Tape Op Article: Sufjan Stevens - greatest engineer ever?

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by andrewjudah

Could somebody PM me the article? I don't get tape op here.

Me too please.

I had never heard of Sufjan until a few weeks ago when I mastered a mashup / remix of some of his stuff.
Check it out if you're interested.
Tor / Sufjan Stevens - Illinoize | HOME

[bcgood]

+3 on the article pm.

I'm listening to the flacs right now Angus. This is kind of strange. I like Outkast's version the best. I like some of the others but I'm not feelin the lyrics. It seems strange to be talking about hookin up with a hoe over some of these songs. If you knew the album like I did you would understand why.

I saw Outkast live, with Moby and New Order. They rocked, I love Outkast.

[anguswoodhead]

He's a gospel artist right?
If so I get your confusion - I have never heard an original Sufjan recording,
Just the remix / mashup I mastered for Tor - sorry if it offends you.
Kinda sacrilege I guess to put crude lyrics over Gospel instrumentals.

[B.Santillan]

It's funny that he claims he doesn't use monitors or any preamps other than the ones in the roland, but the second picture of the article has him sitting in front of 2 sets of monitors, a distressor, a manley, and an 1176. There's more, but that's just the gear that I immediately recognized.

Even if only half of what he said in the interview was true it's still interesting. Actually, it's interesting whether any of it is true or not.

[Aidyn]

Originally Posted by anguswoodhead

He's a gospel artist right?
If so I get your confusion - I have never heard an original Sufjan recording,
Just the remix / mashup I mastered for Tor - sorry if it offends you.
Kinda sacrilege I guess to put crude lyrics over Gospel instrumentals.

I am a long time Sufjan fan. He is probably one of my favorite artists currently and I must say that the Tor remix/mashup was far from offensive (at least to me). In fact it is probably the only remix/mashup I've heard of Sufjan's stuff that I like.

It is kind of hard to describe his genre. Indie would be one word but I don't think anyone really knows what indie entail anymore. He has spiritual songs, especially on Seven Swans but I wouldn't call any of it gospel. He has songs with great instrumentation and composition and those which are very stripped down with just an acoustic guitar or banjo.

I think the easiest way to get a quick sampling of his music would be to search his name on youtube. His most popular song is Chicago, it was the first song of his I heard and I hated it and I still do so skip that one.

I also have some more interviews of him on my youtube page if anyone is interested. In fact I believe that video on the first page is from my channel.

YouTube - TheBoss2332's Channel

Originally Posted by B.Santillan

It's funny that he claims he doesn't use monitors or any preamps other than the ones in the roland, but the second picture of the article has him sitting in front of 2 sets of monitors, a distressor, a manley, and an 1176. There's more, but that's just the gear that I immediately recognized.

Even if only half of what he said in the interview was true it's still interesting. Actually, it's interesting whether any of it is true or not.

I haven't seen the article or the picture you are referring to but I believe that the monitors and preamp stuff was referring to his album Michigan. He DOES use those on his recordings now I believe.

[anguswoodhead]

Cool - thanks for that Aidyn - nice to have you here.
I will check Sufjan out a bit more.
Glad you like Tor's remix/mashup - personally I liked what he did too.
Was happy to master it for him.
I'm keen to read the TapeOp article asap - I used to subscribe but it costs here in Oz and money is tight.

[Kris]

Originally Posted by TurboJets

If there's one engineer that can polish a turd, I think it would be Joel Hamilton.

You calling his clients turds???

[AND]

Originally Posted by Osumosan

Hey! I just jumped off a bridge and flapped my arms. Guess what?! I can fly. I hope that this can inspire others to fly as well.

NO..but telling newb's they need x and y gear to sound good is a lie but most of them FOLLOW!!!

[kieran kelly]

Originally Posted by B.Santillan

It's funny that he claims he doesn't use monitors or any preamps other than the ones in the roland, but the second picture of the article has him sitting in front of 2 sets of monitors, a distressor, a manley, and an 1176. There's more, but that's just the gear that I immediately recognized.

Even if only half of what he said in the interview was true it's still interesting. Actually, it's interesting whether any of it is true or not.

I know he did not use those ... I TRIED to get him to track things through other stuff.
Also BTW the Manley and Distressor were both purchased after tracking on Illinoise was done. The only Pre from my room to I think he used was the Altec .

[chrisD]

I've been a big fan for a while now, and I'm quite content to believe he uses what he says he uses. Even if there are some phasing quirks (...compression quirks, mixing quirks, etc...) that occasionally unsettle me, I think it's all very intimate-sounding and very appropriate for his style...I just hope working with a new engineer doesn't change his vibe much!

[frontierfran]

its funny how I can overlook the sound of jitter when the song is good enough.

[JP11]

I think the marketing would be more interesting than the sample rate, or the songs for that matter....

[Eskimo Brain]

Originally Posted by kieran kelly

I know he did not use those ... I TRIED to get him to track things through other stuff.
Also BTW the Manley and Distressor were both purchased after tracking on Illinoise was done. The only Pre from my room to I think he used was the Altec .

Yeah, that's what I figured, still kinda silly to take a picture of him in front of that gear, when the whole article was about the lack thereof. He had some kind words about you, seems like your space was a big help. FWIW, I thought the article was inspiring, even though I am not a huge fan.

[Geoffrey A]

Originally Posted by JP11

I think the marketing would be more interesting than the sample rate, or the songs for that matter....

Yep, because lots of people are working with similar lo-fi pieces of gear -- and making good recordings of good music.

All this 'lo-fi' gear sounds great when compared to what you had to use outside the 'professional' studio' back in the day.

[porieux]

I don't really listen to him but I think it just goes to show something we all know but sometimes lose sight of...good songs and arrangements make all the difference.

[bcgood]

I got home today and lo and behold there was a freshly printed Tap Op in the mail. That makes me so happy, thanks Larry Crane! I just finished reading the entire Sufjan interview. That was great to read. You know that you are doing good work when Rick Rubin is leaving messages on your phone, twice. Don't do it Sufjan, he'll brickwall your music to doom!

[allyouneedisears]

Scan/Upload anybody?

[MidasHatesGold]

hi...only found this one...(google)

Tape Op: I would NEVER have guessed that Michigan was done with two SM57s and a C 1000.
Sufjan: This is all I had. I never had any other microphones. I didn’t even go through any preamps or anything. What I started to realize when I was working on Michigan is that that it’s really important that the sound I was making was the sound that I wanted. I don’t really believe in technology beyond just capturing a pure form that is perfect on its own. Just write good music and do whatever you want. I really don’t think it matters.

[bonnybilly]

Hey,

I am a huge fan of Sufjan. Unfortunately I've moved house and haven't let Tape Op know yet (I get it for free in the UK). Does anyone have a link to this article, or could someone scan it in for me...be much appreciated!!

All the best.

D.

[astral_car]

hm,

there's actually no trace of the article about sufjan stevens in the last "european"
number of tape op, and also on the summary that can be seen
here...

BTW, Sufjan rules! I actually happen to like very much the drum sounds on Illinois

[bonnybilly]

can anyone do a scan/upload?

Best.

[aermotor]

Suf has lots of cred and has been around a long time, there's no reason to lie to impress people he prolly doesn't give a shit about trying to impress with those comments. For all those that don't believe it, don't be bitter. It's the proof that gear really doesn't matter and song-writing/engineering win over gear any day. Does it mention anything about the mixing of those albums? You can save nearly anything in mixing if the basic tracks are decent.

Illinois is so ****ing solid it hurts every time I listen to it. Not to mention the fact that he plays a million instruments.

Scan would be great...

[shmoo2407]

I read that article and was blown away! Like it was mentioned before, if half of it was true it would still be awesome.

Then again, was it really the way it was recorded that was so great? Not for me. It was just great material.

I do have to say though, I think Sufjan is being a little more than cheeky (maybe hipster cheeky?) when at the end of the article he's talking about playing phone tag wih Rick Rubin and asking whether or not he should "call him back", like he's never heard of the guy. Yeah right...

[bobby yarrow]

Originally Posted by porieux

I don't really listen to him but I think it just goes to show something we all know but sometimes lose sight of...good songs and arrangements make all the difference.

Yes.

Michigan is a VERY lo-fi record, and probably a pretty important part of the cultural shift toward that sort of sound. I do admire him for (I presume) lying in the interview about the gear he used; it's way better for the fans to think that than to think they need to buy a $10,000 vocal mic. I'm sure he did use junky kit, and I REALLY admire the engineers who must have worked like hell to make that record sound as good as it does, even if it still basically sounds crap.

[JP11]

Originally Posted by aermotor

It's the proof that gear really doesn't matter and song-writing/engineering win over gear any day. Does it mention anything about the mixing of those albums? You can save nearly anything in mixing if the basic tracks are decent.

Well, it all matters...along with timing and marketing...there's lots of old material that's really good, probably a lot better...but it's old, so who cares...

but what if this material had been recorded state of the art...pristine and shiny...a strike against?

How did anyone hear of this guy? Viral marketing?

[aermotor]

Originally Posted by bobby yarrow

Yes.

Michigan is a VERY lo-fi record, and probably a pretty important part of the cultural shift toward that sort of sound. I do admire him for (I presume) lying in the interview about the gear he used; it's way better for the fans to think that than to think they need to buy a $10,000 vocal mic. I'm sure he did use junky kit, and I REALLY admire the engineers who must have worked like hell to make that record sound as good as it does, even if it still basically sounds crap.

Funny you presume he lies, I don't know why he would need to...

[robot gigante]

Well, I hate to say this but...

I like Sufjan Stevens' music a lot. But, for example, I just can't listen to Michigan.

I applaud the mileage he is getting from some of this stuff, and his songs and arrangements are amazing but to me the sound gets in the way of repeat listening. Fact is I just can't put it on and enjoy it, the sound gets in the way.

[Aidyn]

Originally Posted by robot gigante

Well, I hate to say this but...

I like Sufjan Stevens' music a lot. But, for example, I just can't listen to Michigan.

I applaud the mileage he is getting from some of this stuff, and his songs and arrangements are amazing but to me the sound gets in the way of repeat listening. Fact is I just can't put it on and enjoy it, the sound gets in the way.

What do you mean by "sound"?

[BLueROom]

Great read and a very interesting guy. Unique recording and decent quality, but I couldn't get past about 20 seconds of any given song

[robot gigante]

What do you mean by "sound"?

There's something about that album that hurts my ears. While I like the music, it don't like that about it. I'm sure it has everything to do with the way it was recorded. I'm not a hifi snob, but I do like stuff that sounds pleasant to the ears, lofi or hifi. I think the arrangements and songwriting are stellar, but...