Yanko Genov

Recording and Mixing for the past 15 years, head mixing engineer in Oblivion Studios Dublin, @Yanko Genov is this month SoundGym Hero!

So how long have you been on SoundGym? 

I've been using SoundGym for around a year and a half and It's been fun. 

What was your first connection to music?

I started playing drums around 23 years ago, in a few school project bands, the usual stuff. 

A few friends of mine and I founded a band back in 1998 which led to the recording of a few EP's and albums throughout the years to follow. 

DId you get a formal Sound/Production education?

Not a formal one. I've studied computer science though, which I find very helpful in today's world of recording.

I've always been interested in the geeky/techie side of music and I started experimenting early on, while at high school, I remember buying my first 16 bit sound card somewhere around 1996. Everything back then was a huge struggle, but we had the drive and the determination to hear something bearable as a result. My first relatively successful engineering attempt was around 2001 when together with a friend I mixed an album for the band I was in.  

Fortunately,  technology has developed tremendously since then and so have my skills and experience.

Tell us all More about your work at Oblivion recording studio?  

When starting a production project from scratch, involving live drums, loud guitars and the whole experience of recording a live band, Oblivion gives me the opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of what the project is about. Andrew Bass, who is the owner of the studio, has given me full freedom, and Oblivion is my second home now.

I very much enjoy the recording process, but technology and the way of doing things have changed significantly which has steered the market to a higher demand for skilled mixing engineers lately which turned to be a huge part of my work.. 

I regularly receive projects for mixing both from Ireland and Bulgaria (my country of origin).

Who have been the most significant musical influences for you?

While growing up I was influenced by bands like Deep Purple, Let Zeppelin, A-ha, David Bowie, Rage Against The Machine, Prince, etc. 

Today I listen and get inspired by a huge plethora of music, although I still have a soft spot for more rock oriented genres.  

Have you made music today?

Well, today is Christmas Day, and funnily enough, I've still done a revision of a song I have been working on.

What have you been working on lately?

Lately I've been involved in a lot of different projects most of which will be released in the beginning of next year. In November and December 2018 I worked with a punk band, a few indie rock bands, a couple of pop acts, a choir, and a soprano vocalist. It is always colourful and interesting.   

I just finished mixing the next single for a band called 'Jeremy?'  

Recently, I was also involved with was another band called Miry.

Tell us a bit about your workflow at the studio?

On a tracking session the workflow varies dramatically depending on the project. The main goal is to maintain everything very organised and fast in order to keep up the creative vibe.

In mixing it's a totally different story :) I have a template that I use primarily for parallel stuff and FX. I save everything creatively interesting in there and lately it has become a huge session:) 

I use a hybrid setup. From Pro Tools the audio goes out on stems through Antelope Orion converter to an SSL Sigma summing mixer. That goes to a 500 series SSL G Comp and back to Pro Tools via Black Lion Sparrow ADC. I plan on adding an Overstayer Mas to my mixbus chain in the following weeks.

I also often use an IGS S-Type for parallel drum compressor. 

Any habits you have before starting a session?

In a mixing session I very often have to edit and augment sounds so in most cases I split the process in two halves. I start by colour coding everything and making a very quick rough balance. Then I edit (when needed) and if anything sounds different to what I imagine it should be (regarding tracking), I augment it. I generally commit to these decisions. 

After that the mixing process actually begins:)

What is one of your favorite production technique?

I like saturation a lot! So adding distortion on parallel and on reverbs is something I enjoy.  

One Free plugin that you recommend?

Hofa 4U is a great free bundle. I use the 4U meter, fader & ms-pan on almost every session.

Which three plug-ins you can't live without?

Soundtoys Decapitator

Uad Ocean Way Studios

UAD SSl channel strip (or another SSL channel plugin)

What does the future hold for Yanko Genov in the music industry?

Haha, well time will tell, but the plan is to be making a ton of quality records that will be enjoyable to the audiences and fulfilling for the bands I work with and myself.

Last question, What is your favorite SoundGym Feature and why?

I really like the EQ games on SoundGym. I love starting my day with a glass of green tea while warming up for the mixing session with Peak Master or EQ Cheetah.