Education:
Columbia College Chicago w/ honors
Bachelors in Arts with a concentration in Audio Arts and Acoustics
Some Albums that Inspire Me:
Some of my Favorite Tools:
Neumann U87, Condenser Microphone
Universal Audio 610 Tube Preamps
Chandler EMI TG12345 "Curvebender" Abbey Road Stereo Mastering Equalizer
API 2500 Stereo Buss Compressor
Otari MTR90 2" Analog Tape Recorder
Royer R122 active Ribbon Microphone
Echoplate Plate Reverb
EMI TG1 Limiter
brief history of Brian Zieske:
When I was in 7th grade I first heard Nirvana's Nevermind at a friends house. The next day I rode my bike to the local WalMart to purchase the album on cassette tape, my ears were never the same. Before this I had listened to the "oldies" including the Beatles and MoTown and my parents record collections. Nirvana was the first band that spoke to my generation and their music was simple enough to learn how to play.
After hearing more and more music that I loved, the realization came to me that I wanted to create my own musical and artistic statement. For my 14th birthday my parents purchased a guitar and practice amp. I quickly figured out how to play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and began making noise and jamming with a few friends from my neighborhood. Realizing I wanted to form a band, I eventually moved over to playing bass since no one else was willing to fill the less desirable position.
I played with the same group for about 7 years, performing shows all over the state and region eventually booking a lengthy tour around the midwest. I started recording my band in the late 90's inspired by the sounds of rock and roll that flooded the radio airwaves. Starting with crude recording techniques such as dual karaoke machines. I was able to "ping pong" takes back and forth in order to overdub on top of the live performances. I began renting basic recording equipment to achieve true multitrack recording and increase the quality of my band's demo recordings.
Upon high-school graduation I had saved enough to purchase a digital 8 track recorder. By this point I knew that I wanted to make a career recording and producing music. I was fascinated by the concept of documenting a musical performance and then manipulating it, and adding to it to create something that only existed within my imagination.
Just out of high school my girlfriend, and eventual wife, informed me that I was to become a father. This news created a new drive and sense of purpose within me. I was now ultra motivated with my college work and musical craft. I began school and work full time, and focused on recording more than ever. I continued to upgrade my recording setup to a 24 track HD digital workstation and began recording local bands for extra cash. It was not long before I was making enough money from my hobby to quit my banking day job. By this point I began recording classes at Columbia College in Chicago and was finding it difficult to find any time to play and perform music.
I focused on school and freelance recording seeking next level talent and finding it. When interning at ACME Recording Studio in Chicago I discovered the Academy is... I offered to record their 2 song demo for $100. They started to get a buzz for their unique sound and decided to have me produce their debut EP. "The Author" EP caught the ears of Fueled by Ramen, a successful independent label responsible for launching Fall Out Boy's career. This was my first paid production and was the start of my professional career.
I began freelancing out of multiple studios including: Electrical Audio, Gravity, Star Trax, Abbey Road London, Wall to Wall Recording. I discovered the need to have my own full service facility.
From there I upgraded my humble basement studio (Gallery of Carpet) to an analog and ProTools HD setup. After building up an arsenal of top notch analog gear and a loyal client base it was time to upgrade the facility.
Less than 1 year after graduating Columbia College with honors I found the right location. I began 2 months of construction on the current Gallery of Carpet Recording Studio which has been my "producer hut" since 2005.
I started recording and producing as a hobby and a dream, now it is my lively hood. My ambitions are ever growing as I am always developing new strategies for success. I work with musicians who consider themselves artists, I work closely with them to develop their talent in order to push them to the next level. I find artists who have the potential for greatness and develop their raw talent into a product while maintaining artistic integrity. Recorded music is my art.
When I was in 7th grade I first heard Nirvana's Nevermind at a friends house. The next day I rode my bike to the local WalMart to purchase the album on cassette tape, my ears were never the same. Before this I had listened to the "oldies" including the Beatles and MoTown and my parents record collections. Nirvana was the first band that spoke to my generation and their music was simple enough to learn how to play.
After hearing more and more music that I loved, the realization came to me that I wanted to create my own musical and artistic statement. For my 14th birthday my parents purchased a guitar and practice amp. I quickly figured out how to play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and began making noise and jamming with a few friends from my neighborhood. Realizing I wanted to form a band, I eventually moved over to playing bass since no one else was willing to fill the less desirable position.
I played with the same group for about 7 years, performing shows all over the state and region eventually booking a lengthy tour around the midwest. I started recording my band in the late 90's inspired by the sounds of rock and roll that flooded the radio airwaves. Starting with crude recording techniques such as dual karaoke machines. I was able to "ping pong" takes back and forth in order to overdub on top of the live performances. I began renting basic recording equipment to achieve true multitrack recording and increase the quality of my band's demo recordings.
Upon high-school graduation I had saved enough to purchase a digital 8 track recorder. By this point I knew that I wanted to make a career recording and producing music. I was fascinated by the concept of documenting a musical performance and then manipulating it, and adding to it to create something that only existed within my imagination.
Just out of high school my girlfriend, and eventual wife, informed me that I was to become a father. This news created a new drive and sense of purpose within me. I was now ultra motivated with my college work and musical craft. I began school and work full time, and focused on recording more than ever. I continued to upgrade my recording setup to a 24 track HD digital workstation and began recording local bands for extra cash. It was not long before I was making enough money from my hobby to quit my banking day job. By this point I began recording classes at Columbia College in Chicago and was finding it difficult to find any time to play and perform music.
I focused on school and freelance recording seeking next level talent and finding it. When interning at ACME Recording Studio in Chicago I discovered the Academy is... I offered to record their 2 song demo for $100. They started to get a buzz for their unique sound and decided to have me produce their debut EP. "The Author" EP caught the ears of Fueled by Ramen, a successful independent label responsible for launching Fall Out Boy's career. This was my first paid production and was the start of my professional career.
I began freelancing out of multiple studios including: Electrical Audio, Gravity, Star Trax, Abbey Road London, Wall to Wall Recording. I discovered the need to have my own full service facility.
From there I upgraded my humble basement studio (Gallery of Carpet) to an analog and ProTools HD setup. After building up an arsenal of top notch analog gear and a loyal client base it was time to upgrade the facility.
Less than 1 year after graduating Columbia College with honors I found the right location. I began 2 months of construction on the current Gallery of Carpet Recording Studio which has been my "producer hut" since 2005.
I started recording and producing as a hobby and a dream, now it is my lively hood. My ambitions are ever growing as I am always developing new strategies for success. I work with musicians who consider themselves artists, I work closely with them to develop their talent in order to push them to the next level. I find artists who have the potential for greatness and develop their raw talent into a product while maintaining artistic integrity. Recorded music is my art.