Lets start with who this Freddy guy is and what he has to do with all this Euphonic Sound and Studio Manifesto stuff.

Freddy Gabrsek is the type of person you want on your side – if you happen to be producing music. Let me illustrate by giving you and introduction to the man we call Freddy.

Freddy is the driving creative and technical force behind our small boutique pro audio shop – Origin Audio Electronics. We build analog recording devices with Fredified circuits. Freddy applies his critical ears, and brilliant grasp of sound engineering science with the principles of audio electronics – creating pro audio recording devices of the highest quality. Hand made – fully discrete analog – Class A – in American and British vintage audio traditions, including tube and solid state classics.

You would think that’s enough for one man. Sounds like a full plate for even the maddest of scientists. But, this is just the beginning. Freddy is also well known for – Freddys Frets Custom Guitar Shop – Not just another electronics and sound engineer, but a precision instrument maker – A certified Luthier with a lifetime of achievement and development in that field. You can see some beautiful examples of his work at freddysfrets.com.

Freddy has always been playing, modifying, building, designing, or otherwise tinkering with musical instruments – both electronic – and acoustic – and the amplifiers and peripheral devices that go with them. In addition he has always been playing, modifying, building, designing, or otherwise tinkering with the electronic devices that record music. Go to Origin Audio to see some of those.

The plot now thickens, and starts leaning toward the unbelievable/impossible. Freddy is an independent producer, sound designer, mastering engineer, and mix engineer. The Shaw Festival is lucky enough to have him as a seasonal sound designer/engineer, and producer of the music, for some of the most technically challenging surround sound live theater performances. He is a gifted musical sound engineer, with brilliant mixing and mastering skill. He routinely pulls off inspired post production work for our clients at Euphonic Sound Recording Studio and on our label Broken Window Records. He has been called a modern day renaissance man, as I’m sure you can see why.

Freddy Factor as a concept I will refer to on this blog – has two components; one deals with being a skilled expert – but the other component is equally important – I’m referring to disposition and willingness to share the knowledge. Freddy, being a great guy, easy going, good-humored, enthusiastic about music production, along with openness and generosity in how he shares his expertise, has this second component. I didn’t become a real sound engineer until I started assisting Freddy on his recordings about 8 or 9 years ago. Freddy’s mentor ship has been the main element in my development as a sound engineer/producer. Euphonic Sound would not be what it is if it wasn’t for Freddy’s guidance – he actually designed Euphonic Sound – Both the studio layout and acoustic treatment. And he’s modified, or built, virtually every piece of gear we have. At Euphonic Sound, Freddy is legend.

Finding a mentor who posses Freddy Factor is essential for recording artists and producers. Be aware of the person who tries to sell you on their Freddy Factor – A real Freddy is modest and unimpressed with hype.