5. John Morand: Platinum Level Producer, Studio Owner, Musician, and Entrepreneur -- on the Old Days, New Days, Band Fights, and Being a Pioneer in the "High Tech, Lo-Fi" Movement

Brenton Hund Podcast

In this episode John Morand takes us behind the scenes of the recording studio, from cutting edits on an analog Studer 16 track tape machine (like the kind Led Zeppelin used back in the day) to running a drum set through a “Big Muff” distortion pedal. From mediating between band members to doing audio production on "Corn Warriors," a competitive corn growing reality television show, John has a treasure chest of hilarious stories to tell.
John has worked with everyone from Sparkelhorse to Joan Osborne, Susanna Hoffs to Hanson, and many others in his 3+ decades as a music producer and studio owner. He was an early pioneer in the "High Tech, Lo-Fi" movement. He’s got platinum records to his credit, and he’s a founder of Sound of Music Recording Studios in Richmond, Virginia along with producer, rock star and music advocate, David Lowery from the band Cracker. John is also an entrepreneur, musician and singer, songwriter, video producer and sound editor, college professor and dad. Join us as we talk about the old days, the new days, and band fights.
John Morand Links:

• Sound of Music Facebook Page
• Giving Notes Project. This is a charitable organization, with which John is affiliated, that is devoted to "bringing other people's stories to life through music." John and Sound of Music provide support by recording audio and video for the Giving Notes.

For extras, visit Brenton Hund Podcast on social media:

• BHP: Facebook
• BHP: Instagram

Chapter

1. Theme and Intro (00:00:00)

2. Welcome John! (00:02:24)

3. Analog Recording, "The Old Days" (00:04:27)

4. Automation, etc. - It Was Like a Magic Trick (00:19:05)

5. Tape Edits / 16 Track Studer Machine Like Zeppelin Used (00:24:35)

6. "High Tech, Lo-Fi" / Creative Side of Recording (00:33:48)

7. Meeting David Lowery / Early Days of Sound of Music (00:46:59)

8. Joan Osbourne / Greatest Misses (00:56:04)

9. Soundscan - Rock Dudes at Record Stores (01:00:08)

10. The Road Up / The Road Down (01:05:43)

11. Covid Era / Brewery Gigs / Live Streaming Gear (01:10:28)

12. Pre-Covid / House Shows and Crappy PA's (01:17:30)

13. Giving Notes Project (01:19:20)

14. Other Projects / Competitive Corn Growing (01:23:46)

15. How John Learned His Craft (01:27:27)

16. Formative Influences - Roy Thomas Baker (01:34:39)

17. Coffee Table Book of First Recording Setups (01:37:29)

18. Closing Comments (01:42:37)