[VHS] Recording With Bruce Swedien (1997)

01. What Advice would you offer the aspiring engineer/producer? (05:55)
02. Microphone Techniques (10:05)
03. Recording Piano (12:20)
04. Bass Recording (14:00)
05. Acoustic Guitar Recording (16:14)
06. Ribbon Microphones (19:03)
07. Vocal Recording (22:14)
08. Synthesiser Recording (23:49)
09. Backing Vocals (28:56)
10. Using Microphone Techniques as a tool (30:37)
11. Choral Recording (32:50)
12. Electric Guitar Recording (42:57)
13. Digital vs Analogue (44:46)
14. Multi-track Multiplexing (46:49)
Resgatando algumas antigas fitas VHS. Ative as legendas automáticas do KZbin.
Rescuing some old VHS tapes. Turn on automatic captions on KZbin.
"When Bruce Sweden talks, the industry listens. Here-s a rare opportunity to learn from the one of recording's great masters. Don't miss it!" (George Petersen, Editor, Mix Magazine)
Bruce Swedien has recorded the biggest-selling music of all time, and has won Grammy Awards for "Best Engineered Recording" for Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), and Dangerous (1991), and also for Quincy Jones' Back on the Block (1990) and Q's Jook Joint (1996).
Here-s your chance to spend some time with Bruce in the studio as he describes the techniques he has developed recording a wide variety of artists - Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Donna Summer, Natalie Cole, George Benson, The Chi-Lites, Missing Persons, James Ingram and many others.
Learn how to record true stereo images using stereophonic microphone techniques to capture three-dimensional sound.
Copyright 1997-1998 Palefish Enterprises Inc.

[@richardjones7599]

05:55 What Advice would you offer the aspiring engineer/producer? 10:05 Microphone Techniques 12:20 Recording Piano 14:00 Bass Recording 16:14 Acoustic Guitar Recording 19:03 Ribbon Microphones 22:14 Vocal Recording 23:49 Synthesiser Recording 28:56 Backing Vocals 30:37 Using Microphone Techniques as a tool 32:50 Choral Recording 42:57 Electric Guitar Recording 44:46 Digital vs Analogue 46:49 Multi-track Multiplexing

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Nice! Thank you. Fixed on top 👍🏽

[@ivnsports518]

good job! 16:14 Spanish / classical guitar instead

[@tomburton8645]

Nice one man

[@hostileporpoise]

@@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinemat t

[@thetruthchannel349]

28:28 = If you don't have the luxury of a suitable room but you do have some decent mics you can re-amp in a room lacking ambience and just add a small room reverb on an aux. Its really the mics that are adding the color anyway.

[@Rohme.33]

Beyond the educational value, there is something therapeutic about watching him set up microphones.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😄

[@vanessa.loves.christ]

RIP Bruce ! 🙏🏽❤️ 1934-2020 🌟

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😢

[@crnkmnky]

*WHAT!?* dang. 🌹💐 M.I.P. Mix in Paradise, Bruce. 🎧

[@_P_M_]

I didn't know we lost him. Bruce used to hang out at an internet forum I frequented and talk music and recording techniques with us. I was always frustrated with myself that I never knew the questions to ask or feel like I fully understood his answers. He was incredibly passionate about music and recording. He had a lot of great stories.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Sounds like a good experience. What was the forum? Gearslutz?

[@_P_M_]

@@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema No, this was Harmony. Craig Anderton's forum.

[@Beebo]

Oh no. This is such terrible news. Bruce Swedien died on 16th November 2020. I first watched this video a few days ago when he was still alive. Thank you for all the recording tips Bruce. You will be dearly missed. RIP 😔

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

RIP 😔

[@jordanalia4595]

Yeh you'd think the media woulda reported this considering all the legends this man worked with. THey did the same when Little Richard passed. Shame on them IMO

[@MacReviewzOnline]

oh my goodness...no!! :(

[@cyorkgo]

The art of this type of engineering is long behind us and it shows in todays recordings. I have sat in on many sessions for the last 35 years and have attended more than 500 live concerts. This is not a crap on this generation because as Bruce said, you have to have a benchmark to set a standard and unfortunately the bar has been set so low today. With taking music and music classes out of most public schools our children don't even know the difference between live drums and drum machines. This tape should be shown in every music class and you new-school teachers should be the first to learn from it. RIP Bruce .. we will continue the your legacy for as long as we can. You and Q were a remarkable team!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Wise words. 😌

[@asolitaryblueband]

Actually, the reality is much worse. This generation's music is all about being creative with what we can afford, which is jack shit. For example, the last rock movement was the stadium indie stuff 10 years ago, which immediately fizzled out into indie pop when the market crashed. Instruments, amplifiers, practice space-- it becomes prohibitively expensive when you don't even know if you'll enjoy it. Or you could just pick up the Ableton Suite, which comes with everything you need for under $1k and hone your craft on some beep boop tunes. We're broke!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😕

[@ReggieSears]

@@asolitaryblueband come on dawg... let’s look at it like this- cheap guitar or bass guitar- less than 100 USD. Cheap guitar/bass amp- less than 100 USD. Cheap synthesizer- less than 200 USD Cheap drum kit- less than 250 USD Cheap electric drum kit on craigslist or marketplace- less than 300 USD Beginner saxophone- less than 200 USD Cheap audio interface- less than 200 USD Cheap microphone- less than 200 USD Daw- there are free ones Music theory- FREE. The internet, KZbin, ect While there are some households that can not afford these, there are way more that can afford at least one of these things if wanted. Try another excuse for lack of instrumentation in this generation.

[@asolitaryblueband]

@@ReggieSears We don't all live in houses, so you forgot the recurring practice space cost. Believe me or don't, but it's not gonna put more instrument-based music into people's ears. The youth of today are not fundamentally different from any other period in time. It's just a rapidly changing world.

[@mikecortson1884]

I got to work with Bruce quite a lot in the 1970s back in Chicago. He was a wealth of information and am better for that experience.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

You are a very luck man! 👏🏽

[@imagesofgod8357]

Great so what do u do??engineer ??🙏🙏🚶

[@mikecortson1884]

@@imagesofgod8357 yes, I engineer and produce.

[@imagesofgod8357]

@@mikecortson1884 cool..in what state?🙏

[@mikecortson1884]

@@imagesofgod8357 Michigan now. I retired here.

[@deebaker4671]

Bruce was a musical genius. and left us with timeless incredible recordings. Thank you Bruce and Rest in peace !!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Rip

[@messybuttons7525]

Bruce was an incredible person. He loved teaching, and would take the time to answer questions from everyone he met who had any interest in audio. When people didn’t agree with his methods he would say “Excellent. If we all agree this would be so boring.” He truly loved his work and loved to see the creativity in others. He deserving of the title Legend

[@wesleywayne303]

What a wonderful assessment of disagreement… beautiful dude.

[@talkswithvigy7860]

This man played and important part in MJ's career, what a talent! Rest easy and hope your mixing up there too.

[@fender1000100]

He was the genius behind a genius. RIP. Michael and Bruce. You can remix for eternity now.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

RIP

[@noblesonconsulting2314]

and ROD TEMPERTON ,Q IS THE LAST OF THE BIG 4

[@bontempo1271]

I love how he made a demonstration song for this video and it's stunning. This was 1997 but he made those artists sound like golden era 80s in that studio. RIP old boss

[@rekocastren923]

Thanks so much for sharing this! His talks on recording Michael Jackson got me hooked, great guy. Love his low-key humour and the knowledge is deep!

[@mattdawg83686]

A master and legend. RIP Bruce.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Undoubtedly one of the best!

[@melvinpruitt3907]

This was one of the people in the entire world that I wanted to sit down with and pick his brain. Bruce was a pioneer in engineering. He was phenomenal at what he did. His microphone techniques were one of a kind. God rest you Mr Bruce Swedian.🎵

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

He was one the greatest, with no doubt

[@tomburton5500]

I agree entirely

[@deebaker4671]

A genius at his craft !!! I would have liked to sit with him also. RIP Bruce !

[@melvinpruitt3907]

@@deebaker4671 Trust me, I understand

[@melvinpruitt3907]

His work with the RNB group the Chi-lites back in the day was stellar to say the least.

[@BasilJoseOfficial]

6:03 Golden piece of advice "Get out and hear Live Music in a good Acoustical situation"

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Absolutely

[@dangruner5926]

100%

[@lesvg87]

I love Bruce Swedien! I'm also forever grateful for the incredible way he engineered MJs music and his part in creating the most influential music and (sonic)sounds in HIStory.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Bruce’s work is reference for me too. 🙂

[@brucenicoll4373]

Yes yes and yes

[@jesabel62]

R.I. P. BRUCE 🙏 The greatest Sound Engineer .You will be missed by many 😔

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😢

[@crnkmnky]

@@JP-ci3pp Swedien is from _Swedeen?_ 😁🌹

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🇸🇪

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🇸🇪

[@ZymixProductions]

So glad I had the opportunity to be in the Studio with him. 🔥🔥🔥 RIP Brucee. Music First

[@MoKingSr]

During my career setting up studios for people, this was the one clinic I wish I could've set up. One of my favorite books is his Make Mine Music. Rest well, friend. I never got a chance to meet you, but you made me a better engineer. Thank you.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🥲

[@davidmarais1048]

Loved this man. He will live on through eternity in the incredible musical productions he left with us.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😌

[@slimpyman]

This dude almost sounds like the most serene passionate guy ive ever witnessed

[@richardharmon9596]

One of the most AMAZING videos i have EVER seen . I learned sooo much from this , especially coming from one of the greatest mix engineers the world has ever heard , the Great and Amazing Bruce Swedien !!! Oh do i wish i could have learned directly from him personally !!! What an Honor and a Treat this has been . I will play this over and over . Thank You !!!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Agreed 👍🏽

[@Dvfacu]

This is just pure gold, thanks for sharing and R.I.P master Bruce!

[@Fabmus3]

RIP Mr. Bruce Swedien You Will Be Missed 😥

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😢

[@MegaEpstein]

I have no words to describe my excitement of this video. This man was a true genius

[@lsd2024]

This video should definitely have way more views. Bruce is a beast and I’ve been studying him for years. My mentor in engineering school put me on to him years ago and I’ve been a fan ever since. Much respect to him and thank you for this priceless gem you’ve uploaded🙏🏽

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

I also have a lot of admiration for his work.

[@RealHomeRecording]

It now has a.lot of views!

[@dorianreu]

What a master he was! Thanks for your amazing work R.I.P.

[@shompy12]

I love how he describes the Equipment and techniques very free of jugement he describes it as colors or character and that one is just different from the other. Also it is hilarious how the Piano recording suffered from the VHS quality badly this hit me very unexpectedly 😂

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😁

[@deebaker4671]

I would have loved to sit with this man and just soak in all the knowledge. He totally thought out of the box !!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

👍🏽

[@danmcbmusic]

Too good! RIP Maestro of the Microphone, and ... thank you for the music ❤️

[@sampledude8846]

I had this on VHS, absolute gem.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

That’s nice, I bought mine on Amazon, I think it was in 2002 or something like that.

[@FabianGia]

A true legend and amazing human heart, thank you Bruce for teaching us about sensibility and emotions in sound. God bless you, R.I.P.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😌

[@Jjf109nine]

Thank you so much for this wonderful upload. One of the best!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

It is a great class, I would love to see a mixing class from him.

[@lyxsoundstudio7474]

it humbles me so much to watch this i have tremendous respect for the man and all of his recordings

[@HIGHHOPES]

Thank you for uploading this! I've been looking for it for years. This man is an absolute legend and will down as one of the greatest to ever do it R.I.P.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

I think this class can not be forgotten on some olds VHS tapes.

[@cindymarin-matholaz9984]

Thank you for sharing this gem, Bruce rules!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Thanks for watching. 👍🏽

[@CodyCleggMusic]

One of the most influential mix engineers in my audio life. This is such a treasure. Thanks for sharing!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

He was one of the greatest!

[@symph1744]

This is gold! Thanks for uploading!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

:)

[@HiPhonProductions]

Thank you for posting this and thank you Bruce for being a long time inspiration. R.I.P.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😌

[@JM-jd6wj]

Thank you for sharing. This video is a gem!! Bruce is by far the 🐐.. RIP 🙏🏽🕊

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂

[@dagb7271]

So interesting video. He really goes to the root of how you perceive a sound source and how to enhance that in a musical context. Yes, rest in peace Bruce.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Rip

[@tonylewis3472]

MAN- I LOVE THIS DOCUMENTARY. TRUE MASTER AND INSPIRATIONAL TEACHER. THANKS YOU.

[@hummarstraful]

25 years later and the techniques are the same. I love the older engineers. i think that is where it's at. People are still using the same mics today. RIP Bruce. You're amazing legacy is still blessing the world.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

It is a bless to learn a bit of his techniques and approach. He was a truly master.

[@yoyoyo243]

Whatta treat. Thank you for posting

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

You’re welcome! Thanks.

[@geme16862]

Hey Ricardo, thanks so much for sharing this video with us! Awesome!!!!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

thank you!

[@kpbenoit]

Amazing! I had this old VHS and lost it to time many years ago. Have thought about it from time to time and just rediscovered it via this upload. Brings back great memories. I still use plenty of these techniques I learned here for the first time. Thanks for uploading!

[@csilt]

This is pure gold, I can't believe I haven't seen this before. Thanks so much for posting!

[@TheGARCK]

Thanks so much for uploading this!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

You’re welcome

[@izziOnBass]

This is GOLD! Thank you for uploading. This knowledge you won't get from anywhere!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Thanks, you’re welcome

[@saltersbdavisiv5430]

This was good and informative... thank you for this... RIP Bruce Swedien

[@albertocavazos7619]

Thanks a lot for share this incredible video. Have the oportunity to see Mr. Bruce Swedien working in the studio is priceless.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂

[@dangruner5926]

WOW. Thank you so much for sharing this. I was captivated throughout the whole video. Feel a massive source of inspiration. Have some (small) recording projects coming up and will be thinking of him. Thanks again! :)

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Nice! Good luck on your project!

[@tommoranofficial]

So grateful this is here on KZbin. Thank you!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂

[@marcusdolby1]

I’ve been using that Audio Technica 4041 on acoustic guitars since the 90s. It’s simply stunning and beats mics costing 5 times as much.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

AT have good mics

[@TheShpmusic]

Awesome content, I enjoyed watching every bit of it. Awesome..

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Indeed! 👍🏽

[@themoregoodmusicstudio3294]

Gracias por subirlo y compartir esta joya😎

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

: D

[@tundramusicproduction]

Thankyou for uploading this beautiful video

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

He was the master. Thanks for commenting

[@sonic2me-270]

I watch this almost every week, this guy was a genius. R.I.P

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

It’s so nice he made this class on that time. It was the Mix With The Masters from the 90s.

[@Sujimon1]

Oh Sir, So kind of you explaining all Mic technics and the way you mixing those takes. I’m a hard core fan of your works so much loving your Mix Mastering and like to follow your methods.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

He is a legend! The man!

[@SAZIZMUSIC]

Thank you very much for uploading this incredible video 😊☺

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂👍🏽

[@Alloneword-cp2xw]

RIP Bruce. You can record with Michael all you want now. Just remember, no compression!!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂

[@PianoGesang]

Not funny because you are still alive

[@bryanb30]

This entire video is very touching! ❤ Such care and love for the craft and talent. 👍🏿

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

He was the best

[@kanedmx]

Thx for priceless information Bruce Swedien sir.Died:16 November 2020/R.i.p

[@tickedoffsheikh8587]

Salute to a legend that made legends. His trademark sound and craft has been beautifully and eternally captured. He has now moved on to a higher calling... May his soul rest in peace... 1934-2020.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Nice words. RIP

[@tickedoffsheikh8587]

@@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema thanks bro for uploading this video.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂👍🏽

[@CurtisGabrielMusic]

I wish I there was a full quality version of the song knocking around somewhere, that would be amazing. Thanks for sharing this, great video.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

True!

[@QuantizeAudio]

Obrigada por essa preciosidade, Ricardo!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Obrigado, Karen, por ajudar a manter viva a memória de um dos maiores seres humanos da nossa profissão. As gravações e mixagens dele são referência pra todos nós e nunca serão esquecidas.

[@bullfunkstudios3856]

Thanks for this awesome video RIP Bruce Swedien

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

You’re welcome. RIP master Bruce

[@IndultoRec]

que video foda, obrigado por postarem

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Valeu!

[@JankoFrancisty]

A true master of his craft. 👏🏻 Watch, learn and listen kids !

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

True!

[@morbidmanmusic]

Kids? how about condescending adults...?? All you needed was the first half of that!!

[@javiergarciavicente231]

Fantastic video, thanks for sharing!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

You’re welcome

[@patrickkreman5424]

Rest In Peace Master.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

RIP 😔

[@jimmorrisoncold]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

You’re welcome

[@bob4analog]

2:13 "Built an illegal radio station." Love it! That's how I got my start. RIP Bruce!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Everyone has a start 🙂👍🏽

[@rewind2play]

Brilliant video, so much interesting information for inspiration..

[@jazmanaut]

Thank you for this recording.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

You’re welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@mimidhof2179]

Fantastic, thank you, this was still relevant for mic technique and mixing vocal source technique.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

You’re welcome

[@IrnBruNYC]

This is a great artifact, because it was filmed when the record making business was just beginning a huge inflection point: hard disk recording (Pro Tools) was starting to become dominant, analog was dying out, and Auto-Tune would soon begin appearing on records. Even though the recording studio I have in my bedroom is in many ways superior to the one Thriller was recorded in, I am fascinated by the age of really expensive recording studios and top-notch session musicians.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

I love the big studios with giant SSL consoles… I hope they become reality again one day

[@hai15]

Rip Bruce Swedien 🙏 Great vid. Thank you

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🥲

[@applecider]

thank you for sharing!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂👍🏽

[@BLACKBIRDBBM]

he is a legend , ""compression is for kids " lol

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Classic! 😄

[@peterjones9366]

Classic comment, but you need to understand it in context. He himself admit that he used compression on MJ his vocals. I think he means don’t fuck the beauty of the sound up with compression. At the end, only God know.

[@d.friessoundandvideo2943]

​@@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema Great video. Bruce mentions that microphone techniques is a huge subject and will be a whole tape in this series. Does that mean there is a full series of videos? Would love to see them all. Thanks for sharing.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

I don't know if there are other classes

[@kbm4067]

where does he say that?

[@echopathy]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂👍🏽

[@bachelorgamer8001]

amazing thank you for posting

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂👍🏽

[@soubatis]

muito bom. Obrigado por postar

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Valeu 👍🏽

[@danepaulstewart8464]

A PILLAR in the world of music recording!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

He was the best

[@SPLMixing]

what a shame this is all in mono!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

It was a mistake made by the person who did the transfer from VHS to DVD-R for me like 20 years ago. Unfortunately.

[@cassetteo]

Just put Wider on it

[@nicoeleich]

@@cassetteohahahahaha

[@Hexspa]

Just goes to show how important mono-compatibility is.

[@kickass1437]

I’m dying inside

[@andyanderson527]

Absolutely fascinating.. I've learned SOOOO much watching this...

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Me too, I think it’s a great opportunity to learn from him.

[@anthonycarson2628]

Love this and will retain and use some of techs you shated! RIP Sir!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

RIP

[@kollusion1]

Greets Ric. This guy certainly knows which mic will get the job done. Cheers for the up.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😀 👍🏽

[@GRJLS.]

Thanks for this

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

You’re welcome!

[@kagisorams898]

thank you so much

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂

[@DjShtolz]

Wise sweetheart of soul this guy is🤟🏻

[@andrewwalls2329]

Brilliant masterclass. MPLS represent

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

It’s great learn something from him.

[@brucehathcockmusic]

I learned so much from this so good RIP dude.

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🥲

[@DJTableturner]

Thank You, Ricardo!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

You’re welcome

[@kinadabambino6872]

He so passionate! I would've loved to have been in the same room to hear all this great info! Rest in peace Bruce❤

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

I would loved that too

[@recordman555]

Watched this in class, 1st semester, Recording, at American River College. Thank you, Dr. Merlyn van Regenmorter!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Wow, nice experience

[@tiekumark]

this video is a priceless resource

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

It is!

[@MowerMan]

Rest In Peace Bruce. Thanks for everything

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

😌

[@3cnbProd]

thank you ! love

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

🙂

[@jacksonpinheiro]

Muito! Muuuito Obrigado!

[@ricardofelixaudiomusicacinema]

Valeu, Jackson!