— Songwriting legend Hiatt and producer Kevin Shirley recapture the feel of “the old days� by recording to analog tape with CLASP® —
A multiple GRAMMY® nominee, John Hiatt’s career spans several decades, and with classic songs such as “Thing Called Love,� “Riding with the King,� “Have a Little Faith in Me� and “Angel Eyes� to his credit, he is deservedly placed among the most respected and influential songwriters in music. As he works on his upcoming LP in Nashville with renowned producer Kevin Shirley, at the legendary studio space now owned by Ben Folds, previously known as RCA Studio A/Javelina Studios, Hiatt continues to add to his legacy with new songs and recordings. Endless Analog’s CLASP® (Closed Loop Analog Signal Processor) system, which uniquely integrates analog tape machines into the digital audio production workflow, is currently being used in the studio
as Hiatt and Shirley track the new record. A tireless craftsman, Hiatt is committed to capturing great performances with great sound, and the use of analog tape with CLASP on recent sessions has made possible a more classic approach and sonic palette.
“Working with tape again just sounds so much better to me; it’s such an improvement over straight digital,� noted Hiatt. “When we started tracking these songs, we were all blown away just hearing it again, because I haven’t cut to tape in several years. And we’re back using different kinds of tape and experimenting with different tape speeds to the MCI JH-24, just like the old days. It’s really thrilling. The tracks sound alive, and because we don’t have to change reels or rewind, the creative process is uninterrupted.�
Hiatt’s last few LPs have been completed without the help of a separate producer, so the new sessions are a change of pace. “I have a collaborator again on this record, and that’s a big change. It’s been real enjoyable working with Kevin – he brings so much to the table. He’s so passionate about music, and he knows how to work all the stuff, but he never lets the gear get in the way. It’s all about the music, and he has a very clear vision of how he hears the song. It’s exciting to work with somebody where you can join together and make something you couldn’t make alone. And the fact that we’re cutting to analog tape and using CLASP – that makes it all the more special.�
Hiatt appreciates the ways that CLASP improves upon the analog recording process: “CLASP makes possible certain aspects that didn’t exist back then. The fact that you can run the 24-track and work in real time and do everything – punch-ins and all that stuff – is fantastic. We get warm, classic analog sound with all the editing and recording capabilities of the digital age. And we do not have to worry about changing tapes, because CLASP lets us use the same reel almost indefinitely. We’ve only used one reel so far, and we’ve cut 15 songs.�
Visit www.endlessanalog.com and www.johnhiatt.com for more information, and look for Hiatt’s new LP on New West Records later this year.
