Mike Plotnikoff: The Pursuit of Perfection

Starting out, Mike assisted on major records for artists such as AC/DC, Cher, and Aerosmith. He also got to work with some of the biggest producers and engineers in the business such as; Bob Rock, Mutt Lange, Chris Thomas, Mike Fraser, Randy Staub, Bob Clearmountian, Tom Lorde, Chris Lord-Alge, and Bruce Fairbairn.

Halfway through the recording of Aerosmith’s “Get a Grip” record, Mike was promoted to head engineer for the album.  For the next eight years, Mike then went on to be Bruce Fairbairn’s main engineer, recording and mixing records for some of the top artists, including Van Halen, Aerosmith, The Cranberries, INXS, Kiss, Yes, Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan, Theory of a Deadman, and Three Days Grace.

In 2001, after the passing of Bruce Fairbairn, Mike Plotnikoff moved to Los Angeles and teamed up with producer Howard Benson. Together they went on to record and mix some of the biggest records of the 2000’s including; Flyleaf, Daughtry, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, Hoobastank, Buckcherry, Halestorm, Like A Storm, and Kelly Clarkson, to name a few.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

• Working his way up the ladder
• Copying other engineer’s settings
• Reverse engineering sounds with references
• Why you shouldn’t just focus on close mics when EQing drums
• Having your own sound
• Working with In Flames
• Blending plugins with real amps
• The pursuit of perfection
• Knowing when your project is finished
• How he layers guitars
• Recording chord by chord
• Mike’s white-noise trick for perfect mic placement
• Why he records bass tracks in 5 layers

To learn more about Mike Plotnikoff, visit: http://mikeplotnikoff.net/

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