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Working in Clark County: Kevin Nettleingham, audio engineer

By Mary Ricks, Columbian News Assistant
Published: November 3, 2014, 12:00am
2 Photos
Kevin Nettleingham works out of his Vancouver home recording studio Tuesday.
Kevin Nettleingham works out of his Vancouver home recording studio Tuesday. Photo Gallery

Working in Clark County, a brief profile of interesting Clark County business owners or a worker in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.

From the first time Kevin Nettleingham walked into a recording studio, he was fascinated with the process. It wasn’t long until he was off to college to learn more about the recording industry. Nettleingham returned to Vancouver, and for 17 years he has run his own studio.

Name: Kevin Nettleingham.

Job/employer: Owns Nettleingham Audio, nettleinghamaudio.com

Age: 51.

Education/professional background: From the time I was a teenager and into my 20s, I played in bands. When our band decided to record, we went to Drew Canulette, who owned Dogfish Sound. From the moment I walked into the studio, I was fascinated about the whole process. After being in the studio a few times, I asked Canulette if he thought I would be any good at recording. He said he thought I had a good ear for it. For the next eight years or so, I worked as a waiter and played guitar at a local restaurant. I was ready for a change.

I had always read the industry magazine Mix. The magazine gave an annual award for technical excellence in creativity, and for five years they gave that award to Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla. I decided that I should go to college to learn more about the recording industry. About three months later, I moved to Florida to attend Full Sail. I got a recording arts associate degree in one year. I returned to Vancouver and worked at Canulette’s studio. About a year later, I got a job as a house engineer at Musicraft in Wilsonville, Ore. This was a great learning experience for me. I hadn’t been out of school that long and at Musicraft I had a chance to do a variety of work. I kind of locked myself in a room and learned everything I could. Soon people were coming to me to master a CD for them.

Working in Clark County, a brief profile of interesting Clark County business owners or a worker in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.

I worked for Musicraft until the shop closed in 1996. The recording industry was changing and I needed a job. I purchased some of the equipment that Mastercraft was selling and started my own business. I have been on my own since 1997.

Most rewarding part of job: When I get to be involved in a project and can take on the producer role. I get to have input with the band and we all work together and create awesome music.

Most challenging part of job: To keep a balance between personal life and my business.


Personal/business philosophy:
I believe in doing a great job so not only will people come back but they will tell their friends. I don’t do much advertising so most of my work comes from word of mouth.

Something you would like to do over: I wish I would have gone to school and started my career 10 years earlier.

Residence: Lincoln neighborhood.

Best feature of my Vancouver/Clark County community: I love that Vancouver’s downtown is making a comeback. It still has a way to go but it is headed in the right direction. I like living in Vancouver and being close to Portland.


What would make your community a better place:
I would like to see more restaurant choices, more nightlife in downtown and more support for downtown businesses.

Favorite restaurant/pub/coffee shop/store: Shanahan’s Pub & Grill.


Hobbies:
I sing and play guitar in a band, The Martindales.


Sharing my knowledge:
Once a year I invite students from Vancouver School of Arts and Academics to come to the studio. I explain what I do and answer their questions.


Favorite travel destination:
Any place with good art, architecture and archaeology. I love Italy. My “go to place” is Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Most interesting book in last 12 months: The Pro Tools software manual.

Most interesting play/movie/arts event: I love movies and any movie the Coen brothers make is good.


Something you want to do within five years:
Work less, travel more.

One word to describe yourself: Motivated.


Person you’d most like to meet:
I would have liked to meet Freddie Mercury from Queen. I would like to meet Louis Szekely, known professionally as Louis C.K.

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Columbian News Assistant