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Stephen Gyves
So this my first blog because I have been so busy keeping up with my day job and moonlighting my apprenticeship with Steve Wetherbee. Previous to joining the program, I had been an amateur composer, songwriter, and a hobbyist sound engineer. Mostly just playing programing, and mixing my own stuff. I started taking on some projects outside of my own, and that's when the real fun began. I hadn’t felt as much contentment in years as I did when I downloaded my first set of stems for an online contest and began mixing a rock song up. It was pure joy, I just love the art of sound and it really rekindled my love for mixing and producing music.
I felt my early mixes were coming together alright and wanted to really dig deeper into the art. I knew I had a long way to go. The RRFC put me in touch with Steve Wetherbee. We met at his studio and things moved forward quickly. So far, in the first 8 weeks, he has shown me around his awesome studio packed with gear he has acquired over his 40 years in the art. I just have a few here, I'll have to get more.
I sat in on a recording session with a singer-songwriter and session players for part of a 12 song recording. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been getting my hands dirty mixing some of those songs. Really enjoying the process!! Learning a lot about enahncing song structure and keeping the linstener interested. Keeping the senses entertained. A lot about reverb, proper EQing, compressors and techniques.
I also just got done submitting a mix I finished in the studio for an online contest. This song had over 50 stems and this is where I first learned about great song structure with Steve. I hadn't fully realized the creative license one could take to really bring a song to life in a new way while aligning with the artists intentions.
If you want to hear it...Click submissions when it takes you to the page and my entry will be 'SonicAlchemy'
I like to throw myself into the deep end. However, it did drive me a little crazy at times too. LOL. Remember to take breaks!! I have a setup at home too remember. For a bit there, all of my free time was mixing. Or wathcing a video about mixing. Or reading an article. Or top tips in some area of mixing...and learning that you can evidently have too much of a good thing and it is good to take some breaks. Look at me, I am writing this at 1:15AM.
I also had my friend Noel, who is a drummer, come in so I could have a hand at miking up a drum set. We got a pretty good sound with a few minor adjustments. Steve helped me to dial in some of the pieces to make it sound more like we were in the room with the drums. It was a terrific learning experience and I learned about how the mics get wired all the way to the Pro Tools session.
Anyway, I am really enjoying the adventure so far and mixing a really cool song right now with a bass line I can't get out of my head. It's a real bonus when you get to mix something that is also fun to listen to. Steve is really relaxed and makes me feel at home in his studio. I really feel like I am growing as a producer when I spend time with Steve. I'll keep writing more as things move along. Finally many thanks to Steve Wetherbee for taking the time to share his great knowledge and experience! Cheers for now!
