Clay Blair on SoundBetter

I can make anything sound finished no matter how you made it. I am a finisher. I will get it to pop, hit: whatever you want. I can get it loud! I am an incredible engineer/mixer with credits including The War on Drugs, Counting Crows,The Redwalls, Andrew Bird, The Pogues, Sean and Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Moby, The Heavy Heavy, Pokey LaFarge…..

I am a Grammy award winning engineer, producer and mixer. I own one of the most historic studios in the world in Hollywood CA. Maybe you’ve seen my YouTube channel where I recreate how The Beatles recorded their albums with impeccable detail and accuracy !

I am a sounds guy. I hear a sound and i find it. I hear a song and I hear a part, an arrangement, a vibe, a harmony. I can play most things and if i cannot, i know someone who does. I am a drummer, guitarist, SINGER (have me sing and arrange backgrounds on your album or song), bassist, slide guitar player, mandolin, lap steel, piano, organ, synths, atmospheric pedal symphony’s and about anything you can think of, i can play or make it.

The studio is packed full of every instrument you could imagine needing for making a great album. Over 20 guitars and basses, 16 guitar and bass amps, 4 vintage drum kits, one of the only Sound Techniques consoles in the world, a closet of vintage microphones that will rival any big studio out there, 2 classic pianos (grand and upright), Hammond B3 organ, Wurlitzer 200A, Rhodes Suitcase MK1, Lowrey (Lucy in the sky with diamonds) Heritage DSO organ, Moog Voyager, Juno 60 (used on the last 2 War on Drugs albums), Prophet 10: the full gear list is on the Boulevard Recording website.

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

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Clay Blair

The Third Mind (2)
Brian Wright (7)
Brian Wright (7)
Tyson Meade
The Twilite Broadcasters
Brian Wright (7)
Brian Wright (7)
Tyson Meade
Richard Thompson
Dan Bern & The Remote Ramblers
The Third Mind (2)
Watkins Family Hour
Pokey LaFarge
Triptides
The Twilite Broadcasters
My Name Is You
The Pogues
Brian Wright (7)
Thirty Seconds To Mars*
Various
The Pogues
Richard Thompson
Eric Kufs
The Cult
The War On Drugs
The War On Drugs
The War On Drugs
The War On Drugs
Monks Of Doom
Perfume Genius
Gary Clark Jr.
The War On Drugs
Tyson Meade
Man With A Mission
Richard Thompson
The Record Company
Richard Thompson
Watkins Family Hour
Pokey LaFarge
The Heavy Heavy
Moby & Lady Blackbird
Moby & Tchami Ft. Gregory Porter
Moby
The Record Company
Gary Clark Jr.
Moby

Languages

English

1 Reviews

Endorse Clay Blair

by Todd
Clay has both engineered and mixed multiple things for me. You’d be hard pressed finding a more knowledgeable and talented guy. Always my first choice for a recommendation.

Interview with Clay Blair

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I worked on 2 Richard Thompson records and they were some of the most fun I ever had making albums. To record with someone who backed up Nick Drake and was the creative force behind Fairport Convention... Humbling and absolutely a blast.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I just finished mixing 2 albums, I am about to start tracking another in a week or so. I also am working on a "Beatles" (unofficial) drum sample library with a friend of mine!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I am new to this platform i do not know anyone on here yet!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I love analog. I also love digital. There's a place for both. Digital sounds better at this point. Analog definitely adds an unknown and I believe sometimes adding an unknown to the creative process can help.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Whatever we finish that has my name on it, I will be proud of and want to share it also.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: It's my dream job. I've been dreaming about this and making it my life since i was 14 years old.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: What's your favorite color? Burnt Orange.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That you can use a plugin or an app like Slice to make an album. I truly believe that the things we really make with our minds and our ears will stand the test of time.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What do you want out of this song or album? Do you feel comfortable letting me take some creative control over the direction and the sound?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Know what you want! Know exactly what you want or have a very good idea of what you want. I think that always helps us get to the destination faster. If you need help getting there, that is also another avenue i am quite experienced with! But have references ready to go!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Neumann U48, UREI 1176, API 1604, EMT 140, Pultec EQP1A
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Since i was 13 i've been recording. I've been working in studios and making records since i was 19.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I love The Beatles. I love 60's music. But i also love pop and i love hard hitting tracks that bounce out of the speakers at me and pull me in. I love guitars. I love synths. I love REAL DRUMS. I also love not real drums !!
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I'd love to work with Dylan or McCartney before they're not around anymore. I feel like Paul has not made a record that sounded like "him" since Flaming Pie. Bob, makes great albums still but I would love to do something with him that sounded like "him" also.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: LISTEN. Don't do something without listening. Always listen again. Does it need it? Listen.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock and roll, indie anything, Americana, folk, singer-songwriter. Anything that i hear that has a good melody and lyric that i want to hear again, i want to work on.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Definitely singing and playing parts i write on my own. I'm also a great mixer and have been doing it most of my adult life and much of my teens.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Whatever it needs. A hook, i am a hook monster. It has to have hooks for it to catch in my book. But really anything it needs. IF it needs atmosphere, i give it that. If it needs Bonham bashing away at a kit, i give it that. If it needs a Roger McGuinn 12 string part, i give it that.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Depends on the project. But listening first always. Nothing is more important than listening. Then figuring out a plan, writing it down and executing it.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have one of the last studios in Hollywood. It's been there since 1967. We can do anything you can imagine there. Strings, drums, keys, AnyTHING.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Nigel Godrich! Love him. George Martin obviously. My friend Adam Granduciel from War on Drugs is constantly creating and it's inspiring. Neil Young. He never changed. He still makes albums like he did 40 years ago and i love the way they sound and feel.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I am a finisher. I am great at wrapping a project up, mixing it, making it punch and translate right away.