Working Class Audio

Latest Episodes:

WCA #315 with Paul Fig - Punk Rock Ethics, Handling Crashes, Mailbox Money, Managers, and Getting Out of the Chair Dec 28, 2020

Show notes

My guest today is engineer, musician Paul Fig. Paul has worked with Alice In Chains, Slipknot, Bush, the Def Tones, Rush, Stone Sour, The Mars Volta, and Johnny Cash. Paul's also worked alongside Joe Barresi, Matt Hyde, Don Smith, Matt Wallace, David Bianco, George Drakoulias, and Greg Fidelman. He's a former member of the band Amen. And when he's not working on other people's records, he's working on music for television and film, including the HBO documentary series Sonic Highways, Fox Sports, and MTV. Great guy. We hit it off immediately, and he comes to us via Joe Barresi. Once again. Thank you, Joe, for the referral.

In this episode, we discuss:

Eddie Van Halen
Dantes Jazz Club
Punk Rock Ethics
Assisting
Falling Budgets
Acquiring Gear
Video People
Mailbox Money
Handling Crashes
Getting Gigs
Low Overhead
Managers
Getting Out of the Chair

Matt's Rant: Gear Chat

Links and Show Notes

Paul's Site: https://paulfigmusic.com/
Paul on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulfigmusic/
Paul on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulFigMusic/
WCA Instagram: @working_class_audio
Go Ad-Free! https://glow.fm/workingclassaudio/
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw
Working Class Audio Journal: https://amzn.to/2GN67TP

Credits:

Guest: Paul Fig
Host: Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #314 with Shuta Shinoda - Tokyo to London, Sacrificing, Visa Challenges, Surviving, and Listening to Your Instincts Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

My guest today is engineer Shuta Shinoda. Based in London, originally from Tokyo. We talk all about Shuta's journey from Japan to the UK and everything in between.

In this episode, we discuss:

Learning Audio
Visa Challenges
Working in Japan
Working in England
Cleaning windows
English classes
Sacrificing
Peak time Train Battles
Moving to London
Connecting with Local Bands
Surviving During Covid
Future Outlook
Listening to your Instincts

Matt's Rant: A Little Business and a Little Inspiration

Links and Show Notes

Shuta's Site: https://www.shutashinoda.co.uk/
Shuta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutashinoda/
Radio Garden on IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/radio-garden-live/id1339670993
Radio Garden on Android: https://tinyurl.com/ycambhd3
WCA Instagram: @working_class_audio
Go Ad-Free! https://glow.fm/workingclassaudio/
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw
Working Class Audio Journal: https://amzn.to/2GN67TP

Credits:

Guest: Shuta Shinoda
Host: Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #313 with John Baffa - Cal Arts, Stable Shows, Forecasting, Creating a Reverb Chamber, and The Hardest Thing About Teaching Audio Dec 14, 2020

Show notes

My guest today is Grammy award-winning recording engineer John Baffa. He's worked with a wide array of people, including Mike Patton, Henry Rollins, the Melvins, as well as the Los Angeles percussion quartet. He joins us from his home in Southern California, and we talk about many things, including his work at Cal Arts as an instructor. John Baffa, coming up here on the working class audio podcast.

In this episode, we discuss:

John's Diverse Upbringing
Live Sound
Touring
The Troubadour
FOH
Paying Attention
Introduction to Recording
CAL ARTS
Late Nights
The Hardest Thing About Teaching Audio
John's House Studio
Going Solar
Socially Distanced Sessions
Remote audio instruction
Creating a Reverb Chamber
Ghosts in the Building
Diversification
Stable Shows
Forecasting

Matt's Monologue: DIversification, again!

Links and Show Notes

Cal Arts: https://calarts.edu/
John's Studio: https://tvtrayrecording.com/
WCA Instagram: @working_class_audio
Go Ad-Free! https://glow.fm/workingclassaudio/
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw
Working Class Audio Journal: https://amzn.to/2GN67TP

Credits:

Guest: John Baffa
Host: Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #312 with Jesse Cannon - Panic Attacks, Producing, Podcasts, Diversifying, Steve Albini and Big Words Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

My guest today is Jesse Cannon. Jesse is a man who covers a lot of territory. He produces, engineers, mixes, and masters. He hosts podcasts, he's an author, and he's the host of a YouTube channel. He does a lot of stuff, and he comes to us as a recommendation from our good friend, former WCA guest, Steve Evetts, and I'm excited to have him on. We had a great conversation the other day. And I'm looking forward to you hearing that conversation. Jesse Cannon, coming up here on the Working Class Audio podcast.

In this episode, we discuss:

WFMU
Producing
Podcasting
YouTube
Books
Identity
Steve Albini
Big Words
Freedom
Daily Beast
Panic Attacks
Managing Bands
Surviving
Diversifying

Matt's Monologue: Paying it Forward

Links and Show Notes

Jesse's Studio: http://cannonfoundsoundation.com/
Jesse's Book: Processing Creativity
Jesse's Book: Get More Fans: The DIY Guide To The New Music Business
Jesse's Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/33RHwcN
Twitter: @jessecannon
Jesse's Podcasts: The New Abnormal Podcast, Atlantic Records Inside The Album, Noise Creators & Killed By Desk
WCA Instagram: @working_class_audio
Go Ad-Free! https://glow.fm/workingclassaudio/
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw
Working Class Audio Journal: https://amzn.to/2GN67TP

Credits:

Guest: Jesse Cannon
Host: Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #311 with Maria Rice - Quitting Architecture School, Following Your Gut, Interning, Being Resilient, Restoration, and the Florida Simulation Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

My guest today is Boston-based mastering and restoration engineer. Maria Rice, Maria works at Peerless mastering and has received three nominations for the Grammy award for Best Historical Album. Her remastering work also includes the 2018 reissue of Blondie's Heart of Glass. Maria and I connected over LinkedIn, and I reached out to her, and she graciously accepted my invitation to come on the show. So I'm very much looking forward to bringing you Maria Rice here on the Working Class Audio podcast.

In this episode, we discuss:

Dorm Room Studio
Live Recording
Audio Tough Love
Quitting Architecture School
Divided Focus
Jessica Thompson
Guilt
"Real Job" Pressure
Interning
Florida Simulation
Following Your Gut
Quitting Her Day Job
Transferable Skills
Mastering
Restoration
Being Resilient
Diversification

Matt's Monologue: Knowing Yourself

Links and Show Notes

Peerless Mastering Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peerlessmastering/
Maria on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-rice-8a11a19/
WCA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_class_audio
Go Ad-Free! https://glow.fm/workingclassaudio/
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw
Working Class Audio Journal: https://amzn.to/2GN67TP

Credits:

Guest: Maria Rice
Host: Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #310 with Steve Evetts - Knowing Your Worth, Repeat Clients, Dealing with Opinions, The Moment Of Discovery, and The Power of Commitment Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

My guest today is producer engineer mixer Steve Evetts, who has worked with the Dillinger Escape Plan, Sepultura, The Cure, Poison the Well, Alesana, The Wonder Years, and many, many others. Steve comes to us as a recommendation from our good friend, Joe Barresi.

In this episode, we discuss:

Parents Attic
Bass Guitar
Foster X15
Tracks East in New Jersey
First Studio Job
Power Of Commitment
Billing By The Day
Ross Robinson
Management
Work/ Life Balance
Supportive Spouse
Knowing Your Worth
Covid
Repeat Clients
Outside Perspective
Burn Out
The Moment Of Discovery
Dealing with Opinions
Social Media

Matt's Monologue: Preparing and Practicing in the Off Hours

Links and Show Notes

Steve's Management: http://selftitledmgmt.com/clients/SteveEvetts.html
Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveevetts/
WCA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_class_audio
Go Ad-Free! https://glow.fm/workingclassaudio/
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw
Working Class Audio Journal: https://amzn.to/2GN67TP

Credits:

Guest: Steve Evetts
Host: Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #309 with Michael Romanowski - Mastering, Shared History, Deep Listening, Old Dogs, Staying Upright, and Fuzzy Quarters Nov 16, 2020

Show notes

My guest today is a friend of 20 years who plays a role in the formation of Working Class Audio. I'm talking about mastering engineer Michael Romanowski. Michael and I go way back. We were building partners at our studio in San Francisco. Michael had a mastering facility in the front. I had a recording studio in the back, and together we were co-tenants in the space that he helped bring me into. Michael played a part in the formation of Working Class Audio because he's the one that helped me get off the lease without damaging our relationship with the landlord, which was crucial. Very excited to bring you this interview with him. We met up over it at his house, where he has a residential mastering facility nominated for a TEC award. Michael Romanowski, coming up here on the Working Class Audio podcast.

In this episode, we discuss:

Home Mastering Facility
TEC Nominated Room
Compromise
Shared History
Paul Stubblebine
Lifeboats
Andrew Scheps
Vance Powell
The Tape Project
Michigan
Nashville
Motorcycles
Math
Chris Takes the Truck
Curmudgeon University
Learning From Others
Deep Listening
Gear Buying Decisions
Time Investments
The Game of Inches
Audiophile Wingnuttery
Fuzzy Quarters
Protecting Your Ears
NARAS
Social Media
Old Dogs
Beards
Immersive Audio
Being You
Taking a Break
Staying Upright
Golf
Work/Life Balance
Addressing Mistakes
Paying Attention
Process of Elimination

Matt's Monologue: Supporting Small Business

Links and Show Notes

Michael's Site: https://www.coastmastering.com/
The Tape Project: https://tapeproject.com/
WCA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_class_audio
Go Ad-Free! https://glow.fm/workingclassaudio/
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw
Working Class Audio Journal: https://amzn.to/2GN67TP

Credits:

Guest: Michael Romanowski
Host: Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #308 with Robert L. Smith - Online Mixing, The State of New York, International Eco Systems, and The Virtual Hallway Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

My guest today is the return of Robert L. Smith. Robert was originally on episode six of the Working Class Audio podcast. He's a producer-engineer mixer. He's based in New York City. That hasn't changed. And he has worked with some pretty big names out there. Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, David Byrne, and U2. We bring Robert back to check in about where things stand for him, where things stand during the COVID crisis, how he has navigated the whole thing, and how things have changed for him or not changed. And we're going to get to all of that. So very happy to have Robert back to join us. Robert L. Smith, coming up here on the Working Class Audio podcast.

In this episode, we discuss:

COVID
Online Mixing
Overseas Clients
The State of New York
Changes to Recording
The Versions of Pop
Remote Sessions
iPhone/Garageband Recordings
Manager of Expectations
Educating Clients
Relationships
Sense of Humor
The Virtual Hallway
International Eco Systems

Matt's Monologue: Putting in the Work

Links and Show Notes

Robert's Site: http://defyrecordings.com/
Robert's Previous Interview: https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-006-with-robert-l-smith/
WCA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_class_audio
Go Ad-Free! https://glow.fm/workingclassaudio/
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw
Working Class Audio Journal: https://amzn.to/2GN67TP

Credits:

Guest: Robert L. Smith
Host: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Editing: Matt Boudreau
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #307 with Kevin Churko - Family Band, Family Business, Mutt Lange, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins Drums, and Graceful Exits Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

My guest today is Kevin Churko. Who's originally from Canada, currently resides in the United States, and he is a producer-engineer, mixer, and songwriter. He's worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Papa Roach, Modern Science, Five Finger Death Punch, Shania Twain, and Hellyeah amongst many, many others. One aspect of his career that's fascinating that we're going to talk about is that Kevin worked for four years for Mutt Lange in Switzerland. He moved the whole family there. We're going to talk all about that in his journey, which I think you'll find quite fascinating. And I'm very excited to have Kevin join us today. So Kevin Churko, coming up here on the working-class audio podcast.

In this episode, we discuss:

Canadian Upbringing
Family Band
Shania Twain
Working for Mutt Lange
Living in Switzerland
"Just Get Good"
Taking Care of Customers
Moving to Los Angeles
Moving to Las Vegas
Ozzy Osbourne & Zack Wylde
Graceful Exits
Phil Collins' Drums
Saying No
Working with His Kids
Financial Advice
Keeping the Faith

Matt's Monologue: Random Goings On

Links and Show Notes

Kevin's Studio: https://www.hideoutlv.com/
Pleased to Meet Me Box Set: https://bit.ly/382SYVP
Matt's past band: https://thesextants.bandcamp.com/
WCA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_class_audio
Go Ad-Free! https://glow.fm/workingclassaudio/
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw
Working Class Audio Journal: https://amzn.to/2GN67TP

Credits:

Guest: Kevin Churko
Host: Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #306 with Daniel Bacigalupi - Infrasonic Sound, Supportive Parents, Poker, CD Text Fails, and a Collapsing Lung Oct 25, 2020

Show notes

My guest today is Nashville based mastering engineer Daniel Bacigalupi. Daniel is a member of the team over at Infrasonic Mastering. That includes Pete Lyman, Dave Gardner, and Piper Payne, all who have been guests here on WCA. We're going to get into Daniel's journey to Nashville and into mastering here shortly. Daniel Bacigalupi coming up here on the working class audio podcast.

In this episode, we discuss: