Al Schmitt Mixes with the Schwerkraftmaschine

• 29.04.2019
• Victor Weiss
• Schwerkraftmaschine

This article dates from April 2019.

Capitol Studios in Hollywood

The legendary Capitol Studios in the heart of Hollywood are known for their impressive selection of vintage equipment, microphones, state-of-the-art sound recording equipment and their eight subterranean echo chambers. For over 60 years the records of the biggest stars have been recorded there, from Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Dean Martin to Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney and the Beach Boys.

Who Al Schmitt Is

The American sound engineer and record producer Al Schmitt now practically belongs to the inventory of the Capitol Studios. His award-winning work is like a journey through music history. He has won over 20 Grammy Awards and influenced the music of generations, winning incredible 160 gold and platinum albums throughout his career, making him one of the world's most legendary sound engineers and producers.

In 2015, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and his is right in front of the iconic Capitol Records building, where so many of his hits have been recorded and where, at the incredible age of 88 years, he still works today.

Al Schmitt on the Schwerkraftmaschine

Al Schmitt knows the best sound studio devices ever made and for some time he also works with the Schwerkraftmaschine in the Capitol Studios. It has become an indispensable tool for him. His conclusion:

“I love this tube compressor, it’s a wonderful instrument and I don’t mix without it. Everyone should check it out! This is my new favourite piece of gear. Amazing!" Al Schmitt

"This Tube Compressor" – What's Inside the Schwerkraftmaschine

Al Schmitt simply calls it "this tube compressor", and that is the core of it: the Schwerkraftmaschine is a vari-mu mastering and bus compressor in which the signal passes through three transformers and four triode tubes per channel – harmonics the ear finds pleasant, more presence for the individual instruments, a tidier bass and rounded-off highs. The control signal is generated digitally, with eleven compression modes: Multi-Band Complex, Diode Pressor, Breakthrough, Stereo Transformer, Vari Tube Compressor, Vocal Leveler, Optical Compressor, Drum Smasher, Classical VariMu, Chart Analysis, DeEsser. All controls sit on servo motors and can be operated on the unit, via the web server or through the DAW plug-in (AU, AAX, VST), with the settings saved along with the song. What other engineers say: Greg Wurth after months in the studio and Production Expert's Dan Cooper on mastering.

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Related: Greg Wurth Reviews the Schwerkraftmaschine (Video) · Zed Marty Reviews the Schwerkraftmaschine (Video) · Production Expert: SKM, EQP-1 & Creme Mastering