Recording Studio Rockstars

Why does the rough mix always feel like the real song - and how the hell do you get that magic back without ruining it?

In this episode, Pat Sansone and I go deep into the lifelong puzzle of mixing: why the first tracking rough has all the energy, how chasing it can make you crazy, and why mixing is really more like photography than engineering. Pat walks through how his visual art - Polaroids, slide film, CMYK vs RGB, Lambda printing - has taught him to trust instinct, appreciate imperfections, and approach mixes like developing a print rather than fixing a file. We talk about turning the screen off while playing a mix, the weird phenomenon of hearing a song differently once another person walks into the room, and why limitations make better records.

We also dive into Pat’s history with The Autumn Defense, Wilco, and the Big Star universe. Pat shares memories of making The Green Hour and Circles at my house - dragging the JH-16 up the stairs, tracking G-Whiz in the basement, and writing “The Answer” face-to-face with John Stirratt twenty feet from where we sat for this interview. He explains how the new Autumn Defense record Here and Nowhere came together after an eleven-year break, why Creative Workshop became the perfect studio for it, how Teddy Morgan helped capture tones, and why he still records acoustic and vocal together whenever possible. We get into gear, mic choices (KM84s, SM58s, Sony lavs), the struggle of acoustic/vocal bleed, and the random chaos of synths, plugins, and sessions that don’t open right years later.

Pat also talks about his photography book Noticing, his Infinity Mirrors ambient synth album, and how wandering with a camera unlocked the same creative freedom he felt as a teenager with a Korg Poly-6. He explains how Nashville re-energized his creative life - from running into Robyn Hitchcock in the cereal aisle at Turnip Truck to singing ooohs at Brendan Benson’s studio the next day. We share memories of New Orleans, Chicago, analog tape, Pro Tools Mix+, transferring Birdy on the Moon tracks, losing Josh Shapera, and the role Creative Workshop played in Pat’s “Nashville phase two.”

By the end, we’re talking Big Star, Eggleston photographs, orchestral arrangements, radio DJing, and why slide film and tube mics scratch the same itch. It’s a wide-open conversation about creativity, sound, light, limitations, mistakes, rough mixes, and how to stay inspired for a lifetime.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.spectra1964.com

https://gracedesign.com/

https://pickrmusic.com

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0ZJrYkHqfDba4iL2InbLk9?si=HndgYrlWRzGusV2yOwzVag

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/559

What happens when you sit down with a songwriter who’s done everything from early fan-funded records, to major-label pop, to K-pop, to sync, to teaching songwriting at Berklee - and ask him what really matters in the studio today?

Bleu McAuley and I go deep into the intersection of creativity, workflow, sync licensing, AI, and staying inspired at a time when music creation is changing fast. We start with his early days in Boston, learning four-tracks and alternate tunings, following Ducky Carlisle around Room 9 From Outer Space, and eventually being pushed by producer John Fields to take a real swing in Los Angeles. Bleu talks about shaping his voice as a solo artist, capturing inspiration quickly, and why most of the battle in the studio is simply removing friction.

We dig into sync: how commercial music is its own ecosystem, why high-dollar sync often has nothing to do with the pop charts, and how entire micro-genres exist only inside advertising. Bleu breaks down the difference between library production music and custom sync, how briefs actually work, what trends supervisors follow, and how studying commercial catalogs (not Spotify playlists) changes your instincts. He explains why inspiration disappears in moments, why setups must be instant, why inspiration beats fidelity, and how he builds his studio workflow - from synth routing to outboard to leaving drums mic’d up permanently - so artists never lose the spark.

In the second half, we talk about AI’s impact on music production and why it’s already reshaping expectations, budgets, and the perceived value of human-created work. Bleu predicts that production music will be “decimated,” that executives are already asking “can’t you just AI that?”, and why musicians must prepare for a world where non-AI work has to be obviously human. We talk cassette 4-track records, reel-to-reel inspiration, talent that shines through limitations, and why unique sonic imperfections may soon become a calling card. Bleu also breaks down vocal technique, why control matters more than range, and why producers should avoid technical talk during emotional takes. Finally, we look at career longevity, creative spaces, studio setup philosophy, and what advice he’d give his younger self (hint: invest early, learn piano, and chase control over perfection).

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.spectra1964.com

https://gracedesign.com/

https://pickrmusic.com

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/bleu-production-highlights/pl.u-KVXB2eLtm8P9My

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/558

What happens when you rescue a forgotten studio that once shaped American music history - and bring it roaring back to life?

This week, I sat down with Teresa Knox, the powerhouse entrepreneur and preservationist behind the rebirth of The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma - the legendary home of Leon Russell, the early Shelter Records family, and the roots of what became known as the Tulsa Sound. Teresa shares the entire arc of this wild journey: from collecting Leon Russell Slurpee cups as an 8-year-old kid, to buying the abandoned church sight unseen, to rebuilding it from the ground up and restoring it as a world-class studio, museum, archive, and engineering school. We talk about the stunning history embedded in the building - the 1915 hand-built sanctuary, the 1972 Leon-era renovations, and what it really takes to preserve a place where so many iconic recordings were born.

We dig deep into the music: Leon’s time in the Wrecking Crew, his explosion after Mad Dogs & Englishmen, recording with George Harrison at the Concert for Bangladesh, and his early influence on players like Elton John and Glen Campbell. Teresa shares stories from the Shelter Records years - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers arriving as Mudcrutch, J.J. Cale, The Gap Band, Phoebe Snow, Willis Alan Ramsey, Freddie King, and even Bob Marley & The Wailers turning the place into a Jamaican party. She walks us through the official Church Studio playlist, the discovery of original artifacts inside the walls, and why preserving the stories of these musicians matters just as much as preserving the building itself.

Finally, we talk about the reconstruction: shoring up a collapsing foundation, solving electrical noise and RF issues, preserving historic architecture while building a modern studio, restoring a Neve 8068, installing two EMT 140 plates, and designing a hybrid analog/digital workflow. Teresa also explains how The Church Studio now trains new engineers through its hands-on vocational school, hosts sessions with top artists, runs a nonprofit to support musicians, and continues the legacy of Leon and the Tulsa Sound through events like CarniFest. Her passion for preservation, community, and world-class sound makes this one of the most inspiring studio stories I’ve ever heard.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/ The next program starts May 11, 2026

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK30 to get 1 month free of NI 360!

https://www.spectra1964.com

https://gracedesign.com/

https://pickrmusic.com

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6BLaSUX1juRYH6jHHTfa6k?si=nZtNPzHDSXi0bVQnpSU43A

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/557

What happens when you finally get to mix Spinal Tap in Dubly Atmos? You turn it up to 11, of course!

My guest today is Grammy-nominated engineer and mixer Steve Genewick, joining us from his Atmos room in Los Angeles to walk us through the wild, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt process of capturing and mixing the new "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" soundtrack and album. In this episode, Steve talks about working directly with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer; recording their live vocals; tracking the band as a real rock group; and assembling a full dubly Atmos experience that honors the original film while pushing the new one into immersive territory.

We dig into the whole workflow - from the Beyerdynamic M500 ribbon mics he labeled as Nigel, David, and Derek… to tracking full songs live at The Village… to mixing the concert sequences for the film… to remixing "Break Like the Wind" in Atmos using the original 1990s analog tapes that had to be transferred from tape box track sheets. Steve also talks about Spinal Tap's actual backstory, the improvised nature of the films, working directly with Rob Reiner, and why the guys are not in character in the studio - except when it's time to sound "more Nigel."

We also go deep into Atmos and orchestral recording, Steve's work on classic jazz records (Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard), his remixing of the "Jaws" and "Jaws 2" soundtracks, and how immersive music translates between speakers, earbuds, and soundbars. Steve explains LFE strategy, subwoofer layouts, mixing bass into objects, and why a great Atmos mix is not about flying things around the room — it's about clarity, space, and emotional impact. And yes, we do talk about Stonehenge… the pizza pedal… the cheese guitar… and whether mixing break like the wind is allowed in the control room.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/ The next program starts May 11, 2026

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK30 to get 1 month free of NI 360!

https://www.spectra1964.com

https://gracedesign.com/

https://pickrmusic.com

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/steve-genewick-atmos-mixes/pl.u-76oNkrMF1JKbp

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/556

What if your mix engineer secretly backed up every session in triplicate just so your grandkids could remix your demo in 2085?

In this episode, I’m joined by my brother from another podcast, Matt Boudreau - veteran mixer, Atmos trailblazer, and the host of Working Class Audio. Matt’s credits include immersive mixes for Green Day, Alanis Morissette, and the theme for Real Time with Bill Maher, plus stereo magic on artists like Deafheaven.

We kick things off recapping our AES Long Beach hang - complete with acai bowl addiction, barefoot sandbox airport vibes, and panels on everything from Japanese air-traffic AI to studio fire insurance. Matt shares how a late-night HBO downmix request accidentally birthed his simultaneous stereo/Atmos workflow, and why he now mixes midrange balance on tiny single-cone speakers before touching highs or lows.

We dive into the art of collaboration: why you should wait 48 hours before sending mix notes, how to handle clients who keep salting the same sandwich, and the spreadsheet revision system that’s saving everyone’s sanity.

Matt drops hard-earned wisdom on trusting your gut with red-flag clients, charging retrieval fees for 20-year-old sessions, and why “if it doesn’t exist in three places, it doesn’t exist.” We geek out over plugins (Gullfoss, Sonible Smart EQ, the return of Echo Farm), archiving nightmares, and why AI is great for laundry but still can’t feel heartbreak like a human. Whether you’re mixing in a bedroom or a living-room Atmos rig, this chat is pure gold for anyone who wants their tracks to outlive the hard drive.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/ The next program starts May 11, 2026

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK30 to get 1 month free of NI 360!

https://www.spectra1964.com

https://gracedesign.com/

https://pickrmusic.com

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6tdfm7hqzhn1o8PA65I7N0?si=81dbS2cgQLO0d7M3C0vSWQ

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/555

What happens when a tree destroys your home and studio - and it leads you to a new creative life across two continents?

In this episode, I talk with Ronan Chris Murphy, the world-traveling producer, engineer, and artist known for his work with King Crimson, Steve Morse, and Tony Levin, and for teaching hundreds of musicians how to finish their records through his Recording Bootcamp and RIPA Festival of International Sound.

Ronan shares how losing his home and studio in the mountains north of Los Angeles became a turning point that reshaped his creative life - leading him to rebuild from scratch in the Berkshires of Massachusetts and a medieval hill town in Italy. We dig into how his surroundings inspire creativity, how he balances his own artistic work with client projects, and why finishing creative ideas matters more than chasing perfection.

We also talk about building community through workshops and retreats, finding joy in collaboration, and creating music that connects people across cultures. Along the way, Ronan offers hard-won advice on protecting your studio and data, trusting your creative instincts, and staying productive when life throws you curveballs.

Ronan’s story is a reminder that art, resilience, and curiosity can keep us inspired - no matter where we make our records.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/ The next program starts May 11, 2026

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK30 to get 1 month free of NI 360!

https://www.spectra1964.com

https://gracedesign.com/

https://pickrmusic.com

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7EVNgxULrlqKpykk9MDT8B?si=w9unZYn_QPi8EZp3It6yww

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/554

What happens when you stop chasing shiny gear and start listening more carefully?

In this episode, Locke Davis, founder and CEO of the Pickr Music app, shares how his deep dive into Nashville's studio culture and Blackbird Academy shaped his approach to building a platform that connects professionals and democratizes the recording industry. We explore the importance of community, the nuances of studio etiquette, and how technical tools can complement but not replace the human element in music creation.

Locke also reflects on the subtle art of setting the emotional tone, how gear doesn't create magic but rather creates opportunities, and the value of genuine relationships over polished online personas. From his background in touring to launching Pickr during the pandemic, Locke offers insights into blending efficiency with authenticity.

We talk about practical ways to build community through studio events, social media, and smart use of technology - plus how to stay prepared, adapt, and succeed by focusing on 'making your own luck.' Whether you're a home studio artist or a seasoned professional, this episode aims to remind us that the heart of good music is rooted in connection, craft, and community.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/ The next program starts May 11, 2026

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK30 to get 1 month free of NI 360!

https://www.spectra1964.com

https://gracedesign.com/

https://pickrmusic.com

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Apple:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/game-changer/1722135644

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-opportunity-to-help-somebody-through-it/1564332436?i=1564332438

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/driving-alone-at-night/1783038435

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/553

In this episode, we dive deep into the art of staying creative - even when life gets messy. Tim and I talk about recording at home, the beauty of imperfection, Logic shortcuts, AI tools, Costa Rica inspiration, punk rock sound gigs, and songwriting prompts that dig into the soul.

We also laugh a lot about “Spanish Inquisition Part 2,” fart algorithms, “The Wrong Burrito” in Nashville, and how to survive creative burnout by reconnecting with nature. Whether he’s building Logic sessions in his home studio or drumming for meditation, Tim’s philosophy always circles back to one idea: just make something today.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/ The next program starts May 11, 2026

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK30 to get 1 month free of NI 360!

https://www.spectra1964.com

https://gracedesign.com/

https://pickrmusic.com

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2TGTuwEoVXoRwf9W5lFpLk?si=IgQaLRT0RF2RR1AMUPR8Dg

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/552

Mentioned in this episode:

Native Instruments 360

Take your music further with Native Instruments 360—over 150 plugins and 24,000 loops and sounds, giving you everything you need to turn your ideas into release-ready tracks. Explore sampled instruments, powerful synths, and creative effects all in one place. Get 1 month free on monthly or annual plans at Native-Instruments.com using code ROCK30.

Meghan Gohil is a producer, mixer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. He runs Hollywood Recording Studio and GoHill Records, where he helps artists make professional-sounding records with smart workflows, hybrid mixing, and practical indie-release strategies. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

In this episode, Meghan and I talk about the process of building a modern home-studio setup that competes with commercial rooms, how to blend analog gear with digital tools, and the best ways to keep your music career moving forward without getting bogged down in perfectionism or industry red tape. We dive into his hybrid mix chain, using iZotope Ozone, Atmos mixing, AI-powered tools, Chartmetric analytics, and how to handle copyrights, PRO registration, and releases so your music actually earns and keeps growing.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/ The next program starts May 11, 2026

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.adam-audio.com/

https://www.spectra1964.com

https://gracedesign.com/ https://pickrmusic.com

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5w9E4YLwH6hizr5gJmUZu3?si=WV3cLJCxSriMt5626Kc7vA

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/551

Have you ever wondered how embracing chaos and intuition can transform your creative process? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

In this episode, Laura Crapo shares her journey through music, film, healing, and the importance of staying authentic to your unique voice. We explore the parallels between art forms, the influence of environments, and how trusting your inner voice can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Laura discusses her experiences with analog sound, filmmaking experiments, spiritual practices like Reiki, and how they all interconnect in her artistic life. Whether you're a musician, filmmaker, or creative soul, her insights invite you to step into your true self and let the process guide you.

In this candid conversation, Laura reveals how her background growing up around art and music shaped her approach to creativity, her adventures in guerrilla filmmaking, and the importance of honoring imperfections. We talk about balancing the critic and intuition within, the impact of environments on artistic expression, and how life's unpredictable moments can be opportunities in disguise.

She also emphasizes the role of self-love and trusting in your own process as essential elements for making authentic art and music.This episode is packed with reflections on the spiritual dimension of creativity, the value of live performance, and making peace with the messy, imperfect moments.

Laura's stories about her experiences in Montreal, Chicago, and even her inside knowledge of legendary figures like Steve Albini add depth to a discussion about trusting your instincts and staying true to your art.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/ The next program starts May 11, 2026

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.adam-audio.com/

https://www.spectra1964.com

https://gracedesign.com/ https://pickrmusic.com

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song "Skadoosh!" https://solo.to/lijshawmusic

Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7cvvqYC1O24b2xxI02IEzq?si=0t_MlY1pQg2X9p0ue7MePQ&pi=G_gWFsKlTrCPO

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/550