On the evening of Sept. 24, at Studio A of Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, the professional audio community gathered for an exclusive listening event of the 5.1 surround sound mix of The Savior, the latest LP from A Bad Think, a musical project led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Marquart.
Co-produced by Marquart and producer-engineer Dave Way (Fiona Apple, Echo In The Canyon, Ringo Starr, Michael Jackson, Macy Gray), the album was mixed in both stereo and 5.1 surround by producer-engineer Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Bryan Adams, The Cure, INXS) and mastered by Bob Ludwig (Led Zeppelin, Queen, Jimi Hendrix). Both Clearmountain and Way joined Marquart in the control room, playing through the entirety of The Savior to rave reviews and the accolades from the attendees.
Producer-mixing engineer Jack Joseph Puig, known for his work with Lady Gaga, the Rolling Stones, Black Eyed Peas, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, John Mayer, U2, Fergie, Beck and more, summarized the event very simply, “The Savior 5.1 playback was an absolutely fabulous moment.”
Also in attendance was engineer-producer-mixer Rafa Sardina, who has worked with Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, Placido Domingo, and D'Angelo, to name a few. Sardina enthused, “What a thrilling experience! Doesn’t cease to amaze how great music matched with amazing sonics can transport you to new places!”
Marc DeSisto, a recording engineer, producer, mixing and mastering engineer who has worked with a diverse range of artists, from Stevie Nicks and Michelle Branch, to Dwight Yoakam and Melissa Etheridge, said, “It is always a great night when you are at Capitol Studio A, especially listening to new music like A Bad Think’s The Savior in 5.1 mixed by Bob Clearmountain.”
Bruce Sugar, who has worked with artists including Ringo Starr, Elton John, Joe Walsh, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne, spent a good portion of the evening in the control room listening to the 5.1 surround mix. “As I listened to A Bad Think’s The Savior, at the showcase at Capitol Studios, my mind harkened back to when listening to music was an experience that surrounded you with great songs intelligently arranged and impeccably recorded and mixed,” stated Sugar. “I’m happy that the recording arts are still alive and well.”
Others in attendance included Warren Huart, Nathaniel Kunkel, Julian Frampton (Peter Frampton’s son), and more.
The album is available as a 5.1 Blu-ray from CDBaby.com, as well as in lossless 5.1 digital files from online immersive audio stores.
