David "Z": The Grammy Winner who Discovered and Produced Prince
David "Z" Rivkin is a Grammy-winning record producer, engineer, mixer, and writer who has an ability and knack for finding and developing independent, cutting-edge artists into hugely impactful stars. David has hand his hands on some of the most iconic songs from the 80's, and is probably most well known for his long-standing collaborations with Prince, including hits like "Purple Rain" and "Kiss," but he's also contribute to award-winning albums by Etta James, Billy Idol, and Bo Deans, to name a few. He produced the #1 single "She Drives Me "Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals. And he was also a member of Lipps, Inc, with whom he had a #1 hit with "Funkytown." David is widely regarded of one of the original innovators of the signature Minneapolis sound that artists like Prince mastered, and just about everyone else tried to copy.
In this episode, we cover a lot of ground including:
• Learning recording and engineering techniques by the seat of his pants out of necessity
• Meeting Prince and creating that signature Minneapolis “80’s sound” with drum machines and synthesizers that everyone tried to copy
• The importance of experimentation in the studio
• How he made that hyper pop snare sound on Fine Young Cannibals “She Drives Me Crazy"
• Using conscientious choices versus “happy accidents” while recording
• Prince’s prolific songwriting, and how he’d write 30 songs to get 1 good one
• Must-have recording gear in the studio
• How he’ll work in any musical genre except dub step
• The differences between analog and digital studios, and embracing the new technologies
• And SO much more!
• Listen to it on iTunes.
• Stream by clicking here.
