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Dana Nielsen is a Grammy-nominated mixer, engineer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist known for his work with SZA, Rihanna, Adele, Post Malone, The Smashing Pumpkins, Neil Young, Justin Timberlake, Weezer, The Avett Brothers, Bob Dylan, and Kanye West. A frequent collaborator with legendary producer, Rick Rubin, Nielsen has amassed credits that run the stylistic gamut from Neil Diamond to Slayer and just about everything in between.
In this episode, Ari and ATA student Dana Nielsen, a master of mixing and audio engineering, discuss his home studio setup and career. He shares insights into his journey, from starting out in Chicago to working with legendary artists and producers. Dana emphasizes the importance of networking and seizing opportunities to advance in the music industry, highlighting the freelance nature of the entertainment industry and the importance of developing relationships in a transactional environment. Finally, Dana provides insights into the business side of engineering in the music industry, discussing the various roles and rates in the recording studio, and what it means for him, to make it in the new music business.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Gear Setup
14:38 Early Career and Networking
27:26 Putting Yourself Out There
29:32 Meeting Rick Rubin
32:12 Learning from John Hanlon
33:11 Working with Rick Rubin
40:26 Working on Neil Diamond’s Album
45:14 Understanding the Role of a Second Engineer
50:44 The Business of Engineering in the Music Industry
01:09:26 Making It in the New Music Business
Edited and mixed by Ari Davids-Ergas
Music by Brassroots District
Produced by the team at Ari’s Take
