Ryan Gilligan

Grammy-winning mixer/engineer

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4 Reviews
Ryan Gilligan on SoundBetter

Grammy-winning mixer, engineer and producer. Kanye West, John Mayer, Joni Mitchell, Coldplay, Busta Rhymes, Grizzly Bear, Charlie XCX, Santigold, Anthony Ramos, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, Twin Shadow, Dresage, and many more. Mentored under top mixer Michael Brauer at Quad and Electric Lady Studios.

Ryan Gilligan is a mixer and engineer best known for work with Kevin Garrett, Kanye West, John Mayer, Joni Mitchell, Anthony Ramos, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, Cynthia Erivo, Twin Shadow, Dresage, FLAVIA, and Cibo Matto.

He began his career in NYC at Quad Studios, before joining Busta Rhymes as his studio engineer. After a year on the road with Busta he began a 7-year mentorship with Grammy-winning mixer Michael Brauer at Electric Lady Studios. There, Ryan worked with artists including Coldplay, John Mayer, Kanye West, Grizzly Bear, Shakira, Hole, and many others.

In 2014, Ryan resisted the urge to retire after playing trumpet on a Wu-Tang Clan record, and moved to LA to work with Grammy-nominated producer John Hill on music for Charlie XCX, Santigold, BØRNS, Gwen Stefani, Adele, Florence and the Machine, and others.

Ryan has been awarded Grammy Certificates for work on Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”, John Mayer’s “Battle Studies”, and a Latin Grammy Certificate for Calle 13’s “Multiviral”. An early supporter of Dolby Atmos, his love for music technology led him to co-develop VR software for spatial mixing-- the concept was a 2019 SXSW Innovation Award finalist.

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Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Ryan Gilligan
  • Julia Nunes
  • Doe Paoro
  • Anthony Ramos
  • Yify Zhang
  • Echosmith
  • Charli XCX
  • Santigold
  • Banks & Steelz
  • Hero Fisher
  • Fitz and the Tantrums
  • Fitz and the Tantrums
  • AlunaGeorge
  • Never Shout Never
  • Twin Shadow
  • Twin Shadow
  • CeeLo Green
  • CeeLo Green
  • Paulino Monroy
  • Wu-Tang Clan
  • Cibo Matto
  • RAC
  • RAC
  • Mark Owen
  • Maite Perroni
  • Natalie Maines
  • Natalie Maines
  • Pacific Air
  • Zucchero
  • Zucchero
  • Atlas Genius
  • Atlas Genius
  • David Matthews
  • Dave Matthews Band
  • David Matthews
  • Dave Matthews Band
  • Patti Smith
  • Patti Smith
  • John Mayer
  • Rumer
  • Rumer
  • Flying Colors
  • The Overtones
  • Zucchero
  • Zucchero
  • Zucchero
  • Of Monsters and Men
  • Nathan Pacheco
  • Nathan Pacheco
  • The Tragically Hip
  • The Tragically Hip
  • Grizzly Bear
  • Grizzly Bear
  • Angélique Kidjo
  • Angélique Kidjo
  • Angélique Kidjo
  • Coldplay
  • The Jeff Lorber Fusion
  • Jeff Lorber
  • The Kooks
  • The Kooks
  • The Kooks
  • Clare Maguire
  • Clare Maguire
  • Brett Dennen
  • Christina Perri
  • Christina Perri
  • Christina Perri
  • Christina Perri
  • Marc Broussard
  • Marc Broussard
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Grouplove
  • Emma's Imagination
  • Young the Giant
  • Coldplay
  • Coldplay
  • Josiah Leming
  • Josiah Leming
  • Renée Fleming
  • Renée Fleming
  • The Rescues
  • The Rescues
  • Maximum Balloon
  • Maximum Balloon
  • Kanye West
  • Alpha Rev
  • Hole
  • Chase Coy
  • Chase Coy
  • Shakira
  • Natasha Bedingfield
  • Stars
  • Stars
  • The Daylights
  • Busta Rhymes
  • John Mayer
  • Colbie Caillat
  • Regina Spektor
  • Regina Spektor
  • Regina Spektor
  • Regina Spektor
  • Glint
  • Shakira
  • The Bravery
  • The Bravery
  • The Fray
  • The Fray
  • The Fray
  • Josiah Leming
  • Josiah Leming
  • Solange
  • Elvis Presley
  • Elvis Presley
  • Santigold
  • Santigold
  • Banks & Steelz
  • Echosmith
  • Jake Troth
  • Jake Troth
  • Paul the Trombonist
  • Spencer Ludwig
  • The Overtones
  • A-1
  • Twin Shadow
  • Twin Shadow
  • Coldplay
  • Rihanna
  • Coldplay
  • Spencer Ludwig
  • The Boogie Hustlers
  • Twin Shadow
  • Twin Shadow
  • Twin Shadow
  • Twin Shadow
  • The Kooks
  • The Kooks
  • Santigold

4 Reviews

Endorse Ryan Gilligan
  1. Review by Jonsyn
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Jonsyn
    check_circleVerified

    This was my first time using SoundCheck and it was pretty much what I expected!

    Ryan was very quick to get back to me with the mix feedback. he was very clear in the way he explained his ideas. I think he had great advice which really made my mix sound way better!

    Overall this was a great experience.

  2. Review by Benny Reiner
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Benny Reiner

    Ryan is my go to mixer for any and all of my projects! We have been working together for years and I am always elated with the final mixes. He can cover all the different stylistic grounds that I bring to him and provides work of the highest quality. Highly recommended!

  3. Review by Andros Rodriguez
    starstarstarstarstar

    I first worked with Ryan many years ago back at Quad Studios in NYC. At the time he was working with Cold Play. Since then, we have worked together on numerous projects. He is an amazing mix engineer and will make your song sound AWESOME!!!

  4. Review by Andros Rodriguez
    starstarstarstarstar

    I first worked with Ryan many years ago back at Quad Studios in NYC. At the time he was working with Cold Play. Since then, we have worked together on numerous projects. He is an amazing mix engineer and will make your song sound AWESOME!!!

Interview with Ryan Gilligan

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

  2. A: I recently got to contribute two Atmos mixes to the recently released Joni Mitchell live album from the Monterey Folk Fest.

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

  4. A: What is your song about? How do you want people to feel when they listen to it? What are you loving or not loving about the rough mix- be specific.

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

  6. A: If you are looking to hire me, that's excellent! I'd advise you to ensure your production and arrangement are completely finished before moving on to the mixing/mastering stage. Check that all of your edits are good, and you are happy with all of the sounds and parts. Vocal tuning should be completed.

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

  8. A: A water filtration system, tools to construct shelter, a satellite radio to put out an SOS call, waterproof matches to make a fire, and a compass.

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

  10. A: I've been at this since 2006. I began my career in NYC at Quad Studios, before joining Busta Rhymes as his studio engineer. After a year on the road with Busta I began a 7-year mentorship with Michael Brauer at Quad and Electric Lady Studios. There, I worked with artists including Coldplay, John Mayer, Kanye West, Grizzly Bear, Shakira, Hole, and many others. In 2014, I moved to LA to work with John Hill on music for Charlie XCX, Santigold, BØRNS, Gwen Stefani, Adele, Florence and the Machine, and others.

  11. Q: How would you describe your style?

  12. A: Gritty with depth and emotion

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

  14. A: Try not to overcrowd it with too many parts in the same frequency ranges.

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

  16. A: Indie pop, pop, acoustic, singer-songwriter, rock

  17. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  18. A: Listening : ) On a technical level, hearing how elements of the mix balance and interact with each other. On an emotional level, understanding the intent and feelings behind the song and production. On a good vibes level, communicating well with the artist or producer about what they are hearing and how I can shape my vision to match theirs.

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

  20. A: I was a musician long before I was an engineer, so I bring musicality and emotion to whatever I'm mixing. My goal is always to get into the mindset of the artist and what emotions they are trying to convey. I'll focus on highlighting elements of the production that can create the most emotionally impactful experience for the listener.

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

  22. A: I start by listening to the rough mix and determining what already feels great to me, and where I can improve things. I'll also ideally have notes from the artist or producer of their feelings about the rough mix. This helps guide the direction of the mix to something they are looking for. I'll then mix the song, and send off for notes!

  23. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  24. A: First thing is a well-treated acoustically great room. On the gear side, I work with a hybrid mix setup, including a Neve 5057 Mixer, Avalon 747sp stereo tube compressor, RME ADI-2 Pro FS R, Avid MTRX Studio, and various outboard effects. Monitoring on ATC SCM25A speakers and HEDD Audio Heddphone One headphones.

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

  26. A: Mixing and engineering day to day!

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Precious by Kevin Garrett

I was the Mixer in this production

Terms Of Service

3 mix revisions included. Typical turnaround time of 1 - 2 days.

GenresSounds Like
  • Kevin Garrett
  • Dresage
  • FLAVIA
Gear Highlights
  • Neve 5057 Mixer
  • Avalon 747sp
  • ATC SCM25A
  • Heddphone One
  • RME ADI-2 Pro FS R
  • Avid MTRX Studio
  • Melodyne
  • UAD-2
  • Plugin Alliance
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