Recording Studio Rockstars

Latest Episodes:

RSR210 - Billy Decker - Speed Mixing #1 Hits Inside Pro Tools Sep 13, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Billy Decker originally from Nebraska. He studied criminal justice before following his calling in music to become one of the highest ranking students at Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts in 1992. Then in 1994, Decker moved to Nashville where he's been working ever since.

Billy has mixed 14 #1s to date - most recently, Chris Young's "Losing Sleep". He has mixed for Kenny Chesney, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean. Jaime Lynne Spears, and Sam Hunt making history in July of 2014 when Sam Hunt became the most added new artist of all time. Billy had the honour to mix George Jones's last album before he died.

Billy also makes signature mixing plugins for Joey Sturgis Tones where you can find all in one tools for Drums, Bass, Guitars, Vocals that model Billy's tried and true methods for mixing quickly to get that hit country sound that he is so well known for.

Thanks to our sponsors!

OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

JZ Microphones - https://usashop.jzmic.com/ use coupon: ROCKSTAR at checkout for 50% off JZ vintage series microphones.

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/210

RSR209 - Colt Capperrune - Empowering Artists and Producing Guitar Driven Music In Nashville Sep 06, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Colt Capperrune who for the past 18 years has been a FOH engineer, studio engineer, live guitarist, and songwriter. His focus these days is Producing, Mixing, Session guitarist, Artist Development, and Mastering. In the past several years you could add Social Media Influencer to that list too.

He produced his first record when he was 19, and has now charted Top 40 on Billboard, had #1's on iTunes, Amazon, and other radio charts. He has spoken at Belmont University, and is super passionate about developing artists so they make a living from their music. His website even makes a point of showing before and after examples of starting with a worktape for an artists and developing a finished production.

I connected with Colt recently through another guest on the show Daniel Ford, and I'm psyched to talk about producing awesome guitar records and whatever else we can come up with.

Thanks to our sponsors!

OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

JZ Microphones - https://usashop.jzmic.com/ use coupon: ROCKSTAR at checkout for 50% off JZ vintage series microphones.

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/209

RSR208 - Andy VanDette - Awesome Mastering Advice for Home Studio Mixes Aug 30, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Andy VanDette a mastering engineer who started his career interning at the legendary Masterdisk under Bob Ludwig. After completing his degree in Tonmeister Studies, he was hired full time. During the CD's explosion, he spent time with other mastering luminaries -Tony Dawsey, Howie Weinberg, Greg Fulginiti, Greg Calbi, and Vlado Meller.

He learned more than just how to Master and cut vinyl. He observed their perspectives on processing and musicality. By the time the MFiT standard was introduced, Andy had been Chief Engineer for 14 years and had mastered classic albums from the Beastie Boys, Uncle Kracker, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Rush, Deep Purple, Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, and more. Andy has spoken at audio schools, AES conventions. Interviewed for the New York times, Ars Technica, SonicScoop.com, MusicPlayers.com, and presented "Friends Don't Let Friends Press Bad Vinyl" at SXSW 2015.

Thanks to our sponsors!

OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

JZ Microphones - https://usashop.jzmic.com/ use coupon: ROCKSTAR at checkout for 50% off JZ vintage series microphones.

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/208

RSR207 - Tim Dolbear - Eclectica Studio Design and Mixing Advice with Analog Tape Aug 23, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Tim Dolbear who cut his musical teeth playing live with people such as Sammy Hagar, and in the studio with his mentor, producer Keith Olsen. Currently, he works with both labels and independent artists, and receives projects from all over the world. Since 1999, He has owned and operated Eclectica Studios, originally located in Los Angeles, operations were moved to Austin TX in 2006. In 2019 Eclectica Studios moved to its current location in Nashville.

Tim is a guest lecturer for audio production at many colleges throughout N America including Blackbird Academy, NYU and SAE. Tim is also a published writer who writes for MIX, Sound on Sound, and Professional Sound Magazine.

I met Tim recently through Mark Rubel at Blackbird Academy. So thanks again Mark!

Thanks to our sponsors!

OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

JZ Microphones - https://usashop.jzmic.com/ use coupon: ROCKSTAR at checkout for 50% off JZ vintage series microphones.

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/207

RSR206 - Steve Albini - How To Mix a Record Aug 16, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Steve Albini musician engineer and owner of Electrical Audio in Chicago. Steve is known for his love of analog tape and extensive discography that includes artists like Nirvana, The Pixies, The Breeders, Robert Plant & Jimmy Page, The Stooges, Cheap Tick, and PJ Harvey to name only a few of more than a thousand records he has made spanning the past 40 years.

Steve has also been a previous guest on the podcast when we talked about his start in recording and creating Electrical Audio. So please check out that episode RSR078. He also makes time to speak publicly about music and recording and teaches as well through Mix With The Masters.

So on today's episode I thought I would focus more on mixing and see what we can learn about mixing records on analog tape through consoles and also how that might inform the decisions we make when mixing digitally in the computer as well (or not).

Thanks to our sponsors!

OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

JZ Microphones - https://usashop.jzmic.com/ use coupon: ROCKSTAR at checkout for 50% off JZ vintage series microphones.

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/206

RSR205 - James Ivey - Host of Pro Tools & Production Expert, Owner of Location Recording Aug 09, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is James Ivey, the Technical Editor of Pro Tools Expert and owner and facilitator at Location Recordings in London UK.

James has been playing drums since the tender age of 7, performing his first paid gigs at the age of 8. From that moment on there was no stopping him. His parents brought him is first 4-track tape recorder (a Tascam Porta 01 costing well over £1000) at the age of 12 which gave him the bug for recording and ever since then he has been collecting and acquiring gear to make his studio and productions the best they can be.

James' first job in the audio industry was with a pop video production company where he learned what the term deadline really means and other audio skills which have stuck with him, like the importance of clock and sync. Since then he has worked for studio equipment suppliers and installers as well as companies like Sibelius and later Avid and a production demonstrator.

James or Jivey is officially the Production Expert gear junkie. If it makes a noise and you can play it or record it, he's interested.

Thanks to our sponsors!

OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

JZ Microphones - https://usashop.jzmic.com/ use coupon: ROCKSTAR at checkout for 50% off JZ vintage series microphones.

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/205

RSR204 - Sara Carter - Mixing And Mastering Indi Music In the UK Aug 02, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Sara Carter, a BBC trained, mixing and mastering engineer based in Basingstoke in the UK.

Sara started recording and mixing music in the mid-'90s from a small home studio as a hobby. In 2000, at the somewhat ripe age of 34, she decided to find out how to turn that hobby into a full-time career.

She studied at the SAE Institute in London gaining an Audio Engineering Diploma, then went on to work for the BBC in London as a Studio Manager. There she engineered many of the UKs most popular radio shows and live music sessions. Working from the BBCs Maida Vale Studios, she developed her critical listening skills by working with a wide variety of artists on numerous sessions and has been credited on records by Corrine Bailey Rae and KT Tunstall amongst others.

In 2009, Sara decided to take a break from broadcasting and left the BBC to explore a different career in brewing. However, in recent years, she has felt a strong calling back to music and returned with her online mixing and mastering business serving unsigned rock and indie bands from all over the world.

Thanks to our sponsors!

OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

JZ Microphones - https://usashop.jzmic.com/ use coupon: ROCKSTAR at checkout for 50% off JZ vintage series microphones.

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/204

RSR203 - Langston Masingale - Make Your DAW Sound Like Analog Tape with Zulu Jul 26, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Langston Masingale who started working in recording studios 25 years ago at age 16 in his uncle's studio in New Jersey. He went on to help start JJ Audio Mics in 2009. In 2014, he struck out on his own and invented what would become the core technology of his tape-emulation product, Zulu. He formed Handsome Audio in 2015 with his partner Tod Levine, and they released Zulu that same year.

Langston also owns a recording studio, Narrative Audio, in Syracuse, New York, where he produces and records artists.

He loves to create new and interesting tools for the modern recording engineers and producers. And his early exposure to analog tape has guided and shaped his sonic perspective in a world of digital audio.

A big thank you to Alan Evans for introducing us. And also make sure to check out Matt Boudreau's new book from Working Class Audio Jornal Volume 1 where you can read his interview with Langston too.

Thanks to our sponsors!

OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

JZ Microphones - https://usashop.jzmic.com/ use coupon: ROCKSTAR at checkout for 50% off JZ vintage series microphones.

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/203

RSR202 - Nick Lobel - From Mix Assistant To Pro Mixer Jul 19, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Nick Lobel a Nashville producer, engineer, and song writer who started out touring and recording with MI-based rock band, Monsters and Mannequins before moving to Nashville to pursue a career in music production. Following his studies at Belmont University, and internships at The Toy Box, Station West, and Ocean Way Nashville, Lobel cut his teeth as an assistant to mix engineer Sean Moffitt.

In 2016 Lobel began working with songwriter/producer Tyler Johnson. Under Tyler's wing, Lobel has worked on artist projects including Sam Smith, Meghan Trainor, Harry Styles, Cam, and The Head And The Heart. Over the past year Lobel has been further honing his chops, producing and developing the artist Alec Bailey whose debut EP has already amassed over 4M streams.

When Nick was at Belmont he also interned with me here at The Toy Box Studio and was one of the best interns I have ever had. He has assisted and engineered for me on many projects and has also been part of my team at the Bonnaroo Hay Bale Studio.

Thanks to our sponsors!

OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

JZ Microphones - https://usashop.jzmic.com/ use coupon: ROCKSTAR at checkout for 50% off JZ vintage series microphones.

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/202

RSR201 - Steve O'Brien - Writing Nashville Country Songs Jul 12, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Steve O'Brien a songwriter who originally moved from Connecticut to Nashville to pursue songwriting after graduating from Fairfield University in 1973. He spent several years working at the offices and studios of Owen Bradley, Chet Atkins, and Ray Stevens. And had a couple of songs enter the Billboard Top 100 Country Chart in the mid-1970s. He then built his own recording studio and formed Steve O'Brien Music BMI in 1976 to be the exclusive worldwide publisher of his compositions, which have sold over 10 million copies. Steve's songs have been featured on numerous recent recordings, including two songs on Danni Nicholls' "Mockingbird Lane" album, which was nominated for UK Americana Association 2017 Album Of The Year. Steve cowrote all 10 songs on JJ Lawhorn's 2018 album, "The Huntsman" produced by Jeremy Stover which recently topped one million streams. Recent releases include Southern Halo, and Bailey James, produced and engineered at his studio and now climbing the Music Row Country independent chart. If that wasn't enough, Steve also published a novel called The Ferrari Club in 2013.

Thanks to our sponsors!

OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

JZ Microphones - https://usashop.jzmic.com/

Summer Sale: (up to) 50% Off All Microphones at JZMic.com Right Now!

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/201