We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Silverman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, how do you think about risk?

When you decide to step out on your own instead of working for a company or in an established position, there is always a risk. You need to have faith that what you are offering is something different and worthy that clients will need. The first risk is not having a guaranteed income. If you can’t find the clients, you don’t have money coming in. You have to work through challenges to create and build your brand.

To this end, I consider myself my best investment. My approach to self-investment balances both smart and risky paths. Staying ahead of the curve is as exciting as it gets for me, but it has its challenges on all fronts, financially and in having the patience & courage to sometimes be in the position to “boldly go where no one has gone before” (sorry Star Trek analogy). BUT as difficult as growing can be, the sense of adventure keeps my music creation and crafting fresh and, hopefully, just as exciting for the listener to experience as it does for the creatives I work with.

During the pandemic, I focused on immersive mixing using my already existing Avid Pro Tools HDX system with Dolby Atmos. The smart way of risking involved thorough research before deciding to convert my studio from 5.1 to 7.1.4. I had to manage two phases of upgrades totaling around a 40k investment. BUT the key was, I didn’t jump in without first doing a LOT of research. I made sure I had information from not only the companies I was investing in but also advice from people I trusted in the post industry that were already using Dolby Atmos successfully for film and TV. I also needed to have a clear understanding of how I was going to distribute music once I created the content. Initially, there were very few places an independent Dolby Atmos project could be distributed. Facing these challenges, I found success with AvidPlay. After Apple Music embraced Dolby Atmos, my music gained visibility on various platforms like Amazon HD, Tidal, and Deezer. This has allowed me to release more content than I could have imagined.

The music I create now offers a unique experience and adds value, staying ahead of the curve as Dolby Atmos gains popularity in various mediums. Despite the inherent risks in owning a business, my creative and financial returns have surpassed expectations, emphasizing that I am my best investment.

All eight nominees for Best Record of the Year at the 2024 Grammy Awards were mixed in Dolby Atmos, as indicated by the Apple Music images below.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am the Founder, Owner, and Operator of Palette Music Studio Productions (MSP), Virtual Studio Networks (VSN), and Co-Founder of Palette Records with artist Debra Lyn—a record label formed by artists, for the artists. I am a veteran producer, engineer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, singer, music/audio editor, and composer for film and TV. I am also a former (LA) Motown staff writer and have over 40 years of experience in the music industry.

I am proud to be a voting member of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences—Producers & Engineers Wing, SAG-AFTRA, and NPN (Nashville Publishers Network). Additionally, I am an award-winning producer and songwriter, having worked on gold and platinum album projects for artists such as Rick Springfield, The Allman Brothers, B.J. Thomas, Nick Gilder, Boyz II Men, David Cassidy, George Clinton, Paula Abdul, Prince, and Stephen Bishop. For more info, see my Discography.

I specialize in mixing and creating immersive Dolby Atmos mixes because I believe this format will yield the highest return on my creative and technical investment, benefiting both myself and the artists I take on this journey. There’s a lot that I offer as part of my all-in package, setting me apart from those who simply create, mix, and master an Atmos mix and hand it back to the client.

Firstly, entering into a 12-speaker immersive format can have multiple approaches to the end result. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a pre-production meeting to discuss the client’s needs and expectations. For example, I could be remixing from an existing stereo mix, starting from scratch, or simply discussing how experimental the final outcome will be.

The Dolby Atmos mixer is often called the Immersive Producer due to the many ways to create a true immersive experience, extending beyond the standard stereo. One unique perk of my services is that if I believe adding a new element or creative sound design enhances the immersive experience, and I’m the one suggesting it, I don’t charge for the performances/sound design. If the artist doesn’t like these new parts, I can mute them, again at no extra charge. This is strictly optional and discussed before I start mixing. I do have a fee for performing if the artist requests me to add new parts, which will be discussed before I present the client my all-in budget.

I feel a tremendous desire to educate the artist from start to finish, ensuring first and foremost that they have a global understanding of the immersive formats and their application. Other perks include:

  • I offer my own method of creating what I call an “immersive stereo” mix as the final 2-track release, which works on all sets of speakers or headphones and can be released anywhere a standard stereo mix can.
  • After I present the final mix, I give the client a free hour for any tweaks.
  • I master all formats from the Dolby Atmos master renders which includes Apple Digital Mastering. This makes me a one-stop-shop for artists and a tour guide to boot! 😉
  • I make sure the client’s Atmos Mix is released properly on AvidPlay digital distribution, with all metadata and info correctly filled out. This helps to avoid questions or frustration the client may have in releasing their music in this new, changing, and ever-growing format. As long as the client uses Avidplay, I take care of any technical issues that may arise.
  • I share resources to help bring new opportunities to the artist’s music, including insights into licensing for film and TV.
  • If I feel I’ve put my ‘stamp’ on the Atmos mixes and if needed and/or the timing is right, I can assist the artist in submitting their album to the Grammy Immersive category, and sometimes other categories if appropriate. Being a voting member of the Recording Academy (Producers & Engineers Wing) for over 10 years now makes that process easy for me and all concerned because we go in as a team.

You can find more on my Dolby Atmos section of my website, where you can watch videos and read articles aimed at demonstrating, not just telling, about the new immersive world that I believe will finally bring our music to the forefront sonically, bringing new and true value to our art.

For more info on Dolby Atmos: https://palettemusic.com/dolby-atmos-3d-immersive-mixing-mastering/

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

From my 30 years of living in LA, I would start with a hike in Griffith Park from the Burbank side to the top, where you can overlook all of Hollywood. I’d put the Griffith Observatory on your must-see list while you’re in that area.

The next stop for me would be the sea. I’ve always loved the bike path from Playa Del Rey (the zoo area! lol) to Redondo Beach. Even though it extends much further down the coast, I would rent a bike and then stop in Manhattan Beach for some GREAT Mexican food at Poncho’s. I loved sushi before I became a vegetarian, but the small but mighty IROHA on Ventura Blvd was and still is the best around.

For the next few-day excursion, I’d take a drive up the coast to Big Sur and find your pick of many cabins for rent. Make sure you’re near some of the incredible and magical hikes and walks by the beach. I’d pick a Sunday to return and explore the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show by the sea. Then back to LA.

There are so many great things in LA to see and experience for all ages, so I’d let Google do some suggesting for you! Here’s a fun start…

https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
SHOUTOUT _

About Sound City Studios: Established in 1969 by Joe Gottfried and Tom Skeeter, Sound City is the birthplace of numerous iconic recordings in rock and roll history. Over its decades of operation, from the late sixties until now, its vintage analog equipment has captured the sounds of some of the world’s most significant and beloved music, featuring artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Cash, Nine Inch Nails, Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, Tom Petty, Nirvana, Neil Geraldo, John Fogerty, Dave Grohl, Stevie Nicks, Rick Nielsen, Rick Springfield, and Neil Young.

In acknowledging my creative journey, I owe a substantial tribute to Joe Gottfried, Tom Skeeter, and Bill Drescher from the late ’70s days at Sound City Studios.

I had the unique opportunity to work at Sound City Studios, that came from being invited to perform with Rick Springfield and his band in 1976. Following major stadium concerts with Rick, Joe and Tom , who had already signed Rick to their production company, Carman Productions signed me as well. I had the distinct privilege to work with Bill, a house engineer at Sound City at that time, who mentored and helped me hone my artist, engineering and producing skills.

During this production deal, I also had the honor to work with the three-time Grammy Award-winning composer/arranger/conductor, Jimmie Haskell, for full string arrangements on several of my original songs. Other notable musicians joined my project, including Reggie McBride, Rosemary Butler, Linda Mallah, Alan Pasqua, Jack White, Phil Shenale, Paul Rucker and more.

At the same time as working on my own artist project, I performed vocal and guitar sessions at Sound City for artists such as The Allman Brothers, Rick Springfield, Nick Gilder, It’s A Beautiful Day and Bill Wray. For more sessions and discography:

The record-making process at Sound City was influential in shaping my career. I’m grateful for the friendships formed and the myriad of opportunities that helped me develop my craft, ultimately shaping me into the person and producer I am today.

A BIG THANKS to SHOUTOUT LA for giving me this opportunity to be a featured guest. It means the world to me!!

I’d like to send an extra very special shout out to my loving wife, Debra Lyn. Her talents brought us together, and our love for each other has kept us strong for 20 years. She is my rock, my best friend, my lover, and my inspiration. Her unwavering support and encouragement fuel my creative endeavors, making every achievement more meaningful. Thank you, Debra Lyn, for being my constant muse and for sharing this incredible journey with me. In turn, thank you for letting me be part of your journey. Here’s to many more years of love, collaboration, and making amazing music together!

Website: www.palettemusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_a_silverman/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/palettemusic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeffASilverman/

Youtube: https://shorturl.at/cfxDR

Other: https://linktr.ee/Jeff_Silverman

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