Behind the Mix: Andy Sneap

Andy Sneap is arguably the #1 metal producer on the planet. Here's an exclusive interview with the man and a look at his studio in England! Get my FREE 2022v30 impulse here: spectredigital...
About Spectre Sound Studios:
I'm Glenn Fricker, engineer here at Spectre Sound Studios. I love making records, and after doing it for sixteen years, I want to pass on what I've learned. On my channel you can find tutorials on how to record guitar, bass, real drums and vocals. There's reviews and demos of tube amps, amp sims, drums, mics, preamps, outboard gear, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, and plugin effects.
We've covered Moon on the Water, played Bias FX, given you the absolute best in Stupid Musician Texts, ranted & raved about bass guitar, and this channel is where The Eagle has Landed.
Everything you've wanted to learn about recording Hard Rock & Heavy Metal can be found right here on this channel!
I also respond to your comments & questions: The best make it into the SMG Viewer's Comments series of videos. Loads of fun, lots of laughs.
Thanks for checking out my channel & please subscribe!

[@KazrogPlugins]

Sneap forever! Absolutely humbled to be mentioned here. 🤘

[@SCRollNinja]

I remember when recabinet was a game changer, i hated my pod hd cab so much 🤣 i wished it sounded like recabinet

[@LasseLammert]

Absolute fucking legend and one of the nicest guys you can meet. Always helps out whenever I’ve got some dumb question. Humbled to be mentioned here. Cheers

[@KazrogPlugins]

🤘

[@nammajeff38]

Imagine not only helping to produce some of the greatest albums of our time AND touring with judas priest...

[@Hellion421]

To then have a kid on your forum tell you you're wrong xD

[@LambChopper678]

Never clicked on a video so fast mate 🤘🏻 I love Andy’s work❗️

[@Fartinhalerr]

His testament the gathering mix is LEGENDARY!!!

[@jeffblack5316]

What a fun interview. You look like a kid in a candy store. I got to meet Andy at a conference in Calgary (of all places) over a decade ago--super sweet guy, very generous with his time and genuinely wanted to have a blast and interact with the people who came out to see him speak. You can see why he brings the best out of the bands he works with.

[@CrushingAxes]

Cool! Andy is great. His multiband comp trick for guitars is epic. Watching now!

[@Stargazerz]

Its become a standard in modern metal mixing.

[@adamsteelproducer]

13:30 I’ve got my 545! Pro tip- get one of the transformerless ones because they’re cheaper, and put the Crimson Audio Orange mod on it. Instant great tone! I’ve got a huge sm57 video in the works

[@ianray9137]

Andy Sneap, Terry Date, Fleming Rasmussen and Andy Wallace are my favorite hard rock/metal producers of all time. They have all been a part of some real amazing masterpieces for metal albums.

[@Christian_svedin]

Oh the old Sneap Forum days! That was the glory days. Great to see Andy here since we all obsessed over him and Colins mixes. Is Colin up next? Cheers!

[@VortechBand]

Those were fun times :)

[@MrKevinstace]

Just a genuinely decent and honest guy when it comes to his advice, no snobbery or "I know best" too many people online selling you "you are doing it wrong" can totally relate to his comments regarding the internet, facebook ect...one word legendary!!

[@donjohnson7550]

I saw him play for Judas Priest two times, not just a great producer, a great guitarist as well!

[@cederickforsberg5840]

As a 33 year old Im happy to grown up with recording demos on 4-track tape recorders and even 8-tracks. However digital computer recording is just complete heaven on earth for every home recorder. It has teached me to value great takes without "ctrl-z" and not rely on "fix it in the mix" mindset at all times. Theres a lot of good have in the endless possiblities of digital realm as well. The challenge is to not fall into the quantize/autotune rabbithole.

[@kronabus199a]

We’re about the same age, and I totally agree. And while I’m not one to quantize everything to death, I do find it great that you can fix an otherwise perfect take, if you mistime a note, or how easy it is to punch it in and preserve the feel. We really are in an amazing time to be a home recording enthusiast/amateur. I still remember being amazing by Pro Tools back in the early 2000s, and how cool BFD from FXpansion was for digital drums. The current offerings from Toontrack and GGD blow it out of the water, but it was phenomenal for the time period.

[@Stefan-]

I must say that im a bit surpriced that someone of your generation used 4 track tape recorders, i did do that myself back in the 80´s when there was nothing else that was remotely affordable but im 50 and i also started recording with a DAW in 1996. Recording to analog can certainly be a good experience especially as a musician since you cant edit the crap out of it like you can with a DAW, you actually must be able to play it the way its supposed to be mainly perhaps with a few punch ins, i recorded a few times in a professional 24 track tape studio in the 90´s myself. I do agree that digital recording and DAWs is heaven, in the 80´s i dreamed of owning a real studio and with the technology (and cost) of the day it would probably never have happened, fast forward to these days and i have what i want, nothing fancy really by todays standards but i can record 16 channels at once in my DAW and make an album that sounds professional, its really fantastic and it was just sci fi back when i started out.

[@justinbowen1183]

I completely agree. Being able to adjust tones after you have recorded them and not having to retrack everything is a whole new aspect on recording that is amazing. I switched over to digital recording about 5 years ago and its absolutely wonderful the stuff I can alter after the fact.

[@user-yf3ns9bx6n]

That forum literally changed my life. Thank you Andy. Truly

[@rahulmenon4357]

Absolute Legend, Sabbat is essential listening. Hell's Human Remains also. The albums he's produced are another story, what can be said that hasn't been said already.

[@charlesrocks]

SABBAT is killer

[@kalidesu]

I loved Sabbat. Dreamweaver is a modern classic.

[@dannotwalruslarkin9324]

Forever appreciate what he did with Nevermore. Changed my expectations for metal.

[@RolandDeschain1]

Andy Sneap's work with Accept has been amazing.

[@florisbackx1744]

'You won't find me anywhere' what a legend : )

[@thordurinn]

I love the way albums by Andy sound, especially the guitar tone. My favorite one is Dead Heart in a Dead World by Nevermore. I was absolutely blown away by the tone on that one!

[@BlakeStiller]

Finally you got to interview him. Fucking awesome!!!

[@beanapalooza6614]

Andy looks so much different on here from on stage with PRIEST. Saw them on the FIREPOWER tour in Atlanta Ga. Andy FREAKING KILLED IT!!! I cant imagine going from sitting behind a mixing board to tour with the METAL MACHINE PRIEST. Oh and with DEEP PURPLE as a co- headlining act. Thank you Mr. Andy Sneap. Oh and you too Glen for doing this video¡¡¡¡

[@migrimtan2693]

Aside the great interview, I love the Broll Bearmantle's figurine in the middle of the shot. x'D

[@faroffgrace5490]

Love this guy's mixing, most recently did an excellent job on Dream Theater's newest album. Great video!

[@kristianm.6946]

That´s right! The latest DT record made my shitty car speakers sound like they were 20 x more expensive! I hope they continue working with Andy.

[@faroffgrace5490]

@@kristianm.6946 I have been listening to A View From The Top Of The World so much since its release and I'm still not sick of it. I agree, hopefully they work with Andy again in the future.

[@MetalAges]

Glad the forum got a mention! :D Great watch and info in the video \m/

[@NebulonRanger]

Man, this truly is coming full circle, isn't it? Cool interview!

[@ronnymilianowicz5228]

Remember asking questions to Andy through Johan when they recorded there. 😂 There is more than one time his mixes went through the monitors at Jens place back in the days. I remember i got some Rob settings from Roy when he was in my studio. To me that is pure magic. All these humble guys sharing info. Great interview!

[@dgs931]

Sneap deserves all his success - nice guy, always very friendly/down to earth. Up the Notts metal massive.

[@SixStringsAndLizardThings]

I have a 1988 Marshall 1960A 4x12 with the original white label T75's. They sound incredibly different to modern T75's and are fantastic for 80s hair metal in standard tuning. I normally play in Drop C and can just get a decent sound out of the modern T75's, but have to push the mids in the 5150 (compared to a V30), but I can't use the 1988 version with Drop C. I have made an IR of the '88 if anyone one wants it.

[@victorloya1590]

I want it

[@jammybadger9311]

My friend recently did some recording at his studio and I managed to buy one of Andy’s japanese Flying V copies through him and I am obsessed with it. I just wish I could have gone to his studio myself 😅

[@JamesMurphyProducer]

Yeah I think I did, as best I can recall.... not proud of it, LOL but it was the only cab I had at the time, and not even sure how i ended up with it. Andy made it sound good on the album, so all's well that ends well. Before tour I got some more 4x12 cabs. Beyond that i don't remember much, as that tumor that nearly took me out back then was already growing and effecting my memory and decision making. Great to see this, Glenn, you're doing great things with your channel! Andy IS the man, and a great guy as well.

[@TheStrykerProject]

I always appreciate, enjoy, and learn something with these interviews. Thanks, Glenn and Andy!

[@BrianBergen-hp6uy]

Incredible episode

[@GamingintoEternity]

Great interview with the mighty Sneap!

[@Stargazerz]

Damn, this channel is awesome. Love the behind the mix interviews.

[@DanGower]

Andy's the man!! 🤘 Nice t-shirt too😉

[@celestialode]

absolute badass. Andy is a fucking legend and without a doubt one of the best people for creating modern metal

[@georgebokos]

Great interview !! Love the work he did with Nevermore and Testament !

[@Mendelian]

Any other Sneap Forum users in here from back in the day? Bloodline was my username.

[@PooNinja]

Awesome interview, to say he’s prolific is an understatement 🤘🏽

[@MarmiteTheDog]

Quite enlightening to hear that even Andy Sneap is bored of the 'Andy Sneap Method' of recording.

[@mikeseadorf4952]

This is absolutely awesome hearing Andy's stories on where it all started for his career. He is definitely a true legend in the music industry for the albums his name will always be known for as a iconic recording engineer!!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@DanielGonzalez-mb9hg]

Didn't realize he also did Dead Heart in a Dead World! That album is amazing

[@Steve_Foretoken]

This might be my favorite KZbin video this year.

[@OdinsBlade100]

My mum used to cut his hair back in the Sabbat days, he had ridiculously long hair down to his waist and mum loved it 😂

[@jakeeheredia]

What a great video, so much honesty from a legend. I agree with 100% of everything he said, my man spoke the truth.

[@user-mp8xm5bc5z]

Great interview!!! THANX!!!!!

[@alrecks619]

Ah yes, the Godfather to modern Metal sound.

[@Admiral_Bongo]

Nah, that would be Terry Date, Colin Richardson and Scott Burns.

[@thomasbaldiscola4671]

THANK YOU GLENN!!! Andy Sneap! WOW! 🤘💪

[@Ermz]

This is very wholesome.

[@alrecks619]

oh hi Ermz! Nice work on taming the TOP G Chiron Pur Sport, and also DJENT IS NOT A GENRE.

[@tommac93]

A very very valuable conversation!

[@allendean9807]

He’s got a great attitude toward recording, and this was a great watch!

[@joelacina386]

Love seeing that Audioscape gear in the background!

[@netzer442]

Great interview!!

[@chrismartin2837]

Liked before I watched it. Glenn is top notch and I know this will be great.

[@andreaslandgren1681]

I love his production on guitars. Great interview. Rising!

[@jows7595]

You can still find posts from Andy on the Avid forums from like 2001. Good info about recording Testament - The gathering

[@JenMajuraOfficial]

Awesome interview!

[@TheShrike616]

This Godless Endeavour by Nevermore ( and Mr Sneap) was my awakening to the power of good production. Still love that album.

[@palmergriffiths1952]

Awesome interview with Andy Snap Glen👍🤘

[@ronniek.5553]

Thanks for the interview great job!

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

Been waiting for this video for a while! good stuff Glenn/Andy!

[@echoesreflected8243]

You need to bring Andy Wallace in here, it would be awesome

[@marwutz]

Sneap forum lurker reporting in. Golden days indeed. 🤘

[@deceiver444]

Absolute class act here, and I'm not even talking about his audio skills.

[@bonjournaste]

Silicon Messiah record is still unbelievable to this day. Crazy to think how little processing power those old G3 Macs would have compared to something now. Just goes to show you that it's not the tools that make the magic happen.

[@spoonerluv]

Big ups to Gower Amplification, he made some custom modded JMP's for Josh Middleton of Sylosis and they sounded awesome. Certainly helps that Josh is a crazy good guitar player.

[@joelwanasek3656]

Legend! Miss ya Glenn!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Hey Joel!!

[@charleshoward448]

I've never played music at a professional level, but I've written, recorded and performed in 5 different bands over the years. I've always hated recording things piece by piece with a click because in all of the hundreds of hours of band practice, writing and rehearsing songs over and over and over, we were all playing together. So when I hear you guys talk about a band not being able to step into a studio and record everything all at once (maybe with over-dubs for vocals and solos), it seems really weird (assuming they actually practice on a regular basis). When you record together, the tempo depends a lot on the drummer; so you need to have a drummer that doesn't change tempo just because the song gets louder or has more triplets, and the band has to actually listen to the drummer... But recording together opens up so much room for dynamics and energy in the performance that I feel like it's worth putting in the work in practice to get the drummer/tempo end of things really nailed down. Not to mention that there are a lot of great songs that actually do change tempo... But that's another conversation.

[@_thaaatguy]

Cool to see Cris Hemsworth has also some mixing expertise.

[@CultureShockGaming]

Never clicked so fast on a video

[@abassra]

The way he just casually name dropped EPIC albums he worked on!!!! GOAT!!

[@khero123]

Awesome interview. And Glenn was well prepared and shampood and conditioned his hair for this 🤣

[@sillyness3456]

Getting the vibe right and not worrying about time must be nice. As long a Nuclear Blast hands their big bands basically infinite recording budgets, this is sustainable...

[@Metaljonus]

LEGEND

[@leonidaspapanikolaou3165]

Total respect. Andy rules.

[@ravenmad9225]

Seen him play live with Sabbat and Hell.Used to see him on nights out too at Rock City and in The Rig.Never had the nerve to speak to him but he seems down to earth.Miss the good old days.

[@therockvolution9597]

"God " spoken 😄😄👍👌🤟 . One of the best without any doubt in our time .

[@alecsurridge5708]

What an absolute legend!!!

[@joncole8793]

I was obsessed with Sabbat. (Well, still am probably!) And have a lot of respect for Andy. Even met him once in Nottingham at a Sabbat reunion thing a while ago. Only really said hello, how are you kinda thing but I was in fan boy mode I guess! Got a photo somewhere.

[@Dan_Ranger]

What a great interview with super nice guy and just a great talent. Andy was nice enough to reply to me when we ( Hydra Vein ) were trying to trace the history of Mike Keen before he died. Mike supposedly auditioned for Sabbat. Like I said, Andy is such a nice guy.

[@thekrevolution]

great interview, thanks!

[@IDGAF_PLUS]

Andy makes a killer record! Pretty great on stage too!

[@ctpmark]

Andys re- mix of nevermores . Enemies of reality is magic!! Talk about polishing a turd.. but he did it! Friggin brilliant sound!

[@AMSOfficial79]

Good get. Always great to sit down with someone far better than you.

YES! SNEAP!

[@SpendCroof]

Thx Glen for this video. Hi is my favorite!

[@chadr1003]

Great info from Andy Sneap!

[@mayatmaot]

the legend himself, mr sneap.

[@poorlake8107]

It’s late here in Greece so I’ll watch it tomorrow morning but I insta-liked the video anyway

[@Masterlessmusic]

Colin was always super nice and approachable on the forum.

[@BrutusMayhem567]

The first real metal I ever heard was sabbat's Dreamweaver. I was in a real small town, late 80's in a pawn shop with my mom and saw the cassette and bought it just because of the album art. The only rock I had at the time was dire straights and 38 special. I saw some older kids on the school bus with iron maiden shirts on but never heard the music yet. Our town only had country music stations on the radio. I was so blown away when I first heard sabbat. I think it still took me a couple years after that before I even heard Slayer. Sabbat was my favorite metal for so many years. I wore out a couple cassettes before I got it on CD. Still have it after all these years. Got a cassette, a CD and a copy on vinyl. The first two albums by sabbat were a huge part of my teenage years.

[@nickx1754]

Very cool.

[@Agrajag_Guitars]

Best interview yet! I think you should put these recent European videos together in a playlist called "Fricker does Europe". THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNKKKKK YOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUU GLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNN! 💚

[@SolusExInferis]

This is awesome! nice job Glenn!

[@joeylodes]

SABBAT !!! Reunion please 🙏

[@myopicautisticmetal9035]

I agree with what Andy is saying, it is boring the way everyone else is making music. I Just dumped $500 on gear to upgrade my 8 channel mixer to 16 channels of preamp, Glenn always bandies on about the humanity not being in music anymore, yet I send in one of my shit mixes where I have Nothing time aligned, no clicks, no scratches, nothing but my own drumming from memory with mistakes included and Glenn screams how sloppy and shitty it is, then 10 minutes later praises another mix for doing it. Now I will have proper gear and I am willing to bet the first thing Glenn says is how sloppy (human) my stuff is. I abstained from spending money because I wanted to prove to myself I didn't need to, now I have to learn how to use the new gear and Reaper. Rehearsal doesn't exist to the solo guy like me, I have to remember how it goes and hope I perform well.

[@homestudioculture]

Great episode!

[@alphanumeric1529]

Up to 4:40, our story is surprisingly similar... but I suppose that is true of everyone in our age range. I was the tech guy in the band, 4 track cassette, reel to reel, then jumped up to adat xt, band broke up, built a recording studio, could just produce by my self, didn't need to get 4 people together four times a week to write and practice songs... just all ME! Only difference between Andy and me is Andy is talented and succeeded in just about everything, while I've managed to work myself into failure at just about everything I've done. Thing is, after all these years of producing solo (electronic music, not guitar music), I really miss working with other people, I miss a situation where I'll focus just on the bass, work as much value into the bass section as I can, and someone else can invest everything into the guitar, another to bring all their expertise to drums, etc... rather than having it all come from me! I'm flogged, and I know fnck all about drum patterns, after decades of writing them!

[@jennoscura2381]

I do electronic music. I have a studio in a spare bedroom. I love doing it all myself. There is a certain pride and joy in sharing music where every part was done by me. It's also nice to not have to pay anyone to record, mix, and master for me. It's great to be messing about and going "that's pretty cool; I should record that" and being able to fire up Reaper and record right then and there. My recordings these days tend to be live jams mixed on a 24 channel console and recorded and mastered in Reaper.

[@alexanders5121]

Wow great release! why don't you ask andy for a course on making metal guitar sounds and mixing? it would be a diamond! and maybe you can interview Colin Richardson through Andy Sneap? What if he makes a course?

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

Nice! Finally