What's wabi sabi? Brad talked about searching for the human story in production, why you should keep your old gear, arranging strings for quartet vs section, staying on schedule and within budget, and why band playback is better than words.

My guest today is Brad Jones, a producer, engineer, mixer, and musician based in Nashville. With Robin Eaton Brad has co-owned the studio Alex the Great Recording since 1994. I started recording there a few years later as an assistant engineer in 1995, and Brad was the one who taught me the ropes of engineering and running a real session.

Brad’s credits include: Jill Sobule, Bobby Bare Jr., Butterfly Boucher, Hayes Carll, Caitlin Cary And Thad Cockrell, Steve Forbert, Government Cheese, Jason And The Scorchers, Josh Rouse, Ben Goldsmith, and The Shazam to name just a few.

Brad was an early guest on the show before on episode RSR034 which we recorded at Alex The Great and I’m happy to have him back joining me this time from my new podcast studio Ready To Rock (Thanks to James Tuttle) aka Podzilla Studio.

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Website Links:

RSR034 – BRAD JONES – ALEX THE GREAT
https://www.alexthegreatrecording.com/

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Liz Hulitskaya

"Keep the mix interesting for yourself!" Damian talked about simplifying and optimizing his home studio for fast writing, The ultimate input routing patchbay, the effect of loudness, recording drums, with two mics, and the mystical aspect of vibe.

My guest today is Damian Taylor is 10 x Grammy nominated producer, engineer, and mixer best known for his work with Bjork, The Prodigy, The Killers, Arcade Fire, UNKLE, TR/ST, Odette, The Temper Trap, City of the Sun, Bomba Estéreo, and Dizzy. He hosts an online community called The Complete Producer Network for folks to talk about all aspects of creating and releasing music. And he has been a guest on the podcast previously for episode RSR316 and RSR406.

Thanks to Colin Ramsay at GPS Management for making our original introduction.

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Website Links:

RSR406 – DAMIAN TAYLOR – MIXING, PRODUCTION, SYNTHS, AND SPEAKERS
RSR316 – DAMIAN TAYLOR – COLLABORATING WITH BJORK AND ARCADE FIRE
http://www.damiantaylor.com/
https://globalpositioningservices.net/damian-taylor/
https://www.twitch.tv/hereisdamian
https://www.completeproducer.net/
Instagram: @hereisdamian
X: @hereisdamian

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Liz Hulitskaya

"I don't go ham, bologna, turkey, on tuning vocals..." Greg talked about building studios, the importance of trying hard in music, adobe brick walls, double bass and drum bands, making mic pres, and how to record killer drums, bass, and guitars.

My guest today is Greg Norman, a recording producer/engineer and studio technician based out of Chicago, IL. In 1996, he started working at Electrical Audio, initially aiding in the design and construction of the two-studio complex in the north side of Chicago. A few years later, he built his own studio to keep up with the demands of recording projects outside of Electrical. 

Over the years, he has recorded over a hundred records as a staff member of Electrical Audio and traveled abroad as a freelance producer/engineer. Greg has also designed, consulted, and installed several studios in Chicago, throughout the states, and Canada. He has unique expertise in analog tape machine and console design and maintenance, which has become a dying art. He also designs, and manufactures custom recording studio equipment.

Greg has been a guest on the podcast before for episode RSR014 so please check that out and listen to his discography with the link below.

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Website Links:

RSR014 – GREG NORMAN – ELECTRICAL AUDIO & NORMAPHONE
RSR206 – STEVE ALBINI – HOW TO MIX A RECORD
RSR078 – STEVE ALBINI – ELECTRICAL AUDIO, RECORDING NIRVANA, & SHELLAC
www.normaphone.com
www.electricalaudio.com
Facebook: @electricalaudio
Instagram: @normaphone @electricalaudio
Youtube: @electricalaudioofficial

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Liz Hulitskaya

Will Ai ever understand emotion in music? Bobby talked about writing the Musician's Ai Handbook on how to write lyrics, chords, melodies, and beats, generate vocal tracks, mixing and master, create lyric videos, and market your music easily using Ai.

My guest today is Bobby Owsinski a Producer/engineer and one of the best-selling authors in the music industry with 24 books that are now staples in audio recording, music, and music business programs in colleges around the world, including The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook, Social Media Promotion For Musicians, and now The Musician’s Ai Handbook. 

He’s also a contributor to Forbes as a category expert on the new music business, his long-running production and music industry blogs have won numerous industry awards, and he’s appeared on CNN and ABC News as a music branding and audio expert. Bobby’s highly-rated Inner Circle podcast is now in its 10th year, with more than 500 episodes that feature mover and shaker guests from all parts of the music industry. 

He’s also recently produced and mixed albums that appeared at #2 on the Billboard Blues Chart and #5 on the Apple Music Rock Chart.

Bobby has been a guest on the podcast on episode RSR010 and RSR395 and is back today to share how Ai can help us create, complete, publish, and promote our music from all the cool stuff he learned writing The Musician’s Ai Handbook.

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Website Links:

RSR395 – BOBBY OWSINSKI – ANSWERS ALL YOUR MIXING QUESTIONS
RSR010 – BOBBY OWSINSKI – 101 MIXING TRICKS
bobbyowsinskiblog.com
music3point0.com
bobbyoinnercircle.com
forbes.com/sites/bobbyowsinski
linkedin.com/in/bobbyo
Facebook: @bobby.owsinski
Instagram: @bobbyowsinski
Pinterest: @bobbyowsinski
Youtube: @polymedia
Twitter: @bobbyowsinski

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Liz Hulitskaya

The best ad for mixing was "Leave the door open!" Glenn talked about mixing at the Power Station and Sigma Sound, recording Madonna, Springsteen, U2, Talking Heads, Ziggy Marley, the birth of remixing, and renewing Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals.

My guest today is Glenn Rosenstein a Multi Grammy-winning producer, engineer, and mixer who began his music career at the legendary Power Station Recording Studio in NYC, assisting alongside some of the best producers, engineers as well as at New York’s historic Sigma Sound Studios where Glenn became a mixer and remix engineer, creating work for such artists as U2, Madonna, Talking Heads, The Ramones, Ziggy Marley, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, James Brown, Miles Davis and many others.

Glenn’s music production & mixes continue to be highly visible & diverse, from Whitney Woerz, Carly Simon and Earl “Chinna” Smith to James Taylor, Black Uhuru, Wes Sheffield and Bif Naked. He produced Benedictines Of Mary project for Decca/Universal which was Billboard Magazine’s #1 Classical release for the 2012 to 2013 holiday season.

As a producer, mixer, & engineer, Glenn’s projects have won 3 Grammy Awards, 5 Grammy nominations, an Oscar and a Golden Globe Award.

His work is responsible for record sales well in excess of 300 million units. His music production & mixing credits for film & television include The Sopranos, Celebrity Circus, The Last Emperor, Blown Away, Married To The Mob, Charmed, Beverly Hills 90210, All My Children and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. As both songwriter & producer, Glenn’s work with reggae artist Snow led to a chart-topping single in Canada.

In addition, Glenn has overseen production of a landmark multi-DVD project for Saturday Night Live‘s 25th Anniversary, producing the surround remixes and audio for 60 unique music performances, as well as 60 musical comedic sketches. This project features the live performances of Mariah Carey, Sting, Aretha Franklin, Metallica, Nirvana, Paul McCartney, Snoop Doggy Dog, Paul Simon, Alanis Morissette, James Brown and Bruce Springsteen, to name just a few.

Glenn has also partnered in the renovation and restoration of the historic Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals AL, where he maintains a residence and studio and where we join you today. 

And last but not least I consider Glenn a longtime friend and mentor here in Nashville.

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Website Links:

https://glennr.com/#more

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Liz Hulitskaya

Was Elvis the real phantom of the Opry? Bill talked about songwriting with artists over Zoom, writing for Mojo, the Brill Building in 1961, confederate ghosts, Crowded House, Jill Sobule, Tin Pan Alley, and finding inspiration in artwork & cartoons.

My guest today is Bill DeMain, a successful author, songwriter, journalist, tour guide, and musical historian who has been on the podcast previously for episode RSR200.

As one half of the pop duo Swan Dive, he has released ten acclaimed albums with his singing partner Molly Felder, enjoying several Top 5 singles and tours of Japan, Thailand and Korea. He’s also written songs for and with many other artists, including Curtis Stigers, Marshall Crenshaw, Teddy Thompson & Kelly Jones,  David Mead, Bleu, Kim Richey, Jill Sobule and Boo Hewerdine. His songs have appeared on TV shows like Sons of Anarchy, Private Practice, Felicity and The L Word, and in commercials for Laneige Cosmetics, Unicef and Sky Mobile.

Bill is also a much-published music journalist, who's written for MOJO, Uncut, Entertainment Weekly and Classic Rock. He has written five books, including 2017's Amazon best-seller Sgt. Pepper At 50, and two of collections of interviews with noted songwriters such as David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Barry Gibb, Kate Bush and Smokey Robinson. 

In addition, he is the owner of the music history walking tour Walkin' Nashville, a radio correspondent for BBC Glasgow and a cartoonist whose work has been published by Reader's Digest and Funny Times.

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Website Links:

RSR200 – BILL DEMAIN – SONGWRITING & INTERVIEWS WITH BURT BACHARACH, NEIL FINN, KEN SCOTT & DAVID BOWIE
https://billdemain.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: @SwanDive
Instagram: @walkinnashville1

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Liz Hulitskaya

Learn to mix first! Mike talked about setting up a home studio, recording remotely, how to record drums, bass, and guitars, where to stand for a vocal mic, how to sing with speakers, contact mics, and why 60-70Hz is causing so many problems for you!

My guest today is Mike Senior, a professional recording, mixing engineer, teacher and writer for years at Sound On Sound magazine. He is also the author of the popular books 'Mixing Secrets For The Small Studio', and its sequel 'Recording Secrets For The Small Studio', which has recently come out with the updated second edition.

Mike has also been on the podcast for episodes RSR124 and RSR253 which you can hear in the attached playlist. Today we are going to focus on the new version of his popular book and see what tips we can learn for making great recordings in your home studio. Especially if you are starting out in recording you will love to content covered in this book but even if you have been recording for a while it can be fun to discover new techniques and ways of recording.

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Website Links:

RSR253 – MIKE SENIOR – BEST FREE PLUGINS FOR A PRO MIX IN YOUR STUDIO
RSR124 – MIKE SENIOR- THE TAO OF FACEPALM – IMPORTANT FAILURES YOU ARE MAKING IN YOUR HOME STUDIO AND HOW TO TURN INTO BIG WINS
https://cambridge-mt.com/rockstars/
https://cambridge-mt.com/
https://themixreview.org/

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Liz Hulitskaya

Uboats will float your Atomic Instruments! Joe talked about his new mastering studio Garage Masters, how to get loudness right for streaming, set up your mastering session in Presonus Studio One, do song spacing, and choose limiters, eq, and plugins.

My guest today is Joe Hutchinson, a mastering engineer at Garage Masters in Nashville, TN where Joe has been providing mastering services for over 10 years. 

Joe works in a well-designed room built in 2022 and uses a combination of analog and digital tools to give each song or project what it needs. Every project is different, and what happens in mastering can vary from heavy-handed processing to being almost transparent. Often mastering will catch little things missed in the production/mixing process since a mastering engineer offers a fresh set of ears, and in that sense acts as the quality control at the end of the recording process.

Joe was my mastering engineer at the Hay Bale Studio at Bonnaroo for many years and has been a guest on the podcast for episode RSR013 where you can hear his backstory. Today we will talk about what's new in mastering and see what we can learn for our own studios as well.

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Website Links:

RSR013 - Joe Hutchinson - Garage Masters & Bonnaroo
https://www.garagemasters.net/
Instagram: @joehutchinson

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Liz Hulitskaya

Rack-mount your own real transformers! Todd talked about recording with dynamic mics, mixing with real transformers as plugins, setting up Atmos, automating Pro Tools with Soundflow, how to 3-mic drums, building a studio, and mastering your own mix.

My guest today is Todd Burke who has been recording and mixing records and underscores in Los Angeles for over 25 years. His album credits include Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, The Kooks, Belle and Sebastian, M83, and Fitz and the Tantrums.

More recently, he has been enjoying mixing Atmos versions of records by Albert Hammond Jr, Christina Perri, and Jeff Goldblum and working as a Score Mixer. A few notable films include The Big Sick, Daddy's Home 1 & 2, Second Act, I Feel Pretty, The Lovebirds, Stargirl, The King of Staten Island, Yes Day, and The Bubble. He also dabbles a bit in Album Mastering with recent projects for The Lickerish Quartet, Motochrist, and Greyboy Allstars.

As a teacher he’s a main contributor on the recordBetter project and is passionate about handing the art of record making on to young creators. And he is a Brand Ambassador and Artist Representative for Antelope Audio.

He’s available for engineering bookings in Los Angeles and abroad. Favorite tracking rooms include Sunset Sound and Capitol Studios. His own studio, affectionately coined Listening Room LA, is in the foothills east of LA and outfitted with an Aurora Audio 10 channel sidecar, a 24 channel Aurora Audio GTM Mixer, the most modern generation of digital conversion from Antelope Audio and Chord Electronics, ATMOS monitoring on an array by Wilson Audio, as well as mastering-grade stereo monitoring on a custom Tannoy system by Chris Pelonis.

Thank you to Ken Sluiter for the introduction!

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Website Links:

https://www.toddburke.com/
Instagram: @toddburke
YouTube: @toddburke

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Liz Hulitskaya

Lower that cheese flag dude! Mark talked about writing music for sync that is fun and relatable without being too obvious, building a hotel studio in Mexico, placing music in feature films, using the iPhone mic, horn arrangments, and Shruti boxes.

My guest today is Mark Rudin, an accomplished artist, producer, and songwriter with a masterful command of multiple instruments - particularly horns. His song "Miracle" was a winner on season 2 of the NBC show Songland, and his work has been featured in major ad campaigns for brands such as Grey Goose and Simple Mills, as well as trailers for the Tom and Jerry Movie and the movie, Easter Sunday. Mark newest release "That Looks Good On Me" ft. KONG is out now and we have a playlist of his music and discography in the show notes.

Thank you to Rodger Alan Nichols for the introduction!

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Website Links:

https://www.markrudinmusic.com/
Instagram: @markrudin

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Brayden Stremming
Vlad Vasilcenko
Liz Hulitskaya