The Mastery of Ken Scott: A Journey Through Music Production

[@Producelikeapro]

What is your favourite Ken Scott Production? Check Out The ATMOS Mix Of David Bowie's 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' here: amzn.to/4gHwURI

[@WalterSobchak1000]

I love all of Ken's work, but Crime Of The Century is my choice. It was my Dad's favourite album and it brings back nice memories whenever I listen to it Thanks Warren for this great conversation

[@johnplainsong9769]

@@WalterSobchak1000 Yes, for sure. Crime of the Century.

[@clausappel8086]

Crime Of The Century of course! The best album in the history of rock!

[@thebreathalyzer]

Not sure I can answer this. I had a jazz album (I think Billy Cobham) and I thought it sounded astoundingly well recorded. Ken Scott. Then I looked to see what else he worked on and saw many of my favorite recordings (sonically and otherwise).

[@user-yk4gd1fl4z]

@@WalterSobchak1000masterpiece. By every metric.

[@GloveBunniesVideos]

Ken Scott's contribution to the world of music cannot be overstated. So much great history. Thanks Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@HDSPKSRecords-gi1ob]

Crime of the Century is an insanely well-produced and mixed record. Unparalleled.

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@jen_alanfromchicago53]

Been on the hunt for this album for over a year, nobody's giving 'em up

[@goosemeister12]

Ken is wonderful! Had the chance to watch a lecture of his late in College just before COVID. Very intelligent and so very important!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for the great comment!!

[@andretonelli]

3 hours with Ken Scott and Warren? So looking forward to this! Thank you Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

AW shucks! Thanks ever so much!

[@kelvynification]

Crime Of The Century is still one of the greatest albums of all time. Genius upon genius! There’s no way you could follow that, a difficult and almost impossible challenge.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing and yes, I agree!

[@maxine2798]

I’ve had the pleasure of spending some time with Ken and he absolutely just as you see here. He couldn’t be more natural and relaxed (I was with him “off duty “). His ear is second to none. His records still stand up today. The quality of “pop” he produced is astounding. Thank you so much for posting this

[@conceptSde]

I love these interviews with producing, recording and mixing legends. Thank you, Ken and Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

More to come! Thanks ever so much!

[@jackbrowning511]

This is absolutely a wonderful interview, it still amazes me how much Ken appreciated the artists I loved, which was all the ones you discussed with each other. I could listen to Ken for hours, and now I must go and revisit all the music Ken touched! Thank you!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Jack for the amazing comment!

[@bobeschism9426]

oh boy, sitting down with a mug of cocoa for this one. Thanks Warren and Ken.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@artprojectsnz]

My super hero producer - made some of the greatest records of all time - thx for the long form interview JPMusic

[@Producelikeapro]

Very well said! Thanks for sharing!

[@rixvspinner]

Ken has engineered and produced so many great albums like Bowie's Hunky Dory, Ziggy, Aladin Sane and Pinups, Procal Harum-A Salty Dog, Supertramp's Crime Of The Century and Crisis What Crisis?, Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, White Album- the list goes on. Great interview to see what Ken is up to these days.

[@Czyszy]

This guy produced Crafty Hands by the prog formation Happy the Man, which IMO is a masterpiece.

[@JohnRandall7]

My brother's band was signed with Ken in the late 70s. I got to hang with Ken and the band in the studio for about 4 months, he was recording an album for singer/songwriter Don Harrison and my brothers band were the musicians for that project. After that he recorded a few tracks for my brother's band. We spent a lot of time at Ken's house and did a lot of partying and heard a lot of interesting stories. It's great to hear some of them again and hear some new ones.

[@danwool]

35:45 Ha! I did exactly that, and came back to hear you you say you'd hoped ppl would go listen. What an amazing sounding track 💗

[@Producelikeapro]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing!

[@danielholdsworthmusic]

Warren, thank you so much for this incredible interview. I was glued to every second of it.

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thomasrose7713]

Thank you Warren, and Mr. Scott! What a joy this interview has been. Like a great album I’m sure I will continue to return to it and find new bits and pieces.🙏🏻

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@songlove7777]

You tick off some bucket lists Warren, but talking to Ken Scott at Abbey Road is pretty phenomenal!

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, hugely important interview!!

[@salimadam104]

Fantastic and fascinating interview, the time flew by. Wonderful!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@kayo-music]

Unbelievable!! I thought I read all my liner notes during my use, but obviously I didn't....what fantastic guy, engineer producer, I'm deeply impressed. Thanks and all the bass-t from kayo

[@GaryD6120]

A wonderful interview. KS being an immense source of information and Warren, such a respectful approach, allowing KS to expand upon each answer. Brilliant.

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks ever so much!

[@Beatledave7]

A wonderful interview, loved it. Thank you Warren & thank you Ken. What an incredible journey your life has been Warren, now sitting in Abbey Road & interviewing Ken in the same place where so much magic was created!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Dave! That means a lot!

[@admarhermans1]

Yest yet ordered the Bowie box set Rock&Roll Star. Looking very much forward to listening to it!! Cleared my schedule for the weekend. 🖖

[@Producelikeapro]

Very exciting indeed!

[@mikeapmusic940]

Probably the best interview that I’ve ever heard.

[@Producelikeapro]

WOW! Thanks Mike!

[@imeqsmd]

Utterly fascinating discussion here. The level of detail you’re describing from 50-60 years ago of specific times from your day job is incredible. When I attempt to recall my own recording experiences in the 1990’s im flat out remembering an entire 5 minutes from that whole decade! Thank you both very much for sharing your stories

[@Bring_MeSunshine]

The Bowie anecdote that Ken refers to with Life on Mars, was, 'My Way'. Bowie was given a chance to write English lyrics for a French song, called 'Comme d'habitude', but didn't get the job and it was given instead to Paul Anka. Or am I stating the obvious, here?

[@jrchanning]

This was extraordinary, I could listen to Ken all day when he talks about all those recording sessions he did. Been listening to Hunky Dory in the last few days so that's in my head at the moment sonically, it sounds incredible and the Ronno clean guitar sound is amazing. Thanks so much for this Warren 👍🎸😃

[@buddhae1510]

That was a brillisnt interview! 3 hours well spent!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@tomevans4448]

Can't wait to listen to this one. Ken has such an amazing body of work!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for listening!!

[@gregmann5687]

So funny to stumble across this - I'm right in the middle of Ken's book right now. GREAT book!

[@Producelikeapro]

That's amazing!

[@paulEmotionalaudio]

What a privilege to have been able to have this conversation and that it was shared with us!… thankyou

[@Wibbersengland]

One of the best interviews on recording 🎙️ thank you Ken & Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@paulbadoo9326]

I'm so glad that that in the Internet era these guys that engineered absolute masterpieces are finally given the credit they deserve. Norman Smith , Geoff Emerick and Ken Scott were behind the desk capturing the sounds of those classic albums. Sure, The Beatles, Bowie, Elton...where the talent, but they left everything technical to proffesionals.

[@Producelikeapro]

Ken is an incredible talent! We are blessed with the marvellous albums he has made!

[@robertcalvin2643]

Yes he is a great talent !​@@Producelikeapro

[@andrewweatherhead4127]

Thanks Warren and Ken. Wonderful.🙏🙏🙏

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Andrew!

[@heartstringssound-Doug]

I loved his quote that his instrument is the mixing console. I was trained on a Mackey live console in large church because of my interest in it. A couple of years later I was attending a church that I wanted to contribute playing any instrument. There was no place for an additional musician, so I was asked if I'd mind trying out running the live sound on a new digital Presonus. I took what I had learned before and made the live mixing my own. In a very short time, I also was calling my mixer board my instrument and I loved it. Wonderful interview!

[@floodgatestudios1825]

Amazing interview! But KZbin phuking sucks...I seriously had about 45 long advertisements throughout...I was on a ladder...had to come down every time. Does KZbin seriously think I would use any of the scam health services or money making scam programs??? Its a waste of my life

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, unfortunately KZbin bases the Ads on the viewers habits! So I often get kids toys because my daughter is using my account!

[@wickedexile4531]

Listened recently to AMERICA debut that sounds gorgeous. The drums and acoustic guitars are natural and palpable. The wild revelation for me was the sound signature aligns perfectly with HUNKY DORY and can be instantly recognized as a Ken Scott production. Not many engineers can achieve this obvious identification with two disparate artists. Great interview.

[@electricladyguitarsdevonuk1414]

Superb, Superb, Superb!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@thebreathalyzer]

So amazing to hear you both talking about so many of my favorite recordings.

[@Producelikeapro]

AW shucks! Thanks ever so much!

[@cajuncrackerranch7990]

Thank you 🙏 for this incredible interview and a glimpse into the past from a different perspective. Recording, mixing, and mastering is just as an art form as is the musicians creativity. It is a team effort. Gratitude 🙏

[@TomCawoski]

Very good interview!!! I love all the stories. Just hearing all the background information brings things to new light in regards to the process. As a drummer I particularly liked when Ken was talking about working with Jeff Porcaro and having him remove all the drum dampening from his drums in order to get the drum sound that he wanted to get. Jeff was initially opposed to the idea until he heard the drum sounds that Ken was able to get. From that point on Jeff didn't use any drum dampening on his drums. For me, that just confirms how I feel about drum sounds!!! I really enjoyed this interview. Thanks for sharing.

[@percewoodbury1893]

I was also intrigued by Ken Scott's comments regarding Jeff Pocaro and I wish he would have explained in more detail how he mic'ed the drums and the types of microphone and their placement. I am assuming it must have been a bit of a departure from what the L.A. audio engineers were doing if it changed Jeff Porcaro's outlook on his drum sounds. There's a pretty well known photo of Jeff in Bill Schnee's studio with ELAM251s all round, so gear was not a problem, but the technique must have been markedly different

[@TomCawoski]

@@percewoodbury1893 I agree, more details would be nice but I'm sure that was a long time ago and it's hard to say Ken would have remembered all the details. From what I've heard in interviews with Bill Schnee, he completely trusted Jeff and trusted him to not hit such an expensive mic. I've seen the video clips with the 251s here on KZbin from Jeff's instructional DVD. If you don't have it, get it!!! I'm surprised it hasn't been pulled from KZbin for copyright issues.

[@dnafe]

Thank you Warren - that was one helluva an interview.

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks ever so much

[@TheRockerxx69]

His sound is simply amazing. Was/ is

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@timbrown7652]

It certainly IS!

[@snowfiresunwind]

I'm really enjoying this interview - about half way through and so much to think about and check-out tracks that I've not heard for a long time. Wonderful stuff!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@andrewspencer4843]

Fantastic interview. I'm so interested hearing from these great engineers/producers who worked on all those songs. I also love how some of those 'happy accidents' were kept because they were in the moment! Thanks for doing these.

[@southsideronnie]

Good interview!! Thank you guys for sharing!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@schattenheim]

Thank you Warren - such a great interview with one of the Greatest!!

[@Producelikeapro]

My pleasure!

[@uyauabing]

The production of Supertramp's Dreamer was epic. I even admire Ken Scott's lesser known productions, like the Dixie Dregs' What If (1978) and Level 42's True Colours (1984)!

[@Producelikeapro]

Love The Dixie Dregs!

[@alex47a659]

This is an amazing interview, thank you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@jimw6659]

Brilliant! Many thanks.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks very much!

[@sgommerable]

Thank you very much for interviews like this, you & Rick Beaton are a wealth of info for aspiring gents like me

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@saksofonmusicproduction7741]

Thank you Warren.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@splankhoon]

Thank you so much for this wonderful interview. I enjoyed every single minute of it!!

[@brunoscotti953]

I can’t imagine what it must have been beeing in the studio while recording the piano solo on Aladdin Sane. My god.

[@Producelikeapro]

Incredible indeed!

[@PaulMelia]

That is a great point about John's songs. Totally get what Ken means by saying John's songs being specific to John.

[@mikeyinderikey6410]

What a TREAT - thank you both!

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kory330]

Amazing interview! One of the best I've seen in ages.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow, thank you!

[@younken24films]

That was great thank you! I learned a lot about Ken Scott.

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@wads_o_hair]

I agree with other commenters that this is one of the best interviews I have seen. Ken is one of the best engineers/producers in the history of recorded music. The only thing missing here is that I wish Ken was asked how he feels about being the inspiration for the Ken LeGrange character (played by Roger Allam) in the Brian Pern TV series. (Ken's colleague Roy Thomas Baker was also the basis for the Ray Thomas character.)

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! Sp glad you enjoyed the interview as much as I did!

[@christopher-helix1]

I like Ken Scott's production of Happy The Man's first two albums : Happy The Man (1977) and Crafty Hands (1978).

[@thepanicroommastering2062]

I never heard of the band until now and i‘m sitting here in my Studio shocked at how good these recordings are. Thank you so much Buddy ✨✌️

[@tedpoole5508]

Happy The Man is probably one of my favorite bands of all time

[@sturla75]

What a legend!Love his work!

[@Producelikeapro]

Me too! Such an honour to be able to hang and talk to him!

[@barrieflix]

Fascinating interview, discussing many of my favourite albums. At 1:46:20 they're discussing the writing of Life on Mars, and mention the borrowing of a chord progression from "an Italian song" that David had submitted a lyric for. Don't know why they're coy about it, the winning lyric was My Way! And yes, very different songs, very same chords.

[@1rwjwith]

Astounding interview, wow!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@UdiKoomran]

A living legend

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, agreed!

[@UdiKoomran]

@@Producelikeapro A while ago since I finished upgrading and aligning my new monitors I called my wife to come up for a listen I played here Space Oddity and Walk on the Wildside She burst crying Incredible impact Then when she left I played Birds of Fire and Spectrum Goosebumps We live for goosebump moments and music is the most emotional experience

[@Jbagggg]

love your stuff, Warren. Has certainly taught me a lot, and your personality make it all the better. As an avid lover of all things dub and reggae, I would love to see something regarding that; especially how the likes of yourself, guests, and industry counterparts generally use/used certain pieces of kit for productions compared to that of people like King Tubby, Jah Shaka, Scratch Perry, etc. More specifically, I would love to understand more of the how/why/& what about of reggae studios makes them incompatible for 'traditional(?)' recording and producing, despite using the same industry-standard gear (presumably).

[@g_and_kikos_studio]

Great interview. Such knowledge. Can tell Warren is in Heaven

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@spacehopper77]

Rudi’s in Love, the Locomotive, now that’s a tune… will have to dig out the 45 of this one, thanks for reminding me of it.

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous!

[@davidlikuski1880]

So much to "digest"! I have had to (gratefully) back up dozens of times to catch every little bit of important info, every minute of these 3+ hours, yet once again, literally worth every moment. if this has been brought up already, apologies for the repetition, yet regarding to the late Mick Ronson, his great guitar work carried over well after the peak-of-Bowie/glam era. That is, listen to his work on Ellen Foley's _We Belong to the Night_ ('79) and you could easily mistake him for a then-young Steve Lukather (or at least, how Luke' sounded later into the 80's and 90's w/Toto and others).

[@riddellthomas6954]

Life On Mars was done because Bowies publisher gave him a french song to put words to, which he did. The publisher didn't think much of the words, but didn't tell Bowie. Paul Anka rewrote the words, and the song became My Way. When Bowie heard it ihe was really pissed off and said he'd do his own my way.. apparently the verse chords are the same.. great interview, so many great stories and knowledge

[@cosmicdrifter287]

Well done,You hit the Jackpot again Warren!Very smart move to make this an epic interview.Ken Scott is main popular music key figure,a great speaker and has a great point of view and (pun intended)take on things.

[@wildbillhackett]

I'll always remember Ken Scott for producing the Dixie Dregs' _What If_ album which I think is the quintessential jazz-rock fusion album.

[@Producelikeapro]

Love the Dixie Dregs!

[@davestephens6421]

Ken Scott....the greatest jazzrock engineer/co-producer....Mahavishnu, Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham and Jeff Beck!! !!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@Snooty63]

Fantastic interview with a fascinating person. Thanks!

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Producelikeapro]

And yes, Ken IS fascinating!!

[@stupendousmusic4190]

I always love a Ken Scott interview, and this one was probably the best I used to bump in to Lou Reed in New York over the years, and I have a few anecdotes. 😎 Ken confused music producer and commercial jingle writer from Detroit, Billy Davis, with Billy Davis Jr. of The 5th Dimension and Marilyn McCoo's husband. "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" was written by both Rogers: Greenway and Cook, Bill Backer, and Billy Davis. It was released in November, 1971. I was in kindergarten at the time, and it was a HUGE hit in the New York Metro area; it was played in Top 40 rotation on every major AM radio station.

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much!

[@peterzabriskie]

2:27:00 Stanley overdubbing. At half-speed. OK, oh yeah. Now I don't feel so bad. Caught Stanley at Lensic Theater, Santa Fe,NM. He played string bass almost the entire night. A real treat.

[@Producelikeapro]

Whatever you have to do to make it great!

[@wesstarmedia]

Great guy, great interview. Stereo or even mono will always be where its at imo. I love his enthusiasm about Atmos, but apart from movie theatres and rich guys' basements, it's limited.

[@JudgeFredd]

Epic episode

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@mellotronin54]

Brilliant interview thank you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@mellotronin54]

@@Producelikeapro You are very welcome, Ken Scott is a recording god and little reported . He made so many great sounding albums most of which I own. There were some mentioned that i did not know he did. That is probably because I have them on CD and the type is so small they may as well be on microfilm.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@tedpoole5508]

Thanks for the interview! I was crossing my fingers you would have asked Ken about his work with Happy The Man, America's greatest IMHO progressive rock band. Also surprised nothing on Missing Persons? Any outtakes??😃

[@GarryChecora]

Mahavishnu Orchestra: Birds of Fire!

[@Producelikeapro]

Masterpiece!

[@Algabatz]

Insanely interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@gregmason2760]

Has to be Hunky Dory. Magnificent album.

[@Producelikeapro]

HUGE fan!!

[@tony1961]

Warren, many thanks for this, as well as making it a 3 hour+ special, even then there's still room for a follow up, if Ken's up for it. Ripped Truth some 20+ years ago to put on my iPod classic, took a listen today, wow, what a recording. Really open and spacious, haven't looked at the LP sleeve since then, but yes, Nicky Hopkins on joanna, and as for Keith's timpani, never knew it was him, loved the fact that Rod was on a trailing mic lead, yes you can hear the change in audio of the guys playing in the studio as he walks around. Have played the album a few times over the years as background, but stuck the Bose noiseless cans on, really fantastic capture of the musicians playing, really love the openness of the recording. Also the early Billy Cobham stuff, never knew it was Ken, Spectrum one of my all time favourite albums. Part 3 tomorrow. Cheers me old china.

[@danielwmwolf]

Thank you so very much. 🙏 🙏 🙏 ❤️

[@Producelikeapro]

You are so welcome

[@pariaheep]

1971: Van der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts (engineer): I forgot how many times i've listened to that complex, difficult album and finding it an absolute masterpiece. Bowie & Hamill shared some similarity in their voice timbre...

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, masterpiece

[@theinvisiblesavants9839]

Well guys, that was longer than Gandhi by 7 minutes 😆 But much more enjoyable and a smaller cast . Fantastic to get a feel for some of my favourite tracks ever recorded. However, I still love the later Bowie as much as the early ones. Dollar days for me is just as good as life on Mars . Question I may have missed the answer of . What tracks did Ken work on with America?

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha thanks ever so much! Gandhi is far more of a masterpiece! This was a lot of fun though!

[@briannacery9939]

There was something mysterious and magickal about the Jeff Beck Truth/ Led Zeppelin I album period for me. The Beatles too!

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@chadfayrobinson7537]

That was amazing !

[@dwaynejessome1728]

Epic Interview!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever is much!

[@user-yk4gd1fl4z]

I hope we cover Crime of the Century!

[@lancasteraudio5281]

masterpiece

[@Producelikeapro]

We did cover it!

[@user-yk4gd1fl4z]

@@Producelikeapro stellar interview, thanks

[@claudioam1200]

Thank you so much for this❤

[@simonkaye7268]

But thanks for the great work you did.... legendary

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@CraigMarshall_HDvideo4K]

Fascinating three camera interview! I watched the entire 3+ hours in one sitting but please switch off the adds mid programme! Not only are the inserts timed inappropriately, they come in at least 10dB louder than the programme. It's a simple switch and you can turn it off like I have on my Channel.

[@MikeFromDownUnder]

Thank you!

[@Producelikeapro]

You're very welcome!

[@EarslimeRecords619]

amazing !!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@arizonanorte3180]

Just wow"

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@electricladyguitarsdevonuk1414]

Malcolm Toft was Trident engineer on Hey Jude, he recorded some of my musical 'The Honey Tree'

[@Producelikeapro]

Barry Sheffield was definitely the recording engineer on Hey Jude, per the band, producer and session notes! Ken mixed it later with George Martin and the band.

[@electricladyguitarsdevonuk1414]

@@Producelikeapro interesting

[@Producelikeapro]

I think Ken talks about it here in some depth in the video. The 8 track at Trident ran at 12.5 IPS because of the voltage/frequency differences between the US and UK!

[@diegorhoenisch62]

@@Producelikeapro No. The speed difference was due to the UK mains operating at 50Hz(the US operates at 60Hz). Cheers, Alan Tomlinson

[@Producelikeapro]

@@diegorhoenisch62 yes, 115V AC at 60Hz vs. 230V AC at 50Hz in the UK.

[@johntbd]

I was pausing for Ol' Man River.

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha indeed

[@andrewweatherhead4127]

Journey to love Stanley Clarke. Jeff Beck plays on 2 tracks. Journey to love and Hello Jeff.😊

[@Producelikeapro]

Masterpiece!

[@Telepkr]

Sorry to say I really appreciate what he's done in his career. The Beatles Bowie you name it he did it. I just don't care about those. The only thing I care about and the one thing he's done that blew my mind more than anything else was his production for the Dixie dregs on two records. There is no one who has listened to those two records more than me from when they came out to today almost 50 years. I still get goosebumps listening to that record. It is so perfect. Take the music for what it is which is masterful but it would never sound as good without Ken Scott there. He was the reason why those two albums will linger in our ears for the next thousand years