Audeze chats with producer and mixer Glen Robinson

Glen Robinson is an NYC based producer/mixer: He’s worked with artists such as Voivod with bassist Jason Newsted (formerly of Metallica), Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl’s project Probot, The Ramones, The Steve Miller Band, David Bowie, AC/DC, Gwar, Trevor Horn, and many others. 

"Been traveling a lot lately and the LCD-X’s are an incredible reference, I never question any adjustments made while checking mixes on them." - Glen Robinson

Here's our chat with Glen:

Can you pick out any highlights from your work that you're particularly proud of?

One that comes to mind was the Ringo Starr all-star band I recorded in Chicago and mixed at my NYC studio in stereo and 5.1. So many great songs, his high profile band included: Roger Hodgson from Supertramp, Sheila E, Ian Hunter, Greg Lake and Howard Jones. Producing and mixing Voivod with Jason Newsted from Metallica on the last 2 albums the late great Denis D'amour left before his death. Remixing and mastering of U2’s epic performance at Boston’s Orpheum theater while on the War tour. Remixing the Ramones Live in NYC multitracks.

How would you define your main role on most of the projects you work on these days?

I have been doing a lot more writing and co-writing on top of producing and mixing. Recently doing many re-records for publishing.

How did you get started in music? What kind of music did you listen to while growing up and how has that progressed?

Played guitar in several bands, walked in a Westlake room one day and was hooked.

Got a job at a 24 track studio, was thrown into a session as engineer for the Gang of 4 with Ron and Howard Albert, known as the Albert Brothers producing, they came up from Criteria studios in Miami, Ron and Howard were so cool and patient with me, I had never spliced 2 inch tape. During the session they made me do all the edits, taught me during the session and gave me confidence.

Can you name any factors that influenced the course of your musical life? Heroes, role models, moments, interactions, etc?

Sir George Martin, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Winter... who would have thought years later I worked with them or mixed their work.

Can you briefly describe a moment of frustration from your past work, and what you may have done to overcome the obstacles? Would you approach it differently now?

Too many tracks, too many takes: if it doesn't happen in the first 3 or 4 takes, come back the next day.

Is there any gear you find yourself turning to most when working on a project? What are some of your favorite tools/instruments recently?

Oeksound plugin sooth2, my Kemper profiling amp, sound ID Sonarworks for Atmos.

Do you have any words of wisdom for people who might aspire toward a similar path for their own careers?

I came up the line working in so many studios and constantly taking face to face A&R meetings, now the internet is your friend, collaborate and network 24/7.

How long have you been working with headphones, and how do you typically use them in your workflow?

Always taking mixes home at the end of the day, reviewing them in the morning on headphones, typically finding things I missed during the mix.

How have your Audeze headphones affected your work?

Since getting the headphones I have pretty much been doing 80 percent of my mixing on them, the rest of the time spent on original Auratones and Proacs, I have never been happier (seriously). Been traveling a lot lately and the LCD-X’s are an incredible reference, never question any adjustments made while checking mixes on them.

Can you tell us what you've been working on with them recently?

Sean Kingston producing and mixing the re-records EP and Taylor McCluskey’s forthcoming album. Upcoming - several projects for Charlie Walk, former Epic and Republic records president, Mohave Grey Aspen’s EDM duo, Steffan Benz, Ryan Beer and Sofi Von Uk.