Vance Powell STUDIO TOUR and Interview

➡️➡️Learn more Vance Powell: Multi Grammy Winning Engineer, Mixer, & Producer: bit.ly/2MOxFwH
Vance Powell is 6x GRAMMY winning recording/mixing engineer and record producer. He's based in Nashville where he works out of Sputnik Sound alongside studio owner and fellow GRAMMY-winning producer, engineer, and songwriter, Mitch Dane. We met with Vance to talk about the origins of his career and tour his amazing room at Sputnik!
Vance's extensive credits cover a wide range of genres from rock, blues, and country to hard rock/metal, pop, and rap.
A handful of artists he's worked with include Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Jessica Simpson, Clutch, Red Fang, Wolfmother, Seasick Steve, Black Prairie, The Revivalists, Tinariwen, JEFF the Brotherhood, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes, and Martina McBride. He's even worked with such diverse acts as Insane Clown Posse!
➡️➡️Check out Sputnik Sound here: www.sputniksound.com/
❤️My Favorite Plugins:
➡️Waves MV2: bit.ly/2HVhTy3
➡️Waves RBass: bit.ly/2KLkN6h
➡️Renaissance Vox: bit.ly/2pixjBM
➡️Renaissance Compressor:
❤️GEAR:
➡️UK Sound 1173: bit.ly/2BniUHM
➡️$299 Kali Audio Studio Monitors: bit.ly/2QaQF6P
➡️Apollo x16: u.audio/apollox16-plap
➡️Apollo Twin: u.audio/apollotwin-plap
❤️❤️Free 3 Part Mixing Course:
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[@Producelikeapro]

Whose story would you like to hear next? Let me know below!

[@joeSG100]

dave schiffman !

[@robertknutar1803]

Todd Rundgren!

[@mange586]

Dann Huff

[@HerrNox]

Rick Rubin probably has plethora of stories. Trent Reznor would be very interesting as well and I'm sure he'd be more than inclined to talk about producing instead of doing a traditionnal "NIN" interview.

[@fatinthemiddle]

Sylvia Massey

[@trevor4835]

"no EQ, who cares" this is my kind of dude!!

[@LeonPhythian69]

I pretty much based my entire workflow for a final year degree project on Vance's workflow or approach, I absolutely love how he works in the studio, I would love to spend some time there just listening and watching. Thank you for spending the tie with hi and letting us share in the time.

[@Producelikeapro]

Leon Phythian yes! It actually seems straightforward to me, although some are saying it seems complex! However, I grew up aspiring to consoles so maybe I just live the approach?

[@LouisLinggandtheBombs]

Sylvia Massey is my hero! A visit with Sylvia would be amazing!

[@shawnwait6207]

I have not seen an interview with him in a while. Glad hes still kicking the rock scene in the teeth. Keep on rocking Vance and Warren.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Shawn Wait Thanks ever so much my friend!!

[@billyhughes9776]

Vance is the man! Love his work. Nice!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Billy! Yes, he is!!

[@AnyDrug]

I love Vance so much, what a role model - as a person (I think) and as an ngnr. I recall him breaking down a session in a video probably 2 years ago, where he and the band used a tiny epiphone combo as a second amp which ended up contributing to a unique guitar sound. Taught me a lot about shaping tone and sounds. What a legend..!

[@JeremyHorn]

Listening to Vance talk reminds me how dumb I am. That guy is a real engineer.

[@Producelikeapro]

Jeremy Horn no you are not dumb at all!! Vance would say he is just learning! All the greats, Jack Douglas, Shelly Yakus you make them, they all are just learning as they go my friend!! The experts are the ones telling you that your doing it wrong! Meanwhile you’re the one making music they are the ones telling you off! I’d much rather being making music than critiquing!

[@llywelyngruffydd8474]

Vance's mixes are crazy good sounding

[@mwdollar]

Another winner!! Warren is selfless putting all this great information out there for us to learn. Thank you from one audio educator to another.

[@monkeyxx]

what a character! a real nuts and bolts audio guru, loved the episode

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi monkey dangus agreed! Great guy! Amazing studio!!

[@Archaic1Eye]

What a tour and interview. Mr. Powell is a veritable compendium of knowledge and expertise, I will look for more from him. I won't even start talking about his total gear nerds paradise ... Great stuff once again Warren.

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, Vance is wonderful! Thanks ever so much

[@MontyCraig]

This studio is so over the top! Thanks for doing this guys!

[@kieranniemand2939]

I think this is one of the best studio tours/interviews I've watched. So much information and tips!

[@emilybowie4592]

Love Love Love this video. Vance has an amazing studio. I’m a big fan of a lot of the music he is a part of. Thanks for another amazing educational and inspiring video, Warren!

[@raycordmusic]

Awesome studio! Thanks for the tour!

[@thecapsicumkid4740]

Gear'in'ell! That's some hardware!! This was a welcome break from chopping up your drum samples (castle & blackbird)....which I am absolutely loving of course! I love Vance's work!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi The Capsicum Kid haha thanks ever so much my friend!!

[@danolivier4899]

yes! this is the one I've been waiting for.

[@Producelikeapro]

Fantastic Johnny!

[@dwaynewyatt3]

AMAZING!!!! Saw his videos on puremix, and man o man does he do some creative stuff. Loved the interview Warren as always!!! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@Producelikeapro]

Great stuff!

[@falconismbot9370]

I like his approach to his work. He knows what he likes and he's specific enough to set everything up that way. Great interview and tour!

[@marysaysso755]

Awesome! I don't even need to watch to know I love this video. Now I will watch.....

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much my friend!!

[@ArthurStone]

Thanks Warren and Vance. Awesome and inspiring. Much appreciated : D

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Arthur!!

[@thedreamclockproject1113]

What an amazing studio ! Please do a part two asap !

[@sethmcfarland377]

One of your best videos. The conversation in this video is extremely deep reaching well beyond gear... almost the psychology of being an engineer... everything from your self confidence in your mix ability to relationships with the other people involved through out the creative process of making records. Throughly enjoyed it. Thanks

[@bigkickleo]

Vance is the FKNG MAN!!! LOVE his approach, attitude, POV, aesthetic... TRULY hope there is a Pt2 and 3!! And iinside the mix of some of his work!!! Thx Warren!! 👊🏼🦁

[@claytonaudiopro]

" I was like ... O K.." Classic

[@franswessels810]

JEEZZZ, What a marvellous guy this is. My brain went into overload..... This is character from start to finish, wish we never loose this type of studio's !! Thanks Vance and Waren, you made my day. (Also a lot of ideas for my own studio under construction). Frans

[@learnerforever6933]

Wow great 👍🏼 thanks Warren. Please in part 2 we want to see the tracking room / vocal booth in details along with mic locker and some discussion on his preferred or goto mics. Thanks again 🙏🏼

[@Producelikeapro]

Absolutely!!

[@learnerforever6933]

Produce Like A Pro 🙏🏼😃

[@Producelikeapro]

Learner Forever you Rock!!

[@matty6strings131]

Learner Forever OMG YES!!!!! I hope that interview happens sooner than later.

[@terrydoylemusic]

Great interview! Love the gear and stories. He is definitely a reference for me in sound and approach.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Terry! You Rock my friend!!

[@gribb5967]

Always a treat to hear Vance talk . We have similar backgrounds and are from from the same part of the country.( the difference being is that he went on to be a Grammy winning producer and engineer. Me? not so much!) I would not be surprised if we had crossed paths at some point in the late 80's or so, perhaps in Springfield, MO. A genuine dude!

[@EricGPLAP]

Such an awesome Studio and insane credits!

[@JayYarbroughMusic]

Holy crap! This was genuinely mind boggling. Just wow.

[@rocknrollguitar]

I just keep on learning! Love it

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi David Ben deWaard me too my friend!!

[@mhousestudios1887]

Marvelous! 😎

[@Electricowlworks]

Thanks so much for this video, Warren! Vance is the man and I enjoyed my visit to Sputnik Sound. Lot's of great take-aways from this video. I'm definitely going to give his Richard Dodd SSL Bus Comp settings a try. Cheers! - chaz

[@Producelikeapro]

Electric Owl Works fantastic l!! Thanks ever so much my friend!! I appreciate all of your amazing comments!

[@adamslawson]

Great Video! I want a tour!

[@translationstations]

"I hate eveything I do" "I listen to it a year later, and I'm like - ehh, it's not bad".. Haha... so real & true! 😉

[@yobhsiFehT]

Wowzas. Easily, instantly one of my favorites of this kind of video! 😄 And I think I was Like no.420, so... happy days 🤷🏼‍♂️ lol Thanks always, Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

yobhsiFehT Aw Shucks! Thanks ever so much my friend!

[@hoborec]

Such an awesome studio! And Vance himself is pretty damn cool to, not least for throwing a great party during Namm! =)

[@darlenesheffield9835]

Vance is THE man!

[@mrmeoff]

Awesome!

[@Bring_MeSunshine]

I think I missed this vid at the time, because of other commitments. We do like Vance, for his nerding-out, and no, I've never knew anything about him, other than I probably heard you or someone else mention his name. Love the fact that he wanted to play you bits of kit in the studio. Love the fact of another WORKING studio, looking as colourful as Aladin's cave, come fairground fun-house. Love the barn wood, love the bare-arse upfrontery plain talk of the man and his little red dots telling you it's probably too loud. You get the feeling that you would probably walk away from a session there with some 'chunky' sounds. Cool vid, great beard

[@christophstoll1848]

"Broken Woofers went Aluminium!" - it's probably a classic, but I never heard that before. All the best to them!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Christoph Stoll haha yes! Love it!!

[@elijahcarbon4282]

Awesome setup and insights!

[@chrisdover8507]

This is so awesome, Is Vance THE coolest cat in the industry??? His mixes are unique to my ears, his videos are so great. Legend

[@ivanmartincic3272]

This is the best thing ever :)

[@chophii526]

Can’t go back there, prototype guitars Warren continues walking 😂 Love it!! Amazing studio, awesome interview, thank you, Warren!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Daniel C haha indeed! They looked great!!

[@chophii526]

Produce Like A Pro That’s awesome!! 🙂🎸

[@4PercentPantomime]

This is great!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much my friend!!

[@RajahLetaief08]

BEAUTIFUL

[@kevincornell9027]

Love Vance's hat!

[@khronscave]

Ditto.

[@johndcx]

This is Art ,this is how to record and mix😍😍

[@PJ....]

I've been filing mixes (& other things) the exact same way for 20+ years 190809 (Y/M/D) makes life so much easier ...

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, agreed! Very simple and smart!

[@shaney4149]

Vance Powell is a treasure!

[@mewzishun1]

That monotron made my lab start howling from across the room while watching this... lol. 🤣😂

[@trevor4835]

this guy is so intriguing

[@danialdevostmusic]

Fascinating talking about mastering engineers. Mika Jussila saved a record for me. It was my bands first album that we had worked on for 4 years and my mixing time my objective ear was totally gone. It was amazing how mixes that I thought were good had some major problems that I did not hear until Mika pointed them out. As soon as he did it was like my ears came back and it was like "what was I doing?" Remixed the album and it turned out way better., Great final line of defense!

[@rachidajewher8649]

the most replayed action in this video i also replayed this moment without thinking he was explaining and he checked the watch so people are replaying to see if he really did that thinking it's inapropriate hhhhh i mean no the dude is busy but it's a nice guy he is explaining everything

[@jasabasenara8124]

Awesome studio and fella.

[@davidharris2712]

ya'll live in a different world than i,amazing

[@nothingatall8]

Really cool studio!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

David Nordstrom Thanks ever so much!! Agreed!! Great studio

[@curtisburns]

Vance is the man.

[@Producelikeapro]

Curtis Burns yes he is!!

[@Dionysus667]

@13:34min, this exactly! =D I'm so glad to hear you guys say this! ^^

[@CameronEarlyMusic]

awesome studio!

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Cameron Early agreed! Incredible!!

[@TobyEllis]

My dog did not like the Monotron! Haha! I have one of those MoFx units and it is amazing. One of the few rack pieces I have left. Thanks for the tour!

[@johnwalter6410]

That Neve console is beautiful.

[@sansocie]

Santa's toy shop! Thanks to both of you! I agree with Santa's hat.

[@andrewarbogast1]

These videos make me realize how LITTLE I know about gear, recording, and mixing! haha

[@Producelikeapro]

That's quite alright Andrew! I'm always learning and I guarantee Lance, even with all his knowledge would day the same thing! The greats are always learning, so you are in good company my friend!!

[@LeeDaHitman]

This guy wit the beard kicks some serious Ass!. Cool Dude

[@10tonrecords95]

I like him. Good interview.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!!

[@WhiskeyBearStudio]

Manifold Recording in Pittsboro, NC with Ian Schreier. My old band The Influence recorded there back in 2011, AMAZING studio! It’s out in the middle of nowhere.

[@elftone9301]

Always love your interviews! Any chance of getting Roy Thomas Baker? Cheers!

[@Producelikeapro]

That would be AMAZING!!

[@nickaleo7]

This is any engineers dream studio! I’m absolutely blown away must be over half million dollars worth of gear. Unbelievable! What kind of material does he have over the NS-10 tweeters?

[@Eventual420]

It looks like a lot of gear but it’s all pretty modest. Of them all I like the 910 and Pcm42’s, the Analog Outfitters as well. Liked the way he patches his gear into the faders. Dreamy studio.

[@RollYourOwnProductions]

As great as the equipment and workflow is at Sputnik the biggest draw for me is the opportunity to meet and work with Mr. Powell...

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%! A huge talent!!

[@LasseHuhtala]

How cool was that place?! My geek-o-meter blew up.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Lasse, agreed! Amazing!!

[@brandonnovak7291]

This is great. Just a couple guys talking shop.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Brandon Novak that’s exactly what I’m always going for my friend!!

[@jasonwilliams9129]

I recorded through that very SSL before Vance got it! Its a great board.

[@Producelikeapro]

Jason Williams thanks for sharing!

[@seancampbell98]

what a humble guy

[@Projacked1]

my goodness that studio....

[@farosonico]

Im right handed but i´ve always used the Faderport with my left, cuz then i can still use the mouse with the right. To me it works perfect!

[@Frank55]

The magic is in the beard...

[@Producelikeapro]

Frank55 haha maybe! Samson and his hair? Vance and his beard?

[@thiswillprobhrt]

Where in the beard though. It’s so fkn vast!

[@marcosaruca5283]

Warren love your videos....can we get a new intro please

[@L.Scott_Music]

The original fader port had button that aren't as sensitive to simple touch. He should be able to use the fader without button issues. Probably not really that big a deal for him though.

[@jophilippi1378]

I mean I donˋt know Mr. Powell, just from videos, but he really seems to be nice guy and a loveable nerd

[@Producelikeapro]

Jo Philippi yes! He’s a great guy!

[@lahattec]

Regarding recalling mixing where the outboard gear was used, does anyone record the final tracks back in as new tracks, with the processing on? If so, that would make doing mix tweaks for adjusting a level easier because you have the track as processed.

[@Producelikeapro]

Hi Clay, many people record tracks from the SSL into their DAW and then mix those in-the-box! That's a great technique and makes recall very fast indeed!

[@jacksonshuazzy1143]

Nice hat!

[@matthewfarrimond545]

OMG ! Very impressive,I think I’ve asked before but he’s so difficult to get hold of is ,Martin Birch aka Deep Purple ,my close second would be Alan Tarney for the early work with the Norwegian band A-ha, A third, Martin Terefe?

[@FifthnLincoln]

1:05:40 The Plugin Alliance emulation of the Acme is cool :D

[@kieranniemand2939]

The AES19 video brought me here :P

[@rjb7569]

Yes, Vance does have a lot of hammers. Wow!

[@Doctaj54]

the SSL tip was a cool.

[@khronscave]

I appreciate the hat...

[@Producelikeapro]

I wish I could pull them off! Never been a hat guy! Haha

[@khronscave]

@@Producelikeapro I'm not sure about the grammar of that first part :) But i meant the inscription on Vance's hat (no sarcasm).

[@paulEmotionalaudio]

Had to rewatch... how about a review of a few hardware fader controllers??? Affordable options are the Behringer One & the Fader port... what others are there? Would be great to get your point if view Warren. :)

[@jurgenschuler8389]

I have a question for Vance: Since you work both, entirely in the box, and using your most wonderful hammers and saws, do you prefer recording and mixing using your outboard gear mainly for sonic reasons or do you like working that way? Thank you very much! And, Warren, this is one of the, if not the best interview. Thanks to you, too!

[@khronscave]

17:00 I do that too, with the photos for my blog (so far) :P

[@Producelikeapro]

Very cool!

[@khronscave]

@@Producelikeapro It's a case of working *with* the idiosyncracies of pieces of technology. And/or getting them to work for you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Khron's Cave amazing!

[@khronscave]

@@Producelikeapro Not really, "only" common-sense :P (Which, as the saying goes, is no longer all that common nowadays...)

[@claytonaudiopro]

Hey Warren should do a tour of greg wells new studio ;)

[@songboy40]

Interview Don Was about producing.

[@Boungustatio]

What's the cool tabletop box with the red and black knobs in front of the ADR Gemini Easyrider? Thanks!

[@robinmiller7958]

Even if I was wealthy I couldn't make my recording process this complicated. The signal path reveal at the end gave me a headache!

[@volgalgzkaradagoglu]

Wow! When you entered Mitch’s control room, your voice dried out instantly. And I could hear that from s**tty free, old samsung earbuds