The Henhouse Hang - Mixing with Steve
The Henhouse Hang - Mixing With Steve (March 23-24, 2024)
The Henhouse Hang - Mixing with Steve is an exclusive 2-day seminar in the heart of Nashville, focused on mixing, at Steve Dawson’s Henhouse Studio. Steve is a multiple Juno Award-winning producer and engineer who has dedicated the last 25 years to making records in this genre. The mixing process is a very deep topic, so we’ve decided to hold this seminar to focus on just that part of the process. It will be very in-depth and will take you from the beginning stage of having raw recorded tracks through to finished mixes. Steve uses an array of hardware and software to work, and both aspects will be discussed, as well as work flows, sounds, getting levels right, and how to be creative in this process. Steve will walk you through the entire process and discuss each step. You will be able to watch, try things hands-on for yourself and ask questions as the process unfolds. This in-studio event is a perfect way to increase your knowledge and skill in the art of mixing music. Whether you’re just getting into it, or have been mixing for a long time and are looking for some fresh ideas, this class is for you. We’ll take raw tracks for a song and learn specific techniques and skills that you can take home with you to your home studio or professional work environment. This is a small class, with one instructor, and will get deep into the process and art of this side of recording. We’ll be discussing concepts and approaches and the entire 2-days will be very interactive between Steve and the participants.
A unique 2-day learning and interactive mixing workshop in Nashville, TN hosted by multiple Juno Award-winning producer/engineer Steve Dawson at his Henhouse Studio
Learn mixing techniques specific to the Roots/Americana genre, and how to incorporate digital and analog technology into your workflow
Lunches/snacks provided
Limited to 6 participants
Classes run from 10am - 5pm both days, leaving you time to explore this amazing town in the evenings
Rates for 2024: $900 USD
Coming from Canada? Let’s meet in the middle on the terrible exchange rate. Contact us to discuss!
Book a spot now! (Deposit of $300 required to hold a spot)
If you have any questions about The Henhouse Hang, feel free to Contact us here
The full 3-day Henhouse Hang will be happening again in September 2024. For details on that event, click here.
“… a dream come true for me: an opportunity to spend a couple of days in The Henhouse Studio with Steve Dawson and a select group of fellow musicians to watch and learn how Steve mixes records. The sessions were well structured, super informative and hands-on. And the lunch and evening hangtimes with Steve and the group gave us lots of time to get to know each other, ask questions and trade stories. I can't speak highly enough about this experience! It was special.” - Chris (2024 attendee)
Topics covered include:
Learning the sounds and strengths of various instruments used within the genre (live drums, acoustic and electric guitar, pedal steel, Hammond organ, piano, analog keyboards, upright and electric bass and more)
Conceptualizing a mix and how to get it right from the early stages
Learning techniques for EQ, compression, panning and effects
Utilizing both hardware and software to achieve your goals
Mixing “in the box” as well as analog - the differences, the techniques, and the workflow
How to set up effects and processing in a digital environment
Learn some insight into how to get started using your own templates and routing that will keep things creative and interesting while saving time
Learning how to process the mix bus itself before the mastering stage
…and lots more!
“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.” - Joe Henry
Some of Steve’s recent mix projects include…
FAQ
Can you recommend anywhere to stay during the event?
Yes! The studio is in East Nashville, home to several boutique hotels and many
Air BnB’s. There are plenty of options and I can help you find one that fits your needs.
Do I need mixing experience to take part?
Not necessarily, although it would help to have tried it.
How much previous mixing experience do I need to take part and benefit from this?
All levels will be accommodated in this program. We will actually be tailoring it a bit to the people that sign up. Steve works with a combination of analog gear and Pro Tools. It would be helpful to have tried some mixing already, but even if you’ve dabbled with Garage Band or something basic, it will help you to understand the basic concepts coming in. But you don’t need to be an expert at Pro Tools or anything like that.
Do you work in Pro Tools and do I have to know how to use that software?
I do. But most of what we talk about is applicable to any DAW or analog setup. It would help to have some digital recording/mixing experience, but not essential.
I’m just a big music fan and would like to see the recording process in action, but have no real intention to pursue recording music myself. Will I still enjoy this experience?
If that is the case, you may find the main Henhouse Hang in September more up your alley (link at top of page). This one is very focussed on mixing and therefore is a bit more technical in nature.
Book a spot now! (Deposit of $300 required to hold a spot)
If you have any questions about The Henhouse Hang, Contact us here
“I have been working in studios, in one aspect or another, since I was a teenager. I have never been fully confident with my mixes. I saw Steve's ad for the Henhouse Hang and thought it would be a great way to get a tune-up on my skills. I am so glad that I went! The information that I obtained was just what I was looking for. All of my questions were answered in a low key atmosphere, and I have new confidence in my mixing abilities.” - Chuck (2024 attendee)
About Steve Dawson
Behind the seemingly endless stream of award winning musical output is one of the hardest working musicians this country has ever produced. Whether he’s turning heads on the concert circuit with his incendiary playing, or pulling the best possible performances out of the many artists that he works with, Steve Dawson is always striving to take things to the next level with innovative slide guitar playing, fingerstyle guitar and songwriting. His work as an artist and producer has garnered 7 Juno Awards (the Canadian Grammy). He has become an in-demand guitarist and sideman, touring and recording with many artists and working in the studio with a wide range of acts such as Birds of Chicago, Matt Andersen, Allison Russell, Bruce Cockburn, Joe Henry, Jim Byrnes, Kelly Joe Phelps, Joel Plaskett, John Hammond, and many more.
Steve currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, where he works as a solo artist, sideman, and record producer. He runs the acclaimed independent label Black Hen Music and his recording studio, The Henhouse. Steve also releases a monthly podcast exploring the lives and careers of interesting musicians entitled “Music Makers and Soul Shakers”.
The Henhouse Studio
The Henhouse is currently in its 3rd incarnation. Originally in East Vancouver, then South Nashville, it has re-emerged in the 5 Points area of East Nashville, one of the most active and artistic parts of town. It is a small, but ideal-sized studio for the times we are working in and the style of music being created there. The facility is 2 floors and has a tracking room, 3 small isolation booths, and a larger mix area that can also be used for further tracking. 7 Juno Award-winning albums have been recorded and/or mixed there and the studio has an incredibly well-curated collection of modern and vintage gear, including microphones, pre-amps, compressors, instruments, amps, effects and other bells and whistles. The centrepiece is a classic API 1608 console, but we’re not here to sell you on gear. There’s lots of cool stuff, and a great sounding space - everything you need to make amazing recordings!