Inside Dreamhouse Studios with Calvin Hartwick

Summary

In this episode of The Record Lab Podcast, host Nathan interviews Calvin Hartwick, a head engineer at Dreamhouse Studios in Toronto. Calvin shares his journey into music, starting from his high school band to his experiences in audio engineering school. He discusses the challenges and excitement of moving to Toronto, building a network, and working with various artists across different genres. The conversation delves into Calvin's daily routine as an engineer, notable projects he's worked on, and his preferred recording techniques that emphasize capturing the emotion and dynamics of music. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of music production, discussing the importance of crafting the perfect instrumental before recording vocals, effective recording techniques for bands, and the significance of using the right gear. They explore the debate between analog and digital equipment, share their favourite instruments, and highlight essential mixing techniques and plugins. The discussion wraps up with valuable advice for aspiring musicians on networking and reaching out to industry professionals.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

02:59

Calvin's Musical Journey and Early Experiences

06:10

Transitioning to Toronto and Building a Network

08:51

Working at Dreamhouse Studios: Genres and Experiences

11:50

A Day in the Life of a Head Engineer

14:48

Notable Projects: The Strumbellas and Daniel Caesar

18:02

Recording Techniques and Ideal Setup

27:16

Crafting the Perfect Instrumental

30:05

Recording Techniques for Bands

32:53

The Importance of Gear in Recording

36:06

Analog vs Digital: The Gear Debate

40:30

Essential Instruments in the Studio

44:25

Mixing Techniques and Plugin Favorites

50:03

Advice for Aspiring Musicians

Takeaways

• Calvin's journey into music began with a high school band.
• He moved to Toronto to pursue a career in music production.
• Networking at open mic nights helped him build connections.
• Calvin enjoys working with real instruments and vintage gear.
• He emphasizes the importance of capturing the emotion of a song.
• His daily routine includes both creative and administrative tasks.
• Calvin has worked with notable artists like The Strumbellas and Daniel Caesar.
• He believes in the value of recording musicians together for better dynamics.
• Projects often need time to develop and grow.
• Calvin trusts his instincts and avoids overthinking during recording sessions. Crafting a complete instrumental before recording vocals enhances performance.
• Timing and locking instruments in place is crucial for a cohesive sound.
• Using DI for bass can prevent unwanted bleed in recordings.
• Isolation techniques for vocalists can capture the best performances.
• Analog gear adds warmth and character to recordings.
• The EL7 is essential for achieving great drum sounds.
• Mixing with outboard gear can enhance the final product.
• Networking is vital for growth in the music industry.
• Keeping key elements like kick, snare, and vocals prominent improves mixes.
• Don't hesitate to reach out to industry professionals for guidance.

Sound Bites

• "I joined a band with my best friends."
• "I wanted to start a new life in Toronto."
• "Open mic nights are great for networking."
• "Sometimes a project needs time to grow."
• "I trust my instincts and get in, get out."
• "Daniel Caesar is so humble and nice."
• "It makes a world of a difference."
• "Everything is locked into its own place."
• "I love using it to glue things together."
• "Networking is key in the music industry."