
31min
(6)
Tracking is complete for The Weird Sisters "Live And I Learn," and it's time to mix!
In this episode, Vance Powell sets up his SSL console and outboard gear while getting a starting point for the mix while explaining his entire process.
Watch as Vance:
- Calibrates his parallel busses on his meters
- Adds his GML 8900 parallel bus to the lead vocal
- Adds a TG1 Limiter to the drum room mic
- Adds his Morley House compressor to the knee mic
- Adds Distressors and 550a's to the kick and snare
- Dials in a Retro STA Level and a DBX Subsynth on the bass
- Inserts a Vari Mu and Massive Passive on the acoustic guitars
- Adds a Looptrotter Monster2 across the electric guitars
- Explains when he reaches for his hardware 1176 compressors instead of the plugin
- Discusses how he uses the 32 busses of his SSL console to add his outboard gear to the mix
This is your chance to join Nashville legend Vance Powell and The Weird Sisters at the world-famous Blackbird Studio and watch them craft "Live And I Learn" from Start To Finish.
Hardware
- API 2500
- API 550A
- Bendini BASE
- Chandler Limited TG1 Limiter
- Empirical Labs Fatso
- Epirical Labs Distressor
- Eventide H910
- GML 8900
- Looptrotter Monster 2
- Manley Massive Passive
- Manley Variable Mu
- Morley House Studios Compressor
- Neve 33609
- Retro Sta-Level
- Strymon Volante
Software
- Massey THC
- Oek Sound Soothe 2
- Orange Phaser
- Sound Toys Echo Boy
- Sound Toys Phase Mistress
- UAD 1176 RevA
- UAD 1176LN
- UAD Ampeg SVTVR
- UAD Fatso Jr
- UAD LA-2
- UAD MXR Flanger
- UAD Neve 1073 Legacy
- UAD Pultec EQP-1A
- Valhalla Shimmer
- Valhalla Vintage Verb
- Waves L2

Vance studied electrical engineering in Missouri and started his career in live sound as a front-of-house engineer. In 2002, he moved to Nashville in order to become studio manager and chief engineer at the legendary Black Bird studios in Nashville. In 2006, he co-founded Sputnik studios along with Grammy-winning engineer Mitch Dane, still in Nashville.
Vance Powell has won 6 Grammy awards working with rock artists such as The Raconteurs, Kings of Leon, Jack White, Pearl Jam, The White Stripes, The Dead Weather and more.
Powell's domain of expertise is definitely mixing and producing rock music. As shown in his pureMix videos, Vance likes to experiment and create new fuller and exciting sounds using all kinds of pedals, echos, analog outboards and plug-ins. Vance was used to recording to tape and definitely has an analog approach that makes him commit to fewer good sounding tracks rather than piling up takes in Pro Tools.
His goal is to make something new and warm that fits the band's vision with upfront snare drums and powerful guitars. Rocking.
Jack White
Chris Stapleton
The Deadweather
The Raconteurs
Arctic Monkeys
Wolfmother