Skip to main content
classes
Music & Audio > Audio Engineering > Studio Pass: Sylvia Massy

Studio Pass: Sylvia Massy

Sylvia Massy

Audio Engineering > Studio Pass: Sylvia Massy

Studio Pass: Sylvia Massy

Sylvia Massy

staff favorite

Starting under

$13/month

Subscribe

Get access to this class +2000 more taught by the world's top experts

  • 24/7 access via desktop, mobile, or TV
  • New classes added every month
  • Download lessons for offline viewing
  • Exclusive content for subscribers

Lessons

Class Trailer
1 Class Introduction 01:56 2 Avast! Studio Overview & Walkthrough 07:26 3 Sylvia's Recording Philosophy 10:07 4 Introduce the Band, Thunderpussy 07:53 5 Drum Setup & Tuning 18:21 6 Drum Mic Placement 09:21 7 Drum Micing - Mid-Side Overhead Technique 04:11 8 Drum Micing - Room Mics 41:25
9 Drum Micing - Toms 22:10 10 Drum Micing - Kick and Snare Final Tuning 10:59 11 Bass Setup 20:20 12 Guitar Setup 36:13 13 Vocal Setup 17:32 14 Band Mic Check 26:05 15 How Sylvia Plans a Lesson 07:29 16 Budgets, Time and Planning a Session 13:17 17 Recap and Intro 04:17 18 Recording the Band, Thunderpussy 32:32 19 Mixing the Recording of the Band 09:08 20 Re-Recording Chorus 13:46 21 Process for Editing 18:42 22 Guitar Solo and Overdubs 52:35 23 Vocal Overdubs 32:12 24 Creative Studio Techniques 1:00:11 25 How to Mix: Drums 43:56 26 How to Mix: Add Bass & Guitar 13:34 27 How to Mix: Add Vocals 36:24

Class Description


Over the last 30+ years, Sylvia Massy has built a career as one of the gutsiest and most innovative recording engineers and producers. She has worked with legends like Prince and Johnny Cash, and won awards for her work with bands like Tool, System of a Down and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. In this once-in-a-lifetime experience, you will get a peek inside the recording process of one of rock’s legendary engineers. 

While she is a proficient master of vintage gear, Sylvia stresses that great records come not from having the right gear, but from capturing great performances. Join Sylvia as she records a song in the studio with Seattle alt-rock band Thunderpussy, and learn how to work with an artist to capture that magical take in your own work.

Pulling from her years of experience and sharing stories from her newly published book Recording UnHinged, Sylvia will show you:

  • How to get interesting and vibrant drum sounds, using the room and the drummer to your advantage
  • Capturing great sounding guitars at the source, without editing and reamping
  • Pushing vocalists to deliver their best vocal takes 
  • Mixing both in the box and through a console using outboard gear

Sylvia is also known as a prolific educator, speaking and teaching at some of the best recording schools around the world. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s most celebrated A-list producers. 


Reviews

Jimmy Foot
 

This Studio Pass episode with Sylvia Massey covers a lot of ground. From fundamentals like correct mic placement and phase to experimentation with amps, cell phone delay and a few extra parts, Sylvia makes it fun! I have been lucky enough in my career to work with a number of great engineers and producers. I haven't had the opportunity to work with her, but Sylvia is certainly in that category, and anyone who gets a chance to work with her would be a lucky person. This broadcast is the next best thing. Great job there at Avast Studio and fantastic camera work! And as for Thunderpussy; you guys rock!

Marc Felish
 

Wow, that was such a blast. Thanks so much Sylvia and everyone else for making this such a fun experience. I picked up so many new ideas that I can't wait to try out! Sylvia is such a creative producer, it was so much fun to be a fly on the wall watching everything. Loved it!!

Marcus Soares
 

Awesome! A great opportunity to pick into the creative mind of one of the greatest and get that kind of knowledge that you can't acquire otherwise. Highly recommended!