Eleanor Goldfield

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Joe Barresi tawks music & pro-audio!

Jan 20, 2014·5,007 visitors

Joe Barresi

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Jan 20, 2014

Famed producer/engineer Joe Barresi (Tool, Queens of the Stone Age, Bad Religion, Soundgarden, Judas Priest, Weezer, and more!) on music and pro-audio just in time for the NAMM show!

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:30 AM

Hey everyone! Thanks for joining us - make sure to log in or quickly create an account so that you can join in the conversation with Joe!

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:30 AM

Thanks for being here Joe - know you're super busy

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:30 AM

What are you working on right now?

Joe Barresi · 5:30 AM

glad to be here Eleanor…thx for having me.

Joe Barresi · 5:31 AM

i apologize for my bad typing in advance….

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:31 AM

Ha - no worries.

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:31 AM

So, what's been keeping you in the studio all these countless hours as of late?

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:31 AM

Oh, and I see you - 3,636 readers. Log in! so you can ask joe some questions of your own

Joe Barresi · 5:32 AM

finishing up a new Chevelle record at the moment, and just finished up a new Black Stone Cherry record

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:33 AM

Nice! When is the Chevelle record coming out?

Joe Barresi · 5:33 AM

i never know these things…just when i need to finish it by!

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:33 AM

ha - you've worked with them on a few records, haven't you?

Joe Barresi · 5:34 AM

this is the 2nd one for me…last one was called Hats off to the Bull

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:34 AM

Any significant changes in this record? Hats off was a great sounding record btw

Joe Barresi · 5:35 AM

this is the next step up…we explored some new sounds and the writing has matured, and its got some great rock on it.

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:36 AM

I know you've said you love experimenting in the studio

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:36 AM

Any DIY pedals on this record

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:36 AM

? ;)

Joe Barresi · 5:37 AM

i get inspired and build stuff but this record was about different amps, speakers, pedals, direct recording, etc….and some new pedals too

Joe Barresi · 5:37 AM

hello echo

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:37 AM

hahaha

Joe Barresi · 5:38 AM

don't feel so alone

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:38 AM

you're not alone echo - there are 3,600 people here - they're just shy for some reason

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:38 AM

think it's because joe has skulls on his speakers

Joe Barresi · 5:38 AM

wtf

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:38 AM

haha

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:38 AM

sooo - back to Chevelle. the bass sound on hats off is fucking phenomenal. what magic is in that?

Joe Barresi · 5:40 AM

starts with a great bass player…really the key to any great sound. plus the bass goes on after the guitars so you can make it work in the context. usually a DI a cleaner amp and a filthy one

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:40 AM

after the guitars?

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:40 AM

that's an unusual approach

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:41 AM

do you always do bass after guitars?

Joe Barresi · 5:41 AM

yes--easier to have a good pitch reference, and also more freedom to move and riff!

Joe Barresi · 5:41 AM

yes---drums, gars, bass, vocals, etc

Joe Barresi · 5:41 AM

gtrs

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:41 AM

interesting

Joe Barresi · 5:41 AM

told u i suck at typing

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:42 AM

haha - i gotcha. at first i thought it said garth, but i don't think he's here

Joe Barresi · 5:42 AM

negative

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:42 AM

so, speaking of your approach to recording - how do you prep for a session?

Joe Barresi · 5:43 AM

starts way ahead of time with the demos, then living with them, making notes, possible editing in protools to see if the arrangement needs augmenting, then finally some good ol fashioned rehearsing with the band.

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:44 AM

do you sit in with the band as they rehearse and give notes/suggestions?

Joe Barresi · 5:44 AM

get to studio to record, not fix the other stuff

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:44 AM

i wish more warm up sessions were recorded

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:44 AM

or were they?

Joe Barresi · 5:44 AM

yep--tempo ideas, chord changes, arrangement ideas, gear suggestions and recording techniques….

Joe Barresi · 5:45 AM

theres always a recording of the pre pro for reference…sometimes it a cool fill, or a tempo or idea that should be recreated or even used

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:46 AM

how much of a co-producer role does the band have?

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:46 AM

or does it vary?

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:47 AM

a band is one big ego

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:47 AM

ha - several big egos typically :)

Joe Barresi · 5:47 AM

its a group effort…were all there to make the best possible music, recording, etc. Sometimes it takes a bit more work, sometimes its effortless. Ultimately I'm there to make the bands record so they have the final call on whats cool or not

Joe Barresi · 5:47 AM

including mine!

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:47 AM

haha

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:48 AM

well, i imagine it's probably easier to deal with big egos when you make the music sound so damn good

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:48 AM

considering you're at a point where you don't really have to hit the pavement looking for work - how do you decide on projects?

Joe Barresi · 5:48 AM

its all subjective in the end…sometimes my version of good isn't what a bands version is….

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:49 AM

And I know my questions are good ppl but don't be shy! Echo is getting a one-on-one with Joe, so jump in there and get yours :)

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:50 AM

the band wants to hear what they feel live in front of an audience

Joe Barresi · 5:50 AM

i hit the pavement--i want to be inspired too….doesnt always come to me

Joe Barresi · 5:51 AM

yes sometimes they do echo…..thats usually the biggest complaint. bands feel they aren't captured on record how they think they are live

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:51 AM

what are you looking for in a band that you work with? i guess, in short - what inspires you?

Joe Barresi · 5:52 AM

creativity, people who know what they want, who aren't afraid to work for it….i always say no ones knocking on my door--i bring the door to them. thats how a band should be---

Joe Barresi · 5:52 AM

it takes a lot of hard work to be great at what you do---

Joe Barresi · 5:53 AM

if I hear "we need to make a record" from another band with 2 fans Im gonna puke….

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:53 AM

hahaha - so is it a fan base that should push people to make a record?

Joe Barresi · 5:53 AM

get the fans first---

Joe Barresi · 5:54 AM

who's gonna buy your products in a sea of a million bands all doing the same thing….

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:54 AM

in that case, you would stress solidifying the live show

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:54 AM

Joe Barresi · 5:55 AM

yes--the live show should make you want to see where their playing again, what do they have to sell for merchandise, etc….

Joe Barresi · 5:55 AM

they are--sorry no their

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:56 AM

thank you for catching that. the spelling nazi in me feels better now.

Joe Barresi · 5:56 AM

not their---damn spell check

Joe Barresi · 5:56 AM

I'm slowing my typing

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:56 AM

in terms of then capturing that live show, so to speak - is that something you consciously think of going into the studio?

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:56 AM

slow and steady :)

Joe Barresi · 5:57 AM

i always go see the band live first to see what they are really about, and how their audience reacts to them.

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:57 AM

smart move

Joe Barresi · 5:58 AM

its important to get to know them in that sense…and then capture that personality on tape too

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:58 AM

interesting particularly since there are a lot of bands out there that are amazing live and flat line in the studio, or the other way around

Joe Barresi · 5:59 AM

thats from the fact that anyone with a DAW can make a record these days…engine eyes, not engineers

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:59 AM

i love that line

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:59 AM

the band feeds off the crowd - somehow they need to bring the crowd to the studio and be able to mute them out

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:59 AM

so - in bringing the live band into the studio - what are some of the ways that you capture that energy, that vibe?

Eleanor Goldfield · 5:59 AM

i know some people will actually record the band live but you don't typically do that, do you?

Joe Barresi · 6:00 AM

its been done---GGGarth Richardson cut the 1st RATM record live in 2 days with their friends in the room…they built on those bed tracks but the feeling was there.

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:00 AM

that's a great record. have you ever done that?

Joe Barresi · 6:01 AM

I cut live--always. sometimes we keep the beds, sometimes not--depends on the separation, and whats best for the sake of time and expediency. sometimes budgets say this will have to be live!

Joe Barresi · 6:01 AM

I've never brought an audience in personally--but I do like to make the band comfortable to be able to perform

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:02 AM

being a producer is a bit like being a psychiatrist

Joe Barresi · 6:02 AM

yes…all in a days work they say.

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:02 AM

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:03 AM

so - since NAMM is coming up, let's talk a bit about gear

Joe Barresi · 6:03 AM

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:03 AM

any new and interesting pieces that you're into?

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:03 AM

what is NAMM?

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:03 AM

NAMM is a big pro audio trade show held in Anaheim

Joe Barresi · 6:04 AM

I love NAMM---i try to go to the bottom floor where theres the super innovative people who have weird and cool stuff. The last thing I saw that was cool was this...http://geargods.net/news/hammer-jammer-gamer-changer/

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:05 AM

haha - nice. that's one of my favorites too - so many bizarre pieces down there

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:05 AM

ha - and no ehco - i don't think that they do

Joe Barresi · 6:05 AM

i love seeing these types of things or some new pedals or amps. hard to hear anything there but good to make some connections and then audition stuff later

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:05 AM

so have you used the hammer on anything lately?

Joe Barresi · 6:06 AM

don't have one yet---this namm!

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:06 AM

Oh - and everyone please remember if you're asking questions, you need to give thumbs up to questions or comments for us to see them

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:07 AM

★ Spotlighted from Chris Owens

“Hey Joe, I worked with Garth last year on the Biffy Clyro album and I believe that we borrowed a hybrid bass. I can't remember what is was called. Ugli Stick?”

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:07 AM

★ Spotlighted from Chris Owens

“borrowed from you that is”

Joe Barresi · 6:07 AM

yes--it was built by a buddy of mine---Chip Ellis. half bass, half gtr!

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:08 AM

ha - nice. that sounds like quite the instrument. did he just build it for shits and giggles or is it on the market?

Joe Barresi · 6:08 AM

he made a few--like 4 i think. its a serious work of art.

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:09 AM

you on PT 11 yet? ;)

Joe Barresi · 6:09 AM

negative…still in 10. thats all i need. going to tape again!

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:10 AM

how often do you go to tape?

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:10 AM

guessing that's a budget question

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:10 AM

haha, echo - PT = pro tools :)

Joe Barresi · 6:10 AM

every record since the machines got fixed

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:10 AM

wow, nice. the two 827s?

Joe Barresi · 6:11 AM

I recycle the tape so it doesn't cost the band anything---

Joe Barresi · 6:11 AM

A800s--a real Studer!

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:11 AM

i remember you saying that when you worked with Tool, you dropped everything down to two tape machines

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:11 AM

oh, ha! those damn beasts

Joe Barresi · 6:11 AM

gotta work for a great sound….nothings easy

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:12 AM

how does the tape mentality - the idea that you have a finite number of tracks - how does that effect your recording process?

Joe Barresi · 6:12 AM

its awesome--my days of crossfading are over. 1 continuous track thats committed to--no playlists, no loop recording, no BS

Joe Barresi · 6:14 AM

I cut to tape, dump into ptools, then make slave reels and do all the overdubs on tape, dump into Pt. Cut the vocals to PT and then dump them to tape and back----

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:14 AM

how does that work when you have projects that you didn't record - and say, someone walks in with 200 tracks and asks you to mix?

Joe Barresi · 6:15 AM

I have a mix criteria they need to follow---i won't sort thru 200 tracks of shit..thats not mixing. Its gotta be sorted thru before it hits me or its gonna take way more time.

Joe Barresi · 6:16 AM

Im happy to make decisions but then theres at least another day or 2 involved before mixing

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:16 AM

yeah, it is a pain in the ass with all the tracks and playlists that PT allows

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:16 AM

hahaha - well, seeing as we undoubtedly have some tool fans here - are you working on any new projects with maynard? any puscifer or perfect circle?

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:16 AM

btw - 15 minutes left everyone! any questions i haven't asked, you still can

Joe Barresi · 6:17 AM

last thing I did was with Danny --his fusion band called Volto.

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:17 AM

they seem like they'd be a lot of fun to work with in the studio

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:17 AM

creative and into experimenting with sounds

Joe Barresi · 6:17 AM

Great guys, great musicians

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:17 AM

Maynard is intense

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:18 AM

do you have very different approaches with the people you work with - say maynard vs. cornell?

Joe Barresi · 6:18 AM

hes also a great cook, fantastic winemaker too

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:18 AM

ugh - i know. really good wine

Joe Barresi · 6:19 AM

everyone is different--the idea of making someone comfortable so they can be creative is a common thread. And once you start with someone its fairly easy to figure out whats working and what isn't...

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:19 AM

in terms of gear - are there any pieces that you "can't live without?"

Joe Barresi · 6:20 AM

Shure 57 is a desert island mic. Neve modules are my favorite recording preamps, eq. SSL desk for mixing.

Joe Barresi · 6:21 AM

thats the short list…! sometimes ill use totally different stuff though to achieve a sound that isn't normal or makes me work harder

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:21 AM

ha - desert island mic. any particular neves?

Joe Barresi · 6:21 AM

1081, 1073, anything really in the 10 series….

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:21 AM

well considering you build your own pedals, it doesn't seem like you'd get stuck in any one particular piece of gear or sound

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:22 AM

and despite the name, you aren't just the "rock" guy either. you've done quite a few records outside of the rock genre.

Joe Barresi · 6:22 AM

challenging sometimes as familiarity breeds content.

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:22 AM

★ Spotlighted from Chris Owens

“How about some of the new stuff meant to sound like the old like Retro or Shadow Hills?”

Joe Barresi · 6:23 AM

I like the retro stuff--their stalevel actually sounded better than the one I owned and sold. I have a Shadow Hills Gama pre that i like but thats all I've ever tried from them

Joe Barresi · 6:23 AM

Sta-Level

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:23 AM

the originals just sound better, huh?

Joe Barresi · 6:24 AM

I did Orphan Audio's stuff--hes doing all the old Quad 8 and Electrodyne gear again

Joe Barresi · 6:25 AM

Actually Eleanor my Sta-Level sucked so i sold it….I was hesitant to try a new Retro one but was pleasantly surprised when i did. For the most part most new Neve stuff sucks…can't beat the old real modules.

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:25 AM

yep. something about the original Neve stuff is just magical

Joe Barresi · 6:25 AM

I haven't tried Neve AMS--i mean the clones out there

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:25 AM

You also have a helluva amp/guitar/pedal collection.

Joe Barresi · 6:26 AM

just got a new Wizard amp--its awesome.

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:26 AM

how much of that gear do you bring into a recording session? i imagine some people can be anal about using their own gear

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:26 AM

★ Spotlighted from Chris Owens

“The original Neve's are consistently better than the recreations”

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:26 AM

★ Spotlighted from Chris Owens

“re-creations!”

Joe Barresi · 6:27 AM

i try to record mainly in my studio so all my stuff is available---but i welcome the band to bring anything thats a part of their identity

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:27 AM

what was the last cool thing someone brought in?

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:27 AM

besides kit kats from japan :)

Joe Barresi · 6:28 AM

Brett from Bad Religion brought in a Fender Kurt Cobain gtr….it was really great i thought

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:28 AM

wow - must be some juju in that guitar

Joe Barresi · 6:28 AM

rang so much it added great harmonics and excitement to the tracks

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:29 AM

nice. when did you wrap up that record?

Joe Barresi · 6:30 AM

we did an Xmas record earlier last year--and we used the Cobain on True North alot

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:30 AM

i love the idea of bad religion having a xmas record

Joe Barresi · 6:30 AM

fun to do--who doesn't love sleigh bells!

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:30 AM

haha

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:31 AM

indeed. and on that note, it's been an hour. time flies when 3800 people are watching you silently ;)

Joe Barresi · 6:31 AM

well thanks for watching me type then!

Joe Barresi · 6:31 AM

hope 2014 is a great year for all of u out there---

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:31 AM

you're welcome. i can come grab the nanny cam from you later ;)

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:31 AM

silently waves

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:32 AM

thanks for doing the tawk joe!

Joe Barresi · 6:32 AM

gnite folks!

Eleanor Goldfield · 6:32 AM

i'll see you in the basement at NAMM - which sounds creepy

Joe Barresi · 6:32 AM

yes it does---bye for now

Forum · 16

Forum· 16 comments

5,007 visitors

Tawkers AdminJan 16, 2014, 6:44 PM

Welcome to the comment section of the Tawk, where audience members can share their thoughts about the main conversation happening on the left. Don't by shy! Entering questions and comments is the only way to get the attention of the two Hosts on stage!

Trey WilliamsonJan 16, 2014, 9:21 PM

Hell yes I'll be here for this!

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:06 AM★ Spotlighted

Hey Joe, I worked with Garth last year on the Biffy Clyro album and I believe that we borrowed a hybrid bass. I can't remember what is was called. Ugli Stick?

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:07 AM★ Spotlighted

borrowed from you that is

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:08 AM

It was a really cool sound. I wasn't sure if it came from the basement of NAMM

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:08 AM

No wonder I couldn't find pictures of it on the internet

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:09 AM

That is a very limited run

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:22 AM★ Spotlighted

How about some of the new stuff meant to sound like the old like Retro or Shadow Hills?

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:23 AM

I've heard the Retro Sta Level and I really liked it

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:25 AM

Nice. I didn't know about them. I'll check them out

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:26 AM★ Spotlighted

The original Neve's are consistently better than the recreations

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:26 AM★ Spotlighted

re-creations!

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:30 AM

I second that!

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:31 AM

Zing!

Chris OwensJan 20, 2014, 6:31 AM

Thanks for doing this Joe

Hollie MaidAug 3, 2014, 5:46 PM