podcast Archives - Recording Studio Rockstars

Category Archives for "podcast"

RSR546 – Ronnie & Tiffany Notch – Bring Hip-Hop, AI, VR, Microsoft and Music-Learning to 40 Million Kids

What happens when you mix turntables with virtual reality to reach 4 million students and 20,000 educators worldwide?

My guests today are Ronnie and Tiffany Notch, the creative forces behind Breach, a company that blends music, technology, and education in groundbreaking ways. They share their journey from a chance meeting in a recording studio to building Breach, highlighting the role of Asymbli, their entertainment division. The discussion covers their extensive educational outreach, which has impacted millions of students globally, and their collaborations with major brands like Microsoft.

They delve into the delicate balance between passion and business, the power of intuition in creativity, and the innovative use of storyboarding in music production. They also explore the importance of selecting the right artists and maintaining a playful approach to creativity, all while balancing work and family life. The episode underscores music's role as a universal language and its potential in education. 

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Get hands-on training and launch your music career at SAE Institute Nashville! Learn studio production, live sound, and audio for film using industry-standard gear, taught by experienced pros.The next program starts March 9, 2026 - don’t wait! With diploma, associate, and bachelor’s programs, SAE helps you build real-world skills. Visit nashville.sae.edu to fill out an inquiry form and schedule your personal campus tour today!

Unlock the full potential of your mixes and masters with Ozone 12 - the complete mixing and mastering suite featuring new Bass Control, Unlimiter, Stem EQ, and the IRC 5 Maximizer. This will be a game-changer for you! Get 10% off with code ROCK10 at iZotope.com

Fuel your creativity with Komplete 15 - 165 instruments and over 150,000 sounds, including Kontakt 8, Massive X, Battery, and Guitar Rig 7 Pro. Pair it with NI Kontrol keyboards and Maschine for seamless integration, making music fun, fast, and fantastic! Get 10% off at Native-Instruments.com with code ROCK10

Hear your music come alive with Adam Audio’s H200 Headphones and D3V Desktop Monitors. Delivering stunning clarity and accurate mix translation, Adam Audio lets you create with confidence. Explore at Adam-Audio.com

Bring classic analog power to your studio with Spectra 1964 and the STX 600 Complimiter Mic Pre. Combining a world-class microphone preamp with a musical, fully analog compressor/limiter, the STX 600 delivers bold tone, control, and punch in a single unit. A unique and powerful tool for capturing inspiring performances. Discover more at Spectra1964.com

Make your next record with me at the newly remodeled RSR headquarters and experience the ability to hear your music in holographic detail with the Phantom Focus System PFS HD1000 monitors. TheToyBoxStudio.com

This episode is brought to you by Pickr, the app for musicians and bands who want to get projects finished. Pickr connects artists with studios, engineers, and session musicians so you can find the right fit and book sessions fast and affordably. If you’re done chasing emails and DMs, download Pickr on the Apple App Store or Google Play, or head to Pickr.com

The Grace Design M701 audio interface delivers pristine sound quality with exceptional headroom and ultra-low noise performance. Designed for all types of recording facilities, it offers transparent conversion and powerful monitoring in a compact, elegant form. A studio essential you can count on. GraceDesign.com

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Listen TO THE PODCAST here⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎


LISTEN TO DISCOGRAPHY ON SPOTIFY


Website Links:

thisisbreach.com
Instagram:
@ronnienotch
@tynotch


Additional podcast editing and production by:
Vlad Vasilcenko
Daria Tupesis

MixMasterBundle.com
Take your music from sounding like a basement demo to professional radio-ready mixes with my free introductory mixing course using stock and free plugins at MixMasterBundle.com!

RSR545 – Josh Frigo – The Art of Atmos Mixing and Creative Collaboration in the Nashville Scene


My guest today is Josh Frigo, a producer, mixer, multi-instrumentalist, and artist based in Nashville, Tennessee, who believes in putting artists and their ideas first. After several years as a touring utility player, Josh shifted his focus full-time to production and mixing, building a creative career shaped by self-learning, collaboration, and curiosity.

Working across pop, singer-songwriter, and alternative genres, he’s produced and developed indie artists such as MisterMoon, Sparkbird, and Phùng Khanh Linh, and co-mixed Atmos projects for Niall Horan, NF, Bo Staloch, and more with his mixing partner Alex Dobbert at Movement Mixing.

A big thank-you to Andy Freeman for making today’s introduction!

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Get hands-on training and launch your music career at SAE Institute Nashville! Learn studio production, live sound, and audio for film using industry-standard gear, taught by experienced pros.The next program starts March 9, 2026 - don’t wait! With diploma, associate, and bachelor’s programs, SAE helps you build real-world skills. Visit nashville.sae.edu to fill out an inquiry form and schedule your personal campus tour today!

Unlock the full potential of your mixes and masters with Ozone 12 - the complete mixing and mastering suite featuring new Bass Control, Unlimiter, Stem EQ, and the IRC 5 Maximizer. This will be a game-changer for you! Get 10% off with code ROCK10 at iZotope.com

Fuel your creativity with Komplete 15 - 165 instruments and over 150,000 sounds, including Kontakt 8, Massive X, Battery, and Guitar Rig 7 Pro. Pair it with NI Kontrol keyboards and Maschine for seamless integration, making music fun, fast, and fantastic! Get 10% off at Native-Instruments.com with code ROCK10

Hear your music come alive with Adam Audio’s H200 Headphones and D3V Desktop Monitors. Delivering stunning clarity and accurate mix translation, Adam Audio lets you create with confidence. Explore at Adam-Audio.com

Bring classic analog power to your studio with Spectra 1964 and the STX 600 Complimiter Mic Pre. Combining a world-class microphone preamp with a musical, fully analog compressor/limiter, the STX 600 delivers bold tone, control, and punch in a single unit. A unique and powerful tool for capturing inspiring performances. Discover more at Spectra1964.com

Make your next record with me at the newly remodeled RSR headquarters and experience the ability to hear your music in holographic detail with the Phantom Focus System PFS HD1000 monitors. TheToyBoxStudio.com

This episode is brought to you by Pickr, the app for musicians and bands who want to get projects finished. Pickr connects artists with studios, engineers, and session musicians so you can find the right fit and book sessions fast and affordably. If you’re done chasing emails and DMs, download Pickr on the Apple App Store or Google Play, or head to Pickr.com

The Grace Design M701 audio interface delivers pristine sound quality with exceptional headroom and ultra-low noise performance. Designed for all types of recording facilities, it offers transparent conversion and powerful monitoring in a compact, elegant form. A studio essential you can count on. GraceDesign.com

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Listen TO THE PODCAST here⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎


LISTEN TO DISCOGRAPHY ON SPOTIFY


Website Links:

www.joshfrigo.com
Instagram:@junior.frigo


Additional podcast editing and production by:
Vlad Vasilcenko
Daria Tupesis

MixMasterBundle.com
Take your music from sounding like a basement demo to professional radio-ready mixes with my free introductory mixing course using stock and free plugins at MixMasterBundle.com!

RSR544 – Eric Sarafin – Mixerman’s Ultimate Guide to Producing Records, Music & Songs.


What actually makes a mix feel musical before you ever touch an EQ?

My guest today is Eric Sarafin, better known as Mixerman - a gold- and platinum-selling producer, mixer, and engineer with credits ranging from The Pharcyde and Tone-Lōc to Ben Harper, Lifehouse, Barenaked Ladies, Foreigner, and Pete Murray. He’s also the author of Zen and the Art of Mixing, Zen and the Art of Producing, Zen and the Art of Recording, and his newest book, Mixerman’s Ultimate Guide to Producing Records, Music & Songs.

In this episode, Eric and I get straight into what really makes mixes work - not plugins, presets, or loudness targets, but arrangement, balance, and the way instruments naturally interact. We talk about masking as something musical rather than something to eliminate, why most of the “music” lives in the midrange, and how perceived loudness comes from balance, not hype at the top or bottom.

We also dig into how listening quietly can reveal problems faster, why speed and familiarity with your tools matter more than features, and how motion and distortion bring life to otherwise static tracks. Eric shares his perspective on working fast, stepping away to regain objectivity, and making decisions that serve the song instead of the tech.

Along the way, we cover practical mic strategies for home studios, why placement matters more than price, and how knowing why you’re choosing a tool is more important than following trends. This one is about thinking musically first - and letting the mix follow.

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Get hands-on training and launch your music career at SAE Institute Nashville! Learn studio production, live sound, and audio for film using industry-standard gear, taught by experienced pros.The next program starts March 9, 2026 - don’t wait! With diploma, associate, and bachelor’s programs, SAE helps you build real-world skills. Visit nashville.sae.edu to fill out an inquiry form and schedule your personal campus tour today!

Unlock the full potential of your mixes and masters with Ozone 12 - the complete mixing and mastering suite featuring new Bass Control, Unlimiter, Stem EQ, and the IRC 5 Maximizer. This will be a game-changer for you! Get 10% off with code ROCK10 at iZotope.com

Fuel your creativity with Komplete 15 - 165 instruments and over 150,000 sounds, including Kontakt 8, Massive X, Battery, and Guitar Rig 7 Pro. Pair it with NI Kontrol keyboards and Maschine for seamless integration, making music fun, fast, and fantastic! Get 10% off at Native-Instruments.com with code ROCK10

Hear your music come alive with Adam Audio’s H200 Headphones and D3V Desktop Monitors. Delivering stunning clarity and accurate mix translation, Adam Audio lets you create with confidence. Explore at Adam-Audio.com

Bring classic analog power to your studio with Spectra 1964 and the STX 600 Complimiter Mic Pre. Combining a world-class microphone preamp with a musical, fully analog compressor/limiter, the STX 600 delivers bold tone, control, and punch in a single unit. A unique and powerful tool for capturing inspiring performances. Discover more at Spectra1964.com

Make your next record with me at the newly remodeled RSR headquarters and experience the ability to hear your music in holographic detail with the Phantom Focus System PFS HD1000 monitors. TheToyBoxStudio.com

This episode is brought to you by Pickr, the app for musicians and bands who want to get projects finished. Pickr connects artists with studios, engineers, and session musicians so you can find the right fit and book sessions fast and affordably. If you’re done chasing emails and DMs, download Pickr on the Apple App Store or Google Play, or head to Pickr.com

The Grace Design M701 audio interface delivers pristine sound quality with exceptional headroom and ultra-low noise performance. Designed for all types of recording facilities, it offers transparent conversion and powerful monitoring in a compact, elegant form. A studio essential you can count on. GraceDesign.com

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Listen TO THE PODCAST here⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎


Website Links:

mixerman.net
Instagram:@_mixerman_
X: @Mixerman
Facebook: @Mixerman
YouTube: @MixermanPublishes


Additional podcast editing and production by:
Vlad Vasilcenko
Daria Tupesis

MixMasterBundle.com
Take your music from sounding like a basement demo to professional radio-ready mixes with my free introductory mixing course using stock and free plugins at MixMasterBundle.com!

RSR543 – Travis Harrison – Recording Guided By Voices, Built To Spill, The Men, and Tons of Garage and Punk Rock in Brooklyn, NY


What actually happens when you stop isolating everything and just let a band play together in the room?

My guest today is Travis Harrison, founder of Serious Business Music, a Brooklyn-based studio known for capturing raw, honest performances from real bands. Travis joined me to talk about how his studio and workflow evolved over time - from early audio-only recordings to embracing video, hybrid setups, and modern tools - while still staying rooted in classic recording approaches.

We talked about recording bands live in the room, why Travis embraces bleed instead of fighting it, and how capturing the energy of a performance often matters more than perfect isolation. He shared how he’ll use simple setups like a single M 160 ribbon mic on drums, how preparation and adaptability become critical when recording larger bands, and why letting musicians interact naturally can shape the sound of a record in ways plugins never will.

Travis also broke down his hybrid workflow, using tape as a tone-shaping tool rather than a rigid format - running tracks through a tape machine for color before moving into Pro Tools for editing and mixing. We discussed mic choices like using an SM57 on bass cabinets for midrange growl, routing and flexibility with a Soundcraft Ghost console, and how his Brooklyn studio has been shaped by real-world challenges like soundproofing, space limitations, and evolving technology. Throughout the conversation, we kept coming back to the balance between tradition and innovation - and why great records still come down to musicians, rooms, and decisions made in the moment.

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Get hands-on training and launch your music career at SAE Institute Nashville! Learn studio production, live sound, and audio for film using industry-standard gear, taught by experienced pros.The next program starts March 9, 2026 - don’t wait! With diploma, associate, and bachelor’s programs, SAE helps you build real-world skills. Visit nashville.sae.edu to fill out an inquiry form and schedule your personal campus tour today!

Unlock the full potential of your mixes and masters with Ozone 12 - the complete mixing and mastering suite featuring new Bass Control, Unlimiter, Stem EQ, and the IRC 5 Maximizer. This will be a game-changer for you! Get 10% off with code ROCK10 at iZotope.com

Fuel your creativity with Komplete 15 - 165 instruments and over 150,000 sounds, including Kontakt 8, Massive X, Battery, and Guitar Rig 7 Pro. Pair it with NI Kontrol keyboards and Maschine for seamless integration, making music fun, fast, and fantastic! Get 10% off at Native-Instruments.com with code ROCK10

Hear your music come alive with Adam Audio’s H200 Headphones and D3V Desktop Monitors. Delivering stunning clarity and accurate mix translation, Adam Audio lets you create with confidence. Explore at Adam-Audio.com

Bring classic analog power to your studio with Spectra 1964 and the STX 600 Complimiter Mic Pre. Combining a world-class microphone preamp with a musical, fully analog compressor/limiter, the STX 600 delivers bold tone, control, and punch in a single unit. A unique and powerful tool for capturing inspiring performances. Discover more at Spectra1964.com

Make your next record with me at the newly remodeled RSR headquarters and experience the ability to hear your music in holographic detail with the Phantom Focus System PFS HD1000 monitors. TheToyBoxStudio.com

This episode is brought to you by Pickr, the app for musicians and bands who want to get projects finished. Pickr connects artists with studios, engineers, and session musicians so you can find the right fit and book sessions fast and affordably. If you’re done chasing emails and DMs, download Pickr on the Apple App Store or Google Play, or head to Pickr.com

The Grace Design M701 audio interface delivers pristine sound quality with exceptional headroom and ultra-low noise performance. Designed for all types of recording facilities, it offers transparent conversion and powerful monitoring in a compact, elegant form. A studio essential you can count on. GraceDesign.com

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Listen TO THE PODCAST here⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎


LISTEN TO DISCOGRAPHY ON SPOTIFY


Website Links:

seriousbusinessmusic.com
Instagram: @seriousbizrec
X: @Travis Harrison
Facebook: @Serious Business Music Recording Studio


Additional podcast editing and production by:
Vlad Vasilcenko
Daria Tupesis

MixMasterBundle.com
Take your music from sounding like a basement demo to professional radio-ready mixes with my free introductory mixing course using stock and free plugins at MixMasterBundle.com!

RSR542 – Ryan Prewett – The Sound of Retro Funk Beats in The Heart of Country: Music City

How do you turn your studio skills into a thriving artist career?
Ryan Prewett shares how funk, collaboration, and sync licensing helped him shift from producer-for-hire to full-time artist - and why building assets is the new record deal.


My guest today is Ryan Prewett, a Nashville-based artist, producer, and mix engineer known for blending classic funk and soul with modern pop and groove-driven production.

Ryan’s work spans producing records, mixing, and building sample packs, and he’s quickly carving out a name for himself in Nashville’s creative community. His music captures the sweet spot between live musicianship and digital innovation - with an ear for timeless tone and modern punch.

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Get hands-on training and launch your music career at SAE Institute Nashville! Learn studio production, live sound, and audio for film using industry-standard gear, taught by experienced pros.The next program starts March 9, 2026 - don’t wait! With diploma, associate, and bachelor’s programs, SAE helps you build real-world skills. Visit nashville.sae.edu to fill out an inquiry form and schedule your personal campus tour today!

Unlock the full potential of your mixes and masters with Ozone 12 - the complete mixing and mastering suite featuring new Bass Control, Unlimiter, Stem EQ, and the IRC 5 Maximizer. This will be a game-changer for you! Get 10% off with code ROCK10 at iZotope.com

Fuel your creativity with Komplete 15 - 165 instruments and over 150,000 sounds, including Kontakt 8, Massive X, Battery, and Guitar Rig 7 Pro. Pair it with NI Kontrol keyboards and Maschine for seamless integration, making music fun, fast, and fantastic! Get 10% off at Native-Instruments.com with code ROCK10

Hear your music come alive with Adam Audio’s H200 Headphones and D3V Desktop Monitors. Delivering stunning clarity and accurate mix translation, Adam Audio lets you create with confidence. Explore at Adam-Audio.com

Bring classic analog power to your studio with Spectra 1964 and the STX 600 Complimiter Mic Pre. Combining a world-class microphone preamp with a musical, fully analog compressor/limiter, the STX 600 delivers bold tone, control, and punch in a single unit. A unique and powerful tool for capturing inspiring performances. Discover more at Spectra1964.com

Make your next record with me at the newly remodeled RSR headquarters and experience the ability to hear your music in holographic detail with the Phantom Focus System PFS HD1000 monitors. TheToyBoxStudio.com

This episode is brought to you by Pickr, the app for musicians and bands who want to get projects finished. Pickr connects artists with studios, engineers, and session musicians so you can find the right fit and book sessions fast and affordably. If you’re done chasing emails and DMs, download Pickr on the Apple App Store or Google Play, or head to Pickr.com

The Grace Design M701 audio interface delivers pristine sound quality with exceptional headroom and ultra-low noise performance. Designed for all types of recording facilities, it offers transparent conversion and powerful monitoring in a compact, elegant form. A studio essential you can count on. GraceDesign.com

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Listen TO THE PODCAST here⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎


LISTEN TO DISCOGRAPHY ON SPOTIFY


Website Links:

ryanprewett.com
Instagram: @ryan_prewett
Tic-toc: @ryanprewett

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Vlad Vasilcenko
Daria Tupesis

MixMasterBundle.com
Take your music from sounding like a basement demo to professional radio-ready mixes with my free introductory mixing course using stock and free plugins at MixMasterBundle.com!

RSR541 – Bill Cheney – How Missile Tech Created the Sound of Classic Rock at Spectra1964

How Did Michael Jackson’s $98,000 Console Inspire the Ultimate Studio Compressor?
What happens when missile-grade engineering meets music?


Bill Cheney of Spectra 1964 joins me to reveal how a company born from aerospace tech became the secret sauce behind Stax, Ardent, and The Record Plant - and how that same precision lives on in Spectra’s modern C610, STX mic pres, and new designs shaping today’s studios.

Bill shares the incredible story of the $98,000 Spectra console built for Michael Jackson, how John Lennon, Elton John, ZZ Top, and others tracked through Spectra desks, and why their gear still defines headroom and musical accuracy sixty years later. We dig into RMS vs peak clipping, console restoration, plugin modeling with Chad Blake, and what makes Spectra’s circuits run ice cold while sounding hot as hell.

If you’ve ever wondered why the most musical recordings in history still sound so alive, this episode takes you inside the circuits that made it possible.

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Get hands-on training and launch your music career at SAE Institute Nashville! Learn studio production, live sound, and audio for film using industry-standard gear, taught by experienced pros. The next program starts March 9, 2026 - don’t wait! With diploma, associate, and bachelor’s programs, SAE helps you build real-world skills. Visit nashville.sae.edu to fill out an inquiry form and schedule your personal campus tour today!

Unlock the full potential of your mixes and masters with Ozone 12 - the complete mixing and mastering suite featuring new Bass Control, Unlimiter, Stem EQ, and the IRC 5 Maximizer. This will be a game-changer for you! Get 10% off with code ROCK10 at iZotope.com

Holiday Sale at Native Instruments: get Creative Chords, a brand-new Massive X Expansion available free for a limited time, featuring 50 chord-based presets built around Chord Mode. Plus, unlock even more savings with tiered discounts across instruments and effects - and explore special pricing on Traktor X1, Traktor Z1 and Maschine Grooveboxes at Native-Instruments.com

Hear your music come alive with Adam Audio’s H200 Headphones and D3V Desktop Monitors. Delivering stunning clarity and accurate mix translation, Adam Audio lets you create with confidence. Explore at Adam-Audio.com

Bring classic analog power to your studio with Spectra 1964 and the STX 600 Complimiter Mic Pre. Combining a world-class microphone preamp with a musical, fully analog compressor/limiter, the STX 600 delivers bold tone, control, and punch in a single unit. A unique and powerful tool for capturing inspiring performances. Discover more at Spectra1964.com

Make your next record with me at the newly remodeled RSR headquarters and experience the ability to hear your music in holographic detail with the Phantom Focus System PFS HD1000 monitors. TheToyBoxStudio.com

Win over $1,500 in pro studio gear with the Pickr Giveaway! Score a Shure SM7 mic, a UA Apollo Twin interface, and Audio-Technica headphones - everything you need to get your music out into the world:
1. Download the free Pickr app.
2.Create your profile.
3.Post “I’m winning with Pickr” to the board in the app.
One lucky winner announced at the end of January.
 Download free at Pickr.com

The Grace Design M701 audio interface delivers pristine sound quality with exceptional headroom and ultra-low noise performance. Designed for all types of recording facilities, it offers transparent conversion and powerful monitoring in a compact, elegant form. A studio essential you can count on. GraceDesign.com

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Listen TO THE PODCAST here⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎


LISTEN TO DISCOGRAPHY ON SPOTIFY


MixMasterBundle.com
Take your music from sounding like a basement demo to professional radio-ready mixes with my free introductory mixing course using stock and free plugins at MixMasterBundle.com!

RSR540 – Jimmy Douglass – METAlliance, Atlantic Records, Foreigner, Television, Gang of Four, Timbaland & Snoop Dogg

What happens when you sit down with an engineer who helped define multiple eras of music - from Foreigner to Timbaland - and he tells you the secret is still just listening for what feels good?

My guest today is Jimmy Douglass, legendary producer, mixer, and engineer whose career spans more than five decades. Jimmy began as a teenager at Atlantic Records in New York, making tape copies and quietly slipping into the back of sessions, where he learned by watching giants like Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin, and Jerry Wexler. He grew up in the era when you had to earn your way into the control room, and those lessons shaped everything that came after.


Jimmy talked about working on classic records for Foreigner, including helping mix Follow You, Follow Me when Genesis was still emerging, and cutting his teeth editing music for radio versions - including early work on King Crimson. He also shared memories of the post-punk era, mixing records for Gang of Four and Television, including the iconic Marquee Moon, and how those productions influenced his sense of space, energy, and performance.
Then Jimmy walked us into the world that many people know him for - his long-running creative partnership with Timbaland. He explained how Tim’s rhythmic sensibility forced him to rethink timing, movement, and pocket, and stories of respectful sessions working with Snoop Dogg.

We also talked about longevity: how Jimmy stays inspired, how he keeps reinventing himself, why he still chases accidents and surprises in the studio, and the challenge of balancing instinct with intention across 50 years of making records.
If you love stories from inside the control room or want to understand how great mixers think, this episode is loaded with wisdom and wild history.

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Get hands-on training and launch your music career at SAE Institute Nashville! Learn studio production, live sound, and audio for film using industry-standard gear, taught by experienced pros.The next program starts January 12, 2026 - don’t wait! With diploma, associate, and bachelor’s programs, SAE helps you build real-world skills. Visit nashville.sae.edu to fill out an inquiry form and schedule your personal campus tour today!

Unlock the full potential of your mixes and masters with Ozone 12 - the complete mixing and mastering suite featuring new Bass Control, Unlimiter, Stem EQ, and the IRC 5 Maximizer. This will be a game-changer for you! Get 10% off with code ROCK10 at iZotope.com

Holiday Sale at Native Instruments: get Creative Chords, a brand-new Massive X Expansion available free for a limited time, featuring 50 chord-based presets built around Chord Mode. Plus, unlock even more savings with tiered discounts across instruments and effects - and explore special pricing on Traktor X1, Traktor Z1 and Maschine Grooveboxes at Native-Instruments.com

Hear your music come alive with Adam Audio’s H200 Headphones and D3V Desktop Monitors. Delivering stunning clarity and accurate mix translation, Adam Audio lets you create with confidence. Explore at Adam-Audio.com

Bring classic analog power to your studio with Spectra 1964 and the STX 600 Complimiter Mic Pre. Combining a world-class microphone preamp with a musical, fully analog compressor/limiter, the STX 600 delivers bold tone, control, and punch in a single unit. A unique and powerful tool for capturing inspiring performances. Discover more at Spectra1964.com

Make your next record with me at the newly remodeled RSR headquarters and experience the ability to hear your music in holographic detail with the Phantom Focus System PFS HD1000 monitors. TheToyBoxStudio.com

Win over $1,500 in pro studio gear with the Pickr Giveaway! Score a Shure SM7 mic, a UA Apollo Twin interface, and Audio-Technica headphones - everything you need to get your music out into the world:
1. Download the free Pickr app.
2.Create your profile.
3.Post “I’m winning with Pickr” to the board in the app.
One lucky winner announced at the end of January.
 Download free at Pickr.com

The Grace Design M701 audio interface delivers pristine sound quality with exceptional headroom and ultra-low noise performance. Designed for all types of recording facilities, it offers transparent conversion and powerful monitoring in a compact, elegant form. A studio essential you can count on. GraceDesign.com

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Listen TO THE PODCAST here⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎


LISTEN TO DISCOGRAPHY ON SPOTIFY


Website Links:

metalliance.com
The Studio Confidential
Facebook: @The METalliance

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Vlad Vasilcenko
Daria Tupesis

MixMasterBundle.com
Take your music from sounding like a basement demo to professional radio-ready mixes with my free introductory mixing course using stock and free plugins at MixMasterBundle.com!

RSR539 – Phil Wagner – Advancing Sound Quality From Soundworks to Solid State Logic

What does it take to lead two of the biggest names in pro audio?
Phil Wagner shares how he went from NYC engineer to running SSL and Apogee - and why the best technology still starts with listening.


My guest today is Phil Wagner, a longtime pro-audio industry leader who’s helped shape some of the most respected recording technologies in the world.

Phil began his career in New York City at Soundworks Studios, working hands-on as a recording engineer before moving into product development and leadership roles. Over the years he’s served as President of Apogee Electronics, U.S. President for Solid State Logic, and has collaborated with legendary studios, artists, and manufacturers across the globe.

With decades of perspective bridging the analog and digital eras, Phil shares insights on consoles, converters, immersive mixing, and the business of audio, along with stories from the front lines of pro audio innovation.

A big thank - you to Fadi Hayek at SSL for the introduction!

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Get hands-on training and launch your music career at SAE Institute Nashville! Learn studio production, live sound, and audio for film using industry-standard gear, taught by experienced pros.The next program starts January 12, 2026 - don’t wait! With diploma, associate, and bachelor’s programs, SAE helps you build real-world skills. Visit nashville.sae.edu to fill out an inquiry form and schedule your personal campus tour today!

Power up your mixes, masters, and post-production with iZotope’s Holiday Sale! Get Insight 2 free for a limited time, iZotope’s pro metering plugin, and save 30% or more on pro mixing and audio repair tools like Nectar 4, RX 11, and Neutron 5. Bundle and save 30% on pro audio toolkits: Music Production Suite 8, Post Production Suite 8.6.
Looking for smart problem-solvers? Catalyst Series effects like Aurora and Velvet are just $29 each. iZotope.com

Holiday Sale at Native Instruments: get Creative Chords, a brand-new Massive X Expansion available free for a limited time, featuring 50 chord-based presets built around Chord Mode. Plus, unlock even more savings with tiered discounts across instruments and effects - and explore special pricing on Traktor X1 MK3, Traktor Z1 MK2, Maschine Grooveboxes and Kontrol S-Series at Native-Instruments.com

The holiday season is here and so are the savings! ADAM Audio gear that makes a real difference, now with limited-time holiday discounts. Available in the ADAM Audio webstore and at participating resellers.
Shop now at Adam-Audio.com

Bring classic analog power to your studio with Spectra 1964 and the STX 600 Complimiter Mic Pre. Combining a world-class microphone preamp with a musical, fully analog compressor/limiter, the STX 600 delivers bold tone, control, and punch in a single unit. A unique and powerful tool for capturing inspiring performances. Discover more at Spectra1964.com

Make your next record with me at the newly remodeled RSR headquarters and experience the ability to hear your music in holographic detail with the Phantom Focus System PFS HD1000 monitors. TheToyBoxStudio.com

Win over $1,500 in pro studio gear with the Pickr Giveaway! Score a Shure SM7 mic, a UA Apollo Twin interface, and Audio-Technica headphones - everything you need to get your music out into the world:
1. Download the free Pickr app.
2.Create your profile.
3.Post “I’m winning with Pickr” to the board in the app.
One lucky winner announced at the end of January.
 Download free at Pickr.com

The Grace Design M701 audio interface delivers pristine sound quality with exceptional headroom and ultra-low noise performance. Designed for all types of recording facilities, it offers transparent conversion and powerful monitoring in a compact, elegant form. A studio essential you can count on. GraceDesign.com

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Listen TO THE PODCAST here⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎


LISTEN TO DISCOGRAPHY ON TIDAL


Website Links:

www.linkedin.com/in/phil-wagner

Facebook: @Phil Wagner
A photo album of 600 recording studio shots from Phil’s storied career with SSL and more: @Phil’s photo album

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Vlad Vasilcenko
Daria Tupesis

MixMasterBundle.com
Take your music from sounding like a basement demo to professional radio-ready mixes with my free introductory mixing course using stock and free plugins at MixMasterBundle.com!

RSR538 – Toby Lloyd – From Punk to Producer – Tiny Triumphs over Mindset, Workflow & Vibe

What does a rooftop studio, a cold plunge, and a punk rock heart have in common?
Producer Toby Lloyd shares how surrender, discipline, and creative flow helped him build Tiny Triumph Recordings and rediscover joy in making music.

Howdy Rockstars,my guest today is Toby Lloyd, a music producer, studio engineer, and mixing engineer who runs Tiny Triumph Recordings, a boutique rooftop recording studio in Wellington, New Zealand.

Toby has worked with artists like Shapeshifter, Hollie Smith, Stan Walker, and Nightmares on Wax, and he’s contributed to major film projects including Avatar 2, The Hobbit Trilogy, Mortal Engines, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, as well as mixing scores for acclaimed films such as SavageStylebender, and Ka Whawhai Tonu (pronounced Car Far Fie Toe Nu).

In addition to his studio and film work, Toby is also making new music as an artist himself.

Big thanks to Matt Boudreau from Working Class Audio for making today’s introduction!

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Get hands-on training and launch your music career at SAE Institute Nashville! Learn studio production, live sound, and audio for film using industry-standard gear, taught by experienced pros.The next program starts January 12, 2026 - don’t wait! With diploma, associate, and bachelor’s programs, SAE helps you build real-world skills. Visit nashville.sae.edu to fill out an inquiry form and schedule your personal campus tour today!

Power up your mixes, masters, and post-production with iZotope’s Holiday Sale! Get Insight 2 free for a limited time, iZotope’s pro metering plugin, and save 30% or more on pro mixing and audio repair tools like Nectar 4, RX 11, and Neutron 5. Bundle and save 30% on pro audio toolkits: Music Production Suite 8, Post Production Suite 8.6.
Looking for smart problem-solvers? Catalyst Series effects like Aurora and Velvet are just $29 each. iZotope.com

Holiday Sale at Native Instruments: get Creative Chords, a brand-new Massive X Expansion available free for a limited time, featuring 50 chord-based presets built around Chord Mode. Plus, unlock even more savings with tiered discounts across instruments and effects - and explore special pricing on Traktor Pro 4 and the NI 360 Subscription at Native-Instruments.com

The holiday season is here and so are the savings! ADAM Audio gear that makes a real difference, now with limited-time holiday discounts. Available in the ADAM Audio webstore and at participating resellers.
Shop now at Adam-Audio.com

Bring classic analog sound to your studio with Spectra 1964, makers of the STX 100D mic preamp. Trusted on countless hit records at Stax, Ardent, the Record Plant, and Sunset Sound studios, Spectra lets you capture that legendary punch and clarity today. Discover more at Spectra1964.com

Make your next record with me at the newly remodeled RSR headquarters and experience the ability to hear your music in holographic detail with the Phantom Focus System PFS HD1000 monitors. TheToyBoxStudio.com

Win over $1,500 in pro studio gear with the Pickr Giveaway! Score a Shure SM7 mic, a UA Apollo Twin interface, and Audio-Technica headphones - everything you need to get your music out into the world:
1. Download the free Pickr app.
2.Create your profile.
3.Post “I’m winning with Pickr” to the board in the app.
One lucky winner announced at the end of January.
 Download free at Pickr.com

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Listen TO THE PODCAST here⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎


LISTEN TO DISCOGRAPHY ON SPOTIFY


Website Links:

tinytriumphrecordings.com

Instagram: @tinytriumphrecordings

Additional podcast editing and production by:
Vlad Vasilcenko

MixMasterBundle.com
Take your music from sounding like a basement demo to professional radio-ready mixes with my free introductory mixing course using stock and free plugins at MixMasterBundle.com!

RSR537 – Rich Bernett – The sound of machines: Contact Mics, The Cassettone, Guitar Pedal Feedback Loops, Oh My!

Howdy Rockstars, my guest today is Rich Bernett, aka Sound of Machines, a Richmond, Virginia - based sound artist, builder, and experimental musician.

Rich designs and performs with his own DIY instruments like the CassetteTone 2 and Rotary Drone, blending circuit bending, contact mics, and field recordings to create wild, organic, and otherworldly soundscapes.

With a growing following on YouTube, Patreon, and Instagram, Rich shares his creative process and connects with a community of makers and musicians exploring new sonic frontiers.

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Get hands-on training and launch your music career at SAE Institute Nashville! Learn studio production, live sound, and audio for film using industry-standard gear, taught by experienced pros.The next program starts January 12, 2026 - don’t wait! With diploma, associate, and bachelor’s programs, SAE helps you build real-world skills. Visit nashville.sae.edu to fill out an inquiry form and schedule your personal campus tour today!

Power up your mixes, masters, and post-production with iZotope’s Holiday Sale! Get Insight 2 free for a limited time, iZotope’s pro metering plugin, and save 30% or more on pro mixing and audio repair tools like Nectar 4, RX 11, and Neutron 5. Bundle and save 30% on pro audio toolkits: Music Production Suite 8, Post Production Suite 8.6.
Looking for smart problem-solvers? Catalyst Series effects like Aurora and Velvet are just $29 each. iZotope.com

Holiday Sale at Native Instruments: get Creative Chords, a brand-new Massive X Expansion available free for a limited time, featuring 50 chord-based presets built around Chord Mode. Plus, unlock even more savings with tiered discounts across instruments and effects - and explore special pricing on Traktor Pro 4 and the NI 360 Subscription at Native-Instruments.com

The holiday season is here and so are the savings! ADAM Audio gear that makes a real difference, now with limited-time holiday discounts. Available in the ADAM Audio webstore and at participating resellers.
Shop now at Adam-Audio.com

Bring classic analog sound to your studio with Spectra 1964, makers of the STX 100D mic preamp. Trusted on countless hit records at Stax, Ardent, the Record Plant, and Sunset Sound studios, Spectra lets you capture that legendary punch and clarity today. Discover more at Spectra1964.com

Make your next record with me at the newly remodeled RSR headquarters and experience the ability to hear your music in holographic detail with the Phantom Focus System PFS HD1000 monitors. TheToyBoxStudio.com

Win over $1,500 in pro studio gear with the Pickr Giveaway! Score a Shure SM7 mic, a UA Apollo Twin interface, and Audio-Technica headphones - everything you need to get your music out into the world:
1. Download the free Pickr app.
2.Create your profile.
3.Post “I’m winning with Pickr” to the board in the app.
One lucky winner announced at the end of January.
 Download free at Pickr.com

⬇︎⬇︎Scroll down to listen⬇︎⬇︎

Listen TO THE PODCAST here⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎


LISTEN TO DISCOGRAPHY ON SPOTIFY


Website Links:

thesoundofmachines.com

Instagram: @thesoundofmachines
Youtube:  @TheSoundofMachines
Patreon: @TheSoundofMachines


Additional podcast editing and production by:
Vlad Vasilcenko

MixMasterBundle.com
Take your music from sounding like a basement demo to professional radio-ready mixes with my free introductory mixing course using stock and free plugins at MixMasterBundle.com!

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