Production, Mixing and Session Work

Steve is always looking for new projects to get involved in. Whether it’s playing on, producing, mixing, studio time at The Henhouse, or all of the above, he is always open to hearing about new music. Feel free to reach out to tell us more about your project, discuss rates, and schedules, etc.
See Steve’s rates for session work, mixing and production
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“Steve Dawson is an extraordinarily gifted and versatile musician. Being as well a songwriter, engineer, and producer allows Steve a broad and nuanced perspective of any project’s scope; and he is an unfailingly inventive and generous collaborator. I find myself turning to Steve less for any particular instrument he might play, and more for the expanse of his experience and humanity that he brings to the table. And worth noting: beyond his virtuosic ability at so many stations, he’s also willing to play less than almost any great player I know —and that egoless restraint is priceless.” - Joe Henry

 

Production

With close to 100 produced albums to his credit, including 7 Juno Award winning recordings, Steve has earned a reputation as one of the most in-demand roots music producers around. Steve started his production career over 20 years ago when Jenny Whiteley approached him to record her Juno-winning “Hopetown” album. Steve gradually built up his collection of recording equipment and continued to produce an ongoing list of acclaimed albums and working with artists from many genres on bringing their songs to life. Steve has built his reputation around live ensemble performance, creating group interplay that is unique and adventurous. By bringing out the best in each performer, he is able to sculpt deep and rich recordings from those group performances, as heard on recordings by artists such as Matt Andersen, Jim Byrnes, Kelly Joe Phelps, Birds of Chicago, David Olney, Kat Danser, Old Man Luedecke, Deep Dark Woods, Ndidi Onukwulu, Linda McRae, The Sojourners, Big Dave McLean, and many more. Here’s a playlist with a few examples of some of Steve’s recent work.

Get Steve’s Production Rates here

Feel free to reach out here to discuss details of your project, or ask questions about the process.

 
 

For a partial list of Steve’s Production credits, see the Discography Page.


Remote Sessions

Have Steve play on your tracks remotely!

Steve is a respected studio musician who has played on hundreds of recordings from indie albums to major label releases, demos, EP’s and singles. He can add tracks to projects anywhere in the world, and does this regularly for many artists and producers. Steve has an incredible setup ready to record acoustic or electric instruments. His specialties include acoustic and electric guitars of all kinds, slide guitar, fingerstyle guitar, dobro, banjo, pedal steel, National tricones and more. Steve also has a wide range of amps, effects and mics to tailor the sound you’re going for. If you don’t really know what you want, that’s OK too - he can talk you through it and figure out what it is you need.

For a partial list of Steve’s Musician credits, see the Discography Page.

Get Steve’s Remote Session Rates here


Mixing

With close to 100 albums mixed to his credit, including 5 Juno Award winning recordings, Steve has honed his craft through experience and dedication to the art of mixing. Steve has worked with many artists starting at various stages in their recording process to mix their music and bring their project to completion. Using a carefully curated collection of analog equipment combined with software plugins, Steve has become a sought-after producer and engineer. Based out of his Henhouse Studio in Nashville, Steve has worked on projects from around the world. He has mixed songs or albums for artists like Matt Andersen, John Hammond, Bruce Cockburn, David Olney, Van Dyke Parks, Birds of Chicago, Linda McRae, John Wort Hannam, Jim Byrnes, Ndidi Onukwulu and many more. Being a Canadian citizen, his work is eligible for FACTOR funding, among others.

Steve is available to mix albums, singles, EP’s or whatever you may have need for. He can tailor a plan to fit your budget and is always looking for new projects. Here’s a playlist with some of Steve’s recent mixing work:

 
 

Steve’s mix setup is centered around a fully automated API 1608 analog console with automation. His collection of outboard gear includes compressors, eq’s and effects by Neve, Retro Instruments, Spectra Sonics, Chandler, Demeter, Warm Audio, Universal Audio and more.

For a partial listing of mixing credits, please visit the Discography Page.

Get Steve’s Mixing Rates here

Feel free to reach out here to discuss details of your project, or ask questions about the process.