Over the next weeks, we will be chatting with some audio professionals (Live and Studio Engineers, Record Producers, Arrangers, Mastering Engineers, Sistem Engineers); we will be asking all of them the same questions. We trust that these interviews will both inspired and informed you.

This week we feature Julian Wiggins ( Van Morrison, Cliff Richard, LSO)

When does it happen? When does a mix leave the realm of chaos to hit the stage of clarity?
Shawn Murphy mixes straight to two track… And this is firstly because he’s a genius and secondly because music he is recording has been properly arranged in the first place. (note from Tim: it happens before you mix it)

Your greatest inspiration is?
David Sanborn

Your top 3 production / mixing values without which you will never mix / produce?
1 Selecting the repertoire
2 Setting the right key and tempo for the song
3 Choosing appropriate arrangements

Your top 3 all time albums?
The Spin- Yellowjackets
Secret Story- Pat Metheny
Take 6- Take 6

The 3 most frequent mistakes “inexperience” makes?
1 Recording a song in the wrong key
2 Recording a song at the wrong tempo
3 Inappropriate instrumentation

The question everyone asks you?
What’s the biggest film you’ve scored?

Your most memorable mistake?
Almost missing my entrance on stage at Sun City’s 1999 New Years Eve Millennial Concert

Your current influences?
Snarky Puppy
Dirty Loops

A crazy production story (studio or live)?
Finding out I’d won a SAMA with ‘Dondo’ whilst we were live onstage in Namibia

The advice no one gave you that you would have loved to have had when you started?
Invest in great microphones and preamps

What do you do to keep your productions/mixes fresh?
Always try and include a live/real instrument element

Your greatest ever production/mixing lesson gained?
Don’t talk too much between takes

The recommendation you would love to give to any producer / engineer (especially young ones)?
Listen with understanding

For more info on Julian julianwigginsmusic.com

Previous article of this series:

REEL TO REEL: DAVID LANGEMANN