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Joel Kerr, president (front) and Gene Paul, chief engineer, in DB Plus's studio.
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DO you ever wonder why your favorite musicians don't sound quite the same in concert as they do on recordings? Advances in recording technology are often the source of the difference. The engineers at DB Plus, a post-production studio at 250 West 57th, use the latest technology for mixing and mastering, but they aim for a natural sound in the finished product. One of their recent projects, Norah Jones' latest album, "Feels Like Home," reflects this goal.
Owner Joel Kerr founded DB Plus in 1987, after a long stint at Atlantic Recording Studios. Several of his former colleagues joined him. In 1992, the six-person company moved into an 800-square foot space at 250 W. 57th. Since then, the firm has gradually expanded, and today its space comprises 2,000 square feet.
Mr. Kerr chose 250 West 57th because the "building is accessible all the time – a must for us," and because "it's well maintained." He also had wanted to be based in the city's major music district. Mr. Kerr explains, "We have musicians' managers calling us saying, ÔI need to do this now!' In most cases, they only have a few blocks' walk to get to our studio."
DB Plus' services include CD mastering, mixing, digital editing, CD duplication and digital transfers. In other words, says Mr. Kerr, "we make recordings ready for the factory." DB Plus also edits radio programs. Ever since the Janet Jackson incident at the Super Bowl, the rules governing broadcast communications have tightened. Consequently, DB Plus' editing work for radio often involves the removal of curse words.
Gene Paul, mastering/mixing engineer, was exposed to music at a very young age through his father, the guitarist Les Paul. In Gene Paul's early days at Atlantic, he was able to recreate the magic that he observed in his father's performances through his work with Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack and Led Zeppelin. "Just to be in the room was phenomenal," he says. "You didn't know what you'd be doing in the morning and it would be Roberta Flack doing ÔKilling Me Softly.'" Mr. Kerr adds, "They were wild days too. You hear all these stories and they really happened."
Mr. Kerr and Mr. Paul found their recent sessions with Norah Jones equally enjoyable. "She's a marvelous lady to work with," says Mr. Paul. "She knew what she wanted. It was wonderful to work with someone that young and that talented again."
DB Plus has worked directly with several other notable musicians, including Richie Havens, the Average White Band, Bono of U2, and Jane Monheit, and has done post-production work on recordings by Alicia Keys and Luther Vandross. Another recent project was the reissuing of John Coltrane recordings. Fans of these performers might not recognize the contributions of DB Plus to the production process, but it's clear that the end results are music to their ears.
