In New York City’s prestigious Quad Recording Studios, Sweetwater studio scholar Mitch Gallagher caught up with Grammy Award–winning artist and engineer Ricky St. Hilaire. Known for his multi-decade tenure in the business, Ricky has worked alongside the likes of Alicia Keys, Damian Marley, A Tribe Called Quest, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and more, in addition to scoring multiple independent films. Speaking with Mitch, Ricky recounts his experiences coming up in the world of hip-hop, R&B, and analog recording at NYC’s iconic studios, including Soundtrack, Electric Lady, and D&D, the last of which is renowned for its integral role in shaping and supporting the then-burgeoning movement of 1990s East Coast hip-hop. From tech talk and gear to the philosophy of recording and the ever-elusive art of engineering, Ricky and Mitch get at the heart of what it means to be an engineer and why your best work means all but “erasing” your presence. Check it out!
- 00:00 — Introduction
- 00:39 — Ricky’s Journey at Quad Studios
- 01:06 — Transition into Engineering
- 02:20 — Trial By Fire at Soundcheck Studios
- 03:32 — Attending Engineering School
- 04:38 — Natural Talent and Musical Ear
- 05:21 — Ricky’s Approach to Engineering
- 07:54 — Setting the Vibe for Artists
- 08:59 — Artist Tips for a Good Take
- 11:17 — The Role of an Engineer
- 13:39 — Getting the Bottom Right
- 14:04 — Gain Staging and Headroom
- 16:07 — Ricky’s Approach to Mixing
- 17:30 — Future Plans and Content Creation
- 18:48 — What Makes a Great Artist
- 20:50 — Wrap-up