Please note that as with all Q & A format sub forums All questions will wait in a moderation queue before being published...

Jules

AL SCHMITT grew up in New York City. After serving in the U.S. Navy he began working at Apex Recording Studios at the age of 19....

Jules

First of all thank you so much for doing this Q&A! For my money you are one of the finest engineers to ever live. It is a...

Empire Prod

Hi, first of all, thanks you are doing this! Do you use Multibandcompression on single tracks or the master bus at all?? If...

NeoHippy

Hi Al, thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. Please allow me to say only some words about my...

Andreas Leonhard

Hello Al, I'd love for you to talk through ways you go about setting the release of compressors. It would be great if you also...

SonicAlchemist

Hi Al, Something I have struggled with, how do you keep the definition between the contra basses in the orchestra and the...

Nowak

Sir, once again thank you for doing this, another huge fan here from Pakistan! which is the sweetest Eq you have ever used,...

shani haider

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this! Would you share your approach to a big band session? How do you set up the...

RobAnderson

Al, you are truly great and I love listening to your skills, the music shines! Last night I was driving home from work...

Fezzle

Hi Al, First off, thanks so much for doing this. Your records are my gold standard! Just wondering what you do differently...

ajcdrum

Al, Do you have a preference on Mic Cable's? Thanks,

nosebleedaudio

Al, What DAW do you prefer, and why? Thanks in advance for the answer, and thanks for the hard work put forth towards...

_Mark

Hi Al, Big fan of your work, especially the George Benson stuff over the years. I've read a few of your interviews where you...

jtaylor27

Hello Mr Schmidt which microphone preamps do you use on bass and vocals? Do you go out of your way to use one brand over...

walth

Hi Al, I believe that you use Neve VR at Capitol a lot. What do you think about this console? Do you use the onboard dynamics?...

jetam

Hi Mr. Schmitt, This question isn't exactly related to engineering, but more in regards to your memory of an individual. From...

QuadWing

How much time do you usually spend on a project like D Krall, that includes brass (big band) and strings? Tracking and mixing.

unit7

Thank you for doing this! I was wondering how do you feel about compression on the 2bus (mix bus) and if you use it how and...

MarioContreras

Al, Thank you for taking time to do this. I would be very interested in hearing some of your recollections of recording Aja. ...

Deuce 225

Hi Al! First i wanna thank you for answering questions here! I love the q&a threads! My question to you: Are you still...

swinxx

Hello Al ! If I record a Jazz Trio or Quartet in one single room, I want to have the Bass Player stand near the Drummer...

coachella45

Hello al I’m a big fan of the barbara streisand back to broadway record and I read you engineered parts of the record, Some...

walth

Thank you Sir for hanging out with us! I would love to hear a bit about Michael Franks' 70s albums that you worked on; in...

FunkyKeys

Hi Al, thanks a lot for doing this. Another huge fan of yours here. Very little is known about the fact that you once owned a...

Barish

Hi and thank you for doing this! I was wondering if Paul McCartney used any of his "technical" skills during the...

hAPIguy

Hi Al, Earfood is one of my favourite records and I really love the sound of this album. Could you share some information...

ma_pa

Hi Al, thanks for doing this. I am a big fan of your work with Sam Cooke & love the sound of the song “Shake” in...

kungfujeezus

Hi Al, Could you tell about recording and mixing acoustic guitar? Your favourite mic, preamp, EQ, compressor? Mic...

hotab

Al, please can you give us more info about what microphone technique do you use for recording Diana Krall's piano? Thank you very...

icecubeman

Thanks for agreeing to do this Al! I'm fascinated in capturing a band recording in a natural and punchy manner, and as far as...

jampot

Hi, no question, I just wanted to say many thanks for an incredible Mix With The Masters week in France! That week changed my...

jannev

Al, Love the bass sound on Diana Krall's "Love Scenes"... No doubt GREAT bass player (Christian McBride) but it...

nosebleedaudio