Master Your Mix Podcast

Optimizing Your Creativity with Don Gunn

Don Gunn is a freelance recording/mixing engineer, producer, and musician in Seattle, WA. who have worked with hundreds of artists over the years including Death Cab for Cutie, Peter Frampton, Soundgarden, The Lonely Forest, King Crimson, The Humans, and Fences.
Don started Gropius Mastering in 1997, but recently returned to the more creative side of producing, recording, and mixing. He primarily works at Two Sticks Audio in Seattle, a brand new room built by Jason McGerr from Death Cab for Cutie, but also Studio Litho and other fine rooms around Seattle. Don has also written an instructional book on Apple's Logic Pro DAW.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Scheduling creative timeCompartmentalizing your work to optimize your creative focusBatching tasksHow to edit your drums but keep a human feelThe challenges that come along with mixing live albumsMixing King Crimson and Death Cab For CutieMixing music in surround soundHow to clean up audio with clicks, pops, and noise
To learn more about Don Gunn, visit:  http://dongunn.com/
To learn more 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 the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mixing Mindset – The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/
 
Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community
 
To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.
 
Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com
 
Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Sean McLaughlin - Communicating With Artists

Sean McLaughlin is a producer, engineer, mixer and assistant professor in the Music Production and Engineering Major at Berklee.
He started his studio,  37’ Productions, as a means for musicians to achieve high quality, label-ready recordings routinely unavailable to unsigned artists.
Sean has worked with notable producers Andy Johns, Jimbo Barton, Carmen Rizzo, and artists Rush, Elliott Smith, Marilyn Manson, Death Row Records, and many others. 
In 2013, 2018 and 2019, Sean had the honor of being named Producer of the Year by the New England Music Awards. In 2019, Sean became the first to win Producer of the Year for both the Boston Music Awards and New England Music Awards in the same year.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Attended vs. unattended sessions: Which should you do?How to use an artists’ rough mix to help make your mix sound betterHow to get mix revision notes that make your life easierEditing vocals and drumsEditing drums - using tempo mapping to create a more natural feelThe problem with using multiband compressionThe # 1 question you should ask all artists before you start working with them in order to make sure everyone shares the same creative visionEQ: Before or after compression?Should you start a mix with drums or vocals?
To learn more about Sean McLaughlin, visit: https://www.37ft.com/
To learn more 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 the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mixing Mindset – The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/
 
Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community
 
To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.
 
Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com
 
Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Val Garay: Stories from over 100 Gold & Platinum Records

Val Garay is a legendary Producer/Engineer with a career spanning almost 4 decades when he started as a young singer/songwriter in the late 60’s.
He’s garnered over 100 gold & platinum records with total record sales over 125,000,000 worldwide.
He’s been Nominated for Grammy’s on 9 different occasions and won for the “Record of the Year & Song of the Year” with Bette Davis Eyes in 1981 and an Emmy Nomination for Neil Diamond’s TV Special, “Glad You’re Here With Me Tonight”.
He’s worked with such legendary artists as , Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Kim Carnes, The Motels, Jackson Browne, JD Souther, Sarah Brightman, Santana, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Andrew Gold, Frankie Valley & The Four Seasons, Marvin Gaye, Dolly Parton, Eric Carmen, Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, Joan Armatrading, Randy Meisner, Jennifer Warnes, Seals & Crofts, The Mama’s & Papa’s, Queensryche, Orleans, Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds and the list continues.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
How to create a snowball of success in the industryBalancing your “sound” with the vision of the artists you work withShould you put songs out frequently or is it better to wait?“Letting go” with your musicGiving back to younger generationsHow to get a balance of all of your drum kit tracks (without even turning on your monitors)The secret to getting drums and bass to feel balancedThe 6 different mixes he makes for every artist he works withReimagining songs in different genres
 
To learn more about Val Garay, visit: http://www.valgaray.com/
 
To learn more 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 the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mixing Mindset – The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/
 
Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community
 
To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.
 
Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com
 
Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Geoff Daking: Choosing The Right Gear To Use

Geoff Daking got his start as a drummer in the band, Blues Magoos. Over time, he transitioned from performing music to working in the studio, where worked with tons of great artists including Meatloaf on his “Bat Out Of Hell” album.
In 1994, Geoff started a company, Daking Audio, where he has built a line of amazing, affordable mic preamps, EQs, compressors, and consoles designed to achieve pro-quality sound out of a home studio.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
How to get a job in a studio without any experience at allWorking with Meatloaf, Lou Reed, Luther VandrossWhat makes gear better suited for home studios vs large format facilitiesChoosing microphone preamps: What makes a good oneMistakes you’re likely making with your preampHow to achieve different types of saturation from your mic preampChoosing the right compressor to useWhat to look out for when choosing a compressorCompression types: How different models differ and what they sound likeWhy using stepped EQs is often better than parametric EQsWhy HPFs are so critical in home studios
To learn more about Geoff Daking, visit: https://www.daking.com/
To learn more 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 the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mixing Mindset – The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/
 
Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community
 
To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.
 
Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com
 
Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Josh Newell - Becoming a master of your DAW

Josh Newell is a Los Angeles based engineer, mixer, and producer known for his work with a wide range of artists, including Linkin Park, Intronaut, Nas, Avril Lavigne, Celine Dion P.O.D, and many more. He has gained a reputation for being a master with Pro Tools and being very thorough with his work.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Mastering your DAWStriking a balance between being thorough vs. being fastPro Tools certification - Is it worth it/necessary?How to get in with bands that you want to work withWhat makes a great assistantOptimizing your recording environment in order to work fast and stay creativeThe challenges of working with A-level artistsTips for editing drums so that they sound tight but naturalThe one track that you should be recording in order to make guitar editing easy.
To learn more about Josh Newell, visit: https://josh-newell.com/
To learn more 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 the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mixing Mindset – The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/
 
Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community
 
To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.
 
Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com
 
Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Jaimeson Durr - How to build trust with artists

Jaimeson Durr is a San Francisco Bay Area recording engineer, mixer and producer that works on a variety of music genres from local legends like, Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Chickenfoot, The Circle, The Dead, Dan the Automator as well as many other new promising artists.
For the past 14 years Jaimeson has been primarily working out of his own studio Wally’s Hyde Out (formally Studio C) in the legendary Hyde Street Recording Studio complex where many well known artists recorded including Santana, Clearance Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane,The Grateful Dead, Green Day, Train, and many, many more.
 
He has also performed on and mixed several songs for hit prime time TV shows and movie trailers 90210, The Mindy Project, Ugly Betty, Rango, Arthur, The Lorax, Tangled and many more.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Analog summing: Is it worth investing into it?How to build trust with artists so that they keep hiring youDeciding how much to editThe sweet spot for micing guitar cabinetsGetting guitar tones with Joe joe SatrianiHow temperature can affect tuningCreating efficiencies to work quicklyRecording records with iPhones 
To learn more about Jaimeson Durr, visit: www.JaimesonDurr.com
To learn more about his studio, Wally’s Hydeout, visit: www.WallysHydeout.com
To learn more 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 the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mixing Mindset – The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/
 
Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community
 
To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.
 
Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com
 
Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Scott Michael Smith - Recording & Mixing Orchestras

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, and Weezer amongst many others. 
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 orchestrasHow to mic an orchestraHow to keep organized and manage hundreds of audio tracksThe secret to recording hundreds of tracks worth of instruments in less than 3 hoursHow Scott lays out his template to mix fastThe challenges of recording orchestras during COVIDDolby Atmos: the challenges of adopting this new system for mixingWill Atmos work for mixing music?
To learn more 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 the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mixing Mindset – The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/
 
Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community
 
To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.
 
Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com
 
Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Hans DeKline - Mastering From A Home Studio

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 masteredWhether or not you need to know how to mix before you can become a mastering engineerWhy you don’t need a perfectly treated room or expensive equipment to master records professionallyThe most important button in your studioHow long it usually takes to master a songWhy attending your mastering sessions isn’t a good ideaThe simple tool that will help ensure your mixes translate from system to systemWhy meters don’t matterHow to prepare your tracks for mastering
To learn more about Hans DeKline, visit: https://hansdeklinemastering.com/
To learn more 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 the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mixing Mindset – The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/
 
Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community
 
To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.
 
Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com
 
Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Mixing Workflow Hacks with Chris Shaw

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 studioThe minimum amount of gear needed to make great productionsChris’ simple MIDI trick that makes gating, compression, and sampling easyUsing macros to eliminate tedious mixing tasksWorking with WeezerWhy there is no reverb on the Weezer Blue albumA hack for multi-micing guitars that will make sure you capture the best soundChris’ 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/
To learn more 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 the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mixing Mindset – The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/
 
Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community
 
To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.
 
Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com
 
Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Dave Hillis: Working On The Birth Of Grunge Music

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 industryWhat it was like to be working behind the scenes during the birth of grunge musicHow to achieve the snare sound on Pearl Jam’s “Ten” albumHow to create studio albums that sound like live albumsUsing drum samples to trigger reverbsHow to find the right drum samples to use in your productions.
To learn more about Dave Hillis, visit:  https://davehillismusic.com/
To learn more 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 the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The Mixing Mindset – The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/
Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community
To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.
Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com
Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!