Rob Schnapf

[max cooper]

I really dig the Elliot Smith albums Rob Schnapf did with Tom Rothrock. I also really like the sound of the first Foo record, which Rob Schnapf mixed. Best Foo record by a mile.

He also produced The Vines "Winning Days" which I think is a really nice sounding record. Doug Boehm was eng. on that one.

I've listened to all of those records a lot. The Vines record is one of the better sounding 'loud' records I know of. Nice sounds all around, I think. I refer to it a lot.

I think it passes the ultimate "loud record" test. You can play it loud on a high-end system and it won't drive you out of the room.

Any of you guys know Rob? I'd like to know more about the Vines and the Elliot Smith records.

Did he do any of the other Vines records? I have all the Elliot Smith stuff, but as far as the Vines, I only have "Winning Days".



edit: I guess Rob did "Highly Evolved". I hadn't picked it up yet because I couldn't find the LP.

[Sara_tonin]

Oh yes, one of my favorite current producers.
Have you read the Tape Op interview? Very informative. The only interview I've read of them.

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by Sara_tonin

Oh yes, one of my favorite current producers.
Have you read the Tape Op interview? Very informative. The only interview I've read of them.

Ahh... looks like it was Spring '98 and it's out of print.

Anyone have that one?

[Sara_tonin]

It's in the Tape Op Book that was released....along with a slew of other great/out of print articles. It's definetly worth the 15 dollar price.
I was also able to buy the back issue with that article from a website.

I'm back from college staying with the rents, I don't know if the scanner works but I could try and scan the article.

[mindbend]

I know the guys from American Minor(Jive Records) and he mixed their record a little over a year ago. It sounds awesome. Rob is definitely awesome. You should check out AM's record, it's got that old school rock vibe to it.

[nathanvacha]

You know what max? I completely agree with everything you said in that post. Damn... I always like a good arguement, too.

I saw you mentioned that you were looking for the LP version, and if you have XO on vinyl, then I officially hate you.

[Sara_tonin]

Anyone have more info about the two producers?

Better yet, anyone work with em?

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by nathanvacha

You know what max? I completely agree with everything you said in that post. Damn... I always like a good arguement, too.

I saw you mentioned that you were looking for the LP version, and if you have XO on vinyl, then I officially hate you.

I don't have it on LP. I have all but XO and Figure Eight on vinyl.

[nathanvacha]

Originally Posted by max cooper

I don't have it on LP. I have all but XO and Figure Eight on vinyl.

Ah, yeah, that's the way it goes. I see them on ebay every now-and-then, but they're stupid expensive. Plus... I'm always wary about having vinyl shipped here by ups from an unverifiable seller

I'm gonna try to get that book though, goot looking out sara tonin.

[rob S]

you rang?

[Wiggy Neve Slut]

Rob.. do you still ahve that De Medio console?

I read about it in the tapeop book a few yrs ago and it certainly sounds interesting. Can you please shed a abit more light on it and thier history?

BTW.. love The Vines and Elliot Smith records.

Wiggy

[thenoiseflower]

I love when this happens

I am sure there are many who admire rob's work here, me included would be an understatement, welcome to the forum.

oh man, there are so many things I could ask... sorry for the book here

Beck - Odeley - when did you realize that it was going to be such an influential record? durring? did it hit you way later?
------
"foo fighters"
"Wenie Beenie" & "Watershed" - can we have any insight on guitars and bass procesing/recording on those songs? Incredible space beetween the parts, and ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY!!!, and those guitar tones make me move exageratedly
-----
"toadies"
"rubberneck" OMG thats a ****ing aweosme record
"I Burn" what were the acoustic guitars done with, and later, if you remember, what compressors did you use on that track? mainly the guitars and drums, its totaly perfect. that record is like 2 or 3 on the most underrated rock records of the last 20 years list, I use it as a reference occasionaly, so thank you.
------
And finaly the "supreme beings of leisure" was a hugely listened to record up here in boston - summer of 00-01 you could hear it from windows, cars, headphones on the train, seriously, just about everywhere you went, thats one of the coolest records ever!!!!!!!!!
------
all around great work!


Are you exited by any new gear ?

{edit}
oh wow this is sorta old, oops, And I was all exited, damn.

[rob S]

tom sold the demideo a few years back.
it was from wally heiders 4.
lots of great records were made on it.
graham parsons grievous angel and GP, tom wait bones howe period, the original soundtrack to hair(is that good?) on and on.
32 channels, very ergonomically pleasing with mic pres located in the front recessed into the bolster.
the down side was there were no proper booster cards, instead there were mic pre cards strapped differently so everything went thru an extra transformer.
thus the round mond of sound.
it was not the fastest console in the world.
certain kinds of music sounded really really good.
it excelled at acoustic music and simple non complex rock.
the dense rock guitar and cymbal bashing was more challenging.
it gave you the round mound sound no matter what you put in.
and i miss it........

[BJohnston]

Guided By Voices "Isolation Drills" is an amazing record. Nicely done Rob.

[max cooper]

Rob: Great to see you here!

The Elliot Smith records really captured my imagination like nothing else since, umm...

Anyway, really great stuff.

Any cool stories? At least ones that you can tell?

Max

[Labs]

Hey Rob.

Wouldnt know where to start with the questions, so maybe I better not. Im sure everyone would be extremely grateful if you did the guest-moderation gig for a month - That should get some of the basics covered.

Good to see you around no matter what, and keep making awesome records!

Gustav

[rob S]

pardon my bad grammar.

[paterno]

Originally Posted by rob S

every record has its stories.
there is the stories/experience of making the record and the stories of the narrative of the songs.
and then there is the bounce between the two and the synergy that it creates.
what you're left with is the record.
sort of, but its both way more complicated and way simplier than that.

Spoken like the Yogi Berra of record making...

Cheers,
John

[rob S]

hey john,

you know, our similarities are very different.......

[paterno]

Originally Posted by rob S

hey john,

you know, our similarities are very different.......

LMAO !!!!!!!!!

Keep up the good work -- on the production and philosophy fronts, my friend...

Cheers,
John

[Wiggy Neve Slut]

Originally Posted by BJohnston

Guided By Voices "Isolation Drills" is an amazing record. Nicely done Rob.

how could i forget that one??????

I bet you have some stories Rob of Bob and the boys.. saw them when they toured OZ years ago and it was so inspiring to see indie stalwarts still giving it 110% on and off stage!

[rob S]

GBV was great fun.
not so good for the liver.
a great rock band.
3gtrs bass and drums cut live.
overdubbed the vocals.
"how's my drinking" is the first take at about 2am after a bunch of drinking.
some extra gtr parts but not much.
sprinkled some strings, mellotron piano and organ.
called it a record.

[J.D.]

Hi Rob. i believe you were a former Record Planter, correct? i'm of a more recent vintage. anywhoo.

just wanted to say that i'm a big fan of the richard thompson record you guys did. i(t was actually the first of his records that i was introduced to, so that of course led to finding all of them i could.) it feels like a very "live" record and just wondering if in fact that is the case. other than that, i really don't have any questions about it, just that i'm a fan. any stories would be welcome.

thanks.

jd

[max cooper]

Did you ever do anything with the guys from Tijuana Bullfight?

Just wondering.

[rob S]

yeah, i'm a record planter vintage 88-89 ish.
when did you make it out of there?
the richard thompson record was quite live.
its been awhile since i've thought about that record but i think it was drums bass guitars vocals live.
make some fixes do a some overdubs.
some of the guitar solos are live some are overdubbed.
or they're a combination.
but not a very extravagant endeavour.
"hard on me" guitar solo remains one of my favorites.
richard is a devastating player.
when everybody is really good, this job is alot easier.
you actually get to go for performances.
its a dying art.

Originally Posted by J.D.

Hi Rob. i believe you were a former Record Planter, correct? i'm of a more recent vintage. anywhoo.

just wanted to say that i'm a big fan of the richard thompson record you guys did. i(t was actually the first of his records that i was introduced to, so that of course led to finding all of them i could.) it feels like a very "live" record and just wondering if in fact that is the case. other than that, i really don't have any questions about it, just that i'm a fan. any stories would be welcome.

thanks.

jd

[rob S]

no that was doug boehm.
it was done in this little bongload studio booth thing.
pretty funny little 8x10 kinda deal.

Originally Posted by max cooper

Did you ever do anything with the guys from Tijuana Bullfight?

Just wondering.

[J.D.]

I was at RP 2001-05. guess i left about a year and a half ago.

i came thiiiiiiiiiiiis close to doing richard's new record, but didn't as things happen the way they do. my intention was to rip off mock tudor as much as i could possibly do.

perhaps i'll run into you around campus sometime.

jd

[rob S]

someone asked about gear.
i'm liking dave pearlmans mic.
its upfront and not overly bright.
a nice bottom to it as well.
nice balance.

[rob S]

wiggy i notice you're from sydney.
do you wayne connely?

[Bobbob]

Hi Rob,

Big fan of Elliott Smith records. Particulary XO - never tire of it.

The acoustic guitars and vocal on that record sound particulary great. Very unique. I'm sure a lot of that was down to Elliott, but would i be right in thinking a lot of the acoustics and vox were mic'd with 57's?

Bit of a sad question!!!