Patrick ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson Joshua Tree, CA Sound Mixer Question: In your illustrious career, what is the most dangerous place that you’ve mixed sound in? Answer: Queens of the Stone Age released Era Vulgaris in July of 2007. We were tired of the same old concert experience, so management got us some interesting ones – a…
Dave Rat Camarillo, CA Founder, Rat Sound Question: You’ve said, “I will look at a problem for a week, a year, or a decade until I can find a way to solve it or demonstrate it or at least understand it in such a way that I can share or utilize that understanding to improve…
Jerry Harvey Orlando, FL Owner, JH Audio Question: In-ear monitors, in many ways, require such a personal touch and trust between the performer and the manufacturer or, in your case, the inventor. In your earliest days of developing IEMs, was there one artist who really challenged you? Answer: It was Alex Van Halen. He is…
Russ Kunkel Los Angeles, CA Musician, Producer Question: You played drums for Jimmy Buffett in concert and on several of his albums. Later you became his producer. How did that come about? Answer: I first connected with Jimmy during the recording of the Volcano album. Having previously collaborated with Norbert Putnam, he recommended me to…
John McBride Nashville, TN Owner, Blackbird Studios Question: Can a person ever have too many microphones? Answer: One cannot have too many microphones! They are the bridge between the performance of music and our ears. They change with time – so the sound of individual microphones changes over time into its own unique character. Consider…
Don Randi Los Angeles, CA Musician Question: Is it too late to learn a musical instrument? Answer: It’s never too late for music. It’s never too late to sit down and try and play an instrument. You can get enjoyment out of it from whatever it is. And you can’t believe it – when you hear sounds…
Jimmy (Ace) Acevedo Austin, TX Sound Mixer Question: What goes through your mind just before the doors open at a show? Answer: I guess it depends on what end of the snake I’m at. FOH is a bit easier – I run back through my inputs and make sure they look right – making sure…
Laurel Stearns Los Angeles, CA Manager – Primary Wave Artists – Red Fang, U.S. Girls, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, The Album Leaf, Moaning Question: What do you look for before becoming involved with and signing an artist? Answer: The first things I think about when thinking about working with an artist/band is identity and a sound…
Tony Patler Yucca Valley, CA Keyboardist for Dave Mason band Question: You are playing with an artist whose songs are very well known by the audience. Does that put pressure on you in any way? Answer: During the Traffic Jam tour, I covered Steve Winwood’s vocal parts on certain songs. There was never pressure from…
