Clif Norrell

Producer / Engineer / Mixer


Starting with a long background as a trained trumpet player and guitarist, Clif began his studio career at the legendary Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles, the world's most awarded recording studio, in the mid 1980's under the mentorship of renowned audio guru Allen Sides. Throughout his years there as staff engineer, Clif honed his skills while working with superstars like Bruce SpringsteenPrince, the Beastie BoysVan Halen, and many others. He also learned his craft by working under such legendary producers and engineers as Arif MardinGlyn and Andy JohnsNorman GranzAl Schmitt, and many other top contemporary producers. It was also at Ocean Way where Clif began working with producer/engineer Scott Litt, on the platinum debut album by Indigo Girls, starting a long working relationship in which they collaborated on over ten albums, including R.E.M.'s classic "Automatic for the People".  

Starting out in the era when analog recording technology was at its peak and digital recording technology was just starting to be more widely used in studios, Norrell continues to incorporate vintage analog tape recorders and processing together with the latest in digital audio advancements to achieve the sound and feel he and the artists envision for each project.

Over the years, Clif has produced and/or engineered many high profile artists including Faith No MoreRushWeezer, and Jeff Buckley, as well many other indie/alternative acts.

Clif also became very experienced in surround and 5.1 mixing, having mixed songs for popular movies such as Ramona and BeezusMan on the MoonSpeedCruel Intentions, Singles (along with its groundbreaking platinum-selling soundtrack)Surf's Up,  Brokedown PalaceJapanese film Ashura, and So I Married an Axe Murderer , working along side many film composing legends such as Bill Conti and Hans Zimmer, in addition to mixing popular singles in 5.1 surround sound for artists such as Miley Cyrus. Clif was a pioneer in taking music in surround sound to the next level by mixing the first music-only commercial release in Dolby ATMOS immersive sound format when he remixed R.E.M.’s classic “Automatic For The People” using this groundbreaking technology.

Clif traveled extensively, returning to England periodically to work with such British mainstays as Skunk AnansieAll SaintsEcho and the Bunnymen, and Mansun. His work has also taken him to Ireland, Wales, Canada, Holland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Mexico, and Australia, in addition to every corner of the United States. Recent clients also include StingBruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Mick Jagger, and Dave Grohl.

Clif is owner of Casa Zuma Studio in Southern California, where he does much of his work. He is also CEO of Supersonic Music ®, where he also partners with his wife Michelle in Music Supervision For Film, TV, and Advertising. Together, they have worked on many projects including commercials for Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Sapporo. Supersonic Music has also done music supervision and music clearances on many films such as ThirteenKung Fu HustleLayer Cake, and many others.  Clif has composed and performed music for several TV shows including a commercial for McDonald's in Japan.

Clif is a Member of NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) Producer and Engineer's Wing, a Member of AES (Audio Engineering Society), and a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers). 

 

Here's a little list of some of the great artists and producers that Clif has worked with:

 

Ryan Adams, Jhene Aiko, All SaintsAll American RejectsCourtney Marie Andrews, Anouk (Holland), Tom Araya (Slayer),  Arid (Belgium), AshRick Astley, The Apache Relay, Anvil, BTBeastie BoysPat BenatarDavid BenoitDan BernThe Black CrowesBono and The Edge (U2)Jon Brion (Fiona AppleKanye West), Jeff BuckleyT-Bone Burnett (WallflowersCounting Crows), John Cale (Velvet Underground), Jeremy Camp, Candlebox,  Eric CarmenMary-Chapin CarpenterRichard Carpenter (The Carpenters)Larry Carlton, Roseanne CashCatherine WheelNeneh CherryBilly ChildsChuck D (Public Enemy), Natalie ColePhil CollinsShawn ColvinBill ContiRy CooderThe CrampsCrackerRodney CrowellMiley Cyrus,  Days of the NewGavin Degraw, DJ Lethal (Limp Bizkit, House of Pain), DJ QuikDishwallaRocio DurcalKate EarlEcho and the BunnymenBob Ezrin (Pink FloydKiss), Faith No MorePerry Farrell (Jane's Addiction), Sky Ferreira,  FishboneFlat Duo JetsJohn Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater), Lita FordFourplayThe Four TopsMichael FranksLiam Gallagher (Oasis)The Geraldine FibbersGhost, Gin BlossomsGlassjawMatthew Good BandGrace Potter and the Nocturnals, Amy GrantNorman Granz (Billie HolidayElla Fitzgerald), Macy GrayGreen Lizard (Holland),  Dave Grohl (Foo FightersNirvana), Selena Gomez,  Gotye,  GutterballMickey Guyton, Juliana Hatfield, Lalah Hathaway, HaydenJohn HiattThe High Speed SceneSusanna Hoffs (The Bangles), Home GrownNellee Hooper (BjorkMassive Attack), Hothouse FlowersHouse of Lords, Ice-T,  Billy Idol, Imagine Dragons,  IncubusIndigo GirlsInspiral CarpetsIron ButterflyMick JaggerCourtney JayeThe JayhawksJewelAndy Johns (Rolling StonesLed Zeppelin), Glyn Johns (The WhoLed Zeppelin), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)David Kahne (Paul McCartneySublime), Paul Kelly and the MessengersKissThe KnackGladys Knight, Richie Kotzen,  Eddie Kramer (The BeatlesJimi Hendrix), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Kris KristoffersonLL Cool JLemmy (Motorhead)Scott Litt (REMNirvana), Little Birdy, Little RichardThe LovemakersMadonnaTaj MahalMansunArif Mardin (Aretha FranklinBee Gees), Branford MarsalisThe Mars VoltaKeiko MatsuiDamian MarleyPaul McCartneyBette MidlerMilow (Belgium), (Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde)Neds Atomic DustbinNeedtobreathe,  No DoubtThe NoisettesThe NymphsPaul OakenfoldBrendan O'Brien (Stone Temple PilotsRage Against The Machine), Johnny Rivers,   Sinead O'ConnorPJ OlssonWilliam Orbit (MadonnaBlur), Beth OrtonJeffrey OsbourneKT OslinTom Petty and the HeartbreakersSam PhillipsShifty Shellshock (Crazy Town)P.O.D., Van Dyke ParksPawThe PixiesBill Price (Sex PistolsThe ClashPete Townshend), PrinceIggy PopQueens of the Stone AgeRancidEddie RabbittA.R. Rahman, Bonnie RaittKenny RankinThe Rasmus (Finland), Redd KrossThe RefreshmentsThe ReplacementsR.E.M.Reveille, Rhye,  David RiceLionel RitchieLee Ritenour,  Henry RollinsSmokey RobinsonMark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Adele), David Lee Roth (Van Halen), Rick Rubin (Red Hot Chili PeppersSystem of a Down), RushRuth RuthSerena Ryder, Ken Scott (The BeatlesDavid Bowie), SalivaScheer (Ireland), Brian SetzerSkunk AnansieSarah Slean (Canada),  Mark E. Smith (The Fall)Marco Antonio SolisSoul AsylumShaggySouthern Pacific, Sharleen Spiteri (Texas)Sun-60Bruce SpringsteenStavesacreSteelheartGwen StefaniDave Stewart, Rod StewartStingSyd StrawJoss Stone, Stooshe, Matthew SweetT.A.T.U., Corey Taylor (Slipknot),  TerrorvisionTexas Hippie Coalition,  That Petrol EmotionMel TormeManhattan TransferTribes, Tony TrischkaShania Twain, Van HalenVelocity GirlWanting (China), Andy Wallace (Linkin ParkSheryl Crow), Matt Wallace (TrainMaroon 5), Victoria WilliamsBrian Wilson (Beach Boys), WeezerWendy and Lisa (Prince), Paul WesterbergWidespread PanicWild StrawberriesThe YellowjacketsYou Am I (Australia) Hans ZimmerZed (New Zealand), and many others.

 

 

TESTIMONY:

 

Here is what some notable people have had to say about (and to) Clif:

 

"Great sound, man!" - Tom Petty, to Clif while listening to Clif's recordings of Tom and his band, the Heartbreakers, during sessions for their Grammy winning album, Wildflowers.

 

"That is the best mix I have ever heard!" - L.A. Reid (President of Island Def Jam Records, and producer of numerous hit albums) after hearing one of Clif's mixes.

 

"That is the best organ sound I have ever heard!" - Organist extraordinare Benmont Tench (top session player and member of the Heartbreakers) while listening to playback of Clif's recordings of him.

 

"I love it. Don't change a thing!" -   Neil Peart (of Rush, one of the world's best drummers) to Clif after listening to Clif's quick dialing in of the sound of his drums.