Mixer PROfile: Jake Antelis Motivates the Faders for Dive’s “Picture Perfect”

May 13th, 2010 by

HILLSIDE, NJ: Did you know that the Hillside High School team nickname is the Comets? That’s because the New Jersey town of Hillside was incorporated in 1910, shortly after the appearance of Halley’s Comet. WOW.

Jake Antellis has two monitors...but he only has eyes for you.

Jake Antelis has two monitors...but he only has eyes for you.

100 years later, they best prepare to rename themselves the Antelis’s. That’s right. Hillside-based mixer/engineer/producer Jake Antelis is streaking across the night sky like a fader-happy fireball of fury, building a career record by indie record.

Young, up and emerging, Antelis’ mix chops are on an increasingly visible display, progressing with this week’s release of Picture Perfect on Phase1 Records by NJ/Philly rockers Dive. Recorded in LA with producer Jim Wirt, the files made their way through cyberspace onto Antelis’ music machine, where he merged them into a solid collection of tough melodic drivers. Tune into his street-level view about movin’ on up in 3, 2, 1…

Q: How did you end up working on Picture Perfect? What made your approach to mixing a good match for Dive?

A: I had produced and mixed a bunch of demos for the band prior to them recording their new album and we got along great — I get what they do and what their sound is about. Besides that, I really do like their songs and the band members as people. They can play and are great to work with. What more can you ask for?

When I work with an artist my goal is to help them attain the sound that they want and never try and change them — unless they want me to. After all, it’s the artist’s music and not mine. At the end of the day, my job is to make sure the songs will sound the best that they can, so that the people who still buy or download records will like it and hopefully buy it.

Q: Where did you mix Picture Perfect?

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A: I mixed the project in the box using Pro Tools, at my studio since it’s a room I know very well and feel comfortable mixing here. I’m sure anyone who’s on a sports team can relate to working/playing on home turf — it’s just more comfortable which results in a better product. I’ve mixed at other studios with great results too, but I still prefer doing the mixing at my studio.

Q: Plus, the ultimate bonus – your own bathroom! But we digress. As a mixer, what did you find most compelling about working with Dive?

A: I get into every song on a project that I produce and/or mix. With the Dive album it was such a pleasure to mix, since all the songs are great and there’s such a variety of tunes on the record. It doesn’t sound like one long song, like some of the newer records I hear coming out now. Each song has its own identity sound and is unique.

Perhaps that’s one of the many reasons that record sales are down, and keep going down. At the end of the day a great song is a great song, but you also need more than just one great song for a record

I look at mixing like performing: I want to be in top shape, fully alert and give the artists 110% of my ears and my energy towards their record or song. On the flipside, I motivate the artists to give me their best.

Q: Have you tried those Perfect Pushups? That’s how WE stay in shape! But back to mixing, tell us some tips ‘n’ tricks you pulled out for Picture Perfect?

Dive

Dive

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A: On the track “Take You There” in the verse sections there’s a dirty/disorted vocal that I used the SansAmp plugin to dirty up the track. I normally use SansAmp rackmount version on rock bass guitar tracks, but in this case it worked great on the vocal and helped it fit the track.

As far as mixing the record, the songs were recorded and produced very well by the producer, so it was just a matter of balancing everything and bringing out the best features of every instrument. No voodoo or magic involved. Just great songs, great arrangements, and solid recording.

Q: You make it sound so E-Z. So, who’s another producer or engineer that’s an inspiration to you?

A: A producer who I really admire and respect, that also inspires me to work harder and be a better producer and person would be David Bendeth. I love the records that he produces and mixes. All the bands sound different, and each have their own sound, not to mention that the productions are all so huge and very humbling to listen to. When I hear his work, I always get inspired to work harder to improve my skills! Thanks for inspiring me David!

Q: And I think he’s also a Jersey guy – y’all really stick together. So how do you feel the music business is evolving?

A: The music industry is evolving for the better. Right now, record sales are going down and illegal downloads are way up — things are tough right now for a lot of artists, labels, producers and mix engineers.

Unfortunately, we were all late in getting on the digital downloads bandwagon. Apple Inc was right on it and beat everyone. It’s ironic that a computer company that doesn’t make music created the most popular music download platform — it would have helped record labels if they had been open to the concept before that and started their own store.

I’m sure this topic can go on forever, but I really think this is a great time for music and as much as the big budget records are shrinking, there are a lot of artists that are making “it” right now that twenty years ago wouldn’t have had a chance. The Internet is love/hate for a lot of people in the industry. It hurts a lot of artists, but also helps a great amount of artists gain exposure.

As far as the production end of things the Internet is great for networking and for reaching out to new clients. I receive a lot of mixing work over the Internet through Myspace, Facebook and from my website. It’s a great tool.

Q: Come to think of it, I think that’s how WE met. You cyber charmer, you. So who wins when it’s time to rock: New York City or New Jersey?

A: NYC and NJ both rock. I love the edge and the attitude that exists in NYC. It’s really great for making music and keeping things interesting! I find that the busyness of New York really adds a lot of vibe to my work and gives me energy to work off. It’s also great because there are so many artists and bands that play so many different genres, it keeps my job interesting. I don’t have any problems with NY/NJ — we get along great!

Q: Anything else to add?
A: I’d like to thank SonicScoop for setting this up and for running such a  great website . I check out SonicScoop daily and you should too! It rocks.

S: Amen! Yer check is in the mail.

– David Weiss

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