This is your Real Allentown In-Studio Education

Background

My name is Mike Hemberger, also known as Jive The Universal or JiveDig. I was born and bred in NJ and have spent over a decade in various roles throughout the music scene. I began my music career as a teenager playing guitar, bass, singing and playing in several bands, all the while pushing myself as a solo hip-hop artist. I went to a local college and earned a degree in Music Theory and Music Technology. Right out of school I purchased Pro Tools, a Mac and a bunch of studio gear. I haven’t looked back since.

Background

Ben Elliott has recorded, mixed and produced artists for over 25 years. As co-owner of Showplace Studios, Ben possesses one of the largest collections of vintage and analog gear, in the world. He is known for his expertise in diverse musical genres, having recorded classic artists such as Eric Clapton and Keith Richards (for whom, among other projects, he recorded and mixed “You Win Again” featured on Timeless, the Grammy-winning all-star tribute to Hank Williams).Ben has also recorded and/or mixed albums for Leslie West and Mountain, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Savoy Brown, Jack Bruce and many other rock artists. In the blues genre he was associate producer and engineer on the Hubert Sumlin’s Grammy Award nominated record About Them Shoes featuring legends James Cotton, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Paul Oscher and Bob Margolin of Muddy Waters’ band, as well as Levon Helm of The Band. Additionally, Ben has worked with jazz artists including Al Caiola, Sonny Fortune, Louis Hayes, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Bill Easley and has mixed a series of Live at the Blue Note albums. He has also worked on tracks with Rock, Latin and R&B artists including Steve Miller, Billy F. Gibbons, Nokie Edwards, Warren Haynes, José Feliciano, Luther Vandross, Ben E. King and Bernard Purdie, and contemporary bands such as Clutch, the Henry Rollins Band and Robert Randolph. Throughout the years, Ben has gained experience from working with top producer/engineers such as Rob Fraboni, Eddie Kramer, Andy Wallace, Jason Corsaro and Joe Barresi.
As co-owner of Showplace Music Productions, Ben is currently producing/directing multiple projects, including Lou Pallo’s star-studded recording and documentary tribute to guitar innovator and inventor, Les Paul, plus a unique collaboration of Italian guitar giants, titled Jersey Guitar Mafia.

Background

SSR Recording Studio is a state of the art, multi-track facility located near Smithville, New Jersey. SSR is owned and operated by Bob Fowler and is where Fowler and Branca record their music. In addition to utilizing the latest music software and instrument plug-ins, the studio boasts a collection of rare and highly prized microphones. With an enclosed drum room, tracking room, and nicely sized control room, SSR is capable of accommodating full band sessions.

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Joey Heier or one of our mentors in the New Brunswick area.

Audio engineer and studio owner Joey Heier has been in the business of making music for decades. With a client list that includes names like Christina Aguilera, B.o.B., Jill Scott, and Dru Hill, Joey knows what it takes to work in music. Furthermore, he has a zeal for sharing his passion for audio with newcomers.

So much so, that he’s gotten the nickname “Uncle Joey” from our students. He maintains contact with literally dozens of our graduates, many of whom have gone on to build great careers in the music industry.

We recently asked Joey Heier why he loves mentoring for Recording Connection. Here’s what he said:

“It’s a tremendous passion for me. I enjoy doing this so much. I have a style that I believe in. I talk with my students about a textbook answer that they’re probably going to forget immediately, and then give them an ‘Uncle Joe’ definition that’s two or three words that they’re going to remember immediately. Then they’re going to understand what the textbook definition is by hearing it in a simpler fashion.

“I have great kids that come in and really, really want to do this… I have an outstanding job, and there’s no reason why I shouldn’t do it with a smile. And that doesn’t happen with every kid, naturally—it really depends if they want to do it. But if they want to do it, I am so honored to have the opportunity to teach, and I think that’s why it works well for me.”

Articles

NUGGETS OF TRUTH: Recording Connection mentor Joey (“Uncle Joe”) Heier talks about the importance of hands-on training and his passion for teaching

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Aaron R. Reppert or one of our mentors in the greater St. Louis area.

Originally founded in 2000 by Recording Connection mentor Aaron R. Reppert, TravSonic Sound & Media has grown a lot since its early, humble beginnings. TravSonic Mobile, established in 2009, caters to a number of high profile clients in music, technology, the arts, and the corporate world. The thriving company offers a range of remote recording technologies and services for seminar, concerts, festivals, and events.

Today, TravSonic Sound & Media is an award-winning, full-service media production company serving clients from its Nashville and Overland offices.

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Rick Carson or one of our mentors in the greater Lincoln area.

Recording Connection mentor engineer/producer Rick Carson has a passion for teaching today’s rising talents in the world of audio. Designed by famous recording studio designer, Rod Gervais, his studio features three control rooms, world-class equipment, and has the distinction of having Nebraska’s only large format SSL mixing console.

Articles

A Day in the Life of Our Students
A Day in the Life of Our Students

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentors Parker Ament and Danny Howard or one of our mentors in the greater LA area.

Recording Connection mentors Parker Ament and Danny Howard are up to the minute music producers, audio engineers, and entrepreneurs who know how to navigate the music industry in the 21st Century. Besides working with artists like Omarion, Todrick Hall, and Lauren Chase, they create great sound design tutorials on their popular YouTube channel.

Background

Recording Connection mentor Jason Phelps is an audio engineer, producer, and musician who’s been involved in music all his life. He’s downright passionate about recording, producing, and teaching the next generation of music industry professionals. He expects the externs he trains to bring their A-game, and to listen and learn in a proactive manner.

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Ross Vanderslice or one of our mentors in the St. Louis area.

An engineer since 2001, Ross Vanderslice has worked with some of the biggest names in the recording industry. The experience he’s gained works perfectly with what we do at Recording Connection: pairing externs with seasoned professionals for invaluable one-on-one time with a mentor.

With multiple studios and state-of-the-art equipment, Vanderslice has worked with several Recording Connection externs. Doing it right is about so much more than having the right gear, software, or equipment. Because of his experience working with internationally-known acts, Vanderslice knows how to work with artists, how to make them feel comfortable and safe within the studio environment.

Here are some of the clients with whom Vanderslice and/or the professional audio engineers at his studio have worked:

Background

Shane Anderson is a seasoned music industry veteran. With over 20+ years in the music industry Shane has vast experience in production, recording, mixing and mastering as well as the ins and outs of the music business. Shane began his musical career in his early teens as a demo vocalist for labels and also as a sound engineer for the MUZAK corporation. At age 18 he opened his first studio location in Honolulu, HI called “Unique Studios” and oversaw the daily operations of the recording studio as well as landing several indie label deals and distribution agreements while in Hawaii working with local talent. In 2009 Shane released a solo album titled “Dangerous”. This album took off online primarily on MYSPACE and gained much success with over 2.5 Million plays worldwide landing him on BILLBOARD NEWSWIRE and ultimately landing him several placements on TV shows to include “The Kardashians” “MTV” “E- Networks” and Oxygen to name a few.

Shane moved down to Los Angeles 2010 where he formed with his long-time high school friend a production company called “The Go Gettas” where he continued to build on his credits and catalog working with artist who have been on American Idol, X Factor, Dancing with The Stars and Disney to name a few. After landing multiple placements in Film/TV Shane relocated to the Sacramento area in 2016 to build on Unique Recording Studios and help bridge the gap between artist and the industry.

Shane runs Unique Recording Studios as a production label, distribution company and recording studio for artist to create and focus on their art. Unique Recording Studios has also newly launched an exciting new venture at URS called “The Collective” which will allow producers, engineers, songwriters and artist to collaborate in house at Unique Recording Studios to work together to create music and promote building a large collaborative catalog of music to submit to labels, publishers, music supervisors and overall decision makers in the music industry. This will provide a great opportunity for students who complete their coursework at the recording connection.

Articles

Unique Recording Studios

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Zack Phillips or one of our mentors in the Bay Area.

Discovering his love of music while growing up in New York City in the ‘80s, Zack Phillips’ approach to music is “part science, part mysticism.” Gaining experience as a DJ and live sound engineer, Phillips received a formal education in audio engineering.

From there, Phillips honed his craft working at several studios before finally establishing his own studio: FreqLab Recording. In addition to recording, editing, mixing, and production, Phillips also works on developing the artists he works with, exploring innovative and inventive ways of engineering audio. Phillips has worked with a wide range of artists, including Talib Kweli, The Kooks, and Blue Hawaii.

You’ll be working in a state-of-the-art facility renovated by Phillips himself. While he made sure to design the studio to get the most out of the space, he also wanted to make it as comfortable as possible for engineers and artists alike.

If you study at the San Francisco Recording Connection, you’ll be working with people as passionate about music as you are. Up and comers, established stars, and other entertainment entities such as Comedy Central or Electronic Arts. But you won’t be watching TV or playing video games – you’ll be coming to work hard every day.