Grammy Award-winning recording engineer and producer Jim Anderson visited with students in the music production and recording technology (MPRT) and collaborative audio arts (CAA) programs last month. He shared his new immersive audio releases with the students as well as immersive audio mixing techniques and his approach to recording in immersive formats such as 5.1 and 7.1.4. Students and faculty listened to Anderson’s immersive recordings in SU’s Immersive Audio Dolby Atmos Suite located in Ruebush Hall.

“Having industry professionals visit and share their recording and mixing techniques and their love for the music they record is such a treat,” said Director and Professor of Music Production & Recording Technology Golder O’Neill ’92, M.M.E. “Students get to talk with them, ask questions and listen to some amazing work.”

“We like inspiring students and showing them what’s possible,” said Anderson. “If we can make the technology disappear, if our presence can be totally transparent, then we’ve done our job. Sure, we’re always trying to push the envelope, but ultimately our goal is to make timeless recordings with nothing standing between the listener and the musical experience.” Anderson works with his wife Ulrike Schwarz on many productions, but they as individuals have many recording and mixing credits in their catalog. Anderson and Schwarz have more than 30 Grammy nominations and Anderson has received 13 Grammy Awards. 

Jim Anderson’s visit was a standout experience. His stories about broadcast engineering, NPR and the evolution of audio work gave me a clearer sense of how passion and technical skill intersect in real careers. I left the conversation feeling more confident about pursuing public media and broadcast engineering.”

– Elizabeth “Effy” Axehead ’26 (Bachelor of Arts in Collaborative Audio Arts)

Listening to Jim Anderson‘s presentation inspired me to push harder in the field of music production. His incredible music and encouragement give me a glimpse of what I could become in the future. I am truly grateful I got to participate in the experience!”

– Spencer Pancia ’29 (Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology)

Jim Anderson’s recordings and mixes introduced a whole new workflow and thought process when it comes to immersive mixing. Along with the amazing sound, the stories he told about how he achieved success were truly inspirational.”

– Jacob Tuttle ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology)

“Jim Anderson’s visit provided a great opportunity to listen to world-class mixes on top-of-the-line equipment. Aside from the listening itself, it was a real treat to hear Jim Anderson give additional context behind the different recordings that he played for us.”

– Marty Bernstein ’29 (Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology)

Jim Anderson’s work is incredibly inspiring. Getting to talk about his techniques and philosophies has inspired my own work and I am excited to use some of the strategies he gave us in my own works!”

– Logan Parker ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology)

Listening to Jim’s records opened my ears to how immersive audio is truly the sound of the future. His work is incredibly fascinating and inspiring for me as a student.”

– Brodie Meyers ’27 (Bachelor of Music in Music Production & Recording Technology)

“Immersive audio is here to stay and by educating our students to have the skills to mix and record in the format is a plus,” added O’Neill. “It gives the student a skillset that they can develop and be creative and more marketable in the music production industry.”