#4 - Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, & Jessica Simpson Mix Engineer Tony Maserati

In the 4th episode of Pensado's Place, Dave Pensado is joined by legendary engineer and mixer Tony Maserati (Marc Anthony, James Brown, Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child, R. Kelly, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Mya, Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy, Jessica Simpson, Tupac, Jason Mraz etc.). This week's episode was devoted entirely to the passionate discussion between Dave and Tony regarding all things mixing and engineering. New plug-ins such as the Slate Digital FG-X and the Waves C6 were covered, as well as various mixing concepts, how Will.i.am is the poster child for the new breed of producer, and much more!. And as always, your questions from the chat room were taken in the "Corner Office" segment.


5:00 - Tony talks about embracing modern mixing techniques.

• Automation in the DAW
• Use of hardware inserts from DAW to Analog Gear.


7:00 - Dave asks Tony: what techniques do you use now with modern technology (DAW systems) that you use today?

• Frequency dependent compression (multiband compression)
• Compressing mid range and leaving bottom end alone and uncompressed.

11:40 - How would you treat a rap vocal (biggie) vs a pop vocal (beyonce)?

16:27 - How do you use automation in a unique way?

(Talk of automating every single parameter in a plug-in)

18:00 - "Will.i.am is the poster child for the new breed of producer"

Questions from the corner office:

20:16 - What are your thoughts on placing your bass in the mix?

20:18 - To level out vocals, do you prefer to automate or compress?

23:23 - What is your go-to analog compressor for vocals?

-Ballad: 1176
-Pop: Chandler Zener and Distressor

24:14 - Most often used plug-in?

• UAD vintage emulations
• Waves C4/C6

25:00 - What element do you start your mixes with?

27:10 - What goes on in your head from the moment you hear the rough mix till the moment you mix the song?

28:13 - For Tony: What is your approach to the mix buss?

Plug-Ins mentioned:

• Pendulum ES8 Comp/Limiter
• Slate Digital FG-X

29:23 - How do you pan vocal stacks?

33:18 - Who are your favorite mastering engineers?

37:55 - For Hip Hop or R&B, do you use reverb on the drums?

Category:

• Entertainment
• Learning & Education
• Science & Tech

Starring:

• Dave Pensado
• Herb Trawick
• Drew Adams

Produced by:

• Will Thompson

Tags:

• DAW
• Compression
• Beyonce
• Will.i.am
• 1176
• UAD
• Distressor
• Chandler Zener
• Waves C6
• McDSP
• Slate Digital
• FG-X
• SSL
• Neve
• SPL
• Transient Designer
• Waves
• Plug-Ins
• Pendulum ES8
• Notorious B.I.G.
• microphone
• API
• Avid
• Pro Tools 9
• Dave Pensado
• Tony Maserati

[klauth35]

How about making an entirely separate show called, "Into the Lair" where you actually put out, serious quality info, in it's entirety, and then you can save all the jokes, name dropping, and shenanigans for Pensado's Place;)

[ThisWeekIn]

@klauth35 We have all the ITL's as separate vids for you in our "Clips" section. Thanks for watching!

[Beast1333]

I'll continue asking for HD. Here, on youtube.

[thecitywalls]

I wonder if Herb was the main host and Dave was just like a side guy or sort of like another one of the producers interviewed.... i wonder if that would work better...

[MrVizionary2012]

I think it's the other way around, we thank you for giving US the opportunity to gain so much information from the mysterious mixing side of things.

[Nunsense3]

Great show, I am learning a lot and I have email my friends this link. I will like to email you a short version of my mix and you can advise me on what I’m doing wrong. I know I 'm asking a lot but you never know Dave, from watch you Dave you can be unpredictable. Please let me, this was a great show. Keeps it going? Thank you again.

[roevk]

This specific tune is actually impressive!

[thesamschummer2]

Hi Dave and Crew, House Music and the Sub Kick. Each layer that artists will use to drive that four on the floor into everybody's chest on the dance floor. So far I've come up with a top kick layered with a low end kick. Now the tricky part for me is bringing in that 1/8th not of Sub. I've had great sound by simply side chaining that 1/8th note sub to the top kick. But Im curious if yall might have other approaches...

[Anotherblackseason]

Regarding the battle between kick and bass another approach that I have read about is that if it's a melodic bass line and important to the song that should be the feature over the kick drum. I like this thought because it's musical not technical.

[Janandhisfiets]

Best show in the world

[madarchitectmusic]

Another vote for In The Liar being a separate show and not a mere clip. I think that's what most people want to see in detail...The interviews are great, but the info from that specific segment is the real platinum of the show.

[Customdigi]

Just when I thought "Mad Men" was my favorite show, I stumble upon this... :D

What an awesome service you are doing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, secrets, and occasionally, your wit! hehehe

[marcuelcajon]

Nice show but FUCK! let Tony talk.