8 | Ryan Streber (Oktaven Audio)

MikeDrop calls in reinforcements from a classical music heavy hitter: Ryan Streber, composer and engineer at Oktaven Audio, one of the leading recording studios for contemporary and classical repertoire. Ryan’s razor-sharp ears, gentle demeanor, and insightful sonic choices have had the Mikes returning time and time again to Oktaven for recording projects, and we were delighted to have some time to turn the microphone the other direction and learn more about Ryan’s life in music. Topics in this mega-episode include:

• Ryan’s musical background

• Developing home recording studios

• Working with difficult artists

• Being a gear-head and how to make tech transparent in the studio

• Preparing for recording sessions

• The importance of curiosity

• File management and Ryan as a topic of future dissertations

• Starting a record label

• How composition informs his work as an engineer and producer

• Ryan’s workflow as a “classical” engineer

• Vintage microphones and facsimile scores

Thank you, Rebecca Moore, for your audio magic!

Published March 21, 2024