'Thriller' and Beyond: Bruce Swedien's Life in Music

Grammy Award-winning engineer/producer Bruce Swedien provides an intimate look back at his legendary career, discussing his recording techniques and sharing audio clips from memorable sessions. Bruce's resume includes credits on albums from Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, and more.
Learn more at w.fullsail.edu/...

[@EFEYmusic]

When he said he will share everything he knows with love, it deserved a huge applause 👏❤️

[@Fabmus3]

RIP Mr. Bruce Swedien 😢

[@jazzsardinne7054]

What a legend!!! And if you think that he’s just old school just check out MJ’s “Butterflies” and “Heaven can wait” from the Invincible Album. Amazing!! Love you Mr Swedien - thank you for your contribution to music. You have touched our souls with your love for this art.

[@ANITACHEONG-em8mt]

With you

[@user-ci5nc1rz7z]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@globalcitizenn]

He was awesome.. wanted to hear more from him.. he knew Michael like a son.. RIP mr. Swedien.. gone too soon

[@noahwalford2990]

Nah he lived a full life

[@1959soalma]

Simply fantastic! What a great person is Bruce Swedien and incomparable professional! Loved to hear him talking with so much passion about his work... And how much he loved Michael Jackson!

[@ERIC_RENATO]

13:20 - I gonna cry too!

[@williamklimek9676]

Bruce was a personal teacher of mine some 47 years ago, for which I will be forever grateful. He stressed fundamentals, common sense, know the basics, and be thorough. Wish I had been more productive but it has always been a comfort to know I learned from one of the best.

[@b00ts4ndc4ts]

I have loads of his interviews saved on you tube in a folder and watch them over before I record anything with a microphone. I do it so his information is fresh and also his attitude somehow centres me before I start. They're the the tutorials you could possibly have.

[@b00ts4ndc4ts]

I have loads of his interviews saved on you tube in a folder and watch them over before I record anything with a microphone. I do it so his information is fresh and also his attitude somehow centres me before I start. They're the the tutorials you could possibly have

[@perryjohnson8213]

What an amazing human, so much love and respect for this man. Also, it’s about time that someone gets checked on the whole “AKS” issue here in America and zero ignorant pushback from ANYONE. It’s about time!! 🤣🤣

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

His attention to detail is interesting. His "what was your name again?" and following careful pronunciation of it, isn't in any way to make fun of people, but seated in a deep respect for each individual, and the precision of words. It's a glance into his meticulous nature. What lies at the heart of his craftsmanship.

[@AurheusAdoneus]

Thx Bruce, you trilled me all the time, I know about you. Your working from your heart, your intention and emotion. And you're a spiritual man. Thanks for your incredible work with Austin, Benson, Brothers Johnson, Michael McDonald, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra and others. LOVE

[@ANITACHEONG-em8mt]

Truly Michael is here forever presence cannot pretend or deny...out of this world. Bring tears to my eyes always. God bless.

[@JCKCPA]

If the "mix" makes you cry, then you did it right.

[@GRJLS.]

I had the honor of meeting him at Full Sail back in 2011, very happy to be part of FS

[@billithoumilli2952]

“Do the best you can no matter what. Always give 200% not just sometimes.” & “it’s about the music, nothing else.” Are two of the most important lessons I took away from this.

[@atak3332]

I love to listen to Mr Swedien's philosophy on music. So esoteric and you can feel how much he loves music. The greatest mixing and recording engineer is he.

[@leesimeone]

A beautiful man. You don't see many talented producers like him these days X

[@leesimeone]

ps take those earbuds out your ears and produce something amazing... x

[@conradmurray5850]

He’s an engineer though

[@AbdiPianoChannel]

Amazing people like Bruce are all gone.

[@darkchildilikeit59]

Oh boy I wish I could've been there This was really great This man with his history and an audience full of young people - glowing and thrilled, like I was. I think Michael was there and loved it

[@bigxrecords7375]

darkchildilikeit59 💯

[@maymayr9318]

RIP Bruce....lovely man :)

[@robertm2000]

I watched this, and I found that I could understand most of what Bruce was talking about! Even the stuff where he talked about feelings and personal responses. It's Bruce Swedien's whole attitude that is important.

[@philodanceophy.6554]

We will miss you sir! 🎩

[@marcorivao6164]

Wow i think i m gonna cry, thank you Bruce!

[@ANITACHEONG-em8mt]

With you

[@ronaldboykin9755]

Bruce is one of my favorite engineers, I taught myself audio engineering! I wish he could have talked more about his big band recordings! He also recorded George Benson’s album “Give Me The Night” produced by Quincy Jones!

[@issiewizzie]

amongst many recording

[@lfrriviera]

RIP! You are a huge inspiration!! Thanks

[@Tadaia]

I think after so many years of recording Bruce has learned what is really important. He could no doubt provide more technical responses, but it's likely that for most of those responses he could easily provide a contradictory response. It's not about 1+ 1 will always equal 2. Music is not a SCIENCE. It's an ART. Formal training can provide one with the tools to better implement their vision but it's the real and genuine "Love" for the music that allows you to hear, feel and sense to instinctively provide the appropriate solution. Experience, trial and error, and the diligence derived from the passion of that love is what brings success.

[@lepxs]

Great moment to listen to Bruce Swedien!

[@ReyHugoTelevision614]

GOAT engineer

[@albertarthurparsnips5141]

What a wonderful, legendary old bloke ! Love and respect, Bruce.

[@mychalsimmons4177]

FULLSAIL Thank you so much for this.

[@mahmoudsalem1]

What a genuine guy..r.i.p

Amazing person as well.

[@mats6022]

rest in piece really sad

[@NurtureProjectsMusic]

great Q&A session with one of the worlds greats engineers

[@powwow6886]

This was a great guy, what a soul.

[@Nakidim75]

Legendary!!! Thank you for sharing :)!!!!!

[@doubledable]

RIP Bruce

[@devmiles]

man this was awesome to watch .. what a great and special man!

[@basstian]

Magnificent.

[@Sujimon1]

Thank you Sir for being frank with us explaining your great experience. I am a hard core fan of your Mixes.

[@fullsailuniversity]

He exerts a significant influence within the industry! Undoubtedly an exceptional engineer and producer.

[@dorian4404]

What a man, what a career...

[@hugo1959]

This is amazing. Thank you.

[@themusicproducersblog2890]

Great interview. Gonna feature it on the blog

[@jasonjasonjasonjasonjason]

legend

[@sooesoss6063]

Cool stuff

[@oezdal1]

legend!

[@BeyondCashed]

I haven't watched many interviews on him, i figured their would be allot of MJ questions, but damn, he had some tired answers, just talking about basic stuff that any good producer/ engineer would know .... i'm sure he has been asked these questions allot and like he said he wasn't prepared.....now having watched the whole thing, i realize people where asking questions about technique and expecting technical answers, but in all reality it is just hard work and dedication!

[@erkicaplatz7212]

I bet a lot of the technical issues were dealt with by technicians. There is compression on thriller etc.

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

Beginners always think everything it technicalities. Bruce is right when he says it's all about the music and emotions conveyed.

[@probusexcogitatoris736]

I felt a bit sad watching this video. I recently watched a few interviews with him from 2008 and he was so much more focused and sharp. I guess, old age catches up with the best of us. Nonetheless, I feel sad that so much knowledge and experience is about to be lost.

[@mjkpmjkp9534]

I understand and grieve with you..but that's nature :(

[@donnythompson408]

I suppose I’m officially old, now. There’s a generation of young people who not only don’t know that Vincent Price was the narrator in “Thriller”, they don’t even know who Vincent Price is (was)... I’m a bit puzzled by the young audio engineer not knowing who Bernie Grundmann is, though. Mastering Engineers like him, and Bob Ludwig, Bob Katz..those guys are legendary... and still actively working. Maybe the most famous mastering engineer to young engineers now...is LANDR. 😜

[@MrMemyselfandi415]

Only this guy during this era could tell people to "ASK A QUESTION" not AXE a queshin and not be canceled. So awesome.

[@MADANTONIE]

que buena!

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

38:38 "Dave Pensado is my idol. I want to be like him, some day." - Be yourself, man! Do YOU. Be original. Be YOU. and: "Human Nature touches me deeply... What microphone did you use?" 🙀🤦‍♂️ - didn't you hear a word Bruce said, throughout the preceding half hour of wisdom? Use the mic that's right for source, when you listen to that source raw. Whatever made thta mic right for that singer, in those circumstances, for that song: won't make it right for anything else, by default. Use your ears. And heart. Go for the emotion.

[@mahircankucuk7016]

Dave Pensado puts so much on his mix buss, even multiple limiters that ruin dynamics. Only good thing I learned from him is his reverb buss processing, I'll give him that. Bruce Swedien on the other hand is no mistake, no misleading. Best of the best

[@julienhoudemon5924]

Music first forever

[@fullsailuniversity]

Music is important for the mind and soul! 🧡

[@allthingscreative1631]

I love how he didnt answer any of the questions lol but this was a great interview

[@bigxrecords7375]

He did then went into back story about it

[@allthingscreative1631]

@@bigxrecords7375 i dont think so but this was an awesome time I loved this get together with him

[@bigxrecords7375]

ms lyci wow I know this is random lol but you are soo beautiful

[@allthingscreative1631]

@@bigxrecords7375 thank u so much!

[@timned]

“Do the best you can”

[@goldenreel]

(Hardly) Any of these learning engineers are asking engineer questions. That’s either because they mostly all had bad questions, or bc this is Full Sail.

[@jordan17bliss]

Respectfully, it blows my mind that you got the chance to ask this legend ANYTHING you wanted and the you ask "what is your biggest oh crap moment" ?!?!! WTF

[@ronfrancois]

Claude, oh Claude.. The one pivotal event that you're looking for wouldn't have any equivalent in your paradigm of the business today. Later on it's obvious that it's Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. You get your shot and you take it.

[@asimhussain2344]

29:05 haha! He went there...

[@Underhills]

At 16:55 he's touching on volume. Perhaps he has tinnitus today without him admitting to that. I know a lot of people in the industry doesn't wanna admit it, perhaps they don't want anyone to know cause it could question their ability to preform or deliver a top product. I have tinnitus myself.

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

ventende I don't think he does. He has taken care of his ears and want others to do the same so they can sit there at 80, with hearing on par with other people at 80. Not damaged, due do high volume day after day.

[@ActuMoto]

Can we know the name of the song that was cut at 55:08 ?

[@jessechen4971]

wt's the w/ the empty seats =(

[@GetInThaKitchen]

"I hate compression... If you record your tracks right, you don't need compression" - Fucking hell yeah! Tell it like it is Bruce! Compression is a poisin to music engineering. Record it properly, automate, or get the fuck out of the recording business. Compression is for kids.

[@matrixate]

Actually, I think he means compression on vocals is a sin because you need compression applied to the final mix. How else does one add cohesion to a mix? Is this what you mean as well?

[@NicolaPanzer]

everyone is asking about MJ,ok understandably,but what about Duke,Herbie,Streisand, Jagger...Hello? 50:40 at last,someone (even if answered poorly) to at least bring it up. Poor thing most of the questions just cant answer, let alone expand on them. this talk is too long, only worthy thing he said was about minimizing sight sense stimulation when recording and listening to music, and the platitude,(though worth stressing over and over again) which is "music first",and no compression. Few mic names dropped but again not elaborated. It was also very interesting to learn that Quincy studied in France with person who taught Ravel. But I find it arrogant (regardless whether intentionally or not) from an engineer to answer every question with just "do the best job you can". I mean if all his knowledge is just passionate following of intuition (which of course cant be) then why be given such a long panel. I hoped to hear much more, he could have talked about the industry or recording process, or just life lessons and experiences. Maybe its just that hes very old at this point.

[@MrJacksonvill]

I disagree with you..his answers are concise because he lived it..the technical aspect of it..the students are already learning in the University..His answers are curt because of what he experienced..he's not successful for no reason..he is a business man as well. He also promoted his book..He was teaching them something right there,take your stakes up..Be about the music ,but be about your business as well. He cares about the Artists he worked with..thats he got the most out of them,All that other stuff,you have to go out there and do it.Every one's journey will be different. The reason why Michael is brought up,is because it was the most impressionable Artist of the 20th centry..He always answer with "respect the music"..he obviously did.Thriller became the Best selling album of all time..the recipie was simply respect the Artist and the music.What more you need to hear?

[@MrJacksonvill]

Listen to the essence of his answers..he answered the questions with truth..he says its not about the how many tracks recorded..basically saying stop being impressed with all that..ITS ABOUT THE MUSIC:::DO GOOD WORK::DON'T PLAY THE MUSIC TO LOUD:

[@justsupersteve]

"hey, no no no no no ... ASK" 😎😎😎

[@chuckfrost5624]

Bruce had worked on and off with Quincy Jones for over 50 years.

[@lazarwolftube]

17:21 Except for Trance

[@NirvanaNirvanaNirvana]

The host is also very shy

[@stillphil]

35:37 SLOW DOWN 47:12 49:10 SIMPLICITY

[@Lattenknaller04]

Compression is for Kids

[@pablocontreras4218]

AKS

[@busywl69]

"aks" lol. so funny.

[@basstian]

A literal show-stopping moment. Great.

[@retromograph3893]

Some of the questions were so bad, cringe-worthy......

[@MrJacksonvill]

some people look stupid trying to imitate Michael..but its okay he couldn't help himself.

[@scottmasson3039]

I love how spiritual and cosmically connected he is. Also….I’m pretty sure “MJ’s engineer” is one of the only white people on the planet who can correct a black person saying “aks”, and not get his ass beat. 😆

[@musicman2047]

I think he is a legend, but alot of his answers are somewhat vague.

[@conradmurray5850]

That guy could not dance lol

[@madbugger69]

Half of them are asking dumb questions

[@CeeStyleDj]

These kids are so unprofessional in the way they speak. I'm not an old man. I'm 34 but have some respect and tact. "uh, uh, nah, but what I mean though".

[@distinctisme-rocketleague4784]

+CeeStyleDj or they are nervous because they're talking to the Michael Jordan of their chosen career path. These are young college kids, give them a break. They obviously aren't doing it to be disrespectful. Not to mention, his unorthodox answers and tendency to pick apart their words for fun made a lot of them feel insecure in front of their classmates.

[@AdamSpade]

CeeStyleDj Some are foreign too so translating in their heads.

[@KingBlonde]

Also, fuck off with your "these kids" sentiments as if you're perfect.

[@beigela]

how can you be involved in recording and NOT KNOW Bernie Grundman!?! blasphemy!

[@mjyt8383]

Man, Bruce is a real genius, but just doesn't know how to answer questions! All of his answers are just plain out wrong!

[@PJ7]

... Well Bruce is an old man now, I'm sure everyone appreciates that he made the effort to come out & see them regardless ....

[@donwolfberg8419]

This guy goes to Full Sail and doesn't know who Bernie Grundman is . . go home

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

Don Wolfberg Spoken like a true academic 🙄

[@stillphil]

13:06 16:06 BOOM 18:04 20:05 READY 22:11 27:30 35:38 DO SOME MORE HOMEWORK

[@Marcsxx]

🤙🏿

[@summerlakes5045]

His answers are: record good music, listen to your heart, and give it your all. Sorry but is he going to give any of these kids an actual answer?

[@KingBlonde]

Nah lol, this generation doesn't need anymore handouts (ps I'm 24, I am that generation).

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

Maybe someday you'll understand.

[@heisenberg2729]

He never answers a damn question right. "whats the most important element in a mix".....DO THE BEST YOU CAN...lol

[@djfobtronics]

You're right but who cares. The guy is what 80 years old ish now? Give the master a break haha

[@the80386]

His ideas and philosophy flow way higher than your perception buddy. That's why you and many like you couldn't quite catch it. I understand perfectly what he meant by: "Doing the very best you possibly can and loving the craft is the most important element in a mix". Many newbies were expecting things like make sure you take out 2dB at 300Hz here and add 2dB at 8kHz there. These things don't matter anymore once you reach a certain point. From then on its just experience and ideas developed into a philosophy. It differentiates the great from the BEST.

[@Tazmanian_Ninja]

80386 Exactly!!! Well spoken!