The Chris Lord-Alge Interview

[@KennyCarlile]

Rick, knowing there's a fire smolding deep down in CLA, tosses a gallon of gasoline on CLA: "Chris, what do you think about people on laptops that call themselves mixers?" ...then Rick sits back with his virtual popcorn and watches CLA lose his goddamn mind. :D Rick is a genius.

[@distantgalaxymusic1447]

I loved that! I can't remember who said it but I thought it was a great line; "Everybody with a laptop and $100 in software is a music producer with their own record label and a KZbin Channel." (or something to that effect.) There was a lot of wisdom in his response/answer.

[@crimsun7186]

@@distantgalaxymusic1447 CLA's answer was about 80% badge flashing and 5% content. The other 15% was defensiveness.

[@ArtbyAtlas]

I felt like that was a setup and I'm glad I'm not the only one lol

[@No_1_really_]

I call this my caveat...(updated) I did not care for the attitude I thought it was unnecessary . Young talented engineers can learn allot from the veterans if talked to with a bit more respect. I might be misinterpreting his intentions and also let me be clear I respect his vast amounts of knowledge and best practices he has earned from actually practicing his craft.

[@monkeyrobotsinc.9875]

this is his best fucking video ever.

[@vicesquadpunk]

I am not being bitchy, I want to make a point about sitting still for hours and being overweight. CLA is, like many engineers and mixers obviously overweight, I am too. I hope that people will consider the pitfalls of sitting at a desk or computer screen for hours on end. I had a DVT and resulted in Pulmonary Embolism which nearly killed me!!! It came from lack of movement, and has nothing to do with age. PLEASE listen to me... PEOPLE, be sure to stand up and walk around every 30mins or less, take some exercise too. You can spend years honing skills as a musician, producer and mix engineer and ignore the basics of being human... you must MOVE and MOVE OFTEN 🙏❤️🎸 x Love from London 🇬🇧 UK x

[@Dinozzo1995]

Great advice.

[@its7day]

Underrated advice

[@Unit_6227_Drilling_Experiments]

Yes get a manual treadmill in front of your laptop to stand while doing it ; record with guitar or piano standing up if possible

[@tomcoryell]

Hey, thanks for the reminder! Sorry you had to go through that.

[@JustinChampa]

Vice Squad - Well said! You and I share the same story! Last year I spent hours and hours continually sitting while working on a project with a deadline. I ended up with a severe DVT, which likely would have been avoided with occasional breaks to simply walk around a bit. It’s not that I was being lazy, but was simply too focused and locked in on what I was doing to realize what harm I was causing. Beware, it can happen to you!

[@jonsubs9998]

Every CLA interview has enough t-shirt worthy quotes to start an online store. Thanks to Rick for constantly making great content, and CLA for inviting us into the studio and giving us his best, honest thoughts.

[@tomaburque]

Very opinionated, very outspoken, very entertaining. I will watch this one again.

[@Bob-jl2oe]

@Tom A- and your credentials are what? His “opinions” come from many years of hands-on experience.

[@RolandDeschain1]

CLA is always immensely entertaining. I love how Rick is like: "Tell me about a great mix you've heard lately" and Chris is like: "No, let me complain some more..." So damn funny.

[@benjiusofficial]

Holy crap. This is real. This is happening. Stop everything and watch rfn.

[@stevemcnamara2584]

Ran into Rick at Mixing with the Masters (NAMM) but could only briefly say hello since Eddie Kramer was dispensing wisdom. Rick is so helpful to the mixing and production community. Thanks for this video.

[@JeremyHalterman]

CLA said to find out if the people who worked on the music we love are teaching and go learn from them. I know you probably won't see this, Rick, but you have worked on some of my favorite albums of all time. On behalf of the community, I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. You deserve every one of your subscribers and more!

[@RickBeato]

Of course I see this Jeremy. And thank you!

[@jul18th]

@@RickBeato Rick your experience, talent, knowledge, both as a musician, and as a producer, is absolutely incredible!! Thank you for all the amazing videos, you are Awesome!!! 🙏💙🙏😃👍

[@TomCasey]

CLA is so right about the lack of performance on records. There’s no thrill anymore. I love going for a full take. It’s exciting to make records that way.

[@danrebolledo8385]

It kinda hurts that you say that as though its a novelty.....thats how its done....youre capturing a performance art...

[@KenBecker3]

"It's ho's and it's hey's, and 7 second reverb on everything" ... tons of great CLA quotes and only a few minutes in

[@Byronic19134]

Already a top 5 quote of 2019

[@zardeh63]

Naughty by nature, not cuz I hate'cher

[@hazardmouth]

😂

[@hummarstraful]

CLA on young producer engineers sending him bad tracks: "I'd love to find a plugin that finds what the hell you did to it and reverses it." LOL.

[@VLKV_loves_you]

literally just stopped after he said this and was about to comment and saw urs. hahahaha

[@stevemcnamara2584]

"Mixing is a vision and creative". And "sorry, you're not a General, you're a private". Classic!

[@GetLinux]

From a dad who plays guitar around the house and may never record anything (who knows)... even when the content mostly soars over my head, guys like Rick and Chris still hold my interest. Fantastic stuff. Thanks guys.

[@DavidDiMuzio]

Woah! Had no idea CLA could play! ...And he has perfect pitch?!? Wow!

[@TheBlashMusic]

David DiMuzio Didn’t expect to see you here! Love your channel! (Even the hair videos, they are great)

[@DavidDiMuzio]

@@TheBlashMusic Thanks :)

[@JamesStaubes]

I met CLA last year at NAMM and he was super cool and kind. Good dude.

[@hummarstraful]

CLA on young producer engineers sending him bad tracks: "I'd love to find a plugin that finds what the hell you did to it and reverses it." LOL. So, many funny gems in this interview.

[@DragonTamerCos]

Ironically the audio in this video isn't the best lmao. Not a problem, i just found it funny.

[@JPGProducciones]

The shoemaker's son always goes barefoot.....

[@chunkystylemusic]

42:43 “...sometimes a little reality goes a long way. “ That just about sums it up. Artists don’t pay the mixer to blow smoke. They need the truth, even if it stings a bit. There’s so much riding on a major label release. Oftentimes, the can keeps getting kicked down the road until it finally lands on the doorstep of the people who have to tell the truth. And that’s usually the mixer and the mastering engineer. CLA is still at the top of his game because he delivers hit mixes, year after year, regardless of the prevailing musical trends. And that is something that I can respect. Great interview, Rick.

[@hhectorlector]

15 minutes in and I’m very happy there’s another half hour left

[@Opeckie]

This is the best CLA interview I've ever watched! What a great guy, and so much knowledge... not to mention he's just straight up hilarious! FINALLY some real virtual studio time with CLA!

[@HolySmokeOfficial]

Thank you, Rick. We took Chris's advice, sent him our mix of our single, and now we're his client! Video of Chris mixing our song, 'Tuned In' on our page. He owes you one! It's "world class", man! Crazy stuff!! 👊😎👍

[@TheStevep52]

Wow, great interview Rick. Chris tells it like it is. I'm an old school engineer who learned in the 70's in a studio with a 16 track MM1100, a 20 input custom console made from Langevin modules and only a few pieces of outboard gear (1176, LA2A, Pultec EQ). For "effects" we had an EMT 140 plate. The mic selection was damn good (251's, U47, KM84's, 421's, RE20, 44 & 77 ribbons etc) but everything was by hand (pre-computer & pre-automation). But we turned out good recordings and mixes. I was fortunate to have learned from Bill Bottrell so I had a good foundation. I didn't stay on that path (went into film/TV post) but in the last several years I've been getting back to my roots except now with Protools and plugins and I'm glad I had the old school background. Hearing Chris candidly share his thoughts is very refreshing. By the way the plugins I favor are his Waves CLA signature series. Now I know why I like them so much.

[@Beatledave7]

Apart from being such a legendary mixer... I always find Chris extremely funny & entertaining!

[@andrewwhitehouse1878]

“Ho’s and Heys and 7 second reverb” ha! Rick you absolutely ROCK! Thanks for this video

[@frankgreen178]

Chris is old school in all regards. He is from the school where you worked for a producer for years before you moved on to your own career as a "mixer". Paid his dues and his attitude comes from being in a lot of foxholes with a lot of records. That's experience and knowledge you only get one way. His mixes are some of the most musical mixes of the last 25 years. He and his brother are different animals. But man, what great senses of musicality they have. I loved this interview, Rick. A LOT.

[@paulwinger3293]

I was a second engineer at Cherokee Studios in Hollywood from 1987 ..... on... CLA came in with Holly Knight ( look her up if you are not familiar with her work- shes amazing). I had been a recognized 'puncher' at Cherokee for a while. Helps to be a musician to punch in and out with those old analogue machines. ---Cherokee used Otari 24 track machines at the time they have a weird delay that is 'musical' but tricky and really frustrating if you have been 'punching on ie: Studer 800 etc... I got the best compliment of my life when he asked me to punch when we were recording Holly's vocals on that record--"Holly Knight" on Columbia records I believe. Great interview!! Attitude is just how I remember it! what a privilege

[@ThomasMurray7]

10:02 The moment when he realizes he's contractually obligated to say he uses CLA-10s even though they aren't in his studio... Errrrr

[@rockhardrocktrue]

How about this for an amazing quote! “Do it the right way every time. That’s the only way to do it”

[@sebastienhaby9561]

WOW Super thumbs up for this amazing interview!!! I'm so happy to hear the passion CLA has for Genesis & Led Zeppelin, this guy really is a legend. Hats off

[@ozorg]

This is by far the best interview with CLA imo! Great stuff!

[@davenewby3605]

Every now and then I need to come back to this interview :-). It's obvious Rick and Chris respect and like each other enough to be open and honest and relaxed ... and cut through the BS. I need to see something as real as this once in a while.

[@RogerBadgerDSFlyer]

So awesome! “Put the freakin’ phone down for half a day and listen.” Words of wisdom that transmit across so many things in life these days.

[@haraldfrostad]

Thank you both Mr. CLA and Rick. Some GREAT info, once again :-) Peace, Love & MUSIC B-)

[@jockojohn3294]

This place feels like home......I remember going to Ron Sundell's studio in the 80's.....same attitude, same no BS work ethic.....Think this is your best interview yet.....this is what the "kids" of today simply don't understand.....the mix of art/science/experience/commitment/ work ethic......

[@1wretchedsoul]

Chris, his brother Tom, and especially Dave Pensado have put so much great information out there.

[@tespiteng]

A reverse plugin that would erase everything you've done to a mix. This guy is a genius :-D

[@ChrisInNashville]

Rick Beato and Chris Lord-Alge - I could watch/listen to both of these guys all day separately. Together? Talk about a team! I was sad to see the video coming to an end. Excellent interview, Rick!

[@avoiceofyourown9652]

I almost busted a gut when he said "I wish I could find what the heck you did to it, and undo it" he's great.

[@pjhoury2072]

I love the way Rick identifies the guys who do the graft and learn the craft. It's a relief for amateurs like me who chip away. Thanks Rick.

[@BigCityPalooka]

This is SO hilarious I can't stand it. After watching your "I'm Sick Of Your Excuses" and then this one... I finally broke down, went to your website, and bought myself a t-shirt. This work *has* to be supported. :) Lol. Keep up the great work.

[@nfijef]

Getting ever so close to a million RB! I remember posting a comment (quite a while back) to the effect of " You are like Pensado without the ads", and I could only encourage the few people that I knew that were interested in production to appreciate you; I'm so glad that the greater community has begun to notice your value. Thanks for your efforts.

[@andreasvarousiadis9464]

if you could do this but with andy wallace you would be the best channel on yt

[@kurdtjohn]

Fuckin' A. I'd love to have Rick have Andy Wallace on this, too. Andy's mixes are on the same level as CLA's for me.

[@HolySmokeOfficial]

@@kurdtjohn but Andy is no CLA in the commentary department! 😂

[@mdhssounds]

Eric Valentine anyone?

[@splashesin8]

😁Thank you Chris & Rick! Putting the phone down as much as possible. 😉 I'm also taking the hint about not needlessly compressing when everything is already clear in its space just fine.

[@voxager5165]

Oh man, that was awesome! Thank you so much for this great interview, Rick and Chris! Greetings from Germany.

[@Unibabble]

He makes an excellent point about committing to a track rather than saving every iteration or alternate take “just in case” - this just makes a huge mess imo. He also makes a great point about the potential mix difficulties of tracking in segments... that if you construct verse segments, chorus segments, etc, in isolation, putting them together can create problems if you don’t have the final arrangement in mind. Better to re-record front to back performances that don’t create unnecessary “seams” that you have to stick or edit (or punch in) together after the fact to make them flow. Interesting to hear his perspectives. He’s smart and opinionated, and obviously a great mixer.

[@DJGreenArrow]

This is one of your “STOP EVERYTHING AND STUDY EVERY FRAME” videos. Dinner can wait :) AKG n90Q ✅ Thanks Rick!

[@benjiusofficial]

I'm glad someone else thought the same thing.

[@69vrana]

I heard CLA said some really out of touch things before. If you are a PROFESSIONAL mixing engineer (ie, you work in a studio and not in your bedroom), than yes, CLA can have some good advice, but hearing him talk about how he does a mix in 3 hours, without telling you he gets pro tracked, edited and ready-to-go tracks, is an indicator he lives in his own little niche world and has no idea how most people who watch these videos do things in real world these days.

[@WilliamMcCarthyIII]

You're a great host. I'm a huge fan of CLA and never expected an interview with him on here. Thank you for the great hosting and letting him speak his mind.

[@bluematrix5001]

I love it, CLA is very sincere and straight to the point..I enjoy that Rick Beato was all the time laughing like in a comedy club, but this is true, some stuff in music today is so sad that can be so funny. CLA Nailed!

[@AdamGotheridge]

This is like the best video I've ever seen on KZbin! Thanks to the both of you for sharing your hard-earned wisdom.

[@ashtaylor5236]

Interesting that he's still undecided on his new CLA 10's

[@AironExTv]

Great. Thank you fellas. Learning all the time is one of the reasons I love my job (re-recording mixer). Today it was you guys in this video.

[@johannesdesilentio1536]

13:57 - CLA on one of his favorite records, Tales of Mystery and Imagination: "When Alan went to release it on CD, he remixed it - and he butchered it - he... completely butchered it; and every time I see him it's like, 'You know..... you butchered it.' "

[@audibletapehiss3764]

And that's what is so great about CLA - you can be sure he actually said those exact words to Alan Parsons.

[@davereeves6776]

So True...I know that AP record well..."The Raven" was a particular standout track...Listen to the vinyl version, then the remixed CD version...no comparison

[@spehnke]

Cool to have my same thoughts on the remixes validated about some of my favorite albums... app and genesis. Thanks for the awesome interview and down with audio hoarders! (Ok, so I’m little guilty of that, Tera drives are cheap right ? :o)

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

I frickin' hate that whole "remastered" phenomena on Spotify. Seems like every album is being remastered. Often by some bozo - in the sense that he/she doesn't respect the original. And overall I feel the original mix is **part of the song** - so remixing (and remastering) it, is often a horrible idea. A new production, IMO.

[@CayenneTravels]

I have waves I made from all my Alan Parsons records, including Mysteries, and I've used them as reference tracks for decades. I though it was cool that he did the same.

[@Faunul]

Amazing! Listening to CLA speak about mixing was truly mesmerizing. Thank you so much, Rick!

[@HewittH]

Remind me never to get the hell on that guy's lawn. Love you both RB and CLA!

[@CoolVIguy]

It IS very nice to hear a man speak like a man, and not coddle clients, or viewers. Love it, If you are unprepared for an honest answer, then do not ask scary questions.

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

American Idiot is probably, not even probably, American Idiot is my favorite album of all time and Chris's mixing on that is definitively part of the reason why. It's just so full I can't even understand it. Everything is in your face yet somehow everything is big and open and has space to breathe too. It's just incredible and that record is a big part of the person that I am today so all I can say, which seems utterly insignificant, is Thank You.

[@californiasurfpunkmetal6207]

Rick this interview is gold!!! Thanks for doing it. Please do a part II or interview someone else like this. It’s a dying art man. We need to preserve these ideas!!!

[@jonnystuart5218]

Amazing interview. An instant classic. Thanks Rick

[@SergioFilho]

Rick, you're doing a lot for the community. Thanks a lot, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!

[@anthonysclafani3963]

CLA is one of my all-time favs, thanks so much Rick

[@toro514]

This channel was one of my favorites, now to me it's the best.

[@brunosilviomartins]

Second time watching this and man, you can make a whole encyclopedia of CLA catchphrases! This interview is gold!

[@russellcluff7504]

What a great video. I love Chris's style no nonsense. Videos like this are why I don't even watch tv anymore. I love the sharing of knowledge.

[@jasonbone5121]

What a treat! Thanks Rick and CLA!

[@jasontylervaughn]

Easily one of your best interviews. A wealth of knowledge in 43 minutes. Listen actively.

[@EthanMckennaMusic]

What a character! Your best interview yet

[@rlbradish]

Rick ....watch this back and just watch the smiles on your face throughout the interview. .....Classic

[@JeffNucci]

My favorite CLA-ism is "no ones gonna die when you turn the knob to where it isn't 'supposed' to go"

[@Activemeasures2023]

On the comment about the 'undo button'. Abletons freeze function does effectively that. Prints it down with all processing but gives the ability to go back to the raw file.

[@jameyscott4188]

Why is there so much background noise in such a legendary mixing studio? (Only half-joking around...I know you're probably using the camera mic and it's probably situated right next to the machine room). This was a great interview; thanks for doing it.

[@Jerrylumdegaard]

CLA says what's on his mind and has the creds to back it up and be respected. I'm a huge fan of his work. Kudos again to Rick- you are a great interviewer- put out the question and let'm go!!!

[@scottpeetsvideos]

"Really? You're a mastering engineer too?" LOL So true. A New Yorker telling it like it is. This is classic CLA. Big heart no bulls**t.

[@danieldeurloo]

Great interview. Rick brings out the best in everyone! I love how open CLA was.

[@remyr5749]

" I got all the plugins I need right here, OK, and they install with a screwdriver!". - Love that.

[@kevinastokley1]

That was the moment I knew this interview was gonna be good.

[@glevy17]

Great freaking interview. Cla is my favorite engineer and for good reason. Has great ears, a great mind and love his honesty.

[@frankpaws]

Where is Chris's Email?

[@guydallyn1717]

Absolutely intriguing , never bored from any of Rick,s interviews Fascinating

[@dylanfitchett847]

I smell a new UNSCRIPTED series from this channel. Would love to get more brutally honest takes from the pros

[@christopherolivo6787]

Rick definitely one of your better interviews! You're really driving your channel in the right direction. I'm always looking forward to the next video. You seem to have the concept of "Leave them wanting more" down to a science at this point.

[@GreenJeep26]

"Mixing is a vision..." Lord almighty that's true. Sliding virtual faders and saying the word buss doesn't give you cred. I only 'mix' my own stuff. I have no cred. I have a vision of what I want to hear but to CLA's point, I ain't earned it yet. I haven't put in the time. I'm ok with that. I just enjoy doing it to my own stuff and learning. Great interview! Adding to CLA's favorites, I'd add Kansas 'Leftoverture' (Glixman/Evans/Marino). For a rock record in the 70's, it was just so well done.

[@Miesn]

I love this Interview. So much true words all over it! Thanks Rick!

[@kristofszobacsi2425]

LIKED, FAVOURITED, HEARTED, LOVED, SAVED & APPRECIATED!!! :)

[@mattpetello]

Very honest interview. I am glad I got the chance to take a peek into his world!

[@FreddysFrets]

Love the Jimmy Iovine impression ....hahaha

[@seanemmettfullerton]

LOL... i knooow, right?! Too too much fun

[@VCMsoundvision]

Hilarious! And he's absolutely right about that Alive and Kicking snare sound-I love Simple Minds and Bob's engineering on that record was amazing!

[@seanemmettfullerton]

Exactly. And that drummer, Mel Gaynor (?) on Don't Forget About Me! The drum sound and feel is really one of the big hooks... invigorating!

[@VCMsoundvision]

@@seanemmettfullerton - that's him! Mel Gaynor. I'm a drummer myself and he's one of my favorites-a real 'Power+Finesse' player, kind of like Tony Thompson, except maybe more so. If you've never heard it, check out the drumming on "White Hot Day" from Sparkle in the Rain-interesting grooves and changes on that one!

[@seanemmettfullerton]

yes yes yes, the power-finesse thing. Exactly!! The kick drum sound on that verse (White Hot) is soooo smackin' perfect - steady and solid yet energetic and forward driving.

[@TDAshton]

This was just an awesome, honest interview. I love CLA and his attitude towards making music and mixing.

[@Fedor_Tkachev_Music]

So world-class and everything, and still distorted audio)

[@indepthphoto4351]

And we’re only 1:42 in and the start of the best rant ever... Priceless!

[@maitredebas249]

The irony of all his rage is that he's made millions off bedroom 'mixers' buying his stuff.

[@2guitarme]

Great interview. CLA is outspoken, and speaks the truth. A lot of wisdom and experience there. Thanks Rick!

[@paulbishop2161]

'I have my own speakers... The CLA10s... they're usually up here but, uhhh....' LOL, yeah right

[@MOBBYMUZIK]

lol right!! i caught on to that too

[@ChrisLordAlgeMix]

I know people keep saying that I had my only pair loaned to my other studio next door for the day...I only have the prototype 's

[@MOBBYMUZIK]

​@@ChrisLordAlgeMix cmon did you honestly really stop using your tried and true broke in for years ns-10s and risk business for something just because it has your name on it ? plus i been searching online since the cla 10s released to find some footage or photo of you actually using them

[@paulbishop2161]

@@ChrisLordAlgeMix it's fine Chris, I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter what you use you'll always end up making a hit. Besides, I would do the same... making the NS10 your own - it's brilliant marketing, sir

[@hummarstraful]

I think he realized they don't sound like the NS-10's. A company called Misco Speakers claims to have made a true copy of the NS-10 speaker. They have testing data comparing theirs to CLA's (Avatone's) and the Avatones are way off from the original Yamaha's. I just ordered the Misco Speakers and am awaiting them. Will do a review video hopefully.

[@zhpub]

Rick, That was a brilliant interview. Loved him and loved your questions! Big smile on my face after watching it...

[@scottlevine5030]

I can't imagine sending a mix to CLA with any post tape eq or compression at all....... And I'd probably leave reverbs off things too other than room mics. When paying for a guy like this you are paying for his expertise in getting the mix together. So I would send him stuff as raw as possible, I'd edit comps together and do all that stuff first, but I'd leave the mixing to the mixer.

[@BeauStephensonVoiceActor]

I mean, the producer and artist need to make lots of creative choices. If you just send him something with zero decisions made, then that makes things WAY too open-ended creatively. Direction is really good. He'll take it all the way to the moon if that's where you're pointed.

[@dannyho6786]

outstanding Rick, thanx, was glued to the program all the way thru !!!

[@reverendoz]

she don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie...

[@radiobikini6429]

OMG, I been doing this for 30 years and this was just SO "spot on" Thank You.

[@adamfox9651]

CLA is the Tony Soprano of music production. Don't limit his mix or he'll have you whacked.

[@diegorhoenisch62]

You clearly have no idea who Shelly Yakus was.

[@DatAnydex]

This interview kept me listening all the way through. Two geniuses. CLA talking about “a lost art” got my attention, since there’s so much talk about ITB being the future of music. Also, CLA’s statements like “you’ve moved from playing the piano to using one finger” revealed his view of the music skill trend....(down). Finally, “get a plugin to show what you did and reverse it!” ... “do it right”. I like both Rick and CLA because they are not fans of short cuts. GREAT INTERVIEW.

[@DanDuskin]

Best video yet! Thank you Rick!!,

[@recomusicofficial]

This is the best! So honest and humble guy! Great interview!

[@lukaspersson447]

I haven't watched a single comment, but I have to say this.. Being an audio engineer in CLA's world is very hard to be if you're not a privileged, rich kid with a network from childhood. It's definitely not comparable with Military ranks. I've heard better mixes than CLA's, made on laptops with headphones. I respect CLA, but I could never respect the disrespect towards lesser fortunate people. The console his behind is worth more than most of ours lives, and that's not proving anything other than access to money. AAAAND also, I totally agree with the over compressed unlistenable rant he had. That was my own biggest problem. I was so determined to make sure it hit the highest RMS possible by the modern books, but it never sounded like I wanted. I need the 70's type of dynamic.

[@PAULPINBALL]

I love the passion Chris has and his Jimmy impersonation was great!