Ryan Gregory
Ryan Gregory
My name is Ryan and I play drums and guitar. I went to college for music performance, and then recording engineering. Before coming to work at Sweetwater, I worked in music retail for 11 years, all over the east coast. I was Store Manager for 3 different locations over the years.
I've recorded and mixed songs and albums for lots of artists, and nowadays I just focus on recording my own ideas and songs. I like to do whatever comes to mind and not worry about genres or anything like that. For me the fun is in the writing, and in getting cool sounds.
Some of my favorite music includes Led Zeppelin, Cat Stevens, AZ, The Allman Brothers, Nas, Gregory Alan Isakov, Rage Against the Machine, Jackson Browne, Over the Rhine, Pink Floyd, Jay Electronica, Bon Iver, Brand New, Creedence Clearwater Revival, James Taylor, Wu Tang, Bob Schneider, The Roots, Frank Sinatra, Sun Kil Moon, Nick Drake, and all manner of other jams.
As your personal contact here at Sweetwater, please let me know anytime I can offer help or advice.
(800) 222-4700 ext 3153
E-mail Ryan-
Where are you from originally?
Rochester, NY
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Why did you first apply for a job at Sweetwater?
My supervisor in New England, at my previous company, came to work for Sweetwater, and recruited me shortly thereafter. When I came here to interview I was blown away, there was no question I was going to work here. Sweetwater is THAT cool.
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Instruments you play:
I'm a longtime drummer and a guitar player.
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Gear you own:
MICS: Soyuz 017 tube special edition black brass, Neumann U87ai, Manley Reference Cardioid, AKG C414xls, Lauten Atlantis, Beyerdynamic M160's, Warm Audio WA47jr, WA14's, several SM57's, Beta 52, Audix D2, D4, D6, Neumann KM184's, AEA R84, R92, Shure SM7b
INTERFACE: Universal Audio Apollo (I've had a couple different ones, right now an X16)
MONITORS: Beyerdynamic LYD8
HEADPHONES: Focal Listen Pro, Beyerdynamic DT770, Sennheiser HD280's, Sony MDR7506, AKG K44's
PREAMPS: Avalon VT737sp, John Hardy M1 preamps, API 3124V, Heritage HA73eq's, Focusrite ISA series, Universal Audio Solo 610, 4-710d, and LA610, A Designs Pacifica, Grace M201
DRUMS: Gretsch Renown drum kit, Zildjian A and K series cymbals, modern Ludwig Black Beauty, vintage 1927 Ludwig Black Beauty, Gretsch Bell Brass snare, Pearl Masters Maple snare, Gretsch copper snare, Noble & Cooley Aluminum, Noble & Cooley Maple, Tama Starphonic Spruce, Pearl Music City Custom Walnut, DW Collectors Maple, DW 5000 hardware
GUITARS: Martin 000-MMV, Fender American Professional Telecaster, Washburn electric, Fender J Bass, Taylor 114ce
AMPS: Fender Deluxe Reverb, Blackstar HT Club special edition, various pedals, Temple pedalboard
SOFTWARE: Pro Tools, Komplete, Waves and UA plugins, Reason
SYNTH: Moog Grandmother -
Other stuff we should know about you (hobbies, talents, interests, etc.):
I'm engaged to my best friend Samantha! We have the most adorable dog you've ever seen, Bosch. He's a Pomsky (half pomeranian, half husky)
I love to read nerdy fantasy books by authors like Steven Erikson, Brandon Sanderson, R. Scott Bakker, Joe Abercrombie, David Gemmel, Robert Jordan, Jim Butcher, and many others. Also- I like a good mystery too, big fan of Lawrence Block, Michael Connelly, Agatha Christie.
I have a collection of throwback sneakers, mostly 90's basketball sneakers, including lots of Jordans, Penny Hardaways, Shawn Kemps, Iversons, and stuff like that.
I also love NBA basketball and mixed martial arts. I watch every UFC event.
HUGE BUFFALO BILLS FAN!
I also am a big fan of David Lynch movies/shows, and I am a "movie guy" -
Guilty pleasure of choice:
I make a delicious alfredo sauce and tomato sauce. My fiancee Samantha and I love to cook, and she's much better at it than me. I also make amazing breakfast potatoes, and a pretty legit eggs benedict.
If you're from Rochester you've heard of a "garbage plate." The one thing I miss most! We make stellar homemade ones.
I'm also a Philly steak fanatic. I have repeatedly driven hours to Philadelphia, just for the cheesesteaks. -
What did you dream about doing for a living when you were growing up?
As a kid I planned on playing in the NBA, right up until I stopped growing. Then I fell in love with music. I have been very fortunate to work in music for most of my adult life. If I wasn't, the only other thing I'd want to do would be writing.
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What do you enjoy most about being part of the Sweetwater team?
I love the camaraderie here, with everyone sharing a similar passion for music and gear. Also, as someone who was already many years into my career before coming here, I can truly appreciate the incredible treatment Sweetwater provides for its workers.
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Who are some of the notable artists you've worked with?
I've worked with artists like Coss, Boog Brown, Optix, Moses Rockwell, Rey Hook, D-Rock, Norcal Nick, Gfi, and BT
Played in bands like The Geekbombs, Plenum, Signal Flow, and Herb 'n Soul
Interview with Ryan...
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Ryan Gregory and Mason helped me sort my audio situation in our yoga studio. The fact that Ryan could help me find the best fit for our Livestream recording via phone was impressive, to say the very least. The quality of service is outstanding. These guys know the products they sell- inside out. Sweetwater gets my vote, I will be a return shopper!
Heather from Chattanooga, TN
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Ryan has helped me out on a few sales so far and hes been great!!!! A friend of mine referred him to me and I'm very thankful.
Erik from Rochester, NY
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My experience with Sweetwater has been outstanding. Ryan Gregory, my personal sales rep. has gone way beyond the typical in helping me, a theatre producer/composer, make the right equipment choices. And, your support team has made impossible problems go away! When i could not get my recently purchased Yamaha DGX-660 keyboard to interface with my iMac, your iMac support specialist (whose name I think was Chris), screenshared with me and in the most expert way got me up and running and out of a horrible situation. Where else could I have gotten this kind of help?! Thank you Sweetwater for making my job so much easier! I will always purchase my music making equipment from you!
Jeremiah from Coconut Creek, FL
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Ryan Gregory is exceptional, no fluff, just straight to the point, eager to help but zero pressure. Very impressed with Sweetwater, I was recommended by a close friend of mine from college and I will never buy a guitar anywhere else. My Takamine G6 has been an absolute resurrection for my playing. I hope to give this guitar to my grandson in 60 years when my fingers don't work anymore. Seriously impressed with this company, with Ryan, and with my purchase. Not an OUNCE of buyer's remorse. Thank you so much for the streamlined website, for your exceptional customer service, and your dedication to quality. God bless and whoever reads this, please have a blessed day.
David from Coraopolis, PA
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The Sweetwater rep that takes care of me, Ryan, always does an outstanding job. Always a surprise, when he makes contact with me after I've ordered something small, like a pack-or-two of strings; on bigger items, like a guitar, it's great to have a voice at the other end, thanking me for the order, letting me know as it ships, sending pics of the inspection, and date when I should expect deliver. I made a mistake on purchasing one guitar and the customer service Ryan gave me was as good as I have ever received from any company, ever. We talked about another guitar that might work better, arranged shipment of it and return of the one I didn't like. No drama, no feelings of "oh sh**, I shouldn't have bought a guitar online." Just perfect customer relations, in every email and phone call throughout the return and purchase of another guitar that I liked much better. I was after something to practice and travel with, the Yamaha SLG 200S I ended up with is working out perfect — I love it. Thanks for the help Ryan.
Marshall from Carl Junction, MO
