Mixing masterclass with CLA

Brett - K A L I S I A

Brett - K A L I S I A

Dreaded Moderator
Feb 26, 2004
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Hey guys,

This summer I'm gonna attend a mixing masterclass (on an SSL 4072G+) with the almighty Chris Lord-Alge (if you don't know this name, get out of here). Preparing for it (so that I don't ask questions I could find an answer online - like "how did you get started" or "what is your favorite compressor for vocals"), I'm having a few questions lined up for him.

Have you guys got some questions you would like me to ask if I get the chance to?
 
since i found that problem of what is a "good" question interesting.....spontaneus:

How many weight does he give on the fact that he started so early? or alternative
How much is talent and how much experience?
 
I saw him a few weeks ago giving a talk and he really didn't give away much about his techniques. He likes to use the board's EQ with outboard compression because he doesn't like the way outboard EQ reacts with the board, he starts automating almost immediately as he listens to the song, he'll mix 500-600 songs a year, and he frequently refers to himself as "CLA". He did an interview with SOS (I think) about mixing My Chemical Romance's "Black Parade" which does a pretty good job discussing his workflow and setting up each song to mix.
 
deadbull said:
- His go-to tools for the "snap" in his snares (they almost all share a similar characteristic)

- Masterbuschain: Red3 and Shadow Hills mastering Comp together? How much GR?

- Monitoring Setup: Which amp for the NS10s, how is loud is the infinity sub set along with the monitors?
Use of mains for mixing?
NS10s and Sony boombox for which listening tasks?
Never thought about upgrading to/testing more high-end mixing speakers (dynaudio, event opal)?

- How much referencing during the mixing process?
If so, to his own stuff, or other reference LPs?

- How much headroom left in the final mix for the ME?
Click to expand...

-Neve 2264 on limit (1db) or distressor
-Red3 or shadow depend of the song. 2db GR max on the red3 (kissing the red for quoting TLA)
-Yamaha P2200 with original ns10
ns10 for everything
Boombox monitor off 2bus out (since you only have 2 out from the mini amp: main and aux), used more as a vibe control.

-no reference outside thr rough after mixing

-headroom question: standard 4000 mixing so offline trim when bus max out and converter trim as usual. Peak around -6dbfs max as everyone.
 
Mikaël-ange;10298916 said:
-Neve 2264 on limit (1db) or distressor
-Red3 or shadow depend of the song. 2db GR max on the red3 (kissing the red for quoting TLA)
-Yamaha P2200 with original ns10
ns10 for everything
Boombox monitor off 2bus out (since you only have 2 out from the mini amp: main and aux), used more as a vibe control.

-no reference outside thr rough after mixing

-headroom question: standard 4000 mixing so offline trim when bus max out and converter trim as usual. Peak around -6dbfs max as everyone.
Click to expand...

Thaaaaaaaaanks Chris :tickled:
 
DavePiatek said:
I always wonder about his sample generation workflow. Does he let his assistants print samples before the mix? etc...
Click to expand...

yeah he's got 1-2 guys who do all the prep work. samples, any editing or tuning (he'll be pissed if this needs to be done), plus pre mixing/summing all the tracks from the session down to about 44 tracks on his dash machine. Then there's also some pre processing I believe.

I'd be really curious to know his perspective on parallel processing (not just compression) and also his overall ideas on compression in general. He squashes shit to death but it always sounds incredible and huge.
 
I'm not really sure he squashes things that hard, I heard him say something like that: "I hear people say that CLA compresses his drums so hard it's crazy, etc, but that's not true! Sometimes I don't even compress them at all."
 
I think I saw that same interview Brett but I think it's a bit dubious... I haven't heard a single recent record of his where the drums didn't have any sort of compression on it, some of them banging quite hard... I find it hard to believe to be honest! I really don't care if it's the truth or not, everything he does sounds amazing!
 
Could very well be! That is most likely the case.

I'm really super jealous Brett, how is the programme on that? How long are the sessions, how long can you actually spend time with him, face to face, etc?
 
Good stuff, Brett.

- I'd be curious how he stages his processing - whether he's EQing into his compression chains or vice versa.
- Would be good to ask whether he mostly uses the bass DI track for low-end, or whether he relies on the amp or any special 'tricks' to achieve his low-end.
- Does he automate his lead vocals section by section, line by line, or syllable by syllable?
- He mentions never messing with the mids on distorted guitar tracks. How does he get around the 'junk' in the amp? Is it solely through boosting judiciously?
- Above all I think we'd benefit most from learning his techniques on vocal processing - he's just about unmatched in this area.
 
Brett - K A L I S I A said:
I'm not really sure he squashes things that hard, I heard him say something like that: "I hear people say that CLA compresses his drums so hard it's crazy, etc, but that's not true! Sometimes I don't even compress them at all."
Click to expand...
As TLA he squashes when he get something over cooked, but you need to over ride for re create dynamics.

Ermz said:
Good stuff, Brett.


- Does he automate his lead vocals section by section, line by line, or syllable by syllable?
- He mentions never messing with the mids on distorted guitar tracks. How does he get around the 'junk' in the amp? Is it solely through boosting judiciously?
Click to expand...

Automation: He already answered that on a video. If you need to go with endless trim over trim that a sign something is wrong for start with. His move are section by section or line by line.

Gtr: when you mix ITB, shit stick out;)
Try to record gtrs through neve pre (sometimes with tape), and mix through an 4K feed by a 3348 printing back to tape. Instand de junking package...

Brett - K A L I S I A said:
I don't think I'll be "face to face" with him, it's a 1 day only (9am-7pm) masterclass with limited attendants but I think we'll be 25 or something...
Click to expand...

From what I know it's a face to face (as Chris wanted, he mention it on audiofanzine interview btw).

Like this:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxlKR-C_fag"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxlKR-C_fag[/ame]
 
i wached to 03:30 and keep hope for the "masterclass"......probably one should just ask...curious of what he would say.....
 
Btw, for add a little about vocal automation. He don't ride vocal on top of the mix but instead he ride the mix (all instrument) around the vocal.
 
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