Wes and the Rule of 5: A lesson that still guides me
There are moments in your life as an engineer that stay with you forever.
One such moment for me happened 17 years ago at the AES show, when I had the privilege of meeting Wes Dooley, founder of AEA Ribbon Mics and one of the great minds in the world of recording.
Wes shared a principle so simple and yet so profoundly true, it has stayed with me ever since: his “Rule of 5”:
- First, you have, the music.
- Second, the musicians.
- Third, the room.
- Fourth, mic placement.
- Fifth and last, the choice of microphone and equipment.
Wes emphasized that the gear, the mics, the preamps, all of it should serve the music, not the other way around. It was a lesson on humility, artistry, and one that still guides my work at Sound Liaison to this day.
Music First, Always
At Sound Liaison, this rule is unwritten but deeply ingrained in how we approach every project. We are always searching for music that inspires us and that we
believe our customers will connect with emotionally. Without music that moves, no microphone, preamp, or DSD recording path can save the session.
The Best Musicians
Great music needs great musicians to bring it to life. We are fortunate to work with musicians who share our love for organic, intimate sound and who understand the value of dynamics, space, and expression. Their artistry creates the energy we seek to capture in every recording, ensuring that the music is alive and deeply human.
The Room: Studio 2
The third rule, the room, is something we hold sacred at Sound Liaison. Our beloved Studio 2 is the heart of our recordings. This room is more than just walls and acoustic treatment; it is a space that breathes with the music, allowing every note and nuance to resonate naturally. The controlled reflections and the carefully tuned acoustics create an environment where both musicians and engineers can trust what they hear.
Mic Placement: Crafting the Image
Next comes microphone placement, a craft in itself. We spend a significant part of our sessions carefully positioning microphones, or moving musicians around the one microphone to find the perfect balance (blend), ensuring the music breathes while maintaining focus and depth. This is not a technical chore but an art form, and it is where the soul of a recording session often reveals itself.
The Choice of Microphone: Josephson C700S
Finally, the fifth and last rule: the choice of microphone and equipment. At Sound Liaison, we love our Josephson C700S. This microphone provides the depth, clarity, and natural sound that remind us of the legendary recordings we grew up listening to. Its ability to capture the room’s warmth, the musicians’ interaction, and the subtle details of an instrument is remarkable.
It is the final piece in the puzzle, not the starting point, aligning perfectly with Wes Dooley’s wisdom.
Why We Are Exploring DSD
Once we have captured the essence of the music, musicians, room, and mic placement, we aim for the highest, most organic recording quality possible. This is why we are exploring (started in 2024) DSD recording as the next step in our pursuit of sonic excellence. DSD, with its ability to deliver a lifelike, transparent sound, feels like a logical progression for Sound Liaison, aligning with our philosophy of letting the music and performance lead while technology supports.
A Philosophy That Guides Sound Liaison
Meeting Wes Dooley was more than a pleasant encounter at the AES show; it was a reminder of what matters most in recording. At Sound Liaison, we are not driven by the latest trends or by gear for the sake of gear. We are driven by the music and by providing an authentic listening experience to our customers.
We continue to live by Wes’s Rule of 5, and it has become a guiding philosophy at Sound Liaison:
Bringing You the Music We Love
Through this philosophy, our goal is to bring you recordings that you will cherish for years, recordings that will sound natural, immersive, and true whether you listen on high-end speakers, headphones, or your living room setup.
Every project is a journey, and we invite you to join us as we continue exploring, recording, and preserving music with the care and respect it deserves.
Meeting Wes Dooley taught us to trust in the fundamentals, and we see this philosophy reflected in every recording we share with you.
If you would like to experience the results of this philosophy, visit www.soundliaison.com to discover the recordings that embody the Rule of 5 and our love for authentic, beautifully captured music.