---
title: "Building a Studio, Analog vs. Digital, and Mixing Rock Guitars with Ryan Haft (Snarky Puppy, OM, Torche)"

description: "Ryan Haft and I dig into the joys of the studio, how to build a career as an engineer, and the similarities between live and studio sound. Ryan, a skilled mixer, engineer, and producer, calls Miami, FL home, where he operates Sun Burned Sound Studio as the owner. Since 2008, he has been dedicated to crafting records and ensuring they pack a powerful sonic punch. Notably, in 2023, Ryan earned the a Latin Grammy for his mixing work. His expertise extends to live sound, having worked with prominent acts such as OM, Torche, Snarky Puppy, and many others. He is also a guitarist in the bands Capsule and WRONG. Ryan's multifaceted talents and commitment to sonic excellence have solidified his presence in the music industry. Check out his website to hear his mixes and productions at RyanHaft.com"

status: complete

date: 2024-02-06

kind: guest

guestSlugs:
  - ryan-haft

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Building-a-Studio--Analog-vs--Digital--and-Mixing-Rock-Guitars-with-Ryan-Haft-Snarky-Puppy--OM--Torche-e2fd3tp"

lmwUrl: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n131JF5p77s"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-a-studio-analog-vs-digital-and-mixing/id1567355195?i=1000644355821&uo=4"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/39iubujQ7geaSXbYaO6OTv"
youtubeUrl: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_v6WEgvmFs"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Guitar"
  - "Mixing"
  - "Analog"
  - "Creativity"
  - "The home studio"
  - "Studio construction strategies"
  - "Live sound dynamics"
  - "Acoustic treatment"
  - "Creative space design"
  - "Collaborating with artists"
  - "Recording workflow essentials"

hostNote: |
  Ryan Haft built **Sun Burned Sound Studio** in Miami from scratch: which means he's both a practitioner and a facilities nerd. We start with his war story about losing sessions to gym vibrations from the building next door, which explains why he rebuilt with no parallel walls and two control rooms that can run simultaneously.
  
  The conversation earns its title: studio construction math, outboard gear vs. plugins in 2024 (his answer isn't what you'd expect), mixing rock guitars with a saturation approach that holds back transients without sounding held back, and how mastering has changed now that streams are the delivery format. He earned a Latin Grammy in 2023.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "Struggles with studio noise"
    startSec: 99
    note: "Ryan describes a frustrating experience with noise interference from a nearby gym while recording."
  - label: "Designing a new studio"
    startSec: 201
    note: "Decision-making behind designing a new studio space."
  - label: "Mixing room functionalities"
    startSec: 276
    note: "Ryan explains the dual control rooms in his studio that allow for different recording activities simultaneously."
  - label: "Choosing studio materials"
    startSec: 351
    note: "Sound treatment and how specific design choices impact acoustics."
  - label: "Mathematics of sound design"
    startSec: 510
    note: "Ryan clarifies the reasons behind avoiding parallel walls in studio design for optimal sound."
  - label: "Mixing efficiency and creativity"
    startSec: 681
    note: "The conversation turns to how engineers can adapt to imperfect room acoustics."
  - label: "Outboard gear vs. in-the-box mixing"
    startSec: 1091
    note: "Ryan shares his thoughts on when to use outboard gear versus plugins in the mixing process."
  - label: "Capturing the magic of sound"
    startSec: 1246
    note: "Discussion on how to maintain the character of recording while using digital tools."
  - label: "The evolution of mastering"
    startSec: 2853
    note: "Ryan discusses how the mastering process has changed in the age of digital streaming."
  - label: "Importance of good mixes"
    startSec: 3379
    note: "Ryan reflects on his lifelong passion for music and its impact on his career."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "If everything was mathematically perfect then every studio would sound the same."
    startSec: 1005
    reviewed: true
  - text: "You have the added benefit of now you can design it the way you want and for your needs."
    startSec: 219
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Sound comes off speakers... and the idea of skewing walls a little bit allows for sound to scatter."
    startSec: 426
    reviewed: true
  - text: "I like to aim for how I think they should sound on the way in."
    startSec: 1090
    reviewed: true
  - text: "We're in a period of time where plugins have leveled the playing field pretty drastically."
    startSec: 1092
    reviewed: true
  - text: "I think you can coax saturation in a way that holds back transients without sounding like it's holding back transients."
    startSec: 2616
    reviewed: true
  - text: "It's a beautiful combination of control and harmonics... that's what sounds good."
    startSec: 2691
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Every recording sounds different than the last time I recorded a drum set."
    startSec: 3382
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "What are Ryan Haft's views on analog vs digital mixing?"
    answer: "Ryan believes that both analog and digital have their strengths, but acknowledges that modern plugins can level the playing field significantly."
  - question: "How does Ryan Haft approach building a studio?"
    answer: "Ryan emphasizes the importance of acoustic treatment, efficient space design, and tailoring the studio layout to the needs of the artists."
  - question: "What insights does Ryan Haft provide on mixing rock guitars?"
    answer: "Ryan discusses the balance between achieving large, impactful guitar sounds while maintaining clarity in the mix."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---