Jonathan Paul Akre: Engineering, Producing, and Creating Music

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Recording Engineering History

50 years as a Professional Recording Engineer.
Engineered Over 500 Records
7 years Remote Truck Recording. One Chance, One Take
Paisley Park Studios: 10 years history:
Paisley Park Staff Engineer to a tenant:
In In-House Independent Music Production Company
“ClearSong Music Group”

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Producing Approach

Good Songs Have A Compelling Storyline
A Melody That Stays With You.
The Recording Studio Is A Performance Medium.
Producing Is Done In Intensive Rehearsals.
Identify What The Artist Does Naturally.
Make That The Focus.

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Mixing Approach

Great Music Arrangements
With Well Placed and Balanced Instrumentation Actually, Mix Themselves.
Technology can only enhance good songs.
My experience is that mix number 3 or 4
Is usually better than mix 33 or 34.

Mission

CLEARSONG MUSIC GROUP
is a music production company based in Phoenix, Arizona under the leadership of Jonathan Paul Akre, operating as “Noahs’s Ark Recording Studio”

Since our inception at Princes “Paisley Park Studios” in 1989, we have provided Recording Engineering, Producing, Programming and Keyboard Support for a variety of National Acts, as well as other up and coming musical artists.

Our sole focus is to Identify Quality Music,
To Inspire the Artists to Exceed Their Expectations.

Through Many Years We Have Achieved Phenomenal Results with a varity of budgets and venues.
While technology is ever-changing,
The basics of Identifying Great Music
With Great performances will always be relevant.

Since 2021 Jonathan Paul Akre has been Clearsong’s “Noah’s Ark Recording Studio” main client. Jonathan has been writing Christian Music and will be launching a YouTube Channel Showcasing these demos.

To this, we remain committed.

Call: (480) 414.1568

About Us

I’m Jonathan Paul Akre,

with five decades of actual work, I have experienced many aspects of the Music Business.

I was engaged with Live Production of Mixing Bands and Touring with them, I also answered phones including various entry-level positions in Recording Studios, like janitor and gofer, then to 2nd engineer, just to be around and soak up the knowledge and protocol.

I’m Jonathan Paul Akre,

and with four plus decades I have experienced many aspects of the Music Business.

I was engaged with Live Production of Mixing Bands and Touring with them, I also answered phones including various entry-level positions in Recording Studios, like janitor and gofer, then to 2nd engineer, just to be around and soak up the knowledge and protocol.

‘I moved on to learning some of the technical aspects of maintaining Recording Equipment, achieving Recording Engineer status, then on to Remote Recording Truck Owner, then Producing. I got into Modern Music Production with 48 track Analogue, also various Synths, Drum machines, and syncing this to that.
I have also been a Recording Engineer Educator at several well-known Schools.

I spent 10 years at “Prince’s” Paisley Park Recording Complex, as a staff member with many job descriptions. I became the only Independent Music Production Company allowed within Paisley Park, “ClearSong Music Group.”

In my career, I achieved a combined history of working on over 500 albums, and multiple thousands of sessions with projects covering many styles of music from; Blues, R&B, Funk, Punk, Rock, Country, Pop, Classical and Jazz.

Working with such artists as:
Prince, Soul Asylum, The Replacements, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Spyro Gyra, Sheila E., Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Allman Bros., Sounds of Blackness, just to name a few.

Shortly after leaving Paisley Park to open my own 48 track studio at the Historic Sound 80 complex, I contracted a serious life-threatening medical condition, which left me unable to continue my life’s work. After a long battle, I beat the odds and have been given a clean bill of health. I still have my ears and stamina……Picking it up from here…..
As a Recording Engineer/Producer/Composer Arranger, I have been busy writing original Christian music in my Phoenix Studio, “Noahs Ark Recording Studio”

Let’s talk T O D A Y
About Your Project
(480) 414.1568

Studio Equipment

ClearSong Music Group’s “NOAH”s ARK RECORDING STUDIO” is a Private Writing, Recording, Overdub, Mixing and Mastering Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona. ….We Have Been Recording Music and Making Records For 40 + years.

We Rely On:
Westlake Audio BBSM 6 Studio Monitors (We have remained loyal to Westlake Monitors Exclusively Since 1985. BBSM 4, 6, 8, 10’s)
Our BBSM 6’s Have Complete Replacement and Restoration by Glenn Phoenix at Westlake Audio
…..and every Westlake upgrade with low P.E. Distortion. (For you “Techies”) http://www.westlakeaudio.com/NEWPHOENIXEFFECT.pd

POWER AMPS
Bryston 3B Studio Power Amp-Complete Replacement and Restoration at Bryston Factory
Avantone “B” Speakers Powered

MIC PREAMPS/ INTERFACES/ACCELERATORS
(2) Manley VOXBOX Tube Mic Pre/EQ/Compressor
(1) SSL 4 Channel Pure Drive Mic Pre
(2) Avalon VT-737 Tube Mic Pre/EQ/Compressor
(2) Universal Audio 4-710 A 4 Channel Tube Mic Pre/EQ/Compressor (8 mic pres)
(3) Universal Audio Apollo x8 (12 Unison mic pres)
(1) Universal Audio Apollo X16 (16 Line Inputs)
(1) Universal Audio Apollo X4 (4 mic pres)
(2) Universal Audio UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt 3, 8 core accelerators
64 Core Record/Mix/Mastering System
64 Audio Inputs for Full Band Tracking
All Mogami cable/GOLD Neutrik in interconnect
(100 +) Universal Audio Classic and Analoge Vintage Gear Plug-Ins

DAW’s/COMPUTERS
Universal Audio Luna Pro Recording software:
Studer 800 Analog Tape Emulation
API Vision Console Emulation
Neve Summing Bus Emulation. (TRACKING)
AVID Pro Tools Ultimate (MIXING)
Apple Logic Pro (CREATION)
MAC Studio With M2-32 gig Ram (Studio) 8TB SSD/32 TB Raid Back-Up
MacBookPro 16 TB3 (Remote Record)
3 Video Monitors

RECORD & MIX CONTROL SURFACES
Solid State Logic ( SSL ) Advanced DAW Controller System

MIC LOCKER

(1) C12 Large Diaphram Tube Condensor Custom Hand Built mic, power supply and remote pattern box. (See: Alpha & Omega)
(2) Universal Audio Sphere dlx Modeling Microphone
UA Bill Putman Mic Locker for Universal Audio Sphere mic. (8 Vintage/Tube mics)
Oceanway Mic Locker for Universal Audio Sphere mic. (11 Vintage/Tube mics)
(4) Universal Audio Sphere lx Modeling Microphones
(1) Universal Audio Bock 251 Large Diaphram Tube Mic
(1) Universal Audio Bock 187 FET Large Diaphram mic
(1) Universal Audio Bock 167 Tube Large Diaphram mic
(2) Dachman Audio 87 SE Large Diaphram FET Condensor mics
(2) Dachman Audio 87 i Large Diaphram FET Condensor mics
(1) Dachmann Audio U47 Large Diaphram FET Condensor mic
(4) Neumann KM I85 Small Diaphram Hypercardioid mics
(4) Shure SM 57 mics
(2) Crown PZM mics
(1) Shure SM 87 Hyper-Cardioid Condenser Microphone
All Mogami Cable and Gold Nuetric Interconnect

ACOUSTIC & ELECTRIC GUITARS
Martin OM-28E Modern Deluxe Orchestra Model Acoustic Guitar
Martin Grand J-16E Jumbo 12 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Epiphone Joe Banamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard “The Brown Thing”
Squire Telecaster Baritone
Fender Telecaster Butterscotch
Fender Stratocaster 60th Aniversary Hendrix
Sire Larry Carlton S7 Transparent Blue-Stratocaster
Sire Larry Carlton T7 Telecaster Butterscotch
Sire Larry Carlton L7-Tobacco-Sunburst Les Paul
Fender 4 String P-Bass
Squire 5 String Jazz Bass

GUITAR AMPS & CABINETS
Vox AC30 2 X 12
Marshall JVM410H 100 watt 4 Channel
Marshall 1960AX 4 X 12 with Greenbacks
Marshall 1962 “Bluesbreaker” 30-Watt 2×12″ Guitar Combo
Fender ’65 Twin Reverb
Fendar ’65 Priceton Reverb
Kemper Profiler Head
Avid 11 Rack
Universal Audio Ox Box Reactive Load Box
Universal Audio ’68 Super Lead Amp Stomp Box
Universal Audio OX Stomp Box
Universal Audio Woodrow ’55 Amp Stomp Box
Universal Audio Ruby ’63 Top Boost Stomp Box

KEYBOARDS & MODULES

Roland Fantom 8 EX 88-Key Workstation
( EX upgrade: JD 800, SCH-101, Jupiter-8, ALSO ADDED: Arturia V Collection X: Juno 60, XV-5080, Rhodes V8 Pro, D50, Prophet 5, OB 8, Mini Moog, also: UAD Waterfall B3, JD 800 )
Akai MPC 61 KEY Sampler/Sequencer
Roland Integra 7 Rack Mount
Roland D 550 Rack Mount
Roland JD 990 Rack Mount
Native Instruments-Mashine Mk3
Native Instruments S88 MK2-Keyboard Master Controller (88 weighed keys, FATAR Keyboard)
Native Instruments Komplete 14 Ultimate
Ashley 8 Channel Stereo Sub Mixer

FAVORITE TOOLS I HAVE USED FROM THE 1970’s THRU PRESENT
Manley/API/SSL/Neve/Avalon/Universal Audio (Channel Strips)
dbx “Square Meter’ 160
        Universal Audio 1176, LA-2A, LA-3A
Fairchild Tube Limiter
Eventidue H9 FX Bundle
  Sound Toys 5
        Tube Tech CL1B MK II
Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor
Universal Audio Fatso Jr/Sr
  Lexicon: 480L-224-PCM 41
API 2500 Bus Compressor
Universal Audio 175 & 176 Tube Compressors
BrainWorks bx_digital V3-MidSide
Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
        AMS RMX16 Expanded
Fender ’55 Tweed Deluxe
        Studer A 800
Ampex ATR-102
2 Channel Neve Active Direct Box

FULL BAND TRACKING:
Alesis Strike Pro: 6 piece Studio Drum Kit with Zildjian Studio Recording Cymbal Set
(Real Wood Drum Shells, Real Mesh Drum Heads, Real Studio Quality Cymbals)

Call Today:
(480) 414.1568

What Others Say

I have worked with Jonathan from our early days on the road where he was my most exceptional FOH engineer. Whenever I looked out and saw him behind the board I was relaxed and confident in a great sound that pleased everyone from band members and patrons, to club owners and staff. Later, we would work together again when he was the head Engineer (and only production company allowed on premises) at Paisley Park, shortly after he finished some work on Princes “Love Sexy”. Together we created the first really heavy band recording, or “Death Metal” recording, there at Paisley Park, for the band Impaler. Jonathan has what cannot be taught- a brilliant “Ear”. I recommend him most highly.

Bill Holmberg

Twin Cities

I met Jonathan Paul Akre when my band, “The Rhythm Dr’s” were going to cut our first album. Our bass player, John Wright had worked with Jonathan previously on an album at Paisley Park. We came to Jonathan with an idea how we wanted our record to sound. Together, we decided to go “Old School” i.e.; EVERYBODY PLAYING TOGETHER, ALL AT ONCE IN THE SAME ROOM…..Jonathan took a complicated situation and made it very easy to play together. Actually we forgot we were recording!…..I’ve done a total of 3 records with Jonathan. As luck would have it, we both now live in Phoenix, Arizona, and we are doing demos and pre-production for another record. You can hardly find anyone with all his years of experience and many styles of music.

Jimi PrimeTime Smith

MN Blues Hall of Famer, Mesa, AZ

I have known Jonathan Paul Akre for over 30 years. I first worked with him while recording my band’s second album. Dare Force was a successful Midwest Band with three albums. Jonathan recorded and mixed several songs on our second album. He was great to work with as well as had excellent ears and audio engineering talent. I also worked with Jonathan on several projects at Paisley Park studios. He worked at the time as a Staff Engineer. That’s when he created ClearSong Music Group at Paisley Park. I later worked with Jonathan at Music Tech College. We were both teaching audio theory, lab, MIDI and Pro Tools classes. He was well liked and a popular instructor at the college. I can vouch for Jonathan’s talent, professionalism and great personality.

Brian Bart

Logic Multimedia, Mpls, MN

Jonathan Paul Akre
ClearSong Music Group

CALL T O D A Y:
(480) 414.1568

Tracks

Current:

Soul Fix'n Man

by Performed by Jimi "PrimeTime" Smith. "Recorded LIVE" at Blues Ally. Record, Mix and Mastered and Co-Produced for ClearSong Music Group by Jonathan Paul Akre

Empire Builder

by Written, Performed and Produced by Danny Mangold Mixing and Additional Production at ClearSong Music Group, Phoenix, AZ by Jonathan Paul Akre

StepByStep

by Written, Performed and Produced by Danny Mangold Mixing and Additional Production at ClearSong Music Group, Phoenix, AZ by Jonathan Paul Akre

Building Bridges

by Written & Preformed by Orvin David Thompson JR. Produced at ClearSong Music Group, Phoenix, AZ by Jonathan Paul Akre

Billy Club "Color Code 2021"

by Featuring Dana Bailey.......Mixed by Jonathan Paul Akre | At ClearSong Music Group-Phoenix, AZ

(Out)LAW&(Dis)ORDER An Original Extended Tribute of "Law&Order Criminal Intent" Season 1-6

by Featuring: Jeff Carver-Trumpet, Jimi "PrimeTime" Smith-Blues GTR, Phil Kaiser-Lead GTR, Jonathan: Everything Else | Engineered & Produced by Jonathan Paul Akre at ClearSong Music Group-Phoenix, AZ

Run All Night

by In House @ Clearsong Music Group | At ClearSong Music Group-Phoenix, AZ

Tribute To A Former Boss: "He's Gone"

by Written and Produced by Jonathan Paul Akre 04-21-2016 | At ClearSong Music Group, Phoenix, AZ

Up South "Country Kiss"

by Mixed by Jonathan Paul Akre | At ClearSong Music Group Phoenix, AZ

G.I.V.E. "Falling Down""

by Produced & Engineered by: Jonathan Paul Akre | For: ClearSong Music Group at Paisley Park Studios (Production & Remastered 2018 @ CMG)

G.I.V.E. "Sold"

by Produced & Engineered by: Jonathan Paul Akre | For: ClearSong Music Music at Paisley Park Studios (Remastered 2018 @ CMG)

G.I.V.E. "HateYourGuts""

by Produced & Engineered by: Jonathan Paul Akre | For: ClearSong Music Group at Paisley Park Studios (Remastered 2018 @ CMG)

ALL THE PRETTY HORSES "10,000 Monsters"

by Featuring Bill Bailey....... Mixed by Jonathan Paul Akre | For: ClearSong Music Group (Remastered 2018 @ CMG)

ALL THE PRETTY HORSES "Burn"

by Mixed by Jonathan Paul Akre | For: ClearSong Music Group (Remastered 2018)

Claire & Gina "Over The Rainbow"

by Engineered & Produced by Jonathan Akre for Clearsong Music Group | At Pachyderm Studio (Remastered 2018 @ CMG)

Claire "Quiet Nights"

by Engineered & Produced by: Jonathan Paul Akre for Clearsong Music Group | At Pachydern Studio (Remastered @ CMG 2018)

Soul Asylum "Secret No More"

by Record/Mix by Jonathan Paul Akre at Paisley Park Studio B | (Remastered @ CMG 2018)

Soul Asylum "Grounded"

by Engineered by Jonathan Paul Akre at Pachyderm Studio | (Remastered @ CMG 2018)

Call Now To Discuss Your Project (480) 414.1568

Vault:

Willie Murphy and The Angel Headed Hipsters "Monkey In The Zoo"

by Record & Mix & Co-Producer by: Jonathan Paul Akre | At Clearsong Music Group/Sound 80 complex, Mpls, MN

Willie Murphy and The Angel Headed Hipsters "The World Is A Neighborhood"

by Record & Mix & Co-Producer by: Jonathan Paul Akre | At Clearsong Music Group Mpls/Sound 80 complex, MN