Ryan West is best known for his work as a hiphop mixing engineer and has mixed and recorded songs with artists like Jay Z, Just Blaze, Dr. Dre, Diddy, The Game, T.I., Jim Jones and many more, earning him scores of multi-platinum and gold records. Five Grammy nominations attest to his quick rise from struggling engineer to first-call mixer in less than 10 years. Having significant experience in several genres, modern digital and vintage analog recording gear and technique, live and orchestral sessions, conventional as well as electronic and virtual production keeps Ryan in demand and on the cutting edge in todays music industry. Manufacturers of musical equipment such as Digidesign, Universal Audio and ToonTrack look to Ryan for feedback on new products and feature those opinions on their websites. Also an experienced musician, he can bring a rich variety of skills and tools to the studio that keeps A-list producers calling for him again and again.
Born and raised in economically depressed Youngstown, Ohio in August 1973, Ryan has played piano and keyboards since the age of nine, picking up the bass, acoustic and electric guitar along the way. Recording and mixing bands he played with served as hands-on training for his future career. Upon taking a job in a music store when he moved to New York City in 1997, an opportunity to work as a freelance recording engineer motivated him to learn as much as he could from books and friends in the music business. Through years of self education and real world experience, but without first working as an intern or assistant as is often the case, Ryan has managed to secure a prolific career and excellent reputation in the ultra competitive New York music studio scene.
In 2003 he sought out the services of manager Neysa Camacho and her company, NQC Management which also manages producer Just Blaze. Since then he's worked on a fairly significant number of Just Blaze's productions while maintaining a robust freelance career. Over the past 5 years, Ryan has been profiled by magazines such as Mix, Scratch, Remix and EQ as well as scores of online features. He has written for 8 issues of Scratch magazine as featured columnist, developed a professional level advanced mixing workshop with veteran engineer/producer Bassy Bob Brockman in association with DynamicProducer.com, been a guest speaker at NYC Remix Hotel in 2007, endorsed by 3 major equipment manufacturers, produced independent artists and established himself as a go-to guy for spot-on sample replays. Already considered one of the top hiphop mix engineers, Ryan continues to build an impressive resume.
-more than 45 million records sold
-9 platinum, 4 multi-platinum
-5 gold
-5 Grammy nominations.......and counting......
Making of the Nike Air Force 25th Anniversary commercial with Just Blaze, Rob Mathes...and ME!
The Nike commercial as aired....
Watch Blaze and I on the White Rapper Show!
The making of "Why You Hate the Game" part 1
