🎧 Roundtable: Building a Home Studio on a Budget — With Producers Behind Sabrina Carpenter, Cameron Whitcomb & Robert DeLong

Building a home studio is one of the most exciting—and stressful—parts of being a producer. From deciding whether to prioritize gear or vibe, to making a garage sound professional, every producer faces the same questions when setting up a space on a budget.

In this roundtable, Justin sits down with three producers who’ve been through it all — from bedrooms to pro setups — to share their best advice, hacks, and hard lessons:

• Ryan Marrone ( @ryanmarrone ) — producer for Sabrina Carpenter, JP Saxe

• David Schaeman ( @schaedog ) — producer for Cameron Whitcomb, Emeline

• Robert DeLong ( @robertdelong ) — electronic artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist

🎛️ We explore:

• Renting vs. owning: what matters most when picking your space

• Budget gear essentials vs. what to upgrade later

• DIY acoustic treatment that actually works

• Creating a space artists want to write in (and why snacks and bathrooms matter)

• Futureproofing your setup without wasting money

💡 Plus: Listener questions on gear regrets, noisy neighbors, and whether analog gear is worth it when you’re just starting out.

🔗 Follow & Listen:
Justin Gammella: @justin_gammella
Producer Points: @producer_points
TikTok: @producer.points
🎧 Producer Points Playlist: Spotify
🎙️ Full Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

🎧 HOLYCHILD’s Brat Pop Blueprint — Louie Diller on Creating Ahead of the Curve

In this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with Louie Diller — songwriter, producer, drummer, and one half of the groundbreaking duo HOLYCHILD. A decade after their debut The Shape of Brat Pop to Come, Louie reflects on how HOLYCHILD helped pioneer the brat pop sound that still feels ahead of its time.

🎶 Song deep dives:

• “Barbie Nation” by HOLYCHILD — chaotic yet controlled production, playful vocal tone, and odd-time signatures that somehow groove

• “Favorite” by Silver Otto — vocal production, drum pocket choices, and the unexpected journey of a song written with Bonnie McKee

🎛️ We explore:

• Louie’s unique drum programming style and transient-rich productions

• Gear favorites, from Spitfire Labs to Zildjian Master Sound hi-hats

• The balance of perfection vs. imperfection in modern pop

• Why songwriter advocacy through SONA is so critical for the future of music

🔗 Follow & Listen:
Louie Diller: @louieliveslaughsloves
Justin Gammella: @justin_gammella
Producer Points: @producer_points
TikTok: @producer.points
🎧 Producer Points Playlist: Spotify
🎙️ Full Episodes: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify / Apple Podcasts Description

From Writing “Mad at Disney” to Producing “Dirty Martini” — Salem Ilese on Becoming the Artist She Needed

In this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with platinum-selling artist, songwriter, and now producer Salem Ilese — the creative force behind viral anthems like “Mad at Disney,” “PS5,” and “Build a Bitch” (with Bella Poarch).

But this conversation is about more than just writing hits. It’s about creative evolution. Salem opens up about stepping into production, owning her sound, and what it’s taken to become the artist she spent years writing for.

🎶 Song deep dives:

• “hahaha” — self-producing vulnerable lyrics with bold sonic textures

• “Dirty Martini” — finding the line between confidence and chaos, and how this song redefined her sound

🎛️ We explore:

• Writing hits for Bella Poarch, TXT, Ava Max & more

• Learning production and taking full creative control

• Her plug-ins and setup: RC-20, Baby Audio, Leapwing, Output Portal & more

• Balancing artist and songwriter identities

• What she wishes she knew earlier — and what she’d tell any young producer trying to do both

🔗 Follow & Listen:
Salem Ilese: https://www.instagram.com/salemilese
Justin Gammella: https://www.instagram.com/justingammella
Producer Points: https://www.instagram.com/producer_points
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@producer.points
🎧 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2oqD4l6js2moC7r1DxqAR9?si=ff91d84b02b04997

In this first-ever Producer Points Hot Take, Justin tackles a problem that’s quietly reshaping the music industry: artists are writing way too many songs.

🎙 We cover:

• How the industry shifted from 30–50 songs per project to 100–200

• Why post-pandemic artists traded live show development for endless writing

• The burnout this causes for artists, songwriters, and producers

• Why playing live is still the best way to build real fans

Justin calls for a balance between creating music and living life — and explains why artists should push back when teams demand non-stop writing.

🔗 Follow & Listen:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/producer_points/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@producer.points
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39LcUbNHdc7kssfUZ0wB5a?si=8b8bf53de3f94b98
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/producer-points/id1745600859
Producer Points Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2oqD4l6js2moC7r1DxqAR9?si=ff91d84b02b04997

🎧 Behind the Scenes of “Sunroof”: Dazy on Viral Moments, Ableton Hacks & Drum Perfection

In this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with Dazy (Nick Minutaglio)—the artist, songwriter, and producer behind Nicky Youre’s global smash “Sunroof” and collaborations with Role Model, Maude Latour, Tanerelle, Carter Ryan, Quinn XCII, DVBBS, and more.

From his early SoundCloud days to topping charts worldwide, Dazy shares his unique journey, deep dives into his guitar-driven pop sound, and unpacks how he builds tight, infectious productions that stick.

🎶 Song deep dives:

• “Sunroof” by Nicky Youre — how it started as a dorm voice memo, why the guitars needed two dozen layers, and the key change that made it a hit

• “No Rush” by Maude Latour — dreamy vocal stacks, loose doubles, and the balance between simplicity and impact

🎛️ We explore:

• Ableton hacks for faster, cleaner bounces

• Drum programming, groove layering, and tight bass tricks

• Guitar tones, Sketch Cassette magic, and pedal choices

• Building a music career post-college, DM’ing your way into sessions, and how “Sunroof” blew up on TikTok

• Plug or Unplug: Dazy’s honest takes on Trackspacer, CLA Vocals, Radiator, Output Thermal, and more

🎧 Available now on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

🔗 Follow & Listen:
Dazy: https://www.instagram.com/heydazy
Justin Gammella: https://www.instagram.com/justingammella
Producer Points: https://www.instagram.com/producer_points
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@producer.points
🎧 Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2oqD4l6js2moC7r1DxqAR9?si=ff91d84b02b04997

In this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with platinum-selling artist, songwriter, and producer Jake Scott—the heart-forward creative behind fan favorites like “Good Day” and the Russell Dickerson hit “She Likes It.”

From his Arkansas roots to signing a publishing deal with David Hodges, Jake shares the highs, lows, and lessons of building an independent career fueled by consistency, intention, and emotional connection.

🎶 Song deep dives:

• “Good Day” by Jake Scott — the story behind its uplifting tone, collabing with Noah Conrad, unexpected horn choices, and Jake’s vocal chain & guitar textures

• “She Likes It” by Russell Dickerson ft. Jake Scott — minimalism done right: super-wide guitar tricks, tight 808s, and production restraint that lets the song breathe

🎛️ We explore:

• Jake’s “One Song a Month” strategy that built his fanbase from the ground up

• Working with Aloe Blacc, Jason Mraz & Russell Dickerson

• Favorite gear and plugins (CLA-2A, Wunder CM7, Goodhertz Trem, etc.)

• Why phase-aligned real drums still matter

• Plug or Unplug: Jake’s take on vocal chains, VMR, RX11 & more

Whether you’re a producer, a songwriter, or an artist trying to build something real—this one’s full of gold.

🔗 Follow & Listen:
Jake Scott: @jakescottmusic
Justin Gammella: @justingammella
Producer Points: @producer_points
TikTok: @producer.points
🎧 Playlist: Producer Points Spotify Playlist

🎧 FINNEAS to Lin-Manuel Miranda: Vocal Tuning Tips from the Industry’s Best

Tuning vocals is one of the most essential—and misunderstood—parts of modern music production. In this Producer Points roundtable, Justin sits down with three of the industry's sharpest ears to talk through how they keep vocals pitch-perfect without losing the emotion.

Featuring the minds behind artists like FINNEAS, Khalid, Demi Lovato, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, this conversation cuts through the noise and gets real about what actually works in 2025—from raw takes to robotically tight hooks.

🎙️ Guests:

• Denis Kosiak (Khalid, Normani, Justin Bieber)
  Instagram: @deniskosiak

• Scott Robinson (Demi Lovato, Sabrina Carpenter, LP)
  Instagram: @greatscottcreates

• Bri Holland (Tick Tick Boom, Dear Evan Hansen, Vivo)
  Instagram: @bri_holland

🎛️ We cover:

• The right order: Auto-Tune first or Melodyne?

• Fixing artifacts without sounding fake

• Why older singers sound off when tuned

• When not to tune at all

• Go-to plugins and vocal chains

• Creative workflows from Broadway to Billboard

🎧 Episode ends with “In the Bounce Folder”—updates on what everyone’s working on now.

🔗 Follow & Listen:
Justin Gammella: @justingammella
Producer Points: @producer_points
TikTok: @producer.points
🎧 Playlist: Producer Points Spotify Playlist

#ProducerPoints #VocalProduction #FINNEAS #Khalid #JustinBieber #DemiLovato #SabrinaCarpenter #LinManuelMiranda #AutoTune #Melodyne #MixingVocals #StudioTalk #SoundDesign #MusicProducers #BroadwayVocals #PodcastForMusicians

In this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with genre-blending producer, songwriter, and mixer David Schaeman — the creative mind behind standout tracks for Cameron Whitcomb, Emeline, John Harvie, and LOYALS. A Berklee alum with an ear for cinematic pop, gritty country, and hooky punk, David walks through his production style and shares insights into balancing raw emotion with polished execution.

🎶 Song deep dives:

“Quitter” by Cameron Whitcomb — driving acoustics, layered vocals, and rhythmic punch
“This Is How I Learn to Say No” by Emeline — vocal pocket, guitar grit, and emotional clarity

🎛️ We explore:

• David’s go-to guitar pedals, vocal chains, and mixbus templates
• The balance of analog gear and digital tools
• Why the pocket matters more than perfection

If you love emotionally rich records and tight, dynamic production—you’ll get a lot out of this one.

🔗 Follow & Listen:
David Schaeman: @schaedog
Justin Gammella: @justingammella
Producer Points: @producer_points
TikTok: @producer.points
Producer Points Playlist: Spotify
Full Episodes: Spotify, Apple

In this episode of Producer Points, Justin sits down with groundbreaking producer, songwriter, and label founder Elie Rizk — the creative force behind hits for KESHI, Bella Poarch, Renee Rapp, Jessie Murph, mazie, Sub Urban, Diplo, and more. Elie shares the stories and techniques behind some of his biggest productions and explains how his label Good Boy Records is changing the game for songwriters.

🎶 Song deep dives:

• "Build a Bitch" by Bella Poarch — balancing bombast, satire, and grit

• "Soft Spot" by Keshi — intimate production, analog textures, and drum simplicity

🎛️ We explore:

• Elie’s go-to gear, mixbus, and vocal chains

• Using real instruments in modern pop

• How Good Boy Records is pushing for songwriter equity

If you care about great pop music and ethical creative business, don’t miss this.

🔗 Follow & Listen:
Elie Rizk: @eliethebear
Good Boy Records: @goodboyrecords | itsgoodboy.com
Justin Gammella: @justingammella
Producer Points: @producer_points
Producer Points TikTok: @producer.points
Producer Points Playlist: Spotify
Full Episodes: Spotify, Apple

Roundtable: Day One Bounce Survival Guide — Demoitis, Mixbus, & Vocals
In this episode of Producer Points, we're digging into one of the most stressful — and most important — moments in a producer’s workflow: the Day One bounce.

That first export gets sent to artists, managers, and labels. It sets the tone, shapes opinions, and might even determine whether the song survives. It might not be the final version, but it feels final to everyone else. And once someone gets attached to a demo… good luck changing it.

From dealing with demoitis to deciding whether to send a polished bounce or just a topline over chords, we break it all down with three incredibly insightful producers who’ve lived it.

🎧 We cover:

• What should actually go in a Day One bounce (and what shouldn’t)

• How vocal comps, mixbus chains, and plugin stacks affect the first impression

• Tools for getting clean, emotional, and fast bounces

• The fine line between “rough” and “rushed”

• When the Day One should be the final

This one is packed with real-world advice, workflow tricks, and brutally honest takes on the invisible pressure every producer faces.

—

👥 Guests:
Kayla Diamond – @thekayladiamond
Andrew J. Gomez – @andrewj_gomez

🎙️ Hosted by Justin Gammella
📸 Justin: @justingammella

🔗 Follow & Listen:
Instagram: @producer_points
TikTok: @producer.points
Spotify: Producer Points
Apple Podcasts: Producer Points
🎵 Producer Points Playlist: Listen Here