Master Your Mix Podcast

Alex Newport: Embracing Imperfection

Born in Wolverhampton, UK and growing up in the Midlands area Alex Newport currently lives in Los Angeles. The owner of Future Shock recording studio, Newport got his start as the founding member of UK noise-rock band Fudge Tunnel.
Moving behind the boards, Newport became a highly sought after producer after producing hugely influential records for At the Drive-In (In/Casino/Out, 1998 and Vaya, 1999) and The Mars Volta (Tremulant, 2002). In 2011 he commenced an ongoing relationship with the Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Dallas Green, AKA City And Colour. Newport produced City And Colour’s Little Hell, which was recorded and mixed entirely on analog tape followed by The Hurry and the Harm – the band’s second consecutive #1 album on the Canadian charts and a top 20 Billboard US album. He also mixed the collaborative project between City and Colour and Pink called You+Me.
Alex produced Bloc Party’s critically acclaimed top five UK album FOUR. Other notable productions and mixes include work with Matt Costa, Moaning, Death Cab For Cutie, The Sounds, Frank Turner, Two Gallants, Weaves, Tigercub, Bleached, and more.
Alex also sings and performs as one half of Red Love, with Matt Tong (ex-Bloc Party) – their debut album was released in Feb 2017.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
The never-ending pursuit of knowledge
Diversifying your skills and musical genres
Becoming known for a specific sound
Infusing production elements from different genres
The role of a producer
Creating contrast in your mixes
Being purposeful with reverb
EQing delay and reverbs
Why you should avoid the solo button
Why working fast will get you better results
Embracing imperfection
Capturing the energy of a band
Creating an environment that lets the artist showcase their talents
Getting creative with click tracks
To learn more about Alex Newport, visit: https://www.alexnewport.com/
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/
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!

Dean Hadjichristou: Recording Metalcore Music

Dean Hadjichristou has been making records for over 20 years and has worked on some world class projects including Parkway Drive / Obey the Brave / Protest the Hero / Auras / Intervals / Four Year Strong etc. and has worked on material for clients across the globe.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Building your career: To do it on your own or take the “traditional” path
The toxic hazing culture of studio internships
Recording heavy vocals
Compressing vocals
When to drive your preamps
Using dynamic EQ on guitars and vocals
Creating space for each instrument to shine
How working with amp sims can be more creative
Adding character to stale sounding tracks
How to balance the low end of your guitars and bass
Becoming obsessive with plugins
Using Kempers vs real amps
Using IRs for guitar cabinets
A free Kemper-like plugin for profiling guitars
Editing: When to edit 100% to the grid
What order should you edit your instruments
Notable gear mentioned:
U47 - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/rQ25yv
UA 1176 - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWE4MR
Great River Preamps - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/4PW4j1
ToneX - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/75bAAY
Kemper - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/QyKqqa
To learn more about Dean Hadjichristou, visit: http://www.allbuttonsin.com/
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/
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!

Jesse Gander: Mixing With A Hybrid Setup

Jesse Gander has been involved in sound and music production for over 20 years.  In this time, He’s recorded about 600 releases by over 500 bands and artists from around the world.  Jesse has worked with bands from Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Italy, Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Mexico, Bulgaria, Thailand, Japan, Finland, England, Belgium, U.S.A., and of course Canada.  These projects have been varied in genre, with a focus on original, independent music.
Jesse started recording bands in basements on weekends when he was in high school in the 1990s. From there, he went on to run the B room of Profile Studio from 2001-2003.  Jesse was the Chief Recording Engineer along with Colin Stewart at the much celebrated The Hive Creative labs from 2003-2013.
Presently, Jesse has partnered with Stuart McKillop and Matt Roach to be the Owner/Chief Recording Engineer at Rain City Recorders in Vancouver, B.C.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Focusing on proper recording levels and mic positioning
working with a hybrid mixing setup
How he structures his workflow to mix fast with analog gear
Reducing analog recall times
How analog consoles help with your mix’s headroom
How he structures his drum busses for complete control while mixing
Getting big, clear, punchy kick drums
Sidechaining kick and bass
Why bigger isn’t always better with kick drums
Challenging the “sound” that you’re known for
Chasing tones from specific eras
To learn more about Jesse Gander, visit: https://www.jessegander.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!

Anton DeLost: Co-Writing With Artists

Anton Delost is a fast-rising producer, writer, and mixer who has recently relocated to Los Angeles, CA from his hometown of Toronto, ON.
He has become hugely in demand through his work with acts such as State Champs, The Story So Far, Silverstein and Cleopatrick. 
In the rock space, recent work with Highly Suspect, Saint Asonia and BRKN LOVE has seen his work crack Canadian Rock Radio Top 10 and US Active Rock Radio Top 40 on multiple occasions.
He has also worked in alt-pop territories with acts such as Hollow Coves, Ryan Oakes and Cory Wells.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Focusing on the skills that you’re most passionate about
Seeing things from the artist’s perspective
How to create word-of-mouth for your studio
Knowing how much/little to add to a song’s production
Compromising with artists
Finding the hook of a song
How the arrangement of a song can make mixing easier
Co-writing with artists
Discussing royalty splits
Understanding the business of royalty collection
To learn more about Anton Delost, visit: http://antondelost.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!

Asher Laub: Producing Contemporary Classical Music

Asher Laub began classical violin training at the tender age of 2 and had already performed with the Buffalo philharmonic by age 13.
Asher’s expertise in trans-genre improvisation has led him to a career as a soloist in demand, performing at venues such as Madison Square Garden, Hammerstein Hall, Lincoln Center, the Jacob Javitz Center and across four continents.  Asher has also been featured on PBS, and has made headlines on CNN, WABC, and NBC and many other major news sources.
Asher is known for breakdancing across stages with his LED electric violin, in addition to performing as a DJ violinist, bringing his experience as a live performer and technical prowess as an audio editing and mixing guru to countless clubs and stages across the country. 
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Becoming a session musician
How to network
How important is social media for musicians?
Programming orchestral music
Producing corporate music
Do you need to know theory?
Recording violin
How to make DI tracks sound good
Adding effects to violins
To learn more about Asher Laub, visit, https://www.asherlaub.com/
To learn more tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/
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 Hull: The Psychology of Mastering

Scott Hull is a 39-year veteran mastering engineer and the owner of Masterdisk studios in Peekskill, New York. Scott started his career in 1983 and has mastered and cut major hit records in every genre, as well as many Grammy-winning titles. He is widely regarded as an expert in vinyl mastering.
Scott Hull started his mastering journey at Masterdisk in 1983. He started as an intern, and then became Bob Ludwig's (then chief engineer) assistant and digital editor. In 1994, Scott was named chief engineer at Masterdisk, and has been working on major label and independent projects from around the world every day.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Fixing issues in a mix before sending to mastering
Taking a holistic approach to mastering
What to do when you aren’t feeling inspired
How your speakers could be hiding important details of your mix
How to get masters to translate
Understanding how to communicate effectively with musicians
Why mastering shootouts are a bad idea
How to prepare for mastering
Mixing with master bus processing
Should you limit your mixes?
Why louder isn’t always better
How much headroom to leave in your mix
Mixing and mastering in the same session
How loudness is affected by streaming services
Understanding LUFS values
To learn more about Scott Hull, visit: https://www.masterdisk.com/scott-hull
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!

Stephen Kerrison: Creating a Positive Mastering Experience

Stephen Kerrison is a mastering engineer based out of his Liverpool studio, Tall Trees Audio Mastering, whose credits include work for Moshi Moshi Records, Maple Death Records, PRAH Recordings, Rocket Recordings and Human Worth Records. His many years experience as a working musician, coupled with an almost obsessive, life-long love of music has earned him a skill set that enables him to work empathetically alongside musicians with full understanding and respect for their artistic process and vision.
This approach and dynamic has resulted in his reputation as a trusted mastering engineer growing steadily over the past few years. Stephen knows from personal experience how much making a record means and how much it takes, and as such treats mastering every record with nothing but the utmost care and deference.
A champion of the left-field, but absolutely partial to a pop banger, the intersection between the creative and technical is where Stephen feels most at home.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Enjoying music as a consumer
Why mastering can be easier than mixing
Getting started as a mastering engineer
Finding ways to force objectivity
Mastering with a hybrid setup
Why no one cares what gear you own
Attended vs unattended sessions: What are the benefits of each?
Demystifying the “dark art” of mastering
Client interaction: Creating an enjoyable experience for your customers
How a subwoofer will make your main monitors work and sound better
To learn more about Stephen Kerrison, visit: https://talltreesaudiomastering.com/
Notable gear mentioned:
iZotope RX - https://sweetwater.sjv.io/xkyR2x
HA Symph EQ: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/q4AByg
Neumann KH 310: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/R51WKa
Neumann KH 750: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/KjJWgA
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!

Mike Plotnikoff: The Pursuit of Perfection

Starting out, Mike assisted on major records for artists such as AC/DC, Cher, and Aerosmith. He also got to work with some of the biggest producers and engineers in the business such as; Bob Rock, Mutt Lange, Chris Thomas, Mike Fraser, Randy Staub, Bob Clearmountian, Tom Lorde, Chris Lord-Alge, and Bruce Fairbairn.
Half way through the recording of Aerosmith’s “Get a Grip” record, Mike was promoted to head engineer for the album.  For the next eight years Mike then went on to be Bruce Fairbairn’s main engineer, recording and mixing records for some of the top artists, including Van Halen, Aerosmith, The Cranberries, INXS, Kiss, Yes, Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan, Theory of a Deadman, and Three Days Grace.
In 2001, after the passing of Bruce Fairbairn, Mike Plotnikoff moved to Los Angeles and teamed up with producer Howard Benson. Together they went on to record and mix some of the biggest records of the 2000’s including; Flyleaf, Daughtry, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, Hoobastank, Buckcherry, Halestorm, Like A Storm, and Kelly Clarkson, to name a few.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Working his way up the ladder
Copying other engineer’s settings
Reverse engineering sounds with references
Why you shouldn’t just focus on close mics when EQing drums
Having your own sound
Working with In Flames
Blending plugins with real amps
The pursuit of perfection
Knowing when your project is finished
How he layers guitars
Recording chord by chord
Mike’s whitenoise trick for perfect mic placement
Why he records bass tracks in 5 layers
To learn more about Mike Plotnikoff, visit: http://mikeplotnikoff.net/
To learn more tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/
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!

Jesse Cannon: Marketing Your Music

Over the past two decades, Jesse Cannon has worked in nearly every aspect of the music business and now has had immense success in the podcast business. Most notably, making records with groups like The Cure, Animal Collective, The Misfits, The Menzingers, Man Overboard, Basement, Transit, Thank You Scientist, Somos, Leftover Crack, Brand New, NOFX and over a thousand more. 
He is also known for writing the two of the top rated music books on Amazon, Get More Fans: The DIY Guide To The New Music Business, which details how bands effectively promote their music and Processing Creativity: The Tools, Practices And Habits Used To Make Music You’re Happy With, which has received immense praise for its innovative take on how musicians can make more emotionally powerful music. He presently produces hit podcasts like Fast Politics and The New Abnormal as well hosting the popular YouTube channel Musformation.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Leveraging others to develop your skills
Where to network
How reading marriage counseling books will make your band stronger
Why imitation is ruining your chances of getting noticed
Serving the song
How to experiment with your music in a way that actually benefits your songs
Creating musical “earworms”
Making a marketing calendar for your releases
Different types of content that you can create to catch the attention of new audiences
Understanding social media algorithms
Studying algorithm metrics
How to get on Spotify playlists
Common mistakes artists make with marketing
Why it is a great idea to collaborate with other artists and have them featured on your tracks
To learn more about Jesse Cannon, visit: https://www.jessecannon.com/
To learn more tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/
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!

Roy Silverstein: Breaking the Golden Handcuffs & Going Full Time

Roy Silverstein is the owner and chief engineer at Rarefied Recording in San Diego, CA.
Originally from the Chicago area, Roy started his audio journey as a teenager, playing in basement bands and experimenting with 4 tracks. He quickly became obsessed with record making and the technical aspects of audio. This led him to the University of Miami where he studied Electrical Engineering with an audio emphasis; a special program that combined a full B.S.E.E. with a focus on audio applications. After college, Roy joined the Audio Systems team at Qualcomm, Inc. in San Diego and also started a home recording project studio called The Habitat. 
While working on technical audio challenges for Qualcomm by day, Roy spent his nights and weekends refining his recording and mixing skills for both bands of his own and others. In time, the confines and limitations of the home studio became frustrating so Roy bought a property and began the process of building out a proper recording studio. With the help of studio designer Wes Lachot and in conjunction with master builder, Tony Brett, and wiring guru, Thom Canova, Rarefied Recording was born in June of 2013. 
News of the studio spread very organically in the music community of San Diego and after a couple years, Roy went full time with Rarefied and hasn't looked back. Over the course of nearly 10 years now, Rarefied has been home to a wide assortment of artists and engineers spanning a multitude of genres and styles. Notable acts that have utilized the studio include San Diego's own Slightly Stoopid and Unwritten Law. Rarefied has also hosted some amazing engineers including Darrell Thorp (Foo Fighters, Beck, Radiohead) and Brian Scheuble (Fiona Apple, Tom Petty, Elton John).
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Why it’s important to understand electronics and know how to troubleshoot
Designing audio chips for cell phones
Breaking the golden handcuffs of a comfy day job and transitioning into working in audio full time
Learning the business side of running a studio
Keeping track of your metrics
Marketing your studio
Creating depth in your mixes
The dangers of using reverb
How to dial in the right reverb times
Why you should EQ reverbs
Identifying the main element at every part of the song
Using automation to make your mixes sound exciting
Using parallel processing on your entire mix
Shaping your mix with a Pultec
To learn more about Roy Silverstein, visit: https://rarefiedrecording.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!