vigs mix of Nevermind. The drums sound a lot like the 80s drum tracks from the big bands.It doesn't make Dave sound bad but definitely not as awsome as Wallace's mix. Listen to how the drums sound on Appettite for Destruction. Many drum recordings from that era sound the same and they were definitely not sampled. They sound very dated now but it's likely to albums being mixed in similar lower frequencies. Butch Vigs mix definitely has some of that. This man just put a different spin on things and it changed music. It's just a different way to make the drums cut.
An example of a mixing travesty was the recording of Ringo Starr’s Beatles drumming. At the time it was prohibited to put a mic into a kick drum. He’s also mixed very low and his cymbals are dull. I would like to hear some early Beatles remixed by Andy.
Its so interesting, you would have thought that he needs a gazillion effects to make his mixes sound so hughe, samples etc. But its seems quit the opposite. 3db compression on a main vocal? Try finding that in todays world of smashed trap vocals...
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
This man is responsible for bringing about 90% of everybody's childhoods to life.
⁰
He’s 3 years older than my mum and he’s mixing Gojira. Incredible back catalogue
Insane catalog indeed. Legend.
this man is a legend
Amen! Blind Melon "Soup" is one of the greatest albums ever in my opinion.
100th Like, and it's fitting, because I agree 100%.
And the Legend is his sound!
Sure he is!!!
Ya, but Steve Albini makes a great point... What happens in 20 years when your Pro Tools session is no longer able to open because of version number, computer cant read the old format, license on a plug in is expired or out of business...
I can't believe a legend like him went the route of in the box.
This is a man who's work I've been madly in love with for many, _many_ years. Yet, I had no idea who he was. It wasn't until recently that I discovered the secret ingredient behind many of Rock's GREATEST band's for the last 30+ years. The incredible Andy Wallace.
Engineer's receive so little credit, yet play such an integral role in all of the music we know and love.
Exactly. I've seen so many interviews with Butch Vig re Nevermind, even ones where he was moving faders, but Andy Wallace was the real sound guy? Weird.
Well said! My sentiments exactly.
Questions:
1) 0:48
2) 2:30
3) 4:55
4) 6:34
5) 10:48
6) 12:26
7) 14:12
8) 16:24
9) 19:41
10) 21:57
You’re a true hero, really appreciated
The world needs more like you
This man is so humble.
You think so? I think he's super confident of his skills because of experience, Gregory Scott is humble :)
@@Tomix098 he is pretty humble. You will never hear him say that the way he does things is better or call out certain ways other people tend to do stuff "wrong". Someone can be humble and confident at the same time.
@@TheRealCowlick Agreed
I'm a melophile. Mr. Wallace procuded/mixed several albums I've listened to repeatedly over the past three decades and will continue to enjoy for the rest of my life. Thank you!
So great of Andy, and all of these folks, to share some insight into their process. Such great sounding records..
With regard to the down-beats on the intro/chorus of Smells Like Teen Spirit: If you listen to the isolated drums (readily available online), you can distinctly hear that Dave Grohl is playing the first beat of each bar slightly late. The tiny deviation from perfectly gridded time makes the start of each bar punch out and gives it an extra impact that it would otherwise not have.
Dod Rick Beato sent you here?
And today it would be aligned in Pro Tools and RUIN IT.
@@BobbyGeneric145 or you can just align drums to be late on th grid
@@BobbyGeneric145 The beauty of using a DAW, for editing, is that I can literally place a note wherever I want to put it. I can even quantize it to a grid, if that's what I'm going for. Just because I can't play every note the way I hear it in my head (because I'm a human being), doesn't mean the final product can't still sound like what I have in my head.
So good to see this video, I was lucky enough to work with Andy in the 90s and see what he does, it was a great inspiration to how I approach any song in Pro Tools now.
Love the "quick mix" and "ride the faders" aproach. I hope I can master this jedi level one day.
Absolute teacher. I have nothing but gratitude.
i didn't really know who this man was and had to check his discography. impressive as hell
I'm SOOO glad I came across this clip. Learning from such a legend made me feel more confident in the mixing process. Thank you Sir!
Nevermind’s mix is fantastic.
God I know it’s so sick.
Cobain hated it
@@cellulosefdr doesn't make it not fantastic.
If he didn’t mix Teen Spirit the Butch Vig version doesn’t make it famous.
@@cellulosefdryour mom hated it too 😏
I LOVE the sound of "King For a Day..." album by Faith no More, maybe my favorite mix in a rock album,
specially the bass and guitar sound.
Nicolas Grisanti
Don't you look so surprised
Happy Birthday... fucker!
diregremo You blow that candle out we’re gonna kick you! Kick you! 😂
Totally agreed
Chorus on "What a Day" always stands out to me
Absolutely yes me too it's my favorite sounding rock album ever! And my favourite band too.
What a great bunch of questions, and well articulated answers. Clearly Andy's personality shines on his mixes. Very much a "do no harm" mentality.
Thanks for your amazing body of work Andy!
My favourite mixing engineer of all time.
Holy shit.. the records he’s done all on only an ssl.. no fancy 1176 or neve compression or vacrac. Christ al classic records that I adore and listened to every day of my life.. #respect
bought tons of records with his name on it. now that ive finally see how he looks like. legend
Andy is a true gentleman, I could listen to him talk about mixing all day.
The one thing on the Smells Like Teen Spirit drums that backs this up is how you can hear the snare drum has detuned from the beginning of the song, to the end.
Adam Smith Very true. Anyone who says that the drums on Nevermind are completely sample replaced don’t know what they’re talking about
You know, it's funny because I read this, went to the song, and flipped back and forth between the end in both the verses and the intro and outro to see if I could hear any difference, and although I could, it seemed more like because the mix was just more dense at the end was why the snare sounded more buried. Not that I believe it was sampled replaced anyways (MAYBE sample *augmented*, as so much stuff is - even from "the good old days" which most don't realize. But I didn't think it was outright sample replaced) but was just curious about the detuning throughout the song and how audible it was. I was about to comment along the lines of that and add that I don't hear the detuning.
And then I remembered it's 2022 and there's probably an isolated drum stem that I can listen to somewhere (Spoiler alert: There is, lmao) and sure enough it absolutely is "detuned" at the end compared to the beginning, but because it's only the batter head that's detuned from him beating the shit out of it, and not the resonant head - it still has mostly the same fundamental note when it's sitting in the mix, it just sounds sloppier because of the looser top head. Really interesting to hear.
Also goes to show how important the dynamics and performance itself is, with regards to giving the proper energy to a respective song. Most professional drummers (at least from what I've seen) would probably not have that intense of result despite playing an aggressive song like that with "appropriate" energy, but the song is an imperfect, grungy and angry wall of sound and it absolutely serves the energy of the song despite not being the "cleanest" way to play. Besides actual rhythm, ability and taste, I think the intuition and ability to give a performance like that is was sets great drummers apart from the rest. It's that extra little "Oomph" that you can't really hear per se but you can feel it 100%.
@TheSpartan_G well said my friend.
A great and generous interview by Andy. Thanks!
Oh man, I'm old college friends with Andy's son and he used to come up now and then when there were performances at the college - we were all music majors - and it was like a big event for us when he'd visit. Of course, he was just someone's dad when it happened, we'd maybe have a few words over a beer at the local dive bar, but he'd be gone as fast as he came.
Thank you MWTMs! When I see audio things that involve Andy Wallace (or Max Norman or Toby Wright or Greg Fidelman, but I digress), I know my ears will be happy! Though I would be extremely nervous and anxious, I can only imagine how much my playing could benefit from a few hours session with Andy's ears and his seasoned feedback (no pun intended).
Concise and articulate answers. Lovely!
Another superb video in the series featuring a legend with mind-blowing credits. Thanks!
A well-spoken Grandmaster
Most worshipfool
Love these...keep them coming.
"riding faders is a lot of what i do"
that is a dying art that most people overlook
The Gandalf of rock mixing
"whAT frEQunCieS WerE auGmeNTEd iN jeFfs vocAlS????"
"Ummmm... I think we used a pop filter."
I know, it's like they're hoping he'll say they actually used magic or something.
Looks like your caps lock button is a bit sticky. Try some contact cleaner. Cheers.
What OP wanted to hear:
"If I recall correctly, we record in stereo with 2 different mics which then we'll mono at different gain levels inside the console. In terms of the chain, I think the first part is we double up the preamp. One set to HPF the other adding 3db of air. Then the L channel goes to an LA2A doing about 4db GR, and the R channel goes to an 1176. We do that because it creates a subtle sense of tension, particularly in the chorus section. We run that line to the Massive Passive for 8 db boost to the mids, then it goes into an old warehouse transformer that Jake found in storage at his old studio, it just adds some saturation to the bottom section and tightens the highs. Finally, we run it through a Fairchild 670 with no reduction, just on, for that touch of mojo. I hope that answers your question."
@@jonsubs9998 Excellent...
This guys doesn't use much outboard gear at all, and never really has. He is pretty much in the "box" since the early , early 90s.
Awesome, Awesome interview. Amazing engineer.
This is the vibe. I just put this on while working on other stuff just to stay locked in
I love this man.
Mr. Wallace is an OG
Really enjoyed this one!
This out of 4 or 5 "masters" I've watched in this format of Q&A so far has been the only one I'm happy to have watched. I will leave it at that.
Whenever I would hear an album that sounded phenomenally mixed, it would never surprise me to see Andy Wallace in the credits. It's great to finally hear him talk about some of his processes. Great channel!
This guy is my Santa :)
Thanks so much!! Your discussions are tremendously insightful, very helpful and so inspiring!!
I don't know much about mixing engineers, names and who did what and so on. So I had to check his discography.. holy @3!"# respect! :)
QUITE impressive mf'er!!! Upper percentile sonic approach indeed...Enlightenment is often palpable, and on full display here Master Wallace! Time well spent!!!!!!!
This guy is pure class!
Great opportunity to learn a few tricks of the trade from a master.Thanks!
Love his response on P Compression, alot of people seem to think it's the solution for everything now adays, when if you just get it right in the sound it's generally unecessary.
Seany06 I was going to rant on that myself, but deleted it. If also there were no vocal auto-tune I'd be happy. Not a fan of digital drum replacements either. Just record it right to begin with, yup.
He still uses it quite handily; every channel on the SSL, for example. SSLs aren't exactly subtle.
Then you have the guys like CLA and Joe Barressi who's sound it's central to, so saying it's "generally unnecessary" to them would get you laughed out of the room.
Legend!
This man literally mixed Nu metal itself by raiding faders, hardly compressing, gain and phase staging in half an hour and with just "no big deals" of ambience and samplings.
I mean, dude
This fuckin guy is responsible for Nu Metal? Aww fuck him.
@@BobbyGeneric145 Understandable, have a nice day kid
12:30 people who ask that may never have listened Grohls playing style (super strong hits) even at the bloody conservatory they know about Grohls strenght, and recommend NOT to play so loud or you will break the patches (we shared the shool drum kits)
He's a genius mixer
Your Hybrid Theory mixes are still insane
Thanks guys. That made my day!
So glad I get to live & create in the same era as Andy Wallace.
Andy and Chris Lord-Alge made the sound of the 90s.
I would also say Brendon O’Brein. That guys name was on almost everything in one way or another back then
And of course Chris's brother, Tom.
CLA killed rock with his "one size fits all" corporate radio sound.
@@nikdrown Brendan O' Brien got the best drum sounds ever!
george carlin is actually a great record producer.
walter white really does a great mix
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees & hears the resemblance!
My thoughts exactly. Looks and sounds just like him.
@@Adam-hs1ft R.I.P. :(
😂😂
I could listen to this being speak for months...
Always enjoy watching this episode. 🙃😊😉
Simply the Best!!
I just learned this from Rick Beato. If you listen to all of Andy's mixes from the 90s he uses the exact same kick & snare sample on all of them. Each band's drums sound the same. Here he says he doesn't put samples in himself, but they come already present in the multi track. Odd.
Thanks, Andy! You're awesome and your a pioneer!!!!
Remember only top singer and musician can help great sound engineer, especialy with Jeff Buckley, he sounds good, because he was a good performer ^^ just a regular studio standard mic and tape recorder, no magical secret trick behind this, you should listen him on rare stage video, is realy impressive also the band who play with him.
well, you could say so. but it is kind of magic because he covers every primary color of sound engineering here. Granted, he might not have had his process as intellectualized when he was working with Buckley, but clearly had integrity.
i suspect the question about the vocal sound on "hallelujah" was more about that glorious reverb. wish he would have addressed that.
Fascinating. The sound arts have never been better despite Dr. Luke and Max Martin.
Thank you Mr. Wallace. Good to get to know you a little!
At 7:30 and that is one of many reasons why he is who he is and can do what he does.
I had no idea Harold was a mixing engineer, mad respect
Excellent Q&A! Thanks.
The man the myth the legend.. I also like the guy that work with Hendrix. Eddie Kramer.
Vincent Jacob's question at 5:00 .... I liked his response, but if your painting broad strokes in the first 30 minutes to get something you like based off the architecture you received, i.e. good musicians, good mic placement, wouldn't you still want to fine tune any phasing issues before getting a snapshot of what you want to achieve at the end state?
I get the impression he can check for phase issues on that first pass... #Legendary
Very nice class.. Thank you.
A true legend.
I remember the first time I saw his name was Ned's Atomic Dustbin's 2nd album..
he made Slayer's Seasons In The Abyss sound AMAZING
greatest of all time!
I hope this video finally puts the Dave Grohl drum sample thing to bed. Maybe he did use drum sample ambients in later recordings as Ric Beato has famously pointed out. The drums on Nevermind don't sound like those albums. You can definitely make drums sound the same even without those samples. Listen to Butch Vigs mix of Nevermind. The drums sound a lot like the 80s drum tracks from the big bands.It doesn't make Dave sound bad but definitely not as awsome as Wallace's mix. Listen to how the drums sound on Appettite for Destruction. Many drum recordings from that era sound the same and they were definitely not sampled. They sound very dated now but it's likely to albums being mixed in similar lower frequencies. Butch Vigs mix definitely has some of that. This man just put a different spin on things and it changed music. It's just a different way to make the drums cut.
“riding a fader up to 5 db on a downbeat” is that magic sauce that people forget about these days.
Andy Wallace is a legend, no argue.
Favorite piece of gear ? SSL Console.
Right
Where is my credit card…
This old man has mixed some of the best music that ears have ever heard. He acts like its no big deal.
sounds like he takes CLA's path towards volume balance and speed 2 completion.
HellaHipHop this guy is old enough to be cla's father mate. Andy is a living legend, just as Warren Huart etc
Invaluable speshally to a novice the end was spot on BE IN THE STUDIO WITH me Andy
what a LEGEND!
Anybody care to share the song at the beginning and end of the video? Thanks in advance
Such a classy gentleman. Andy has such insight and experience. :)
This was marvellous. Many thanks to all involved : )
True legend!
Thank you Andy.
Great advice. Thanks a lot.
Smells like some great tips
Amazing, thank you! :)
good stuff!!
He produced The End of Silence and Faith No More. What more does he need to do? Legend
An example of a mixing travesty was the recording of Ringo Starr’s Beatles drumming.
At the time it was prohibited to put a mic into a kick drum.
He’s also mixed very low and his cymbals are dull.
I would like to hear some early Beatles remixed by Andy.
thanks for uploading... it was awesome to hear these answers from a true master..
What does it mean to ride a fader?
He's a class act
if you close your eyes its like george carlin as a mix master!!!! LOL
Jason renehan even with eyes open if you are far back enough...😂
Fantastic.
“What’s your favorite piece of gear? An SSL console.” LOL I’m guessing the SSL preamp for Buckley?
Its so interesting, you would have thought that he needs a gazillion effects to make his mixes sound so hughe, samples etc. But its seems quit the opposite. 3db compression on a main vocal? Try finding that in todays world of smashed trap vocals...
This is the coolest dude