Andrew Scheps: The Gandalf of Mixing

Andrew Scheps is a Grammy-winning mixing engineer who has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Jay-Z, and many more. His unique approach to mixing and his extensive knowledge of gear and plugins have made him a highly sought-after engineer in the industry. Scheps has won numerous awards for his mixing work, cementing his reputation as one of the best in the business.

Discography (not complete)

Scheps’ discography is equally impressive, spanning a wide range of genres and artists. Some of his notable mixing credits include:

Awards and Accolades

Over the course of his illustrious career, Andrew Scheps has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including:

6 Grammy Awards
- Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for “21” by Adele (2012)
- Best Rock Song for “Brendan’s Death Song” by Red Hot Chili Peppers (2007)
- Best Rock Album for “Stadium Arcadium” by Red Hot Chili Peppers (2007)
- Best Rock Album for “Californication” by Red Hot Chili Peppers (2000)
- Best Rock Album for “Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop” by Stone Temple Pilots (1997)
- Best Rock Album for “Purple” by Stone Temple Pilots (1995)
2 Latin Grammy Awards
- Record of the Year for “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee (2018)
- Song of the Year for “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee (2018)
2 TEC Awards
- Outstanding Institutional Achievement in Audio Education (2019)
- Outstanding Creative Achievement in Record Production/Album (1999)
1 BRIT Award
- British Album of the Year for “21” by Adele (2012)

Mixing Equipment and Discography

Scheps’ mixing setup is a perfect blend of modern and vintage gear, allowing him to achieve a unique and distinctive sound for each project he works on. His mixing room is centered around an Avid S6 control surface and Pro Tools HDX system, which he uses as his primary DAW. He also has a wide range of outboard gear, including:

Neve 8816 summing mixer
Tube-Tech CL 1B compressor
API 2500 compressor
Empirical Labs Distressor
Manley Vari-Mu compressor
Fairchild 670 compressor
Universal Audio 1176 compressor
Pultec EQP-1A EQ
API 560 EQ
Neve 33609 EQ
Thermionic Culture Phoenix mastering EQ

In addition to his impressive outboard gear collection, Scheps is also a big fan of plugins and has an extensive collection of both hardware and software emulations. Some of his favorite plugins include:

UAD plugins (especially the 1176, LA-2A, and Pultec emulations)
Waves plugins (particularly the SSL and API emulations)
Soundtoys plugins (like Decapitator and EchoBoy)
Fab Filter Pro-Q 3 EQ
iZotope Ozone mastering suite

Mixing Philosophy and Approach

Scheps’ mixing philosophy is centered around creating a cohesive and balanced mix that serves the song and the artist’s vision. He believes in using minimal processing and letting the natural sound of the instruments shine through. At the same time, he’s not afraid to experiment and push boundaries, often combining vintage and modern gear to achieve a unique and distinctive sound.

One of Scheps’ signature techniques is his approach to drum mixing. He often starts by creating a solid foundation with the kick and snare, using a combination of compression, EQ, and saturation to sculpt the sound. He then builds the rest of the drum kit around this foundation, using careful level balancing and panning to create a sense of depth and space.

Scheps is also known for his attention to detail when it comes to vocal mixing. He often uses parallel compression and saturation to add warmth and presence to the vocals, while also employing subtle EQ moves to enhance clarity and intelligibility.

Famous Mixing Techniques and Approaches

Over the years, Andrew Scheps has developed and popularized several innovative mixing techniques and approaches that have become industry standards. Here are some of his most famous contributions:

Parallel Compression

Scheps is widely credited with popularizing the use of parallel compression, a technique where a duplicated signal is heavily compressed and then blended with the original, uncompressed signal. This approach allows for more control over the dynamics of a sound, adding punch and sustain without over-compressing the original signal.

Drum Mixing Methodology

Scheps’ drum mixing methodology is widely regarded as one of the most effective and influential approaches in the industry. He starts by creating a solid foundation with the kick and snare, using a combination of compression, EQ, and saturation to sculpt the sound. He then builds the rest of the drum kit around this foundation, using careful level balancing and panning to create a sense of depth and space.

Vocal Parallel Processing

For vocal mixing, Scheps often employs parallel processing, where he creates a separate, heavily processed vocal chain and blends it with the original vocal signal. This technique allows him to add warmth, presence, and character to the vocals without over-processing the primary signal.

Analog Summing

Scheps is a strong advocate for analog summing, a process where the individual tracks in a mix are summed together through an analog mixer or summing box before being converted back to digital. This approach can add warmth, cohesion, and depth to a mix, helping to glue all the elements together in a more organic way.

Saturation and Distortion Techniques

Scheps is known for his creative use of saturation and distortion techniques, often employing plugins like the Soundtoys Decapitator to add grit, character, and excitement to various elements of a mix, from drums and guitars to vocals and synths.

These techniques and approaches have not only shaped Scheps’ own mixes but have also influenced countless other engineers and producers around the world, solidifying his legacy as a true innovator and master of his craft.

Favorite Gear and Plugins

While Scheps has an extensive collection of gear and plugins, there are a few pieces of equipment that he considers essential to his mixing process:

Neve 8816 Summing Mixer: Scheps swears by the warmth and character that the Neve summing mixer adds to his mixes. He often runs his final mix through the 8816, which helps to glue everything together and add a cohesive, analog feel.
Empirical Labs Distressor: The Distressor is one of Scheps’ go-to compressors, particularly for drum and vocal processing. He loves the versatility of the Distressor and its ability to add warmth and character without sounding overly compressed.
UAD 1176 Plugin: While Scheps has the hardware 1176 compressor, he often reaches for the UAD plugin version due to its convenience and versatility. He uses it for everything from drum compression to vocal leveling and even as a distortion tool on guitars and synths.
Waves SSL E-Channel Plugin: Scheps is a big fan of the Waves SSL emulations, particularly the E-Channel plugin. He uses it for channel strip processing, taking advantage of the EQ, compression, and gate sections to shape and sculpt sounds.
Soundtoys Decapitator: For adding grit and character to drums, guitars, and other sources, Scheps often turns to the Soundtoys Decapitator plugin. He loves the way it can add subtle saturation or extreme distortion, depending on the settings.

Quotes on Music and Musicianship

In addition to his technical prowess, Andrew Scheps is also known for his insightful and often poetic observations about music and the art of musicianship. Here are some of his most memorable quotes:

“Music is a language, and the mixing engineer’s job is to help the artist communicate their message as clearly and powerfully as possible.”

“Great music is not about perfection; it’s about capturing the emotion and the human element in a performance.”

“Mixing is not just about balancing levels and EQs; it’s about creating a sonic world that transports the listener and takes them on a journey.”

“The best mixes are the ones where you can’t hear the individual elements, but rather the sum of all the parts working together in harmony.”

“Musicianship is not just about technical proficiency; it’s about having the courage to bare your soul and connect with the audience on a deeper level.”

“The most important piece of gear in any studio is the set of ears attached to the engineer’s head.”

“Great music transcends genres and styles; it’s about capturing the essence of human experience and emotion.”

These quotes showcase Scheps’ profound understanding of the art of music and the role of the mixing engineer in bringing that art to life. His words serve as inspiration for aspiring engineers and musicians alike, reminding them of the deeper purpose and meaning behind their craft.

Final Thoughts

Andrew Scheps is more than just a mixing engineer - he is a sonic storyteller, translating the emotional essence of music into captivating auditory experiences. His unique blend of analog and digital tools, combined with his philosophical approach, sets him apart in an industry often driven by trends.

Whether working with legends or emerging artists, Scheps redefines what it means to mix music in the modern age. His mixes are carefully crafted narratives, each element meticulously sculpted to convey the artist’s vision with clarity and impact.

For aspiring engineers, Scheps stands as a beacon of creativity, innovation, and artistry. His techniques, like parallel compression and creative use of saturation, have become industry standards, inspiring others to push boundaries.

Take inspiration from Scheps’ work and philosophy - the heart of mixing lies in the stories you tell through sound. Embrace experimentation, trust your ears, and never lose sight of the music’s emotional core.

A true master of his craft, Scheps’ attention to detail and unique approach have made him one of the most sought-after mixing engineers. His mixes elevate recordings from mere sounds to transcendent auditory experiences, characterized by balance, warmth, and cohesion that truly serves the music.