Andy Johns Engineering Tips

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Andy Johns Engineering Tips - Quiz

He has worked with many rock luminaries, including Led Zeppelin.


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 
    Why does Andy like to keep his drum sound 'centralised' in the mix?
    • A. 

      Because he has not worked out what pan does.

    • B. 

      Because live drums sound too diffuse.

    • C. 

      Listening to drums live, there is no wide panning in the sound. It allows you to place the other sounds in the mix.

    • D. 

      To mask all the other sounds

  • 2. 
    The drums are described as providing the 'Hi-Fi' element to a recording.  How does he suggest bringing this out?
    • A. 

      Adding some 'Air' (10 - 12KHz)

    • B. 

      Heavily compressing them

    • C. 

      Cutting the volume of the kick drum

    • D. 

      Making the snare louder than the vocals

  • 3. 
    When recording bass guitar, Andy uses a combination of an AKG C414 mic and a DI.  How does he tackle phase problems between the 2?
    • A. 

      Mutes the DI

    • B. 

      Mutes the mic

    • C. 

      Gates the DI by triggering it from the mic channel using the gate's Key input

    • D. 

      Pulls the mic back about 4 feet

  • 4. 
    How does he mic a guitar amplifier as to negate having to find the 'Sweet spot'?
    • A. 

      Using a Ribbon mic

    • B. 

      Using 2 SM57 mics on a speaker. One pointing at a 45 degree angle to capture the warmth/bass. Another pointing straight on to pick up the brightness.

    • C. 

      Using a Decca Tree configuration

    • D. 

      Employing Binaural recording - A Neumann KN Dummy head 4 feet away from the speaker

  • 5. 
    When producing vocals when should compression be used?
    • A. 

      At both the record and mix stage

    • B. 

      At mix stage only

    • C. 

      At the mastering phase

    • D. 

      Don't use at all

  • 6. 
    How can you create a little space for the vocals at mix down?
    • A. 

      Turn all the other sounds down using the vocals to trigger the side-chain of the guitar compression

    • B. 

      Add a 28ms short ADT delay to thicken them and a longer 300ms+ to mimic reverb without clouding the sound

    • C. 

      Use a long plate reverb with a 100ms pre-delay

    • D. 

      Use a phase effect

  • 7. 
    Why does he put lead solos to one side of the mix?
    • A. 

      So that they don't clash with the majority of instruments in the centre of the stereo field

    • B. 

      Because his mixes are always lob-sided

  • 8. 
    When does Andy suggest using room (ambience) mics on guitars?
    • A. 

      During sparse, slower sections of songs, where the guitar needs to occupy a lot of space.

    • B. 

      All the time in fast paced songs

    • C. 

      Never use them as they cloud up the mix

  • 9. 
    When mixing, Andy will sometimes put a compressor then an EQ over the entire mix.  Why must it be in that order?
    • A. 

      EQ only works with a strong input signal

    • B. 

      If EQ then compressor, boosting bass will cause the compressor to over act, ruining the mix

    • C. 

      An EQ would reduce the dynamic range, preventing the compressor from functioning properly

  • 10. 
    What doe he suggest boosting using the over all mix EQ?
    • A. 

      250Hz for increased muddiness

    • B. 

      50Hz for weight

    • C. 

      10 KHz for Air

    • D. 

      5KHz for Intelligibility

    • E. 

      160 Hz for s**ts and giggles

  • 11. 
    For a 'dead sounding' kit, suitable for pop what is employed to deaden the snare during recording?
    • A. 

      Moon gel

    • B. 

      Toilet tissue

    • C. 

      A tea towel

    • D. 

      A snare ring

    • E. 

      Electrical tape

  • 12. 
    Which type of reverb does he favour on drums?
    • A. 

      Non-linear (gated)

    • B. 

      Plate

    • C. 

      Spring

    • D. 

      Hall

    • E. 

      Ambience

  • 13. 
    The Led Zeppelin song 'When the Levee breaks' is noted for its excellent drum sound.  How was this achieved?
    • A. 

      Using many close microphones with no compression

    • B. 

      Using a single dynamic mic positioned in front of the kit

    • C. 

      Using 2 Ribbon mics positioned a distance away from the kit and the signals heavily compressed.

    • D. 

      Utilising a single 'Soundfield' mic

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