Producer's Chair

German producer Kaya joins Steve in the Producer’s Chair to talk about recording and producing music without relying on expensive gear—and the unconventional path that led them there.

Kaya shares their experience working with bands across Europe, traveling with a mobile recording rig, recording in rehearsal spaces, and adapting to whatever equipment and environment is available. We talk about Reaper, microphones, preamps, plugins, drum editing, and why sometimes the best production decision is simply learning to work with what you already have.

Kaya also tells the story of tackling a massive project with dozens of guitar tracks, struggling through the mix for more than a year, and eventually coming out the other side with a huge boost in confidence as a producer.

We also get into the importance of trusting your ears, avoiding rigid production rules, knowing when a project is finished, the pressure of working from home, AI in music production, and why beginners probably worry far too much about having the right equipment.

Plus, Kaya shares some great advice for new producers: don't blindly follow one person's rules. Listen to different perspectives, get real-world experience, and develop your own approach.

In this episode:

• Mobile recording and producing on the road
• Working with limited equipment
• Reaper and favorite plugins
• Why expensive preamps aren't always necessary
• Trusting your ears instead of your eyes
• Editing drums and preserving the energy of a performance
• Managing huge sessions and complicated guitar arrangements
• Knowing when a mix is finished
• The importance of working with what you have
• AI and the future of music production
• Advice for producers just starting out

Check out more from Kaya: Instagram - Goose of Doom - Mild Crush - Phoma

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If you enjoy the show please subscribe where you listen to podcasts. You can help me out by rating, writing a review and recommending Producer's Chair to other music creators. 

For info on sponsoring the show or becoming a guest send me an email.

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Corbin Young sits in the Producer's Chair to talk about his work in the music business and how that encompasses a lot of things people may not consider when they start trying to make a career out of music. From playing live in his B-52's cover band, writing compositions for stage productions, teaching music lessons, recording voiceovers in his home studio and scoring scenes for all sorts of films; Corbin has a lot of experience on what it really takes to make a living in this industry.

Check out more from Corbin Young!

Corbin's Instagram

Production

Music

2xS Band

MockLobster

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Support the show

If you enjoy the show please subscribe where you listen to podcasts. You can help me out by rating, writing a review and recommending Producer's Chair to other music creators. 

For info on sponsoring the show or becoming a guest send me an email.

You can also help me continue making this show and keeping it free of ads by donating to PayPal, Venmo and Cash App.

Belgian producer, ZombieNijlpaard, joins me for an honest discussion about mental health struggles and how mental-wellbeing affects creativity. We also talk about the creative ways he uses field recordings to add texture to his musical artworks. 

Check out more from ZombieNijlpaard: Website -  Youtube  -  Spotify  - Free Field Recordings

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

If you enjoy the show please subscribe where you listen to podcasts. You can help me out by rating, writing a review and recommending Producer's Chair to other music creators. 

For info on sponsoring the show or becoming a guest send me an email.

You can also help me continue making this show and keeping it free of ads by donating to PayPal, Venmo and Cash App.

Welcome to Producer's Chair. This is a bi-weekly show where I interview people from all over the world who making music in their homes. I ask questions about their creative process, the tools they use and skills they're developing. We listen to a couple of their music pieces and get an understanding of what goes into those. The best parts are when I leave the script behind and we start hearing the interesting stories that make these individuals truly unique. 

Join me every other Wednesday morning for a brand new episode. You can help me out by sharing the show with the musical people in your life. If you're passionate about producing music I'd love to have you on Producer's Chair as my guest. We can talk about your music and the experiences that have shaped your art. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

If you enjoy the show please subscribe where you listen to podcasts. You can help me out by rating, writing a review and recommending Producer's Chair to other music creators. 

For info on sponsoring the show or becoming a guest send me an email.

You can also help me continue making this show and keeping it free of ads by donating to PayPal, Venmo and Cash App.

Tech-House producer, Ron S, has a seat in the Producer's Chair to talk about his production tricks and the unique way he built a career in the audio industry.

Ron S Website  -  Instagram  -  YouTube  -  Spotify

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Support the show

If you enjoy the show please subscribe where you listen to podcasts. You can help me out by rating, writing a review and recommending Producer's Chair to other music creators. 

For info on sponsoring the show or becoming a guest send me an email.

You can also help me continue making this show and keeping it free of ads by donating to PayPal, Venmo and Cash App.

Industrial producer, Ripley Sterling, sat in the Producer's Chair to talk about his work with artists all over the world and shared some great tips for creating at a high level. 

Check out Ripley! Bandcamp   -   Instagram

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Support the show

If you enjoy the show please subscribe where you listen to podcasts. You can help me out by rating, writing a review and recommending Producer's Chair to other music creators. 

For info on sponsoring the show or becoming a guest send me an email.

You can also help me continue making this show and keeping it free of ads by donating to PayPal, Venmo and Cash App.

Just Emcee hopped in the Producer's Chair to talk about getting creative with the whole family and how he uses a hybrid setup of hardware and software for his music creations. We also talk about his background in video production and the artists he records in his home studio.

Just Emcee Website  -  Instagram   -  YouTube  -  Spotify

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Support the show

If you enjoy the show please subscribe where you listen to podcasts. You can help me out by rating, writing a review and recommending Producer's Chair to other music creators. 

For info on sponsoring the show or becoming a guest send me an email.

You can also help me continue making this show and keeping it free of ads by donating to PayPal, Venmo and Cash App.

Jayme Vari joins us to talk about his band The Imperial Mission and how ice cream is the greatest distraction.

The Imperial Mission Website

The Imperial Mission YouTube

Jayme Vari Youtube

Facebook

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Support the show

If you enjoy the show please subscribe where you listen to podcasts. You can help me out by rating, writing a review and recommending Producer's Chair to other music creators. 

For info on sponsoring the show or becoming a guest send me an email.

You can also help me continue making this show and keeping it free of ads by donating to PayPal, Venmo and Cash App.

Lucust, front man and producer for the California based band Lazer Beam, kicked back in the Producer's Chair to talk about his experience making his first recordings in his van while parked under a bridge. 

Lazer Beam Website  -  Bandcamp  -  YouTube  -  Spotify

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

If you enjoy the show please subscribe where you listen to podcasts. You can help me out by rating, writing a review and recommending Producer's Chair to other music creators. 

For info on sponsoring the show or becoming a guest send me an email.

You can also help me continue making this show and keeping it free of ads by donating to PayPal, Venmo and Cash App.

Canadian producer, Porch Fight, joined us for a conversation about his special recording techniques and how he overcomes writer's block.

Check out Porch Fight!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

If you enjoy the show please subscribe where you listen to podcasts. You can help me out by rating, writing a review and recommending Producer's Chair to other music creators. 

For info on sponsoring the show or becoming a guest send me an email.

You can also help me continue making this show and keeping it free of ads by donating to PayPal, Venmo and Cash App.