Who would you like to hear from next? Thanks everyone for being such an amazing part of our community! Please all be well, look after yourselves and thank you all so much for everything that you do! I am so grateful for you all and everything you do!

@frankblunt2482

4 жыл бұрын

Gary Lyons. Awesome drum sounds.

@mantra3000

4 жыл бұрын

SCOTT LITT!!

@aquabot

4 жыл бұрын

Terry Date, maybe?

@aquabot

4 жыл бұрын

Or Colin Richardson...

@bestsplash89

4 жыл бұрын

Andy Wallace

These Interviews from Warren are Priceless! Many gems, principalities, techniques, and applicable tips. Who needs College when you got Produce Like A Pro! Thanks again Warren.

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much my friend!! You are very kind my friend!

Really enjoying this interview. Love VH's Balance album. Wide full sounding guitars, thunderous drums & bass, balltearing vocals from Hagar. Nice blend of rockers & ballads. Also 'Get A Grip' is easily one of the best Aerosmith albums. It's almost all killer no filler.

Dude, the guitar mic’ing section is INSANE!! Mad props to the sm57 always! And the KSM, 421, etc blending is the icing on the cake. “Never any EQ, no compression” - old school to the max. Thank you for doing this interview. Best one ever.

@snapascrew

2 жыл бұрын

I think it’s important to note he’s referring to not EQing or compressing on the way IN. After during mixing that’s not always the case.

The sheer amount of legendary performances he's captured

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed 100% Matt!!

Boy, this is EXACTLY the guy you want in charge of your tracking.. So practical, not beating you up with tech talk, letting his ears make the decisions.. perfect demeanor and attitude

Van Halen's Balance still sounds tremendous to this day. Fairbairn and Plotnikoff did great work with the sound of that album.

@crazysnarfy861

4 жыл бұрын

I always thought it was Erwin Musper who did the engineering magic on Balance.

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Carlo Santin I agree! Mike is a huge talent and an all around great guy!!

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Crazy Snarfy they are both credited on the album as engineers.

@crazysnarfy861

4 жыл бұрын

Balance's sound was perfect! It made Van Halen III so much worse in comparison!

One of the coolest interviews. Mike's got such an organized way of working on projects and successfully layering guitar tones. I am hugely envious of his experience, workflow, and gear collection! Thanks again, Warren, and thanks to Mike. For ideas for more interviews, and forgive me if you've actually cornered any of these guys previously, but how about: Brian Eno, Todd Rundgren, Steve Albini.

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Hi T W Tobin absolutely! I learned a lot from talking with Mike!!

@ambientthinker8457

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed. Really enjoyable chat and great sharing from Mike. +1 for a Brian Eno interview (one of my sonic heroes). I bought "Ambient #4 On Land" vinyl in the early 80's and was hooked ever since. Brian is a true Soundscape artist.

@twtobin941

4 жыл бұрын

@@ambientthinker8457 Agreed. 'Another Green World' is still a classic also. He's done so much great stuff over many decades, and great collaborations. Recently discovered 'Thursday Afternoon' which I'd surprisingly never heard before... great background music for working :-)

@ambientthinker8457

4 жыл бұрын

@@twtobin941 Oh man don't get me started!!! I've played "Thursday Afternoon" possibly several thousand times (since '85) - impossible to count. 61 minutes of sublime audio that wafts in and out of your consciousness - sometimes I would hear that music when it wasn't even on!

@dancatherwood7484

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, Todd Rundgren would be stupendous. I listen to his music all the time and I know he's produced a ton of other acts. Would like to hear some Bearsville stories.

At 50 minutes in when he talks about the Dolby A thing. According to my research, Mutt Lange used those heavily to get the Def Leppard backup vocal sound. That hyped high end sheen. You can try to simulate that with a multiband compressor going hard on the highs

That is amazing and legendary of you man! What a great feat and accolade for ye on having this interview!

Really enjoyed this, wish I could afford to hire Mike... ; and I am the proud owner of #32, a 50 watt Wizard amp, stack and load box, all in flight cases ; let alone still being friends with Rick to this day - Rock On !

Fantastic interview and studio tour! Thanks Warren and thank you Mike!

Awsome that you both talk about that luv of the big bottom end in the studio only to find out oops it sucks in the car or home! And how knowing it on the smaller monitors gets ya where ya really wanna be!!! THANX AGAIN!!!!!!!

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Yes! Indeed! We all have those issues until you get to know your room!

Get A Grip is a fantastic sounding album!

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed! Amazing!

@MustangRed1967

4 жыл бұрын

I agree also. Gets a bad rap because of the ballads.

@baybae92

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. Hate that that record gets such hate, although one could argue that 7x Platinum isn’t hate lol. Lot of great songs on that record, fantastic production.

Mike Plotnikoff is an absolute gentleman and a MONSTER engineer/producer. So glad to see him being interviewed. I had the pleasure of tracking some guitars on an project with him a few years back and the tones he got (along with his entire workflow and vibe) were really inspiring. I apply the techniques I learned during those sessions to this day when I record guitars.

One of the most valuable interviews out there for sound engineers... Thanks SO MUCH!!!

This is my favourite PLAP so far; great engineering insights from Mike, and Warren adds just enough interplay. I was taking engineering courses at Bullfrog on Broadway in '82 and my mother was pushing me to go and knock on the doors at Little Mountain and Mushroom and sell them on me. I was young and stupid, and never had the courage: could have had stories to tell like Mike if I had. My failure to become a studio engineer looks even worse when I remember that Fairbairn was our neighbour on 30th avenue through the 80s.

@carysadler421

4 жыл бұрын

30Irwin Ahh, a Vancouver boy! Your taking me back. Never was in Bullfrog, but I have great memories of Mushroom and Little Mountain. You missed out... nothing to fear but fear itself! 🤘🏻✌️

What an incredible interview!. Loved this. Particularly about each bit of kit bringing its own colour - no need for EQ! And, keeping it simple... God knows how I struggle with that one. Brilliant! Thank you so much for what you bring to us, Warren.

The conversation between these two guys who seem to have learned when to get a handle on the idea of when to stop twiddling the knobs is an eye opener and absolutely brilliant. Thank you gentlemen.

I think this is the best one ever, Warren! It was really special to hear Mike talk about his approach. This man has engineered/mixed some of my favourite albums.. this was really special :) Thank you

Extremely interesting. 42 with arthritis and given up on singing and this Chanel is great for me to learn the studio side of this fantastic industry instead

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

I'm glad to be able to help Paul! Thanks ever so much for your support!!

Fantastic listening to Mike's process. I love how his synesthesia informs his mix choices. Such an interesting guy. Thanks Warren and thanks Mike!

Rubbing your hands together when you got to the console was priceless.

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Hi John Taylor haha yes, indeed! Thanks ever so much for noticing!!

I hope Mike reads this because balance is one of the best sonically sounding VH albums ever and I'm a fan all of them... But that album sounds so Crystal clear from all the instruments.... Great interview Warren as always!

Awesome video Warren! I learned a lot from this video including about the bass set up. I remember back in 2012 the band I was in opened for Fear Factory at the Reverb in Reading, PA. on our next to last show of our tour. Picture a hard rock band opening for a metal band... LOL

GREAT discussion of guitar sounds and tracking. This is gold, thanks, Warren & Mike! I'd go another hour with this!

Great episode. Love Mikes productions. He has a unique way of looking at things which Im sure is partly what makes him so brilliant. And a Canadian boy. Good on you.

one of the best!!! thank you for putting this together.

Hey Warren love your approach on helping out learned a lot just watching and listening keep up the great work,both you guys are awesome

Really great video. I really enjoyed hearing Mike talk about all his different amp and mike and equipment setups, and his great enthusiasm and professional understanding of the fascinating variables of raw sound. It's a real art that is indeed applicable to painting or other forms of expression. He's one of the best. He sounds like a guy who must also have a great knowledge of historical recording, which you didn't get into. I'd love to hear another discussion in which he talks about records from other studios and musicians and producers of the past and present, and what he learned and was influenced by.

Thank you for all of the info, it was 'marvelous' of Mr. Plotnikoff to give such insights!

loved this video. informative. 2 genuine guys. thoroughly enjoyed learning from this. from gear to mics used and how things r set up. 🙏🏼

This is the best interview ever. Love the studio tours

That interview was awesome. I think hearing the old school, hybrid mixing, using real amps is way more exciting and inspiring. thanks nice job as always.

I saw’em all this one is my favorite. Tons of knowledge!!! What a pro!!

This is probably close to my favourite to date!!!!! Thanks Warren!

Great interview, and very interesting. Thanks ever so much Warren and Mike! Stay safe everybody!! 🙏

Always when I listen to you guys talk my fingers start to itch and I get the urge to pull on faders. Fidget fader anyone? :-)

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Haha I like that analogy!!

Yay! Thank you Mike and Warren❣️

Fantastic guy. Fantastic interview! Keep up the good work Warren.

Great interview. Mike gives it straight forward - no smoke and mirrors Work hard and know when to stop.

The most interesting video you made Warren. Many thanks !!! Congrats to Mike.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Whenever I hear about Little Mountain or the Slippery When Wet days, I’m transported to The Number 5 Orange. Shower Power !! I digress. Mike has such great philosophy and technique.

Thank you both for such an insightful tutorial & studio tour, I learned a lot! One point being despite having some high end fancy monitors, they were mainly for cranking & impressing the band, it was the NS10's & Auratones that were relied on for telling the truth! 👍

Great interview. Thank you very much, Mike and Warren. I love how organized Mike is and how well thought out he approaches his sessions. It must have something to do with my German side that it appeals to me that much ;-) By the way, his collection of combo amps is awesome!

Great episode. Wasn't aware of Mike before this. Hats off to your video production (team?) as well. Always easy to watch the vids.

What a great guy! I'm going to check out some of his work

Great videos Warren! I love what you do and thank you so much for all of the wisdom and experience that you share with the world in a down to earth manner. Everyone who wants to get the sound they imagine bad enough will find a way to get it there by using what they have. Being born a musician and just getting into the engineering side a few years ago as tools became available and more affordable, your vidoes are a breath of fresh air. Very inspiring!

Warren, these interviews are amazing, thank you so much!

This video just blew my mind. This is why everything I hear sounds exactly the same. Thank you.. Amazing how everything about music that "normalized" the process is seriously obvious. Boom

I’ve really been enjoying your channel and I’m happy that I discovered it about a week ago

What an outstanding interview. Thanks Warren!!

Best video I've seen in a long time... great work Warren.... never heard of Mike but wow he knows his stuff.... I actually realized that I love a lot of his work without even knowing.

Always THE best interviews and studio tours, Warren. Cheers

@Producelikeapro

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much

Great interview and amazing wealth of information from Mike...Thanks!

Super great interview - and super real at the end there! Gotta bring everyone along, consider things from the band’s point of view. After all, it is their album.

I got to work with Mike a bit in the 90s with the band Zenboy and he was a really nice guy. Nice to see him again.

I really enjoyed this and have some great takeaways to try out. Thanks! :)

The art analogy is pretty spot on where balance is the horizontal angles and perspective, while EQ is where things sit in the foreground, background and middleground perspective. I forget who said that but it was someone noteworthy.

Mine is SO forthcoming with his knowledge and techniques.... amazing!! Thanks!!!

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

I agree Richard, I learned so much!

@richprincipe749

4 жыл бұрын

Keep up the great work!!

Really nice guy with interesting tips and insights. Thanks for the great ITW !

what a goldmine of knowledge warren! thank you!

Mike they got some good stuff!! Thanks again for the great video and sharing this mans great works...

Very cool interview, thanks!

Loved it - another great video, thanks Warren. Mike seems like a really sweet guy who has lots of cool tricks...the acceptance of "I'm not sure why it sounds good but I'll use it" is refreshing. Also, wow that guy has a lot of modded equipment. One weird comment: 77 degrees F in his studio? Man, that must have been a cozy interview, lol.

Mike was very transparent & giving of his experience in your Video. He didn't hold back too many recording secrets. ( And he's a Canadian! Who, would of thought it..)

Kemper Profiler!!! Bought the STL Howard Benson Profile Pack. Great stuff!!

Very inspiring!! Thanks so much Warren!! Hope to see one with Brenden O Brien as well!!

What a wonderful interview!

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks ever so much Chad!!

That tip about sitting next to an amp and listening to the hiss to dial in mic placement was exactly what I needed today. Thank you!! Also, what is the advantage of tracking bass after tracking guitar? Particularly great interview this time fellows.

Pure gold. Pure, Freakin'. Gold. Thanks Mike. Thnx Warren.

What an insanely talented engineer! Absolutely goes by his ears and there is no way to learn this, Its called talent. Great interview and very informative makes it so interesting. I had the honor to work with Bob Clearmountain as well.

Move along album guitar tones were awesome

I really enjoyed this video!!! Just went to Mike Plotnikoff school.

Nice! I really liked this interview. Focus and simplify!

So awesome, Thank you both!

This is just fantastic. Thank you.

So refreshing he uses mic placement and fitting the right amp with the right part. Mic placement is a lost art. Those Dolby A's were used at a TV station I worked at. Music shows on 1” video (ACL) had to be played back on those.

this was super educational thank you so much for sharing

superb interview guitar 101 ++...more ! thanks

So cool!! Great interview!

Another excellent interview. Thanks Warren.

great interview, thank you

Very nice vid warren! Really informative, can you please do a video tutorial using the guitar mixing techniques he is using? I kinda didnt understand his process

The one thing that I mostly agree is about the Plugins. Getting the sound from a real tube amp with a SM57 kissing it is way to go to get a pure and sincere guitar sound. The other thing that I loved to watch was about the monitors. I have a pair of NS10M and it's my only pair of monitors. I always check on my AKG K712 for some low end and that's it. Once it sounds good here, it will sound good everywhere else. Thanks again for another great and inspirational video.

Very good one! That Dolby A trick WAS an industry secret for a long time!

Woow what a wonderful journey! maaaany thank Warren! Those records Mike engineered are the greatest in my emotional (personal) spectrum. I'm so happy you've got this interview, plenty of tricks and tips for such a mediocre guitarist as I am :)

I see this Charvel model 6 with a Kahler in the background. Love that guitar.

Another great conversation! Thank you Warren (hope you are marvelously well!)! I want to give you a tip on an amazing painter artist called Pavel Filonov, mind-blowing on many levels... His paintings were saved by his sister during the Soviet era as she hid them from authorities. Maybe you could make an episode about saving music recordings? There must be so many amazing stories about lost music and archiving, a very important subject! Case in point, we can listen to tapes from the 40's but NOT some hard drives from the 90's. Stay well!

Wow! Thanks so much. Very inspirational and insightful. Especially bout all the set and forget, blending of different characteristic guitar tones, sort of less can be more, but still more is more with 3 amps for one part 😂. Great info. And the last point to not do too much before showing to the artist/band. To let them take it over the finish line.

learn so much with these interviews

these things always makes me wanna get into one of these studios.

@Producelikeapro

4 жыл бұрын

Amazing! Yes, wonderful studio!

Great interview with a Good Canadian Boy! That hour went fast!

Great interview!

Love this so much. Thank you!!

Excellent interview

Excellent! Thank You

Man, I love this channel!

Mike and I went to Trebas together and recorded his brother together - his first recording experience! I miss Mike.

Great interview. It helps when the guest is just as enthusiastic for the subject as the host. And the take away from Mike is using the KISS rule.