Video by EarthQuakerDevices via YouTube
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Throughout February, EQD’s "Show Us Your Junk" video series is showcasing the "Rock Block." It’s an actual city block in Los Angeles’ Silver Lake neighborhood that houses the studios of veteran producers, mixers, and musicians Aaron Espinoza (The Ship), Rob Schnapf (Mant Sound Studios), and Dave Trumfio (King Size Sound Labs). Also included is the Rock Block "OG" Manny Nieto, whose Suplex Audio has since moved to a new location.
Like his Rock Block buddies, Rob Schnapf has a vast amount of audio junk in his Mant Studio. More than two decades in, Rob and his production partner Tom Rothrock have their names in the credits of records of all kinds. From beloved artists including the late singer-songwriter Elliot Smith to Guided By Voices, desert rock legends Kyuss, soul goddess Mavis Staples and R&B organ icon Booker T. Jones with whom Rob won two Grammys. Rob and Tom also helped unleash Beck’s "Loser" onto an unsuspecting world through their label Bong Load Custom Records and worked with Beck on Mellow Gold and Odelay.
Though Rob says he’s an "anti-gear fetishist," he sure has a lot of it at Mant. His stash includes unique guitars, classic mics, newer boutique-made mics and outboard gear, and a Pickle Steel (see, it’s kind of a steel guitar thingamajam with a…well, just watch it), making its world recording debut in this episode.
Once you’ve absorbed Rob’s gear, head on over to the EQD Blog for Rob’s Talk About Your Junk. Get more details about his days interning at the famed Record Plant’s tiny studio, the Micro Plant, how he adapts his recording style and process to each artist and how his "one song at a time" recording method helps keep everyone focused in the studio. https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/blog-posts/talk-about-your-junk-rob-schnapf
Directed & Edited by Vice Cooler
DP’s Chris Tran, Dalton Blanco
Audio Engineer Scott Cornish
PA Henri Cash
Thanks to Larry Crane / Tape Op
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