In this eye-opening and inspiring interview, 5-time GRAMMY-Nominated Multi-Platinum Mixer, Writer, and Producer, Jean-Marie Horvat, provides valuable insight into how he approaches mixing some of the biggest hits. Jean-Marie explains his method of starting a mix with the vocals, then adding instruments, followed by percussion, and finally the kick and bass. He also emphasizes how viewing a mix as a musician first, rather than merely as a technical project, enhances your connection to the music, allowing you to feel it more deeply. Jean-Marie has worked with some of the top artists in the business. His list of hit records is long and includes TI/Justin Timberlake’s "Dead and Gone,” Jessie J’s "Price Tag," Chris Brown's "Say Goodbye,” J Lo’s "Jenny from The Block," Beyonce/Shakira's duet "Beautiful Liar,” and Destiny’s Child’s "Say My Name.” He also co-wrote, produced, and mixed the multi-platinum Rae Sremmurd hit “Powerglide."
Chapters:
0:00 - Teaser
1:15 - Ray & Jean-Marie introduction
2:56 - Ghost producing
8:50 - Vocals
13:24 - Time pressure
14:27 - Working with Robin Thicke
16:03 - Secrets on the low end
20:00 - Conventional Wisdom
27:33 - Believe in yourself
28:54 - Working with Rodney Jerkins
30:04 - Jersey city and the culture
39:53 - Musical background
41:03 - Interests
43:30 - Crystal sound recording
46:13 - Timeline
47:00 - Being a runner
51:18 - EQ-ing
52:26 - In trouble again?
57:28 - Daring approach
59:26 - Teddy Riley
1:03:19 - Jean-Marie & Teddy Riley
1:07:25 - First mix with Teddy
1:10:45 - Michael Jackson
1:18:20 - How the rooms affect your work
1:26:24 - Say my name
1:30:21 - Musical approach
1:36:40 - How do you make bleed work for you
1:38:34 - Reverb
1:41:35 - Delay
1:46:05 - Compression for vocals
1:47:50 - Saturation
1:52:16 - Protecting your hearing
1:53:10 - Mastering Engineer
1:56:32 - Producing and writing "Power Glide"
2:00:58 - Gears & Gianni
2:08:13 - Price Tag
2:09:28 - Jenny from the block
2:12:00 - Beautiful liar
2:13:30 - LUCK
2:19:23 - Baseball
2:31:32 - Jean-Marie's advice
2:33:27 - Final remarks
2:33:43 - End Credits
Register for IMSTA FESTA events: www.imsta.org/
Connect with us:
Facebook: / imsta.org
Instagram: / imstafesta
Twitter: / imsta_festa