Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Podcast

My guest today is composer, orchestrator, and CEO of Budapest Scoring, Balint Sapszon. 

Trained at the prestigious Bartók Conservatory and Liszt Academy of Music in Hungary, Bálint holds a Master’s Degree in Composition, Jazz Arrangement, and Music Theory. In 2007 he received a Fulbright Scholarship to study film scoring at the University of California Los Angeles, where he quickly began establishing himself in the world of film music.

Bálint’s film scoring and orchestration credits include Parasite, which was the Oscar winner for Best Picture, Spike Lee’s Netflix film See You Yesterday, all time Chinese box office hit Operation Red Sea, the HBO film Bad Education, and more.

After using his friends back in his native Hungary to record the score for his first film, and then helping other composers do their scores there as well, Balint founded the Budapest Scoring Orchestra and eventually purchased one of the finest scoring stages in Europe to record in. Today Budapest Scoring is used by composers, film and television studios from around the world.

During the interview we talked about the birth of Budapest Scoring, his transition into film scoring, the global impact of the Orchestra, his Jazz influences, and much more.

I spoke with Balint from his home in Los Angeles

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Balint Sapzon's work at Balintsapszon.com, and Budapest Scoring at budapestscoring.com

–

Get fantastic mixing tips from the best selling Mixing Engineer’s Handbook: https://bobbyowsinski.com/mixhandbook

Access my FREE music mixing crash course training: https://www.mixingcrashcourse.com

Check out my best-selling books: https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/ 

Discover more mixing courses: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/ 

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/

Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social

--

In this podcast, music guru Bobby Owsinski shares his personal insights on the music industry, covering news, reviews, analysis, and tips, as well as offering amazing interviews with prominent industry movers and shakers. 

Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books

🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course

🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses

📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky

🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek: https://itl.ink/APodcastGeek

My guest today is is one of my oldest and dearest friends – Los Angeles studio bass player Paul ILL.

I’ve known Paul for such a long time that I sometimes forget what a heavyweight musician he is, as he’s played with a wide variety of great artists both in the studio and on the road.

This includes superstars like Tina Turner, Pink, Gwen Stefani and Alicia Keys, to legends Bob Weir, Mike Love and producers Michael Lloyd and Linda Perry, among a long list too vast to mention.

During the interview we spoke about:

• how his gear has evolved over the last few years,
• his journey as a mental health professional and his work with musicians through Music Cares
• what it’s like playing with a full orchestra
• how the studio scene has changed in Los Angeles
• how he brings more to the table than just expert bass playing, and much more.

I spoke with Paul from his studio in Los Angeles

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Mental Health and Music

00:00:19 - Guest Introduction: Paul Ill

00:00:30 - Paul's Musical Background

00:01:01 - Gear Evolution Over Seven Years

00:01:21 - Gearaholics Anonymous

00:02:13 - Gear from 2018

00:03:06 - Current Gear and Setup

00:04:33 - Amplification Changes

00:05:33 - Quad Cortex and Its Impact

00:09:06 - Playing with Orchestras

00:10:37 - Reading Music and Preparation

00:11:13 - Using the Quad Cortex in Live Settings

00:12:05 - Direct Box Preferences

00:15:15 - Physical Ailments of Musicians

00:20:00 - Generational Changes in Musicians' Health

00:21:03 - Session Work Changes Over Time

00:22:08 - Remote Session Dynamics

00:24:06 - Producer Expectations in Sessions

00:27:32 - Collaborative Technology in Music

00:28:16 - Experiences with Bill Ward

00:30:00 - The Importance of Tone and Gear

00:31:29 - Misunderstood Musicians: Songwriting

00:33:07 - Upcoming Solo Album

00:34:38 - Multi-Instrumentalist Approach

00:35:29 - Mental Health Professional Side Hustle

00:36:37 - Conclusion and Future Plan

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Paul ILL at: https://www.instagram.com/paulillmusic, https://www.facebook.com/paulill,

–

Get fantastic mixing tips from the best selling Mixing Engineer’s Handbook: https://bobbyowsinski.com/mixhandbook

Access my FREE music mixing crash course training: https://www.mixingcrashcourse.com

Check out my best-selling books: https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/ 

Discover more mixing courses: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/ 

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/

Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social

--

In this podcast, music guru Bobby Owsinski shares his personal insights on the m

Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books

🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course

🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses

📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky

🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek: https://itl.ink/APodcastGeek

My guest today is musician, book and magazine publisher, and artist Mike Lawson, who also happens to be my book publishing champion.

Mike was the person who took a chance on me to publish my first book, and then most of my subsequent 20+ books after that.

He’s since gone on to become the owner and publisher of notable publications like School Band and Orchestra and Musical Merchandise Review magazines.

If those credits were Mike’s only claim to fame it would be pretty substantial, but he’s also continued to be a working musician having recorded and/or performed with musical luminaries like Merl Saunders, Vince Welnick, Vassar Clements, Pete Sears, John McEuen, Bob Welch, Phil Keaggy, Jack Casady, Rob Wasserman, Michael Cleveland, and a host of others. 

He has released eight albums as “Mike Lawson and Friends,” continues to front his tribute band Hooterall?, and even has his own Pearl River signature guitar.

During the interview we spoke about his journey to getting a signature guitar, transitioning from musician to publisher, staying on the bleeding edge of technology, his stints at Gibson, and much more.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Introduction: Mike Lawson's Journey

00:00:22 - Meet Mike Lawson: Musician and Publisher

00:01:33 - The Story Behind Mike's Signature Guitar

00:06:22 - The Importance of Quality and Affordability in Instruments

00:07:42 - Transitioning from Musician to Publisher

00:08:15 - The Start of Mike's Publishing Career

00:10:02 - The Birth of the Entertainment Source Library

00:12:00 - Innovating with CompuServe and Music Industry Forums

00:13:41 - Working with Gibson and Building Gibson.com

00:15:40 - The Shift to Mixed Books and Publishing

00:19:07 - The Evolution of Mike's Publishing Career

00:22:29 - Returning to Gibson and New Opportunities

00:24:15 - The Move to Alfred Publishing

00:25:03 - Current Publishing Ventures: MMR and SBO

00:27:49 - Balancing Music and Publishing

00:28:19 - The Impact of COVID on Music Production

00:30:37 - Embracing Technology in Music Creation

00:33:36 - Imposter Syndrome: A Common Struggle

00:37:21 - Lessons Learned from Merle Saunders and Vince Welnick

00:40:41 - Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Mike's music at https://www.mikelawson.com, and his book and magazine publishing at https://artistpro.com

–

Get fantastic mixing tips from the best selling Mixing Engineer’s Handbook: https://bobbyowsinski.com/mixhandbook

Access my FREE music mixing crash course training: https://www.mixingcrashcourse.com

Check out my best-selling books: https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/ 

Discover more mixing courses: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/ 

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/

Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social

Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books

🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course

🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses

📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky

🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek: https://itl.ink/APodcastGeek

In this week’s episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rich Thomson, the founder and CEO of Dreamliner Luxury Coaches, a leading provider of tour buses and logistics in the United States.

Rich's journey in the industry began in 2020 with just 12 coaches, and he has since expanded Dreamliner to an impressive fleet of over 200 luxury buses, 70 trucks, and 220 trailers.

The company now services more than 50% of major arena and stadium tours across the country, catering to high-profile clients in the entertainment industry, including stars like Morgan Wallen, Billie Eilish, and Beyoncé.

Dreamliner also supplies executive coaches for group meetings and executive trips for Fortune 500 companies including NASCAR, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, and the Professional Golfers’ Association of America.

During the interview we talked about what to look for when renting a tour bus, the different types of coaches that are available, the difference between coaches for executives and tour buses, the importance of professional drivers, and much more.

Timcodes:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Dreamliner Luxury Coaches

00:01:34 - Key Considerations When Renting a Coach

00:01:59 - Challenges in Finding Professional Drivers

00:02:32 - Overview of Coach Types

00:02:47 - Differences Between Star Buses and Executive Coaches

00:03:49 - Common Requests from Artists

00:04:51 - Outrageous Requests in the Industry

00:05:36 - Service Areas: U.S. and Canada

00:06:11 - Sustainability in Coach Building

00:06:57 - Perception of New vs. Older Coaches

00:07:38 - Rich's Journey into the Coach Business

00:09:20 - Lessons Learned and Changing Perspectives

00:10:25 - Social Dynamics in Nashville

00:13:01 - Diverse Clientele Beyond Music

00:14:25 - Differences in Client Demands

00:15:47 - Expansion into Trucking Services

00:17:32 - Coach Sales and Fleet Management

00:19:06 - Incorporating Technology: Starlink

00:19:53 - Logistics Evolution in the Industry

00:20:45 - Future Goals and Diversification

00:23:00 - Importance of Professional Drivers

00:24:44 - Business Approach and Experience

00:26:31 - Final Advice: Going All In

00:27:40 - Closing Remarks

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Rich Thomson and Dreamliner Luxury Coaches at https://www.dreamlinercoaches.com

–

(FREE DOWNLOAD) 6 proven ways to avoid muddy mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/6-freqs-download-1 

Access my FREE music mixing crash course training: https://www.mixingcrashcourse.com

Check out my best-selling books: https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/ 

Discover more mixing courses: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/ 

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/

Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social

--

In this podcast, music guru Bobby Owsinski shares his personal insights on the music industry, covering news, reviews, analysis, and tips, as well as offering amazing interviews with pr

Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books

🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course

🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses

📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky

🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek: https://itl.ink/APodcastGeek

My guest today is engineer, mixer, and podcaster Matt Boudreau.

Matt’s musical journey began in the late '80s as a band member and drummer, eventually transitioning into the world of audio recording in 1994. Since then, he’s developed expertise in Stereo and Dolby Atmos mixing, with credits including Alanis Morissette, Death Cab For Cutie, and Green Day among others.

Matt is also the founder and host of Working Class Audio, a podcast with 20,000 monthly listeners, and over 530 episodes.

During the interview we spoke about the evolution of immersive audio, his innovative approach to mixing in Atmos, his insights after 500+ podcasts, encouraging authenticity in music production, and much more.

I spoke with Matt from his studio in the Bay Area.

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Technology and Art

00:01:15 - Matt Bedro's Background in Audio

00:02:45 - The Evolution of Immersive Audio

00:04:30 - Competition in Immersive Formats

00:06:10 - Consumer Demand and Aesthetic Challenges

00:08:00 - The Role of Early Adopters in Technology

00:09:30 - Disappointment in Classic Album Remixes

00:11:30 - Approach to Mixing Classic Albums in Atmos

00:14:30 - Economizing the Mixing Process

00:16:50 - Marketing and Selling Music

00:18:30 - The Importance of Artist Education

00:20:00 - AI's Impact on Music Production

00:22:30 - Using AI Tools in Audio Production

00:25:00 - Podcasting Journey and Insights

00:28:00 - Building Connections Through Interviews

00:30:30 - Adapting the Podcast Format

00:32:00 - Being Authentic in the Industry

00:34:00 - Encouragement for Young Audio Professionals

00:36:00 - Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Matt at https://www.mattboudreau.com/ and https://www.workingclassaudio.com/

–

(FREE DOWNLOAD) 6 proven ways to avoid muddy mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/6-freqs-download-1 

Access my FREE music mixing crash course training: https://www.mixingcrashcourse.com

Check out my best-selling books: https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/ 

Discover more mixing courses: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/ 

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/

Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social

--

In this podcast, music guru Bobby Owsinski shares his personal insights on the music industry, covering news, reviews, analysis, and tips, as well as offering amazing interviews with prominent industry movers and shakers. 

Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books

🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course

🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses

📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky

🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek: https://itl.ink/APodcastGeek

My guest today is Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter and music tech entrepreneur Sidney Swift. 

Sidney is a 10x platinum producer with major credits like Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Sabrina Carpenter, and many more.

In 2019, he started Defient to bridge the gap between music, pop culture, and next-gen technologies. This led to being granted a US patent for inventing "secondary device synchronization", a technology used in music and television to layer digital media experiences.

He’s also the founder of Recoup, which is focused on empowering modern music executives with AI tools for artist development and direct to fan engagement.

During the interview we talked about embracing AI in music management and marketing, the unique way he broke into the business, his virtual artist side project, the changing landscape of music creation, and much more.

I spoke with Sidney from his home outside of New York City.

Key Takeaways:

00:00:00 - The Inevitable Rise of AI

00:00:20 - Introducing Sidney Swift

00:01:27 - From Music Producer to Tech Innovator

00:03:07 - Reinventing Himself in the Industry

00:04:12 - The Shift in Music Creation

00:05:29 - Embracing Change with AI

00:06:42 - The Future of Music Genres

00:08:16 - Copyright Concerns in AI Music

00:10:07 - Creative Collaboration and Credit

00:11:35 - Breaking into the Music Business

00:13:35 - The Move to Los Angeles

00:14:29 - Navigating the LA Music Scene

00:16:19 - Innovative Approaches to Songwriting

00:19:15 - The Birth of Defiant

00:20:28 - Introducing Rekoop

00:23:29 - The Future of Music Creation00:25:10 - The Changing Landscape of Success

00:27:12 - The Value of Small Fanbases

00:29:46 - The Importance of AI in Music

00:30:51 - Advice on Embracing Discomfort

00:31:57 - Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Sidney's work: https://recoupable.com

–

(FREE DOWNLOAD) 6 proven ways to avoid muddy mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/6-freqs-download-1 

Access my FREE music mixing crash course training: https://www.mixingcrashcourse.com

Check out my best-selling books: https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/ 

Discover more mixing courses: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/ 

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/

Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social

--

In this podcast, music guru Bobby Owsinski shares his personal insights on the music industry, covering news, reviews, analysis, and tips, as well as offering amazing interviews with prominent industry movers and shakers. 

Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books

🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course

🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses

📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky

🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek: https://itl.ink/APodcastGeek

In this episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mimi Camara, an accomplished entertainment attorney known for her work with rising artists such as Soulja Boy, Gracie's Corner, and Young N' Ace. With a background in business and legal affairs at major labels like Atlantic, Warner Brothers, and Encore Records, Mimi has transitioned to focus on helping independent artists navigate the complexities of the music industry while building sustainable careers.

We kicked off our conversation by discussing the often misunderstood role of business affairs lawyers in record labels. Mimi emphasized that their primary responsibility is to protect the interests of the label, which can sometimes lead to a perception of them as the "bad guys." However, she explained that many lawyers genuinely strive to do the right thing for both the label and the artists, and her unique experience allows her to advocate effectively for her clients.

Mimi shared insights into the day-to-day realities of working in business affairs, revealing that it involves much more than just signing artists. From negotiating brand deals to mediating between artists and label creatives, the role is dynamic and requires constant relationship management.

We also explored the evolving landscape of music discovery, particularly the role of platforms like TikTok and YouTube. While TikTok has been a powerful tool for A&R research, Mimi pointed out that YouTube is increasingly becoming the go-to platform for music discovery, allowing artists to reach a global audience without the barriers of subscription fees.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Mimi Kamara

00:01:18 - The Role of Business Affairs Lawyers

00:03:30 - The Busy Life of a Label Attorney

00:06:25 - The Complexity of Artist Deals

00:09:10 - Trends in Artist Development

00:11:44 - Artist Management vs. Direct Artist Approaches

00:14:07 - Navigating Relationships with Artists and Managers

00:16:12 - The Importance of Trust in Artist Relationships

00:18:44 - Educating Artists on Business Matters

00:21:04 - Common Mistakes Artists Make

00:23:32 - The Role of Copyright in Music

00:26:43 - Songwriting Trends and Collaborations

00:30:10 - The Impact of TikTok and YouTube on Music Discovery

00:33:15 - Final Advice: The Importance of Community

00:34:20 - Conclusion and Closing Remarks

–

Connect with me:

Check out my best-selling books: https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/ 

Discover more mixing courses: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/ 

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/

Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social

—

In this podcast, music guru Bobby Owsinski shares his personal insights on the music industry, covering news, reviews, analysis, and tips, as well as offering amazing interviews with prominent industry movers and shakers.

Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books

🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course

🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses

📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky

🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek: https://itl.ink/APodcastGeek

My guest today is Grammy-nominated producer/mixer/composer, Richard Tozzoli.

Rich may be the most prolific television composer anywhere, as his work has appeared in an astounding 1800 TV series, 20,000 episodes, in 40 countries. His unique style has been featured on CBS Sports, NBC Olympics, Counting Cars, Pawn Stars, Duck Dynasty, Trading Spaces, MLB, FOX NFL and many more. Artists he’s worked with include Al DiMeola, Ace Frehley, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Omar Hakim, and others.

Prior to turning his attention to composing, Rich was an excellent recording engineer and mixer, working on 5.1 surround sound projects for the likes of David Bowie, Carly Simon, Boston Pops, Blue Oyster Cult and Hall & Oates. He has also authored numerous articles on audio production and technology as well as the book Pro Tools Surround Sound Mixing.

During the interview we spoke about transitioning from engineering to television composition, how his engineering skills were important in gaining music supervisor attention, his annual writing trip to the Caribbean, expanding in to full orchestration, focusing on planetarium shows, and much more.

I spoke with Rich from his studio in Northern New Jersey

------

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - The Importance of Reinvention

Discussing the necessity of reinventing oneself and the learning process involved.

00:00:22 - Introducing Richard Tozzoli

Overview of Rich's impressive career and accomplishments in television

composition.

00:01:50 - The Volume of Work. Rich shares the staggering number of cues and series his music has been featured in.

00:02:35 - The Role of Agents. Exploring how good representation can lead to opportunities in the industry.

00:03:29 - Transitioning to Composition

Rich discusses his shift from engineering to composing for television and the motivation behind it.

00:04:37 - The Unique Approach of Artists

Insights into how successful artists carve out their unique niches in the music industry.

00:05:29 - Ego and Confidence in Music

The balance of having confidence without letting ego take over in the creative process.

00:05:58 - Engineering Skills in Composition

How Rich's background as an engineer enhances his composition work.

00:07:21 - Speed and Efficiency in Mixing

The importance of quick mixing skills in the fast-paced world of television music.

00:08:14 - Simplifying the Process

Rich shares tips on simplifying music creation to enhance productivity.

00:09:08 - The Challenge of Live Performance

Discussing the differences between studio work and live performance experiences.

00:10:20 - The Use of Live Drums

Rich explains his preference for live drums and the benefits of using V-kits.

00:11:21 - The Evolution of Amplifiers

A conversation about the advancements in amplifier technology and their impact on sound.

00:12:43 - The Importance of Real Amps

Rich emphasizes the unique qualities of tube amps compared to digital simulations.

00:14:33 - The Pressure of Live Performances

Reflections on the challenges faced when returning to live playing after a long break.

00:17:13 - Reinventions in Richard's Career

Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books

🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course

🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses

📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky

🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek: https://itl.ink/APodcastGeek

My guest today is renowned musician, composer, and inventor of the groundbreaking Mutantrumpet Ben Neill. Ben’s Mutantrumpet is a hybrid electro-acoustic instrument that combines 3 trumpets and a trombone into one. It then incorporates interactive computer technologies that produces a sound that blurs the lines between acoustic and electronic music. 

Ben became interested in electronic music when he was the Music Curator of the N.Y.C. performance space The Kitchen from 1992 to 1999, and since that time he’s been incorporating electronic influences into his work. This includes thirteen albums, as well as exhibitions in museums and galleries in New York City and London. 

Ben began his teaching career in 2007 as a professor of music technology at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and was a Professor of Music Industry and Production at Ramapo College until 2024.

His new book is called Diffusing Music, and explores how technology is enabling new levels of creativity, and transforming how we share and experience sound.

During the interview we talked about why the Mutantrumpet was developed, using an AR headset during performances, the future of music collaboration, how music reflects society, and much more.

I spoke with Ben from his studio outside of New York City.

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

All about the Mutantrumpet (02:07)

Incorporating AR into performances 08:49)

Embracing electronic music (11:05)

Using proprietary plugins (23:50)

One last question (37:47)

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Ben Neill’s work: https://www.benneill.com/

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(FREE DOWNLOAD) 6 proven ways to avoid muddy mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/6-freqs-download-1 

Access my FREE music mixing crash course training: https://www.mixingcrashcourse.com

Check out my best-selling books: https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/ 

Discover more mixing courses: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/ 

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/

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In this podcast, music guru Bobby Owsinski shares his personal insights on the music industry, covering news, reviews, analysis, and tips, as well as offering amazing interviews with prominent industry movers and shakers. 

Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books

🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course

🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses

📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky

🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek: https://itl.ink/APodcastGeek

In this week’s episode, I sit down with the brilliant hip hop artist, producer, and designer James ‘Homebwoi’ Maddox.

Homebwoi’s work has been featured on 10 major label albums, 2 major motion pictures, and 3 commercially released video games.

Homebwoi is also the head of product design for his company Metro Southern Media, which specializes in creative services for artists, corporate branding, and film production services.

In this episode, he and I discussed how signing a record deal was the beginning of the end of his first band, the unique way he got established in the Atlanta music scene, his production process and why he likes to work with real musicians, how he became a multimedia service provider, and much more.

Homebwoi also shared his journey from starting as a young music producer navigating industry pitfalls to becoming a successful multimedia entrepreneur.

Are you ready for this?

Then run, don’t walk, and listen to this episode now!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The beginning of the end for Homebwoi’s first band (01:35)

Working as a producer (10:45)

Homebwoi’s producer tricks (19:56)

How Metro Southern Media started (27:03)

One last question (31:23)

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Homebwoi’s work: http://homebwoi.com, https://metrosouthernmedia.com/  

–

(FREE DOWNLOAD) 6 proven ways to avoid muddy mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/6-freqs-download-1 

Access my FREE music mixing crash course training: https://www.mixingcrashcourse.com

Check out my best-selling books: https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/ 

Discover more mixing courses: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/ 

Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/

Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social

--

In this podcast, music guru Bobby Owsinski shares his personal insights on the music industry, covering news, reviews, analysis, and tips, as well as offering amazing interviews with prominent industry movers and shakers.

Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books

🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course

🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses

📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky

🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek: https://itl.ink/APodcastGeek