Ben Johnson is a producer/audio engineer who has worked under notable producers such as Andrew Wade, Will Putney, and Machine for artists such as A Day To Remember, The Ghost Inside, Fit For An Autopsy, and many others. He’s also a URM alumni.
On this episode:

What reading the room actually means

How Ben got started with Andrew Wade

Admit when you don’t know something

Pushing past imposter syndrome

Sacrifices Ben made to help his dream become a reality

What it’s like to keep up with Will Putney’s insane pace 

Copy at the beginning, then form your own style

How URM changed Ben’s life

Sponsored by: DistroKid
Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM.
When you sign up, you'll get access to:

Insanely detailed audio production tutorials

One-on-one feedback

Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal

Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook.
Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 375 | Ben Johnson

Wanna level up your recording skills? You came to the right place! Join Eyal Levi as he sits down each week with the best producers in the business to talk shop. You’ll get information, inspiration and most of all actionable insights from every episode. And when you’re ready to hit the books, head over to https://urm.academy to get your learn on!

Music

Music Interviews

Scott Atikins is a producer best known for his work with Cradle Of Filth and Sylosis.


Chapters:
00:02:17 - Starting a Career In Mobile Recording
00:04:30 - Support and Mentorship in the Music Industry
00:11:30 - Balancing Workload and Work-life Balance
00:15:49 - Managing Band Expectations
00:18:08 - The Importance of Structuring Your Day
00:22:41 - The Challenges of Recording in the Studio
00:29:24 - Providing Fresh Perspective on Songwriting
00:38:34 - Challenges of a Geographically-dispersed Band
00:43:11 - The Challenges of Starting a Studio in LA
00:49:49 - The Signature Sound of Cradle of Filth
00:56:29 - Overcoming the Need for Routine
01:01:02 - The Gift of Genuine Talent
01:03:09 - Encouraging the Type of Person Who Pursues Music
01:07:29 - Josh Middleton's Success in Architects And Sylosis


NAIL THE MIX is an online mixing school created by Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek and Eyal Levi - the guys who produced bands like TDWP, Chelsea Grin, Blessthefall, Machine Head, Monuments, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, Reflections, Born Of Osiris, Asking Alexandria and dozens more of this generation's best metal bands.


Every month, NAIL THE MIX members get exclusive access to the REAL MULTI-TRACK SESSIONS from a REAL ALBUM, and a 6-8 hour live streaming class from the producer who mixed it. These are the actual sessions by bands like Gojira, Meshuggah, Periphery, Opeth, Fall Out Boy, Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and more - and NTM is the only place in the world you'll get access to them!

SCOTT ATKINS (CRADLE OF FILTH, SYLOSIS, ANDY JAMES)

Cody Matthew Johnson is an award-winning composer and the CEO of Emperia Group.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Cody Matthew Johnson: Metal Musician to Game Audio Composer and CEO
00:07:15 - Forging Your Path in Music
00:20:42 - The Crucial Role of Passion and Identity in Creative Work
00:31:12 - Metal's Impact on Gaming Culture
00:38:35 - Managing Hate in the Digital Sphere
01:06:10 - Understanding Video Gaming's Immersive Soundscapes
01:09:19 - Crafting Vibes and Atmosphere With Sound Design
01:26:14 - Building a Company and Supporting Its Talent
01:32:47 - The Current State of the Music Industry
01:36:08 - Balancing Defensive and Offensive Strategies
NAIL THE MIX is an online mixing school created by Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek and Eyal Levi - the guys who produced bands like TDWP, Chelsea Grin, Blessthefall, Machine Head, Monuments, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, Reflections, Born Of Osiris, Asking Alexandria and dozens more of this generation's best metal bands.
Every month, NAIL THE MIX members get exclusive access to the REAL MULTI-TRACK SESSIONS from a REAL ALBUM, and a 6-8 hour live streaming class from the producer who mixed it. These are the actual sessions by bands like Gojira, Meshuggah, Periphery, Opeth, Fall Out Boy, Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and more - and NTM is the only place in the world you'll get access to them!
http://nailthemix.com/

CODY MATTHEW JOHNSON (Online Hate, Video Game Music, and Metal)

Tank The Tech is a guitar, bass, drum tech, tour manager, and successful YouTuber best known for laying out the cold, hard truth about how the touring and music industry works.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Welcome to the Unstoppable Recording Machine Podcast
00:02:24 - The Truth About the Touring Industry
00:05:13 - Why the Music Industry isn't for Everyone
00:07:41 - The Importance of Humanizing Artists
00:10:27 - The Rising Costs of Touring Expenses
00:18:12 - Fond Memories of Van Touring
00:23:32 - Trailer Troubles and Midnight Emergencies
00:36:43 - The Importance of Planning for the Future in the Music Industry
00:44:01 - Representing the Artist
00:46:45 - Finding Your Zen in Instrument Work
00:54:35 - The Importance of Learning Various Skills on the Road
00:59:53 - The Unsung Heroes of the Concert Tour
01:05:03 - Recognition as the "YouTube Guy" during work
01:07:26 - The Need for Qualified People in the Music Industry
NAIL THE MIX is an online mixing school created by Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek and Eyal Levi - the guys who produced bands like TDWP, Chelsea Grin, Blessthefall, Machine Head, Monuments, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, Reflections, Born Of Osiris, Asking Alexandria and dozens more of this generation's best metal bands.
Every month, NAIL THE MIX members get exclusive access to the REAL MULTI-TRACK SESSIONS from a REAL ALBUM, and a 6-8 hour live streaming class from the producer who mixed it. These are the actual sessions by bands like Gojira, Meshuggah, Periphery, Opeth, Fall Out Boy, Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and more - and NTM is the only place in the world you'll get access to them!
http://nailthemix.com/

EP 398 | TANK THE TECH: The dirty truth about touring, disaster management, and how to land a career in music

Justin Mckinney and Derek Rydquist from The Zenith Passage join us to discuss everything you've ever wanted to know about producing top tier tech death.


Chapters:
00:06:43 - The Evolution of Music Technology and its Impact on Bands
00:10:07 - Enhancing Songs with Vocal Patterns
00:16:31 - Making Tech Death Accessible
00:19:55 - The Death Metal Voice & Sacrificing Lyrics for Performance
00:26:15 - Refining the Recording Process
00:29:05 - The Challenges of Tracking and Evaluating Performance
00:35:32 - Constructed Guitar Tracking
00:38:38 - Using Guitar Pro for Writing Music
00:45:24 - Achieving a Mechanical Sound while Remaining Human
00:48:35 - Ensuring Strong and Accurate Vocals
00:51:46 - Triggering Drum Samples
00:54:56 - Layering and Mixing Techniques
01:01:35 - The Explosive Finale
01:04:46 - Finding the Balance in Mixing
01:07:41 - The Magic of Working with Dave Otero
01:23:48 - Overcoming Performance Anxiety
01:35:43 - Sharing and Tagging on Social Media


Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM.


When you sign up, you'll get access to:
    ⁃    Insanely detailed audio production tutorials
    ⁃    One-on-one feedback
    ⁃    Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal


Sign up at: http://urm.academy
Follow URM on Instagram: http://instagram.com/urmacademy
Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram: http://instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio


Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!

EP 397 | THE ZENITH PASSAGE: Technical Brutal Death Metal Vs Brutal Technical Death Metal

Jens Bogren is a producer/mixer who is known for his work with bands such as Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Amon Amarth, and Arch Enemy. He also owns Bogren Digital and Fascination Street Studios. Ihsahn is the vocalist and guitarist in Emperor.
Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM.
When you sign up, you'll get access to:

Insanely detailed audio production tutorials

One-on-one feedback

Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal

Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook.
Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram.
Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP 375 | Ben Johnson

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