Interview (Page 1).
Hildebrand explains what mixing and welding have in common and why personality is important in creating a mix, in this interview with Film-maker Tim Brunsden. With Producer Christian Badzura, Hildebrand mixed the first Alice Klar album at Chairworks Studios near Leeds in United Kingdom.
Tim Brunsden: “Just tell me why we are here today?”
- Christian Hildebrand: “Alice Klar asked me to mix their album and we decided to go to the Miloco managed Chairworks Studios in Castleford, because they’ve got a really nice setup. I mixed an EP for Alice Klar before and frequently work with Christian Badzura on other projects as well.”
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Christian Badzura: “It’s a really nice studio. I’m a bit hung over from yesterday, because we played too much pool and drank too much red wine. We actually did not know at first that full accommodation and catering is available here. That is really helpful and comfortable to just get stuck-in. You don’t go home, but create sounds all day long! We are really enjoying ourselves here.”
TB: “You and Chris Badzura often work together, what do you as mixing engineer bring to the table?”
- Hildebrand: “It is quite an honour to be asked to mix someone’s record. Mixing is very close to arranging. So the artist has produced and arranged it, but now I can take that arrangement further, because I’ve got the influence over the individual instruments and frequencies and their levels. I can actually create transitions and energies that haven’t been in the song before.
It is a great responsibility as well, because I’m so close to the work – the compositions – that have been created. I see myself as a collaborator who works with artists and producers, to create their vision of what the songs will finally sound like.
In case of the Alice Klar record the sounds already have a strong direction resulting from the composition and programming. So my aim here is to work out what is important in each sound and song and really put that on a pedestal and give that the right balance and energy in the mix.”
Badzura: “A professional mix will always sound balanced and compressed and can have all the frills you can introduce, especially today where every computer has the technology build in. It is tempting as producer to mix the songs yourself, but I rather work with someone mixing my record, who has a passion for mixing, whilst understanding the artist.
The mix then goes along with the production and takes everything much further. As a mixing engineer Hildebrand adds his personality to the production and I think that is really important. I don’t need to be in the mixing room all the time. We have the same frame of mind.
My work as songwriter and producer is largely done. We had quite a few discussions about the songs and sounds and made notes. I just step into that room when I hear something I don’t like. But it started gelling really well and so I leave Hildebrand mostly to himself. He will make it sound fat.
TB: “What is the Alice Klar record like?”
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Badzura: “There are loads of styles in the album. It is Pop, Dance Pop, maybe even a bit of Euro, a bit Kraftwerky. All kinds of influences. Yet still, it is one sound that we have created so far in the composition and that now has to be brought out even further in the mix. Page 2», Page 3»
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