Join the legendary Al Schmitt and his assistant engineer Steve Genewick at Studios La Fabrique to record jazz singer Melody Gardot with her musicians. We begin with Steve explaining how he plans a session with Al and the roles they both undertake when working as a team. He then elaborates on the procedures taken prior to tracking (preparing the console, polarity checking, headphone mixes, and choosing outboard processing for EQ, compression and reverb). Following this, Al Schmitt illustrates his microphone placement and signal processing techniques for vocals, drums and double bass, while discussing microphone choice, acoustic space and performance style. He also explains why he advocates simplistic microphone setups and no EQ while tracking.

We are proud to present our first ever series on tracking with star mixer Chris Lord-Alge! Hosted at studio B of the world-famous Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, CLA tackles a recording session with rock band Phil X & The Drills. Our detailed footage of the experience shows every step of the process – live space considerations, microphone choice and placement, instruments, amplifiers, DI boxes, Neve 8068 console setup, signal routing and processing, gain staging, phase correction, headphone mix creation, recording the band live, adding overdubs, production and arrangement, level metering, sample rate, bit depth, monitoring, and finishing the rough mix. Aside from sharing invaluable technical knowledge, Chris Lord-Alge imparts the reasoning behind his practical and efficient workflow, while advising on how this approach can be adapted to other environments and equipment.

Step inside the prestigious Capitol Studios C for a mixing masterclass with a true icon of engineering, Al Schmitt. Alongside in-house engineer Steve Genewick, Schmitt guides you through his workflow by mixing the beautifully-recorded song 'My Personal Hell' by Andrea Celeste.

You'll see how the session is prepared by Steve, who explains the track arrangement, routing to the Neve R88 console, and the selection of outboard gear patched in. Al then takes over to mix the record, using only analog tools for his signal processing. Witness how he sonically enhances raw recordings of vocals, shaker, drums, piano, synth, guitar, horns, and strings!