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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 Bernard Johnson or one of our mentors in the greater San Diego area.

Bernard Johnson didn’t follow the usual path to becoming a Recording Connection mentor in El Cajon, Ca. He discovered a love of mass media as a 14-year-old, entering a certification program to find out how it all came together.

After finishing the program, he began co-producing a top-ten music show in Detroit and received an award for exemplary airwave checks from the Michigan Broadcast Association. Then his career took a turn: Johnson entered the military.

After a 20-year career in the military, often leading departments with 90 people, Johnson returned to what he loved as a teenager, earning a masters in audio production. While the military can be quite regimented, Johnson was attracted to the freeform method of instruction that Recording Connection offered students. As he knows better than most, the standard course isn’t always the best course.

“When I saw (Recording Connection) model, I was like, ‘Wow, this is it. I love it.’” Johnson said. “And it allows students to have the opportunity not to feel cemented to something like, ‘This is what you need to do, this is the direction and the route you need to do it.’”

The Recording Connection Program gives you access to a professional engineer, fully-functioning studio, and hands-on education, it could also earn you a career. The Noize Factory is a perfect example of that: Johnson hired one of his former students (Efrain Matias) as a staff engineer.

But you have to work for it. Recording Connection students must be willing to put in the time, effort, and focus to get the most out of it. Johnson expects nothing less.

“I do want to say commitment, passion, perseverance, and finishing until the end,” Johnson said. “They’re not just doing something for money or just doing it ‘just because.’ They’re literally passionate about it.”

Articles

Recording Connection mentor Bernard ‘IQue’ Johnson Shares His Smarts & Hires from Within!
Recording Connection grad Goes to NAMM, Gets Hired, Gets Going in Audio!

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

Powerhouse mentors Parker Ament and Danny Ferrare of XLNT Studios (Timbaland, Borgore, Brillz, Dan Farber, Kelly Price, Larrance Dopson of 1500 or Nothin) are the ultimate example of agile, entrepreneurial music producers who’ve got their fingers on the pulse of what’s going on in electronic music production right now. The XLNT team are host of the popular YouTube web series XLNTSOUND, a must watch for those looking to capture today’s hottest sounds via plugins and specific production techniques.

Despite their easy going vibe they expect students to be receptive to learning and to take on a
“fly on the wall” posture when artists are in session in the studio. Parker says, “The first rule is: you don’t say anything unless somebody asks you. And even when they ask you, you should keep it short and sweet. You can’t kind of go on tangents, because then that might drive the session in a certain way.” In order to absorb the information that’s coming your way, he suggests “Take notes, if that’s your thing, or sit as close as you can to the screen, out of the way of the client and engineer, while really watching. Because, with every little note or trick, you’re going to be learning something new every second. Even if you think that you know everything, there’s going to be something that you didn’t know when you’re watching us or a particular engineer.”

So what do Parker and Danny look for in the Recording Connection students they train? It usually comes down to one word—passion.

“Right when they walk through the door, we can see who is passionate about what they’re doing. Even if they’re shy, we can sense the passion. And I feel like that is the most important thing. If somebody is socially awkward or they don’t really know what to say during the interview or something like that, we don’t base any of that on what we’re looking for. We’re looking for passion, we’re looking for dedication, and we’re looking for somebody that is going to create their own path. So if somebody has the opportunity to extern with us, we want them to make their own path with the opportunities that we’re showing them.”

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

As a music producer, studio co-founder, DJ and mentor, Lucas Abend of Studio 369 (Snoop Dogg, Krewella, Sony Music) is the consummate example of the artist producer who’s constantly pushing the boundaries, breaking outdated rules and modalities and bringing the future into the now. That being said, Lucas doesn’t sustain himself on hype. Rather, he believes deeply in the importance and value of art, music making, and creative expression.

As a believer in creative expression, Lucas focuses on putting Recording Connection students’ own music and creativity at the center of the training every chance he gets. Their desire to make their own music unique helps keep them charged up for the challenges they can encounter while they learn the DAW (Pro Tools, Ableton).

“Part of it is having the challenge inspire you to keep working…That’s probably my most direct way that I’m mentoring, is helping the students find a creative workflow that works for them so that they have that motivation to spend 15 hours a week [learning]. That’s not easy. It takes some effort to spend that kind of time but once they’re spending [it], you see them get so much better. They improve so drastically that that’s kind of what makes it all worth it, is to see them improve and start to feel like, ‘Hey, actually at first when we first started I didn’t know what 4/4 meant!’”