Interview with Bruce Swedien - The Sweetwater Minute, Vol. 241

Get Bruce Swedien's book, "The Bruce Swedien Recording Method" here: www.sweetwater....
The legendary Bruce Swedien visited Sweetwater for GearFest '14, and sat down with Mitch for this special interview. Bruce has worked with artists including Michael Jackson, Duke Ellington, George Benson, Herbie Hancock, and countless others. Enjoy the interview, then click the link above for books by Bruce Swedien.

[@apbweezle]

When Bruce talks, you truly listen.

[@MixmanD28]

"Music is the only true magic in life..." Amen to that!!

[@marsattacks7071]

It's the link between us and God.

[@MeAndTheBoys_]

Which god is that? The middle eastern ones, Asian ones, south American ones, or Nordic gods? Music has nothing to do with religions or any gods. Music is only pure thing that exists, it doesn't need anything to exist.

[@ESIRasta]

Everything needs, God, to exist.

[@ernestbuckley8671]

Bruce is the GOAT of engineers. I cannot think of another engineer who has the credits he has. Amazing career. Thanks Mitch for sharing this. Can't believe I'm seeing this for the first time. RIP Bruce. #makeMineMusic

[@richardharmon9596]

What an ABSOLUTE HONOR it was to listen to one the greatest engineers the music industry has ever been blessed with

[@jerrydeclercq3323]

I worked with Bruce at Universal Recording in Chicago. I remember the large number of studio musicians used on national commercials such as Budweiser and Reynolds Aluminum and the great sound that Bruce mixed. And, all those guys in the studio had great respect for his talent which also played a part. Jerry DeClercq

[@andresesqueda1424]

+Jerry DeClercq that must've been amazing. I would be so enlightened to meet one of my inspirations and actually work with him. Have a great day and Happy Mixing.

[@BasilJoseOfficial]

2:06 "Music is not in the buttons or knobs. It is an Acoustical Event" 👏 👏

[@platinumstudiosllc8260]

RIP BRUCE SWEDIEN Thanks for your inspiration and guidance ❤

[@recordman555]

Wow! I just found this interview! In college, looking to secure a degree in recording, my first semester professor pushed a lot of Bruce Swedien into our brains. The man was a recording phenom - a true genius of his craft. Today, there's not a single recording session I go into without thinking "what would Bruce do?" Thank you Sweetwater - thank you, Mitch for this interview.

[@welkerroad]

What a legend. So neat to be able to hear these stories and experiences.

[@Fabmus3]

RIP Mr. Bruce Swedien you will be missed 😢

[@selassie]

Bruce is a universal treasure.

[@DaveSS-xi4pn]

What a cool guy! What a great glimpse of the man behind the legend! Thank you Mitch!!!

[@eleanorgiovanni]

master of masters Bruce!

[@AdamSpade]

Whatever this man says... he's the boss. Gobs of respect for him.

[@simcitybigworldmedia]

As the Bruce said : "At The Right Place At The Right Time And I Could Deliver The Goods" 🙏 R.I.P

[@vm3699]

Rest in peace sir . You are timeless

[@rekocastren923]

Such a cool guy. Learned so much listening to his lectures!

[@sonicultura]

RIP Bruce Swedien!!! :(

[@fredend1971]

I just love Bruce!! I still can't believe I've been learning from him personally and that I've been working with him :) Allso that my pianosolo and voice is on the dvd that comes with his last book. "the Bruce Swedien recording method" You all should get that book!! ;)

[@nebstaism]

This guy is three years younger than my dad... what a legend to still be mixing in his 80s

[@robertheckman9813]

He's my hero. Love his story. To bad we lost him in 2000. A genius!

[@DavesTrumpet]

What a goldmine of experience and information Swedien is! Many thanks for this interview!!!!!! This was FABULOUS!!!!! I wish someone would interview Rudy Van Gelder one of these days.

[@johnmorris2170]

He records every thing in real stereo. Even the kick!

[@amplifier2]

„Space.“

[@RaphyJmusic]

What about vocals?

[@YEE941]

LEGEND

[@spurts]

Mitch seems like such a lovely fella

[@doubop]

a great guy! a source of inspiration for the music history!

[@davefk]

He's so right when he say at 7:50 that there are too many options. There must be a million software compressors out there in internet land.

[@johnmorris2170]

Dave Kelly A true quote from Bruce, "Compression is for kids..." I have recently made a mix with no compression at all. Not inserted on the tracks, not over the stereo bus during mixdown and not in mastering. It had a DR of 30! A great very musical. But it takes STONES not to use any compression. Try it....The results might shock you. No compression on thriller. Not the original CD anyway. They have F $@!&* since then.

[@Reggi_Sample]

@@johnmorris2170id you use volume automation because most certainly they were riding faders

[@lepxs]

Great Interview!

[@OwenModamwen]

What a beautiful human. I took away so much from this! Put the music first!!!

[@RawHeadRay]

Brilliant, thanks for doing this guys, Magician Musician,

[@tyremanguitars]

I love that he talks about the talent he worked with and not himself much.

[@shahnewazmanto4798]

Very proud man

[@dljr60]

classic, historic

[@bastienspecialevents9943]

RIP❤❤❤❤❤

[@amoraelprojimo6040]

awesome mitch!~!

[@kedavis]

WOW!!!

[@mariaeloisaramirezdeflores8470]

En cada entrevista no puede dejar de hablar del artista más grande de toda la historia de la música Michael Jackson.

[@novakattila]

The Boss

[@GoFlyYourselves]

What a cool dude!

[@skaneverdies]

It's sweet that he seems to genuinely think that his original Neumann U47 that was used by MICHAEL JACKSON would fetch the standard used market value of $20,000. Also, that Thriller is "up there" in terms of sales. A truly humble legend.

[@Espresso101]

Actually no, he said he thought his voice was a perfect opportunity to use a U47 on his voice, only to feel like it was ok. He ended up using a Shure SM7 on his voice for lead vocals on every album since, as well as a ribbon for some the backup vocals.

[@Reggi_Sample]

@@Espresso101stop romanticising. He has been said to say he has used the U47 on Michaels voice he just preferred the other. There are no absolutes

[@icemike2c2h]

🐐

[@jaydy71]

If "less is more", just think about how much more "MORE" would be

[@colaboytje]

Rip Bruce

[@yobhsiFehT]

"Well, you gotta admit I'm different!" lol

[@FVDaudio]

💖💖✨✨🎶🎶👏👏

[@neilbarbu3998]

I bought his book at Gearfest and He graciously signed it MUSIC FIRST

[@kiofncmusic9786]

That is awesome Neil!

[@josephjebarajs3550]

12:27 Hey guys can anyone please say the name of the technique Bruce is talking about here ? I really didn't get it...

[@ScottGrammer]

Blumlein technique. Pronounced "Bloom Line." Alan Blumlein was (essentially) the inventor of stereophonic sound. Look up his name and you'll discover what the technique is.

[@johncapo2843]

its not the music its how HEAR IT (ear) your ear = soul of sound

[@taggartjs]

Had no idea Mitch was from No Dak!

[@joncastile3248]

Nice to see Bruce doing so well... but I would like to hear him mentioned in the end with the host please.

Theoretical genius, they don't makem like that anymore he says so much with very few words.

[@deebilkhair315]

NewJackSwimgEngineer.... Rest In Peace...

[@defaultHandle1110]

IAATM

[@HelloWorld-zg3gs]

He mixes Michael Jackson's voice too low in the mix.

[@merchannel7762]

Pointless that a guy who doesn’t believe in gear does a Sweetwater interview.