Master Your Mix Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Scott Michael Smith: Recording & Mixing Orchestras Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

Scott Michael Smith is an American audio engineer, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles, California. Smith has worked with John Mayer, Fink, Colbie Caillat, Katy Perry, Carole King, Weezer and many more.

Smith has worked extensively in film and television music as well. Some of Smith's score work includes The Handmaid's Tale, It Chapter 2, The Invisible Man, Mank and the Academy Award-winning film The Revenant.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

Recording and mixing orchestras
How to mic an orchestra
How to keep organized and manage hundreds of audio tracks
The secret to recording hundreds of tracks worth of instruments in less than 3 hours
How Scott lays out his template to mix fast
The challenges of recording orchestras during COVID
Dolby Atmos: the challenges of adopting this new system for mixing
Will Atmos work for mixing music?

To learn more about Scott Michael Smith, visit: http://www.scottmichaelsmith.net/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?

Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:

https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?

Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:

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Hans DeKline: Mastering From a Home Studio Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

Hans DeKline is a Grammy-winning, Los Angeles mastering engineer. Since 2005, he has mastered thousands of songs & albums by artists such as U2, Pixies, Touche Amore, mewithoutYou, Burna Boy, Veruca Salt, Lisa Loeb, Mark Isham, James Fearnley (the Pogues), Letters to Cleo, UMI, Candiria, Ritchie Ramone, and so many more.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

Setting your expectations for having your song mastered
Whether or not you need to know how to mix before you can become a mastering engineer
Why you don’t need a perfectly treated room or expensive equipment to master records professionally
The most important button in your studio
How long it usually takes to master a song
Why attending your mastering sessions isn’t a good idea
The simple tool that will help ensure your mixes translate from system to system
Why meters don’t matter
How to prepare your tracks for mastering

To learn more about Hans DeKline, visit: https://hansdeklinemastering.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?

Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:

https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?

Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:

https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Chris Shaw: Mixing Workflow Hacks Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

Chris Shaw is a four time Grammy Award winning American producer, engineer, mixer, and musician.

Beginning his career at Greene Street Recording, he quickly worked his way from his start as an NYU intern, to assistant engineer, to a position as a staff engineer working with influential hip-hop artists such as Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, Run-DMC, and LL Cool J.

He went independent shortly after and has since made records with Weezer, Wilco, Bob Dylan, Ween, Jeff Buckley, Soul Asylum, Sheryl Crow, Super Furry Animals, Death Cab For Cutie, Lou Reed, Bad Brains, Ric Ocasek, Cheap Trick, Neon Neon, Elvis Perkins, Guillemots, Joss Stone, The Meat Puppets, Nada Surf, Dashboard Confessional, and The Derek Trucks Band.

He has worked on six of Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Records of All Time".

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

Finding ways to work fast and keep momentum going in the studio
The minimum amount of gear needed to make great productions
Chris’ simple MIDI trick that makes gating, compression, and sampling easy
Using macros to eliminate tedious mixing tasks
Working with Weezer
Why there is no reverb on the Weezer Blue album
A hack for multi-micing guitars that will make sure you capture the best sound
Chris’ tips for making your choruses explode
A simple technique for knowing how to prioritize instrument levels in your mixes

To learn more about Chris Shaw, visit: https://www.chrisshawmix.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?

Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:

https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?

Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:

https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Dave Hillis: Working on the Birth of Grunge Music Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

After signing his first record label deal at the tender age of 17, as a guitarist and writer with legendary thrash metal band MACE, Dave Hillis set his sights on the production and engineering side of the music business, where he was engineer for legendary producer Rick Parashar, at London Bridge Studios, Seattle. It was there that he engineered for grunge pioneers Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Candlebox, to name a few.

Now living in Pittsburgh, Dave works as a producer and engineer at the Vault Recording Studios.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

How to successfully network in the music industry
What it was like to be working behind the scenes during the birth of grunge music
How to achieve the snare sound on Pearl Jam’s “Ten” album
How to create studio albums that sound like live albums
Using drum samples to trigger reverbs
How to find the right drum samples to use in your productions

To learn more about Dave Hillis, visit: https://davehillismusic.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?

Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:

https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?

Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:

https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Scott Evans: Using Macros in the Studio Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

Scott Evans is a recording engineer based out of Oakland, California, where he runs Antisleep Audio. He has worked with artists such as Thrice, Puig Destroyer, The Loyalists, Neurosis, and many more. He is also a member of the band, Kowloon Walled City.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

What is a macro?
How macros can help you save time in the studio
Scott’s most time-saving scripts
How macros can expand the functionality of your software
Tools to assist with virtual/remote mixing
Mix revisions - how to make the process smoother

To learn more about Scott Evans, visit: https://antisleep.com/

Macro software to check out:

Soundflow - http://links.masteryourmix.com/soundflow

Keyboard Maestro - https://www.keyboardmaestro.com/main/

Alfred - https://www.alfredapp.com/

Text Expander - https://textexpander.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?

Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:

https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?

Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:

https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Benny Grotto: Tips For Getting Better Performances Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

Benny Grotto is an award-winning music producer, mixer, and recording engineer, and a co-owner of the famed Mad Oak Studios in Boston, MA. He is known for his works with Aerosmith, Ben Folds, The Dresden Dolls, and Weird Al Yankovic.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

Tips for getting your drummer, guitarist, and singer to get the best performance
How to coach musicians who are over-performers
How to make sure an entire band plays tight with each other
How to quickly build your reputation as a producer or engineer
Why it’s crucial to record with EQ and compression on the way in, as opposed to dealing with it in the mixing stage
The secret to capturing a big snare sound
Drum overheads: When to treat them as cymbal mics vs. whole kit mics
The #1 thing you want your drummers to have when recording

To learn more about Benny Grotto, visit: https://www.bennygrotto.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?

Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:

https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?

Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:

https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Steven Gillis: Serving the Song Oct 27, 2021

Show notes

Steven Gillis is a session drummer, turned producer who runs Transient Sound in Chicago. His clients range from singer/songwriters to jazz, metal and punk bands, R&B, Gospel and Hip Hop artists and everything in between.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

Steven’s approach to pre-production to ensure that the songs he’s recording sound polished before he even hits record
Why following modern trends in music might not be a good thing
Reamping vocals and drums
Using Melodyne for purposes other than tuning vocals

To learn more about Steven Gillis, visit: https://www.transientsound.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?

Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:

https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?

Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:

https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Mike Exeter: Finding Your Niche in Audio Production Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

Mike Exeter is a record producer and engineer best known for his work with artists such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Cradle of Filth, and so many others.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

The importance of diversifying your audio skills
Why your technical skills aren’t the thing that sets you apart
The lessons Mike learned from working alongside Rick Rubin
What it’s like to work with Black Sabbath
Mike’s unusual technique for recording toms
Tips for getting the perfect mic position when recording guitars
How to get metal mixes to sound heavy but still balanced
How to manage the low end when working with lots of double-kick drums hits
The 5 dimensions of mixing and how to ensure you achieve them

To learn more about Mike Exeter, visit: https://www.mikeexeter.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?

Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:

https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?

Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:

https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Sean O'Keefe: What Tracks Sound Like in Isolation vs. the Mix Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

Sean O'Keefe is a record producer, mixer, and engineer based in Chicago, Illinois. He is best known for his work with Fall Out Boy, Hawthorne Heights, Plain White T's, and Beach Bunny.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

Sean’s unique approach to using reference tracks to help create killer sounds quickly
Working with Fall Out Boy
How to dial guitar tones that sound big, wide, and clear
The secret to getting your bass to cut through your mix
What instruments should sound like in solo vs in the context of the mix
The single most important question you need to ask your clients before starting any mix
Sean’s three-meter technique to guaranteeing that his mixes are properly gainstaged

To learn more about Sean, visit: https://www.seanokeefeproducer.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?

Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:

https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?

Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:

https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Matt Wallace: How to Make Your Songs Connect With More People Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

Matt Wallace is an American record producer. Best known for his work with David Baerwald, Faith No More, Maroon 5, O.A.R., The Replacements, and Train.

Wallace has produced most of Faith No More's most iconic recordings, including We Care a Lot, their debut album on Mordam Records. He produced and mixed their breakthrough album, The Real Thing, which featured the hit song, "Epic." He produced Angel Dust, named the #1 most influential album of all time by Kerrang!. In 2015, he joined the band again to co-mix their album, Sol Invictus. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hard Rock Album chart.

Wallace produced and mixed Songs About Jane, the debut album for Maroon 5, including the Top 40 hit singles "Harder To Breathe," "This Love," "Sunday Morning," and "She Will Be Loved." The album has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, and won a Grammy Award for "Best New Artist" in 2005.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

How to write songs that can reach a bigger audience
Matt’s simple technique for getting artists to express the proper emotion needed for the song
His pre production process (what it includes, what he listens for, how he makes sure the songs and artists are prepared for the studio)
How to write catchy bridges that make your songs more exciting
The best way to keep your music top of mind and grow your fanbase
Matt’s simple techniques for creating big, clean drum sounds
The secret to Mike Patton’s vocal chain on Faith No More’s “The Real Thing”

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?

Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:

https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show: