Sometimes musicians can be temperamental. Sound Engineer and owner of Blaque Ice Productions, Leonard Lawson, knows a thing or two about this.
“Over the years I have worked with Denise Williams, I’ve worked with John Lee Hooker Jr., I’ve worked with Paul Grundman, and I’ve worked with Kenny G. In fact, when Kenny G. came to Alaska it was Blaque Ice Productions that was the company that was assigned to his liaison,” says Lawson.
His experiences are centered on providing the best possible experience for the musicians that work out of his studio. He has a strict non-smoking, no partying policy. So, when you go to Blaque Ice Productions studio, be prepared to work.
Lawson says, “Blaque Ice does not support the smoking, the loud noise, and the girls. This is a residential area so we have to respect our neighbors. Because we have children who come to the studio we don’t like to get involved with some of the things you hear about going on in studios.
“We run a clean facility here. It’s friendly and family oriented. All sessions are locked out. There’s never going to be a situation where you might be recording, be in the booth and all of a sudden there’s a timeout because I have to see who stopped by to talk about something else. We like to maintain the privacy, because as an artist working on your project, you don’t want everybody to know what’s coming. So, unsavory characters that might show up, that doesn’t happen here at Blaque Ice Productions.”
He also offers expert tips for bands preparing to record as well. “If there is a band involved, we like to get the drummer in before the other participants and get him situated, because there is a different mixing procedure with the drummer. As far as coming in early; the earliest we like to operate is generally after twelve o’clock. I don’t know if artists are aware of it or not, but you have to be awake at least four hours before you want start putting a strain on those vocal cords. Many recording sessions can go on for eight to ten grueling hours. So you have to have the warmth in your voice. Unless you’re a rock band, then we emphasize that you come in early in the morning where you’re real grungy then we get that good steel sound that were looking for.”
For more information, visit: http://www.blaqueiceproductions.net/.