In Session With Al Schmitt

The work of Al Schmitt is and always has been the gold standard for recording engineers. Capturing the natural sounds going down in the studio isn’t always easy, but Al is the master and makes it look a lot easier than it looks.

Here’s a great video which shows Al prepping a big band session. Notice his interaction with the musicians, which is always fun and light-hearted and a big part of putting everyone involved at ease. People always want to work with someone that’s fun to be around, and that’s Al.

If you haven’t picked up a copy of Al’s book yet (Al Schmitt: On The Record: The Magic Behind The Music) now’s a good time. It’s a great read!