Episode 23 Dave Hampton: The Engineer’s Engineer and More!

The changes in the music industry have been storied and Dave Hampton is one of the people at the forefront and is dedicated to preserving its history. He’s been in the trenches designing and restoring the recording studios that have created the sounds of our past and present. Listen as Andy and Dave chat about his work with various big names, how music has changed, and where he sees the industry going. Dave started his career in music at Oberheim Electronics where he worked in analog synthesizer technology. He soon became an independent engineer, technician, and sound editor and started his own business, MATK Corporation. He has a unique method of understanding how artists plan to create their music and builds their studios around that vision.  Previous clients include Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Maxwell, Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Marcus Miller, Bill Withers, Babyface, Outkast, and more.   Listen as he shares his initial reservations around working with Prince and why he’s so happy that he went into that collaboration, with an open mind, which lasted for seven years. He also discusses his role in preserving the contents of Prince’s vault and details his involvement as the Chief Curator for the Miles Davis Estate.  Andy also has him dig into the issues of racial disparity in the music industry and how recent events have brought more needed attention to the forefront. Dave is refreshingly open and honest about his experiences as a black man in the industry and his recommendations for up and coming people of color.  You won’t want to miss out on this fantastic discussion and learn more about what Dave is working on now.  Show Highlights: [00:08] Dave Hampton is one of the foremost engineering experts in the music industry. [01:50] Learn more about Dave’s childhood and upbringing.  [03:53] Hear how Dave moved into electronics and engineering.  [06:37] Why did he move into editing and tech work?  [07:54] Who gave him his big break in restoring and setting up a recording studio?  [10:02] Learn more about Dave’s process when he begins working on a studio.  [11:48] What did he learn from his experience with Herbie Hancock?  [15:27] Dave shares more about his first experience with Prince. [17:55] What were Prince’s studios like to begin with?  [18:48] How did the studios get to that state?  [20:00] What was it that made Dave stay on Prince’s team?  [23:07] Learn more about the norm of artists today with regard to how art is created.  [24:02] Did he work on Prince’s vault and what was the condition of the tapes?  [25:44] Dave shares some of his memories of working with Prince and on the Vault.  [27:50] Why Dave and Andy have mixed feelings about listening to the music released after Prince’s death. [30:05] What kind of work did he do with and for Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake?  [32:06] Learn more about his conservatorship over the Miles Davis estate.  [33:51] How does he feel about the evolution of music engineering?  [37:18] Why time management and business management is the key to success.  [39:10] Dave shares his thoughts on racial disparity in the music industry and the nation. [41:46] What is different about this year’s movement?  [44:33] Hear the advice Dave would give to young people of color who are trying to break into the music industry.  [46:43] Where does Dave think the recording industry is going from here?  [48:27] Why aren’t artists more direct in their messaging?  [51:31] What’s coming next for technology in music?  [54:02] Why Live Nation is an example of what not to do or be these days. [56:07] Connect with Dave and grab his books.    LINKS & RESOURCES Dave Hampton: The Business of Audio Engineering by Dave Hampton So You’re an Audio Engineer by Dave Hampton Dave on TwitterDave on LinkedIn Mentioned:  Episode 19 Scottie Baldwin: Award-Winning FOH Sound Engineer for Prince And Other Superstars Follow The Music Makers:  The Music Makers on Instagram   The Music Makers podcast theme song was written and produced by Andy Kushner with help from the rhythm section and horn players of the band, SoundConnection: Elliot Jefferson, Lamonte Silver, Keith Hammond, Roy Lambert, Joe Herrera, and Craig Alston.   Sponsor: Kushner Entertainment    Check out Andy's Other Podcast: The Wedding Biz