Joe Primeau

Mixing & Mastering

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3 Reviews
Joe Primeau on SoundBetter

I've spent 35+ years in recording studios working on music from many genres. I've spent the last year working on getting more out of "In The Box" mixing and getting the sound I'm used to hearing out of a large format console. A Dangerous Summing Mixer along with a new Antelope Audio interface has helped me get closer to that!

I offer remote mixing. I specialize in keeping the Vocals front and center. I've worked with many great singers in the studio, (I married one) I spend a lot of time making sure all the vocal nuances come across and the vocal is artifact free from clicks or pops that could distract from a listeners enjoyment. I'm committed to getting the artists vision of the song across. I also include mixes that I do a quick mastering on as well as mixes with plenty of headroom for your Mastering Engineer.

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Joe Primeau
  • Tower of Power
  • Shawn Phillips
  • Tower of Power
  • Razor
  • REO Speedwagon
  • REO Speedwagon
  • REO Speedwagon
  • REO Speedwagon
  • REO Speedwagon
  • Daryl Stuermer
  • Ilona Europa
  • Twitch
  • Armik
  • Marilyn Scott
  • Marilyn Scott
  • Marilyn Scott
  • The Pharcyde
  • Brenda Russell
  • Armik
  • Armik
  • Armik
  • Melissa Manchester
  • Armik
  • JJ Lin
  • Armik
  • REO Speedwagon
  • Armik
  • Daryl Stuermer
  • Marilyn Scott
  • Marilyn Scott
  • Daryl Stuermer
  • New Found Glory
  • New Found Glory
  • Jimmy Haslip
  • The Indulgers
  • Folk Implosion
  • Folk Implosion
  • Kombo
  • Glenn Jones
  • Glenn Jones
  • Manowar
  • Johnny Gill
  • Johnny Gill
  • Sylvia Tyson
  • The Pharcyde
  • The Pharcyde
  • The Brand New Heavies
  • Drunken Boat
  • Drunken Boat
  • Jeff Cameron
  • Spinout
  • Twenty Mondays
  • Twenty Mondays
  • Rik Emmett
  • Sacrifice
  • The Brand New Heavies
  • The Brand New Heavies
  • The Brand New Heavies
  • John James
  • John James
  • Mary Margaret O'Hara
  • Frozen Ghost
  • Strange Advance
  • Strange Advance
  • Sword
  • Manowar
  • Honeymoon Suite
  • Helix
  • Anvil
  • Anvil
  • Frank Soda
  • Refugee

3 Reviews

Endorse Joe Primeau
  1. Review by Barry Lubotta
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    by Barry Lubotta

    Joe Primeau
    Joe Primeau 10:37 AM

    Hey You Racist Fuck. I've learned you have a reputation of being an asshole, and I'm going to help spread the word. I'm glad you're out of the business asshole , you don't deserve the privlege. Fuck You for ruining the name of Phase One Cocksucker. Spreading the word, Be Wary of Bary!!

    For the record, I've never met or spoken to Joe Primeau but he saw fit to write this on my linked in page. I have no idea what he is talking about but I am not a racist or any of the other things he alleges. Do you want to be working with such a person?

  2. Review by Tom Khoury
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Tom Khoury

    I have used Joe on several tracks and I enjoy the level of communication we have in regard to the sessions, from recording to mixing. His work is exemplary as is his positive vibe which translates directly to the music.
    Moving forward, Joe will always be on my A list of Recording Engineers.

  3. Review by Suzy
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Suzy

    Creative, dedicated, talented , efficient and delivers superior work on time.

Interview with Joe Primeau

  1. Q: What's your typical work process?

  2. A: Typically I listen to the rough mix to see what the artist like featured and get a feel for the song, then drag the rough mix into the session for reference and start my gain staging. I put all faders up and see where the song is apply compression and EQ if needed and commence to mixin'

  3. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  4. A: From what I've seen there are many fine engineers here, world class.

  5. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  6. A: Can I see you play somewhere? If they don't or can't I ask to see the lyrics and if possible talk to the songwriter/artist about their vision for the song.

  7. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  8. A: I started at Phase One Studios in Toronto in 1978. I followed another engineer now a successful producer/businessman (Garth Richardson) to L.A in 1989 and together we worked on a Bob Ezrin-Dick Wagener produced record for Interscope. (The Throbs) I know. No one has! That gig led to others and here we are.

  9. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  10. A: Bob Clearmountain, Michael Brauer, Juian Mendelshon , Mark Needham for engineers, there are others, Dave Grohl, Imagine Dragons.

  11. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  12. A: Sir Paul for obvious reasons.

  13. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  14. A: Usually in the Pop/Rock vein ,but I've done it all from large string setups at Capitol to Indie Vocals in the bedroom.

  15. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  16. A: I try to find the essence of the song and build the arrangement around it. If it gets in the way of the main focus it's gone or reduced. The Song Is King!

  17. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  18. A: Working with Producer Joe Vannelli mixing Tower Of Powers 50th Anniversary show in Oakland for future broadcast and DVD as well as mixing the music for a Film remake of David Cronenberg's "Rabid" with composer Claude Foissy.

  19. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  20. A: The "Miss America" record by Mary Margaret O'Hara. She is a true artist and explored everything possible in the studio. I recorded all of her Vocals as well as some guitar overdubs and spent a lot of time watching how her curiosity and my willingness to get out of her way at times and nurture in others led her to some inspiring moments while recording. That experience opened my eyes to the role a producer or engineer could have.

  21. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  22. A: Mixing mostly sometimes an overdub is involved

  23. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  24. A: Well I don't think the format is as important as the music. That being said I use a hybrid of the two analog for warmth and digital for convenience and work flow. My days of aligning 48 analog tracks of Dolby SR are over!!

  25. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  26. A: Present them with options, more like variations on a theme than confusing them with different directions. It's their record.

  27. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  28. A: Working with creative artists, the studio has always been a magical place for me. It was the first day I walked in a control room and remains to this day.

  29. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  30. A: Building a trusting relationship is one of the keys to a successful project, look for some one you connect with.

  31. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  32. A: My new Antelope audio interface and summing mixer, a focurite ISA 2 stereo mic pre my Mastering Lab pre and a Solar array to power it all!

  33. Q: How would you describe your style?

  34. A: I would say punchy, In Japan the assistants called me "Mr. Heavy Joe"

  35. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  36. A: A good atmosphere is condusive to creating great music

  37. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  38. A: Getting a punchy Rhythm section going if the tune needs it.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: I spent the last year putting together gear to improve my ITB setup. I added an Antelope Orion 32+ interface as well as a Dangerous 2 Bus+ Summing Mixer. It's really helped me focus the bottom end better and get that sound I'm used to hearing from a large format console!

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I was the Mix Engineer on all but one track, but recorded all in this production

Terms Of Service

Payment upon Delivery

Gear Highlights
  • Pro Tools 2018
  • Antelope Audio Interface With FPGA FX
  • Dangerous 2-Bus+ Summing Mixer
  • DBX Hardware compressors + the usual array of plug ins
  • Waves
  • Brainworx
  • SPL
  • Izotope etc...
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