Today we’d like to introduce you to Farrokh Shroff
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a high school student, I started playing guitar and I immediately joined the school/college band. Competing in inter-collegiate events gave me an understanding of the level of competition and showed me that I could make something of my guitar playing. I learned to record in order to have a library of my own original music. However, I never thought of it as a full-time job until I got admission into Berklee College of Music. As one of the world’s leading music colleges believed in me, I decided to pursue music as a career. My interest and ability to record and capture high-fidelity sounds grew each day, eventually overtaking my passion for guitar playing.
Upon graduation, I moved to LA and got a job at Red Gate Recorders. This was the first time I was in a professional recording studio. The owner of the studio had a very sink-or-swim approach to new hires. I was expected to learn the new gear and how to deal with interpersonal relations on the job. I got my first taste of professional engineering, and I absolutely loved it. At Red Gate, I got to work closely with A list of multi-platinum artists such as Lupe Fiasco, Devendra Banhart, Fitz, and the Tantrums, etc.
When I moved to Limitless Sky Records, the focus shifted from music to film. I spent long hours working on dialogue and composing for TV, documentaries, and films, which are now available on Amazon Prime. Michel, the owner, and I worked together on a short film called “Walk, Run, Cha Cha” that received an Oscar Nomination!
Today I work at the legendary Sunset Sound Recorders, and I can say without a doubt it is my dream job. The state-of-the-art vintage gear and the historic studios are more conducive to making amazing-sounding music than any other studio I have ever been to. The top-tier clientele that visits Sunset Sound makes it possible for me to work with amazing artists like rock legends Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, etc. I also earned a mixing credit for pioneers “Sigur Ros” newest album “ATTA.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
1) Leaving my family behind (in India) to go to music college was hard and continues to be difficult as my parents get older and new family members are born. During Covid I couldn’t visit home and then I started a new job at, so I didn’t want to ask for time off, I ended up not visiting India for 5 years.
2) When I was 29 the studio I managed closed as the owner moved away from Los Angeles. I had to take a massive step down in order to continue working in the music industry. At the age of 30, I once again became a runner at a different recording studio! Thankfully, it paid off, and I am now a Recording Engineer and Assistant Engineer at one of the few remaining Legendary Hollywood studios – Sunset Sound Recorders.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Musical choices are unlimited, so all producers make different decisions during the production process. The most important thing to remember is the client has to live with the song forever, so they need to be happy with the end result. The difference between good and great producers is more to do with the personal relationship you can create with the musicians and singers. This is simply because the better your relationship the easier it is to communicate and come to a conclusion that enhances the song to be all it can be.
I believe my specialty is recording and mixing Rock bands. What sets me apart from most engineers is that I have spent as much time performing as I have recorded, so I am able to understand both sides and therefore, I am able to communicate and achieve goals faster. As an engineer, I know how to describe exactly what I need to the musicians because I have been in their position countless times.
I am proud of that fact that my job and attitude in life enables me to continue to learn every day in order to become the best Recording/Mix engineer I can be.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I am able to push myself to do better every day thanks to my peers, who are also highly talented individuals who want to share their ticks of the trade. I also learn and are challenged by new records that come out every day that sound absolutely amazing. At the same time, remember the iconic albums of the past from which you can learn so much about recording.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @fnssound
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@farrokhshroff5328
- Soundcloud: https://album.link/us/i/1582055581
