Meet the Artist: Doug Jenkins

How did you get started?

I got started in music as a producer, I fell in love with capturing sound.  It was so amazing to me, that you could record yourself and play it back, (this was when I was 15!  It became a obsession! oh boy were those the days. It's the small stuff.  I ended up getting some recognition from a few record labels on my ability to Mix music, and that was the start of what you see now.  The art of mixing is totally independent from the art of producing.  Humility as a pretty big record label told me, they did not like my production, but loved my engineering. 

 

What drives you to do what you do?

What drives me?  I think it's the unknown.  Audio is the only thing I know of that their truly is no right or wrong, some of the greatest mistakes in the recording studio have become classic approaches.  It is a never ending thing sound.  I encourage anyway reading this, each persons understanding of sound is like a fingerprint. Everyone has a unique ear.   The unknown drives me.

 

What are some key things people need to know when they just got started?

I would say without a doubt, understanding the importance of Room Acoustics, and Digital to analog conversion.  This is the most important thing, along with speakers.  Why?  When your just starting you don't understand how the room truly hinders your ability to make accurate decisions.  Any space will change the way the speakers reproduce the sound.  Your decision making is all on how accurate your hearing.  Don't cheap out on that.

If you could go back, what would you do differently when starting?

Getting around to someone that knew about acoustic design, maybe spend a little more money on better speakers, and a better Audio Converter.  This really is what dictates the final result. 

What would you say your strengths are?

I would say a God given confidence to know without a doubt, I have done all I can on a project.  The willingness to listen to others, but also the ability to get something to where it needs to be quick and efficient.  I would say if a artist/company has a sound in mind, I take a lot of pride in being able to know what tools are needed, and how to make that vision a reality.  Also not doubting the decision.   The old saying goes, "the best artist know when to put the paintbrush down"

What did you do differently to grow your audience?

Practice.  Audio engineering is like a sport to me.  It truly is a long term commitment.   Just allowing yourself to become teachable, understanding that this is so much to learn, and always being a student.  Spending hours and hours with very little or no pay, and this shows the fruit of that.   I would say this also, you have to drop your pride.  We are in a pride business, who is popular, who is up next.  Just focus on the mastery of getting better, everything else seems to work out.

 

What are some of your goals?

It's ever changing!   some weeks we are working on 2-3 song, some we are working on 40:)   During a work week consistently I teach the art of mixing and whole private lessons for those that want to learn, also I am the technician to many studios, helping them understand the best solution to be efficient.  This week I did two mixes, and mastered a album for a pretty well known artist.  It's always changing, but I am not bored.

 

What did you do differently to grow your audience?

You know, this goes back to just staying focused on what is important.  I think when you genuinely have passion for something, it's contagious.  I take pride in when people comment back on my youtube channel, or anything online "your passion is what I see"  that speaks volumes to people, because it's real.  People can spot real. 

 

What content does best with your audience?

what content?   How to content!  People want to learn about this stuff.  I was privileged to go to recording school, but still a lot was needed to become a considered professional.  I think how to content is by far the most valuable.

 

 

What content does the worst with your audience?

very advanced stuff.  I will go on a video talking about a piece of equipment, or a technique we use, and it's definitely complex.  This seems to turn people off, or talking about a piece of gear that is very expensive, we don't make the content to scream "look at me"  it's the reality some equipment cost more, and some techniques are more complex to understand.

 

What are some career highlights so far?

I have worked with some pretty well know artist, but I would say the community that was built through youtube, it's a incredible thing to see the love for this art, every single day. That is a highlight, because it's allowed me so many things I can not take for granted, I am truly blessed.

 

What are some of your goals?

My goals, have to do with me, becoming a better person.  Not like self help, but being more polite, more patient, more understanding, easier to work with.  I truly believe keeping the unknown the unknown, and not becoming cynical, is the key to those goals being fulfilled.   My goals are more personal.  Be a more compassionate me.   Never take for granted the true gifts I've been given.