You mentioned being a musician. Is that an important skill for audio engineers to have?
[ Tyler ] Learning a musical instrument or having a musical background is super important! I tell most people that I’ m not on the production team. I’ m on the worship team. And so, I rarely spend time in a production suite or whatever. I’ m in the green room with the band most of the time. And I think that my musician background blending those two aspects is extremely important. I would recommend that anyone serious about mixing should learn an instrument. Understand what good tone is on an instrument. Hang out with musicians.
It’ s just a different angle. I see mixing as a creative act. I tell people I’ m not an awesome system tech— I know great system techs, but I’ m not trying to be one. I know creative mixing and that is the outcome of me being a musician. Understanding it from that angle and then just using great tools to get me there from that angle. Don’ t get so caught up in the technical bits that you forget to use your ears. We’ re here to make it sound good, not look good on an RTA. Close your eyes. And ask if it sounds good. It’ s that simple sometimes!
[ WM ] Thanks, Tyler! I can’ t wait to chat next month about your approach to effects and what you might suggest to folks who ask the proverbial‘ in-the-box’ or outboard effects question. And you know I’ m ready to nerd out after that on all things AI! I’ ll have my philosophical wheels spinning in the meantime. Talk to ya soon!
Jeff Hawley Jeff Hawley is the Vice President of Marketing across many US-based divisions of JAM Industries, including top musical instrument and pro audio brands. He is especially interested in all things Allen & Heath and most recently served as the Director of Marketing for Allen & Heath USA. In his‘ spare time’ Jeff is completing a PhD in Philosophy of Sound at York St John University. He also serves as the President of the British Postgraduate Philosophy Association. When he isn’ t writing WM articles or marketing up a storm, he enjoys traveling the world to present at philosophy conferences and listening to old country western songs.
118 July 2025 Subscribe for Free...