From an interview on Musicngear.com By Magesh Magesh, Contributing Author.
We sat down with legendary producer Stuart Epps to discuss his storied career, working with iconic artists, and the essential qualities needed to thrive in the music industry.
Stuart Epps is a British record producer and audio engineer. Since 1967, he has worked with Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Oasis, Twisted Sister, Nine Lies, Bill Wyman, Kiki Dee, George Harrison, Robbie Williams, Mark Owen and Paul Weller.
I caught up with Stuart to talk about his amazing career and what skills you need to be a great producer.
Magesh Magesh, Musicngear: What nonmusical quality does a producer need to get the best out of musicians in the studio?
Top of the list would be leadership qualities. In the case of a band, a producer must be the ship’s captain in the studio.
They are taking charge of the session and trying to be as diplomatic as possible. These are qualities you learn over the years dealing with artists’ temperament.
A psychologist also deals with the artist to get the best out of them. I would say this is more important than any musical attribute. Elton’s producer Gus Dudgeon couldn’t play a note but this didn’t stop him from producing Elton’s finest albums.
Do you have a certain piece of equipment that you use regardless of what sort of artist you are recording with?
Yes, my beautiful classic AKG C12 414 mic. It came from the Stones mobile in the early 70’s.
It has a very warm sound. Seems to suit every voice from soft female to Paul Rodgers rock.
How did the opportunity to work with Elton John come about?
I met Elton in 1967 when I started working for Dick James the Beatles publisher as an office boy. He was starting out as a singer-songwriter.
I’d never heard such great songwriting and we became great mates. I went on to tour the States with him and helped to run the record company.
Seeing his rise to fame was an amazing experience that I’m always hoping to repeat with a new artist.
You worked with Led Zeppelin in the studio. Did they have a specific way to record John Bonham’s drums?
It was only a few weeks after I started working with Jimmy Page running his studio that John Bonham died. So unfortunately I didn’t get to record the band.
I did, however, mix the last Zeppelin album, Coda, which featured Bonzos Montreaux. Mixing his drums was quite an experience, hearing his playing and sound close. 24 tracks of drums, maybe four whole kits playing together, plus percussion instruments and effects.
From an engineer’s point of view, it was his bass drum that differed the most sound-wise. Huge sounding with the front skin on. Not huge amounts of attack, but when put through one of Jimmy’s amazing Fairchild limiters, an awesome sound.
Then the extra tracks from the In Through the Out Door album and the live version of I Can’t Quit You. What a band!!!
You have been in the music industry for decades, what do you need to have for longevity in this business?
I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing artists over the years—a very broad spectrum from pop to Rock. Many of those artists still have a big bearing on today’s young music makers.
They still appreciate the music and sounds I was involved in and often want to try and recreate that vibe. I’m very happy to help them achieve that.
So I think this is what keeps me relevant in the 21st Century. I also still have a great passion for producing and engineering.
What projects are you currently working on?
Many new projects. I also now have my own EPPS record label for artists I produce. Helping promote their music on the radio.
I co-wrote and produced a new single with U.S. artist Skylar Roger (see video).
There is also the 18-year-old artist named Amber Mae, who has an awesome voice and whose single will be out soon.