Keeping It Tight with Noam Wallenberg (Vulfpeck, Anderson .Paak, Mac Miller)
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton (Scoobert Doobert)
Guest: Noam Wallenberg
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Topics discussed
Host note
Noam Wallenberg has made records with Vulfpeck and The Fearless Flyers, and he's built a whole approach around creative limitations: tracking with the "wrong mics" on purpose, mixing a live record like it was cut in a studio. We get into how he handles microphone bleed and volume writing on a live mix, and why he leans on that over compression when the setting calls for it.
We also talk about what tape actually does to a recording, and how the unconventional route (the constraint you didn't choose but decided to work with) tends to land somewhere better than the safe one. Noam says outright that making records is a selfish pursuit for him: he does it because it's fun, and he tries to make moments for someone else the way music once did for him.
Selected moments
- Introduction to Noam Wallenberg and Vulfpeck 2:22 The episode opens with an introduction to Noam and his pivotal role in producing innovative music for Vulfpeck.
- Unique challenges in mixing live recordings 5:17 Noam discusses the various technical challenges and artistic decisions involved in mixing a live performance.
- Microphone bleed and sound quality 6:49 A detailed explanation of how microphone bleed can alter the sound quality in live recordings.
- Importance of volume writing 8:11 Noam highlights how meticulous volume writing can shape the dynamics of a mix.
- The role of compression in mixing 10:52 An exploration of how Noam approaches compression differently in live versus studio settings.
- Creative choices in music production 12:18 Discussion on how creative constraints lead to innovative production choices.
- Collaborative efforts in the studio 43:55 Noam shares his collaborative approach while working with artists in the studio.
- Emotional connection to music 48:06 Noam reflects on the profound emotional connection music has and his motivation to create.
Selected excerpts
I’m so excited to talk to you about all things music production, your career arc, your journey.
Mixing a live record is a very different beast... it doesn’t work to play stuff that quiet in a live setting.
I had to leave all the mics live because it just would have felt very different if one of these mics was going in and out all the time.
The only thing that’s truly special about mastering is the room and the person’s ears.
Every time that I make a record, I try to create moments for someone else like I had when I was younger.
It’s deeply selfish all of the music that I make because I’m just having fun doing it.
FAQ
What techniques does Noam Wallenberg use in music production?
Noam emphasizes the importance of creative limitations, microphone techniques, and the use of volume writing over compression.
How does Noam Wallenberg approach mixing live recordings?
He treats live recordings uniquely, focusing on capturing the raw energy while carefully managing microphone bleed and sound dynamics.
What influence does Noam Wallenberg have in contemporary music?
As a producer for prominent acts like Vulfpeck and Anderson .Paak, Noam shapes modern music through innovative production techniques.
These pages are host notes, not a full transcript. The episode itself is on the listen links above.