I was going to post this a few days ago - Abel Hernandez (Death Row) Interview

[DTG Entertainment]

Vic Mackey:

Alright, I am here with Abel Hernandez. Abel, who are you and what do you do?

Abel:

I'm a young audio engineer working my way up the ladder in this crazy ass game of the music industry. I have been at it since 2002, took a two year hiatus and got back on July 2004.

Vic Mackey:

That's what's up. What made you want to be an audio engineer?

Abel:   

Honestly, It was when I was reading over the credits of 2pac's All Eyez on Me. I seen the name Tommy D - Recording Engineer. The name just stood out to me, and I kept seeing his name on various Death Row albums and I told myself, "I want to do that!". So, when I turned eighteen I went to Full Sail University in Orlando, Flordia and there I learned under an other ex-Death Row engineer, Marty Ogden.

Vic Mackey:

Did you ever get to meet Tommy?

Abel:   

Yes, I met Tommy D in May 2002 on a Crooked I session. He was passed out on the couch and one of the assistants told me that was Tommy D, and I was like star struck! Prior to that, I was the Events Coordinator for the Audio Engineering Society at my college and because of me we offered Tommy D to come out to the college in Orlando all expenses paid and lecture for a couple hours. At that time Suge Knight had just gotten out of prison so Tommy D declined as Suge had booked him to start working on Left Eyes album. When Tommy D woke up, I introduced my self and he totally knew who I was. He said, "You are that kid who wanted to fly me out to his college to lecture right? Oh man! I wanted to do that so bad but Suge booked me for the rest of the summer."

Vic Mackey:

What was it like being tutored in engineering by Marty?

Abel:   

Being tutored by Marty was great. He was one of the best instructors the school had. I'll be honest most of the studio labs with him were half learning, half hearing old Death Row session stories.

Vic Mackey:   

It sounds like you had an interesting time working with all the former Death Row engineers. What was the first job you landed as an engineer?

Abel:   

First thing I ever recorded on my own was a bootleg Petey Pablo session. Petey Pablo did a featured on Double 9 Records artist, Bullet. Josh KASH Andrews a.k.a Yaku was the producer. It was late night in the studio and I befriended the CEO of Double 9 Records and I agreed to do the session. The session was short under 2 hours. It was supposed to be shorter but It was my first time recording on my own, so I was a bit nervous plus Petey can be really demanding and Yaku was asking for too many things, he's used to working with experience engineers so I was taking a while to make things happen. Then Suge walked in and started suggesting things and I just wanted to die. Something that was supposed to be quick turned into a big deal. At one point I deleted the vocals and the CEO of Double 9 Records freaked the hell out, but we did record and finished the song. The song was called "Ain't For The Radio".

Vic Mackey:   

Wow. Did you ever work with Double 9 again, and did you ever recieve proper conpensation for the song?

Abel:

No, they didn't pay me. I was doing it for experience at the time; plus, I was fucking up all over the place.

Vic Mackey:

Well, you can't blame yourself for fucking up. Everyone fucks up.

Abel:

Yeah, I was new.

Vic Mackey:

So, it's became evidently clear that engineering can sometimes be stressful. Was advice would you give to up and coming ones in regards to situations like that - I.E. - How to handle it?

Abel:

Be patient. Regards of comments, additional pressure and negativity sometimes clients feel they have to tell you about, just brush it off. concentrate on how to do your job effectively. Because they don't know how stuff works, you do.
To elaborate more on my comment, on how clients "don't know how stuff works". As an engineer half your job is to troubleshoot. When you can't hear music or something is not working we are taught signal flow. This way we can trouble shoot problems in the studio. Sometimes it takes a lil longer than others. Some clients get impatient and start rambling or suggesting things. Odds are they completely off the grid and just feel like suggesting random things. My experience is to let all that stuff go in one ear and out the other, concentrate on your trouble shooting to get the session back up and running. Odds are the client doesn't know the technical procedures, other wise he wouldn't be hiring you.

Vic Mackey:

When did you feel that you had gotten everything down path and felt you could handle every situation, being an engineer?

Abel:

I don't really know, I'm sure there are things I'm yet to encounter and will learn as I go. I'm confident all engineers even the ones who are in the game for 20 years feel the same way. You are just always ready for the unexpected. Good thing about engineers we got each others backs and help out whenever one is stuck. I can't tell you how many times someone else in the next studio saved my ass.

Vic Mackey:

So, you talked about going on a hiatus from engineering in 2002? What caused you to pause your career?

Abel:

I was barely 20 years old and in a new city. It was October 2002 and I was working only one day a week at the studio, was living out of my car, rough times... I got drunk one night at the studio, my girl dumped me. Danny Boy and Kurupt told me that if I could go back home to Florida I should and that Cali wasn't going anywhere. So I bounced.

Vic Mackey:

Damn. What did you do with the two years off?

Abel:

I worked at a night club and Kinko's, and I was producing this rapper in Florida. He kinda looked like Bubba sparks.

Vic Mackey:

What made you decide to go back to the profession of engineering?

Abel:

I've always waned to get back. Soon as I got back to Florida all I could think of was on how and when can I come back to Cali to get back into music.

Vic Mackey:

Ah, what was the gig that got you back into engineering?

Abel:

In 2002, I befriended the producer of the last two Macy Gray albums. I ran into him at LAX in September 2004, and he got me back in the studio working on this Swedish singer's album. Her name was Anna Sahlene. Good times.

Vic Mackey:

Now, there's been a lot of technological advancements in engineering and in music in general. How do you feel engineering has changed compared to ten to twenty years ago? Hell, let's even say five years.

Abel:

The big change is the switch from analog to digital. So, things are cheaper now. So anyone with a couple hundred bucks can "engineer", but labels and feature films still go through professional sound engineers and mixers. It's just made it more accessible. 

Vic Mackey:

So, you said you produced as well. How do you think production has changed since you started?

Abel:

I'm not sure how production has changed. Maybe that more people are calling them selves producers now days. Lots of people who just make beats say they are producers. The producers job is way more than just making a beat.

Vic Mackey:

Out of all your clients, do you have a preferred person to work with or a favorite?

Abel:

I enjoy working with bands Because with bands you get to do everything from scratch microphone placement for the drums, guitar amps, sometimes piano or organs. It's more intense and fun, but It's always nice to work with people who love what they do and see you as equal and not as a peasant .

Vic Mackey:

What is your favorite genre of music to mix down? Since, each has their own style and different instruments that you can play around with.

Abel:

Anything really as long as it is not Reggeaton or whatever that stuff is called.

Vic Mackey:

What don't you like about Reggaetion?

Abel:

It annoys me. The high pitch sound of the singer or rappers voices the 2/2 beats. I just don't enjoy it. personally

Vic Mackey:

Ah. Who inspires you in regards to your production?

Abel:

Talented singers and musicians - people who are great at what they do.

Vic Mackey:

No producers?

Abel:

Hmmm... nothing comes to mind at the moment as far as individual producers.

Vic Mackey:

Any funny stories you'd like to share about your time in the music industry?

Abel:

Wow man, I don't even know where to start.

Vic Mackey:

Hmmmm....something comedical? Any story will do.

Abel:

Okay...One story that sticks out is when we had Zakk Wylde from Black Label Society metal band and Ozzy Osbourne's guitar player in one room working on their album, "Shot to Hell" and in the other studio we had Paris Hilton working with J.R. Rotem. If you know Zakk Wylde, he's a freaking riot the guy. He would randomly go out to the studio parking lot and piss on the bushes. One time He went out there and was pissing on the bushes right next to Paris's Benz and she was coming out to get in her car and she saw this 6'3 Viking dude pissing next to her car, she just stood there and looked shocked. Zack looked over shaking it off and said, all set sweetie.

Vic Mackey:

Hahahahaha. Damn, that's crazy.

Abel:

Yeah, he's cool.

Vic Mackey:

As an engineer, have you ever had trouble dealing with label executives?

Abel:

Yes. I had a couple incidents with an Interscope Records writing session. The producer was wasted during the session and being disrespectful. We were just wasting time and nothing was getting done. I took it upon me to kick him out and end the session. Next morning I got a call from Interscope, telling me "Who do you think you are to shotdown a major label session?" I explained to them how drunk and unprofessional the producer was. He understood, but it took him a while to come down.

Vic Mackey:

What do you think is the new sound for hip hop? People believe that there is a new techno hip hop sound in regards to production coming around.

Abel:

I agree, It's more house now. Hip-Hop has crossed over. Sky is the limit really. As long as it reaches a wider audience it will keep evolving.

Vic Mackey:

What genre of music do you believe that this economic downturn has effected the most?

Abel:

I have no clue. Album budgets have gotten smaller over the years. It is cheaper to make a rap album than let's say a rock album. So maybe, the music that requires more space, more instruments involves more people are the ones hurting.

Vic Mackey:

Now besides, production and engineering. What else do you specialize in?

Abel:

Photography. that's where's at! I love that, it's like my second passion.

Vic Mackey:

What is your favorite thing about photography?

Abel:

Just how you can capture stuff, moments and people in time. Same as music. I think we all have a vision beyond from what our eyes see. I'm fortunate enough to have music and photography to express that.

Vic Mackey:

That's what's up. What program do you use to edit your photos?

Abel:

Photoshop man! It's the pro tools of photography!

Vic Mackey:

Where can we check out some of your work?

Abel:

I work with a partner and our stuff is at these three web sites;

- http://www.myspace.com/exposedphoto_info

- http://exposed-blog.blogspot.com/

- http://www.modelmayhem.com/1000933

Vic Mackey:

What about your music?

Abel:

Check out my Myspace and YouTube...

- http://www.myspace.com/29thofjulymusic

- http://www.youtube.com/user/297Music

Vic Mackey:

Anyone you want to give a shoutout to before we end the interview?

Abel:

Yes! Big shout out to Bullet, Trouble, Hooddweller and Real Music camps, my homie Hash a.k.a Latinz Finest, Nadia-bad ass song writer, Mr. Silky Slim The Pimp, Don Won, all the engineers out there putting in crazy hours and making the hits bang, and all the people who are handling their business and working towards reaching their goals and dreams. Shoutout to Terrance Martin and his whole camp! I always enjoy working with those guys.

Vic Mackey:

Thank you for your time, and have a great day Mr. Hernandez.

Abel:

Thanks man! Keep on your grind!

[evo]

garbage interview with some nobody that clean toilets at deathrow studios

[DTG Entertainment]

garbage interview with some nobody that clean toilets at deathrow studios

Way to hate on, and I did interview someone who cleaned the toilets at Death Row - his name was John Hyland.

[Zeus]

You should edit the thread title calling this guy a Death Row affiliate is a bit of a stretch isnt it? I was hoping id get some DR insight with this interview, what a waste of 2 minutes.

[DTG Entertainment]

You should edit the thread title calling this guy a Death Row affiliate is a bit of a stretch isnt it? I was hoping id get some DR insight with this interview, what a waste of 2 minutes.

He did vocals on Petey Pablo's tracks and engineered at Death Row for a good bit of Petey's sessions. It ain't a stretch, and are you that infatuated with Death Row to where you diss my interview, because I didn't focus on Death Row like the majority of most all interviews?

[Zeus]

You should edit the thread title calling this guy a Death Row affiliate is a bit of a stretch isnt it? I was hoping id get some DR insight with this interview, what a waste of 2 minutes.

He did vocals on Petey Pablo's tracks and engineered at Death Row for a good bit of Petey's sessions. It ain't a stretch, and are you that infatuated with Death Row to where you diss my interview, because I didn't focus on Death Row like the majority of most all interviews?

I didnt even know it was your interview and why wouldnt anybody here be more interested in learning more  about death row or the death row artists? Nobody cares bout some shitty engineer who was getting yelled at by Petey Pablo, people care about the music.

[DTG Entertainment]

You should edit the thread title calling this guy a Death Row affiliate is a bit of a stretch isnt it? I was hoping id get some DR insight with this interview, what a waste of 2 minutes.

He did vocals on Petey Pablo's tracks and engineered at Death Row for a good bit of Petey's sessions. It ain't a stretch, and are you that infatuated with Death Row to where you diss my interview, because I didn't focus on Death Row like the majority of most all interviews?

I didnt even know it was your interview and why wouldnt anybody here be more interested in learning more  about death row or the death row artists? Nobody cares bout some shitty engineer who was getting yelled at by Petey Pablo, people care about the music.

Well, this guy made the music you guys bump from Death Row Records listenable. Without engineers, we wouldn't have some of the great music we have today. I.E. - The Chronic. If certain dudes didn't mix it down properly, the tracks would sound like shit. Also, you didn't have to come to the thread - go back to your Yaki Kadafi fan site.

[Zeus]

You should edit the thread title calling this guy a Death Row affiliate is a bit of a stretch isnt it? I was hoping id get some DR insight with this interview, what a waste of 2 minutes.

He did vocals on Petey Pablo's tracks and engineered at Death Row for a good bit of Petey's sessions. It ain't a stretch, and are you that infatuated with Death Row to where you diss my interview, because I didn't focus on Death Row like the majority of most all interviews?

I didnt even know it was your interview and why wouldnt anybody here be more interested in learning more  about death row or the death row artists? Nobody cares bout some shitty engineer who was getting yelled at by Petey Pablo, people care about the music.

Well, this guy made the music you guys bump from Death Row Records listenable. Without engineers, we wouldn't have some of the great music we have today. I.E. - The Chronic. If certain dudes didn't mix it down properly, the tracks would sound like shit. Also, you didn't have to come to the thread - go back to your Yaki Kadafi fan site.

No doubt they are very important but nobody cares about their lives just the music they worked on or the artists they worked with, so what songs and albums did he work on? I dont recall seeing his name in any liner notes.

[DTG Entertainment]

You should edit the thread title calling this guy a Death Row affiliate is a bit of a stretch isnt it? I was hoping id get some DR insight with this interview, what a waste of 2 minutes.

He did vocals on Petey Pablo's tracks and engineered at Death Row for a good bit of Petey's sessions. It ain't a stretch, and are you that infatuated with Death Row to where you diss my interview, because I didn't focus on Death Row like the majority of most all interviews?

I didnt even know it was your interview and why wouldnt anybody here be more interested in learning more  about death row or the death row artists? Nobody cares bout some shitty engineer who was getting yelled at by Petey Pablo, people care about the music.

Well, this guy made the music you guys bump from Death Row Records listenable. Without engineers, we wouldn't have some of the great music we have today. I.E. - The Chronic. If certain dudes didn't mix it down properly, the tracks would sound like shit. Also, you didn't have to come to the thread - go back to your Yaki Kadafi fan site.

No doubt they are very important but nobody cares about their lives just the music they worked on or the artists they worked with, so what songs and albums did he work on? I dont recall seeing his name in any liner notes.

Bullet's album that came out in 2003, other than that most of the material he did was shelved in regards to Death Row Records, but other stuff he did was for people such as 3      Ednita Nazario, Sergio Vallin/Maná, Espinoza Paz, Secondhand Serenade, Tears for Fears, Ice Cube,  Bone Thugz N Harmony, Brian Mcknight, Glasses Malone, Ja Rule, Hi Tek, Cashis, Mia X, Macy Gray, Terrace Martin, Lil Wayne, etc.

[Zeus]

Thats cool man props to him, im just saying you should take the Death Row part out of the thread title since you yourself stated this has nothing to do with DR this is about Abel Hernandez. Save some people some time.Peace.

[DTG Entertainment]

Thats cool man props to him, im just saying you should take the Death Row part out of the thread title since you yourself stated this has nothing to do with DR this is about Abel Hernandez. Save some people some time.Peace.

It has to do with Death Row because of Petey Pablo because that track was done right as Petey was getting on with Death Row Records.

[V2DHeart]

It doesn't bother me that there wasn't much "Death Row" associated with it. Since I'm doing an engineering course (although not studio Engineering) from work, I enjoyed reading the expertise and essentials necessary in a extraordinarily skilled job. Vic Mackey sounds like a nice guy, and glad to hear he isn't overly keen on that new auto-tune style of Hip Hop. Props for the interview 

[DTG Entertainment]

It doesn't bother me that there wasn't much "Death Row" associated with it. Since I'm doing an engineering course (although not studio Engineering) from work, I enjoyed reading the expertise and essentials necessary in a extraordinarily skilled job. Vic Mackey sounds like a nice guy, and glad to hear he isn't overly keen on that new auto-tune style of Hip Hop. Props for the interview 

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