Elliot Scheiner

Knob Boss 1998

Elliot Scheiner, The Village, LA 1994

(L-R) Bruce Maddocks and Elliot Scheiner, Cups ‘N Strings studios, LA 2004

How did you end up becoming a recording engineer?

I was a musician, playing in bands all over New York. Did some road tours as a sideman, and I just didn’t want to do it anymore. My uncle was a studio trombone player, guy named Chauncey Welsh. He was doing massive amounts of work at the time and he introduced me to Phil Ramone. And that’s how it all began. Shelly Yakus and I started the very same week at A&R Studios—what a great bunch of guys. But even then, you had to know somebody to get in that front door.

Are engineers getting more respect these days?

The ones who have been around are getting more respect, but the same problems exist for young engineers as 25 years ago. Unless you’ve got a name, you’re just an engineer.