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Interview with John Paterno
Chandler Limited: How did you get started engineering and producing?
John Paterno: I was in community college, thinking I was going to
get an electrical engineering degree, when I heard about the University
of Miami's Music Engineering program. It seemed to combine two things
that I was really interested in -- music and gear! I somehow managed to
pass the music audition -- you know that joke, 'how do you get a guitar
player to turn down?' -- and my grades were just good enough to get in.
Three years later, in May of '90, I was in LA. I started out as an
assistant engineer, and was fortunate enough to end up working for Tchad
Blake and Mitchell Froom for several years. Over time, I started doing
more recording for people and went independent. I've been very fortunate
in that I've had some very nice recommendations over the years, and I've
on some incredible projects.
CL: What keeps you going in this wacky business?
JP: One of the things I love most about making records is that the
circumstances are always different. I like the challenge of doing a great
job with the given situation whether I'm producing, mixing, or recording.
Recently, with the new Robbie Williams record, it was helping to sort out
two and a half years of writing and create a compelling record. With a
guy like Roger Manning, who is a seriously talented
musician/writer/arranger, it's a matter of understanding his vision and
trusting that I 'get it' when I mix his records. I mixed the 'Robbie
Williams Live in Berlin' special that aired on European TV in October,
which involved mixing the whole show in a fairly short time frame. The
focus is always on a result that keeps the listener interested.
I think this is why I like producing so much. It's great to interact with
the artist and work on songs and arrangements -- trying to understand, or
help them figure out, what they want to express and what is the best way
to get there. I like going to rehearsals and the preparation for going
into the studio. Most importantly, I try to make the musicians comfortable
so they can give the best possible performances.
CL: Tell us some of the bands you've worked on and what has been the
most fun/memorable?
JP: There have been so many cool experiences. Working with Mitchell
Froom, as an engineer, mixer, and once as a co-producer, because he is so
damn musical, and works with great players. I worked on quite a few things
over the years with him, including Joan Osborne, Vonda Shepard, Los Lobos, Mia
Doi Todd, Bonnie Raitt, and his solo piano record. I worked with Soraya, a Latin
artist, on a record that was her 'comeback' after going through breast cancer
treatment. There was an amazing vibe throughout the whole project. It won a
Latin Grammy for Best Singer/Songwriter Album in 2004. There was the Badly
Drawn Boy record, where every night on the way home I'd realize my cheeks were
sore because i'd just be laughing all day with Damon [Mr. Boy] and Tom Rothrock.
With some of my recent band productions, The Black Molly's and Lustra, the
enthusiasm was contagious!
CL: What are your favorite studios?
JP: I've had three favorites for years now -- Sound Factory, Sound City,
and Henson. These three places can handle all of my recording needs. Great
rooms with even greater staffs! I've just added a fourth -- AIR Studios in
London, for the same reasons as my other favorites.
CL: What is favorite Chandler gear and why?
JP: Well, I own four different things, and I love them all! The Channel
is great on bass, vocals, and guitar. It's the only EQ I'll use when I track a
vocal. I use the TG1 on all kinds of things, not just to hyper limit something.
It's great to give some life to samples and programmed tracks. The LTD-1 on kick,
snare, and overheads. I also like to use the Channel pre and the LTD-1 EQ as an
electric guitar chain. The TG and LTD EQ's are also very handy for mixing. And
then there is the custom 4X2 lunchbox mixer that you guys built for me to combine
up to four line level signals, which could be my favorite combining buss ever!
CL: What are your favorite non-chandler pieces?
JP: I always like to have Little Labs stuff around -- the IBP, PCP, and the
old Little Labs DI. There's always a Distressor around, being used on something!
For speakers i've been using NHT Pro A 20's and M-00's.
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