Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

Travis reflects on his new recording studio build and breaks down what he's doing differently this time.

In this episode we'll cover:

• Studio Construction & Acoustics
• Workflow Optimization
• Speaker Shootouts
• Atmos
• Analog Gear

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Dan Kalisher is a Los Angeles based pedal steel, guitar player and producer. As a 15+ year veteran of the studio and touring scene Dan has played for Noah Cyrus, Sabrina Carpentar, Grace Potter, American Idol, and A Complete Unknown Soundtrack.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• How to be the one that gets the gig

• Building trust with people in the industry

• Why networking is a dirty word

• The 6 Aspects of Instrumental Mastery

• Finding your niche

***

CONNECT WITH DAN:

🌐 Website: https://dankalisher.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dankalisher/

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Travis discusses how the loss of his studio reframed everything he thinks matters to having a successful career in music.

Michael J. Morgan is a career coach for mix engineers who has guided numerous Grammy-winning and nominated professionals, including Jon Castelli, Eric Dubowski, and Rauiri O'Flaherty.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Why talented engineers stay stuck (hint: it's not about talent)
• The internal narratives sabotaging your career without you knowing
• The role of a coach for a mixer and producer
• The unsexy systems that separate pros from everyone else
• Why calendars matter more than connections
• How to climb out when you've hit rock bottom

***

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:

🌐 Website: https://mjm.earth/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelj.morgan

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Ari Herstand is a Los Angeles–based musician, author of the best‑selling "How to Make It in the New Music Business", and host of the Webby‑award winning podcast "The New Music Business," where he empowers artists to build successful DIY careers in the modern music industry. Recognized by Forbes as “the poster child of DIY music,” he also founded the artist‑advocacy education platform Ari’s Take.In this episode, you'll learn about:- The history of streaming platforms- How streaming has changed music consumption- "Owned" vs "Borrowed" audiences- How to lay the ground work for a long successful career as an artist- The potential implications of AI generated music*** CONNECT WITH ARI:🌐 Website: https://aristake.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_/🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.take📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArisTakeCONNECT:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotify

Support the LA Music Community

https://musicares.org/

https://www.wearemovingtheneedle.org/lawildfireresources

https://www.redcross.org/

Howard Benson is a Grammy winning rock producer who has made records with My Chemical Romance, Three Days Grace, Daughtry, All American Rejects, POD, and Hoobastank.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Why having hits is a "numbers game"
• How producer royalties have changed over the past three decades
• How DAWs are hurting artists
• Disguising pop music as rock music
• The Howard Benson vocal chain
• How to find harmony parts, even if you don't sing
• Cowriting in Rock
• AI's role in modern songwriting and production

Connect with Howard Benson:

🌐 Website: https://judgeandjuryrecords.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howardbenson/

⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️

https://www.travisference.com/2025plan

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Credits:

Guest: Howard Benson

Host: Travis Ference

Editor: Stephen Boyd

Theme Music: inter.ference

Mat Leffler-Schulman is a mastering engineer who's worked with artists such as Jon Batiste, Blondie, Mary J Blige, Beach House, and many more.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The Value of Working with a Human Mastering Engineer
• The Ethics of Using Stem Splitting to Alter a Mix in Mastering
• The Various Roles AI Could Play for Music Production Pros
• How to Address "Width" in a Master
• The Business Side of a Mastering Studio
• An Analog One Stop Shop Mastering Unit
• How to Setup a Project for Success with Communication
• Staking Multiple Limiters for Louder, Cleaner Masters
• Learning to Work with Synesthesia

Enjoyed this Episode? Dig deeper on mastering with my interview with Sam Fischmann

Connect with

🌐 Website: https://matlefflerschulman.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matlefflerschulman/

⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️

https://www.travisference.com/2025plan

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Credits:

Guest:

Host: Travis Ference

Editor: Stephen Boyd

Theme Music: inter.ference

Travis shares how mixing and recording knowledge is shared today versus when he started and explains why the abundance of information can be both empowering and limiting.

⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️

https://www.travisference.com/2025plan

📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺

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Connect with Me:

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🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/

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Credits:

Guest: N/A

Host: Travis Ference

Editor: Travis Ference

Theme Music: inter.ference

Andrew Scheps is a Grammy winning engineer and mixer who has worked with Adele, Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, and many more. We chat about the future of audio recording, the implications of AI, the mindsets you need to succeed, and the skills every engineer must have.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• How AI Will Integrate into Mixing and Recording
• What Engineering and Mixing Will Look Like in 5 Years
• Atmos Lovers vs Atmos Haters
• Navigating the Ebbs and Flows of a Career in Audio
• Parallel Compression Tips
• Learning the Fundamentals So You Can Break the Rules
• Limiting Beliefs that Hold Your Career Back

Enjoyed this one? Check out my interview with Tony Hoffer

Connect with Andrew

🌐 Website: https://www.bouncefactory.net/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascheps

⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️

https://www.travisference.com/2025plan

📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺

https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspod

Connect with Me:

📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod

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🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod

🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/

🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏

Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/apple

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Credits:

Guest: Andrew Scheps

Host: Travis Ference

Editor: Stephen Boyd

Theme Music: inter.ference