Hanging Out With Chops

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In this episode of Hanging Out with Chops, I share a recent session that reminded me how much pride and detail can transform the recording process. I received a session from another studio where every track was clearly labeled, every section laid out with care, and the engineer’s touch was impossible to miss. It didn’t just make my job easier—it inspired me.

We’ll talk about why it’s not enough to just be good—why going beyond expectations and thinking outside the box sets you apart. I share how I prepared horn charts for a session, why understanding instruments in different keys (like alto sax in Eb and trumpet in Bb) saves time and builds trust, and most importantly, how the human side of engineering matters just as much as the technical.

I close with a story about how one careless moment hurt a singer’s confidence—and the reminder that we all need to “be cool” in the studio. At the end of the day, great engineering isn’t just about the music. It’s about the people.

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.
 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
 💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [[email protected]].
 📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination.

Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon. 

buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                

https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

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What happens when everything is recorded—every word, every note, every moment of your life?

In this episode, we jump 100 years into the future—to the year 2125. Recording studios are relics of the past, because the world itself has become an unbroken archive. Music isn’t made for audiences anymore—it’s generated on demand for the taste of one person.

I explore the rise of hyper-personal entertainment, the end of shared cultural experiences, and a world designed entirely around the individual. From AI-curated music libraries to living spaces that adapt to your moods, the future will be all about you.

We’ll also look at the dawn of transhumanism—the merging of humans and machines—and some of futurist Ray Kurzweil’s most provocative ideas about what comes next.

Whether you find this vision inspiring or terrifying, it’s a conversation about where technology, creativity, and identity collide.

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.
 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
 💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [[email protected]].
 📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination.

Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon. 

buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                

https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

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In 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1 and Voyager 2—two spacecraft carrying the famous Golden Records, designed to tell the story of Earth to anyone—or anything—that might find them drifting through interstellar space.

But what if there were a Voyager 3?

In this episode, I look back at the original Voyager missions, their ambitious goals, and the sounds and music they carried beyond our solar system. Then I imagine what a third Voyager probe might include if we launched it today. From updated playlists to digital archives and honest messages about who we’ve become as a species, this is a conversation about music, technology, and hope on a cosmic scale.

Whether you love space exploration, audio engineering, or just great stories about human creativity, you’ll enjoy this journey to the edge of our known world—and beyond.

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.
 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
 💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [[email protected]].
 📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination.

Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon. 

buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                

https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

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🎙️ Episode 5: “Outboard vs. Plugins – EQs, reverbs, delays, compressors, limiters, and gates”

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the world of gear—outboard and digital. I break down the why and what of essential tools like EQs, reverbs, delays, compressors, limiters, and gates. Whether you’re in a full-blown studio or just getting started at home, understanding these pieces is key to better sound.

I also share audio examples so you can hear the difference—reverb vs. dry, gated vs. open. We talk thresholds, ratios, attack, release, and how these settings show up across multiple tools. And yes, I took my own advice and touched on plugin hoarding—why you probably don’t need 143 compressors (even if they’re free).

Plus, a quick recap of Episode 4, and a sneak peek at what’s coming in future episodes. If you’re into gear talk but want it with a side of real-world experience and a few laughs, this one’s for you.

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.
 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
 💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [[email protected]].
 📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination.

Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon. 

buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                

https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 4: Building a Home Studio – What You Really Need
This one’s for anyone asking the #1 question I get: “What do I need to start a home studio?” In this episode, I break it all down—from the absolute basics to the high-end gear. We talk computers, interfaces, software, mics (from budget to baller), cables, stands, and everything in between.

I run through popular brands and setups—Pro Tools, Ableton, Shure, Neumann, Telefunken, Apple vs. PC—and explain what matters most when you're just getting started. I also talk about the learning curve that comes with recording at home and how to approach it without feeling overwhelmed.

It all comes down to this:
 💡 Put in the effort, and your wallet won’t suffer.
💸 Skip the effort, and your setup’s gonna cost you.

Whether you're dreaming of a bedroom rig or a full-blown production room, this episode is your honest blueprint to getting started without getting lost.

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.
 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
 💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [[email protected]].
 📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination.

Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon. 

buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                

https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

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Episode 3: From Tape to Tour – Stories Behind the Sound
In this episode, we finally dig into the music—where it started for me, and how much it’s evolved. I talk about my first job working reel-to-reel tape, cutting and splicing audio with a grease pencil and actual tape glue. From there, it was early computers, underpowered CPUs, and recording on everything from Apple to Windows… even Lexus.

I walk through what real-world recording schedules look like—pre-production, production, and post. The techs, the artists, the songwriters, and yeah, even the baristas who keep the sessions fueled.

Then we hit the road. I share three unforgettable live recording stories from my time on tour:
 🎤 A fan battling cancer who made it to her last show on earth
 🎖️ A soldier saying goodbye before his final tour in Afghanistan
 🔊 A former inmate who held on to one cassette—and hope—for years

These aren’t just road stories. They’re reminders of how deep music can reach.

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.
 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
 💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [[email protected]].
 📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination.

Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon. 

buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                

https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 2: Breakfast, Burps, and a Better Morning
This one took a turn. I started out planning to talk about music—but one burp later, I was deep into breakfast. In this episode, I walk you through my unfiltered morning routine: making breakfast for myself, my wife, and Walter (our Chiweenie with strong opinions). I talk about daily walks along the water, clearing my head, and getting Walter’s business handled. From watching classic '80s Price is Right and Frasier reruns to thinking through stock trades on the move, it’s a real look at how I get centered for the day. I wrap things up with a few thoughts on morning prayer, staying grounded, and inviting a little faith into the routine. No plan, no polish—just real life.

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.
 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
 💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [[email protected]].
 📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination.

Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon. 

buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                

https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 1: Let’s Just Start
In this first episode, I hit record and dive right in—no script, no filter. I talk about life in the recording studio, how things shifted during COVID, and what it's like being a dog dad through it all. I share my thoughts on AI music creation, play two wild examples made with Suno, and laugh through some ridiculous songs I made just for fun. Between the music and memories, I get into the kinds of late-night conspiracy talks that happen between takes—moon landings, aliens, 9/11, you name it. If you grew up in the ‘80s, you’ll feel right at home with some throwbacks to static TV screens and a time when culture hit different. Welcome to the ride.

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to this episode—raw, random, and real.
 🔔 Follow the show so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
 💬 Got thoughts, stories, or wild theories? Hit me up on socials or email [[email protected]].
 📡 Music in this episode created using Suno AI and my own twisted imagination.

Appreciate you being here. More chaos and conversation soon. 

buymeacoffee.com/choppiechops                

https://hanging-out-with-chops.kit.com/497c631a7e