A Talk with Grammy Winning and Nominated Audio Engineer Chad Gordon

Poster Designed by AES PR Manager Samantha Sarita

On December 7th, 2023, Audio Engineers Society(AES) members had the great opportunity to speak to Grammy Winning and Nominated Audio Engineer Chad Gordon. At the Audio Engineers Society Organization at Salem State University, we hold weekly mixing sessions and invite occasional guest speakers to speak to students and provide them an opportunity to learn about the intricacies of Engineering, Music Production, and the Music Industry. Chad Gordon is a Producer, Mixer, and Audio Engineer based in Los Angeles, California. He is known for his numerous works at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, California, and most recently for engineering Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers-Kendrick Lamar. Some of his other most notable works include Nectar-Joji, Special-Lizzo, Encanto (Film), Twelve Carat Toothache(I Like You(A Happier Song)-Post Malone, And In the Darkness, Hearts Aglow-Weyes Blood. Our meeting began with a few questions for Chad about what he does, how he would describe an engineer, and how he got to where he is in the music industry today. 

Chad explained that he had done a lot of work at EastWest Studios in the past and liked the creative influence his colleagues and the environment had on his work ethic. Being an engineer can be exhausting as Chad recalled his commute to the studios was long during the pandemic recording Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. As an engineer running the session, Chad is responsible for showing up earlier than everyone else to set up, staying through the entire session, and then staying later than everyone to break down. Chad then explained how many of the engineer's responsibilities apply to the role of producing and how it often gets misconstrued. Chad is an engineer and producer and understands the intricacies of engineering techniques. He explained that plugins, effects, processing, etc, can be used as an artistic suggestion, in the role of a producer, and as an engineering technique. There are no clear-cut instructions to being an engineer vs a producer since occasionally paths cross. Finally, Chad described how he got to where he is in the music industry today, and what AES gathered was that Chad is the almighty vibe curator. Chad knows how to work in a room with all different people and make the session productive, smooth, and comfortable for artists and other people in the studio. He explained how important it is to know how to work with people in this industry and how far his personality, enthusiasm, and adaptability to work with different people have pushed him in his career. Chad also said that his eagerness to learn from others helped him consistently improve and grow. He emphasized to AES that he is never the most knowledgeable person in the room since it opens opportunities to learn from others and explore different methods of mixing, engineering, and producing since everyone's process is slightly different.

Chad then elaborates on how he worked on the 2022 Kendrick Lamar album. Chad originally sat in on the session as an assistant engineer alongside the head engineer. That was until the head engineer had another session to attend and asked Chad if he wanted to fill in for the Kendrick sessions, to which Chad thought, "hell yeah, I do". Chad then continued working on the album and said that his favorite part about working on the record was recording live instruments like strings, bass, guitar, etc. Kendrick Lamar's sound is recognizable for elaborate and colorful production, especially his mix of live instruments and electronic drums.

Photograph by Michael Tringale

Chad is an extremely humble guy, stating he is not much of a social media personnel, and is always looking forward to the next experience, never holding one as a feather in his hat. It was a learning moment talking to Chad about his experience as an engineer in the Music Industry. He told many funny stories and shared some of his most exciting moments working in the field. Chad has currently stepped away from EastWest Studios for the time being to focus on other projects and making his music. Influenced by the psychedelic rock sound, Chad says he is excited to be making music and engineering other projects. It was a pleasure having him speak for AES, and we would love to have him again. Chad answered all questions thoroughly and in detail and provided Audio Engineer Society members with insight into what working as an Audio Engineer in the Music Industry is like. Thank you, Chad Gordon, for speaking for the Audio Engineers Society at Salem State University. If you would like to learn more about Chad Gordon click the hyperlinks to visit his Instagram and Website.