Behind-the-Scenes of Abi On The Road - Exclusive Look!

Hey Y’all!

This week's blog will be different from the usual Abi Asks posts. I've been traveling around the US filming the new Safari Pedals video series, "Abi On The Road - Behind The Studio Scenes," and thought it would be vibe-ullar to share some behind-the-scenes of the behind-the-scenes. This series involves me traveling around the US to chat with different producers and engineers and get the scoop about their creative processes and how their locations influence their sound and aesthetic.

The Concrete Jungle: New York

My first stop was New York, the good ol' concrete jungle we all know and love. I had a blast chatting and filming with engineers Nick Squillante (Mötley Crüe, Fletcher, Hozier) and Derik Lee (Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman). Talking with them opened my eyes to how slay and diverse the New York music scene is—it's as much a melting pot as the city itself.

Nick’s Brooklyn home studio had a cozy, creative vibe and was fully set up by Nick himself. His approach to Atmos mixing was uber eye-opening for me. He strives to use Atmos as a tool to create special immersive “moments” within a song, evoking more emotion, which changes the whole listening experience game. His approach got the wheels turning in my head about how I can apply that principle to my own productions.

Discovering the Magic of Atmos Mixing

Before visiting Nick’s studio, I had never listened to music in Atmos. I must admit, I did my very fair share of fangirling after Nick played a few Atmos mixes for me. My biggest takeaway from Nick was a newfound appreciation for Atmos and the jolly, magical world of spatial audio. I realized how creative and powerful Atmos mixing is, and how it allows artists to better connect with their fans by literally immersing them in the song, making it an active experience rather than something passive.

The Versatility of Broadway and Film Sound

Derik’s Manhattan studio was many stories up in a big building and really gave you that New York skyscraper feel, which was a VIBE. I had never seen an open session for a musical/film track, so it was fascinating to see what goes into recording, producing, and mixing soundtracks for film. The mic considerations for recording vocalists with a theatrical range and timbre were particularly cool to me, as it isn't the typical “vocal sound” we hear on most records.

Lessons from Derik Lee

Seeing how animated films are matched to music was epic, and how the mix reflects literal visuals taking place. It's a whole other world! From Derik, I learned the importance of versatility and flexibility as an engineer. His ability to slay in so many different genres within the film and Broadway world was an Oprah-esque “Aha!” moment for me as a young producer. It drove home how important those qualities are, and that it is something I must focus on striving for.

New York's Sonic Melting Pot

What struck me the most overall was how the sonics in New York music literally reflect daily life. The punchy low-end edge of the Hip Hop and Indie scene mirrors the hustle and bustle of the city, an aspect Nick emphasizes in his sonics. Meanwhile, the polished sounds of Broadway capture its glamorous side, something Derik brings to life in his productions and mixes. The contrast between these sonic worlds is awesome, and really shows how much of a melting pot New York is.

Despite the humidity and the subway air (if you know, you know), New York was a blast. Stay tuned for my next sonic excursion in Atlanta, Georgia!!