Pendulum Audio Quartet Channel Strip: Gearwire MVP Nominee Skeyelab, AKA Eric Dahl, On Recording
Skeyelab aka Eric Dahl of DJ Forums was nominated for the Gearwire MVP contest because of his immense knowledge of studio recording. Unfortunately, his interview was submitted late, which is why Skeyelab does not appear on the voting page - however, his interview was interesting, informative, and definitely worth a read - be sure to take note of the names Skeyelab has worked with too!
What is your background?
I got my music start in the 4th grade with a trumpet in the school band. Jump forward a few years to high school. I played keyboard in an industrial band. The band was successful on the local level, but it was in the studio with my band that I's real love of music began to shine. I fell in love with the production and studio side of the industry, quickly putting away my keyboard for a mixing board.
While in college, I started doing a radio show my freshman year. This led into a position as the Production Director for the station. As production director I got my first keys to a recording studio. Recording bands, DJ'ing, and sound for film became my focus. All the while, I continued to host a weekly four hour radio show that featured local and regional guest DJ's in Dayton, OH. Hosting weekly house parties ensured that I knew how to read and work a crowd.
After college, I returned to my home town, Chicago, for an internship at a major recording studio. Experience with Twista, Kanye West, Ice Cube, KMFDM, and Coldplay has given me the studio knowledge and confidence needed to run my own recording sessions. Currently I work out of Joyride Studios in Chicago.
How did you get started in music and what advice would you give to someone who just started?
The main thing is to keep with it and to keep in mind that it is a hard road, but very fulfilling in the end.
Who are your musical influences and what genre do you listen to most?
Influences include James Zabiela, BT, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Pearl Jam, David Bowie, Elton John, and engineers Chris Shepard and Craig Bauer
I was listening to a lot of EDM, but lately find myself listening to a lot of rock based music.
What's your inspiration?
Simply creating the best sounding music I can.
What's your motivation for helping people out on forums?
I feel I have a lot of experience and knowledge to spread - no need to have others make the same mistakes I have learned from.
What's your favorite piece of gear and why? What gear do you use?
Would have to be the Pendulum Audio Quartet Channel Strip. This thing is actually four units in one; a stellar MicPre, a Fairchild style compressor, Pultec style EQ and brickwall limiter. The kicker is that all four sections have patch points on the back so you can re route them, and use them on different channels if desired.
I use Pro Tools HD at Joyride and Ableton Live at home.
What are your favorite sources for gear-related information?
Word of mouth (forums and direct) and various publications.
What's the best music related advice you've ever given?
There is no right and wrong, you must trust your ears.
What's the best and worst thing about being a musician?
The best thing is the gratification that comes with doing work you love. As for bad things, the pay is not awesome and the hours can be long, but that's what make sit so gratifying in the end.
What is the best and worst thing about online forums?
The best thing is the amount of very knowledgeable and talented people that come together to share knowledge and experiences. The worst is the flood of nonsense that often gets shared around.
What music-related topic do you think is most neglected on forums?
Proper recording techniques.
What are the 5 forum posts/threads where you are most proud of your contributions? (Give actual URLs)
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