By: Andrew Vaughan

There aren’t too many producers and engineers around with the pedigree of Alan Parsons. So when Parsons (who has worked sound magic for The Beatles and Pink Floyd, and among others) decides to share some of his recording wisdom and tricks of the trade, then anyone with an inkling for making better records should sit up and listen.

The Art & Science Of Sound Recording sees Billy Bob Thornton narrating a ten-hour DVD series that covers every element of the recording process and features not just Alan, but a plethora of top sound men, like John Fields, Elliot Scheiner, Jack Douglas, Tony Brown, and Chuck Ainlay talking about their art.

Parsons’ own amazing music career saw him at 19 years of age working on the albums Let It Be and Abbey Road in London. Later, he engineered the innovative Pink Floyd classic The Dark Side of the Moon album before launching into—with Eric Wolfson on vocals—his own successful recording career with The Alan Parsons Project.

AMC was fortunate enough to grab a few minutes with a music industry legend.

You started very young, that must have been very exciting.

I was young—18 when I started working at Abbey Road—and that was a terrific time. It was musically very interesting and to see The Beatles in action and watch George Martin was the best education anyone could have.

Having seen the legendary Beatles producer up close? How do you rate legendary Beatles producer, George Martin, then as a producer?

George Martin is an old fashioned English gentleman. His character was the complete opposite of all of The Beatles but he had their respect—which was vital—and they were able to make great records together, obviously!

Any other producers who stand out to you?

The other great record producer, for me, is Mickie Most who was the most incredible song selector. I have no idea if a song is a hit or not, but Mickie (and we became quite good friends) was a terrific judge of a song.

The series covers almost every technical aspect of recording, but what do you think is the most important role of a producer?

You have to make people feel at ease and have to make them feel productive. The most important thing is to be a nice person and treat people well and remember that as in most businesses, the client is always right!

What were your motives for this huge project? A labor of love?

It’s an opportunity to give back. I’ve never been one to keep secrets. The industry has changed. There aren’t big studios like there used to be. People record at home, and send files by email. It can be a solitary experience but it doesn’t have to be. I still like to record the old fashioned way with a band all playing together. If my advice, and that of others here in this box set, can help just a few people make better records, that will be an achievement in itself.