Audio Path Podcast

At some point, many audio professionals reach a turning point where their passion shifts from a hobby into a real business. In this episode, John and Trent discuss what it actually means to formalize your work as a studio owner, live sound tech, or musician. They break down the basics of operating as a sole proprietor versus forming an LLC, the benefits of liability protection, and how a business structure can make things more professional and organized. The conversation also explores insurance, tax advantages, and how bands can benefit from operating as a business entity. Whether you’re freelancing, running a home studio, or playing gigs with friends, this episode offers practical insight to help you decide if it’s time to take the next step and treat your craft like a business.

In this episode, John and Trent break down how they approach mixing from both the studio and the live sound perspective. Starting with the fundamentals of building a mix, they talk through their individual workflows, including starting with volume, organizing sessions, choosing when to use plugins, and shaping the overall feel of a song. They also discuss the pros and cons of mixing templates versus starting from scratch and how different recording scenarios influence the tools and techniques they use.

The conversation then shifts to live sound, where they explore the realities of mixing in real-world environments. From working around loud acoustic instruments to managing stage volume, feedback, and monitor mixes, they share practical strategies for getting the best possible results in less-than-ideal situations. Whether you’re mixing in a studio or behind a live console, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the thought process and decision-making that goes into building a great mix.

In this episode, John and Trent dive into the inevitable highs and lows of working in the music industry. From milestone moments like landing your first real client or working with notable artists, to the self-doubt, slow seasons, and identity struggles that can creep in, they unpack what it really looks like to build a sustainable career in audio. The conversation also explores the “feast or famine” cycle, the mental and financial challenges that come with it, and practical ways to navigate both busy and quiet seasons. Whether it’s reinvesting in your skills, refining your business, or simply staying grounded, this episode is all about finding balance and staying steady through the ups and downs.

In this tech-focused episode of Audio Path, John and Trent break down why room tuning is essential to creating mixes that actually translate. They cover reflection points, room modes, speaker placement, acoustic treatment, and simple tools like the mirror trick to improve your listening position—even in small or square rooms. They also discuss headphone mixing, EQ correction tools like Sonarworks, and how to work within your budget without sacrificing accuracy. If you want to trust what you’re hearing and make better mix decisions, this episode will help you move closer to true acoustic neutrality.

Burnout is something every creative faces eventually—but how do you recognize it, recover from it, and build a sustainable career that lasts? In this episode, John and Trent share honest stories from their own journeys through exhaustion, overwork, and creative fatigue in the music industry. They talk about the warning signs of burnout, the dangers of hustle culture, and practical ways to reset—from rest and boundaries to pruning projects and planning for long-term health. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from the work you once loved, this conversation offers encouragement and real-world strategies to help you find your way forward.

In this episode of Audio Path, John and Trent dive deep into the often-overlooked art of live monitoring. From the early days of stage sound to modern in-ear systems, they break down what makes a great monitor mix and why it can make or break a performance. John shares hard-earned lessons from years in the monitor world, including best practices for in-ears, wedges, hybrid setups, and artist communication.

Along the way, they cover hearing protection, crowd mics, soundcheck strategy, genre-specific challenges, and how to think like the musician on stage. Whether you’re mixing monitors, playing live, or just curious about what’s happening behind the console, this episode is packed with practical insight and real-world stories from the stage.

Analog versus digital is one of the most debated topics in audio, and in this episode of Audio Path, we finally dive in. From tape machines, recall sheets, and real-time automation to modern plugins, amp modelers, and fully in-the-box workflows, we unpack how the industry got here and why the argument still exists.John and Trent share their personal experiences working in hybrid, analog, and digital environments, discuss the evolution of plugins and modeling technology, and talk honestly about where digital shines, where analog still wins, and why commitment, taste, and decision-making matter more than the tools themselves. Along the way, they cover drums, guitar modeling, keyboards, sampling, recall, workflow pitfalls, and their go-to EQs and compressors.Whether you’re new to audio or deep into your career, this episode is a grounded, practical look at the analog vs digital conversation—without gatekeeping, hype, or dogma.

In this episode of Audio Path, we dive into the 80/20 rule and how it applies to life and work in the audio and music industry. From clients and gear to plugins, workflow, and saying no to the wrong opportunities, we explore how a small portion of your efforts often produces the biggest results. We talk about prioritizing the right projects, avoiding burnout, building trust through consistency, and adopting an abundance mindset instead of a scarcity mindset. Whether you’re just starting out or deep into your career, this conversation will challenge you to step back, evaluate what’s truly working, and learn how doing less can actually move you forward faster.

In this episode of Audio Path, John and Trent take a brutally honest—and hilarious—look at the mistakes that can cost you the gig in both studio and live audio environments. From early-career blunders to fresh-off-the-road fails, they dig into real stories that reveal how ego, lack of preparation, bad attitudes, gear assumptions, and even boredom can sabotage your reputation fast.

They also share unforgettable encounters with difficult artists, chaotic festival situations, broken routing, warehouse acoustical nightmares, rogue click tracks, and engineers who should probably switch careers.

Whether you're new to audio or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons, red flags to watch for, and reminders that the simplest rule still holds true: don’t be a jerk.

Tune in, cringe along with them, and learn how not to blow your next gig.

In this honest and eye-opening episode, John and Trent pull back the curtain on one of the most challenging parts of working in the music industry—dealing with difficult artists and strained client relationships. Trent shares a recent real-world studio experience that went unexpectedly off the rails, walking through the red flags, communication breakdowns, revision overload, mismatched expectations, and the hard lessons learned along the way.

Whether you’re an engineer, producer, or artist, this episode is packed with practical wisdom on setting boundaries, managing revisions, guiding creative direction, protecting your time, and identifying when a collaboration simply isn’t the right fit. A must-listen for anyone building a sustainable career in music.