Working Class Audio

WCA #259 with Lenise Bent – The smell of tubes, Leon Russel’s studio, Roger Nichols, Mike Chapman, Cancer, Networking and DiversificationLenise Bent is an American audio engineer who has worked in both the music and film industry. She was one of a handful of women working in the Hollywood recording studio business in a technical role during the 1970s and was the first woman to receive an RIAA Platinum album for her engineering of AutoAmerican by Blondie.In this episode we discuss:The smell of tubesLeon Russel’s studioSurviving as an assistantWorking with Mike ChapmanWorking with Roger NicholsCancerWorking in post-productionNetworkingDiversificationLinks and Show Notes:Lenise on Instagram: @lenisebentLenise On Facebook: https://bit.ly/2DDocSZCredits:Guest: Lenise BentHost: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAdditional Music: The License Lab

WCA #258 with Jason Livermore – Selling Beer, Studio Ownership, Production Details, Cross Fit, and Thousand Dollar Vape Machines.Jason Livermore is a producer/engineer/drummer and co-owner of the Blasting Room Studios located in Fort Collins, Colorado.For more info on Jason visit: https://theblastingroom.com/In this episode we discuss:Selling BeerFort CollinsStudio OwnershipPartnershipsGear DebtMentorsProduction DetailsPointsCross FitLegalized marijuana25 Years of BusinessLinks and Show Notes:The Blasting Room: https://theblastingroom.com/Credits:Guest: Jason LivermoreHost: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAdditional Music: The License Lab

WCA #257 with Music Expo – Warren Huart, Lenise Bent, Michael James, Starita, Emiliano CaballeroMusic Expo San Francisco 2019 took place at the SAE Institute in Emeryville, California on November 9th and 10th. It featured a wide array of panels and discussions. The Producers and Engineers panel was the Keynote panel held on the 10th. Enjoy. -MattFor more info on Music Expo: https://musicexpo.co/In this episode we discuss:ProducingPointsSurvivalMental HealthSuccessBuilding a careerThinking GloballyPersistanceLinks and Show Notes:Music Expo: https://musicexpo.co/sanfranciscoWarren Huart: https://warrenhuart.com/Lenise Bent: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenise_BentMichael James: http://michaeljamesproducer.com/Starita: http://www.staritamusic.com/Emiliano Caballero: https://www.emilianocaballero.com/Credits:Guests: Warren Huart, Lenise Bent, Michael James, Starita, Emiliano CaballeroHost: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: C

WCA #256 with Scott Evans – Quitting his day job, Drug money, Wrestling mixes, Imposter syndrome and being financially conservative.Scott Evans is an engineer and mixer based in Oakland, California. This is Scott’s second appearance on WCA. His first appearance was Episode #010 in 2015. We met at his studio for a great discussion and follow up to our first interview.For more info on Scott visit: http://antisleep.com/In this episode we discuss:Quitting his day jobTraveling to recordBeing financially conservativeDrug moneyElectrical AudioMastering DiagnosisWinning A pottyWrestling MixesImposter SyndromeLinks and Show Notes:Scott’s Site: http://antisleep.com/Credits:Guest: Scott EvansHost: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAdditional Music: The License Lab

WCA #255 with Steven Gillis – Chicago winters, studio partnerships, Chuck Berry, HVAC systems, SSL myths, and the last studio he’ll ever build.Steven Gillis is a drummer producer/engineer and mixer working out of Transient Sound, his studio in Chicago that he shares with studio partner Vijay Tellis-Nayak.For more info on Steven visit: https://www.transientsound.com/In this episode we discuss:Chicago WintersStudio PartnershipsChuck BerryHVAC SystemsSSL MythsThe last studio he’ll ever buildLinks and Show Notes:Transient Sound on Twitter: @transientmusicTransient Sound on Fcebook: https://www.facebook.com/transientsoundstudioBackblaze: https://bit.ly/2ptMxHJCredits:Guest: Steven GillisHost: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAdditional Music: The License Lab

WCA #254 with Jonah Strauss – DIY Attitude, The Aftermath of Fires, Advocacy, Dealing with Debt, The Dynamics of East Oakland and Serving his community.Jonah Strauss made his first appearance on WCA #016. Since then he’s been through some experiences that have changed his perspective and outlook. He’s back with a new studio, new approach and primed to serve a community dear to his heart.For more info on Jonah visit: http://www.survivorsound.com/In this episode we discuss:DIY attitudeThe Aftermath of FiresAdvocacyThe Dynamics of East OaklandServing his communityDealing with DebtLinks and Show Notes:Survivor Sound: http://www.survivorsound.com/Contact Jonah: http://www.survivorsound.com/contactThe Black Puma’s: https://www.theblackpumas.com/Learn about the late great Ed Cherney: http://edcherney.com/Credits:Guest: Jonah StraussHost: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAd

WCA #253 with Mary Mazurek – Recording live, Knowing your worth, Complicated gigs & Parents with multiple fridge/freezers.Mary Mazurek is a Grammy-nominated recording engineer, artist, educator, speaker, and consultant. She currently works as a producer/engineer at WFMT in Chicago, teaches as an Adjunct professor at DePaul University as well as an instructor at Columbia College and Illinois Institute of Art.For more info on Mary visit: https://www.marymazurek.com/In this episode we discuss:Recording live broadcastsStudying under Murray AllenBlatant sexismKnowing your worthParents with multiple fridge/freezersChicago wintersMental health & stressPlanning for complicated gigsLinks and Show Notes:Support WCA – Go Ad Free! https://glow.fm/workingclassaudio/Mary’s Site: https://www.marymazurek.com/Connect with Mary on Linkedin: https://bit.ly/33Q7LxEMore on Murray Allen: https://bit.ly/2pyVeAbThe Presidents Marine Band: https://www.marineband.marines.mil/Credits:Guest:&nb

Dave Hillis has spent large amounts of time on both sides of the glass as a guitarist, producer, engineer, mixer and writer. He worked alongside famed producer Rick Parasher for several years in Seattle and was the engineer on Pearl Jam's breakthrough album "10". For more info on Dave visit: https://davehillismusic.com/In this episode we discuss:Brooklyn to SeattleMetal beginningsDIY FocusRecord store educationRick ParasherPearl JamClosing and opening studiosTraditional record makingCommitting tracksMoving back EastLinks and Show Notes:Dave's Site: https://davehillismusic.com/Clive Davis Doc: https://www.netflix.com/title/80190588John Cuniberti: https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-005-with-john-cuniberti/Working Class Audio Journal: https://amzn.to/2GN67TPCredits:Guest: Dave HillisHost: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAdditional Music: The License Lab

Piper Payne is a mastering engineer who has been a guest on WCA before (See WCA #045). She has been through some business experiences and changes since we last spoke and now has set up a homebase in Nashville but also continues to spend time in Oakland where she still has a facility. She joins me for a discussion of those changes and opportunities post Summer NAMM.Piper has mastered a wide variety of music including nationally renowned artists Third Eye Blind, Madame Gandhi, Geographer, Elettrodomestico (Jane Wiedlin/Go-Go’s), Shamir, Between You & Me, David Messier, and Fritz Montana, as well as Bay Area favorites Kat Robichaud, ANML, Sioux City Kid, The She’s, Emily Afton, Abbot Kinney, Travis Hayes, Kendra McKinley, Van Goat, and Diana Gameros.For Piper's complete history visit: http://www.piperpayne.com/In this episode we discuss:Art and commerce in the Bay AreaJoining Infrasonic Sound.Setting up shop in Nashville.Splitting time between cities.Survivalist mentality.Having a strong legal team.Taking ca

Vance Powell is an old friend to Working Class Audio. His first appearance was on episode #007 almost 5 years ago. Vance is a 6 time Grammy Award-winning record producer, engineer, and mixer and has worked with Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Wolfmother, and Martina McBride, among many others. I join Vance at his studio in Nashville, Sputnik Sound for the second interview. We are also joined in the room by mastering badass, Chris Athens (Blink 182, Drake, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj ). In this episode we discussRespecting your past.Business managersNot working from home.Jumping through hoops.Sedentary life. Taxes.The Stray CatsFame.Grammys. Cleaning up dog shit. Links and Show Notes:The first Vance Powell interview: https://bit.ly/2mdbYeXSputnik Sound: http://www.sputniksound.com/Mastering Engineer Chris Athens: http://chrisathensmasters.com/Credits:Guest: Vance PowellHost: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme

Jeff Kolhede is a Grammy-nominated producer, composer, engineer, and musician. He is currently a staff engineer at 25th Street Recording and is also a house producer, engineer, and mentor at Zoo Labs both located in Oakland, California. Jeff can be heard on film, television, advertisements, and artist projects, including the trailer music for the movie, Moonlight, as a sound-designer, for the Virtual Software Instrument EXHALE, ANALOG STRINGS, and MOVEMENT, by Output. Jeff has performed with such artists as John Legend, Allen Stone, HoneyHoney, Pete Wentz, Chali 2na, and JoJo. Jeff was also a member of the "Hollywood Game Night" band on NBC for two seasons, performing vocals and horns. In this episode we discussFinding your pathInfluence of band directorsKnowing when not to commentAdapting to a new environmentWorking long hoursFocused vs. unfocused clientsSurviving a high cost of livingLinks and Show Notes:Jeff's Site: http://www.jeffkolhede.com/aboutJeff's project # 1: https://bit.ly/2kzFzhSJeff's project #2

Eyal Levi is a critically acclaimed educator, musician, producer, former guitarist and primary songwriter for the band  Daath, as well as a co-founder of URM (Unstoppable Recording Machine) Academy, an online education platform for producers with thousands of students from across the globe. In the studio, he has worked with such artists including The Black Dahlia Murder, Monuments, The Contortionist, Chelsea Grin, and Firewind among many others.In this episode we discuss,The creation of URM.The demands of Metal.Standards.Teaching yourself.Devotion to learning.Managing money.Links and Show Notes:URM Academy: https://urm.academy/URM Podcast: https://urm.academy/category/podcast/Nail The Mix: https://www.nailthemix.com/Digital Marketer: https://www.digitalmarketer.comRamit Sethi: https://amzn.to/2O2N1OJCredits:Guest: Eyal LeviHost: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAdditional Music: The License Lab

Justin Colletti is a mastering engineer, and the author of hundreds of articles on the art, science, and business of music and sound. He acts as director of content and publishing for SonicScoop and has written for outlets including Tape Op, The Deli Magazine, Trust Me I’m a Scientist and many more. In 2019, he began the weekly SonicScoop Podcast, interviewing music and audio industry luminaries and regularly taking deep dives into complex and controversial issues in music and audio production.In this episode we discuss,Corporate Environments.Jail Time.Transitioning to MasteringSaying yes to work.Thinking ahead.Doing things for the future you.State Mottos.Role Models.Microeconomics.Master Mind Groups.Fiscal Responsibility.Links and Show Notes:Sonic Scoop: https://sonicscoop.com/Justin's Site: http://justincolletti.com/Justin's Mixing Course: http://mixingbreakthroughs.com/ Use Code WCA25 on checkout. Justin's Mastering Course: https://masteringdemystified.com/ Use Code WCA25 on checkout. Credits:Hos

Eric Fredricey started with hand me down cassette decks and mixers, progressed to a broadcast internship in Junior High, worked at a tv station right out of high school and is now chief engineer at KCSB-FM college radio in his hometown. In this episode we discuss,The World of BroadcastRunning with the clockGetting yelled atTailoring your resumeNegotiating your salaryGetting into broadcastFCC RegulationsA million acronymsLinks and Show Notes:Eric on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericfredricey/Eric's Station: https://www.kcsb.org/Credits:Host: Matt Boudreau Guest: Eric FredriceyWCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAdditional Music: The License Lab

Steve Chadie started interning for Willie Nelson's studio in 1995. 24 years later armed with a host of high profile clients, awards and experiences Steve still has the same enthusiasm he did when he started and a desire to lend a helping hand, gear or advice to upcoming young engineers that he collaborates with. In this episode we discussWorking with Willie NelsonSharing knowledgeLegal PadsBeing invisibleWorking with Andy JohnsLiving like a SquirrelNot missing thingsMaking records in housesLinks and Show Notes:Steve's Site: https://stevechadie.com/Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevechadie50/Credits:Host: Matt Boudreau Guest: Steve ChadieWCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAdditional Music: The License Lab

Paul Drew is a producer, engineer, mixer, session guitarist, and member of Production Expert. He's also the D in DWB Music Ltd and DWB MIXING. His experience is diversified and has served him well. Paul walks us through the details of all of it and tells us about his new venture The Studio Rats. In this episode we discussThe Asian music marketThe value of diversificationHis transition to Studio OneManaging gear lustMixing RatesLanguage Barriers in revisionsLinks and Show Notes:The Studio Rats website: https://thestudiorats.net/DWB Music Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DwbMusicLtd/Credits:Host: Matt Boudreau Guest: Paul DrewWCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAdditional Music: The License Lab

Patrick Meza is a Mix Tech at Warner Brothers. He is a prime example of how perseverance can open doors and shape your career. While still at the early stages of that career, Patrick has worked at some amazing places including Somatone Interactive, Disney, Pandora, and Skywalker Sound. In this episode we discussThe power of connecting over LinkedInThe importance of staying hungryAssuming the role in your audio careerNot being afraid to try other types of audio gigsBreaking down barriersLinks and Show Notes:The Profitable Producer Course: https://www.thesixfigurehomestudio.com/ppc-scholarship-wca/Credits:Host: Matt Boudreau Guest: Patrick MezaWCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt BoudreauAdditional Music: The License Lab

Brian David Hood is a producer/engineer, studio owner, and entrepreneur. Brian takes us through his journey, from playing drums on tour, opening a studio in his parent's basement, hitting a major low point that spurred him on to better opportunities, creating a video course and a podcast and his entrepreneurial ventures.  In this episode, you’ll discover:Brian's podcast that addresses the business concerns of audio prosA new way to post mixes and masters for your clients and get paidA video course to give your audio business a kick in the assThe benefits of keeping your overhead lowTools to get over social anxietyDelegating and automating audio tasksThe benefits of checklistsLinks and Show Notes:Free Workshop: How To Make A Living From Your Existing Audio Skills: https://bitly.com/The link to everything we talk to Brian about https://www.thesixfigurehomestudio.com/wca/CreditsHost: Matt BoudreauGuest: Brian David HoodWCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell Announcer: Chuck SmithEditing: Anne-Marie Pleau &am

Dan Shike started college at the University of Evansville and considered a major in physics with intention of a career in acoustics and speaker design – that is, until he heard of the Recording Industry program at Middle Tennessee State University. Within a week of learning of this “recording industry” and that he could go to school to be in it, Dan applied to MTSU and planned the big move to the south. At MTSU Dan spent every waking moment (and a few not so awake) in the studios of the Recording Industry program. He worked in the recording studio maintenance lab and was a lab assistant for many of his instructors, helping teach lessons in studio recording, SSL operation, and critical listening. It was there that the thought of moving into mastering emerged. Dan didn’t do so well in history class but he rocked those engineering classes.Post-college, Dan worked as an assistant engineer at the MCA Music Publishing studio, held a staff assistant engineer job at Sound Stage Studios, and h

Sebastian Visconti boarded a plane In 1989 in his hometown of Philadelphia to attend his sister's wedding in Los Angeles, and he never returned. He was a young drummer with rock and roll dreams. He spent his early years playing and touring with local bands while supporting himself waiting tables at Ed Debevic’s in Beverly Hills and opening the famous House of Blues on Sunset Blvd. When he bought his first home, he converted his garage into a recording studio (which now serves as a post-sound studio). He began producing and recording local artists as well as serving as the drummer for most of the artists he produced. As the music industry shifted he found himself at a crossroads. At the urging of a close friend who was an established sound effects editor, Sebastian jumped into the world of post sound. In 2017 Sebastian won two Golden Reels and was later nominated for an Emmy for his work on Westworld.Sebastian is currently a Supervising Sound Editor at Warner Bros. Studios working on shows like Baskets, Docume