Music
**Working Class Audio**

Peel back the glamour of the professional recording world. Guests from the world of audio for music, film, games, restoration, and more share their insights on how they made their journey, how they survive, their advice on the real things including wins, losses, working with other people, money, and career advice.
Hosted by audio engineer Matt Boudreau.
The Working Class Audio Podcast – Navigating the World of Recording with a working class perspective.

Latest Episodes:

WCA #155 with Andrew Maury Dec 04, 2017

Show notes

Andrew Maury is an American record producer, audio engineer, and mixing engineer based in Brooklyn, New York. Maury has worked with artists such as Lewis Del Mar, Ra Ra Riot, Shawn Mendes, Grace Mitchell, Strange Names, Post Malone, RAC, Panama Wedding, Atlas Genius, Kimbra, Delicate Steve, Milagres, High Highs, Penguin Prison, Kisses, Satchmode, COIN, The Kooks, and CRUISR. In the summer of 2009, he worked on Tegan and Sara’s Sainthood alongside producer and Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla at the world-famous Sound City Studios in Los Angeles. Maury also spent years mixing front of house on tour for artists such as Ra Ra Riot and Givers and has mixed shows for bands such as Delicate Steve, Surfer Blood, and Chairlift.

About this Interview:

Andrew talks to me from his home in Brooklyn, NY about management, health, working in the pop world as a rock guy, gear lust, Sound City, and much more. Many thanks to listener Chad Wahlbrink for suggesting Andrew.

Show notes and links:

The Patchbay I mention in the monologue: https://www.flocktechnologies.com/

WCA #154 with James Tuttle Nov 27, 2017

Show notes

James Tuttle is an recording/mixing engineer and producer with 40 years in the trenches. After growing up playing in local bands in the midwest and Colorado he traded his place on stage for a place behind the console and never looked back. He has worked with everyone from Carole King and Dan Fogelberg to Joe Ely and Big Head Todd and the Monsters. He is a 2 time Grammy nominee for his mixing work with singer/songwriter Eliza Gilkyson and Jungle Jazz For Kids creator Mark Oblinger. He currently lives outside of Boulder, Colorado where he returned to after a stay in the fertile music mecca of Austin TX. He continues to be actively involved in making records with local and national artists. After a long affiliation with Airshow Mastering where he had a mix room, he now works from his home studio and from the Studio at eTown Hall. His ongoing affiliation with the eTown syndicated radio show/podcast spans 20+ years where he is the chief recording engineer. Working on the eTown show has afforded him the opportunity to record and mix hundreds of artists including: James Taylor, Mumford and Son, Los Lobos, Michael Franti, Lyle Lovett, Imogen Heap, Rickie Lee Jones, Randy Newman, Ben Folds, Atmosphere, Emmy Lou Harris, Brother Ali and many, many more.

About this Interview:

WCA #154 features US recording/mixing engineer and producer James Tuttle. James originally emailed me knowing I would be in Colorado to see if I wanted to sit down for coffee. Once I saw that James had a serious background I countered his coffee offer with a an interview in a local coffee shop. With my portable rig in tow we got caffeinated and talked money, E-Town (https://www.etown.org/ ) where James has been at the last 20 years, his connection to David Glasser , recording in Austin and being in Carol King's backup band. Enjoy! -Matt

Show notes and links:

E Town: https://www.etown.org/
The documentary we mention: http://www.shopkeepermovie.com/
The studio in the above documentary: http://congresshouse.com/
Arguments for FCC Net Neutrality: https://goo.gl/NpHxWW
Arguments against FCC Net Neutrality: https://goo.gl/DCjA1V

WCA #153 with Katie Tavini Nov 20, 2017

Show notes

Katie Tavini began working as a producer and engineer before a piece of advice changed everything for her. “I was looking to improve my mixes,” she recalls. “Someone told me that if I wanted to do that I should learn to master. Whether it was good advice or not I took it. I loved what I discovered and never looked back.”

With a fine balance of curiosity and experience, Tavini is now a mastering engineer with a rich and diverse client-list far bigger than any sound or scene.

“I like things with a lot of influences,” she adds. “I like not being able to place a piece of music immediately and I love working with bands and artists who push their boundaries. I've found that a willingness to try and explore something new has often led to amazing results for my clients.”

Katie is a mastering engineer who encourages, refines, expands and finishes. She loves to amplify the emotion and energy of an artist while bringing clarity and consistency to their art. People do not hear her best work, they feel it.

“Most people don't think about how music moves them,” admits Tavini. “They are just moved. My job is to bring all the hard work of artists, producers and engineers together and create a platform for songs to shine. It's the perfect job for me.”

About this Interview:

WCA #153 features UK Mastering engineer Katie Tavini ( https://www.katietavini.co.uk/ ). Katie recently wrote a what I think is a great opinion piece for Audio Media International ( https://goo.gl/XaovbN) about supporting your fellow engineers, your peers etc.. Instead of casting judgement over the gear they use and instead judge them based on the work they do. After reading that article I had a look at Katie’s website sent an email and invited her on the show. We chatted a couple of days ago about mastering of course, clients, money, health and marketing. Enjoy! -Matt

Show notes and links:

Katie's website: https://www.katietavini.co.uk/home
Katie's Audio Media International Article: https://goo.gl/XaovbN
Audio-Technica 2017 Gift Guide: https://goo.gl/7LGYoS
Al Schmitt on Using Microphones: https://www.groove3.com/tutorials/Al-Schmitt-on-Using-Microphones
Sonarworks Reference 4 software https://www.sonarworks.com/
ISRC Codes US: http://www.usisrc.org/
ISRC Codes UK: http://www.ppluk.com/
Lean In: Sheryl Sandburg
Simple Invoices: https://simpleinvoices.io
Easy Invoice: https://easyinvoiceapp.com/

WCA #152 with Horacio Bolz Nov 13, 2017

Show notes

Horacio Bolz is an engineer/producer from Montevideo, Uruguay. By the age of 8 he was recording for fun and playing guitar and drums. While his life plan was originally to become a commercial airline pilot, it wasn't until later he realized that music, producing and engineering was what I wanted to do in life. So by the age of 18 he moved to the UK to follow that dream. Horacio started his Production & Sound Engineering studies at Alchemea Collage in London. Once there he began to work for Phil Manzanera and Javier Weyler as an assistant engineer. During this period he recorded part of Phil's last two solo albums (The Sound of Blue & Corroncho 2). In 2012 Horacio returned to Uruguay where he started working as head engineer at Vivace Music. There, he recorded and mixed songs for most of the best bands in the country. Meanwhile he started doing live related work as a Monitor Engineer for Uruguayan bands. 2013 was the year in which Horacio started his band The Islingtons. They released "1 1 2 3 5", their first studio album which was nominated for "Best New Band" at the Graffiti Awards. Since 2015 Horacio has been working as a freelance engineer, producer and musician. He owns (with his business partner Christian Eichin) a software development company in which they develop a free app called "Wavejam". A collaborative multi-track recorder for iOS devices. Horacio also owns Vincent, a Creative Audio & Film production company based in Montevideo, Uruguay.

About this Interview:

Horacio talks with me about his early plan to become a commercial airline pilot, his work with Phil Manzanara, import taxes in Uruguay and how that affects his ability to buy equipment, as well his ability to make a living and incorporate audio into his life even when faced limitations. -Matt

Show notes and links:

Horacio on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/horacio-bolz-33659957/
Fix Audio Designs (Paul Wolf) https://www.fixaudiodesigns.com/
After Master http://aftermaster.com/
http://www.500seriesmodules.com/
Sonarworks Reference 4 software https://www.sonarworks.com/

WCA #151 with David Glasser Nov 06, 2017

Show notes

Mastering engineer David Glasser has over 35 years of experience in audio engineering and has mastered thousands of records, including more than 80 GRAMMY nominees. A three-time nominee himself, he has earned two GRAMMY awards for mastering and restoration of the culturally significant Anthology of American Folk Music (1997) and Screamin’ and Hollerin’ the Blues: The Worlds of Charley Patton (2002). David began his audio career with the Boston Symphony, followed by eight years of recording and production for NPR. He founded Airshow in 1983 and shifted to full-time mastering in 1990 with a modest studio in Springfield, VA. Expanding the company to Boulder, Colorado in 1997, David grew Airshow into one of the largest mastering facilities in the country. In 2016, David built a new facility where he continues to enjoy the daily variety of a busy mastering practice.

About this Interview:

David talks with me about his early days at NPR, recording live shows, transitioning into mastering and being a volunteer fire fighter! Enjoy! - Matt

WCA #150 with Jim Homes Oct 30, 2017

Show notes

Jim Homes is a producer /engineer and one half of the production team known as Boe Weaver who have worked with artists including Champs, Whyte Horses, Wolfpeople, Archie Bronson Outfit and Rhys Lewis. Jim is our guest today since according to him he is the chatty one and brother Rob is the quiet one. Jim and Rob parlayed their 90's era band's minor success into a production career by making some very good decisions about gear and money early on. Their studio is located on the Isle of Wight South of London on property owned by the Crown where they rent a 3 story water tower to make records in. Raising families and careers, the brothers have taken what some would see as a disadvantage (being isolated away from London) into an advantage by bringing artists to a truly magical place away from distraction to focus purely on music.

About this Interview:

Jim chats with me about living and working on the Isle of Wight with brother Rob, raising a family, working 9-5, working below a giant water tank and being at peace with his surroundings.

Show notes and links:

WCA #149 with Dom Morley Oct 23, 2017

Show notes

Dom Morley is a Grammy Award winning producer and mixer based in his own Oxfordshire (UK) studio.

Dom engineered Amy Winehouse's number 1 "Back To Black" album, Mark Ronson's "Version" and "Record Collection", Richard Ashcroft's 'These People' and "Keys' To The World', the Grinderman (Nick Cave) debut album and singles for Adele, Morrissey & Estelle amongst others. Some recent mixes include Sting's 5.1 "Live at Durham Cathedral", Solomon Grey's debut album, Mull Historical Society's 'Dear Satellite' & 'City Awakenings' (both of which Dom also produced) 'Colin MacIntyre's "The Water", the Million Dollar Quartet OCR, and the soundtrack for the upcoming British film 'Gozo'.

Dom has also engineered or mixed for Rag'n'Bone Man, The Staves, Rumer, Keane, Birdy, Lemon Jelly, Jeff Beck, Sting, I Am Kloot, The Verve, Live8 (DVD) and Underworld, as well as working with The Police on the pre-production for their world tour and recording and mixing the audio for the 5 "Intros" and "Input/Output" series (Mumford & Sons, Florence & The Machine etc) for Channel 4 and Island Records.

Dom has also recently undertaken a sound design project, providing all the sounds for the Samplephonics 'Dirty Modular' Kontakt instrument ("Great waveform library. Excellent sound" MusicRadar / "great sound quality of waveform library" producerspot.com).

Read more about Dom at www.dommorley.com , his studio at www.flintbarnstudio.com or at Wikipedia.

About this Interview:

I can't honestly remember how I came to be emailing with Dom Morley. I do know it took us awhile to figure out a workable time to do it. Time Zones.......what a head scratcher when it comes to interview planning. Anyway, I talk with Dom about his work with Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse, staying busy even though he lives out in the English countryside and work/life balance among many other topics. Enjoy.

Show notes and links:

Dom's website: http://www.dommorley.com
Don's Studio : http://www.flintbarnstudio.com
Mix Consultancy: https://themixconsultancy.com
Fjord Audio Kickstarter
Lij Shaw's Recording Studio Rockstars Podcast

WCA #148 with Bill Smith Oct 16, 2017

Show notes

Bill Smith is a recording engineer & producer wIth over thirty years experience in the music industry. He’s worked with YES, John Fogerty, Steve Lukather, Trevor Horn, Natalie Cole, George Benson, Queen Latifah and many more. He’s been involved with numerous Gold, Platinum and both Grammy winning and Grammy nominated records and film soundtracks. Simultaneous to his own career he also spent eleven years as the personal recording assistant, co-engineer and Pro Tools operator to twenty-two time Grammy winning recording engineer, producer and industry legend Al Schmitt. Bill has an extensive and diverse background in rock, jazz, orchestral and big band recording. He has also with been involved with product and preset development for both the hardware and software versions of the Lexicon PCM96 and the TC Electronic M6000 Multichannel Processor.

About this Interview:

In our interview we talk about Bill's early days in New York as a recording engineer and his decision to move to California. We also talk about lessons learned from Al Schmitt, the changing recording world and how to adapt as well as common sense financial advice. Enjoy!

Show notes and links:

Bill's Website: www.billsmith.biz
Backblaze: https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup.html#af9h3h
Bernie Krause: https://ww2.kqed.org/arts/2017/10/11/bernie-krauses-equipment-decades-of-musical-memorabilia-lost-in-fires/

WCA #147 with Brett Bullion Oct 09, 2017

Show notes

Brett Bullion is a mixing engineer and producer based in Minneapolis, MN. Born 1984 in the suburbs of MN, Brett Grew up on 90s Warp Records and the Ornette Coleman box set. Brett's recording path started with playing drums in studios and eventually led to getting a Roland a digital multitrack as a kid. Brett earned his BA in theology from St Olaf College and eventually moved to Seattle where he spent his time drinking coffee, eating noodles, but kept recording on his own. After a move back to Minneapolis, he toured with Tarlton and Dark Dark Dark . Hundreds of sessions later he stopped performing to focus full-time on recording and mixing and has been at it ever since.

About this Interview:

I met Brett at Mix with the Masters in France. After hearing his work and spending time drinking wine, eating meals and talking shop I knew he had to be on the show. Enjoy!

Show notes and links:

WCA #146 with Rene Coronado Oct 02, 2017

Show notes

Rene Coronado graduated in 1999 with with an AAS in audio engineering from South Plains College and jumped straight into the working world as an audio engineer at Dallas Audio Post where he does audio post and mixing, sound design, field recording and voice production. He also builds and releases sfx libraries at echocollectivefx.com and is the co host of the tonebenders podcast along with Tim Muirhead.

About this Interview:

I interviewed Rene when I was in France staying at Studio La Fabrique. We were challenged by 2 visiting wasps in my room and therefore did the interview in two parts (1 for each wasp-kidding). We discuss Rene's job at Dallas Audio post, work/life balance, sound design, capturing sounds in the field and maintaining those sounds for future access as well as his podcast Tonebenders. Special thanks to Mark Kilborn for setting this up! -Enjoy!