betaband
08-18-2005, 12:35 AM
In the Studio: Mario Caldato Jr.
URB Magazine, 12.98
Words: Todd C. Roberts
At the Boards is the Man They Call Mario
Engineer/producer Mario Caldato Jr. has played a major role in several legendary recording sessions, yet is rarely recognized for his achievements. Now the honorary fourth Beastie, the Southern California native met up with the three MCs after they came out to Los Angeles to record their second LP. Introducing himself through demo tapes, his ideas became instrumental, along with those of the Dust Brothers, in producing the seminal Paul's Boutique.
After sampling everything under the stars for Paul's, the crew decided to sample themselves for Check Your Head, arguably the record that changed the sound of suburban America. Caldato was the kingpin who captured it all on tape as engineer and co-producer. One of the characteristic qualities throughout his body of work - which includes all but the first Beasties album and the music of Texas group Mother Tongue and his old friend Money Mark - is that raw, warm sound.
Caldato is able to capture "a garage jam session" feel. In the mix, he puts the listener up front and center. He believes the key to innovation is experimentation and through it has found unique ways to capture a vibe. "Sometimes you want a fucked-up sound," he says. "You don't want to always have everything clean."
One piece of equipment essential to Mario's production style is his microphones. "The most used mic I have is a Shure SM-57 - great for just about anything," he says. "It was the first real mic that I got, and I still use it for everything. And then I got a condenser mic. Condenser mic is a whole different type of mic. It picks up way more highs, more lows and a more natural sound. AKG C-414 is an incredible mic, and I still use it to this day. It's fun, just messin' around, using all kinds of mics. Puttin' 'em in places you wouldn't imagine.
"Just fuck around if you have the option. Sometimes you have limited resources. Things happen just by accident. In fact, most [innovative] things happen that way." Caldato relates his experiences to his respect for dub and the masters of reggae. "Jamaican guys use whatever they've got - Radio Shack mics, Sears mics. They use whatever they can get their hands on."
By way of career advice, Mario Caldato Jr. suggests sticking to your guns, an approach that paid off big for him. "I just kept doing whatever the hell I was into," he says. "Just keep doing it and eventually you'll develop a technique, a sound. People will either like it or they won't, but it'll be something that they recognize."
URB Magazine, 12.98
Words: Todd C. Roberts
At the Boards is the Man They Call Mario
Engineer/producer Mario Caldato Jr. has played a major role in several legendary recording sessions, yet is rarely recognized for his achievements. Now the honorary fourth Beastie, the Southern California native met up with the three MCs after they came out to Los Angeles to record their second LP. Introducing himself through demo tapes, his ideas became instrumental, along with those of the Dust Brothers, in producing the seminal Paul's Boutique.
After sampling everything under the stars for Paul's, the crew decided to sample themselves for Check Your Head, arguably the record that changed the sound of suburban America. Caldato was the kingpin who captured it all on tape as engineer and co-producer. One of the characteristic qualities throughout his body of work - which includes all but the first Beasties album and the music of Texas group Mother Tongue and his old friend Money Mark - is that raw, warm sound.
Caldato is able to capture "a garage jam session" feel. In the mix, he puts the listener up front and center. He believes the key to innovation is experimentation and through it has found unique ways to capture a vibe. "Sometimes you want a fucked-up sound," he says. "You don't want to always have everything clean."
One piece of equipment essential to Mario's production style is his microphones. "The most used mic I have is a Shure SM-57 - great for just about anything," he says. "It was the first real mic that I got, and I still use it for everything. And then I got a condenser mic. Condenser mic is a whole different type of mic. It picks up way more highs, more lows and a more natural sound. AKG C-414 is an incredible mic, and I still use it to this day. It's fun, just messin' around, using all kinds of mics. Puttin' 'em in places you wouldn't imagine.
"Just fuck around if you have the option. Sometimes you have limited resources. Things happen just by accident. In fact, most [innovative] things happen that way." Caldato relates his experiences to his respect for dub and the masters of reggae. "Jamaican guys use whatever they've got - Radio Shack mics, Sears mics. They use whatever they can get their hands on."
By way of career advice, Mario Caldato Jr. suggests sticking to your guns, an approach that paid off big for him. "I just kept doing whatever the hell I was into," he says. "Just keep doing it and eventually you'll develop a technique, a sound. People will either like it or they won't, but it'll be something that they recognize."