SoundGym Hero: Lukasz Sobczyk

Professional drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and recording musician, currently from Cracow, Lesser Poland. Lukasz Sobczyk is this months SoundGym Hero! 

Who are you, and where are you from?

My name is Łukasz , I come from Cracow, Lesser Poland. ,I'm a professional drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and recording musician. I have worked with many artists, commercial bands as well as orchestras, and big bands. I'm also a studio owner. 

How did you get into music?

I was exposed to music at an early age due to my family, listening to everything from The Beatles to classical and radio music. I remember how I would sit and try to play some stuff by ear, not even knowing notes and harmony.

They put me under piano keys while sleeping time in the kindergarten - to calm down - that worked - haha - so music has got a strong impact on me.

I went through some formal classical training at the age of 10 and finally graduated from the Jazz and Contemporary Department as a drummer.

In my teenage years - as far as I can remember, I wanted to be a studio musician. Recording process/studio atmosphere captivated me, so I studied different styles of music - I admired guys like Jeff Porcaro, Abe Laboriel, Vinnie Colaiuta Pino Palladino, Lee Sklar, Steve Lukather to name of a few - all these musicians made thousands of great records as a session players, to this day their craft seem to stay remarkable. I've been making music for 4 years. 

What do you like to do for fun outside of working on music?

I like mountaineering, hiking, running, and skiing. I used to climb a little. That kind of activity gives me the possibility to free up my mind a little bit and view things from a different perspective. 

I find it great gathering with friends and exchanging some music ideas - I have a friend who is also a small studio owner - and we co-work from time to time - so we have countless discussions about recording. Sometimes it's just great to hang out and chill - that also seems a healthy idea.

What's your most useless skill or talent?

Analyzing too much when it is not needed. We live in the world of digital DAWs where every step can be considered in million ways, and sometimes I have a tendency to overthink some mixing or editing issues - being aware of this, I just entrust my ears and gut instinct.

Sometimes the first thought is the best thought, as with recording - the first or second take is the best one - that kind of freshness and innocence. When you start thinking too much, that magic disappears.

What inspires you to keep making music?

Creating a unique bond with listeners, music is about feelings and emotions. I believe anytime I'm making music, I have a chance to touch peoples' hearts. As I would hear an inner voice which says - keep doing it - because it is the best way to spend life. 

I remember sending one of the songs to the mastering engineer somewhere around the world- and he said to me that I should do what I do - whether it's profitable or not.

I realized that creating music with others is such a marvelous experience - I find it's all about your relationship with people - that creates a kind of flow. Many great recordings have been done in a friendly atmosphere - many bands were - family-like. When you listen to Queen records  - you feel it.

If you could sit down to a session with any artist, who would it be?

Taylor Swift has an unusual personality which is reflected in her music. She's got excellent song sense - when it comes to lyrics and structure. Everything sounds organic and natural.

She such a kind spirit. If you met her on the street, she would give you a hug, even though she did not know you. That's how I see her. 

I've become a fan accidentally by listening album called Evermore - which totally showed a different image of her music. More mature with deeper lyrics, sonically is a masterpiece.

Any habits you have before starting a session?

I try to keep myself organized (however, I'm not gifted with this skill) and prepare most things earlier - (monitors for vocalists are crucial) - so I bounce all the tracks to the one or two audio files - and then I can focus on recording levels and vocal layers. 

Before mixing music, I label tracks and keep them in significant colors and order and signal flow.

What I also discovered is that when I feel rested and relaxed - I can hear more, so I begin the day with the most difficult tasks - (editing, tuning vocals, mixing) 

If you could pick one, what would be the theme song of your life?

I'm choosing U2 - With Or Without You - the song is timeless considering many factors, starting from lyrics, the performance of the band, ending up with great production and detailed mix, which to this day sounds great on many systems. The song is simple and turns into unexpected directions with dynamic graduation. Anytime I hear it in the radio car I feel blown away.

It proves that when something is made great with passion, it lasts forever. 

It was mixed by Steve Lillywhite - one of my favorite mixers of all the time - he's is one of the few - who could capture the live energy of the band and turn it into a great radio record - that's awesome - and that's what I miss in today's music a little bit. I believe that the sound of Edges' delayed guitars affected many contemporary musicians and bands - such as Coldplay, etc.

What is your favorite piece of music gear you own?

Nearfield Monitors APS Klasik give quite detailed information about the frequency spectrum. I feel the difference. My starting point was a pair of headphones. I also love the RME babyface interface - which delivers a kind of neutral-sounding preamps while recording. I would love to have some hardware units, but experienced guys - always said to me - learn the stuff you have first. I mean, Logic Pro comes with such a great hidden function so you can work in the box.

What is your favorite SoundGym feature?

I really like any EQ training and boost/cut camps. That helps to develop my ears sensitivity. I love the whole platform, with its educational and community aspect.

This year I went through an audio recording course, and now I'm during an electronic production music course. Sometimes I use the pro version of the program, which has many interesting features - like developing hearing of the compression, hearing the difference between delay times, and so on. I find balance exercises quite valuable.

I recommend the platform to everyone - whether you are a mixer or musician or mastering engineer.

What does the future hold for Lukasz Sobczyk? 

Well, I have some ideas for new songs (my own). One of them is in a Hillsong style, some current stuff to work on with songs of other people, one will be acoustic jazz, another one some live demo recording, also recording some vocals for clients. 

I have some sketches for commercial - EDM songs, but I need to come across the right people to work on them. I mean, you need to put effort, and that needs time and working with vocals in the recording process.

My dream is to create kind of a record company/label (I know it's big), which would allow young artists to realize their ideas and turn them into commercial-like songs.

 I meet many talented singers- which are not sure what to do with their greatness - and finally, they give up. That's sad.

Also, I miss a bit live playing in the studio - I mean - togetherness with the band - that kind of energy is irreplaceable! -  so I feel the music will go back to that live sound again - and that kind of ability will be appreciated. 

I try to learn something new every day, not only when it comes to technical aspects but also how to achieve better communication and making feel people comfortable to work with. "...Dialog sharpens each other" - as  Abe Laboriel once said. That seems to be a key to success.

 

Follow Lukasz Sobczyk on his Website, Instagram, Facebook, and Spotify.

 

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