The award winning mixer and producer trusts industry stalwarts Neumann and Sennheiser.
Eric J. Dubowsky, an award-winning mixer, producer and engineer has built a successful career through his passion for music and the technology that helps capture it. He sat down with Sennheiser to discuss his very first Neumann U 87 microphone, his recent love of Sennheiser’s HD 490 PRO headphones – and the dozens of artists he’s worked with in between.
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Dubowsky’s journey into the recording industry began with an early love of music, fostered by a family of musicians and a constant exposure to sound. Although an accomplished musician in high school and college, it was the art of capturing sound that ignited a lifelong passion of studio recording for Dubowsky.
Greene St. Recording
He began his career at Greene St. Recording in New York City, an iconic studio that was pivotal in shaping the sound of hip-hop and electro in the 80s and 90s. It was here, working alongside producers including Rod Hui (Run-D.M.C and Public Enemy), Nick Sansano (Sonic Youth) and John Robie (Afrikaa Bambaataa) that Dubowsky developed his foundational understanding of audio engineering. “It’s about the low end,” he recalls. “Drums and bass that hit hard – a principle that translates across every genre I’ve worked on.”
From these early days, Neumann microphones became synonymous with his work. “The first real mic I bought was a Neumann U 87,” he says, reflecting on how this iconic piece of gear made him feel like a true professional. To Dubowsky, Neumann is inseparable from the history of recording, embodying both the timeless and the contemporary. “They give me character when I need it and transparency when I don’t,” he explains.
Neumann microphones
Reliability is a cornerstone of Dubowsky’s choice in gear. “I don’t have time for equipment that doesn’t work perfectly,” he says, emphasising Neumann’s reputation for consistency. “It’s all about sound quality. Their microphones don’t just reproduce sound—they bring it to life.”
Over the years, Dubowsky has applied Neumann’s iconic sound to a diverse array of artists. On projects like the Teskey Brothers’ ARIA-winning The Winding Way, Dubowsky collaborated with engineer Wayne Connolly, again relying heavily on Neumann mics. “The U 67 was essential for capturing that timeless warmth,” he says. He also notes how the KM 86, once relied on by Motown, remains a favourite for its versatility and was the cornerstone of the drum sound for this record.
Alongside his arsenal of Neumann’s KM 86, U 47, U 67, U 87 microphones, Dubowsky also leans on Sennheiser’s HD490 headphones, and KH 310 monitors. Combined, these tools have transformed his workflow, allowing him to experiment with textures, depths, and atmospheres, while achieving perfect vocal placement.
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