
24min
(2)
Now that all the tracks are in the mix, the parallel chains are added, and the balance of the mix feels great, Vance begins diving into the fine details of "Live And I Learn" by The Weird Sisters.
Watch as Vance:
- Explains his listening levels and how he uses multiple monitors at different stages of the mix
- Discusses the importance of taking breaks and getting enough sleep
- Cleans up the low mid in the vocal with a FabFilter Pro-MB multi-band compressor
- Dials in his Bricasti M7 across the El Capistan vocal delays
- Sets up a pair of PCM42 delays across the guitar solo for dimension
- Explains some automation ideas with the vocal effects that he has to add scene changes to each section of the song
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