and stability . Bruce is eminently qualified and capable of taking care of any technical problem that might erupt at a session and Quincy can make the best of any musical conundrum . Quincy often says that producing music is all about love between the producer and the artist and that there needs to be enough trust so that the artist is willing to jump off the high wire without a net , meaning that the artist must be so sure that the production team would never allow an embarrassing crash and burn that he or she will take chances and just maybe be better than they ’ ve ever been before .
INSTINCT At a certain level of proficiency , the lines blur between intention , technique , and instinct . I ’ ve had the good fortune of helping some of the best producers and engineers put their thoughts into a published form . Most of them claim to work from their instincts , and they ’ re not embarrassed to just say : I don ’ t really know how I do this or that . But , I believe they have performed at the highest level for so long that they internalize every process , moving so far beyond simple mechanical realization that their spirit and soul does all of the thinking for them . Similarly , no great soloist needs to think : okay now I ’ m playing a C and I ’ ll bend the next E-flat almost up an E-natural and then I ’ ll play a chromatic scale up to the ninth and then ... They just do it and it becomes almost as much of a joy for the soloist to be surprised by what they hear as the listener . If you want to be the best — to be great — never shortchange your craft . Put your time in , and then some . Become a virtuoso . Move beyond baby steps .
BRAVE AND BOLD It ’ s hard to imagine a great person who played it safe for their whole career . Greatness is usually accompanied by boldness and bravery . People who are willing to be different and to try new things or to try old things in a new way , often end up making a big difference in the lives of those around them .
Bruce Swedien has certainly exhibited bravery and boldness led by informed insight and well-trained instincts in his work . His mixes demonstrate incredibly brave work . I ’ ve always loved the way Bruce can create a mix that leads with an incidental percussion track that might be the loudest track in the mix . Whereas most engineers would have blended the same track with the background groove , Bruce followed his senses and created something special , bold , and brave .
It ’ s hard to imagine a great person who played it safe for their whole career . Greatness is usually accompanied by boldness and bravery .
EMOTIONAL CONNECTION Bruce Swedien and Quincy Jones were able to create music that emotionally connected with its listeners . Greatness and emotional connection go hand-in-hand . Consider Steve Jobs and Apple . Jobs found a way to teach us what we needed . Then he touched our emotions and we were hooked .
The true genius , Bruce Swedien , presented the music that Quincy Jones and others produced in a sonic package that spoke to the hearts of music listeners in a way that superseded genre , demographic , ethnicity , and even time ! Quincy
Jones said in his thoughtful response to Bruce ’ s death , “ He was without question the absolute best engineer in the business , and for more than 70 years I wouldn ’ t even think about going into a recording session unless I knew Bruce was behind the board … I have always said it ' s no accident that more than four decades later no matter where I go in the world , in every club , like clockwork you hear “ Billie Jean ,” “ Beat It ,” “ Wanna Be Starting Something ,” and “ Thriller .” That was the sonic genius of Bruce Swedien , and to this day I can hear artists trying to replicate him .”
EARTH SONG When we were working on The Bruce Swedien Recording Method , we recorded several video sessions for the DVD that accompanies the book . In one session , we were covering different songs that he recorded and all of a sudden he said , “ You know , when I die , there ’ s one piece of music that I want to be remembered by : ‘ Earth Song .’” From the HIStory album , “ Earth Song ” has an incredible dynamic range and sonic power . With the full orchestra , the Andraé Crouch choir , and Michael Jackson masterfully working his way from a whisper to all-out rage , the passion and emotion in this song is undeniable ! As soon as the song started , Bruce quietly listened . As the tune progressed , Bruce became more and more intensely into the music . When the song was done , he looked up and tears were streaming down his face . He was speechless . I was speechless . It was as if Bruce had opened up his soul and had a deep heat-to-heart talk with the one true Creator of the universe . Bruce Swedien was truly great at his craft . He was a great and loyal friend to so many . He is missed so much .
Bill Gibson Teacher at Berklee College of Music Online , content creator for LinkedIn Learning , and author of more than forty books and videos about live sound and studio recording . Most recent book releases : The Ultimate Live Sound Operator ’ s Handbook , 3rd Edition , and The First 50 Recording Techniques You Should Know to Track Music . He also recently self-published an eBook / Audiobook combo called Stream Great-Sounding Audio : Guide for Streaming Church Services and Other Events .
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