Abbey Road Meets… Paul Epworth
29 August 2012
Multi Grammy Award-winning Producer of the Year Paul Epworth joined us for a chat this week, answering questions live from our followers on Twitter and Facebook.
Paul’s recent projects at Abbey Road include Florence + the Machine’s chart-topping album ‘Ceremonials’ in Studio Three.
He is also the producer behind Adele’s 21, the UK’s best-selling album of the 21st century, which earned him an amazing four Grammy awards earlier this year including Record of the Year (‘Rollin’ in the Deep’ – Adele); Song of the Year (‘Rollin’ in the Deep’, which he co-wrote with Adele); Album of the Year (’21’ – Adele) and Producer of the Year.
One of the most sought-after producers in the world, his discography includes hits by The Big Pink, Foster the People, Cee-Lo Green, Friendly Fires, Plan B and Bloc Party.
Here's the 'twinterview' in full:
Q: Paul, can you recommend any good value production software for aspiring bedroom musicians? - @iankmsmith
A: Profs I know use Acid/Ableton/Logic. They're all available to the aspiring producer and easy enough to learn with a bit of patience.
Q: What all time Abbey Road recording session would Paul have loved to have been at the mix desk for? - @thenovachords
A: Dark Side of the Moon or the White Album. Both were revolutionary recording processes in their time.
Q: What sort of techniques do you use to get the best out of the artists you work with? - @superdonal
A: Nothing works better than simply building someone's confidence. No egos allowed, though!
Q: Is there much impromptu collaboration between artists happening to be in studios simultaneously? - @justonemorejim
A: In some studios, yes. But much less so these days, because a lot of people work in their own studios and collaborations must be planned.
Q: What's the most extreme measure you've gone to in order to get the exact sound you’re after? - @aliwalkeraudio
A: Raising the temperature and humidity of a room - different sound frequencies move at different speeds at different temperatures... that's why we associate a sound with being 'warm' or 'cold' in tonality.
Q: What's been your proudest moment, career-wise? - @wrecksmusic
A: I always feel proudest of the last thing I've done.
Q: Saw you placed mics in skulls for the Florence LP - what other unusual equipment have you used? - Holly
A: Wood strapped to my feet, the steps in my studio and packing crates as percussion.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to get started in production? - Helen
A: Trust your instincts, buy a laptop and listen to lots of different music. Mimicking other records can create new and inspiring results.
Q: How do you go about your songwriting process? - @thunderbod
A: Find some interesting chords, an original concept as a metaphor and set to a rhythm and melody no one will ever forget.
Q: Analogue or digital?! - @HenrySkipper
A: Both.
Q: Which producer do you most admire? - @Marlenne303
A: Lee Perry/Brian Eno/Connie Plank
Q: What was the first studio gear you ever owned? - @issheonanything
A: A Yamaha E1010 bucket brigade delay, which I still own and use.
Q: Rolling Stones or The Beatles? - @JLennonOfficial
A: That's like choosing between wine and beer..!
That's all, folks - thank you for sending in all your questions, and to Paul for answering them.
Don't forget to follow @AbbeyRoad on twitter to keep up with all our latest news. For more information on Paul, please follow @PaulEpworth or visit PaulEpworth.com.