1. Boot Camp

 


Confessions of a Studio Rat

One mans journey through a world of recording studios and musicians in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s – without a net!


Boot Camp (1970??)

It seems a very long time ago when I began my journey to becoming a Recording Engineer. In those there were no schools teaching it. If you wanted to succeed in the studio environment you would need a fairly complex skill set that cannot be taught in school. Recording schools came much later, but they were never a substitute for on-the-job experience. What we’re talking about here- music engineering- is such an esoteric craft; it’s a blending of science and art, but coupled with great ears, great patience and above all, a great sense of humor. These were all part of the ingredients list a candidate would need.

I was one of the lucky ones. I was brought on by some of the best engineers in the business, in a very well-known studio: A+R Recording, in New York City. We were routinely handling projects with some of the greatest names in the business, utilizing every conceivable type of recording setup. From a solo artist to a large orchestra, film soundtrack or television special, nothing scared us.

From the beginning, I was made aware of certain un-moveable rules to live by as a trainee that would form the cornerstones of my entire career.

·        * This is a Service industry. The client is King.

·        * Remove the word “No” from your vocabulary. Find a way to get it done!

·        * Always strive to be ready for the session one half hour before the scheduled start time. That means relaxing with a coffee, prepared in case a busload of unexpected musicians start filing through the door!

·        * As a Second (Assistant) engineer, it’s your job to know your Senior Engineer well enough to anticipate their needs and requests, from their favorite mic for a specific instrument to how he/she prefers their coffee!

·        * Get over yourself. It’s SO not about you!

It was a long apprenticeship working your way up (literally) from the tape library in the basement (where most newbies were made to start) to the studios themselves up on the 7th floor. I started out as a tape messenger, hauling client’s tapes and supplies on a hand truck between our two studio buildings, thru the streets of midtown Manhattan in the rain, snow, dark of night, whatever. I was the Studio Rat Postal Service!

Location: New York, NY, USA

Comments

  1. ZantadoraJanuary 17, 2023 at 6:07 PM

    I was there when you made the transition from tape librarian to set-up man (remember THAT term?), and you trained Masson to take over in the basement...it was a huge deal. What was your first big session? Was it the Ellie Greenwich album with Els? The Marlena Shaw dates with Donnie? Or was it "Oh, Coward!" with Brooks? Tell us more, Brad...tell us EVERYTHING :)

    ReplyDelete

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