Steven Wilson: "Let's just approach this like an idiot"

Renowned remixer, musician, and founding member of ‪@PorcupineTreeOfficial‬ ‪@StevenWilsonHQ‬ talks about some of his practices for classic album remixes, and how that differs from working on his own music. Steven then dives into some work on his latest solo album The Harmony Codex, specifically the track "Impossible Tightrope."
This is the third video in a series. The other two videos are:
• Steven Wilson: "I real...
• Steven Wilson: "It sud...
All three were filmed in Summer 2022, but we had to wait till The Harmony Codex and Who's Next were public to release this segment.

[@AudezeHQ]

This is the third video in a series. The other two videos are: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baLJZWWKicd0kJI kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5fUiYqlmteGr8k

[@git606]

I hope there’s more to this, could watch Steven for hours

[@AudezeHQ]

This is the third video in a series. The other two videos are: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baLJZWWKicd0kJI kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5fUiYqlmteGr8k

[@Thirdfish]

Yeah he's such a talent, on stage and off.

[@user-fh6by5ro8s]

He’s a music GENIUS. A prodigy 👍🏽

[@StudioSlam]

I could watch Steven piss in the toilet for hours, but first we'd have to figure out how to keep him producing urine at that kind of rate. He'd be hooked up to machines no doubt?

[@signedupfordoconly4275]

He just seems like such a fun and pleasant guy. I wonder what he does with himself in the off hours. When he takes a break from music for a bit.

[@nectarinedreams7208]

Steven explains Progressive Rock better than most can at the end of this video. It's not about 15 minute keyboard solos or lyrics about demons and wizards. It's about telling a story, like cinema, that can change in mood and style within a single composition.

[@atelicmusic]

I love how you can see the genuine joy he has when listening to these sounds.

[@douglasstruthers8307]

109 tracks! That would have been mind-boggling at a previous time. Enjoyed this video. "Impossible Tightrope" is my favourite track on HARMONY CODEX. Thanks for posting.

[@Ueberschaer]

It's profund, what he said about what is typical for progressive music. A song not only provides one feeling, one emotion in opposite to a normal popsong. I like it.

[@Darkest_of_Winter]

I absolutely love this new approach Steven’s taking with this album… bringing us all super close to the process and even his plug-in chains. Love this video!

[@terrythompson7535]

The man is a creative genius, and a living tribute to classic rock.

[@LaminarSound]

Engineers used to dream about the days they might be able to record an upright piano without tape hiss, wow and flutter and here you go Steven..... lmao. Please keep it up. What a time we live in.

[@DOGOID]

Flaws are now features.

[@davidrowe5822]

I love how Steven turns up the volume, leaves it there then has to shout over the samples to explain his approach to creativity. This is a fantastic way to soak up the unique talent and sound designs that run through his veins. I mean…109 tracks for something that sounds so simple and melodic. If that doesn’t articulate who he is, nothing will. I appreciate him taking the time to sit down and show the fans a fraction of his process.

[@jotamarsmusic]

Watching Steven talk about his process is priceless! Thanks for this

[@magsu]

I never try to work out what's going on in Steven's music...I just dive in and wallow❤

[@ProTutoriales]

this guy is something special, a true artist....

[@chasonwestmoreland248]

Genius. Pure genius. Honored to have met Steven this year at our hotel in Berlin. Very nice lad we chatted about festivals we played this year I’ll never forget that day.

[@DrProgNerd]

I'm just a mixing/composing hobbyist. It's inspiring to watch someone at his level still exude excitement for his craft. Loved this. Thank you.

[@abstractaeon]

A musician like Steven Wilson, who makes production such a big part of his work, adds more dimentions to his music

[@OculusSF]

AUDEZE NUTS

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Today's recording process cannot be simply capturing acoustic instruments, since no microphone or recorder can. I have been a recording engineer for 35 years, performed piano/organ/keys for 55 years now; when you have played hundreds of different stage grand pianos, and have the ear from critical listening, you know the piano you just recorded doesn't sound like that at all, not even close. And then the dynamic range is too strong on a too narrow range, the hammer hits are too pronounced, nothing like the gentle touch I used. So we compress, we delay to make up for a thin sound, we add reverb to create an environment, but also to cover up the microphone/recording deficiencies. We must create an interesting environment the microphone and microphone placement can never do without sounding horrible. Even in perfect room or hall, the microphone doesn't hear what the pianist is hearing by the piano, OR, the audience from 10 to 100 feet away. Then there is the ENERGY of the live performing artist, sharing their emotions through the language of their instrument, live play is so very different than a recording. I became an audiophile early in life just 5 years after beginning to play keys, I noticed that some bands that I liked their album, but hated them live on stage, others the opposite, and rare was it I like both their recording and live stage. Some of this due to horrible stage sound reinforcement choices and bad audio men on the board. Acoustically I was rarely disappointed in small room concerts of less than 100 seats, live was always wonderful, and recordings always heavily compromised. For example, I had a seat just 10 feet from a small classical orchestra, no stage we were all on the same level, almost like I was "in" the orchestra. I heard details of the instruments I never heard before, all kinds of very subtle articulations/harmonics happening. That in a large concert hall would have been lost, and with a microphone in a studio, completely destroyed and lost. Another example: In my church we usually have live performers, but an earlier service does not, they use CDs. Even though the live and CDs are run through the exact same sound system, the difference in energy is astonishing, the CD music is dead and the live music alive, just as these terms would indicate. Electronic music or any sound reinforcement music simply depends on the room acoustics and live technician on the board, we hear everything electronic music delivers in the recording studio, no loss (direct inject), and live too given good conditions. Combinations like rock/jazz/pop/more... that use acoustic drums, vocalists, acoustic guitars, for example, have always been absolutely horrible in the studio, the drums being the worse and acoustic guitars actually sound better, vocals usually sound better too. But drums especially or any acoustic instrument included like a violin/cello/sax will be again heavily compromised. So, the we must accept these differences and when recording be in a completely different creative mindset than when playing live. The two will never be the same.

[@jeremythornton433]

This is brilliant! Listening to a fearless genius!

[@sjqideez6626]

Thanks for this Chris, fantastic material & content

[@Lexcoaster]

This is amazing. 😃

[@bugpack6]

This was so good. Getting into his creativity is gold… one of my top 5 artist of all time!

[@DanielVerberne]

Wonderful snippet of Steven.

[@vladhaske6702]

Thanks, that was inspiring

[@TouchPerInch]

Thank you for showing Steven's creative process!! It's inspiring the way he sees music and creates a song. Also, love so much his hapiness while he creates! Without a doubt, Steven is my one of favorite musician 🤩

[@toxicbird8250]

wow, really cool! I'm a huge admirer of Steven. I've been working really hard recently recording and producing lots of my own music and I find his attitude and process so relatable, which is really reassuring.

[@fastguitars4380]

Steven has Ninet Tayeb on the New Album..... And that is a TOTAL WIN..... As they are Magic together in the songs.... Her voice and her point of view, is just made for Steven's Music.

[@Sarsour_]

Awesome content!

[@willymac1507]

I’m a bit in love with Steven! He has never, I repeat NEVER produced a record that doesn’t strike a chord in my soul. From Pariah, thru Personal Shopper, to Rock Bottom - the greatest artiste you’ve never heard of. Long may he continue.

[@kanakmahajankatti9944]

Grace for drowning cmon!

[@javireyesnespral]

Siempre he tenido a Steven por un genio contemporáneo. Resulta sorprendente lo humilde que es su forma de trabajar y, en cierto modo, lo parecida que es a la que era mi manera de componer cuando tenía mi estudio casero. Al final no son los medios que tiene uno lo que marca la diferencia, hoy en día lo digital nos da medios de sobra. Lo importante es la perseverancia y la pasión con la que uno se compromete con lo que hace. Grande Steven Wilson!.

[@timmontanez3781]

Love the TFB mug!!!

[@isaiasabinadisosagarcia936]

Living legend

[@robertjones9598]

Cool as hell!

[@thepedalpress]

Sitting with all those vintage recordings has to be such excellent exercise for one's own work.

[@johannesvandongen6009]

One of the most all round musicians around, nowadays. A delight compared to the rubbish that is pushed at us these days.

[@edbuller4435]

Such a talented fella x

[@virtualfist-music]

Love Steven Wilson mixing sound in general. Just upgraded my equipment. Hoping to learn a lot. Thanks.

[@djh6970]

Using that pitch shifter to create a voice….genius! Instant Hannah Reid😊

[@CarolH2O]

I heard that before knowing for sure that he did that with his vocal

[@kevgamble]

Is the result as meaningful as having an actual woman singer sing the part?

[@morbidmanmusic]

its just autotune. He shows it CAN be musical.

[@d.leon.pedro.26]

That vocal part has a storm corrosion akerfeldt vibe! amazing

[@itinerantghost]

So cool to see part of Steven's process!

[@matrixx333]

+1 for the David Bowie t-shirt :)

[@gothikserpentmusic]

For a man of such god-like talent, SW is so humble and down to earth.

[@larrycass3198]

Insightful with a Modern Beethoven of Alternative, Progressive Rock Music Today!!! Some Say a Musical Genius Including Myself!!!

[@johnhartley3022]

Back in the day it was all about having the least hiss, wow and flutter in our decks. Now its added back in for personality. Lol. SW does killer work and writes amazing music

[@takemymonkeyoff]

Don't know if it's just a happy coincidence, but that super important shot of him putting off your headphones looks so organic.

[@robbertquint]

That's a pretty lively sounding room!

[@abmarkos]

Always blessed to see Steven in process

[@jokennedy2943]

Great bloke, quality t shirt!

[@LuisFarfanMusica]

Estoy seguro de que para muchos músicos / productores es emocionante hablar de los detalles en una producción, ya que muchas veces en el resultado final varios de estos pasan desapercibidos. En este caso se ve que Steven disfruta contarnos todos esos secretos que están detrás de su nuevo álbum y eso se agradece.

[@AllenArias]

Y yo le agregaría también que en el caso de Steven Wilson, lo explica con mucha elocuencia y aunque se usen términos técnicos se entiende muy bien lo que está explicando!

[@arhshields]

Amateur recording artist: Hiss, distortion, mechanical noise, artifacts Professional recording artist: Clean reproduction of the intended sounds Master recording artist: Hiss, distortion, mechanical noise, artifacts

[@ambientshrine]

You simply need to preserve the child in you 😉

[@kevmolio5177]

Steven Wilson knows how to party!

[@MarcusDolby]

I believe this man did the brilliant 5.1 mix for the Tears for Fears Seeds of Love album

[@Sussieq23]

A VERY LOVELY NARRATIVE AND T-SHIRT SIR. A BOX OF SURPRISES... WAITING A YEAR TO LET US SEE AND HEAR THIS. HATS OFF AND REGARDS FROM MEXICO!!

[@ashlarband]

Steve is a musical genius.

[@Yupppi]

Just beats me how much little details he uses to construct the layers that make the whole and you'd probably not realize from listening to his stuff. But there's that atmosphere.

[@fernandomoreno6004]

The wizard spoke

[@jjackson4754]

This video could have been 1.5 hours. So interesting.

[@Ziqohth]

i want that mug

[@futurescalling]

Isn't that the very same piano we hear at the end of Love You to Bits?

[@RoofAndAMeal4UsAll]

way cool

[@kevinsturges6957]

Rockstar left his makeup on the studio desk…. 😊❤

[@dhmallet]

As an audiophile wishing for truth and transparency, this addition of noise and all of the downsides of analog is anathema. to me, listening to music is a joy best enjoyed with concentration and focus.

[@songmore]

Is this taken from a longer interview, or is this the whole thing?

[@AudezeHQ]

This is part 3 of a series. The other two parts came out last year and can be found on our Artist playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLbVS-oKkKyVKHd4sXYXUzXgx_amaVyiKP

[@karenalexanderful]

I love watching the creative process.

[@Luca84v]

This path Steven is taking is pretty much what Radiohead did years ago -obviously in a different way- nowadays mixed with The Mars Volta sound…..so the result is pretty interesting. Probably not the “new record” he would have pulled out but surely the most honest and cristalline!

[@santibanks]

its probably from the new record, which is why Audeze dropped the video now, basically as part of the promotion effort for the Harmony Codex :)

[@flux1940]

Ah yes steven wilson my favorite 34 year old musician

[@crusherxxx7]

What monitors does he use?

[@111usul]

Can I hang out in studio for a couple of days straight I'll bring the herb 😂

[@ralphjones9903]

Musical Genius!!

[@Tityretupatulae]

No

[@dautolover]

Steven Wilson must have a strong neck, using those Audeze headphones.

[@marijandesin8226]

Whats the plugin that added wobble to the piano please?

[@AudezeHQ]

It's called Sketch Cassette

[@marijandesin8226]

@@AudezeHQ Ugh and he even said it all clear as day Pardon my ignorance Been installing Windows 11 and lost some data definitely going back to 10 it's been days now Years actually I just want to write music again If its WoW and flutter he added I believe there are same options in Waves Abbey Road J37 Tape Cheers

[@Jay-Go]

When he's talking about the plug-in he used to manipulate the pitch, did he say Foreman? Four man?

[@hughjanus5525]

Formant

[@kobi-kobsen]

I dont get how bad the audio is on some audio pro youtubes.

[@Kite8350]

anyone know what headphones he's using there?

[@dankeplace]

most likely the MM500s Edit I've double checked and it appears to be the same headband so it's a safe bet they're the MM500s

[@AudezeHQ]

Steven uses LCD-5s as a large part of his mixing process

[@Thewestslope]

Modern day renaissance man in a David Bowie t-shirt and messy hair.

[@isnameisfree]

LoFi is kind trendy now, the new guitar rig 7 has a lot of LoFi features.

[@ezemusic8140]

Ese estudio vale más que un par de órganos de una persona con perfecta salud🤣🤣🤣

[@user-fh6by5ro8s]

He’s a music genios, like Brian Wilson but on naturorganic steroids 🙏🏽 God bless him and his family.

[@americatunedright1211]

Good stuff. Why all the room treatments and defusing if its going to sound like a closet? Not just this video but a trend I've noticed in many brand and high quality video's. Interesting that's all.

[@MarcoStarink]

Guess its easier to edit in ambience than to edit out some fixed room ambience and reflections.

[@robarsenault836]

What song is this?

[@AudezeHQ]

Impossible Tightrope from The Harmony Codex

[@annode]

I can't imagine you work in that room, you can hear just how reverberant it is. What's up with that?

[@c9chord]

In person the room might not actually sound the way it sounds in a KZbin video. Probably what we hear is 1/3 room, 1/3 the mic and 1/3 the signal chain/mixing. Roughly.

[@annode]

@@c9chord Well, I'll agree it's the room. The mic and the dry signal has nothing to add to the room reflections, it's a rather lively room. I wouldn't have said anything if not for the fact he said he does remixes in there. If your speaking in the reverberate room you won't notice as much 'cause your speaking. That's one reason why people clap their hands.

[@c9chord]

@@annode So you agree with yourself? Quite the revelation LOL. I mean, this is SW we're talking about. The results he achieves speak for themself. I'm sure the room is more than adequate and I wouldn't judge it by what we hear on this video. KZbin's compression may also factor into to that as well.

[@Starless_2112]

The guy’s a fuckin genius, plain and simple.

[@pathingmusic]

Was it odd being in a sonically dead room that was so prepared for production?

[@bugpack6]

Nice PM headphones from Aud….

[@el_dani]

0:31 is he putting them on the wrong side?

[@AudezeHQ]

Nope

[@imbwal]

When I listen to Steven, I find myself aspiring to idiot status … and know I'll never make it.

[@beatskool101]

Dunno about that digital noise sounds way too loud & perhaps better without

[@c9chord]

It sounded way overdone until he brought up the full mix and then I hardly even notice it. Tends to work that way with bass too, bass guitar track played in solo can sound way distorted but bring in the full mix and it sits nice with the guitars and cuts through better.

[@nomnom112]

so like the average steven wilson fan.

[@nuisanceguru]

suffice to say Steven's idiot approach is different from an idiot's idiot approach 😆

[@LeeGee]

Have you published the Who's Next remix? Such a great album, such a disappointing production.

[@AUM_-po9sc]

Does he even age?

[@tomatopiments]

Now I understand why this song is so messy

[@JonPickles]

You need a producer - happy to help

[@bngr_bngr]

Come on, talk about selling to Sony.

[@Tityretupatulae]

Most overrated guy in music

[@penusliski]

Well, I've tried that approach, like a complete idiot...nothing came out of that

[@AudezeHQ]

lol

[@danielstartek1497]

Let's just be a hairy hippy freek like me!