Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Iannucci.
Anthony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 1980, I conducted my first professional commercial recording sessions in Manhattan, New York. I freelanced throughout Manhattan and Long Island recording a variety of music and spoken word. In 1984,I acquired my license to teach audio recording and mixing in New York State and taught for 3 years. In 1987, I moved to SW Florida and opened a recording studio and school in Fort Myers. I obtained my Florida state board of education license through the CIE to direct and teach 2 programs I developed to train interested people the art of audio recording and mixing. I built a studio in Fort Myers to conduct professional recording sessions and teach called Unity Gain Recording Studio and Institute. I’ve been operating as a commercial recording studio and audio recording school since August of 1988 to present day in Lee County, Florida
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I assumed recording and teaching in SW Florida was going to be a different experience than in New York. I soon learned that a good portion of Florida – including the SW region – are homes to many northern and midwest citizens, and my session clients and students would were made up of people from all over the country at all different ages.
Not knowing anyone in SW Florida, I did research and visited places where musicians and audio enthusiasts were most likely to spend time to make them aware of my services. Like most businesses, it was difficult as a new business to develop a strong client base. In this industry, it’s important to keep up with the latest in audio technology. Equipment upgrades and modifications to my school programs have been essential in offering the latest in audio recording techniques for my clients and students.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Born on Long Island New York, I was exposed to a variety of people and corporations. I have a 4 year degree in music from Adelphi University in Garden City, Long Island. I played in a variety of bands for several years. I was intrigued with the variety of sounds a guitar could generate all dependent of it’s played stylistically. What fascinated me most was the mystique behind how an album was made. I wanted to understand the procedure on how multitrack recordings were captured; but more specifically how to blend multiple sounds at critical levels to achieve a good sounding professional mix. I worked in a few recording studios in Farmingdale and Valley Stream Long Island and groups in Manhattan where I became friends with some very influential audio engineers and artists in the industry. It led me to work with Long Island acts in the 80’s that include Steve Winwood of Traffic, Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Tommy Byrnes of the Stray Cats, Mountain, Twisted Sister, Zebra, Rat Race Choir, The Good Rats, and a variety of local and international acts in the New York area. After re-locating to SW Florida, my objective was to design and build the ideal recording studio based on my experience working in studios in New York. I incorporated elements in studio design that were proven to work; and created important things that needed to be included in creating the “ideal” recording environment. The chemistry behind a well designed studio together with the unique perspective that every audio engineer has in capturing and blending sound creates a relationship with each client’s project unique to itself. I was fortunate to meet other professionals in the industry that led to music recording projects with members of AC/DC, Manfred Mann, Shadows of Knight, and Dave Brubeck. I’ve worked with hundreds of people not only recording music, but audio books, commercials for radio, TV, Theater, and Motion Pictures for a wide variety of people and companies well known by the public, as well as independent artists.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was spending time in New York with my family celebrating the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve were events we all prepared for and looked forward to., It’s my opinion when you learn the social “do’s and don’ts” by watching and interacting with members of your own family, you acquire the tools you need to work with others and make them comfortable in your business environment. Hands down it establishes a foundation for survival wherever you go.
Pricing:
- Session rate: $65 to $100 per hour
- School Tuition: $4150 per year
- Restoration: $85 per hour
- Song Creation (w/ arranger):: $130 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unitygain.com
Image Credits
David Stintzi, Photographer
