The majority of what I do is Austin Stone stuff ( there ’ s a lot to keep up with !), and we tracked most of our newest record With / In there . But I also take the chance to record and mix other projects as often as I can .
Recording for me has always been inextricably linked with playing guitar and writing . My earliest musical memories are listening to my parent ’ s Beatles vinyl , and getting pulled into that world of sound . I was always interested in how the guitars interacted with the drums and the vocals , and tape loops and so on , as one cohesive thing . Guitar playing for me was always a means to an end : I wanted to play guitar so that I could record it . I started with a little Fostex 4-track recorder , and from there it just grew as a self-taught thing into a full-blown studio .
[ WM ] Run us through some of the gear you have and use in the studio . Digital vs . Analog ? What about your console , pre-amps , mics , synths and guitars ? Especially a certain 1973 Gibson 335 …
[ Kyle ] Ha ! That ’ 73 335 is a thing of beauty , for sure . I actually found it on Craigslist here in Austin probably 15 years ago . It just plays perfectly , smooth and buttery just like you want an old hollowbody to be . I have quite a few electrics at this point – too many to count honestly - much to my wife ’ s chagrin !
As far as the studio goes , I would describe it as a classic “ hybrid ” studio : about 50 % in-thebox , and 50 % analog . I ’ ve been using Antelope Audio interfaces for a long time and love them . I ’ m a big believer in having a variety of outboard gear , so while I use a console , I mostly use it for routing , and rely on outboard preamps for color : we have a lot of API , Shadow Hills , UA , and Neve preamps , with a ton of different outboard compressors – my recent favorite has been the Retro Sta-Level . I ’ m also a big microphone nerd ; my newest acquisitions have been a Chandler Redd , an AEA R88 , and a pair of Wunder Audio 67 ’ s . I ’ m currently on the hunt for a vintage RCA 44 for a gospel record I ’ m about to record .
[ WM ] I noticed Aaron that you play a Gibson acoustic guitar . What is it that led you to the Gibson ?
[ Aaron ] I love parlor guitars . They seem to fit me perfectly . I had my eye on this Gibson J200 Parlor guitar for years before I purchased it . Then , I finally went for it , and it ’ s my primary and favorite guitar .
[ WM ] Aaron , I understand that each campus has a different band leading worship with different set lists each Sunday . How does that work ? Are you involved in song selection too for each site ?
[ Aaron ] Each of the six congregations have a primary worship leader that is responsible for shepherding volunteers , cultivating healthy worship culture , and leading worship on Sundays . The ASW team is phenomenal , and each one leads their congregation with such excellence and zeal . As we try to maintain the same DNA of worship culture across all congregations , we also want each leader to be empowered to shepherd their people in the way God has gifted them . We have a master list of songs we are all choosing from in any given season , but each leader is trusted to plan their own set lists week to week . The sermon