Show Us Your Junk! Ep. 25 - Sylvia Massy (Studio Divine) | EarthQuaker Devices

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  • Опубліковано 13 тра 2024
  • Sylvia Massy has been engineering and producing sessions for longer than most of us have been acting like we know what we’re talking about. In that time, she has discovered some very unconventional methods to capture unique subjects in unique ways. Thankfully, Sylvia was kind enough to guide us through Studio Divine in this episode of EarthQuaker Devices Show Us Your Junk!
    “I have a special talkback mic that I always use. It is silver and gold plated, with my name engraved in it. No one is allowed to touch it, except for me. Don’t even LOOK at it”.
    Get ready to find out the real origin behind Prince’s “grandma chair”, Maynard’s mic for “Undertow”, and which mic was used for the vocals during Johnny Cash’s “Unchained”. Needless to say, she has an extensive collection of powerful studio tools on hand: Lightbulbs and salty dill pickles. Oh yeah, there are some compressors, consoles, and stuff like that too or whatever.
    Did you ever think you would see Sylvia Massy demo some of her favorite EarthQuaker Devices into a Soma Lyra-8? Just watch. Acapulco Gold, Spatial Delivery, and Arpanoid. Her mischievous grin takes the cake though. “That’s super obnoxious, but also awesome”.
    Video: Vice Cooler
    Be sure to keep a curious eye for Sylvia's new series, STUDIO GO BOOM!, premiering very soon! Spring 2021! • Studio Go Boom feat. S...
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,1 тис.

  • @EarthQuakerDevices
    @EarthQuakerDevices  3 роки тому +53

    Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Sylvia's new series, STUDIO GO BOOM!, premiering very soon - Spring 2021!

    • @elderchildren
      @elderchildren 3 роки тому

      hell yes

    • @zayasmith1184
      @zayasmith1184 3 роки тому

      Plz thx u

    • @natemickens88
      @natemickens88 2 роки тому +1

      I can’t believe she didn’t give the guitar to Prince. Maybe he brings it back to her like the guy who returned the Stones electric amp. I bet that guitar story would’ve been more interesting if she let him have and got it back.

    • @user-rn1lq4oy7e
      @user-rn1lq4oy7e Рік тому

      EQD I am a serious collector and I vote with Sylvia, PICKLE FUZZ.

    • @truecrimereaction
      @truecrimereaction 6 місяців тому

      Is she still alive after touching the top of the transformer?

  • @shoegazeforever8810
    @shoegazeforever8810 4 роки тому +165

    I don't think that I have ever been more impressed by a recording engineer.

    • @eman0828
      @eman0828 4 роки тому +4

      Well shes more of a Record Producer that wears the Engineers hat. I'm a Producer as well that wears the Engineers hat in my own studio but outside of my studio I mainly serve as a Producer working alongside an Engineer in another studio.

    • @mrnelsonius5631
      @mrnelsonius5631 3 роки тому +1

      She’s got a impressive list of credits too :)

    • @Clinterus
      @Clinterus 3 роки тому +5

      Right? I just discovered her recently and I find her fascinating. Super talented and creative, and has some incredible stories

    • @TravisHY
      @TravisHY 2 роки тому +2

      @@Clinterus she has an amazing book she illustrated on recordi ng techniques. It's very, very, VERY good.

    • @ericwarrington6650
      @ericwarrington6650 2 роки тому +1

      Agreed..check out Steve albini... amazing

  • @petermurphy4456
    @petermurphy4456 4 роки тому +40

    "cheese has an amazing blues tone. for real." Sylvia Massy is a national treasure and deserves her own TV show.

  • @MsAlliwannadoisdance
    @MsAlliwannadoisdance 4 роки тому +48

    Sylvia Massy: The only person badass enough to tell Prince "No, you can't have this guitar."

  • @yunggrandma666
    @yunggrandma666 4 роки тому +37

    As a woman in the audio industry, Sylvia Massey is one of my heroes. I obsessively collect old phones and mod them into mics, so it's amazing to learn that she does the same thing! Thank y'all for interviewing her!

    • @EarthQuakerDevices
      @EarthQuakerDevices  4 роки тому

      Thanks for watching, Abby!

    • @Btvstudio
      @Btvstudio 4 роки тому +5

      As a dude in the industry Sylvia Massy is an inspiration, she's got such a great attitude & such knowledge. I'd love to work with her.

  • @IAmTheGreatestEver
    @IAmTheGreatestEver 4 роки тому +60

    I can’t even remember how many sessions I recorded and mixed with that board at Sound City. As she said, it was their Studio B console. The board from Studio A is now in Dave Grohl’s Studio 606.
    We recorded and mixed Qotsa’s ‘Rated R’ on Sylvia’s board and mixed my ‘Sunrise on the Sufferbus’ album on it as well as dozens more that I’ll likely never be able to remember.
    Sylvia is a genius and a rare commodity in these days of lazy ‘in the box’ pro-tooles producers and engineers. What she does is necessary to counteract the lazy convenience of inferior sounding digital plug ins. And you don’t need to be rich to do it.
    EXPERIMENT with whatever oddball old pieces of junk that make an interesting sounding growl or buzz; an old radio, a $10 keyboard from a thrift store. If your born with the will to be a free thinker you can do what she does with 100th of what she has. Don’t be afraid.
    As I’ve said when music began transitioning to digital; Treat Protooles like a filthy pig. Mistreat it. Throw noise into it. Don’t be gentle with it. Use as few built ins as possible.
    Did you see the cassette recorder she uses as a compressor for drum tracking? There you go.
    No fear. Don’t be sterile. Be feral. CG

    • @musiccityspotlightpodcast4470
      @musiccityspotlightpodcast4470 4 роки тому +2

      Right on man. She's awesome. What made that board special in your opinion? Or Have we just gotten too "clean" and expect a good sounding noise to come out of pro tools and not the musicians. ..

    • @uncleant3780
      @uncleant3780 4 роки тому +1

      Love you Chris!!! Thanks for keeping that flag waving.

    • @bille77
      @bille77 3 роки тому +1

      You keep mentioning Protools. Fuck that. Use Cubase instead, my very sire.

    • @pawlpoche8736
      @pawlpoche8736 3 роки тому

      Your a legend Chris. Love the Kyuss records!

    • @pocketpicker6613
      @pocketpicker6613 3 роки тому

      @@bille77 I think he's talkin shit about it m8

  • @cultureproject4786
    @cultureproject4786 2 роки тому +15

    This woman is a mad scientist and I absolutely love it!!

  • @troypeterson6057
    @troypeterson6057 4 роки тому +32

    Anyone that is fascinated with Sylvia (as you should be) ought to pick up her "Recording Unhinged" book, it's really good, and a must have for anyone that is into this stuff

  • @CJReaper666
    @CJReaper666 4 роки тому +21

    I used to clean spilled beer and cigarette smoke residue off that Neve console when it was at Sound City.

    • @helluvakhai
      @helluvakhai 4 роки тому +2

      thank you for your service dude. 🤘

  • @craigshortmusic9458
    @craigshortmusic9458 4 роки тому +6

    I love the slow transition from "analogue compressors are cool" to "let's splice in an extension cord and run sound through cheese"

  • @ganglu
    @ganglu 4 роки тому +17

    Prince - I want that guitar!
    Sylvia - No, that's my guitar.

  • @SeanKerns
    @SeanKerns 4 роки тому +12

    I love the oddball gear she uses, and the "whatever sounds cool" ethos. The world needs more mad scientists like Sylvia.

  • @noahzeidman508
    @noahzeidman508 4 роки тому +15

    The story about refusing to let Prince take the Gemini acoustic is absolutely amazing. What a legend.

    • @EtcEtcAndEtc
      @EtcEtcAndEtc 4 роки тому

      who says no to prince?! would love to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation!

  • @JV-rx3ov
    @JV-rx3ov 4 роки тому +12

    Sylvia is a legend! I really wish that she would write a book about all of the unconventional tools she uses. Producers like her have acquired so much MacGyver-type knowledge that has become a lost art in the age of software/plug-ins.

    • @marmaladecream2233
      @marmaladecream2233 4 роки тому +1

      She did write a book! It's called Recording Unhinged. It's on my short list.

    • @codydoss6414
      @codydoss6414 4 роки тому

      she has! www.amazon.com/Recording-Unhinged-Creative-Unconventional-Techniques/dp/1495011275 super worth it

  • @BareBandSubscription
    @BareBandSubscription 3 роки тому +9

    14:24
    This is ridiculously clever and creative. This woman is so next level.
    EDIT: Okay, no, she’s a straight-up genius of recording engineering. I was not at all expecting food to get involved in this.

  • @rome8180
    @rome8180 3 роки тому +24

    "Cheese has an amazing blues tone." - Sylvia Massy

  • @terminalglimmer
    @terminalglimmer 4 роки тому +17

    I knew she was a big name in the engineering/production scene but wow I never knew she was this much of a weirdass. I love it. Will definitely listen to her work in a new light.

  • @lillodadone6637
    @lillodadone6637 4 роки тому +16

    "i have ton of junk, soooo much junk.... this is my Neve 8038.."

  • @iainking671
    @iainking671 4 роки тому +7

    “Cheese has a great blues tone”. Best episode yet! So inventive! Total genius!

  • @stuart_rose
    @stuart_rose 4 роки тому +8

    “Cheese has a blues tone.” Gold! What a creative genius ❤️

  • @ModulatedDrummer
    @ModulatedDrummer 3 роки тому +9

    Sylvia Massy is super inspiring. Thanks for making this EQD.

  • @robertreid2241
    @robertreid2241 4 роки тому +6

    God bless this woman. The joy she puts into recording is incredible

  • @n8sn0w
    @n8sn0w 4 роки тому +14

    Yo Sylvia Massy threw down for this episode! Easily the best Junk so far.
    Pickle Pedal 2020

  • @nitrolx
    @nitrolx 4 роки тому +8

    Sylvia is sublime. Oozing femininity, beautiful calming demeanor. And likes the 1073 because "you really can't fuck it up too bad". The woman is perfection.

  • @ProducerBryan
    @ProducerBryan 4 роки тому +6

    Just the sound of the "bag of tricks" hitting the table is a great sound. Damn, every video I watch of hers.. She gets it!

  • @mikeh66
    @mikeh66 2 роки тому +7

    She's a mad scientist, lol. The use of lightbulbs, wow!

  • @pocketpicker6613
    @pocketpicker6613 3 роки тому +7

    18:15 That Maynard impersonation was on point, lol

  • @bassadelica
    @bassadelica 4 роки тому +13

    Well, this video made my day. great to see the old SVT again. EarthQuaker guys, thanks so much for the care-package you sent Sylvia last year, it showed up right before recording our new Dishwalla album, so we pretty much used exclusively EQD stuff on the record. It was like Christmas in there, we just went crazy trying everything out. I remember The Park got used A LOT

  • @YHRS
    @YHRS 4 роки тому +5

    Sylvia, you are an inspiration to all of us. Keep on doing what you do!

  • @alexchalcoff7198
    @alexchalcoff7198 4 роки тому +8

    this is easily one of the coolest things you're ever going to find in the whole of the interwebs. period

  • @PhaktTheIsolationist
    @PhaktTheIsolationist 4 роки тому +7

    Sylvia Massy could quite easily have had a different career as a hypnotist or therapist. I feel very relaxed.
    What an amazing lady. What a legacy.

  • @stevenolsen3162
    @stevenolsen3162 4 роки тому +7

    C'mon baby light my pickle.... Best studio tour ever!!

  • @highgateclub6498
    @highgateclub6498 4 роки тому +10

    Just make more ‘Show us your Junk’ vids, so good 🤘🏼

  • @Les537
    @Les537 4 роки тому +7

    She needs her own show.

  • @RussArteaga
    @RussArteaga 4 роки тому +5

    Always had respect and love for Silvia. Now I realize she’s a mad scientist too!!

  • @marvinshenk
    @marvinshenk 4 роки тому +5

    As an audio guy, I have nothing but the highest respect for Sylvia Massy. I worked as an engineer/mixer/producer with a band that ended up working with Sylvia. They were worried I'd be upset that they wanted to work with her, like they were ditching me. I told them to go and have the great experience of working with one of the best ever. I had 10 percent of her talent at best.

  • @redstain1
    @redstain1 4 роки тому +6

    Wow, best one yet. I had no idea she was such a mad genius.

  • @artemfedotov4209
    @artemfedotov4209 4 роки тому +6

    My mind is blown with her recording techniques and her personally!! so incredibly smart, creative and cool!

  • @glovebunniesvideos4278
    @glovebunniesvideos4278 2 роки тому +6

    "Cheese has a very blues-y tone." I could have guessed that. So cool!

  • @MissYaBigMan
    @MissYaBigMan 4 роки тому +3

    Sylvia is a goddamn inspiration. She's been going at this longer than most and still is miles ahead in times of experimentation. Perfect chaos!

  • @DanielZeiglerMusic
    @DanielZeiglerMusic 4 роки тому +5

    One of the beat ones yet- she has so much fun!

  • @aboveaxis
    @aboveaxis Рік тому +5

    love the moxy of this woman to tell prince he cant have the guitar haha... shes the best

  • @billville111
    @billville111 4 роки тому +5

    "I use this amp as a table when I'm using other amps"
    This girl is a trip
    I like her a lot

  • @pascalolejnik7347
    @pascalolejnik7347 4 роки тому +6

    Pretty much the most creative producer/engineer I saw in my life! It would be a dream to record with her !

  • @sidework1
    @sidework1 4 роки тому +12

    She won this series. How can you one-up a pickle?

  • @DinnerJamSkippy
    @DinnerJamSkippy 4 роки тому +4

    Oh hell yes. I'm so stoked you did Sylvia

  • @triestelondon
    @triestelondon 4 роки тому +12

    Well done to all concerned - engaging, interesting, funny, well shot, recorded and edited.

  • @j.willgooseesq.2223
    @j.willgooseesq.2223 4 роки тому +8

    This is one of the best things I've ever seen on the internet

  • @smashingairguitars
    @smashingairguitars 4 роки тому +1

    "....it's broken in just the right way." Now this lady is really dropping gems. One of the best episodes in the series.

  • @hitmakerstudio6405
    @hitmakerstudio6405 4 роки тому +5

    Wow I'm very impressed with this Lady... definitely One of the best real life audio engineering studio tour i have seen...
    Love her insight of the craft.

  • @saltyninja
    @saltyninja 4 роки тому +11

    Omg she has so many genius analog recording tricks she's like the MacGyver of audio!

    • @movimentodoscacos
      @movimentodoscacos 4 роки тому +1

      She literally used a pickle as a guitar effect in a Melvins record lmao

  • @reverball-stars4581
    @reverball-stars4581 4 роки тому +6

    "Sylvia Massey Radio Show" is the best idea I've heard in years

  • @bryanciliberto
    @bryanciliberto 4 роки тому +6

    How can you not fall in love with this woman?

  • @rylieriley
    @rylieriley 4 роки тому +4

    Sylvia Massy has inspired me to get unconventional with my recording methods. I'm grateful to her for that because I really needed it.

  • @KPG76
    @KPG76 3 роки тому +6

    Best youtube video ever. How can one be a gear nerd, think outside the box like a crazy artist and love life so much at the same time?

  • @xpez9694
    @xpez9694 4 роки тому +5

    The coolest!!! Love to hear her talk about all of her gear!!! Best show and tell EVER!

  • @brianrodman1033
    @brianrodman1033 4 роки тому +4

    Wow. That was a treat to get a look into her process, gear used, and some stories from sessions. I don’t think I’ve ever been so stoked to hear about mics before. Also really cool to see her break out the Soma Lyra 8. I had to smile when she used it running into the Arpenoid.

  • @allthingsclassicrock
    @allthingsclassicrock 4 роки тому +7

    I’ve always loved her work. Very relaxing voice I could listen to her talk all day. Gear-talk related AMSR.

  • @analogdragon4709
    @analogdragon4709 4 роки тому +4

    Yes Sylvia and show us junk is a match made in heaven!!

  • @thewenttv
    @thewenttv Рік тому +3

    Sylvia is the real thing! A musical mad scientist with receipts!

  • @charbaker
    @charbaker 4 роки тому +6

    Best 37 minutes I’ve spent in a long time.

  • @mikebruns8839
    @mikebruns8839 4 роки тому +7

    That was totally freaking cool. What an amazing vibe and total obvious delight in recording from Neve and Neumann to total DIY craziness. Loved this episode. Who wouldn't want to record with her?

  • @LiveToPlayGuitar
    @LiveToPlayGuitar 4 роки тому +6

    @Sylvia Massy you had me when you said “no plug-ins are used to get great amp tone...” ❤️

  • @revol40
    @revol40 4 роки тому +5

    She is a creative genius.

  • @uncleant3780
    @uncleant3780 4 роки тому +6

    Sylvia is so dope! Her n evil joe have the most wonderful childish wonder/boundary-less approach to sound. It's infectious.

  • @wonkylommiter6364
    @wonkylommiter6364 4 роки тому +6

    My new favourite person on the planet ever!! :-)

  • @pooprobot9378
    @pooprobot9378 3 роки тому +6

    Love this woman, she’s like a mad scientist. Come on EQD, it’s been 1 year and still no pickle pedal!

  • @terminalbliss
    @terminalbliss 4 роки тому +3

    What an amazing talent! I love her passion for experimental recording to get unique sounds.

  • @joedow4591
    @joedow4591 3 місяці тому +1

    How has this amazing person not come to my attention sooner? Thank you EQD for this series!

  • @latonpowers5356
    @latonpowers5356 4 роки тому +3

    Love Sylvia Massey’s work. So knowledgeable. I also believe she’s one of the most beautiful women on Earth.

  • @aholder4471
    @aholder4471 4 роки тому +10

    She is such a beautifully weird, interesting passionate human. Humble, bold and genius. Something about her mesmerizes me. When I was younger and way more full of bs and testosterone I used to think I could have done a better job recording undertow then her. How pretentious and arrogant was I. I have sense came to my senses and realized the gargantuan achievement that was and the many many that followed that she managed to put her touch on. What I would have personally underestimated was how important her ability to pull creativity and performances out of some of the best talent.

  • @wearetemporary
    @wearetemporary 4 роки тому +5

    Omg I just love her so much. Such an inventive and creative mind.

  • @Sevenminussix
    @Sevenminussix 4 роки тому +8

    She has such a good discography of work and she’s become on of my favorite producers with her love of unconventional techniques. My favorite was when she plugged a guitar in and drug it from behind the van.

  • @smashogre4766
    @smashogre4766 4 роки тому +5

    35:00 "...trained professional in electricity and pickles" - Laughed out loud at work!

  • @SoundironAudio
    @SoundironAudio 4 роки тому +5

    That studio was a vibe. Thanks for making this series!

  • @billclinton6040
    @billclinton6040 4 роки тому +5

    "Those damn drummers and their cymbals!" hahaha, lol luv it!

  • @spkay31
    @spkay31 4 роки тому +4

    Sylvia Massy is everything that is great about really experienced and creative sound engineers! You can see how she can definitely help get the best out of the musicians during a recording session.

  • @csh8403
    @csh8403 4 роки тому +15

    This is a drop the mic moment in terms of studio videos. I don't think anyone else can top it.

  • @musicamental
    @musicamental 4 роки тому +5

    Silvia Massy is a National Treasure.

  • @mikeythemaestro
    @mikeythemaestro 4 роки тому +10

    Holy crap she's like the Bill Nye meets Macguiver meets Indiana Jones of audio recording!
    So rad!
    "Cheese gives you a great blues tone"
    XD Can't wait to try that! lmao

  • @wizmos74
    @wizmos74 4 роки тому +6

    Amazing lady and room full of treasures,thanks for posting this video!

    • @EarthQuakerDevices
      @EarthQuakerDevices  4 роки тому +1

      thanks for watching! Check out the whole series and subscribe for more.

  • @erniesfo
    @erniesfo 4 роки тому +5

    Looking forward to the book on mics!

  • @TheBoyWithTheGuitar
    @TheBoyWithTheGuitar 4 роки тому +5

    this person is just amazing. shes a true artist in the best sense of this word

  • @ancientteenager7880
    @ancientteenager7880 4 роки тому +3

    there’ve been weirder or more popular episodes...but not better ones, this is everything

  • @baronvonsuckitable
    @baronvonsuckitable 4 роки тому +3

    possibly the coolest human ever, her attitude is so infectious.

  • @tvacchino
    @tvacchino 4 роки тому +5

    OMG! The history of that Console!!

  • @R.Nashoba
    @R.Nashoba 2 роки тому +4

    Massy is the Queen of sound ❤

  • @anthonystahl
    @anthonystahl 4 роки тому +3

    I've always admired her as a person, as well as her amazing work. Must be a blast to work with her!

  • @vikingsade
    @vikingsade 4 роки тому +6

    She's amazing.

  • @garytucker3563
    @garytucker3563 3 роки тому +9

    She should be teaching this in a school or university somewhere, I am now intrigued by the idea of old telephones as mice and tubes filters.

  • @victorloya1590
    @victorloya1590 4 роки тому +15

    She is amazing.

  • @LightningDogg
    @LightningDogg 4 роки тому +3

    Sylvia I love you and your junk. You are a fascinating woman. The knowledge you must have about recording and recording history is astounding. You're a StaR. Bless you.

  • @chrishepburn1503
    @chrishepburn1503 4 роки тому +3

    I need that Soma Lyra-8 in my life. Great episode!

  • @tgletgle9980
    @tgletgle9980 4 роки тому +9

    i think i kinda fell in love a little bit.

  • @TravisHY
    @TravisHY 2 роки тому +8

    I want to be Sylvia Massy when I grow up.

  • @aquabot
    @aquabot Рік тому +2

    Damn, I love this woman! She's so passionate about her craft.

  • @ModularLanding
    @ModularLanding 4 роки тому +4

    Haha I absolutely love the Prince story. “Flipping through a women’s magazine... and he was shopping for models... but that’s a whole nother story...” And Sylvia Massey is a legend :-)

  • @johnnytruck2009
    @johnnytruck2009 4 роки тому +4

    Precious Junk! Love it!

  • @doogdoogdoogdoogdoogdoog
    @doogdoogdoogdoogdoogdoog 4 роки тому +7

    I wasn't aware of Sylvia before this, but she's the fucking COOLEST.

  • @grandudetonesnob7107
    @grandudetonesnob7107 4 роки тому +2

    What a lovely gear geek Goddess! Ya can't help but love a lady who says "it sounds completely broken and I love it"🤘