Description

An accomplished musician, producer and engineer, Hill Kourkoutis wears many hats in the studio. To kick off her debut series, the Canadian polymath takes us inside the production and mixing of the JUNO award-winning song ‘Howler’ by SATE.

Hill begins by exploring the inspiration and songwriting process behind the track. She then defines the album’s sonic palette; discussing the specific tones, effects and production techniques they used to create a unified sound. These limitations enabled the team to form a distinct aesthetic for the album and helped generate creative momentum in the early stages.

Once the production aesthetics have been established, Hill dives more deeply into the recording process. She shares her approach to capturing warm vintage-inspired tones using modern gear and techniques. She also delves into her experience recording artists remotely and discusses her methods to ensure that no compromises are made during the home recording process.

With the song’s production firmly in place, Hill moves on to the final mixing process. She demonstrates the techniques she uses to tie disparate elements together, particularly when they have been recorded across many different environments and time periods. Finally, she shares valuable tips on how to maintain perspective when mixing your own productions — a challenging but rewarding process for those brave enough to do so.

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