Michael Brauer
Encyclopedia
Michael Brauer is a New York-based mix engineer
whose credits encompass a wide range of genres, and include The Rolling Stones
, Bob Dylan
, Paul McCartney
, Coldplay
, John Mayer
, Ash
, My Morning Jacket
, Ben Folds
, Dream Theater
, The New Radicals, Change
, Fountains of Wayne
, David Poe, Wilco
, Alpha Rev
and Ron Sexsmith
.
Brauer has established himself as an A-List mix engineer
with a recent string of highly successful albums. He received a Grammy for "Best Male Pop Vocal and Performance" for his work on John Mayer
's Continuum, "Best Alternative Album" for Coldplay
's Parachutes, and also "Best Rock Album" for Coldplay
's "Viva La Vida". Michael mixed James Morrison
’s debut album Undiscovered for Polydor which debuted at #1 in the UK and has since gone platinum in the UK, and The Kooks
’ debut album Inside In / Inside Out which has also been certified triple platinum in the UK. Recent albums Michael mixed include My Morning Jacket
's "Evil Urges", Brazilian Girls
's "New York City", and The Fray
's "The Fray. He has recently mixed singles for John Mayer
, The Enemy
(#1 UK single chart), Paulo Nutini, Mr. Hudson & The Library, Evans Blue
, a surround sound mix for the My Morning Jacket
'Okonokos' DVD, Coldplay
, and The Fray
.
Brauer is known for an unusual implementation of parallel compression
in which vocals or instruments are sent to five compressors, each adjusted for its own timbral
and tonal quality. These are then blended by ear to achieve the desired result.
in Mexico. He has also been teaching week-long seminars during the summer in the south of France at La Fabrique where he shares his knowledge about his mixing and compression techniques.
Mix engineer
A mix engineer, also referred to as "mixing engineer", is a person who, once all instruments, voices, and sounds, etc., have been recorded, creates what is called the final version of a song, hence the term "mix engineer"...
whose credits encompass a wide range of genres, and include The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
, Ash
Ash (band)
Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. The band has sold 8 million albums worldwide.-Band beginning, Trailer and 1977 :...
, My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
, Ben Folds
Ben Folds
Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
, Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
, The New Radicals, Change
Change (band)
Change was an Italian-American post-disco group formed in Bologna, Italy in 1979 by businessman and executive producer Jacques Fred Petrus and Mauro Malavasi...
, Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne is an American power pop band that formed in New York City in 1996. The band consists of members Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter and Brian Young.-Early years:...
, David Poe, Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
, Alpha Rev
Alpha Rev
Alpha Rev is an American alternative rock band from Austin, Texas, fronted by Casey McPherson .-History:Casey McPherson started Alpha Rev in 2005 after the breakup of his previous band Endochine, which had toured with Staind, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pete Yorn and Bob Schneider.Alpha Rev released...
and Ron Sexsmith
Ron Sexsmith
Ronald Eldon "Ron" Sexsmith is a Canadian singer-songwriter from St. Catharines, Ontario, currently based in Toronto. He started his own band when he was fourteen years old, and released the first recordings of his own material seven years later, in 1985...
.
Brauer has established himself as an A-List mix engineer
Mix engineer
A mix engineer, also referred to as "mixing engineer", is a person who, once all instruments, voices, and sounds, etc., have been recorded, creates what is called the final version of a song, hence the term "mix engineer"...
with a recent string of highly successful albums. He received a Grammy for "Best Male Pop Vocal and Performance" for his work on John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
's Continuum, "Best Alternative Album" for Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
's Parachutes, and also "Best Rock Album" for Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
's "Viva La Vida". Michael mixed James Morrison
James Morrison (singer)
James Morrison is a BRIT Award-winning English singer-songwriter and guitarist from Rugby, Warwickshire. In 2006, his debut single "You Give Me Something" became a hit in Europe, Australia, and Japan, peaking in the top five in the UK and New Zealand. His debut album, Undiscovered, debuted at the...
’s debut album Undiscovered for Polydor which debuted at #1 in the UK and has since gone platinum in the UK, and The Kooks
The Kooks
The Kooks are an English indie rock band formed in Brighton, East Sussex, in 2001. Formed by Luke Pritchard , Hugh Harris , Paul Garred , and Max Rafferty , the lineup of the band remained constant until 2008 and the departure of Rafferty...
’ debut album Inside In / Inside Out which has also been certified triple platinum in the UK. Recent albums Michael mixed include My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
's "Evil Urges", Brazilian Girls
Brazilian Girls
Brazilian Girls was a band from New York City known for their eclectic blend of electronic dance music with musical styles as diverse as tango, chanson, house, reggae and lounge. None of the members are actually from Brazil and the only female in the band is Sabina Sciubba. Other members include...
's "New York City", and The Fray
The Fray
-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind...
's "The Fray. He has recently mixed singles for John Mayer
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer is an American pop rock and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and music producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Atlanta in 1997, where he refined his...
, The Enemy
The Enemy (UK band)
The Enemy are an English rock band formed in Coventry in 2006, signed to Warner Music Group . In June 2007, The Enemy played twice at Glastonbury Festival, first in the 'Guardian Lounge' on Saturday and then the much larger 'Other Stage' on Sunday. They also headlined on the Saturday night of T in...
(#1 UK single chart), Paulo Nutini, Mr. Hudson & The Library, Evans Blue
Evans Blue
Evans Blue is an alternative rock band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada founded in 2005.- Origins :Evans Blue came together in early 2005. Five musicians, then in three separate bands, met through a local musician's message board...
, a surround sound mix for the My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
'Okonokos' DVD, Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, and The Fray
The Fray
-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind...
.
Brauer is known for an unusual implementation of parallel compression
Parallel compression
Parallel compression, also known as New York compression, is a dynamic range compression technique used in sound recording and mixing. Parallel compression, a form of upward compression, is achieved by mixing an unprocessed 'dry', or lightly compressed signal with a heavily compressed version of...
in which vocals or instruments are sent to five compressors, each adjusted for its own timbral
Timbre
In music, timbre is the quality of a musical note or sound or tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments, such as string instruments, wind instruments, and percussion instruments. The physical characteristics of sound that determine the...
and tonal quality. These are then blended by ear to achieve the desired result.
Albums mixed (recent highlights)
- BIRDS OF TOKYO – The Saddest Thing I Know(EMI Aus)
- CHASE COY – Where The Road Parts(Universal Records)
- STARS – Sad Robot(Soft Revolution)
- ISAAC RUSSELL – EP(Sony Music)
- THE RESCUES – Let Loose the Horses(Universal Republic)
- JOHN MAYER – Battle Studies (Columbia)
- THE BRAVERY – Stir the Blood(Island Records)
- COLBIE CAILLAT – Breakthrough(Universal Records)
- REGINA SPEKTOR – Far (Warner Bros)
- Alpha Rev – New Morning (Hollywood Records)
- Barcelona – Absolutes (Motown Records)
- The Fray – The Fray (Epic Records)
- Coldplay – Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (EMI)
- Copeland – You are My Sunshine (Tooth & Nail)
- The Doves – Kingdom Of Rust (Heavenly Records)
- My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges (ATO)
- Mandi Perkins – Alice In No Man's Land (Sony)
- Travis – The Boy With No Name (Independiente)
- KT Tunstall – Drastic Fantastic (Virgin UK)
- John Mayer – Continuum (Aware/Columbia)
- James Morrison – Undiscovered (Polydor)
- The Kooks – Inside In / Inside Out (EMI)
- Idlewild – Warnings/Promises (EMI)
- Dream Theater – Octavarium (Atlantic)
- Coldplay – X&Y (EMI) #1 Worldwide
- Ben Folds – Songs for Silverman (Sony)
- Bob Dylan – Lovesick (Sony Legacy)
- Paul McCartney – Driving Rain Tour (Capitol)
- Aimee Mann – Lost in Space (Super Ego Records)
- Pet Shop Boys – Release (Capitol/Parlophone)
- Josh Pyke – Memories & Dust (Ivy League/Island)
- Coldplay – Parachutes (Parlophone) #1 Worldwide
- Fountains of Wayne – Traffic and Weather (Virgin)
- The Great Fiction – Slow Progress for Simplicity (Chrysalis Music)
- Young the GiantYoung the GiantYoung the Giant is an American alternative rock band that formed in Irvine, California, in 2004. The band's line-up is Sameer Gadhia , Jacob Tilley , Eric Cannata , Payam Doostzadeh , and François Comtois...
– Young the Giant (Roadrunner Records)
Grammy Awards
- Coldplay – Viva La Vida (Best Rock Album)
- Coldplay – Parachutes (Best Alternative Album)
- John Mayer – Continuum (Best Male Pop Vocal and Performance)
- John Mayer– Battle Studies (Best Engineer non-classical)
Grammy Award winning albums
- Tony Bennett – Unplugged (Album of the Year)
- Booker T & The MG's – That's the Way It Should Be (Best Instrumental Performance)
- Aretha Franklin – Who's Zoomin' Who (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance)
Singles mixed (recent highlights)
- The FrayThe Fray-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind...
– You Found Me (Epic Records) - ColdplayColdplayColdplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
– Viva La Vida (EMI/Parlophone) - ColdplayColdplayColdplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
– Violet Hill (EMI/Parlophone) - Stars – Bitches In Tokyo (Arts & Crafts International)
- Evans BlueEvans BlueEvans Blue is an alternative rock band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada founded in 2005.- Origins :Evans Blue came together in early 2005. Five musicians, then in three separate bands, met through a local musician's message board...
– The Pursuit (Hollywood) - Paolo NutiniPaolo NutiniPaolo Giovanni Nutini is a Scottish singer, songwriter and musician from Paisley. His father is of Italian descent, from Barga, Tuscany, although both his parents are Scottish, his family having been in Scotland for three generations....
– Last Request (Atlantic) - The BraveryThe BraveryThe Bravery is an American rock band from New York City that consists of Sam Endicott , Michael Zakarin , John Conway , Mike Hindert , and Anthony Burulcich...
– An Honest Mistake (Island) - Breaking BenjaminBreaking BenjaminBreaking Benjamin is an American rock band from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, currently consisting of Benjamin Burnley and Chad Szeliga. The band has released four studio albums to date and a greatest hits album that was released on August 16, 2011. The group initially went on indefinite hiatus due...
– Forget It (Hollywood Records) - Ben HarperBen HarperBenjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
– Faded/Whole lotta love (Virgin)
Music education
Michael Brauer has been part of a music education initiative called the Fermatta Master Class Series which is a series of master classes taught to aspiring musicians of the Fermatta Music AcademyFermatta Music Academy
The Fermatta Music Academy is a private music university with campuses in Mexico City and Guadalajara Mexico. Founded in 1993, it is the only music university in Mexico to give bachelor's degrees in contemporary music certified by Mexico's Secretariat of Public Education...
in Mexico. He has also been teaching week-long seminars during the summer in the south of France at La Fabrique where he shares his knowledge about his mixing and compression techniques.