Hip Hop & Beat Making

Background

Columbus Smith III, better known by his stage name Rahki (sometimes Rahk or Rahki Beats), is an American record producer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. He is known for his work with mentor DJ Khalil and acts such as Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Currensy, Evidence, Schoolboy Q, 50 Cent, Domo Genesis, Lecrae, Aloe Blacc, and more.

Background

Noel “Detail” Fisher has been behind the scenes crafting the biggest hits for Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Jennifer Lopez and more. Producing songs like the Grammy Award winning hit, “Drunk in Love” as well as, “7/11” for Beyonce’. Are just mere pieces of the eclectic producer of Detail+Music Studio whom gave us the heart felt “How to Love” by Lil Wayne, and the melodic “We Dem Boys” by Wiz Khalifa.

He connected regions through Drake’s “305 to My City”, and sent good vibes through the globe on Lil Wayne’s “No Worries”. These sonic historic landmarks established Detail as an artist who can do more than just create a hot beat. His songwriting and hookcraft abilities have helped him emerge as one of the biggest and most well-rounded talents in hip-hop today.

Detail was first known for being a co-executive on Ray J’s Raydiation, which was his first major contributions on an album. However, times have changed for the Detroit, MI native, “When you’re in Detroit there’s nothin’ to do. There’s no opportunity” Detail explains.

“All of the record labels left, and it’s just been a desert. All I could do was ,sing, play the piano and write. I came up from that era of just tapping into all genres of music. It’s not different than having a house and pulling in the person that does the air conditioner and the person that does the plumbing;’ that’s what I’m doing with my music. It’s a household and I’m connecting with the best people to make that happen.”

With production in the works for Big Sean and more, Detail is slated to not only be one of the most talked about names in music, but will be defining the sound of our modern generation.

Background

After working in some of the biggest studios in Los Angeles, under some of the biggest names in music, Doug Boulware partnered with visionary Jason Ries to bring you The Abstract LA. Doug’s start in music began as a child vocalist in music theater. His influences range from the big band and jazz present in the household to Motown and oldies his mother insisted on! Doug’s obsession for music took a more contemporary turn in his formidable years in the early electronic music scene in LA. Doug has been an underground house music DJ since the 90’s which led to him to his true passion, music production and songwriting. The Abstract LA represents the culmination of a lifelong dream based of a lifelong love of music!

Articles

Recording Connection Mentor Doug Boulware Opens his Own Studio
Recording Connection mentor Doug Boulware: What it Means to Hustle

Background

I am owner founder of WiseGuy Records, Audio Engineer / Producer

Background

Israel Lliteras is a Los Angeles native and graduate of the LA Film School. Israel has been around the art and film industry his entire life. He began his career as an artist, successfully selling his works of art throughout the United States. With his artistic skills, he delved into the world of motion pictures. There, he found his passion for creating art on a timeless canvas such as film. Israel has worked on several projects in a variety of rolls and departments. By experiencing first hand the many key rolls that a production encompasses, Israel has a true understanding of the big picture.

Background

Lionel is a great guy to work with… known for making the session as memorable as the final tracks. He has a critical ear and a dedication to detail that makes clients feel every aspect of their project will receive the same attention from start to finish.

Background

Ryan Hewitt is a Grammy winning engineer, mixer and producer with a credit list spanning all popular genres of music for such notable artists as The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Avett Brothers, blink-182, The Dixie Chicks, needtobreathe, Flogging Molly and Jamie Cullum.

Relocating from Los Angeles to Nashville in early 2015, Ryan took residence at House of Blues Studios in Berry Hill and jumped into a non-stop string of records. In between mixing albums for The Avett Brothers, Third Eye Blind, Sean McConnell, and Harry Connick, Jr., Ryan produced and mixed up-and-coming Georgia rockers, Crass Mammoth, Knoxville troubadours, The Black Lillies and Nashville mods Elle Macho. He spent last summer recording and mixing The Lumineers’ #1 album Cleopatra with producer Simone Felice in upstate New York and has since recorded and mixed several more songs for film soundtracks.

Background

Brian Boland is a producer/engineer with twenty years of studio experience behind him. Starting out at William Paterson College, he learned the art of recording from exceptional teachers including Bob Both (James Brown). After college, he was lucky enough to start his career at the legendary Greene Street Recording NYC (Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Pete Rock, Dave Matthews, George Benson, Beastie Boys…) His band Elwood, was signed to Palm Pictures in 2000 by Chris Blackwell and had success with their cover of “Sundown” by Gordon Lightfoot reaching the Billboard charts. In 2004, Brian moved to Los Angeles where he began freelancing at various studios in LA, Detroit, Seattle, and Philadelphia. Brian continued his many personal projects working and playing bass with Shadow Rewind, Baby Stone (Sly Stone’s daughter), Dave Krusen (Pearl Jam), and countless others. He also worked at Windmark Recording in Santa Monica, (formerly Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’ Flight Tyme) where he was able to work on many major label writing camps engineering,and assisting some of the worlds top artists and producers in the urban world, including Timbaland, Macy Gray, Rihanna, Y.G., Mary J. Blige, DJ Mustard, Big Krit, Sha Money XL and many more.

Background

SWAN7 is a comfortable space to work with someone who’s as in to your music as you are. Whether you just need a place to record or you need a collaborator to help bring your songs to life, SWAN7 is a great place to start. As an engineer/producer with over 20 years of experience working with some of the biggest names in the industry and a former touring musician, I’ve got the skills to help you get you music sounding the way you imagine. I can help with any and all aspects of the process: recording, mixing, arranging and co-writing.

Articles

One on One: A Formula for Success

Background

Sweetdrop Digital is a record label founded in 2013 by DJ/Producer Justin Hachat aka Justin David and partners. We are a label built by sound engineers, djs and producers for djs and producers. We have a philosophy of creating something that artists want to be a part of. For our clients we offer a broad array of services including, mixing, mastering, editing, arrangement, sfx placement, foley recording, and background music. For our artists we offer an almost unmatched payout on royalties, worldwide digital distribution, promotional efforts and booking management if chosen. For all others we offer you a selection of music and videos to entertain you. If you are new talent looking for an outlet to get your music heard or a industry professional looking for some of our services please feel free to contact us. Don’t forget to check out our other pages on facebook and soundcloud. Thank you for visiting and enjoy.

Background

The Sound Lab is a fully-equipped recording studio in Greensboro, NC. We offer professional sound recording, production, mixing, and mastering services backed by over 34 years of recording experience at competitive prices. Our personnel is versatile; we have recorded musicians in diverse genres—including classical, country, jazz, hip hop, rock and blues—and spoken word artists, as well as corporate clients such as Volvo of America, Marriott International, and Penguin Group (USA)—recording projects such as audio books, voiceovers, jingles, and training manuals.

Our studio is comfortable, large, and architecturally designed for high-end sound production. The live room is 800 square feet, with 20 foot ceilings—perfect for orchestras, choirs, and big drum sounds. And its multiple isolation booths allow bands to easilly record in one room. The control room is also a very spacious 700 square feet.

Once your music recording is completed we also offer graphic design and duplication and replication services from 10 to 100,000 copies to help you fully complete and release your next project! In addition to audio recording and production services we also offer dvd duplication, and a variety of digital transfers (cassette to cd, LP/45 to cd, vhs to cd, vhs to dvd, and reel-to-reel to cd).

Background

I have been passionately involved in the audio production field for 20 years, and have owned my own business for the last 15 of those years. I started with simple equipment and have progressed through many analog and digital advancements. I continue to pursue an understanding of cutting edge technologies within my field of expertise on a daily basis. I have and will always continue to strive for perfection in everything that I do.

I am a firm believer in the adage “where there is a will, there is a way” and I press until problems are solved and tasks are done.

Background

Gregory teaches Post Production, Audio Engineering / Pro Tools, and Video Game Audio. He earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Synthesis and Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music, where he also received the MP&E Academic Scholar Award.

Gregory has since worked in Hollywood as a sound designer, engineer, mixer, composer, voice director, producer, songwriter, classically-trained pianist and multi-instrumentalist. He has worked on a number of feature films, TV, video games, records and theme park attractions.

He has won multiple Golden Reel Awards and worked with companies such Warner Bros., Disney, Soundelux, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Sony, Universal Studios and more. Gregory has also owned and operated his own recording and post-production studio, Scorpio Sound, since 1999.

Articles

Recording Connection mentor Gregory Hainer on Vibe and Flow

Background

Tiki Recording Studios was established in 1967 when the name was drawn out of a hat. CEO Gradie O’Neal has been a legendary engineer in the Bay Area and well respected. Many name groups have come through the doors and have recorded here. Jeannine O’Neal joined the company in the 80’s and has been an experienced music producer for the company. Both have recorded gold albums.

Two complete professional recording studios. Studio A-large recording room for bands with isolated drummers booth and singers booth. 91/2′ concert grand piano, excellent selection of microphones. Studio B- Production & Mixing facility. If you are a singer/songwriter/musician and need music behind you, let Jeannine create the arrangement of your dreams.

LP & cassette transfers to CD, Add your voice to Karaoke tracks for your family and friends, Career & internet music marketing consultation available. Call for prices and hours Many creative people have come through the doors of Tiki Studios-O’Neal Productions.

A bit of history, Tiki Studios was created by Gradie O’Neal and several partners back in 1967. We have survived many recessions, economy downturns, booms, you name it we’ve seen it and still survived by the grace of God. Tiki originally was on the corner of 17th and Julian St. in San Jose, Ca. and was in that location until 1985 where we moved into a much larger facility. The name Tiki came from Gradie and his partners at that time were trying to come up with a name for the new studio.

Everyone threw names in a hat and out popped Tiki. So for all these years, we have held on to the name and now added O’Neal Productions to the mix. The new facility offered two studios instead of one. One studio Studio A is the large room for bands to record. Studio B is the smaller music production and mixing room. Tiki in their beginning careers has recorded people such as Santana, Bill Withers, Lydia Pence of Cold Blood, Grupo Vennus, Los Aquario. We have also done many Gospel recording artists such as Lillie Knauls, Danni Bell and more. Many others (too many to name them all) have recorded throughout the years.

Both studios record many styles from Rock to world music heard throughout the world. Jeannine produces a wide variety of styles from African, South American, Vietnamese, Tibetan, Persian, India, Mexican you name it we’ve done it. That’s the beauty of music, it’s all the language we understand. More to come.

Background

Since a teenager, Dave has played various instruments in different bands. His history with audio engineering goes back to junior high when he started learning and helping run sound for various school functions and productions. In later years Dave worked at a studio where he fine-tuned his craft of session playing, recording, producing and mixing.

For the past decade Dave has been working with artists and bands helping them discover and create there sound. He has worked on hundreds of songs, and as a result has seen artists and bands he’s worked with, land deals with major and indie labels.

In 2013 Dave joined a collective of multimedia content creators based out of Kona, Hawaii, headed up by film director and entrepreneur David L. Cunningham. Since then, Dave has expanded into composing, sound design and mixing for film, TV and games. Out of this new direction, Dave started Twenty20Sound as a post sound and music production company.

Background

Musical Octopus, Russell Wolff. A Harvard grad who has been involved in many aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. Producer, singer, songwriter, musician, author, DJ/MC, photographer, wedding officiant, actor, and owner of Krazy Pop Studio on Historic Music Row in Nashville TN.

He began his career in the theater, on stages in NYC; later opening and touring with bands signed to Atlantic Records, playing to sold out venues throughout the United States and Europe and releasing 6 albums. In the years since, he has produced upwards of 30 albums, worked with everyone from LL Cool J to Martina McBride, licensed music with MTV, built relationships throughout Nashville, Los Angeles, Boston and New York and has used those relationships to propel the careers of various artists. He is a voting member of the Grammys in four categories as well as a member of ASCAP.

Wolff tours on piano, guitar, vocal and is available to run sound for tours. You can see him in clips online playing with Martina McBride, as well as on Fox Morning News, PBS, and in shows with Sugarland, Miranda Lambert, Michelle Branch, Little Big Town, and YOUR next project. Recently produced, mixed, and toured with James Wolpert of NBC’s The Voice & sound for Lilly Winwood.

Background

Chris Steinmetz has over 30 years of experience in the record industry and has worked on gold, platinum, and grammy nominated albums. Steinmetz began his career working as an assistant engineer for Warner Bros. Records in L.A., and began freelancing his work as well before moving back to his native Chicago.

Articles

Student Justin Smith is Fine with Trial by Fire
Alysse LeFevre Follows her bliss into The Lair Recording Studio

Background

Most of the time, building a career requires moving, evolving, and learning over time. One’s “career” is the byproduct of work that’s done in the present, the things you do while you’re in the pocket, perfecting your craft.

Sharrief Thomas knows about this intimately. This writer/producer/engineer and artist in his own right was exposed to the Recording Connection program when he was recording at Quad Studios in New York City. Seeing our program at work led Sharrief to become a mentor himself. Today he helps our students hone their chops, gain skills, and plan for their futures while gleaning a first-hand understanding of how the music industry works from a creative and business perspective at Water Music Publishing, an independent music publishing and media company run by Sharrief and business partner Big Bug, whose known for his work with Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Sean Combs, and as one of the original members of the 90s R&B group, Today.

While recording at Quad, Sharrief and another Recording Connection mentor, Sax DMA, decided to give a number of RC apprentices the opportunity to earn engineering credits on his forthcoming album. “We had to turn down kids that wanted to join,” Sharrief says. And a number of notable artists came in to help on vocals including Sky Heavens, backup singer for Eminem, and Big Bub himself. “It was just the students getting to be in a live situation with real, live artists.”

Today, as a Recording Connection mentor himself, Sharrief apprentices students at Water Music Publishing in Bloomfield, NJ, just outside of New York City.

Articles

RC mentor Sharrief Thomas Talks Truth on Having the Winning Mindset

Background

“In Late 2001 Rob along with his band-mates of Arista Recording Artist From Zero, spent a week working out material for their new album, though he left From Zero he never left Uptown.

With over 20 years experience and expert knowledge in analog and digital recording technology, Rob actively tests software for various companies that keep him ahead of the curve.

Rob continues to stay in tune with the local and national music scene, having engineered mixed and mastered many local and national artists.”

Background

Zarven Kara is the engineer, producer and manager of Reel to Reel Studios and has worked in most facets of the music industry throughout Europe and Australia. He earned his living working in the clubs of Germany as a jazz guitarist and composer, and gained valuable insight and experience inside some of Germany’s finest studios.

Background

Tony Ricci is a veteran music producer with over 20 years experience and 6 Grammy Considerations since 2005. Tony is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

Tony was the staff Sound Designer at the TONY Award winning Trinity Repertory Company in Providence RI for two years, dealing with all aspects of Theatre production sound and also composing original music for the world premier of the play Reckless. He has worked with all styles of music including rock, metal, pop, country, jazz, world, urban, classical and folk. In addition to his studio work, Tony is an audio instructor at New England Institute Of Technology.

Tony’s production style is based on capturing what makes each artist unique and recognizable, and creating showpiece mixes. He is currently looking for artists who have strong songs, true passion for their music and a desire to take their career to the next level.

Background

Manage a team of recording engineers and interns to successfully record musicians and voice over artists. Record voice-over for commercials and sound design. Oversaw construction of two new studios, acquired all materials and managed labor through completion. Expanded the market to reach advertising agencies and production companies through multiple marketing channels. Maintain and troubleshoot equipment.

Background

Devon has worked as an engineer or Pro Tools engineer on numerous grammy winning albums. Most notable was his Pro Tools Engineering work for Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill which won four GRAMMYs (including album of the year) in 1999.

Articles

Busy in Baton Rouge: Recording Connection student Jordan Robertson launches his music production career

Background

A Detroit Native, IV Duncan III is a RIAA Multi-Platinum Certified Recording, Mixing, and Mastering Engineer. He is also an accomplished Music Producer. He graduated top of his class from the Recording Institute, nationally renowned for its engineering curriculum. IV is the owner of Mix Factory One Studios and Music Brokers Entertainment Group. His experience in the music industry is sought after by major labels and corporate America as well as local/independent artists.  He is an active participant in the community and is a partner in the Light Up Detroit campaign designed to shine a positive light and promote growth for that city. Music is IV’s passion. His goal is to continuously empower the art that drives him.

Background

Picture this… It’s 1968 in a remote fishing village in eastern Canada. A six year old boy comes home from an afternoon jigging tommy cods on the wharf. He carefully drops the needle on “Rubber Soul”, his parents only Beatles album, adjusts his headphones and starts jamming to Ringo on his toy tin drum. These are the humble beginnings of what has become a great musical adventure. After a string of school concert bands, a Diploma in Jazz Studies and a Bachelor of Music from St. Francis Xavier University, Scott Ferguson has gone on to live his musical dreams.

In the early 80′s Scott focused on his jazz passion studying with renowned drum teacher Jim Blackley in Toronto and performing with such greats as Oliver Jones, Peter Appleyard and Dave Young. Settling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Scott broadened his stylistic scope and in 1992 embarked on a seven year tenure touring and recording with “The Rankin Family”.

After hundreds of concerts in Canada, The United States, The U.K. and Australia Scott started pursuing his interest in studio production. Fueled by his work with legendary Nashville producers George Massenberg and John Jennings on the Rankin CDs “Uprooted” and “Endless Seasons”, Scott started “Ferguson Music Productions Inc.

Background

Sevensound’s Chief Engineer, Richie Beretta is a multi-faceted musician, internationally known writer/producer and educator. With over 15 years of studio experience, there isn’t many styles or genres that he is a stranger to. He grew up in New York City with a love for punk and reggae but has written, mixed, and produced almost every genre from Metal to J-pop. He has also worked for some of the biggest names in music like Beyoncé and Major Lazer.

Richie is just as passionate about sharing his love of how music is made as he is about making it.  In 2013 he began cultivating the talent of future engineers and hit makers at the world’s leading electronic audio institute, Dubspot. Since then he also started and coordinates possibly one of the first and only live mixing tutorials on Twitch.tv.

SEVENSOUND is a production company founded by producer and New York City native, Richie Beretta. Built with his own two hands he created a full service production house that is an affordable alternative to the “big facility” experience for both independent and major label artists.

Background

Built in 1990, WrightWay Studios has been a staple of the Mid – Atlantic music scene and a destination for national recording artists since it’s inception. The Studio has an impressive client list including artists ranging from Rihanna, Dru Hill, Bibi Bourelly, Dawn (Danity Kane) and Ryan Leslie to Slipknot, U.N.K.L.E and Bosnian Rainbows (Mars Volta), Misery Index, Evan Taubenfeld (Avril Lavigne), Steel Pulse and Celebration, to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Hezekiah Walker and many more. WrightWay prides itself in its ability to deliver the highest quality projects for artists in any genre. WrightWay has worked with artists from every Major Label including Warner Brothers, EMI, Sony, BMG and Universal and most of their subsidiary labels in addition to most of the region’s budding talent.

WrightWay’s Engineers are far more than just engineers. Each is also a musician, trained as a producer who fully understands what it takes to make a great record. Each Producer/Engineer is committed to delivering the highest quality product for every client. Wright Way’s Producers/Engineers have worked with: Rihanna, Mos Def, Blaqstarr/M.I.A., Lake Trout, Slipknot, Mambo Sauce, Lonnie Liston Smith, Dying Fetus, Fertile Ground, SR71, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack

Background

“I operate a recording studio, record, produce and mix records for clients, write songs and get song placements on nationally distributed compilations. Record voice overs and edit video.” – Harley Fine

Background

Asaf Fulks is a record artist, songwriter, music producer, sound engineer, videographer, graphic designer, educator, author, inventor and founder of OC Recording in 2005. He discovered his passion for music production during his college years. While studying Computer Science and Economics at Denison University in Ohio, he also spent time recording and producing in his dorm room. After graduating in 2004, he moved to his family in Hollywood and eventually relocated to Orange County to work for a book publisher. His boss recognized his passion for music and encouraged him to set up a studio in his unused office space. With minimal gear and few contacts Asaf set up shop and The OC Recording Company opened its doors in 2005. [^]

Articles

Recording Connection Grads find work at The OC Recording Company Inc!