Richard Chycki

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I realize that talking about DT's sound production in their Mangini days is like opening the Pandora Box. There are some folks that don't have any issues with Dream Theater's sound production in their most recent studio and live outputs, but there are many who do. DT13, Luna Park, BTFW and The Astonishing have all had their fair share of mixing criticism, and of course that the man behind the sound production of those four albums is Rich Chycki.

I think the man has been more a miss than a hit. I know that mixing a band like Dream Theater is not the easiest job in the world, and more so with such a critical fanbase (us included) which will never fail at pointing out the smallest detail in their music and performances; but we should all agree (like 'em or not) that DT's latest mixes all have flaws: maybe the overly loud guitars (thinking of Luna Park), the drums that don't seem to get to that sweet Portnoy sounding spot (say what you want about him, but his drums have always sounded incredible) or whatever.

What strikes me the most about it, is that DT is a band with a pretty solid recording budget (probably the most a progressive metal band will ever get), and their mixes end up being somewhat inferior to far lower budget mixes such as Haken's The Mountain or Affinity. I enjoy thoroughly everything Dream Theater has put out since Mangini came on board, but most of it is far from perfect in the audio department and I think we all can agree on this. Just for the record, I think The Astonishing is a very good sounding record, and considering the hell it must have been to mix (orchestra and choirs included), I gotta give some serious props to the man. The drums are way too 90s sounding, but what the crap. They kinda fit.

I created this thread because I want to know what you folks think of him, and if you consider him to be a good enough asset that DT should keep working with him in their future albums.

[BlobVanDam]

In both cases of live and studio albums, I think he's improved dramatically from the first to the second. So I guess that's a 50% hit rate overall for me. I still have issues with both, but the most recent studio and live albums have both sounded pretty good, so if that trend continues, I'm fine with him.

[rumborak]

I've said it before, but I really have no reason to believe that JP didn't walk out of the studio with a CD that had exactly the sound he was asking for. Especially, while it may happen once that a sound engineer  is not giving you the sound you want, it is inconceivable that JP would return to work with the guy. The fact that DT have now used him three times clearly means they like his work. The Wikipedia article on TA even quotes JP saying that Chycki is the 6th member of the band.

[Skeever]

In both cases of live and studio albums, I think he's improved dramatically from the first to the second. So I guess that's a 50% hit rate overall for me. I still have issues with both, but the most recent studio and live albums have both sounded pretty good, so if that trend continues, I'm fine with him.

I agree. For all the issues I have with TA, I don't recall the sound ever being one of them.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I've said it before, but I really have no reason to believe that JP didn't walk out of the studio with a CD that had exactly the sound he was asking for. Especially, while it may happen once that a sound engineer  is not giving you the sound you want, it is inconceivable that JP would return to work with the guy. The fact that DT have now used him three times clearly means they like his work. The Wikipedia article on TA even quotes JP saying that Chycki is the 6th member of the band.

Yeah, I get what you're saying. Maybe it enforces the idea that the issue lies in the production itself which is under JP's supervision. They are not probably getting an outside producer as lots of guys wish they did, but he probably knows what works best for the band at this point.

[gzarruk]

I've said it before, but I really have no reason to believe that JP didn't walk out of the studio with a CD that had exactly the sound he was asking for. Especially, while it may happen once that a sound engineer  is not giving you the sound you want, it is inconceivable that JP would return to work with the guy. The fact that DT have now used him three times clearly means they like his work. The Wikipedia article on TA even quotes JP saying that Chycki is the 6th member of the band.

Yeah, I get what you're saying. Maybe it enforces the idea that the issue lies in the production itself which is under JP's supervision. They are not probably getting an outside producer as lots of guys wish they did, but he probably knows what works best for the band at this point.

I agree on that. JP is a monster guitarist and we all love him, but, as a producer, he's still learning. Don't forget that, as a guitarist, his production decisions will lean to a guitar heavy mix more, sacrificing more mix space for the rest of the instruments, specially the bass and keys.
I agree with Rumborak on the fact that Chycki is there doing his job and giving JP the sound he wants. If JP is producing, he'll ask for an specific sound, then Chycki will deliver. That's why we need an external co-producer to work with JP on the next albums. My vote is for Jens Bogren or Nolly.

[Nick]

This thread reminds me of Iron Maiden, who despite their budget and big name engineers, mixers, etc, have managed to have some audio issues over the years. It can mostly be attributed to Steve Harris saying, I want things this way, and people delivering on that wish, even if it means the final product clearly doesn't sound as good as it could.

[El Barto]

I've said it before, but I really have no reason to believe that JP didn't walk out of the studio with a CD that had exactly the sound he was asking for. Especially, while it may happen once that a sound engineer  is not giving you the sound you want, it is inconceivable that JP would return to work with the guy. The fact that DT have now used him three times clearly means they like his work. The Wikipedia article on TA even quotes JP saying that Chycki is the 6th member of the band.

You're pretty much the reason I don't feel the need to here in the DT side. I would be superfluous.

[Madman Shepherd]

Can we at least agree that Richard Chycki kicked ass in Winter Rose?






I'm actually being kind of serious. 

[pcs90]

Honestly, I think a lot of the audio problems would be JP's fault, since he's the one telling Chycki how he wants the mix to sound. MM's drums, for example.
I think TA is actually a really nice mix considering the amount of instruments...not a fan of the drum tone but at least it's better than the self-titled, and that's not really a mixing thing...
So I wouldn't blame RC for most of this, honestly.

[CB]

Honestly, I think a lot of the audio problems would be JP's fault, since he's the one telling Chycki how he wants the mix to sound. MM's drums, for example.
I think TA is actually a really nice mix considering the amount of instruments...not a fan of the drum tone but at least it's better than the self-titled, and that's not really a mixing thing...
So I wouldn't blame RC for most of this, honestly.

I'm not a musician, therefore I can't really comment on Chyckis work. All I can say is that for me the drums in TA sounded MUCH better live than on the album.
Isn't Chycki responsible for the sound on JLBs EOP album too? Someone with better ears than mine, comparing the sound on the latest DT albums and on EOP, would probably be able to hear if it's Chycki or JP / JLB who decided how the finished album sounds.

[gzarruk]

Honestly, I think a lot of the audio problems would be JP's fault, since he's the one telling Chycki how he wants the mix to sound. MM's drums, for example.
I think TA is actually a really nice mix considering the amount of instruments...not a fan of the drum tone but at least it's better than the self-titled, and that's not really a mixing thing...
So I wouldn't blame RC for most of this, honestly.

I'm not a musician, therefore I can't really comment on Chyckis work. All I can say is that for me the drums in TA sounded MUCH better live than on the album.
Isn't Chycki responsible for the sound on JLBs EOP album too? Someone with better ears than mine, comparing the sound on the latest DT albums and on EOP, would probably be able to hear if it's Chycki or JP / JLB who decided how the finished album sounds.

Usually is the producer who gets the final word on how the mix should sound. For the DT albums, it's JP; for the JLB albums, I think the producer is Matt Guillory. I actually prefer the last DT albums drum sounds over EOP, but some people seem to like EOP drum sound much more.

[Kotowboy]

I laugh when i watch DT drum covers on You Tube and the comments are all " The drums sound better than on the album ! "

Well they will do when you're highlighting the drums and they're obviously WAY up in the mix. If they sounded like that on the album - everything else would be drowned out

[gzarruk]

I laugh when i watch DT drum covers on You Tube and the comments are all " The drums sound better than on the album ! "

Well they will do when you're highlighting the drums and they're obviously WAY up in the mix. If they sounded like that on the album - everything else would be drowned out

But people will continue to say that, because, you know... YouTube comments 

[TexasFury]

Just be thankful Rick Rubin isn't on board and hands on. You'd get an album that sounded like a community college project.

[Ben_Jamin]

I laugh when i watch DT drum covers on You Tube and the comments are all " The drums sound better than on the album ! "

Well they will do when you're highlighting the drums and they're obviously WAY up in the mix. If they sounded like that on the album - everything else would be drowned out

That's so true.

[ariich]

This is the first I've heard of The Astonishing sound being criticised. I know some people don't like the album (fair enough) but the sound production is some of the best they've ever done. DT12 was a mess though.

Also, when did DT12 become DT13? That's the second time I've seen it referred to that way now.

[IDontNotDoThings]

Also, when did DT12 become DT13? That's the second time I've seen it referred to that way now.

Dream Theater 2013?

[CodyWanKenobi]

The only problem I have with him is he doesn't know shit about getting a good drum sound. I think we can all mostly agree on that. (snare sound in particular), but honestly, Andy Walace didn't do a great job on the snare sound on ADTOE either. It sounds so dull and lifeless.

[Cyclopssss]

I have no problems with the TA mix. I do however, agree on the drumsound. It's just lifeless. Very dissapointing. The biggest problems I had with LALP was how large the enticipation was and then just hearing that dull, lifeless sound. With that stage setup, that audience this should have been the epitome of a DT live-recording and it just wasn't. The sort of took revenge with BTFW, but f' ed up with the orchestra part.

[rumborak]

The bummer about the drum sound is in the quiet sections. Losing Faythe is the prime example for me. It's intended to be a quiet, soulful piece, but when MM comes in, the "Pang!" of each snare hit, with that cathedral reverb, pulls me out of an otherwise pretty good song.