Russell Tanner

Recording. Mixing. Production. Live Sound.

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Discography

Selected Works. Click for Credit Info.

BACKGROUND

  I’m an audio engineer based in Austin, TX. I make my home at Antimatter Studios and Threadgill’s, as well as take freelance gigs all over town and play in a band myself. I’ve gotten to record artists like Hayes Carll, Malford Milligan, James McMurtry, and Band of Heathens. I love working with artists in the studio to bring creative choices out of their music.

    I got my start in audio at Texas State University when I entered the Sound Recording Technology program in 2004. During my stay in San Marcos I cut my teeth running sound at Cheatham Street Warehouse ‘06-’08, until graduating and moving to Austin in 2008. From there I began working under multiple Grammy-winning engineer Chet Himes (Christopher Cross, Eric Johnson, Austin City Limits) at the Austin School of Music, and worked with him on a multitude of studio and live recordings.

    My studio career began in earnest when Kent Finlay, owner of Cheatham Street Warehouse, invited me to be the new engineer at his recording studio across the street from the legendary venue. Cheatham Street Woodshed Studios became my home, and after his passing I co-owned the studio with Jenni Finlay and Brian T. Atkinson for two years until 2018. Today I spend most of my time running sessions at Antimatter Studios, and have made over thirty albums since starting my journey. 

   I also spent seven years behind the console at Threadgill’s World Headquarters and worked with more local and national acts than I could probably count. I’ve done some light touring myself, and have spent several holiday seasons working the stage at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar and its hi-fi, intimate stage. I work with Austin City Limits Radio on occasion, stage managing their morning show live broadcasts during SXSW (the other holiday season in Austin). I am still the chief engineer at Threadgill’s Old No. 1 and pick up shows at Parker Jazz Club and C-Boy’s semi-regularly, among other freelance work.

    Of course all that started because I’m a musician myself. I’ve taken lessons as long as I can remember and studied classical guitar throughout high school and college. I’ve played in a handful of bands over the years, and I’m a singer/songwriter as well. My current band is the indie rock outfit Bone Pilots.

    I would love to talk to you about your recording, mixing, or live sound needs. Fill out the contact form to get in touch!