STEVE SOLA – HMIC (Head Mixer In Charge) written by J Hatch

One of the most crucial parts of the recording process is the overall mix. With new technology a lot of producers think that they can cut corners and get away with a shoddy sound quality. One guy who begs to differ is Steve Sola aka The Mix King. From Co Executive Producing for the likes of Prodigy (HNIC2) to writing and producing for major projects with Tyler Perry, Steve has his ear to the streets and knows exactly what the finish project should sound like

Hey Steve, how are you? For those who may be unfamiliar with the name but most likely familiar with the music, let the readers know some background on yourself.

Hi I’m Steve Sola also known as the Mix King. I’m the Co-Executive Producer of Prodigy’s (from Mobb Deep) album HNIC2. I’ve contributed my talents as a producer, mix engineer, writer and musician on countless music projects. I’ve been the engineer and mixing engineer for Mobb Deep for 11 years. Along the way I’ve also helped in additional production of the albums.

Word is, you got your start in the music industry as a guitarist, how did the transformation to producer then engineer occur?

I’ve been playing guitar for over 25 years. That’s my first strong musical passion. I was in bands and my music was played on the radio and in the clubs. I was doing shows at places like Studio 54. I was writing songs for the bands that I was in and really that’s a big part of producing, you know writing songs, ideas and things like that. A maker is not a producer to me. I started recording my band between albums and the recordings were sounding good. Some of my friends started asking me to record their music. I was like wow, I could make some extra money recording. I guess that’s when I started engineering, sort of. When I went to school for Audio Recording and then got my second intern gig at Soundtrack in NYC in 1993 is really when my engineering career started.

You have engineered some big projects such as Jodeci and Nas, when it comes to hip hop vs. R&B projects is there any specific differences in regards to the mix or sound that an engineer may want to influence to get the best possible quality level?

In the 90’s, I believe, there was more of a difference between the two styles. Hip Hop was more raw with the bass and drums more upfront. More gritty overall for the most part. The vocals and snares had more reverb then today. R&B was more vocals and music oriented. Usually a more glossy and polished sound. The gap between the two styles today is getting narrower. R&B could have gritty hip hop styles beats and vice versa. When I was working with Jodeci and Devante we had songs with 100 tracks. On a couple of songs we used every input on the VR60 available, 120 channels. We used a digital 48 tracks machine and two 24 tracks analog machines. Clarity was extremely important and the right EQ usage essential. With a lot of Hip hop Artists we used less then 24 tracks most of the time. Sometimes just kick, snare, hat, bass and loop for the music. But regardless of the amount of tracks the sound has to be big and knock.

Lets talk about your involvement with Prodigy’s HNIC2 Album, you are The Co Executive Producer on the project, how did you and the MOBB link up and what’s the chemistry like in the studio?

The first song I did with the Mobb was Mariah Carey “On the Roof ” Remix. I thought they were amazing artists. I’m not sure but I think Poke and Tone must have requested me for that session. In the mid 1990’s I was recording Nas “It was written ” album with Poke and Tone. I think Nas is one the best rappers of all time. But then at the same time I started working on Mobb Deeps “Murda Musik”. I was like “wow” this music is incredible I have to work on this project. Havoc and Prodigy were as good as Nas on the mic but the MOBB DEEP music was just overwhelming. I wish I could have done both but Murda Muzik took two years to make, 365 days a year and 16 hrs a day to finish. I could not have done both. I’ve been working with Prodigy for 11 years now and I did the first HNIC album. It was just me and Pee back then, mixing the songs in the studio, working hard and concentrating on doing the best album possible. That was his baby, his masterpiece. So when it came time to do the second HNIC2 we brought it back to the essence of the first one. Prodigy asked me if I would want to be the Co-executive producer along with the Alchemist for the HNIC2 and I was like ‘shit yeah’. I think he chose me because of my work ethic, I’m relentless. I also love the music and of course, well probably, my musical talents and my ear for good music.

You also had the opportunity to write and produce the lead single on Tyler Perry’s ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’ movie not to long ago, how did you get involved in that project and what was your creative approach in regards to the song concept?

I got involved in the project because of my man Taheim connections, vision and grind. He was the one that introduced me to his artist C.Terrell and said to me that we should work together. Me and Terrell basically wrote the whole song and produced it. It was just a song that we felt strongly about. Me and Terrell got more of those heartfelt songs. Some people at Atlantic got involved, helped produce and put Anthony Hamilton, Jaheim and Musiq Souldchild on the song. They gave it the star quality treatment. That was a Blessing to have such great singers on that song. R. Kelly, Tamika Scott, Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick and Family, Yolanda Adams, Brian McKnight, Beyoncé and more were on the soundtrack for the movie so it was an honor to have our song be picked as the lead single.

You are a very successful producer with over 15 Gold, Platinum and Multi platinum records, I am going to guess that aside from your talent, relationships have played a key role in your career, for all the new producers on the come up, how do you explain to them just how important the aspect of networking and building real relationships are in this crazy music business?

Just be yourself, because “networking” with out being genuine sometimes is too corporate for me. If you’re trying to network with an artist or something, do it because you like the artists music not just to get ahead. Relationships are built after you prove yourself and your talent speaks for itself. You have to be consistent, talented, trust worthy and so on.

How do you feel about the quality of some of the records you hear on the radio today?

The quality of the music on the radio is been going down hill for some years now because a lot of people recording are not engineers they are Pro tools operators. That goes for recorded music in general. Well the radio is not as bad as mixtapes, music on the Internet or mp3. Mp3s sound awful. Mostly non professionally recorded music just sounds awful, I can’t listen to it.

Alot of artists try to cut corners and leak records prior to the proper mix, why is the mix on a record so important in today’s marketplace?

It’s like getting the engine of your car fixed but not the dents, rust and paint done on the car. And the inside of the car is all dirty. It just does not make sense, your not doing justice to your own song like that. Its song abuse.

Are there any producers or artists that you have not yet worked with that you would like to? Any dream collabos?

I wanna work with Dr Dre directly. I’ve worked with his music before. I recorded Nicole Scherzinger for 50 Cent “Fire” and the Mobb Deep song “Nightmares” both produced by Dr. Dre but I never worked with Dre directly. The Neptunes, Will I Am, Jay Z, Madonna, T.I., AC/DC there is so many more.

What’s next on the agenda for you Steve?

Upcoming projects include “Wrecking Havoc” compilation entirely produced by Havoc of Mobb Deep, Awesome Music Group compilation “Vox/PlainTruth Files” featuring : Mobb Deep, Havoc, Prodigy, Kymani Marley, Hot Rod, Cormega, Nyce da Future, 40 Glocc, Kurupt, Q-tip, C-Murder, Imam Thug, IM3, Genesis, Enjoli, Mazaradi Fox etc. NBK “Road to Glory” compilation, Imam Thug “Rap Prison”. Gregory B. Compilation. All albums executive Produced by Steve Sola aka The Mix King Producing songs for Worldwide Warriors, Sleezo Bang, R. Fox, Lamarr Renee, Big Noyd etc. Executive Producer for the Prodigy HNIC2 completely in spanish. I’m working with Voxonic co-founder Arie Deutsch on that. We are using Voxonic technology software, which transforms voices, making it possible to replicate any person’s voice in any language. You will hear Prodigy whole HNIC 2 album in spanish.

If someone wanted to make a serious inquiry about your services how can they get in contact with you?

www.themixking.com

www.myspace.com/themixking

OR FOR SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY EMAIL ME HERE

Any last shouts or plugs?

Free Prodigy, my dude, Havoc, Mobb Deep, Voxonic ,Ron Artest, my Plain, Truth Ent team of producers/engineers : Creon, Gregory B., Randy, Vinnie, Damon, Derrick, Schmirk, Pavel, Hitz. My family and my son Leo.