Recording Studio Rockstars RSR029 – Craig Alvin – Badass Mixer
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Mar 25, 2016 Craig Alvin, a recording and mixing engineer with 20+ years working with artists like Amy Grant and Vanessa Carlton, explains his hybrid digital/analog approach and drum recording philosophy. He shares practical tricks like the VCA balancing method, saving guitars until last, developing repeatable templates, and using thrift outboard and plugins for character.
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Joe Ciccarelli Fired Craig For Reading A Magazine
- Joe Ciccarelli once turned on young Craig for reading a magazine during a session and scolded him to be fully attentive.
- That lesson taught Craig discipline: assistants must pay attention, be present, and internalize professional studio habits.
Use Parallel Outboard To Shape Character
- Use a mix of outboard favorites in parallel: Distressors for punch, AKG BX10 spring for vocal space, Gates Stay Level for creamy vocal presence, and a Neve 33609 on the mix bus.
- Craig runs these units as parallel sends or on the bus to add character without killing dynamics: distressor on kick/snare, BX10 on vocals, Stay Level on lead vocal, Neve on stereo bus.
Gain Stage Low End At The Loudest Moment
- Set gain staging using the loudest part of the song: place kick and bass peaks at consistent meter positions before building the rest.
- Craig matches kick and bass to the same peak, then builds rhythm around them and never lets them exceed that level.