Susan Rogers on Prince, production and perception | Loop

At Loop 2017, veteran studio engineer Susan Rogers talks to Ableton's Dennis DeSantis about working and touring with Prince in the 1980s, her academic work on audio perception, and career choices in the music industry.
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[@edgarvanoostrum8450]

I'm at a loss for words to express how utterly impressed I am with this person. As a devout fan of Prince (and amateur musician), I'm ashamed to admit I never even knew about the existence of Susan Rogers. The thought of Prince requiring this kind of assistance never crossed my mind, simply because I figured no other individual would be able to operate on a similar level of dedication and professional expertise. But hearing Susan talk, I can fully imagine how these two were able to work together for years. Her articulate view of both the creative and technical aspects of music production (balancing raw passion with intellectual consideration), has only heightened my appreciation of Prince. Susan Rogers was part of his comfort zone, and her being there proves his comfort zone was at the very top. This interview was very insightful and (awe-)inspiring, and it provides a glimpse of the ultimate boss-level at which musical professionals operate.

[@EmmaDee]

I couldn’t agree more and I could talk with her for hours.

[@tiagodebarso1786]

Very good, man. I know her since I became fan of Prince back in 1989. Just because i play music since I was a boy and cause I always like 2 read the albuns booklet of any artist. Who plays, who produces, records, etc. But nowadays is so much easier to discover things about Prince or anything. And I'm glad that I found this video cause I've worked in an audio recording studio for 8 years and knowing Prince's work help me 2 build a polished ear 2 do my job. Cheers from Brazil.

[@edgarvanoostrum8450]

@@tiagodebarso1786 Cheers back from the Netherlands! I've also noticed her name reading the album notes, but I never figured she played such an important role. Never too old to learn, eh?

[@tiagodebarso1786]

@@edgarvanoostrum8450 You're right. And she was and is a fan. What an experience this woman gone through. Wow.

[@TheGARCK]

Most people are here for Prince, but her summary of psychoacoustics and insights into such a broad range of the music related topics is gold. I wish I could be her student! Thanks for uploading this.

[@lobsterblacc9478]

She genuinely enjoys discussing Prince because he was her favorite artist. Have some respect and don't spoke on most people. Let them discover what they want

[@BoltRM]

​@@lobsterblacc9478Huh? Seems you are the disrespectful one, unless you are responding to a comment since deleted?

[@wuodbonde]

Prince was a genius at expressing himself through music. Susan is incredibly articulate and skilful at explaining musical concepts and painting vivid pictures with her words, which complements her talent as an engineer. They are both artists with a passion for communicating and expressing themselves through music. This is a fascinating depiction of their collaboration.

[@rodreiquezattakhan1710]

Agreed

[@rianrobinson3832]

Very well said; I concur

[@shmuelhirsch2069]

Susan immediately took me when she said in another interview that Conditions Of The Heart was to her the epitome of Purple genius, and one of the most mind-blowing things she’s ever heard. To me that’s the sign of someone with impeccable musical taste.

[@suzeesix]

Yes! That song takes me away. It’s like you’re riding on it when you get inside. I can’t explain it right.

[@shwsrvcs]

that song to me, and temptation from when first played on my record player, seemed to be his soul, laid bare and raw. they were companions that reflected 2 different sides of the man behind the sounds we all loved. never his most popular, when i eventually found myself listening to his music a bit less, those songs did not make the playlist all that much... when I had listened again but more closely was in the months prior to his death as I had been exposing his music to my girl, who due to her not being born until 1984 was oblivious to his music. I was also watching a series of video clips that centered on his back story and his life as revealed in his music done by Toure. it was a very deep dive into all of his disography, the details of his life, speculatory and thru other tales about him a picture emerged that led me to play the song with all of the information i had been learning at the forefront of my mind. that whole album holds up for me to this day and all of the b-sides on the 12" singles are just as great as the album tracks were.

[@onesong2001]

The intro to that song is a masterpiece in its own right. A classic Prince album

[@chucku00]

The Purple Clan is getting more and more fascinating every day.

[@morganrobinson2436]

What an insightful and fascinating woman, I have never heard anyone involved in the music world interview so well and thoroughly. Prince was lucky to have her, and his legacy is blessed to have her to champion him like this.

[@blueser100]

I am endlessly impressed by her.

[@MrApollohammond]

of all the interviews I see about Prince hers are the most insightful. She was the one person who spent more time than anyone else with Prince when he was doing what he did best.

[@JaesadaSrisuk]

@@MrApollohammond yeah, they spent thousands and thousands of hours alone in a silent room working on music. Out of all of the people in Prince’s orbit she was the one who had the best view of his genius at work - obviously she’s incredibly talented herself so she’s no mere bystander by any means. Dr. Rogers and Prince had an incredible symbiotic creative relationship, I wonder what his later output would’ve been like had she stayed with him.

[@aaronbaca765]

Susan is always masterful with her words. Great storyteller and orator. She must be an excellent teacher.

[@raczgreen6053]

She's the real deal....👌

[@pettyceddy9538]

And most of the time she lying

[@starrcompany3275]

@@pettyceddy9538 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣why do you say she's lying?

[@starrcompany3275]

@Tony So you dont like Susan?

[@pamela0673]

Brilliant insights, Prince was a huge supporter of women in music. He was unique and her analysis of him as a man is very academic, philosophical and respectful. I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

[@markspencer171]

wrong. Prince only wanted woman around cause he was afraid of men, he saw every man as competition. But not woman. He was a bastard towards woman.

[@Douglas-jr2pf]

@@markspencer171 Both of you are correct depending on his season. He started, made famous, then dropped Apollonia and Vanity 6 but kept Sheila E for a lifetime.

[@rockade2408]

waste of time, she doesnt say anything,

[@rockade2408]

@@markspencer171 you dont know this , judgemental

[@snizz6913]

@@markspencer171 Dick Fear !!! @ 5'3"

[@rembeadgc]

Always nice to hear someone who can communicate about music in ways that honor the depth and complexity of the human mind and experience as opposed to the often simplistic, immature, unsophisticated, disingenuous and demeaning commercial or cultural exchanges that we are all too used to hearing. BTW, I could hear a whole album's worth of melodies and motifs coming out of just Prince's guitar warm-up! That was killin!

[@nabum7749]

This interview is incredible and she drops endless amounts of helpful golden wisdom nuggets.

[@arthurriley2957]

She knows her calling in life. She can express herself beautifully and in real time.

[@scotsraindog]

What an interesting human being. Can you imagine just sitting having a cup of tea with her.

[@Sound4daMasses1]

I wish I could take her classes she’s really breaking it down 👍🏽👍🏽

[@ceciliafbrown373]

This has to be the best interview I've watched from the Loop. This woman is amazing and inspiring. Please, let's have more, Thanks, Ableton!

[@margi6035]

What an asset that Prince was lucky to have as his working companion and visa versa. She is so articulate and intelligent, something they had in common.

[@FilmForger]

Susan is very cool - I got to work with her during the recording of David Byrne's Solo Album in the 90's She had a Great pup named Gina

[@purpleman1974]

Her storytelling abilities are as good as the stories and insights themselves. Fantastic.

[@Pesce771]

Great interview, thanks for sharing, Professor Rogers. Great wisdom on a host of topics. Also, don't beat yourself over "If I was Your Girlfriend". It's one of my favorites and I think has become something of a cult favorite and sleeper hit for many black listeners, if not all fans. Ask many fans their favorite Prince song, and "If I Was Your Girlfriend" will come up much more than one might think. It's probably one of his more enduring creations: funky, thoughtful, strange, beautiful even. Funny that, reminds me of Prince.

[@laurencelhoest9420]

The intro to Erotic City she played is fabulous! One of my favorites. How were they not dancing on their seat? I was! After 35 years of listening to his music, I still get chills.

[@suzeesix]

Me too, and you can still hear something different, even decades later, especially in the lyrics.

[@alexy6012]

That hour contained some of the wisest and most incredible tidbits of knowledge. Bravo!

[@joechapman8208]

Excellent, thanks for this! What an amazing career. "And we know people who are too sane. They don't have an appetite for risk, they wanna take *years* of school... uh, even though I teach at one... school's okay but you gotta be out there doing stuff" :D

[@jazzleebert2]

One of theeeee msot amazing interview with anyone I've ever seen. Music business or else ....

[@Grungefan2018]

Prince saw something on her when she was just a tech and he was so right. I love listening to her speak of her work with him and her explanations of music. Shes really articulate and a good person

[@blueworm99]

Absorbing, a must watch for anyone. Susan has knowledge, character, wisdom and a great story to tell.

[@NYisconstipated]

I love Prince....hearing about his passion and love for his craft. Never knew about the free shows for kids...

[@f8accompli238]

“If I Was Your Girlfriend” was one of my all-time Prince favorites. It was cleverly worded.

[@onesong2001]

its a classic and it's in my top 100 Prince songs too

[@TheDessez]

I was only going to stay 10 mins, but it turned out absolutely fascinating! Insightful. If you love music, listen in.

[@pebbles1340]

I love Prince's music & his deep chest voice. Very fascinating interview.

[@guidewired]

I didn't realize I needed to hear this talk. I'm really happy this is up here.

[@DrKevGuitar]

Dr Rogers is so excellent to listen to and I'm so grateful to her for giving her time. I'd like to reiterate, as a musician and scientist, how creative the sciences are. I have always said that science requires exactly the same creative spirit that music does. In both science and music, it's not enough to "stand on the shoulders of giants". Progress requires creativity. I can't happen without it.

[@Power_Fantastic]

Quick link to where they begin to talk about Prince -------> 20:12 ....... you're welcome :)

[@strauqq1]

Thanks!

[@gavsterdb]

THANK YOU

[@prophetbillmartin6262]

@Power Fantastic Thank You Very, VERY MUCH!!!!!!!! May GOD, El Shaddai Bless You With Your Heart's DESIRES !!!!!!!!

[@newhorizonsforfifty2833]

But you have to listen to the video before the subject of Prince to appreciate Prince.

[@chelsearogers1289]

If I was Your Girl Friend is a Great song. I Am personally grateful that it was released.

[@telisanelson4804]

Danielle Rameau Exactly. I don't what she talking about lol, its a incredible song, was blown away when I first heard it.

[@mrebholz]

Danielle Rameau Exactly.

[@pebbles1340]

Likewise!!

[@aamlam]

I love to hear about Prince. I have heard many talk about him. But Susan, she has an art to her story telling, and she is thoughtfully intelligent in her approach to story telling.

[@dansnow4230]

Out of any interview I have ever heard, incredibly eye opening. Thank you thank you

[@antfactor]

Utterly fascinating and USEFUL - what a great interview. Thanks!

[@AJBuckleybutnottheonefromcsi]

The last question confirmed allot I’ve been rolling around in my mind lately. Re: relationships vs. responsibilities vs. Life goals. I needed to hear it.

[@dr.strawberry5773]

what a brilliant mind, her analogies are so insightful, she must be an incredible teacher.

[@DaveToneMusic]

Absolutely super! One of the best discussions on music and the business of music I've ever heard, she's a gem. Hats of to Dennis too, his own deep interest and knowledge of the subject matter really helps his interviews to go into the deep stuff. Awesome!

[@PaulLeBlanc4u]

wow. What a great mind. Fantastic interview. Thanks to everyone who made this possible. Rewatchable.

[@Kamasutralovers]

Wow !! Thank you Ableton and thank you Susan Rogers for this amazing talk.

[@KancerKowboy]

Thank you soooooo much, Susan Rogers. Me and all my friends can't appreciate you enough for sharing all this information and especially memories of The greatest artist of our generation. You have given some of us some closure finally. Wish you the BEST :-)

[@tel5690]

Susan is a great example of someone who knows her craft. I could listen to her for hours. So many people have spoken of her highly. Her working with Prince is not only scratching the surface.

[@keithjackson4990]

Wow! I just ran into this interview last night. Absolutely delightful, informative and enjoyable. Kudos to Susan and the host/company.

[@katiaorgiana4135]

This woman... so brilliant ❤️

[@dragonballz4998]

Susan almost got me at 22:10. She loved him like the rest of us

[@chippy7745]

The sweet things she said about Prince, the man, was very revealing about who he really was. She gave him huge props for the way he operated and conducted his life. She has enlightened us about immensely about Prince. Really inspiring.

[@skygazer6898]

Excellent! So enjoyable and informative listening to Susan. Sign O The Times was for sure a masterpiece. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@Drumsmedia2024]

I Really Enjoy Hearing Members Of The Band Talk. They Are Honest Sincere And Clear When Talking About Their Experience With Prince. They Were There Making His Dream Happen. They Were The Best People He Could Find. They Were Also Gifted With Their Own Special Talents And Gifts. Thanks For Your Service And Your Sacrifice. The "Revolution" Was The 1st Prince Band That I Ever Saw. Mobile Alabama. 1999 Tour. Prince...Vanity 6...The Time...All Of Yall Are Badd...Gifted...And Great...

[@dinorivera9153]

God Bless KZbin and God Bless you too Susan! I learned more in 60mins with you than in so many years of school.

[@YuriPolchenko]

Beautiful talk. Thank you! Exactly - music is expression of life.

[@mourtezas]

Words of wisdom! Excellent talk!

[@motorbikeray]

In addition to Susan Rogers' talk about working with Prince, her answer to the last question asked before the session ended rang practical and truthful.

[@Lane91]

As a lifelong Prince fan first hand information like this is golden. I run to these articles, interviews. Makes me so happy :) Many thank you to her and those who bring these to the masses! We are so truly grateful!

[@miss.antidote]

This lady is the real deal! Thank you for the knowledge

[@jennraudman9802]

I am always thrilled to listen to her insight and stories. What an interesting woman!

[@gossamyr]

What an amazing interview! The honesty was so inspiring, ty Susan & Ableton

[@Digrient]

This is so brilliant (and I'm not even in the music business or the science). Such memorable experiences and things to learn. And she's so eloquent and passionate about her field. This is great. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@rafaelcarmany463]

Fantastic words of Wisdom, especially her very last statements. I love her honesty and humility. I have been recording since I was 10 (Church Choirs on little reel-to-reel machines). I am now 67. That's 57 years. 49 years in Professional Multi-Track Studios. What she has shared about this Little World is the Truth. I am very impressed.

[@cahenglish]

So many commenters have said it so well. I'll just add that I came away from watching this with a deep, fresh inspiration. Thank you!

[@ImHotStudio]

Excellent interview. I could listen to her talk all day--very insightful, smart woman.

[@peterroberts7684]

Susan Rogers is a Great teacher,you can see her passion,and she worked with what essentially is one of the greatest musicians of All time,(Prince💕),and she was part of a pivotal period of musical and cultural History..Prof Susan Rogers always informative and interesting..

[@goodingmusic]

This is just brilliant and so completely inspiring. This woman is a treasure and gave us some of the best records ever.

[@DocFaust]

Professor Rogers is an absolute pleasure to hear! I could listen for hours. I’ve been a fan of Prince since I was 6 years old. I knew of her as far as her name on the credits of the Prince albums she worked on, but once I saw one interview of hers I became an instant fan! Now I scour the internet for any and all things Susan Rogers!

[@modifiedcontent]

28:00 '... he would have made more creative art had he slowed down a little bit ...' - the biggest tragedy about Prince's unnecessary early death is that he was starting to open up and collaborate more in his last years, with MonoNeon and others. He could have moved into a new phase, in his 60s, 70s, 80s, become more like a jazz musician/composer, piano/guitar player. If he had quit dancing and jumping around in 1990, before he developed his hip and pain issues, he would probably still be alive. / If I Was Your Girlfriend was Prince's greatest single!

[@PolyQuasi]

All of this plus I was looking forward to seeing his hair get much longer

[@187onasimp]

🤣That part made me laugh. I mean he's Prince he lived and died an untouchable legend in Music. But who is he honestly going to slow down and work with that's on his level? Him and Michael had the same problem. Their musical genius was on such a different level no one else could understand it. I mean we all know Prince's hit now because they've become a staple but imagine being in that time when no one heard anything like that before.

[@shwsrvcs]

@@187onasimp right?! We can imagine only thru knowing the successes other artists had with songs he had written such as chaka khan - i feel for U tlc's - if i was your girlfriend, Sheena Easton - sugar walls, Bangles - Manic Monday, Alicia Keys - How Come U dont call me anymore, and Sinead Oconner - nothing compares 2 U, or better still, his live rendition with Rosie Gaines from the hits, the b-sides release... then again, with Sheila E - Love Bizzare, Glamorous Life, we caught a glimpse of his collaboration being possible. Of course there was his song with Madonna, which, have u heard that? my goodness, i wouldnt if u haven't.. actually.... check that out. it is what his work can be when it doesn't click with the other artist at all. one could say he collaborated with jesse johnson on the time debut album since he let jesse play the guitar his way on his solo's. but morris was prince, st paul was prince... mazarati was prince, vanity 6 was prince, the family was prince.. he was just so effing good at playing what he heard in his head, a skill many musicians may not develop, or if they do, only for a particular band or project.... this man, no... this talent was truly a gift and he utilized it well. Rest In Peace

[@PanicSurvivor]

"Quit dancing?" Fuck you. Prince was a TOTAL performer! He did what he did!

[@lindalamb7512]

I love sign of the Times

[@RBMedia323]

Breathtaking interview just listening to her genious

[@von_Apa]

For me... The best on KZbin for a long time! Thank’s❤️🎶

[@tobtomusic]

Great talk! Thank you! Music lives inside us.

[@tina8796]

I love Prince stories 💜

[@Cookefan59]

I think I just had a mind meld. This woman is articulate, brilliant and so grounded in herself. Prince was very lucky to have such a beautiful mind. I want to hear more and no more about her thoughts and experiences. Brilliant! Just Brilliant!

[@FantasticF113]

I came across this while searching for something else - and watched it from beginning to end. Susan is an amazing person and this is probably one of the most interesting videos I've seen on KZbin ;-)

[@MartinYamMoller]

Fantastic interview....fascinating

[@trashcan9001]

Amazing!!! beautiful insight!

[@sokoleski]

💚 Amazing talk...so inspiring !

[@vanessalouzon]

Excellent talk!!

[@triplebacon1]

Pick out the 'pearl's of wisdom' from Susan Rogers, watch to the very end because it's packed with them! An excellent talk ;-)

[@kenyrider]

i love what a serious person she is, while simultaneously being so inspired!

[@iterativeincremental]

Very, very enlightening. Way beyond the normal boring people sitting on these kinds of events.

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Sonicstate referred to this video. Great interview, thanks Sonicstate.

[@ellascott4497]

Impressive and genuine, Thank you Ms. Susan Roger's for this insightful discussion about Prince and musicology period. Thanks for the upload. And, stay healthy. 🇺🇸👍☕🍎🎸🎤😎

[@mywavesrecords]

That was a great interview. Thankyou Susan Rogers

[@NickPattison]

Amazing insights, thanks for sharing!

[@nupreznz]

Probably the only interview I've ever seen with clear answers one could wisen up to.

[@qwe1231]

Awesome interview!

[@rodreiquezattakhan1710]

She is so self aware and sees herself in reality as to why she can see life music for what it is…nice

[@domriderthefabulousdogsdel702]

The definition of one hour we'll spent, listening to this wonderful woman and feeling a little more intelligent at the end of the little voyage...

[@n.j.rihari1434]

Such a fantastic interview loved everything Susan had to say, supa interesting esp about what the expression of music is that its been growing inside from the get go and the easy part is getting it up and out of oneself through the hands, voice, brain and out into the world. Just a supa cool insightful talk from Susan Rogers so, thank you🙏🏼 💐💜

[@meganbjornson7471]

so good, thanks for sharing

[@dotpedro6120]

Dawg I don´t ever comment on youtube videos, but this shit was dope

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

yay!!!!!!! Geggy Tah!!!!!!! get the first album. Also thank you Abelton and Susan what a truthful and Brilliant person.

[@PatrickJWenzel]

This one is going straight to my favourites list

[@le_th_]

Susan Rogers is so interesting, I could listen to her talk all day. Her students must love going to lectures. Such an interesting woman.

[@lousekoya1803]

Thank you from Quebec !

[@FrankHerr]

Great, thoughtful answers by Susan Rogers, and kudos to the interviewer as well, who came well-prepared with excellent questions. Thanks for posting this (and thanks to Neko Case's tweet that made me aware of it).

[@Michael_Smith-Red_No.5]

Susan Rogers never ceases to amaze me.

[@sponger-49]

🔥🔥🔥 Fascinating! I Love the way this woman communicates!!❤️

[@FuzzbeeMorse]

What a brilliant woman. Really enjoying this!

[@Siri_Duffa]

This was a great talk!

[@Czechbound]

I could listen to her for hours. What an intelligent lady.

[@nuckelanmainsack4419]

Thanks Susan I needed that inspiration

[@purplesky5102]

Amazing! Thank You!💜✨☦️✨

[@nome5123]

I remember Prince played at Galludet College in my hometown Washington, DC. This is a deaf and mute school. The humanity of this guy could be extraordinary, but when I heard about his fights with his friends/musicians I was always confused.

[@danielcowan8673]

Prince was complex as we all are so maybe he wasn't afraid to let that complexity let loose in his personal relationships. Most of us suppress our complexity and try to present a false consistent image to people imo.

[@nome5123]

Sometimes God sees a child suffering and gives them a talent to deal with the world

[@danielcowan8673]

@@nome5123 I was going to say that he had a traumatic childhood getting kicked out as a young teen and this can affect trust issues in friendships/relationships.

[@michaelanthony2675]

@@danielcowan8673 This is a pretty solid take imo