Girls Twiddling Knobs

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Have you ever questioned the way that music technology software is designed? And how the tech tools and gear we use might look and feel completely different if they were designed by different humans (i.e. not just predominantly white, cis, heterosexual men living in the West). Well, this question didn’t just bother today’s guest, producer and researcher, Josephine Zwaan. It led her to write a masters thesis that totally reimagines how a DAW could behave through the lens of African philosophy, exploring ways to ‘decolonise the loop’. 

Josephine is a multifaceted, creative force who uses research as a tool to challenge and rethink existing frameworks and practices and creates music under the moniker of Suzooki Swift. She also co-founded rosetta, a Netherlands based initiative supporting female and nonbinary music producers, with an emphasis on education and community building. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:25} Josephine on her alter-ego, SUZOOKI SWIFT
{06:06} Josephine on her track SWIMMIN’
{12:56} Josephine on discovering her strengths in collaborations
{15:49} What brought Josephine into music production?
{20:15} Josephine on setting up her platform rosetta.
{22:15} Inside Josephine’s research on decolonising the loop
{57:10} Episode Summary

Check out Josephine's Website >>

Connect with Josephine on Instagram >> 

 Check out Josephine's platform rosetta >> 

rosetta on Instagram >> 

Suzooki Swift on Instagram >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

Feeling overwhelmed by all the recording software choices? Been using the same DAW for a while and feel like it’s time to switch it up? Haven’t started recording your music because you don’t have the right gear? If so, this episode is a MUST LISTEN because we’re breaking down the pros and cons of a variety of recording softwares and demystifying this often overwhelming decision.

If you’re curious what software Isobel uses, you also won’t be disappointed because inside you’ll learn her top favourite 3 DAWs and why, when and what she uses them for. And if you’re not even sure what a DAW is, don’t worry! We’re breaking all of this down, and more :)

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{02:31} What is a DAW?
{04:37} Why does it feel so hard to choose a DAW?
{13:24} Isobel's run-through of 7 popular DAWs
{36:58} Isobel's Top 3 DAWs
{39:21} Episode Summary


Check out Ableton Live >> 

Check out Logic Pro X >> 

Check out Pro Tools >> 

Check out FL Studio >> 

Check out Cubase >> 

Check out Cakewalk >> 

Check out GarageBand >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

It’s not easy growing a career in the arts but it’s down right tough if you’re living with a disability too. In this episode, Isobel is joined by journalist, digital producer and disabled rights activist Meg Fozzard to discuss the challenges disabled artists can face, the things the industry can do better and strategies Meg has developed over the years to grow her career whilst having a disability.

Inside, you’ll gain some really practical knowledge on things like access riders and funding but also hear how it felt for Meg to become disabled right after she’d graduated from university and was starting her career in the arts. Whether you’re a disabled artist, temporarily able artist or working to make music and the creative arts more inclusive, this episode is a must listen.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

{00:00} Intro
{05:02} Meg’s experience as a Producer
{06:51} The importance of recognising disability as being fluid
{10:16} Meg’s story of becoming disabled after graduating university
{19:18} Meg on how becoming disabled has impacted her work
{22:36} Meg’s advice to freelancers navigating the creative industries
{30:06} What is an access rider and how to write one
{33:57} ​​Where are the creative industries getting things right in relation to disability access?
{35:24} Meg on her experience producing the podcast Equal Too
{39:28} How can able-bodied individuals support their disabled peers? 
{42:16} Meg on the Access to Work scheme
{44:08} Organisations helping people with disabilities in the creative sector
{46:35} Episode Summary

Find out more about Meg Fozzard >> 

Check out the charity Drake Music >> 

Find out more about the UK government’s Access to Work scheme >>

Check out the Disabled Artists Networking Community >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

If you’ve ever wondered what music mastering is, how to get your music mastered or even get into mastering yourself, this podcast episode is for you because Isobel is joined by Weird Jungle mastering engineers Katie Tavini and Izzy McPhee. Between them, they’ve racked up credits with We Are Scientists, Bloc Party, Frankie Morrow, Ash, Waverly, Arlo Parks and so many more. 

But what’s also interesting about Katie and Izzy is that they met through the amazing Saffron studios’ mentoring scheme. So, not only will you hear them demystifying the mastering process in their discussion with Isobel, but also their experience of mentoring and how it’s enriched both their lives and their practice. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

{00:00} Intro
{04:15} What is Mastering?
{08:31} Why is Mastering so mystifying for so many people?
{11:14} Izzy takes us through her Mastering chain
{15:22} What brought Katie and Izzy to Mastering?
{29:27} Izzy on the benefits of having a music-industry mentor
{32:07} Katie on the importance of being a mentor to others
{36:40} Katie on setting up her group 2% Rising with musician Rookes
{39:22} Being the ‘token woman’ in music technology spaces
{49:14} How do you go about getting your music mastered?
{52:23} How should musicians work with mastering engineers?
{58:43} Izzy’s advice for budding mastering engineers
{1:01:55} Katie’s advice for those wanting to get started in Mastering
{1:04:13} Episode Summary

Find out more about Weird Jungle Mastering >>

Check out Katie Tavini >>

Check out Izzy McPhee >>

Check out Saffron Music >>

Listen to Episode 61: Art, Activism and Music Production: In Conversation with Rookes/Jenny Bulcraig >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

It’s common to hear people make the case for initiatives and spaces that help women become more confident with music tech. And many women will say they wished they had more confidence when it comes to music production, mixing and the whole recording process. But what if this pursuit for more confidence was actually further sabotaging the progress of women with music technology? What if, instead, we need to be questioning the whole focus on confidence itself?

In this solo episode, Isobel explores some of the reasons she doesn’t focus on confidence when it comes to her unique approach for teaching women recording and production and she draws from wider theories and research to help better understand concepts such as confidence in the context of gender. This episode asks what else might we need to change if not women’s confidence if more women and girls are to truly thrive in music technology spaces. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{02:28} Previous episodes and resources relating to confidence vs assertiveness
{04:33} Is confidence really the missing link towards music tech spaces becoming more inclusive?
{10:01} Why has confidence become so highly valued in music tech spaces?
{12:58} Isobel on why community is more important than confidence in music tech
{15:13} Student testimonials on the strength and importance of the community inside
Home Recording Academy
{17:46} Why it’s important to re-evaluate community culture as a whole, rather than help individual women to become more confident with music tech
{19:37} Episode Summary

Listen to Episode 18: Gender and Music Tech Education with Dr Eddie Dobson >>

Listen to Episode 56: Being Assertive In Music Tech Spaces >>

Listen to Teaching Women Music Technology [Pt1] Why Have We Failed (So Far)?? >>

Listen to Teaching Women Music Technology [Pt 2] My Unique Approach >>

Read Rhetoric of Masculinity >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

If you’ve ever felt stumped as to what to do with all those field recordings you’ve been making… Or like experimental music sometimes lacks a human touch… this episode is a must listen because Isobel is joined by Cathy Lane, an artist, composer and academic inspired by everyday experiences and, in particular, how ‘hidden histories’ can be investigated from a feminist perspective. Inside, Cathy shares so many gems from her vast experience and knowledge as one of the most highly regarded artists and academics in her field.

Cathy has worked with composed sound for the last three decades and has developed a practice that combines oral history, archival recordings, spoken word and environmental recordings in formats ranging from gallery installations to books, essays and concert presentations. A Professor of Sound Arts at University of the Arts London and directs Creative Research in Sound Arts Practice (CRiSAP), Cathy shares how this work is also deeply influenced by her beginnings in grass-roots community-run learning spaces.

This episode is a real treat so get comfy and plug in!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{05:08} How Cathy got started using music technology
{09:29} Cathy on the women-only groups she was involved in, and the acceptability of these spaces.
{14:55} Her PhD and access to technology
{18:59} What is electroacoustic music?
{27:06} Cathy’s PhD thesis, on using space in composition
{34:47} Using field recordings in composition to convey meaning
{38:37} Her discovery of field recording
{45:07} Cathy on her piece, Am I Here?
{51:43} Cathy on her piece, Here We All Are
{59:41} Using field recordings as part of the compositional process
{01:09:09} Cathy’s technology setup
{01:16:05} Episode Summary

Check out Cathy’s Website >> 

Cathy’s CRiSAP profile >> 

Find Cathy on Facebook >> 

Say hello to Cathy on Instagram >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever recorded in a studio and felt like time just slipped away? Or maybe you wished you’d felt more comfortable or like you were using the time better? If so, this episode is not to be missed because Isobel is joined by Brighton based producer and engineer, Phoebe Bentham, who’s sharing her top tips on preparing like a pro for your next recording studio session. 

Inside, Phoebe also discusses her route into production and engineering, her love of microtonal music, how she went about recording a choir, live drums and guitar in just one day and her advice for any trans listeners wanting to work in recording studios. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:43} How Phoebe got started in sound engineering
{15:43} Phoebe explains her love of microtonal music
{20:40} Phoebe’s advice on how to prepare for a studio session and how to effectively work with an engineer
{26:31} Her definition of a producer vs an engineer
{34:04} More tips on how to prepare for a studio session
{43:20} How Phoebe engineered and mixed a live performance of Lambrini Girls’ track Help Me I’m Gay
{56:50} How Phoebe recorded an 18-person choir for Angel Maxine’s track Be Yourself
{01:09:58} Phoebe’s advice for trans women forging careers in sound engineering
{01:17:09} Episode Summary

Connect with Phoebe on Instagram >>

Listen to EP#55 Are You a Music Producer? >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

Do you struggle with perfectionism? We totally get it - it can be easy to put off recording your music out of the belief that every single element of it needs to be perfect. It can also be tricky to find time to dedicate solely to making music; so perfectionism combined with limited time can make it really difficult to actually sit down and get the music made. 

Inside this episode Isobel discusses the importance of taking ‘imperfect action’ when making music, and explains how using the ‘assignment method’ helped her ditch the perfectionism and spend meaningful time making music. Remember, done is better than perfect!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

{00:00} Intro
{02:39} Why Isobel started using the assignment method
{05:29} What is the assignment method?
{13:18} How you can start using the assignment method in your music-making
{17:39} Episode Summary

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

DJing is still a pretty white, male industry, but when this week’s guest, DJ Paulette, first began spinning vinyl in Manchester’s nightclubs in the 90s, black women DJs were few and far between. Winner of the DJ Mag’s Top 100 Lifetime Achievement Award, DJ Paulette's career has spanned over two decades and multiple locations. But inside this candid conversation, Paulette also shares the personal path she’s trodden along the way.

Paulette shares the real sense of threat she felt DJing as a black woman in the clubs in 90’s Manchester, her time doing PR for some of the 90s and 00s most influential dance music artists and setting Paris on fire with her iconic flavour of House music selections. But perhaps just as interesting is Paulette’s experience of losing her mojo with DJing, packing it all in and moving back to Manchester and how she’s rebuilt her career and reconnected with the DJ artform. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

{00:00} Intro
{04:26} Paulette’s early memories of music and introduction to DJing
{10:50} Her experience as a black woman DJ in the early 90s
{13:17} Inside DJ Paulette’s first gig
{17:16} What it was like being one of the only female DJs in the 90s UK club scene
{24:30} Paulette’s experience working in music PR alongside DJing
{36:23} Moving to Paris to pursue her DJing career
{46:03} Losing her mojo for dance music and DJing
{01:04:43} How moving back to Manchester helped Paulette fall back in love with DJing
{01:08:05} The importance of speaking out against discrimination in order to help the younger generation
{01:11:11} The meaning and inspiration behind her track “Sheroes”
{01:26:47} Episode Summary

DJ Paulette’s Website >>

DJ Paulette on Instagram >>

Listen to ‘Sheroes’ >>

Pre-Order ‘Welcome to the Club’ >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Send us Fan Mail

With Season 05 of Girls Twiddling Knobs dropping on August 17th, Inside this trailer Isobel gives you a teaser of what you can expect inside each episode over the next few weeks.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and don't forget to enter our Season 05 competition where you could win an audio interface and some of our exclusive Girls Twiddling Knobs merch line too.

Full details on how to enter >> https://femalediymusician.com/s05-competition

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Girls Twiddling Knobs has ended, but you can stay connected to Isobel's artistic work here.

Girls Twiddling Knobs was hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey from Nov 2020-Jan 2026 and will remain live on all major podcast platforms throughout 2026. 

We are grateful to the British Library who have archived the podcast in their Sound and Vision Collection.

Learn more about the Girls Twiddling Knobs legacy here.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.