Ep. 11: Phil Ek

The Truth About Recording & Mixing

Welcome back to the Truth About Recording & Mixing Podcast. This week we have an in depth conversation with producer engineer Phil Ek. Phil is known for his work with Built To Spill, The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty among many many others. Also on this episode Johnny Sangster gives a quick demo on mic'ing up an upright piano.

0:45 Listener comment on Timothy Herzog - recommendations on DIY electronics books.03:15 - Listener comment from Liam and suggestion to do an episode on the day to day of running a studio.06:20 - Audio example on different mic techniques for mic’ing upright pianos16:40 - Check out pics of these mic techniques on Instagram - @recordingpodcast - please send us your questions to [e-mail] 16:50 - Welcome Phil Ek! New project - like being a first time dad & a new record with SYML.20:30 - Some thoughts on indie artists and how to navigate the current state of music24:10 - Phil’s path coming up in recording. Going to the Art Institute, hating it and eventually landing an internship with Jack Endino. How important being able to watch Jack work was. Eventually being able to run sessions at Word Of Mouth.37:20 - Phil’s relationship with Sub Pop. Also - getting to work with the Muffs!41:15 - Built To Spill and the doors that opened.50:20 - Echo Mountain, Sunset Sound, Magic Shop and other great studios around the country and in Seattle. Plus some thoughts on the wonderful Seattle studio community.57:30 - Thoughts on interning and having an assistant engineer.1:04:30 - The importance of working in a pro studio with a producer.1:08:20 - Listener question about remote collaborations during the pandemic.1:15:40 - Listener question on mic’ing small bodied acoustic guitars. Thoughts on capturing the space with acoustic, electric guitars & vocals. 1:21:30 - Committing and capturing takes. How many takes Comping.01:25:20 - Recording singers and singers with acoustic guitars! 01:32:00 - Fleet Foxes!01:38:00 - Do what you like.

The Truth About Recording & Mixing is a podcast produced by the Fretboard Journal magazine, loosely based on our Truth About Vintage Amps Q&A podcast.

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