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Post by drumsound on Mar 9, 2024 13:25:09 GMT -6
It is with a heavy heart that I inform the community that Mark Rubel passed away yesterday in his home in Nashville.
Mark wasn't much of a forums guy, but he was deeply committed to making music, making records, and teaching recording and engineering.
Mark spent most of his life in Champaign Illinois where his father was a professor at the University of Illinois (where Mark would later attend). He opened Pogo Studio there in 1980. Champaign is not far from Danville Illinois where famed engineer, producer, and gear manufacturer Bill Putnam grew up. When Mark was starting Pogo, he sent a letter to Putnam in LA asking for some guidance and help getting up and running. Putnam gifted Pogo with a UA 610 console and several 175 compressors. Mark used those pieces, and his intuition and got to work, eventually recording probably thousands of musicians over the years.
He used Pogo as a classroom to teach for Parkland Community College. and then also started teaching the History of Rock and Roll and recording technique classes at Millikan University, then Eastern Illinois University, and for the last 10 or so years as the co-director of education at the Blackbird Academy in Nashville. He purchased the original Room and Board, Ray Kennedy's former home and studio, when he landed the Blackbird gig.
I've been friends with Mark for well over 20 years. When I bought my first 2" machine, without knowing enough about them and then realizing it wasn't working properly, I called Mark in a panic on a Friday night. I had been told by a local friend that Mark had the same type of machine, a 3M M70. I got the Pogo number from the phonebook and left him a message, explaining who I was and who I worked for (my old boss recorded with Mark years previous). Much to my surprise, I got a call about a half hour later, it was Mark. The band he was recording was taking a smoke break and Mark used that time to call me, this unknown 20-something who was freaking out about his lack of knowledge about the expensive piece he'd recently bough. He was calm, collected, and very kind, giving me some 'tricks' to try and hooking me up with the then 3M gurus in Athens GA who would eventually rebuild my machine.
That's the type of selfless, kindhearted, warm person Mark was. We were instantly friends, like most who met Mark.
I'm so happy to have spent so much time in his orbit.
Mark is survived by his wife Nancy (possibly the only person on earth nicer than Mark), his sister Sasha, and her children.
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Post by geoff738 on Mar 9, 2024 13:39:20 GMT -6
Lovely remembrance. I am sorry for your loss.
Geoff
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Post by chessparov on Mar 9, 2024 13:48:37 GMT -6
Thanks Tony for sharing.
Inspirational life and story. Props to Bill Putnam too. Passion above Profit!
Chris
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Post by seawell on Mar 9, 2024 13:55:03 GMT -6
What a wonderful tribute to your friend. I'm very sorry for your loss Tony! Love and prayers for the family and friends that knew him.
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Post by drumsound on Mar 9, 2024 14:08:40 GMT -6
Lovely remembrance. I am sorry for your loss. Geoff Thank you, Geoff Thanks Tony for sharing. Inspirational life and story. Props to Bill Putnam too. Passion above Profit! Chris Thanks, Chris. I love the Putnam story. Mark often said that a big part of being in the music biz is collecting stories. What a wonderful tribute to your friend. I'm very sorry for your loss Tony! Love and prayers for the family and friends that knew him. Thanks, Josh. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 9, 2024 14:36:50 GMT -6
Here’s to a life truly well lived, may he Rest In Peace.
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Post by the other mark williams on Mar 9, 2024 14:55:00 GMT -6
Thanks for letting us know, Tony. He sounds like he was truly an amazing person. So sorry for your loss.
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Post by ab101 on Mar 9, 2024 15:58:22 GMT -6
May his memory always be a blessing!
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Post by hadaja on Mar 9, 2024 18:09:13 GMT -6
Making music together is fun but making friendships is divine. I love the support and laughs and honesty that great friendships can foster.
Looks like you had that in spades with Mark.
Thanks for sharing this story on the importance of connections, shared experiences and great lasting memories.
Truly inspiring.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,098 
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Post by ericn on Mar 9, 2024 18:51:07 GMT -6
It is with a heavy heart that I inform the community that Mark Rubel passed away yesterday in his home in Nashville. Mark wasn't much of a forums guy, but he was deeply committed to making music, making records, and teaching recording and engineering. Mark spent most of his life in Champaign Illinois where his father was a professor at the University of Illinois (where Mark would later attend). He opened Pogo Studio there in 1980. Champaign is not far from Danville Illinois where famed engineer, producer, and gear manufacturer Bill Putnam grew up. When Mark was starting Pogo, he sent a letter to Putnam in LA asking for some guidance and help getting up and running. Putnam gifted Pogo with a UA 610 console and several 175 compressors. Mark used those pieces, and his intuition and got to work, eventually recording probably thousands of musicians over the years. He used Pogo as a classroom to teach for Parkland Community College. and then also started teaching the History of Rock and Roll and recording technique classes at Millikan University, then Eastern Illinois University, and for the last 10 or so years as the co-director of education at the Blackbird Academy in Nashville. He purchased the original Room and Board, Ray Kennedy's former home and studio, when he landed the Blackbird gig. I've been friends with Mark for well over 20 years. When I bought my first 2" machine, without knowing enough about them and then realizing it wasn't working properly, I called Mark in a panic on a Friday night. I had been told by a local friend that Mark had the same type of machine, a 3M M70. I got the Pogo number from the phonebook and left him a message, explaining who I was and who I worked for (my old boss recorded with Mark years previous). Much to my surprise, I got a call about a half hour later, it was Mark. The band he was recording was taking a smoke break and Mark used that time to call me, this unknown 20-something who was freaking out about his lack of knowledge about the expensive piece he'd recently bough. He was calm, collected, and very kind, giving me some 'tricks' to try and hooking me up with the then 3M gurus in Athens GA who would eventually rebuild my machine. That's the type of selfless, kindhearted, warm person Mark was. We were instantly friends, like most who met Mark. I'm so happy to have spent so much time in his orbit. Mark is survived by his wife Nancy (possibly the only person on earth nicer than Mark), his sister Sasha, and her children. Tony, sorry for your loss, I had heard good things about Mark but never had the chance to meet him. |
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Post by Blackdawg on Mar 10, 2024 3:01:22 GMT -6
So bummed by this. Was a great guy. Only met him at AES at Webster a few times but man it was fun. He as always one the of the best.
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Post by bgrotto on Mar 10, 2024 9:04:02 GMT -6
I’ve seen a lot of these tributes lately, as a number of close (and not close) friends were tight with mark, and while I never had the pleasure of meeting him, the tributes’ consistent mention of his huge heart and generous spirit make me wish I had. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by drumsound on Mar 10, 2024 10:00:51 GMT -6
Here’s to a life truly well lived, may he Rest In Peace. He did live a great life. Thanks for letting us know, Tony. He sounds like he was truly an amazing person. So sorry for your loss. Thanks, Mark May his memory always be a blessing! It is, thanks. Making music together is fun but making friendships is divine. I love the support and laughs and honesty that great friendships can foster. Looks like you had that in spades with Mark. Thanks for sharing this story on the importance of connections, shared experiences and great lasting memories. Truly inspiring. I was lucky to get to do both. I wish we'd had more playing time together. Locking in to his bass playing was effortless. It is with a heavy heart that I inform the community that Mark Rubel passed away yesterday in his home in Nashville. Mark wasn't much of a forums guy, but he was deeply committed to making music, making records, and teaching recording and engineering. Mark spent most of his life in Champaign Illinois where his father was a professor at the University of Illinois (where Mark would later attend). He opened Pogo Studio there in 1980. Champaign is not far from Danville Illinois where famed engineer, producer, and gear manufacturer Bill Putnam grew up. When Mark was starting Pogo, he sent a letter to Putnam in LA asking for some guidance and help getting up and running. Putnam gifted Pogo with a UA 610 console and several 175 compressors. Mark used those pieces, and his intuition and got to work, eventually recording probably thousands of musicians over the years. He used Pogo as a classroom to teach for Parkland Community College. and then also started teaching the History of Rock and Roll and recording technique classes at Millikan University, then Eastern Illinois University, and for the last 10 or so years as the co-director of education at the Blackbird Academy in Nashville. He purchased the original Room and Board, Ray Kennedy's former home and studio, when he landed the Blackbird gig. I've been friends with Mark for well over 20 years. When I bought my first 2" machine, without knowing enough about them and then realizing it wasn't working properly, I called Mark in a panic on a Friday night. I had been told by a local friend that Mark had the same type of machine, a 3M M70. I got the Pogo number from the phonebook and left him a message, explaining who I was and who I worked for (my old boss recorded with Mark years previous). Much to my surprise, I got a call about a half hour later, it was Mark. The band he was recording was taking a smoke break and Mark used that time to call me, this unknown 20-something who was freaking out about his lack of knowledge about the expensive piece he'd recently bough. He was calm, collected, and very kind, giving me some 'tricks' to try and hooking me up with the then 3M gurus in Athens GA who would eventually rebuild my machine. That's the type of selfless, kindhearted, warm person Mark was. We were instantly friends, like most who met Mark. I'm so happy to have spent so much time in his orbit. Mark is survived by his wife Nancy (possibly the only person on earth nicer than Mark), his sister Sasha, and her children. Tony, sorry for your loss, I had heard good things about Mark but never had the chance to meet him. Thanks, Eric. So bummed by this. Was a great guy. Only met him at AES at Webster a few times but man it was fun. He as always one the of the best. It only took one meeting to know how he was. I’ve seen a lot of these tributes lately, as a number of close (and not close) friends were tight with mark, and while I never had the pleasure of meeting him, the tributes’ consistent mention of his huge heart and generous spirit make me wish I had. Thanks for sharing. He touched every one he met. |
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Post by nobtwiddler on Mar 10, 2024 20:55:53 GMT -6
Back in Feb, 2023, when I lost my lease in NY, (again) I decided I needed a break...
Had enough, needed to get away, consider my options, and regroup.
So I took a trip just to get away, clear my head, and relax for a week or two.
I decided to take a trip, visit a few friends from up north who recently purchased property in Nashville.
Anyhow, a day or two after our arrival, my buddy said, hey today we're gonna go visit, John @ Blackbird Studio, he's gonna give us a tour,
and I'll introduce you to Mark Rubel at the academy.
So off we went...
Did the tour, saw the studios, then met Mark, and he asked, Paul since you're here, why don't you speak to my class today.
Well that was a surprise...
Only spent a few hours that day with him, but I felt like I knew him forever.
What a wonderful soul.
I saw him again a few months ago, at the Welcome to 1979 Summit, and we spoke for a bit.
At that time he told me he was cancer free, and actually looked much better than the first time I saw him.
I was so happy for him, we had plans to get together and hang sometime this year.
Sad, very, sad...
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Post by Mister Chase on Mar 10, 2024 20:59:00 GMT -6
So sad. He seemed like such a nice person. Loved listening to him talk about and demonstrate audio techniques. Sorry for your loss.
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Post by drumsound on Mar 10, 2024 22:33:58 GMT -6
Back in Feb, 2023, when I lost my lease in NY, (again) I decided I needed a break... Had enough, needed to get away, consider my options, and regroup. So I took a trip just to get away, clear my head, and relax for a week or two. I decided to take a trip, visit a few friends from up north who recently purchased property in Nashville. Anyhow, a day or two after our arrival, my buddy said, hey today we're gonna go visit, John @ Blackbird Studio, he's gonna give us a tour, and I'll introduce you to Mark Rubel at the academy. So off we went... Did the tour, saw the studios, then met Mark, and he asked, Paul since you're here, why don't you speak to my class today. Well that was a surprise... Only spent a few hours that day with him, but I felt like I knew him forever. What a wonderful soul. I saw him again a few months ago, at the Welcome to 1979 Summit, and we spoke for a bit. At that time he told me he was cancer free, and actually looked much better than the first time I saw him. I was so happy for him, we had plans to get together and hang sometime this year. Sad, very, sad... Yeah, it looked good for a bit, we were all very hopeful. Then he found out it had spread to his liver. So sad. He seemed like such a nice person. Loved listening to him talk about and demonstrate audio techniques. Sorry for your loss. The only nicer person I know is his wife, Nancy. |
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Post by Ward on Mar 11, 2024 8:28:06 GMT -6
So sorry for your (and every one else's) loss.
P.S. Maybe it's time for an In Memorium section now ?
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Post by drumsound on Mar 11, 2024 10:41:51 GMT -6
So sorry for your (and every one else's) loss. P.S. Maybe it's time for an In Memorium section now ? Thanks, ward. |
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Post by Hudsonic on Mar 12, 2024 5:53:46 GMT -6
A great fellow who always had time for others interested in recording. Gracious, generous, and always paid attention to who he was talking to.
Mark was a member of our EARS group in Chicago. (Engineering And Recording Society)
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Post by drumsound on Mar 12, 2024 10:07:55 GMT -6
A great fellow who always had time for others interested in recording. Gracious, generous, and always paid attention to who he was talking to. Mark was a member of our EARS group in Chicago. (Engineering And Recording Society) That's a perfect description. |
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Post by drumhead57 on Mar 13, 2024 3:54:32 GMT -6
Sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace
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Post by drumsound on Mar 13, 2024 10:51:18 GMT -6
Sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace Thanks |
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