Posted by Michael on March 11, 2009 under Misc | 
What is this website all about?
I’m a music producer, engineer and songwriter with a recording studio in Times Square, the heart of New York City.. My personal and professional life are so blurred, that it seemed to me best to incorporate them into one website.
Here, at different times, I will shed light on the recording and creative process as well as write some personal articles, reviews, etc… The relationship between an artist and their producer is an extremely personal one, so perhaps here you may get to know me a little better and decide if I might be a good match for you as an artist.
Read more of this article »
Posted by Michael on January 12, 2010 under Reviews |
Why are people always complaining that music isn’t as good as it used to be. I think this decade featured some very fine music. I’ve seen a lot of lists that are so indie it hurts, and a lot of albums hailed not so much because they are *enjoyable* and more because, well, they AREN’T.
My top albums of the decade are diverse, and there a couple lesser known titles, but many of those were a bit bigger across the pond. Some trends I like? A couple oldsters put out their best work in years, some new people broke innovative ground, and others bucked the system… and it made for some compelling music.
I’m actually quite anal about rating and ranking my albums. I have four categories that I rate 1-10, resulting in a possible 40 point total. The categories are: (S)ONGS – How good is the songwriting? (P)RODUCTION – How much detail, how much punch… did the producer/engineer succeed to the fullest? (M)USICIANSHIP – How is the vocal quality, instrumental players, arrangement, etc… (C)OHESIVENESS – The most subjective, does the album flow well, do the songs combine to form a whole that is greater than the sum of it’s parts?
If you like popular music, and you are unfamiliar with any of the albums I talk about, I urge you to run out right now and get it, because you’ll be in for a treat! So without any further ado, let me begin the countdown. Read more of this article »
Tags: 1 Giant Leap, Alicia Keys, Anastacia, Coldplay, Depeche Mode, Dixie Chicks, Eve 6, Green Day, Justin Timberlake, Keane, Lady Gaga, Michael Buble, Mika, Muse, Pink, Prince, Radiohead, Robbie Williams, Scissor Sisters, The Script
Posted by Michael on December 6, 2009 under Misc |
The traditional recording slow season is here, but if you are ready to record, that can mean some great deals for you!
For any size music recording project:
Start by Jan. 20th – 20% off Production Fees - Fully Booked
Start by Feb. 20th – 15% 0ff Production Fees – Only 1 spot left available. Available after Feb 2nd!
Start by March 20th – 10% off production Fees
Call me at 646-345-3433 to set up your FREE, no-obligation consultation to discuss your project, goals and budget.
Space is limited, and these offers will be pulled when I am close to full, so act now!
Posted by Michael on November 24, 2009 under Misc, Reviews |
Posted by Michael on November 13, 2009 under Misc, Recording Tips |
The Death Of Mistakes Means The Death Of Rock – Monitor Mix Blog : NPR.
This article is a must-read! But I have to state, just because we CAN make things *perfect* doesn’t mean we HAVE to. I believe I find a good balance in my recordings of cleaning up what needs to, but leaving in the imperfections that help make the heart of a recording! This goes for ALL genres, not JUST rock!
Posted by Michael on October 31, 2009 under Misc |
As a music producer, I tend to have two kinds of clients: Clients who want to record a fell album and Clients who work on one (or a few) songs at a time. There are aspects I enjoy about both approaches. After all sometimes I want a snack, and sometimes I want a good meal. However, in this post I won’t get into all the ridiculously bad-for-you food that I enjoy, and focus on the elements of a good meal.
Just like a perfect meal takes thought and preparation, so does a great album. I love the additional puzzle-work that comes with producing an album, and I’d like to share some of my insights into what I think makes a good album.
1. Not Every Song Should Be a Single: Okay, not all genres are chasing “radio hits” but there are still “hits” in all genres. But an album that does nothing but go after hit after hit is boring. There is a stigma to the words “album cut” and there shouldn’t be. A great album cut is song that appeals to the artists true fans, and perhaps not EVERYBODY in the world. Perhaps it is lyrically more sophisticated or musically adventurous, or a number of other things, but great album cuts are what makes a great album. How many “singles” did “Dark Side of the Moon” have? Read more of this article »
Posted by Michael on September 28, 2009 under Personal |
David Hyde Pierce in the vocal booth.
“Frasier” is my favorite TV show of all time. This is in no small part to David Hyde Pierce who brought an amazing mix of honesty, empathy and an uncanny knack for physical comedy to his role of Niles Crane that won him FOUR Emmy awards (and 7 more nominations). He was the straight man to Frasier Crane’s antics, except apparently no one told him to be the straight man!
He has since turned his gifts to the Theatre, winning a Tony Award in the process. And he participated on the BMI, “No More Revivals” CD I am producing and engineering.
To say it was a bit surreal having him recording in my own studio would be a bit of an understatement. The fact that I was giving suggestions and tips to someone whose talent I have been in awe of for years… the feeling is indescribable. The fact that he incorporated pretty much all of my suggestions and wrapped them up in a truly fantastic vocal performance feels like more than I could have ever asked, but it is there. And in February, when the CD comes out, the whole world will get to hear a different side of him as he sings a gorgeous, very serious dramatic song.
Oh, and the fact that he is an incredibly nice, gracious and humble person made the day truly magical. I wish this experience for everyone.
If you are unfamiliar with his work outside of Frasier, (and you SHOULD be) find out more HERE
Posted by Michael on September 26, 2009 under Articles, Personal |
Black Eyed Peas break records with 25 consecutive weeks (and counting) atop the Billboard Top 100 Chart.
We keep hearing about shrinking record sales and the decline and eventual demise of the recording industry. How all those freeloading downloaders are destroying the community… But I think there is something else wrong with the industry… It is best illustrated by The Black Eyed Peas.
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy many of their songs. But do you find anything wrong with the following?
The Black Eyed Peas have set a record for longest consecutive run at the top of the Hot 100 singles chart with their two songs, “Boom Boom Pow” (12 Weeks at #1) and “I Gotta Feeling” (13 weeks and counting).
I don’t know which I am more troubled by: Read more of this article »
Posted by Michael on August 2, 2009 under Articles |
What do I most look for in producing an artist? Talent? Voice? Songwriting? Musicianship?
No.
Do I like them as a person, and will I enjoy my time (many many hours) working closely with this person.
Why?
Life is too short to deal with unpleasant situations. And, you just never know… I’m not going to say the name of my following client, but here’s a story…
I recently started work with a new singer songwriter. His initial email sounded scattered, like he didn’t know what he wanted to do, a lot of song fragments he couldn’t finish, etc… It didn’t sound promising, but I set up the consultation. Turns out he was a very nice guy. I didn’t think he was a *fantastic* musician, and I was very unsure about his vocal abilities (although I was sure I could help him get to a passable level for his genre…)
Flash forward… Read more of this article »
Posted by Michael on July 31, 2009 under Articles |
As a producer, arranger and mixing engineer in addition to being a writer, it always infuriates me to hear the following platitude thrown around… “Just write a good song… nothing else matters…” Don’t people care what goes on their hamburger or how it’s cooked and presented? Guess what, that’s mixing and arranging!
Of COURSE it would be wonderful if every song everyone wrote was just a FANTASTIC song, but that just isn’t always the case. The truth is there are Fantastic songs, Great songs, Good songs, OK songs and (let’s face it) dull or bad songs.
But my job more often than not doesn’t include writing. Usually I’m hired to produce finished songs, where my job is arranging and mixing/engineering my client’s latest treasured creations. I have had friend tell me my job is to “Polishing turds”… and that’s about as insulting as the platitude I opened this article with. Read more of this article »
Posted by Michael on July 13, 2009 under Misc |
Discouraged by dwindling sales? Maybe you should think outside the box? Here’s a fun article with some different ways musicians and labels are dealing with the issue.
10 Weird Ways to Distribute Music | Epicenter | Wired.com.
