Steve Wilson - Hand Cannot Erase & Multi-Channel Mixing Interview

[gene]

It was with great pleasure that we had the distinct opportunity to interview prog-rock legend Mr. Steve Wilson (former front man of Porcupine Tree). We sat down with Steve prior to a gig he was hosting in Sweden to play his latest album Hand Cannot Erase. In this interview we discuss his views on multi-channel audio mixing, the state of the music industry when it comes to hi fidelity playback and what inspires his sounds and moods in his music.

Read: Steve Wilson - Hand Cannot Erase & Multi-Channel Mixing Interview

 

[gene]

 

[j_garcia]

Pretty long. Will have to make time to give it a listen. Thanks! I still haven't picked up the BD, but I have tix to the show next month in SF.

 

[andyblackcat]

I guess Steve Wilson, not heard of Cyberton?

I listened to the video twice in last few hours.

 

[RichB]

Excellent interview!

I loved the discussion of Mastering, not allowing the Mastering engineers to "mess with the mixes" and preserving dynamics.
I don't have that many 5.1 mixes but I'll have to check it out.

Isn't "Progressive Rock" now called "Alternative Rock"?

- Rich

 

[gene]

Excellent interview!

I loved the discussion of Mastering, not allowing the Mastering engineers to "mess with the mixes" and preserving dynamics.
I don't have that many 5.1 mixes but I'll have to check it out.

Isn't "Progressive Rock" now called "Alternative Rock"?

- Rich

No Alternative Rock isn't really the same. Prog Rock has a bad stigma since it died out in the 80s so I guess the guys still making it our distancing themselves from that label.

I consider prog rock bands like: Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, ELP, Jethro Tull, and Porcupine Tree/ Steve Wilson though the latter has a touch of metal added in.

 

[j_garcia]

Very interesting discussion. I like the way he approached it - "I mastered it the way I thought it should sound and a lot of people seemed to like what I had done." By NOT listening to what others had done, he had no preconceived notion of how a multichannel mix should be done and the results are better for it. Also not letting anyone else mess with what he considered his final mix in the studio was definitely a plus in my book. I have quite a few of his 5.1 mixes and they're all pretty excellent.

Alternative is definitely not the same as Prog, though they do occasionally occupy some of the flavors.

 

[myriad1973]

I'm a little late chiming in on this thread, but I feel I should contribute to the discussion. I've been a musician nearly all my life and I have been following Steven Wilson's catalog since I first heard him with Porcupine Tree on "In Absentia" in 2002. For being a self-taught engineer and producer, he really does have a great ear for proper mixing and dynamic range, not to mention an excellent musician at setting the mood of the music. It's not very complex at all, but the layering concepts and atmospheres he puts down make up for the lack of technical ability. I know he despises the prog label he has been given, which is nothing like alternative and has been quite healthy since the 1990's, but he has fallen into that genre, which I listen to almost exclusively. I have a great deal of respect for him coming in as a late bloomer of sorts in the music industry and his popularity seems to be increasing. I sure could use his expertise mixing my music I've recorded on the computer. Hand Cannot Erase is an awesome mix. The "Regret #9" guitar solo is one of the best I've ever heard. I apologize if that was a bit long-winded.

In case you're curious:
https://soundcloud.com/chad-douglas/myriad-the-bermuda-triangle

 

[j_garcia]

He mentioned this at the show since they were using it during the show. SW signature guitar.

http://babiczguitars.com/steven-wilson-signature-model.htm

 

[TheWarrior]

The bridge on those guitars is fascinating! But I would need to hear one as I question the audible benefit of tensioning the bridge, by putting more holes in the top...

Skeptic by nature...

 

[gene]

I'm a little late chiming in on this thread, but I feel I should contribute to the discussion. I've been a musician nearly all my life and I have been following Steven Wilson's catalog since I first heard him with Porcupine Tree on "In Absentia" in 2002. For being a self-taught engineer and producer, he really does have a great ear for proper mixing and dynamic range, not to mention an excellent musician at setting the mood of the music. It's not very complex at all, but the layering concepts and atmospheres he puts down make up for the lack of technical ability. I know he despises the prog label he has been given, which is nothing like alternative and has been quite healthy since the 1990's, but he has fallen into that genre, which I listen to almost exclusively. I have a great deal of respect for him coming in as a late bloomer of sorts in the music industry and his popularity seems to be increasing. I sure could use his expertise mixing my music I've recorded on the computer. Hand Cannot Erase is an awesome mix. The "Regret #9" guitar solo is one of the best I've ever heard. I apologize if that was a bit long-winded.

In case you're curious:
https://soundcloud.com/chad-douglas/myriad-the-bermuda-triangle

Agreed 100% I was a bit disappointed that he kind of rebuked my Prog Rock comment in our interview. Prog Rock deserves more respect but I guess I can understand his concerns. Just look at how bands like Yes and ELP have been treated. Madonna is in the Rock Hall of Fame but Yes and ELP are not. WTF!

BTW my prediction with Wilson is he will likely get involved in movie soundtracks just like Trevor Rabin did. It makes a lot of sense for him to do this and I hope I am proven right some day.