MWTM Q&A #18 - Al Schmitt

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The MIX With The MASTERS Seminar Series is a chance for recording and mixing engineers to work closely with A-List record producers, engineers and mixers and improve their skills in music production. The events take place at Studio La Fabrique in the South of France.
At the end of his Weeklong Seminar in October 2014, Producer/Engineer Al Schmitt took the time to answer a few questions from the MWTM Facebook Page.

[@dmlevitt]

RIP to the incredibly great Al Schmitt. love and respect.

[@L.Scott_Music]

You will be greatly missed Al. Thank you for all you gave us. You enriched human civilization with your work and work ethic for your time here on Earth and long beyond.

[@danielford4968]

Love it. Also smiled everytime he says "Orchester".

[@helmuthuber766]

….his German background….

[@brooklynboy1000]

Al is a legend. When he speaks its a true lesson. I remember him from years ago, and he only gets better. He's old school - in a great way

[@jasonjasonjasonjasonjason]

Breezin is the song that got one of my guitar students to switch from being a blues crazed 10 year old to being a jazz crazed 11 year old with a hollow body gibson. Thanks Al, it's still doing it's work. :D

[@Labaris]

There's so much to learn about the older generations! Not only in a technical way, but mostly on a human level. Being passionate about music, being kind, value relationships, recognize other people's work...

[@msmucr]

Great clip. He is true legend. Thanks to Al for answers and to you for sharing.

[@RockmannMusic]

Very enjoyable, confirming and encouraging information. Thank you very much Mr. Al Schmitt

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

I admire this legend, from the start I began mixing, he is just the benchmark of engineers. Especially only mixing on the ballistics of the VU meters, so no sound necessary for Al. For me, the best engineer ever, and just there under are all the other amazing mixers, like Bob Clearmountain and other people.

[@DocJJohnson]

Wonderful show

[@TiqueO6]

Fantastic! Thanks so much!

[@kravvall4869]

Warren Hand'tye had me chuckling

[@MoDebris60]

What a cool guy.

[@maestromiles1]

He is talking about the Wagner U47 clone from Australia around 2 min in

[@EandVEntertainment]

A Wagner U47W was one of the nicest microphones I ever sang into.

[@sonnioffice6439]

No, he's actually talking about the original Rode Classic!

[@atta1798]

@@sonnioffice6439 no it is Gunter Wagner I spoke to him

[@51bpm]

Eddie and Al ... I (and everyone else) miss them a great deal. I think the Sax Tannoys might have come from a buddy in Amsterdam. There aren't many of them around.

[@n3r173]

thank you

[@the_newvoice]

Al Schmitt has a really great unique voice, that reminds me a gangster movie character!)

[@Chiefmonks]

The intro-song is nice! George Benson - Breezin'

[@djfedezaza]

Yes, mr schmitt was the engineer behind that wonderful record

[@nk1000]

Legend

[@thaexception3406]

Insightful!

[@musicxtech6680]

always was curious abt the relationship between the speakers in the thumbnails and the masters sittin infront.

[@michaeltracksuitaudio]

what a dude...

[@michaelwirth6843]

I wonder how my mixes would sound like with a perfect room and a couple of Neumann u47 and U67, probably rather good.

[@watergraffiti]

i thought he was talking about the beeznees u47 the tribute 1 mic from Ballina Australia

[@ezrashanti]

Me too the Wagner is probably a step up and much more expensive.

[@carlitorousseau8731]

niiiice n sweet

[@JordonRenn93]

How do you submit questions to these guys?

[@ipoponq]

How would Al Schmitt mic Taiko drums?

[@TiqueO6]

Hi Al, (My father, Milt Holland, used to play drums and percussion at Capitol a lot, I might even have met you as a kid myself visiting). I wondered what you would think about an all-ribbon-mic session? I've heard many that combine condensers and ribbons but the condensers high-end seems to mask the "tactile", as I like to call it, nature of the ribbon response. I'd love to hear all ribbon sessions if you have any suggestions. Many thanks for sharing!

[@TheWorldTeacher]

There are at least one or two ribbon microphones which have a relatively flat frequency response.

[@TiqueO6]

Reverend Eslam, Let me ask you this...if you place a 'flat' response condenser mic between yourself and a person speaking into that mic will it sound the same as if the mic wasn't there but just the air between you and the sound? Or will the condenser add exaggerated high response in the highs in particular? Then,what do you hear comparing a great passive ribbon to no mic at all?

[@allourep]

Why does he specify 192k when referring to digital audio? 96k or lower doesn't do it for him?

[@amos660]

Wow.. no M49?

[@DavidDiMuzio]

Al Schmitt, Al Pacino ...Same voice 😎

[@SAZIZMUSIC]

Al pacino's voice has a little more bass but yes same texture.

[@zevdraven1658]

Instablaster.

[@djfedezaza]

Well.. that is bs

[@god96793]

Rip 😞

[@donnythompson408]

There’s no doubt that Al is one of the best, and I totally understand how younger engineers are interested in the gear that he (and other famous engineers) prefer - along with being interested in their methods of both tracking and mixing. And, there’s no doubt that Al’s talent and skill has provided - and earned - him the opportunities to have access to some of the finest rooms and gear ever available. Though, as he’s mentioning his favorite gear and gain chains, I’m wondering if Al knows just how very few people have the same access as he does to Fairchilds, Pultecs and vintage U47 tube mics, or, how many people have the sufficient budgets at their disposal (equal to that of donating a lung and a kidney) to be able to buy all that beautiful, iconic gear. LOL Still a great video! 😊🙏

[@meshplates]

Because he’s the most celebrated engineer in the business what else would you expect he would use?

[@soulchorea]

Kids, eat your vegetables, do your exercises, and take your medicines, and you too can be as cool as Al Schmitt when you reach your 50s :)

[@Gabilai92]

Hes 87! haha . Meet him in La and NYC. super nice guy.

[@soulchorea]

Gabi L oh I know lol I’m just saying a guy would be lucky to look that good at 50 let alone 80 hahah

[@atta1798]

Al is the man!....Fab....be respectful of Al's space...he is the guest..let him drive the console ...u r being a pain.....really....no offense...Al did not feel comfortable you can see it.....and you did not look good ....just feedback