Audio Legends Andrew Wade Interview

Inside the Studio: Andrew Wade

From DIY to Gold Records: The Rise of Andrew Wade

For nearly two decades, Andrew Wade has been a pivotal force in shaping the sound of modern rock, metal, and other genres. Having produced, mixed, and engineered for bands like A Day to Remember, Marshmello, Magnolia Park, Neck Deep, Wage War, Motionless In White, and countless others, Wade has established himself as one of the genre's most influential producers. His productions are characterized by their clarity, power, and dynamic range - qualities that have helped numerous bands achieve breakthrough success.

In this exclusive interview, Wade opens up about his journey from aspiring producer to industry veteran, sharing insights on his approach to production, how he's adapted to the changing landscape of rock music, and the philosophy that has guided his career through its many evolutions.

“Being Able To Contact Them Meant So Much”: Early Inspirations & Local Heroes

Wade’s journey into production began with local influences rather than industry giants. “My earliest influences when I started producing were actually local producers,” Wade explains. “James Paul Wisner was a huge one. He did Underoath, Newfound Glory, Paramore, Further Seems Forever. And he’s just from St. Cloud, very close to Orlando.”

Multi-gold record producer - James Paul Wiser

Another significant influence was Barry Pointer from Alabama, who primarily worked with Christian rock bands - music that Wade was drawn to in his youth partly because, as he puts it, “it was a lot easier to listen to that because my parents couldn't take the albums away because there would never be any cursing.”
What made these producers particularly influential was their accessibility. “I gravitated towards those smaller, closer producers because it felt more attainable,” Wade reflects. “I was like, this sounds pretty good, and I feel like I could achieve this sound.”

In an era before social media and online tutorials, making these connections required initiative. “Back when I was starting in the early 2000s, late 90s, you didn't know what anyone's political affiliation was... There were no tutorials, there was no YouTube, there was nothing to join, there were no presets to buy,” Wade recalls. “The fact that I was able to actually contact them meant so much.”

This early networking paid off. James Wisner invited Wade to his studio, giving him his first glimpse into professional production. These experiences became the foundation upon which Wade would build his career.

“Homesick Was What Put Everything On The Map”: The ADTR Sound That Launched a Career

Wade’s work with A Day to Remember, particularly on their album “Homesick,” marked a turning point in his career. “Homesick was the one that turned everything around because that's when I actually got management,” Wade explains. This success opened doors to working with bands like Motionless in White and Fear and Faith.

The relationship between Wade and ADTR frontman Jeremy McKinnon proved especially important, with each influencing the other's approach. “Jeremy and I basically both grew up together producing and working with each other, working with other artists, and we both rubbed off on each other,” says Wade. This collaboration helped define a signature sound that would become influential throughout the rock scene.

Homesick - A Day To Remember, released 3rd February 2009

This sound filtered into Wade’s work with other bands, most notably Neck Deep. “When Jeremy and I produced Neck Deep, there was a lot of influence of A Day to Remember on that, I’m sure people can hear,” Wade admits. The success of both bands validated this approach, with both achieving gold and platinum status.

Wade acknowledges that this signature sound has become somewhat of a calling card, even when he tries to move in different directions. “I’ll still see it in comments here and there. People will be like, ‘Oh, this kind of sounds like A Day to Remember,’ even though people don't know I did it,” he says. “I'm trying to get away from it, but it's just there. It's just part of me, and it's part of how I write.”

“Maybe You're Not Going to Find an Audience That Fits”: Cracking the Code Between Genres

Wade's versatility as a producer comes from his deep understanding of how different genres connect with their audiences. “You have to understand the fan base. What are they looking for?” Wade emphasizes. “Where is this music going to be played and how is it going to be used?”

For heavy music, Wade considers the live application crucial. “If you're not involved in the scene and you didn't go to a bunch of shows, local shows, hardcore shows, where people are literally beating the crap out of each other, you may not understand what certain parts in music are for,” he explains. This insight shapes his approach to production, ensuring that the music translates effectively to the live environment.

In contrast, Wade notes that acoustic or quieter music serves a different purpose: “If you're soft, singing very soft, very quiet, your audience is going to be there for a different reason. They're not there because they want to beat each other up. Those audiences do different things live. They relax, they sit down.”
This awareness extends to other genres as well. Pop punk audiences seek a “fun atmosphere” and “high energy,” while electronic music fans might be looking for something more repetitive and predictable - “where you just want to stay in a single vibe and not change and just vibe out, zone out.”

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for producing music that resonates. “If you try to apply heavy music to acoustic music... maybe you're not really going to find an audience that fits,” Wade cautions. The key is recognizing what each audience is seeking and tailoring the production accordingly.

“If These Are Banging, Then It's Easy Mode After That”: Inside the Wade Workflow

When it comes to his technical approach, Wade opens his mixing sessions with a focus on foundational elements. “I try to start with drums, bass, and guitar,” he explains. “I try to get the relationship between those three things first. Everything else is muted. If these are banging, then it's like easy mode after that.”

For vocals, Wade has developed a distinctive approach that gives his mixes their characteristic clarity. “Making sure you have really even top end is huge,” he advises. “So making sure that you're de-essing enough and also have a nice high harmonic distortion on the vocals.” He emphasizes the importance of automation for ensuring that every word can be heard clearly.

Wade's recent upgrade to a Sony C800 microphone has completely changed his vocal recording process. “I just got one, and that makes it so much easier for that top end. Holy... I had been using a U87 and like, I can’t go back,” he enthuses. The difference is so dramatic that it has simplified his vocal processing: “That top end is just like, I don't even have to EQ it. I just have to make sure the high end’s not going crazy, and that’s it. It's so nice.”

Sony C800G-1

Wade is especially meticulous about low-end clarity in heavier music. He often programs a saw wave with a low-pass filter to complement the bass guitar. “It has a texture to it. So it can be heard on smaller speakers too,” he explains. “I tend to scoop out the lows from a bass guitar and just have that sub bass going.”
He cautions against common mistakes with distortion and phase cancellation: “Sometimes if you throw distortion on your bass, it might sound like your low end just got crazy loud... And then you turn the sub on, you're like, ‘Oh, the low end is actually gone.’” The solution is ensuring that “if you are doing something like that, you also have a signal that's just the low end that's a lot cleaner.”

Bus processing also features prominently in Wade's approach. “The biggest thing is like always, always something on drums and the mix bus,” he notes. “I wouldn’t be able to do a mix without that.” He’s also a proponent of mix knobs for parallel processing: “It’s more important than people realize because when you go back and forth between totally dry and completely processed, it's easy to over process.”

“I Never Want to Be That Producer Stuck In Their Ways”: Staying Fresh in a Fast-Evolving Industry

Wade’s career longevity stems partly from his willingness to embrace new techniques and technologies. “When I first started and what I mentioned earlier, actually, where I was using the latest this or that, and it helped me get clients, I wanted to never be that crusty, dusty producer who’s like, ‘This isn’t how you do it. This is the real way to do it,’” he reflects.

This forward-thinking mindset has guided his career. “I’ve always had the mindset of being progressive with sound and technology and adapting the newest stuff,” Wade says. “I’m buying all the latest sound libraries all the time. I use Splice like crazy. Anything that makes things easier and is the most modern I can is what I'm gravitating towards.”

Instagram @andrewade

Wade has observed significant shifts in the rock music landscape throughout his career. He recalls when nu-metal acts like Limp Bizkit and Korn dominated the charts, followed by periods where guitars fell out of favor. “We’d get messages from labels or radio people saying the guitars need to come down and synths need to be louder... people just don’t want to hear guitars anymore,” he remembers.

However, he's encouraged by recent trends: “Within the last five, six years or so there’s just been such a resurgence of hard rock and heavier genres.” Wade remains optimistic about the genre’s future, noting that even if trends shift, “as long as there's that primal urge to do that, and as long as people are angry, people will always be angry. I don't think it’s gonna quite go away all the way.”

“I Broke Into Tears – This Is What I'm Gonna Do With My Life”: Pivotal Moments and Industry Shifts

Wade offers candid reflections on pivotal moments in his career, including his near-departure from music production. “The biggest risk I took was actually quitting music production,” he reveals. While studying graphic design on scholarship, Wade found himself at a crossroads - until he realized his true calling. “I remember the day I decided that I actually broke into tears. I was like, ‘This is what I'm gonna do with my life.’ And it was kind of joyous and stressful all at the same time.”

Another significant risk was placing his career in the hands of management. “I was already booked all the time fully. So it was like, all right, I’m gonna put my schedule in your hands. I don't know you. I don't know what you can do for me,” Wade recalls. This decision ultimately expanded his reach and opportunities.
Wade has observed dramatic changes in the industry, particularly in how music is marketed and consumed. He notes the increasing importance of viral moments: “If you can think of how it will be marketed or where is the viral moment, you have a chance of insane success,” he explains. “It didn't used to, but like, today that is how it works.”

He cites Sleep Token as an example of effective image and marketing complementing quality music: “If Sleep Token just had regular boring band photos and a regular boring band image, I don't think they'd see nearly the success.” This understanding of marketing and audience connection has helped Wade remain relevant in an ever-evolving industry.

“Quit Pro Tools and Buy Bitcoin”: Hard-Earned Wisdom for the Next Generation

When asked what advice he’d give his younger self, Wade emphasizes the importance of location in building a production career. “Move to Nashville or LA,” he advises. “A massive part of people's careers going crazy is being in an area where it is just full of like all the other types of people like you. Which makes it a hub for musicians and artists to come from all over the world to give you a shot.”

Wade wishes early on in his career that he started out with a DAW like Cubase, instead of Pro Tools

For young producers specifically, Wade recommends seeking opportunities to learn from established professionals. “Find out who your favorite producers are, who your favorite mixers are... and follow them closely and see if you can get in contact with them,” he suggests. “You’d be surprised sometimes.”

He’s skeptical about formal audio education, noting that “the best that's ever come out of audio school is basically what I’m telling you right now, which is just networking, just getting with the right people.” The connections and relationships formed often prove more valuable than the technical knowledge gained.

Wade also encourages young producers to take risks while they can. “While you’re young, you can take risks... If you can travel somewhere, work with somebody that wants to work with you, you should take that opportunity,” he urges. These experiences, even if they don't pay well initially, can lead to valuable credits and connections.

“As Long As People Are Angry”: What's Next for Wade and Rock Music

Wade maintains an active production schedule with several exciting projects in the works. He mentions working with Jeremy from A Day to Remember on new material, as well as completing an album for a band he's been developing called The Pretty Wild, which he says has been “blowing up like crazy.”

Jeremy McKinnon, producer and vocalist of A Day To Remember

Wade's enthusiasm for his current and upcoming projects reflects his continuing passion for production and his commitment to nurturing new talent.

When discussing the future of rock music, Wade expresses optimism tempered with realism. “I think we have a good few years here with hard rock. Maybe it will stay sustained, I don't know,” he speculates. “But I feel like trends are becoming more common these days, just like something that is popular, being a trend is more common than it used to be.”

Yet he remains confident in rock's resilience: “I think in the future, if it does die back down, it will pop back up. It seems to always.”

“I Get Bored”: The Secret Behind Two Decades of Production Evolution

Throughout his storied career, Andrew Wade has demonstrated an exceptional ability to evolve with the industry while maintaining the core elements that make his productions distinctive. From his early days learning from local influences to becoming an influential figure in his own right, Wade’s journey illustrates the importance of adaptability, passion, and understanding the connection between music and its audience.

What sets Wade apart is not just his technical skill but his hunger for growth and innovation. “I get bored,” he admits, explaining his drive to continually seek new sounds and approaches. This mindset has enabled him to remain at the forefront of rock production for nearly two decades.

As rock music continues to evolve, Wade’s influence can be heard across the genre, from the massive success of A Day to Remember to the emerging artists he continues to nurture. His story offers valuable insights for both fans and aspiring producers, revealing the blend of artistic vision, technical expertise, and industry savvy required to build a lasting career in music production.

In an industry where many producers come and go, Andrew Wade has proven himself an enduring force, continuously adapting while staying true to his foundational philosophy: creating music that resonates powerfully with its intended audience.