Joey Stuckey, Producer and Engineer at Shadow Sound Studio

Shadow Sound Studio

From the Front:

"I love all my API and JDK products, but, honestly, my favorite is the R22 Compressor. Man, when I need something fattened up and extra punch that is my go-to unit! I use it on bass, sax, drums, and guitar. I have also used it on my master bus with great success.

"When I am choosing gear for my studio, I am looking for something special. I love JDK and API products because they provide quality craftsmanship — they do as advertised and more. But it isn't enough to get just another mic pre, EQ or compressor, lots of companies make those products and they do a good job limiting dynamics, boosting highs or providing I/O. That is all fine and well but I need something that provides character. When my clients leave the studio after recording with me as their producer and/or engineer, I want them to say, "I love the Stuckey sound." JDK and API allow me to provide that sound. So what is the Stuckey sound? Well, it is rich, full and clean, but, also, it is different, and helping to establish the sonic fingerprint of the artist I work for. I want folks to hear 4 bars of the artist's song and realize before the first melodic note hits their ear drums who the artist is and who the producer is.

"My favorite innovation on the JDK R22, which is also my favorite piece of JDK gear, is the Thrust switch. I could tell you about the high pass filtering but it is more than just a filter — I don't know how the folks at JDK did it, and really I don't care, but when that switch is engaged, look out world — it makes everything so warm and beautiful. I also love the simplicity of the JDK compressor front panel. You got 3 knobs and 3 switches, it makes dialing in the right sound quick and easy, with the caveat that you have a firm understanding of dynamics and gain structure.

"The R24 EQ is also a joy to have in the rack. I love it on my master bus for just a little enhancement of the overall mix, but most of the time, I use it on my snare channel. A trick I learned from working with legendary producer Alan Parsons is to crank up 10K on the snare. This works great with the R24. My board is a very musical board, but, when I crank up 10K on it, it is a little shrill not musical like on an API. So the R24 saves the day boosting the 10K and making the snare or overheads really sizzle, but not sound shrill."

About Shadow Sound Studio:

Joey Stuckey is a visually impaired producer and engineer, which according to Stuckey "gives him a unique perspective when tracking and mixing." His studio, Shadow Sound Studio is a professional recording studio that houses a large control room and a 40 foot tracking room as well as four isolation booths. There is also a video room with a green screen where Joey Stuckey's TV show Studio 41 is taped, which airs on the local NBC station.

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