The Mike Mangini Thread (Thanks & Farewell)

[goo-goo]

I gave up listening to him talk a few years ago. No way am I going to attempt to read his written word

 

[Kocak]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_d0eJ4ay08

Great new performance from MM. Great sounding drums. Every non-DT video makes me think that the DT mixes do not do his drums justice.

Edit: Video reposted by Pearl.

[gzarruk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muI3vscK8LI

Great new performance from MM. Great sounding drums. Every non-DT video makes me think that the DT mixes do not do his drums justice.

 

[ReaperKK]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muI3vscK8LI

Great new performance from MM. Great sounding drums. Every non-DT video makes me think that the DT mixes do not do his drums justice.

Yea his durms sound great in this video.

[Schurftkut]

SOLO ALBUM MUSIC WILL BE RELEASED IN THE COMING WEEKS.

[Trav86]

He’s mentioned in a lot of posts, including his FB post today, about how he’s unhappy with the drum sounds on his albums. I’m curious if this has been brought up with JP or if he’s just venting his frustration on social media or interviews.

[Dream Team]

It blows my mind that a group of people in the recording field can't agree on what a good drum sound is before releasing the product.

[Trav86]

It blows my mind that a group of people in the recording field can't agree on what a good drum sound is before releasing the product.

Capturing a good drum sound seems to have been a universal problem with popular music forever.

[Schurftkut]

it's not the capturing that's the issue, it's production

[gzarruk]

The thing with the DT drum sound is that MP was in charge of the production for so long that he made sure his drums were up in front of the mix and had a very specific sound (same thing applies with guitars and JP), sometimes sacrficing other stuff because of it (keys and bass, mostly). When he left and John P became the main man when it comes to production and sound choices, the drummer perspective was no longer in the equation. Add this to the fact that MM joined a 25 year old already stablished band, so for a while he was just the new guy who had to go along with the previously existing band dynamics.

The drum sound on ADTOE wasn't bad at all, just mixed a bit too low (specially for some of the cymbals), but that would've been "fine" if we weren't coming from the MP-produced era. Then the self-titled came along and they decided they wanted to experiment even more... with the drums! Again, Mike, the new guy, had to stick with it; and even Rich Chycki had to do what the producer asked him to.

The Astonishing was even weirder in the sense that it was built entirely by John and Jordan and the other guys only had to come and record stuff and that's it, no involvement with the other aspects at all. Now, with DOT, A View and whatever comes next there's been a lot more involvement from MM and it definitely shows when it comes to his drum sound. Is it always to his liking? Not really, but that's the producer's choice/fault really. I don't think anything else will dastically change unless they put someone else in charge of the production.

[Trav86]

it's not the capturing that's the issue, it's production

Whatever. GETTING a good drum sound on record.

[Adami]

it's not the capturing that's the issue, it's production

Capturing a good drum sound is a lot of it.

[Stadler]

Look, I don't profess to be any genius at sound recording, but I hear something different.  I don't think the SOUND is all that different (there are some differences) but for me, it's the way the mix is, the way the instruments layer together.  The drums since ADTOE just seem so... intrusive to me.  It's like they sit on top of - or beside - the rest of the mix, whereas it sounds to me like there was a more integrated whole in past mixes.   I'm using the word "mix" because I don't have a better one; I'm not suggesting that we're one "remix" away from solving this problem.

I like drums, I notice drums.   Phil Collins was I think no. 2 on my drummer's list. (I mention Phil to avoid any more direct MP/MM comparisons).  He was certainly a "loud" drummer, and he was up front in the mix for sure, on many of those records that have his best playing.  But there was always a synergy with Tony and Mike.  I don't sense that in current DT.  I find myself noticing the drums in the wrong way.  "Why are those beats there?"

Could be a "me" problem.

[RodrigoAltaf]

I have an interview with Mangini scheduled for this Friday! Feel free to send me your questions, and I'll try to fit them in.

[Schurftkut]

did JP listen to his drumsound on his new album, and shit his pants?

[Trav86]

If his solo album has the drum sound he’s been chasing, what are the chances he’ll recreate that on the next DT album?

[gzarruk]

I have an interview with Mangini scheduled for this Friday! Feel free to send me your questions, and I'll try to fit them in.

DT are expected to enter the studio later this year to start working on DT16. Will he bring the bigger kit back like on his solo album or is he going to stick with the simplified one we saw for the latest tour?

[devieira73]

Hi, Rodrigo, congratulations for the upcoming interview!
My questions:
1) Since MM already manifested his disliking about the drum sound on ADTOE and on self-titled (I know it's not the more polite way to introduce the matter - make it work! ), there are some possibility for him to re-record those drums and include them in a remix in some kind of anniversary edition for those albums?
2) What (and when) will be the next live release of the present encarnation of DT on LNF archives?
3) What drummers of the new generation that he recommends to listen to?
4) He expects to tour for his album solo?

[RodrigoAltaf]

Thank you guys for the questions! I'm sure I'll be able to fit in many of them.

Not sure if I'll be able to discuss the album in too much detail- they've been keeping it pretty secretive for the last few weeks, and Mike might not be willing to talk about the lineup. But I hope he's open for it. I listened to the album, and it sounds modern, slick, and NOTHING like DT.

[devieira73]

http://www.manginiband.com/
There are already some details about the album in the "Album Credits & Info" section.

Had found this before, but it was still under construction. It's an interesting lineup for sure. Can't wait for the first single!

Hi Rodrigo! The line-up is here. Although it seems this site is under construction, it also seems that it's no secret.

Edit: http://www.manginiband.com/album-musicians/

[bosk1]

Some more questions for your consideration:

-Now that he has been in DT for almost 13 years (I don't know if we actually know the "official" date he joined--maybe ask him that, if he remembers?), what are some of the most difficult challenges in playing the music or being part of the band that maybe he didn't expect when he joined?
-What DT songs has he especially enjoyed playing live?  Any that he hasn't?
-What stories from the road can he share that fans might not know?
-Is it ever hard to come off of stage late at night after a long day and a full set, and have to "turn it on" and put on a smile when doing after-show meetups?

[Chino]

What is his favorite venue to perform in? Why?

Thanks!! 

[TAC]

When he got the call that he got the job, what did he do right there and then? Did he run out to the living room and tell his wife? How did they celebrate?

[Stadler]

Does he miss teaching?

[Adami]

What’s his approach to drum tuning?

[Madman Shepherd]

I'd like to know more about his time drumming on the Mullmuzzler/JLB solo albums. Was he given free rein? Did he ever get to sit down with James or Matt during the recording or was it all done individually/long distance? What does he think of Peter Wildoer on the most recent ones?

[hefdaddy42]

Does he know where to get sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads!

[goo-goo]

I'd like to know more about his time drumming on the Mullmuzzler/JLB solo albums. Was he given free rein? Did he ever get to sit down with James or Matt during the recording or was it all done individually/long distance? What does he think of Peter Wildoer on the most recent ones?

Would like to know more about this!

[evilasiojr]

Just gave a read through the website section "The Story of" and it felt like a lot 😅

I normally enjoy reading these things you know, but it seems to me Mike has developed this album based on lots of feelings towards DT, like frustrations from being excluded from TA writing and overall mixing sessions. Not trying to create drama here, but it does seem like this solo album is a type of answer to some of that.

With that said, can't wait to listen to the music!!! The line up looks interesting.

[devieira73]

Freak of Nature on October 6th 

[MinistroRaven]

Just gave a read through the website section "The Story of" and it felt like a lot 😅

I normally enjoy reading these things you know, but it seems to me Mike has developed this album based on lots of feelings towards DT, like frustrations from being excluded from TA writing and overall mixing sessions. Not trying to create drama here, but it does seem like this solo album is a type of answer to some of that.

With that said, can't wait to listen to the music!!! The line up looks interesting.

From what I read in the text, there's no clear mention that Mike created his solo album in response to any frustrations or feelings he might have had during his time in Dream Theater. The text mostly talks about how he made the album, his use of technology, collaborations, and his musical journey.

Of course, it's possible that his personal experiences and emotions played a part in shaping the album, like maybe he wanted more creative freedom or a different musical direction. But the text itself doesn't give us concrete proof of this. So, saying that the solo album is directly tied to his experiences in Dream Theater would be more of a guess rather than something the text outright tells us.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

[devieira73]

Amazing GIF/meme!! How I never saw that (here) before?!

[devieira73]

Just a few seconds, but really cool!
https://www.facebook.com/reel/7174400829237417?mibextid=HFTRFg

[Kocak]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1GVVv42Ry4

Another great MM performance and sound.