My guest today is Marc Daniel Nelson a Latin Grammy nominated producer/mixer. His credits over 20 plus years include Fleetwood Mac, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, music for Solo, Blade Runner, Fractured, The Expanse, Point Break, The Last Full Measure and more. Marc has been showcased on the cover of Audio Solutions magazine, in addition to articles in MIX, Shore, and “Business” magazine, has one Mark Award win and was nominated for the French Academy Award for Best Score for the film “Amanda”. Marc has also been creating a ton of cool studio tutorial videos over at Produce LIke A Pro. And you can catch his last couple of podcast episodes on RSR 168 &amp; 271 where he talked about his background in music and portable film mixing setup in 2020. Happy to have Marc back to see whats new over in the mixing world. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! &nbsp;Use code RSR20 to get 20% off for the first 3 months   &nbsp;use code ROCK10 for 10% off   &nbsp;Use code ROCKSTAR to get 10% off   Hear guests discography on Spotify:  If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR373 - Marc Daniel Nelson - Guitars, Drums, Mix Templates, and Summing!

What if you could meet your heroes? Craig talked about connecting with Eddie Van Halen to deliver long-lost Van Halen bootlegs, recording his own triple amp guitar setup, hanging out with Dweezil and Frank Zappa, and soloing John &amp; Yoko's vocal mics. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Craig Parker Adams owner of Winslow Ct studio in LA and accomplished guitarist and producer. Craig was a guest on episode RSR331 when he shared his background in music and talked about running the oldest recording studio in the world dating back to the 1900’s for the earliest sound for film productions. Craig has worked with a great list of which unclides Frank Zappa and got a great write up in Rolling Stone about mixing Frank Zappa and the Mothers’ Epic 1971 Fillmore East Shows for the 50th-Anniversary Reissue 8-CD box set which includes band encores with John Lennon and Yoko Ono and even a recording of the infamous London’s Rainbow Bridge gig that left Zappa nearly paralyzed. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!       use code ROCK10 to get 10% off any individual plugin  use code ROCKSTAR to get 40% off the Vintage series mics  &nbsp;Use code ROCKSTAR to get 10% off  Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:  If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR383 - Craig Parker Adams - Mixing Frank Zappa, John Lennon, and Yoko Ono Live at The Fillmore East 1971

There's beauty in Blumlein! Wessel talked about the power of mixing quickly, trusting your gut before your ears, why you need great low end in monitoring, how to record double bass, the future of immersive sound and mixing to multiple busses.  Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Wessel Oltheten a mixing and mastering engineer in the Netherlands, who has been on the podcast on episode RSR152 to talk about his mixing studio and philosophies. He is also a published author of the book Mixing With Impact on Focal press and teaches at&nbsp; Utrecht University of the Arts.&nbsp; Wessel is very prolific and in 2021 was able to work on no less than 862 tracks. His discography sounds really great working with very cool bands like Dewolff, Pocket Knife Army, Black Oak, and many others. Whether it's art rock, electronic music, or singers up close and personal Wessel has the ability to make it sound great with his thoughtful mixing and mastering. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!      &nbsp;use code ROCK10 to get 10% off any individual plugin &nbsp;use code ROCKSTAR to get 40% off the Vintage series mics  &nbsp;Use code ROCKSTAR to get 10% off  Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:  If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR392 - Wessel Oltheten - Understanding Sound and Emotion in Mixing and Mastering

What's wabi sabi? Brad talked about searching for the human story in production, why you should keep your old gear, arranging strings for quartet vs section, staying on schedule and within budget, and why band playback is better than words.   Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Brad Jones, a producer, engineer, mixer, and musician based in Nashville. With Robin Eaton Brad has co-owned the studio Alex the Great Recording since 1994. I started recording there a few years later as an assistant engineer in 1995, and Brad was the one who taught me the ropes of engineering and running a real session. Brad’s credits include: Jill Sobule, Bobby Bare Jr., Butterfly Boucher, Hayes Carll, Caitlin Cary And Thad Cockrell, Steve Forbert, Government Cheese, Jason And The Scorchers, Josh Rouse, Ben Goldsmith, and The Shazam to name just a few. Brad was an early guest on the show before on episode RSR034 which we recorded at Alex The Great and I’m happy to have him back joining me this time from my new podcast studio Ready To Rock (Thanks to James Tuttle) aka Podzilla Studio. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  Save up to 60% on pro audio tools!  &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR461 - Brad Jones - How To Produce and Finish a Great Record

How many room mics do Atmos drums need? Matt talked about recording and mixing a jazz band in Atmos, how to let old gear go to make room for new gear, speakers, mix levels, full setup for mixing in Atmos, and new ways to think about space and sound.     Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Matt Boudreau, a very successful audio engineer, Atmos mixer, producer, drummer and podcast host. I often call Matt “my brother from another podcast” as the host of the awesome Working Class Audio podcast where he also conducts interviews with producers and engineers about life in the studio but more focused on work/life balance for the working audio professional. Matt has been a guest on Recording Studio Rockstars a couple of times already so you can check out his back story on episode RSR053 (when we actually met) and then again on RSR375 when Matt taught us all about mixing with drum samples. And today we will talk primarily about mixing because after 28 years, Matt now focuses on mixing and mastering in Stereo and Dolby ATMOS (immersive/Spatial audio). In fact Matt mixed two of the songs on my record Skadoosh! In Atmos which you can hear in the show notes along with other great works from his discography. Matt Boudreau is based in the San Francisco Bay Area but works with people around the globe. Whether you are a self-funded artist or a major-label artist, Matt is here to help you finish a record you are proud of (literally in all directions through immersive audio)! Thanks to iTunes search function and finding Working Class Audio for making our original introduction.&nbsp; THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  &nbsp;   Get your MBSI plug-in here!&nbsp;&nbsp;  Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR472 - Matt Boudreau - Atmos Mixing Green Day & Alanis Morissette in a Home Studio

What does it sound like miked in the bathtub? Matt talked about being at Strongroom Studios, tape flying off the machine, why you need hardware synths, MDing for Björk and Ellie Goulding, how to record ambient music, and why real guitar pedals rock!     Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Matt Robertson, a British-born, Canadian-based, 3x Grammy-nominated composer, producer, and musical director. Matt has worked with Björk, Anohni, Arca, The Cinematic Orchestra, and Ellie Goulding as musical director and orchestrator / arranger.&nbsp; He has released four albums under his own name to date, balancing ambient sound design alongside warm organic techno and ripples of delicate electronics. His albums ‘Forecast’, ‘In Echelon’ and ‘Entology’, have been described as “symphonic electronica and leftfield techno that’s cinematic in scale” (Mixmag), “magnificent…wild, electronic sound” (The Line Of Best Fit) and “Nils Frahm’s modern classical meets Jon Hopkins’ grainy techno” (MOJO). Growing up listening to a healthy mixture of Jean-Michel Jarre and Jimmy Smith, Matt graduated from the University of Surrey before working at recording studios in London learning how to fix, and later build, some of his own synths. Working with a collection of vintage, modern and DIY synths, and combining electronic music production with classical composition and cinematic soundscapes; artists, producers, and film composers alike seek his enveloping and distinct sound. His work with Anoushka Shankar awarded him 2 Grammy nominations, and he recently scored the films ‘The New Corporation – The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel’, and' ‘Navalny’. Thanks to Damian Taylor for making our introduction! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  &nbsp;   Get your MBSI plug-in here!&nbsp;&nbsp;  Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR473 - Matt Robertson - Ambient & Cinematic Synth Composer (Bjork, Prodigy, HBO, Ellie Goulding)

Give of yourself generously to those you work with! Jeremy talked about producing indie rock and pop bands in a small studio, touring in a signed band, building a new production studio, starting a mastermind group, and family life vs work balance.     Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Jeremy Steckel, a musician and producer in Columbus OH. Having settled into an indie-pop and rock production and mixing universe, Jeremy focuses on building the landscape of the song around the core part of almost every modern song: the vocal performance. Nothing speaks louder than an emotional, well-captured vocal delivery and the song always has to serve that objective. Jeremy’s credits include , , , , , , ,  and  to name a few. Today we will talk about working as a touring guitarist, building a new mixing studio, how to get a great production and mix, and even finding ways to level up your business through the power of a mastermind group. Thank you to Jim Stewart for the introduction! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  Use code RSR10 to get 10% off the Arousor and BIG FrEQ plugins! &nbsp;Use code RSR15 to get 15% off your custom printed labels!  Get a free mix review and mastering demo!  Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR474 - Jeremy Steckel - Why You Need A Music Mastermind Group & Family Work Balance

Springtime is here, and it's time for sunshine, bikes, and lemonade stands!
I give you a song that I wrote with my daughter Sarayah. Her sister, Cara, sings with me too.  I produced and played all the instruments at The Toy Box Studio and had a blast doing it.
May it lift your spirits high on the first beautiful days of spring!
Cheers,
Lij and The Toy Box Studio

Spring Is An Amazing Thing!

Why press many buttons when you can press one? Raphael talked about quick keys, Soundflow, Stream Decks, and iPads for creating macros to automate your studio processes, figuring out where you are wasting your energy, &amp; staying in the creative flow.      Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Raphael Sepulveda, an alt-rock producer and composer based in Nashville, TN. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Raphael found his way to the US in 2010 to pursue a college degree in Music. After graduating in 2013, he obtained an internship at StadiumRed Studios in NYC, where he learned the ropes and quickly climbed the industry ladder. Raphael worked as an in-house engineer at several other studios in the city, most notably SweetSounds Studios, before setting out on his own and becoming a freelance producer/engineer focusing on alt-rock. In 2018, Raphael relocated to Music City in search of new beginnings. After the pandemic hit in 2020, Raphael partnered with Howling Music, a music-for-advertising company, as a composer. His work has earned the music house a 2023 Nashville American Advertising Awards Gold Addy award (best ad music in Nashville) and a 2024 Clio award for Use of Music in Film &amp; Video. Having a strong passion for music tech, he has become a third-party app developer for the software automation platform SoundFlow, creating productivity and workflow tools for Pro Tools. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code RSR10 to get 10% off the Arousor and BIG FrEQ plugins! &nbsp;Use code RSR15 to get 15% off your custom printed labels! &nbsp;Get a free mix review and mastering demo! &nbsp;Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR485 - Raphael Sepulveda - How to Automate Your Studio for Music Production & Mixing

Metal band in a gas station? Dont worry. Be happy! Brok talked about working with Steve Albini and Greg Norman at Electrical Audio, DIY rebuilding his Calrec console, custom Pro Tools headphone mixes, overdubing to cassette tape, and mixing in Atmos.      Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Brok Mende, owner of Friends of Friends Recording, a loft-style studio in Chicago specializing in analog &amp; digital, vintage &amp; modern recording processes, also offering Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering! With over a decade of professional experience alongside some of the largest names in the music industry (Electrical Audio, Audiotree, etc) and within studios all over the US, Brok’s work includes KAINA, Sen Morimoto, NNAMDÏ, serpentwithfeet, Madison McFerrin, and Tasha to name a few and in collaboration with designer/community builder (and partner), DeAnna Doersch.&nbsp; In his own words, Brok is a listener by trade who likes to focus on creating something intentional and honest for the artist. He can take apart most anything involving capacitors and/or transformers and is usually able to put it back together correctly, too. In the show notes, we have a playlist of Brok’s stereo and Atmos mixes. Please check those out. Thank you to Stephen Shirk and Shirk Studio for introducing us! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code RSR10 to get 10% off the Arousor and BIG FrEQ plugins! &nbsp;Use code RSR15 to get 15% off your custom printed labels! &nbsp;Get a free mix review and mastering demo! &nbsp;Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Apple Music:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR486 - Brok Mende - Mixing Albini to Atmos at Friends of Friends in Chicago

Conductor or conductor? Andrei talked about creating a studio in an old abandoned train carriage down under, composing in Ableton Live, saving drums for last, how to get your bass right, the best cassette plugins, and why you need a MIDI controller.      Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Andrei Eremin, a music producer, recording, mixing and mastering engineer whose work is Grammy-nominated, ARIA award-winning and has amassed over 8 billion streams to date. Since getting his start at Deluxe Mastering in Melbourne, Andrei has worked on releases by Hiatus Kaiyote, Tash Sultana, G Flip, Sampa the Great, Chet Faker and others, quickly developing a reputation as one of the most in-demand engineers in Australia. Since then, Andrei has diversified his craft, producing an eponymous EP, a pseudonymous mixtape, records for other artists including Closure in Moscow’s third album “Soft Hell”, as well as mastering Tones and I’s runaway hit “Dance Monkey” and mixing Baker Boy’s debut album “Gela”, which personally earned him an ARIA award in 2022 for Best Mixed Album.  Thank you to Mark Allen at Vitalic Noise Management in Los Angeles for the introduction! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  &nbsp;Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR487 - Andrei Eremin - Producing Music with Ableton Live in a Train Carriage

"Listen to what the session musicians say during lunch!" Joe talked about how to be a great studio assistant, orchestral sessions, choosing the perfect vocal mic and DAW, Harrison Mixbus 32, the SSL UF8 and UC-1, and being a servant to the song!      Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Joe Carrell, a Nashville-based producer, mixer, and recording engineer. Over his 20+ year career, Joe has mixed and recorded 12 Grammy-nominated albums, worked on Dove Award-winning songs, and contributed to over 38 charting number-one hits, with Billboard top tens in multiple categories, all the while producing pop artists and mixing everything from rock, country, jazz, gospel, bluegrass, etc. He currently works from the historic Treasure Isle Recorders in Nashville TN. Joe Carrell began his journey in the professional music world as an assistant engineer for a member of Nashville's legendary Bradley family. With a strong background as a musician and a deep love for recording, Joe quickly became a sought-after expert in the industry. Today, he shares his passion and expertise on his YouTube channel, In The Mix with Joe Carrell, and in collaboration with platforms like Produce Like A Pro, Warm Audio, and SSL. Joe produces hands-on tutorials for both beginners and seasoned engineers, covering essential mixing and production techniques such as vocal mixing, managing multiple vocal tracks, adding depth to mixes, and insights into his hybrid workflow. He also offers tips on using EQ, stereo widening, automation, subgroups, balancing low-end frequencies, mixing orchestral elements, and crafting commercial-ready tracks across a variety of genres. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  &nbsp;Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR488 - Joe Carrell - Behind the Board: Mixing, Production, and the Studio Life

"The Distressor is an iconic piece of gear." Dave talked about his journey from musician to audio engineer, creating the iconic Distressor compressor, the role of distortion, harmonics, and thoughtful gear selection in achieving masterful audio mixing and production, and offered practical advice for aspiring recording engineers.      Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Dave Derr, a musician raised in a family of engineers destined to rock and make his mark on the recording industry. Dave started with studying classical piano, composition, and theory as a Music Major in college but still loved ripping solos on his '67 Gibson SG Special. This passion for music led him to a 12-year journey with the band Jack of Diamonds, touring the Philadelphia, Delaware, and Maryland areas. But Dave wasn’t just rocking the stage—he was also the guy fixing the band's guitars, keyboard rigs, and PA systems. This hands-on experience sparked his path to becoming an Electronics Technician and eventually a studio engineer. Dave landed a gig at Eventide and worked alongside industry giants, contributing to the design of iconic gear like the H3000, H3500, and DSP4000. And after hours? He ran his own recording studio at home, refining his craft night and day. In 1994, Dave’s talents culminated in the creation of the Distressor—a modern classic that’s now a staple in major studios worldwide. Empirical Labs now has over 42,000 Distressors sold and an entire line of analog processors and digital plugins and their latest creation, the PUMP, a powerful 500 Series compressor based on the Distressor is breaking new ground for getting killer sounds in the studio or out in the field. I am super excited to have Dave Derr joining us on the podcast today. This is a big day for me, the show, and definitely a bucket list interview! PS Go to empiricallabs.com to find the Arousor and BIG FrEQ plugins where you can use the coupon code RSR10 for 10% off. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  &nbsp;Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;  &nbsp; If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR489 - Dave Derr - Empirical Labs Creator of the Distressor, Arouser, BIG FrEQ, Fatso, and Pump

Daily planning is crucial for managing a busy studio schedule! Duncan explored the importance of mastering, the impact of technology and AI, and the intricacies of creating a professional sound environment. He shared insights into his workflow, including his unique 'flight plan' approach to daily planning, while also discussing the challenges and rewards of mastering music for vinyl records.      Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Duncan Ferguson, a mastering engineer based in East Nashville with a true passion for critical listening and collecting all kinds of recordings. Duncan got into mastering naturally and has earned the nickname “the music librarian” from his close friends. Over the years, he’s honed his skills to bring music to life across all listening applications. Duncan’s mastering studio, The Voltage Exchange, is all about solving problems for clients. After seeing the shifts in the music industry over the past decade, he’s focused on offering solutions for artists, producers, and mixing engineers while making the process as seamless as possible. Duncan believes in collaboration and transparent relationships — he loves having clients present during sessions and sharing his techniques, equipment, and choices to ensure their true vision shines through. As someone who also collects vinyl, Duncan offers full-service in-house vinyl mastering and disk cutting with a new Sillitoe lathe. Duncan's mastering studio is right nearby me in East Nashville. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  &nbsp;Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;    &nbsp;

RSR490 - Duncan Ferguson - Mastering for Vinyl at Voltage Exchange Studio in East Nashville

Taking care of oneself enhances professional interactions! Will discussed his journey from a small town to the music industry, emphasizing the importance of mental health and self-care within the field. He addressed the balance between technology and artistry and explored adapting to evolving production landscapes, such as Atmos mixing. Will also shared his insights on career transitions, the impact of music budgets, and recording techniques.      Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Will Kennedy, a platinum-selling producer, mixer, and recording engineer whose credits include U2 on Songs of Experience and Songs of Innocence, O.A.R. on Live From Madison Square Garden, and OneRepublic’s Oh My My. He’s also known for his work on The 88’s “At Least It Was Here,” the theme from the hit TV series Community. In 2021, Will teamed up with longtime collaborator Matt Wallace to create Studio Delux Immersive, a cutting-edge mixing studio at the legendary Sound City Center in Los Angeles. Together, they’ve mixed over 200 songs in Dolby Atmos and other immersive formats, bringing new depth to classics by Jason Mraz, Black Sabbath, The B-52s, and Selena Gomez, as well as enhancing new releases from Dave Matthews Band, Tank and the Bangas, Ondara, and Grouplove. Will’s expertise in immersive audio and multi-genre mixing has established him as a pioneer in the field, and he continues to inspire a new generation of engineers with his innovative approach and technical skill. His personal studio in Los Angeles (Studio P) features an incredible array of modern digital equipment (Avid, Universal Audio, Waves, Soundtoys, Arturia, Korg), custom-built analog processing by JCF Audio, and vintage analog gear including a 1963 Vox AC 30 guitar amplifier, and restored 1973 Ampex 440-B reel-to-reel tape machine available for all mixing projects. Will was also one of the originators of the popular “Mix Notes From Hell” podcast, and was the music producer for the East African singing contest show “Maisha Superstar.” Thanks to Matt Boudreau at Working Class Audio for making our introduction! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  &nbsp;Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Apple Music and Spotify:      If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR491 - Will Kennedy - Mixing Atmos with Matt Wallace at Studio Delux Immersive

"It's all about intention." In this episode of the podcast, Lij Shaw sits down with seasoned artist, songwriter, and producer Ryan Ordway, who shares insights from his two-decade journey through the music industry. They discuss various nuances of music production, covering topics from remote recording challenges to the importance of acoustics and effective studio management. Ryan emphasizes the need for adaptability, personal interaction, and practical tips to ensure high-quality sound and a smooth creative process. Aspiring producers will gain valuable strategies for optimizing their craft and navigating the evolving landscape of music recording.      Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Ryan Ordway, a multifaceted artist, songwriter, producer, and audio engineer, proficient in analog and digital recording, mixing, music licensing, session playing, and commercial studio management. With over two decades of experience in the music business, he has recorded and produced nearly 1,000 songs across musical genres. Ordway has designed, built, and operated three commercial recording studios throughout his career. In 2020, he partnered with The Studio Portland in Portland, ME, where he undertook an ambitious remodel completed in 2024. Under Ordway’s direction, The Studio became home to 98.9 WCLZ’s Studio Z series, through which he has recorded an impressive roster of international recording artists, including: Noah Kahan, Grace Potter, Lake Street Dive, Joy Oladokun, The Heavy Heavy, Gregory Alan Isakov, Josh Ritter, Hiss Golden Messenger, Talk, SMYL, Lucius, Cecilia Castleman, Joseph, and Charlie Crockett, among others. Ordway’s songwriting talents earned him an invitation to the renowned Blackbird Studios in Nashville, where he recorded with famed producer Ken Scott (whose client list includes The Beatles, Elton John, and David Bowie). His song "Easy Street," produced by Scott, was featured in Robert Willey's Getting Started with Music Production, published by Hal Leonard in 2015. Recognized for his ability to create transformative experiences for clients throughout New England, Ordway was nominated for Producer of the Year at the New England Music Awards in 2023. His song "Back Again" was nominated for Song of the Year in 2022. Ordway’s original music is licensed in over 13 countries and featured on major platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu. His music has appeared in popular TV shows such as NBC's The Office, ABC's Happy Endings, and FOX's Raising Hope. In 2023, his cover of Rusted Root’s “Send Me on My Way” won him a multi-year contract for Nature Valley's Life Happens Out There national TV spot He has worked with other national clients, including Klondike, Polo Ralph Lauren, and John Deere. In addition to his technical expertise and commercial success, Ryan is a passionate educator and mentor. At The Studio Portland, he leads professional audio production training programs and recording camps, sharing his knowledge and inspiring the next generation of audio engineers and producers. Beyond music production, Ryan produces podcasts and provides voiceover (VO) and automated dialogue replacement (ADR) post-production services for elite clients such as Lucas Films, Netflix, HBO Productions, and Penguin Random House Audio Books division. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  &nbsp;Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR492 - Ryan Ordway - Producing Americana at The Studio Portland in Maine

"You can do whatever you want." In this engaging interview, Lij Shaw sits down with Jason Livermore, co-owner of the Blasting Room studio, to explore Jason's transformative journey from aspiring musician to Grammy-winning producer. They discuss the studio's evolution, the significance of high-quality equipment, and the invaluable experience gained from working with interns. Jason delves into the intricacies of modern mixing techniques, the transition to digital, and the essentials of drum recording and mixing, highlighting the impact of acoustics, MIDI, and automation. Their conversation also covers the joys of learning new instruments and offers practical advice for aspiring engineers looking to thrive in the competitive world of music production.      Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Jason Livermore who got his first snare drum at just three years old and eventually picked up guitar and bass but found his way back to drums, which he loved most. In junior high, he discovered punk rock, with Milo Goes to College as his first vinyl purchase. Jason played in bands throughout high school and college, even recording some of them himself. After college, he realized that recording would be a better path than selling beer for Miller. When ALL opened the Blasting Room in Fort Collins in 1994, Jason jumped at the opportunity and has been a key part of the studio ever since. In 2015, he became co-owner alongside Bill Stevenson, working on about 95% of the albums from the studio, including producing the Latin GRAMMY-winning record Solo D’Lira in 2023. Jason has also played drums for bands like Wretch Like Me, Drag the River, Bill The Welder, Soul City Missionaries, and The Virginia Sisters. Special thanks to Brian Murphree for the introduction! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  &nbsp;Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR493 - Jason Livermore - Grammy Winning Punk at The Blasting Room in Ft Collins CO

Incremental progress leads to significant achievements! Join Lij Shaw as he interviews audio veteran Alex Ohana, who shares stories from a 35-year career. Alex reveals the power of embracing risk and reinvention, along with the importance of community in the audio world. He discusses his journey, from recording techniques to the evolution of technology, and offers insights into finding success in the music industry. This inspiring conversation delves into innovation, personal growth, and staying true to your creative vision.      Get access to FREE mixing mini-course:&nbsp; My guest today is Alex Oana, an engineer, producer, and innovator originally from Minneapolis and now based in Los Angeles. Over a 30-year career, Alex has produced hundreds of records and earned 11 Minnesota Music Awards. In 1994, he purchased the former home of Twin/Tone Records to launch his own studio, City Cabin, in Minneapolis. In the early 2000s, Alex relocated to Los Angeles, where he focused on mixing and worked as a front-of-house engineer for Pharrell Williams and NER*D on global tours. Alex has also held roles such as Global Sales Manager at Apogee Electronics and consultant for Vintage King Audio. As Vice President at Slate Digital, he co-created the groundbreaking Raven multitouch DAW controller. Later, he founded Audio Test Kitchen, an innovative online platform offering detailed comparisons of over 300 microphones and other audio gear. He is currently the Vice President of Marketing for Sound Vision Works. Alex first joined us on episode RSR226, where he shared his full backstory. Today, we’ll dive into the latest in studio tech and production. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!   &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! &nbsp;Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!  &nbsp;Get your MBSI plugin here! &nbsp;   Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:    If you love the podcast, then please leave a review:&nbsp;

RSR494 - Alex Oana - Risk and Reinvention Essential for Growth in Audio

Speaking To You Now - Meghan Griffith - Stereo Sessions 13

Stereo Sessions in an in studio live event mixed through the famous MCI console while we shoot videos in front of a live audience.
Thanks for signing up for the email list. Feel free to download any of these MP3s.
Cheers!
Lij


American Watermelon - Happy -SS14

Kat Hunter - Second Wind - SS14

Kat Hunter - Smoke Love Call -SS14

Moyer - Without You - SS14

Moyer - See You Soon - SS14

Bronwyn on violin and Ashton on guitar playing tangos and other things


The Way You Look Tonight

Nauges

This is my Uncle Tad Foote in 1958 at the age of 21 recording while at Yale. He also taught me my first three chords on guitar when I was 18: E, A, and B7.
"Thats all you'll for the blues" he said.

Gamblin' Man - Tad Foote - The Augmented Seven

Free mix training with Lij at MixMasterBundle.com Get Jordan’s Mixing Cheatsheet at RSRockstars.com/CheatSheet My guest today is Jordan Valeriote, an independent producer, mixer, and engineer based out of Ontario, Canada, specializing in hardcore music with blazing guitars and drums. Jordan&nbsp;produced Rescue for the band Silverstein, a leading band on the post-hardcore scene. And Follow up credits include Antimacy by the Dead and Divine, and Prophets for the Counterparts. Other credits include: Nick Johnston, Forevermore, Great Lakes, Mandroid Echostar, and Skynet. Jordan is also an author, teacher, and entrepreneur. He has taken all the knowledge gained from producing, recording, and mixing to create HardCoreMusicStudio.com where Jordan teaches you how to record, edit, and mix powerful hardcore records. He has written a book called Mixing Heavy Music which you can find on Amazon. And he also offers drum sample packs made up of the very same drum samples used on many of his hardcore productions which you can find on his website HarcoreMusicStudio.com.&nbsp; &nbsp; Get the full shownotes at http://RSRockstars.com/60 &nbsp;

RSR060 - Jordan Valeriote - Hard Core Mixing & Silverstein

Cowboy Keith Thompson is a record producer, live sound engineer, tour manager, and record label owner. Inglehood Records is a boutique label based out of east Nashville, that makes classic style recordings of vintage hits from the 40s to 60s with its hip rhythm and horn sections. Originally hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Keith was a bar owner, children's TV show host, radio host, record producer, and live sound engineer. &nbsp;He moved to Nashville 20 years ago to pursue pro- live sound engineer, doing live sound for the likes of Peter Cetera and even Wonder Woman's Lynda Carter. Some of Keith's credits include managing the Original Blues Brothers Band featuring Steve Cropper, Blue Lou Marini, Tom Malone, John Tropea , Murphy Dunne and Leon Pendarvis. When he is not running his label, producing records, or touring, he records and mixes all the music performances for the hit CMT TV show "Sun Records". YouTube Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtRjoFyGIug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uncOpB_DKc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mru1IvrAutY&nbsp; Get the full show notes at http://RSRockstars.com/85 -Also- Free mix training with Lij at MixMasterBundle.com Get yourself a Rockstar T-shirt at: RSRockstars.com/Tshirt Download&nbsp;the theme music at: SkadooshMusic.com

RSR085 - Cowboy Keith Thompson - How To Start a Record Label From Your Home Studio

Stories&nbsp;about engineering &amp; producing The Traveling Wilburys. Richard Dodd is a multi-platinum Grammy winning producer, recording engineer, and mastering engineer with 40 years of amazing credits to his discography. He began recording hits in the&nbsp;1970’s like “Kung Fu Fighting,” and has since distinguished himself many times over while working with artists Boz Scaggs, Stephane Grappelli, George Harrison, Clannad, Roy Orbison, Wilco, Green Day, Steve Earle, Delbert McClinton, Robert Plant, Roger Daltry, the Travelling Wilburys, Tom Petty &amp; The Heartbreakers, Freddie Mercury, Placido Domingo, and many more. Leave a Review&nbsp; Get the full show notes at: http://RSRockstars.com/96 -Also- Free mix training with Lij at: MixMasterBundle.com Get yourself a Rockstar T-shirt at: RSRockstars.com/Tshirt Download&nbsp;the theme music at: SkadooshMusic.com

RSR096 - Richard Dodd - The Engineer Behind The Traveling Wilburys - George Harrison, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison

Will Pugh talks about&nbsp;vocal production, recording in small spaces, and mix tricks&nbsp;that helped him reach the Top 40. Will Pugh is the main songwriter in the Gold selling band, Cartel. Will is also a producer, mixer, artist, and is a friend of our previous guest Bobby Holland, with a room at the same studio, Pentavarit. Will's records with Cartel have sold over half a million copies, and he’s notched two Top 40 hits under his belt. I am psyched to be joining Will in his studio for this interview, and plan to get into some great questions about producing, recording, and mixing a top 40 hit. Leave a Review&nbsp; Get the full show notes at: http://RSRockstars.com/97 -Also- Free mix training with Lij at: MixMasterBundle.com Get yourself a Rockstar T-shirt at: RSRockstars.com/Tshirt Download&nbsp;the theme music at: SkadooshMusic.com

RSR097 - Will Pugh - Producing, Recording, and Mixing Top 40 Songs - Cartel

Jordan Lehning gives advice on collaboration, songwriting, production, what makes great songs, and his experience in the music industry. Jordan Lehning is a Nashville native who grew up in the studio. After a brief stint at Berklee College of Music, he returned to Nashville to record, play in bands, and cut his engineering teeth working for his father, Kyle Lehning, who has also been on the show on Episode 94:&nbsp;http://RSRockstars.com/94. We have also heard from Jordan’s brother, Jason Lehning, on Episode 74:&nbsp;http://RSRockstars.com/74. The Lehnings are obviously a very musical family and I am honored to have all of them on the podcast! After working with the likes of Randy Travis, Ray Price, BJ Thomas, Kenny Rogers, among others, Jordan ventured out on his own finding success in film scoring, commercial licensing, and production. He has &nbsp;worked with many Nashville indie artists including Jasmin Kaset, Caitlin Rose, Andrew Combs, Kree Harrison and more. He has become known for his skills in composition, and arranging with Kacey Musgraves, Shane MacAnally, Rodney Crowell, Charlie Worsham, Jacquire King, Jessie Baylin, Lucie Silvas and others. Jordan now works out of his newly constructed full-service studio, The Duck, where we are joining you today. Thanks to our sponsors:&nbsp; Check out Chris Graham Mastering: http://RSRockstars.com/FreeMasteringSample Roswell Pro Audio: https://RoswellProAudio.com &nbsp; Leave a Review&nbsp; Get the full show notes at: http://RSRockstars.com/104 -Also- Free mix training with Lij at:&nbsp;http://MixMasterBundle.com Get yourself a Rockstar T-shirt at: http://RSRockstars.com/Tshirt Download&nbsp;the theme music at: http://SkadooshMusic.com &nbsp; &nbsp;

RSR104 - Successful Scoring, Songwriting, and Production Advice from East Nashville with Jordan Lehning - Randy Travis, Kacey Musgraves, Kenny Rogers

Russell Cottier tackles audio topics such as automation, mixing, loudness, recording drums and much more. Russell Cottier is a producer, audio blogger, and YouTube teacher from across the pond in Liverpool, UK. Russell has worked with chart-topping artists and labels such as The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sony, Sky TV, Nuclear Blast Records, Tamoki Wambesi Dove, Cavern Records, Playboy Channel and many more. He works all across the UK and internationally, and can often be found at the Grammy-Award winning Parr Street Studios in Liverpool, the renowned Catalyst Studios, or in his own private studio where he has the luxury of a classic British analog console. Russell is going to help us tackle the issue of Loudness And The Lost Art Of Mixing. We will start out with some introductions and then dive right into this ever vexing question of loudness. Get a special deal on Mixbus v4 and more at:&nbsp;http://RSRockstars.com/MixBus&nbsp; &nbsp; Check out Russell's Videos:&nbsp; https://youtu.be/D8OWJCTUO8M https://youtu.be/_U77ENQGOv0 https://youtu.be/rTeXXIjBuTQ &nbsp; Thanks to our sponsors:&nbsp; Check out Chris Graham Mastering: http://RSRockstars.com/FreeMasteringSample Roswell Pro Audio: https://RoswellProAudio.com &nbsp; Leave a Review&nbsp; Click here for the show notes at: http://RSRockstars.com/107 -Also- Free mix training with Lij at:&nbsp;http://MixMasterBundle.com Get yourself a Rockstar T-shirt at: http://RSRockstars.com/Tshirt Download&nbsp;the theme music at: http://SkadooshMusic.com &nbsp;

RSR107 - Russell Cottier - Loudness And The Lost Art Of Mixing with Mixbus

A session guitar player with The Nashville Cats, recording with Tom Dowd at Criteria Studios, the difference between a Nashville vs Muscle Shoals recording session, and much more! My guest today is Mac Gayden considered a musician’s musician for his intricate playing. He started playing guitar in Nashville as a teenager in the 1960s and quickly become a top session guitar player playing on iconic records such as Bob Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde. Mac was also known for his unique slide guitar sound through a wah pedal made famous on JJ Cale’s record Crazy Mama. And years later in 2013 He was finally inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame as one of the original “Nashville Cats”. Thanks to our sponsors! Roswell Pro Audio:&nbsp;https://RoswellProAudio.com Tegeler Audio Manufaktur:&nbsp;https://www.tegeler-audio-manufaktur.de/ Hear Mac's music on Youtube:&nbsp;  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k8fepmmBOY&amp;list=PLbJhbD1bWQswZUZZtKHISY0QntRehlaH1 If you love the podcast then please&nbsp;Leave a review on iTunes here Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at:&nbsp;http://MixMasterBundle.com CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/132

RSR132 - Mac Gayden - Session Guitar Player, Nashville Cats, Barefoot Jerry, Area Code 615

My guest today is Eric Sarafin aka Mixerman, a gold and platinum award winning record producer and mixer. He has worked with many nationally known acts, including The Pharcyde, Tone Loc, Ben Harper, Lifehouse, Nine Days, Barenaked Ladies, Amy Grant, and Foreigner, just to name a few. After 25 years based out of Los Angeles, Eric is now living in Asheville NC, where he produces and mixes records out of several world class recording facilities located there. Eric is also a published author and has written several books under the pen name of Mixerman about recording, producing, and mixing. It all began with The Daily Adventures Of Mixerman chronicling his recording journey in the studio. He then went on to write Zen And The Art Of Recording, Producing, and Mixing as three separate books after that, which I highly recommend reading. And now he has come out with his most recent book presented as a field manual for the studio called: Musician’s Survival Guide To A Killer Record. Thanks to our sponsors! Sonarworks:&nbsp;https://www.sonarworks.com/ OWC - Other World Computing:&nbsp;https://www.OWC.com  Hear more on&nbsp;Youtube If you love the podcast then please&nbsp;Leave a review on iTunes here Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at:&nbsp;http://MixMasterBundle.com CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/169

RSR169 - Eric Sarafin aka Mixerman - Musician’s Survival Guide To A Killer Record

My guest today is Tony Black a Grammy-winning music producer, mixer/engineer &amp; songwriter/musician. He has contributed to recordings totalling more than 50 million units sold or downloaded. He won a GRAMMY AWARD for his contribution to the album “THE DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS” for BEST R&amp;B ALBUM. He also mixed and recorded&nbsp; “RIDE OR DIE” on the Grammy-winning album&nbsp; JAY-Z “HARD KNOCK LIFE VOL.2”.&nbsp; Tony spent many years in NYC at legendary studios such as The Power Station, The Hit Factory, Quad, and Electric Lady. He became part of the 90’s hip-hop scene that would go on to make music history. Working with artists such as Notorious BIG, Jay Z, Q tip, Lil Kim, P. Diddy(Puffy), Cam’ron, Wu Tang Clan, Michael Jackson and too many others to list, he clocked in more than 4000 sessions in the 90’s alone.&nbsp; These sessions led to a 6-year working relationship with Alicia Keys. He recorded and mixed all of The Diary of Alicia Keys. He continues mixing, recording, and producing new music today for label artists, indie artists, and for his own project Slow Down The Quick based in NYC and working anywhere in the world with his mobile project studio. Thanks to Josh Harris for making our introduction! (Carl Nappa). Thanks to our sponsors! Soundporter Mastering: Get your free mastering demo at&nbsp; JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at&nbsp; Spectra1964:&nbsp; OWC: Other World Computing:&nbsp; iZotope:&nbsp;&nbsp;code ROCK10 10%&nbsp;off ADAM Audio:&nbsp; RSR Academy:&nbsp; Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at:&nbsp;  If you love the podcast, then please&nbsp;

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