Vance Powell
Vance studied electrical engineering in Missouri and started his career in live sound as a front-of-house engineer. In 2002, he moved to Nashville in order to become studio manager and chief engineer at the legendary Black Bird studios in Nashville. In 2006, he co-founded Sputnik studios along with Grammy-winning engineer Mitch Dane, still in Nashville.
Vance Powell has won 6 Grammy awards working with rock artists such as The Raconteurs, Kings of Leon, Jack White, Pearl Jam, The White Stripes, The Dead Weather and more.
Powell's domain of expertise is definitely mixing and producing rock music. As shown in his pureMix videos, Vance likes to experiment and create new fuller and exciting sounds using all kinds of pedals, echos, analog outboards and plug-ins. Vance was used to recording to tape and definitely has an analog approach that makes him commit to fewer good sounding tracks rather than piling up takes in Pro Tools.
His goal is to make something new and warm that fits the band's vision with upfront snare drums and powerful guitars. Rocking.
Jack White,
Chris Stapleton,
The Deadweather,
The Raconteurs,
Arctic Monkeys,
Wolfmother,
The Revivalists
Most Popular Videos from Vance Powell
$38
Start to Finish: Tracking Rock With Vance Powell
Recording and Producing A Rock Song From Scratch with Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown
| 01h 50min
$43
Start To Finish: Mixing Rock With Vance Powell
Learn Vance's entire analog mixing process using his SSL console
| 02h 19min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 12 - Mixing Part 3
In the final episode of mixing "Sweet Beast" from "Illiterate Light", Vance irons out the fine details and adds the last bit of flavor to the mix.
| 45min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 1 - Working On The Song Structure
In episode 1, Vance and vocalist/guitarist Jeff Gorman and drummer/back-up vocalist Jake Cochran dissect the song's arrangement and discuss different options to make sure the song is ready to record.
| 9min
PRO ONLY
Vance Powell Mixing "Tennessee Whiskey" By Chris Stapleton
Initially released in 2015, Chris Stapleton's version of "Tennessee Whiskey" has since gone on to become the most requested song in Jukeboxes across America. After an industry-shaking performance of the song with Justin Timberlake at the Country Music Awards the year it was released, the song went straight to the top of the charts and has since been certified 6x Platinum.
| 01h 35min
FREE
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 10 - Mixing Part 1
The production is complete, and practically sounds like a mix already, but Vance is not about to stop there... It's time to Mix!
| 01h 02min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 3 - Getting Guitar And Drum Sounds
In episode 3, Vance dials in the drums, guitar, and synth bass sounds, explaining every decision along the way.
| 38min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 11 - Mixing Part 2
The gear is patched, the tracks are ready to go, and it is time to continue on with the mix!In the second episode of mixing "Sweet Beast" from "Illiterate Light", Vance uses his signature techniques to continue dialing in the sound.
| 01h 00min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 4 - Tracking The Band
With the basic tones setup and sounding massive from episode 3, and a new song structure ready to go from episode 1, it's time to get some takes recorded.
| 30min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vocal Production & Guitar Solos with Vance Powell
Learn how to give a song both polish and attitude with clever production touches
| 01h 30min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 2 - Tracking Room Rundown
In episode 2, Vance breaks down the setup in the tracking room on Jake Cochran's unique drum kit setup and Jeff Gorman's intricate guitar/bass/synth pedal rig.
| 17min
FREE
Sputnik Sound Tour
In the pureMix.net Exclusive, Vance Powell takes you on a private, in-depth tour of both studios at Sputnik Sound for a behind-the-scenes look at where he and Mitch continue making some of the most important records to come out of Nashville, Tennessee.
| 12min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 9 - Vocal Editing And Background Vocals
Continuing with Vocal Production, Vance cues up his assistant engineer, Mike Fahey, to edit and tune the vocals before moving on to background vocals and additional production.
| 29min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 5 - Guitar Overdubs Part 1
Now that the band has laid down a solid foundation to build off of, Vance and Guitarist/Vocalist, Jeff Gorman, comb through the track punching in on parts to get an exciting main guitar take as well as double sections to add intensity.
| 22min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 8 - Recording Vocals
With the instrumental full of vibe and intense performances, it's time to lay down some vocals.
| 36min
PRO ONLY
Start to Finish: Vance Powell - Episode 1 - Blackbird Studio A Tour & Setup
Vance Powell is back again for a Start To Finish Series at the iconic Blackbird Studio in Nashville, TN! He's brought Nashville-based "The Weird Sisters" in to pen the song "Live And I Learn."
| 23min