Unstoppable Recording Machine Podcast

Latest Episodes:

EP 168 | Daniel Bergstrand Oct 11, 2017

Show notes

The living legend, Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, Devin Townsend, Soilwork), comes on board to talk his process, experimentation, and his passion for organization. What can we really say about the influence Bergstrand has had on the industry that hasn’t already been said? He’s had a hand in some of the most well regarded heavy albums of the past couple decades. He absolutely killed it recently on Nail the Mix, and here he is sharing more secrets with us. There are some things about his approach to audio that are likely to surprise a lot of you. “Every channel should sound good. You should be able to solo everything, and it should sound good. I don’t like covering things in the whole mix.” - Daniel Bergstrand ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - Daniel’s very early start in audio - The recording of Meshuggah’s Destroy Erase Improve - Making sure soloed tracks sound great - Experimenting to find new solutions - How recording lackluster musicians can actually be good - And much, much more Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 167 | Eric Guenther Sep 27, 2017

Show notes

Eric Guenther (The Contortionist, From Exile) sits in on this episode to shed some light on songwriting, collaboration, and being an effective keyboardist in rock/metal genres. It seems like more rock and metal bands than ever are incorporating some sort of keys or synth in their music. Of course, that also means that there’s a lot of bands doing it without really having any idea how to not make a mess of things in the process. There are few people that we’d feel are as qualified as Eric right now to provide some guidance on the subject. “I kind of like that ability to use a wide variety of different toys on every record, so that each record has its own character and place in time in a way.” - Eric Guenther ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - Using new tools to distinguish records from each other - Getting keys to live peacefully with other instruments in a mix - Finding creative ways to use pedals that “suck” - Effectively working with collaborators to craft balanced arrangements - How Eric uses Ableton for his live performances - And much, much more Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 166 | Dear Joel Sep 25, 2017

Show notes

Joel Wanasek has the answers you need to make sure you stay #nosmalltime. Want Joel to answer your questions? Send them to Joel@urm.academy with the subject line “Dear Joel.” The more detailed the better! “Small time is when you have really big dreams, but you don’t have the balls to go out and go after them.” - Joel Wanasek ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - The importance of setting yourself apart, and how to do it - Small time behaviors to avoid - Why you should always be open to help - What to do about a lack of motivation - Navigating past scene drama - Diversifying businesses - And much, much more Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 165 | Richard Chycki Sep 20, 2017

Show notes

We’re happy to have producer and engineer Richard Chycki (Aerosmith, Dream Theater, Rush) on the show to impart wisdom that he’s gained working at the industry’s top tier. Richard’s discography reads like a who’s who of all time amazing musicians. There’s so much information to mine from this discussion it’s crazy. From the process behind getting amazing guitar tones from guitar gods to how to communicate in a manner that maximizes creativity to the benefits he sees when looking back on his path into the industry, if you want to hear the mindset of one of the all time greats, you’re going to want to pay close attention to this one. “The biggest attribute that I could give to the majority of artists I work with in the ‘upper echelon’ is that they are not chasing success, they’re being creative, and they’re doing what they want to do to express their musical outlet at that time in their lives.” - Richard Chycki ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - Communicating effectively with artists - The common traits of upper tier artists - Dealing with “big personalities” - Gaining trust - What Richard would want to tell his younger self - And much, much more Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 164 | Trevor Strnad Sep 18, 2017

Show notes

Trevor Strnad of The Black Dahlia Murder joins us to discuss his undying love for metal, what it takes to keep a band running at peak performance, and learning lessons about what to do (and what not to do) from the bands around you. Trevor is undeniably one of the great metal frontmen, and anyone looking to be successful in an extreme metal band stands to learn a lot from what he shares in this episode. The Black Dahlia Murder has always done things their own way and they’ve done it well. They’ve faced adversity and roadblocks along the way, but they’ve excelled due to tenacity and skill. “That’s the ultimate goal. To be a tight band. To be a good band. To make good records that resonate. To make songs that are dynamic. To make songs that emote, despite being a fast band, despite being a death metal band.” - Trevor Strnad ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - Trevor’s metal obsession - Why it’s ok for musicians to be open about enjoying what they do - Focusing on work ethic and professionalism - How bringing in band members that aren’t local can be beneficial - Developing a band and learning from those around you - And much, much more Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 163 | Dear Finn Sep 13, 2017

Show notes

Finn Mckenty has the life and career answers you crave. Want Finn to answer your questions? Send them to Finn@urm.academy with the subject line “Dear Finn.” The more detailed the better! “Is it really true that bands make decisions based on whether somebody has nice gear or not? I’m not sure that it is. What I’m very certain of is that, if they are making that decision, they have no fucking idea what nice gear is.” - Finn Mckenty ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - What branding actually is - Why Finn believes that charisma is essential for performers - Degrees for creatives - How to prepare for career transitions - Getting clients for you new studio - Why no one is going to care about your unknown band’s studio diary - And much, much more Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 162 | Jaime Gomez Arellano Sep 11, 2017

Show notes

Jaime Gomez Arellano (Ghost, Paradise Lost, Sunn O))) shares his perspective on natural drum production, what you can buy today that will level up your productions immediately, and when enough compression is enough. Modern tools like samples, plugins, and amp sims definitely have a place in many productions. Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking otherwise. However, it’s always intriguing to chat with a producer like Jaime that takes the extra time to do things with more of an analog approach. There’s tons of info in this episode for those of you interested in classic production techniques. “I’ve had records where it’s like: I can’t get it to sound louder without making it sound bad. So, I just need to leave it there, because I don’t want it to sound bad.” - Jaime Gomez Arellano ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - Starting every project with a “clean slate” - How to get the most out of going to a music school - How Jaime went about starting his studio - Putting in the time and getting your name out there when you’re starting out - Why you should limit your recording session time - Why you should be careful with high end instruments that the artist has toured with - And much, much more Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 161 | Dear Joel Sep 06, 2017

Show notes

Joel Wanasek has the answers you need to make sure you stay #nosmalltime. Want Joel to answer your questions? Send them to Joel@urm.academy with the subject line “Dear Joel.” The more detailed the better! “I’m going to tell you something about clipping plugins… if you can’t hear it, and it sounds good, who cares?” - Joel Wanasek ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - Staying healthy - Reinvigorating your interest in music - The pros and cons of clipping plugins - Credit - Dialing in a problematic kick - And much, much more Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 160 | Jeff Dunne Sep 04, 2017

Show notes

Jeff Dunne follows up the Emmure Nail the Mix by joining us to dive into how he’s gotten to this point and how he continues to knock out killer mixes. Being a successful audio professional involves a lot more than just knowing how to mix. Not only is Jeff an amazing producer, but he balances that with another career, and his approach to managing all of it is something that we could all learn from. From avoiding distractions to communication strategies to not letting your unconscious sabotage you, there’s tons of info to take away from this one. “I think a lot of it is having confidence in what you can do, making sure you do it at a consistent level, and then being a little bit willing to pick up some shit at the end of the day for other people, because, realistically, that’s what people need you to do even if that’s not the explicitly stated job description.” - Jeff Dunne ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - Jeff’s top down mixing philosophy - Managing your involuntary reactions and turning them into positives - Cutting out distractions - How to become a “go to guy” - Nailing the prep - And much, much more Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 159 | How To Turn An Internship Into A Job Aug 30, 2017

Show notes

Nick Pilotta (URM Academy, The Wade Studio) is on the show to make sure you don’t end up the subject of just another intern horror story. Whether we’re talking the audio industry or not, there are opportunities out there being left on the table by people that aren’t willing or capable of grabbing them. If you know your shit and you’re not a punisher, then having a willingness to put in the time can pay off in dividends. Nick is definitely a prime example of how you can turn an internship into a career that could last you a lifetime. “You have to make your own opportunity, or else nothing will really come.” - Nick Pilotta ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - How to show, through internship work, that you’re someone worth paying - Getting the most out of the intern experience - Dealing with stigma related to coming out of a music school - How Nick got to the point of working with URM and Andrew Wade - Time management while building your career - Getting through moments when success feels impossible - And much, much more Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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