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One Song, Two Engineers: Tamotsu Yoshida and Koji Morimoto.

Mixing TechniquesPublished 2023.07.30Updated 2026.07.17
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How much can a recording engineer change a song's sound? In this project, Tamotsu Yoshida and Koji Morimoto. each recorded and mixed the same song. The recordings were already complete when the filmed session began, giving each engineer 90 minutes to mix. Watching their decisions offers insight into both technique and the importance of a clear sonic goal. Because each engineer also made a separate recording, this is a comparison of their overall approaches, rather than a controlled test using identical recorded tracks.

How Much Does the Sound Change with a Different Engineer?

For this special project, we welcome two prominent Japanese recording engineers from JAREC, Tamotsu Yoshida and Koji Morimoto., to explore how different the same song can sound when recorded and mixed by different engineers.

Each engineer's recording was already complete, so the filmed session begins at the mixing stage.
Yoshida and Morimoto. had each handled their own recording session as well.
From here, they have a 90-minute time limit to mix in front of us.

As you watch, pay attention to their thinking and the process through which their intended sounds take shape.

Watch the Mixing Comparison

Tamotsu Yoshida

Born November 6, 1946, in Omiya, Saitama, Japan.
1968: Joined the recording department at Toshiba EMI.
1976: Joined the recording department at RVC, identified in the original biography with the later BMG Victor name.
1979: Became chief engineer at CBS/SONY Roppongi Studio.
1989: Established Sound Magic Corporation.
His credits include numerous recordings by Eiichi Ohtaki, Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi, Seiko Matsuda, KinKi Kids and the Gospellers.
At the time of the original 2023 article, the biography identified him as chairman of the Japan Association of Recording Engineers (JAREC).

Koji Morimoto.

Born June 6, 1965, in Higashiyamato, Tokyo, Japan.
1986: Began his career at Rittor Music's Avic Studio.
1987: Joined the engineering collective Sunset Music.
1991: Founded Sound DALI with Masashi Hashimoto.
2002: Established Avex Entertainment's primesound studio form.
The original 2023 biography describes his subsequent role there as chief engineer.
His credits include Ayumi Hamasaki's “No way to say” (2003) and Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE's “Unfair World” (2015), both Japan Record Award-winning songs.
At the time of the original 2023 article, the biography identified him as JAREC's vice chairman.

What Did You Think?

There are not many opportunities to compare different engineers' versions of the same song in this way.
As with composition, there is no single correct answer. Even so, we felt the differences and individual character came through more strongly than we had expected.

Equipment and technique matter, but our main takeaway was the importance of having a clear image of the song's sound, together with a thoughtful process for reaching it.

We hope you can bring some of the inspiration from this video into your own productions.

JAREC also offers membership information for people interested in its events and mixing content. Check its website for current eligibility, benefits and availability.
JAREC Website
https://jarec.com/

Membership Information
https://jarec.com/join/

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How much can an engineer change the sound of a mix?

An engineer's intended sound and approach can produce surprisingly distinct results. This project lets you compare two versions of the same song. Since the engineers also made separate recordings, the differences reflect recording and mixing choices together, rather than mixing alone with identical source tracks.

Q2. What are Yoshida and Morimoto. known for?

Yoshida is a veteran engineer whose credits include Eiichi Ohtaki and Tatsuro Yamashita. Morimoto.'s credits include Ayumi Hamasaki and Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE. The original 2023 article described them as JAREC's chairman and vice chairman respectively; those descriptions are historical, rather than a claim about their current offices.

Q3. What matters most in mixing?

Equipment and technique are important, but this project's central takeaway is to develop a clear sonic image for the song and a considered process for getting there. That provides a foundation for a distinctive, well-crafted result.