Studio Pass: Sylvia Massy

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. 

• Class Introduction
• Avast! Studio Overview & Walkthrough
• Sylvia's Recording Philosophy
• Introduce the Band, Thunderpussy
• Drum Setup & Tuning
• Drum Mic Placement
• Drum Micing - Mid-Side Overhead Technique
• Drum Micing - Room Mics
• Drum Micing - Toms
• Drum Micing - Kick and Snare Final Tuning
• Bass Setup
• Guitar Setup
• Vocal Setup
• Band Mic Check
• How Sylvia Plans a Lesson
• Budgets, Time and Planning a Session
• Recap and Intro
• Recording the Band, Thunderpussy
• Mixing the Recording of the Band
• Re-Recording Chorus
• Process for Editing
• Guitar Solo and Overdubs
• Vocal Overdubs
• Creative Studio Techniques
• How to Mix: Drums
• How to Mix: Add Bass & Guitar
• How to Mix: Add Vocals