I was first introduced to Victor Dufour in 2011 during an internship with Manuel Seal/Seal Music Group in Fayetteville, Georgia. Victor has accomplished so much in the music business, and really stood out to me. His personality could light up any room. The wisdom he shared with me regarding music (something I’m very passionate about) is very valuable. Though my studies were with Manuel, Victor played his role as “mentor” to me, as well. As with any internship, there were grueling tasks to be done, but Victor always made my time go smoother and I really learned a lot from him, as well, especially in the studio. I loved watching him change the levels on songs and bring out the best in them. And though you won’t find tons about him on the internet, he has a large discography listed online that includes some of the best stemming from as early as 1992. He’s always been welcoming and helpful to me, so I did not hesitate to reach out to him for this very important interview assignment from instructor Jun-Yao “Melody” Marlier. I’m very honored to have landed this opportunity to “pick his brain” and learn more about what he’s currently working on.
@DearTrapJesus: Where does the name Dufour originate from?
Victor Dufour: It Is French.
@DearTrapJesus: How do you feel about media coverage and publicity?
Victor Dufour: Well, it depends on the purpose.
@DearTrapJesus: How do you feel about social media?
Victor Dufour: Again the purpose is what matters.
@DearTrapJesus: What does it take to be a sound engineer?
Victor Dufour: Passion a set of well tuned ears.
@DearTrapJesus: What does your trained ear hear when you are reviewing a song to mix?
Victor Dufour: I generally listen for how clearly the production will fit around the vocal or the main instrument.
@DearTrapJesus: What is mastering?
Victor Dufour: The finalization of the end result to bring it to industry product standard.
@DearTrapJesus: Do you use any plug-in effects, and if so how do you use them?
Victor Dufour: Yes i do and i try to use them to enhance create space and vibe.
@DearTrapJesus: Do you use any EQ’s and compressors and how do you use it?
Victor Dufour:: The same way but more directed to creating layers and transparency or even a vibe.
@DearTrapJesus: How do you mic the instruments and are there any tricks?
Victor Dufour: Well the standard for live is to pretty much get the direct sound.
@DearTrapJesus: What kind of console do you use to run sound?
Victor Dufour: To be honest what it available at the venue it could be a digital console or a analog.
@DearTrapJesus: What’s the trick to make sound sound good?
Victor Dufour: No trick just making sure that the sound source is the best it can be.
@DearTrapJesus: How do you feel sound engineering will affect the world in the future?
Victor Dufour: Not sure but there is a future as long as we have to communicate there will be a job for a sound engineer.
@DearTrapJesus: Do you think sound engineers will be used by the government and if so, in what capacity?
Victor Dufour: Yes outside of music and broadcast and film there are positions for sound engineers like
cleaning up audio for transcribing for police, court etc so yes.
@DearTrapJesus: What makes your style stand apart from the rest?
Victor Dufour: Hum I don’t consider it a style I just try to be as transparent and clean to regarding the audio source then add excitement to realize what the artist and producer may be trying to communicate.
VODS Lounge & Bistro
@DearTrapJesus: When I spoke to you recently, you mentioned that you were working with a club. What kind of venue is it?
Victor Dufour: Yes its a downtown midtown nightlife venue called VODS Loundge & Bistro; turn up is the specialty.
@DearTrapJesus: How is the sound in that venue?
Victor Dufour: I have heard it probably the best in the city
@DearTrapJesus: Is it easy to run should there?
Victor Dufour: Yep its is simple as long as u understand what you put in is what comes out so the better the source the better the output sound.
@DearTrapJesus: How’s the stage setting?
Victor Dufour: Well we use to have a stage but now its all booths.
@DearTrapJesus: Do they do any live music there?
Victor Dufour: In an earlier configuration about 4 months ago.
@DearTrapJesus: What else are you currently working on in terms of song projects?
Victor Dufour: I’m working on a artist by the Name of Denel out of NZ and a few local up and coming artists from ATL.
@DearTrapJesus: Thank you for this Q & A. Any shout-outs?
Victor Dufour: Yeah I would like to shout-out Uplounge/Vods, My Boy Denel from NZ, Babba King, Lil Drip,Treja Picassa, and every client that supports what I do and you ( @DearTrapJesus ) for reaching out.
Victor Dufour is working with VODS Lounge & Bistro in Atlanta, Georgia. Some people call him a “Sound Architect”, and I would greatly agree. I imagine he’s doing great things there. With credits such as Jordan Hill, Tami Davis, Regina Belle, Terry Dexter, and Mary J. Blige to name a few, he’s definitely on my list of people to do projects with during my career. I thoroughly enjoyed my time speaking with him, and (fingers crossed) can’t wait to work with him again in the future.
I was first introduced to Victor Dufour in 2011 during an internship with Manuel Seal/Seal Music Group in Fayetteville, Georgia. Victor has accomplished so much in the music business, and really stood out to me. His personality could light up any room. The wisdom he shared with me regarding music (something I’m very passionate about) is very valuable. Though my studies were with Manuel, Victor played his role as “mentor” to me, as well. As with any internship, there were grueling tasks to be done, but Victor always made my time go smoother and I really learned a lot from him, as well, especially in the studio. I loved watching him change the levels on songs and bring out the best in them. And though you won’t find tons about him on the internet, he has a large discography listed online that includes some of the best stemming from as early as 1992. He’s always been welcoming and helpful to me, so I did not hesitate to reach out to him for this very important interview assignment from instructor Jun-Yao “Melody” Marlier. I’m very honored to have landed this opportunity to “pick his brain” and learn more about what he’s currently working on.
