Bob Clearmountain, born on January 15, 1953, in Connecticut, USA, is a legendary mix engineer and music producer renowned for his exceptional contributions to the sound of popular music. Over his expansive career, Clearmountain has worked with a veritable who’s who of the music industry, leaving an indelible mark on countless hit records and defining the sonic landscape of multiple generations.
Clearmountain’s passion for music and sound began at an early age. Fascinated by the intricacies of audio engineering, he pursued a career in music production, starting out as an assistant at Mediasound Studios in New York City during the early 1970s. His dedication and keen ear quickly propelled him through the ranks, leading to opportunities to work with prominent artists and producers.
Clearmountain’s breakthrough came in the late 1970s and early 1980s when he began collaborating with notable artists across various genres. His distinctive mixing style, characterised by a clean, powerful, and dynamic sound, garnered attention and praise. One of his early successes was working on Bruce Springsteen’s critically acclaimed album “The River” (1980). This project showcased Clearmountain’s ability to create a balanced and impactful mix that highlighted the raw energy of the music.
Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Clearmountain’s reputation soared as he worked on a series of iconic albums. His collaboration with The Rolling Stones on “Tattoo You” (1981) and “Steel Wheels” (1989) further solidified his status as a premier mix engineer. His work on David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” (1983) produced a polished yet edgy sound that became a hallmark of Bowie’s evolving style.
Clearmountain’s versatility is evident in his diverse range of projects. He mixed Bryan Adams’ hit album “Reckless” (1984), contributing to the massive success of singles like “Summer of ’69” and “Run to You.” His work with INXS on “Kick” (1987) exemplified his ability to blend rock and pop elements seamlessly, creating a vibrant and infectious sound.
Bob Clearmountain is renowned not only for his impeccable mixing skills but also for his technical innovations. He was an early adopter of digital technology and played a crucial role in popularising the use of digital reverb and effects in mainstream music production. His attention to detail and commitment to achieving sonic perfection have set new standards in the industry.
Clearmountain’s influence extends beyond his work in the studio. He has inspired countless engineers and producers with his meticulous approach to mixing and his willingness to push the boundaries of what is sonically possible. His contributions to the development of mixing techniques have had a lasting impact on the way music is produced and heard.
Bob Clearmountain’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards and recognition from his peers. His mixes are celebrated for their clarity, depth, and emotional resonance, making him one of the most sought-after mix engineers in the world.
Despite his long and storied career, Clearmountain remains active in the music industry, continuing to work with both established artists and emerging talents. His dedication to his craft and his passion for music continue to drive him, ensuring that his influence will be felt for years to come.
Bob Clearmountain has managed to maintain a relatively private personal life, preferring to let his work speak for itself. He resides in Los Angeles with his family, where he continues to be involved in music production and enjoys the occasional round of golf.
Bob Clearmountain’s career is a testament to his extraordinary talent and unwavering commitment to excellence. His work has shaped the sound of modern music, earning him a place among the greatest mix engineers of all time.
A page which previously appeared on Bob’s own web site he listed his outboard effects, with comments on each, rather interesting!
- 3 x Yamaha SPX-990 Multi-effects Processor Not well-known, but versatile and sounds great.
- 1 x Yamaha Pro-R3 Reverb Very smooth and rich for long ‘verbs.
- 1 x Eventide H-3000 Mult-effects/Harmonizer The old standby – lots of cool stuff in there (when it’s working) Great sampling.
- 2 x Eventide H-3500 Mult-effects/Harmonizer Pretty much same as above.
- 1 x Eventide DSP-4000 Mult-effects/Harmonizer Excellent for tuning vocals, “tape” flanging and many other things.
- 1 x Yamaha D5000 Digital Delay The best DDL ever made.
- 3 x Roland SDE-3000 Digital Delay The second best DDL ever made.
- 1 x AMS DMX 15-80S Digital Delay Vintage 80’s DDL, I still use it every day.
- 1 x AMS RMX 16 Reverb Classic digital verb, a bit grainy and dark. Used Occasionally.
- 2 x Lexicon PCM-70 Multi-effects Processor “Concert Hall” with some mods is the bomb on piano.
- 1 x Lexicon 480L Multi-effects Processor Not my favourite, but very expensive.
- 1 x Antares AMM-1 Mic Modeler. Makes most any mic sound better, or worse, which sometimes is better (or not).
- 1 x Ursa Major SST-282 Space Station. Disgusting, grungy early digital ‘verb, for a raggedy garage band sound.
- 1 x Ursa Major SST-206 Space Station. New version of above. Not so disgusting. ok – good night.
- 1 x MXR Phaser/Flanger Rack (2 of each in 4-unit rack). Classic analogue effects from the 70’s – quite rare these days.
Bob Clearmountain has been working closely with his Wife’s company, Apogee to produce a series of VST plugins that give you his effects through a VST plugin. The main plugin is the Clearmountain’s Domain which provides his reverb/digital delay sounds in a plugin.
