Recording Studio Rockstars

My guest today is Justin Francis is a multiple Grammy Award nominee as an engineer, #1 Billboard chart mixer, and budding producer based right here in East Nashville. His work can be heard on records ranging from Ronnie Milsap to Alice Cooper including Top 40 hits for Little Big Town and Kelsea Ballerini; soundtracks with Kacey Musgraves and P!nk, and releases from diverse artists as Rodney Crowell, Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Buddy Guy, Deep Purple, Anti-Flag, Rozwell Kid and Diarrhea Planet reaching millions of streams every month.

Justin has been a guest on the podcast previously one episode RSR220 when we got to talk about his background in the recording. So this episode we will continue to dig into mixing and production and ways that we can ramp up the quality of our work in our own pro or home studios.

Thanks to our sponsors!

Soundporter Mastering: Get your free mastering demo at https://www.soundporter.com

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

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

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear discography on Spotify

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/280

My guest today is Chris Adams, aka Ahee, an EDM producer and artist with extensive experience touring clubs and festivals known for his prolific musical output, helpful YouTube tutorials, high-quality sample packs, & crowd engaging live sets.

I discovered Ahee's Youtube channel when I was searching for tutorials on using the Serum wavetable synth from Xfer Records and really enjoyed the ways that Chris broke down EDM production and techniques for everything from creating DIY synth drum samples to production using his custom sample and sound packs for Ableton Live, to mixing through RTA frequency analyzers so that we can compare our own home studio mixes to a huge club and festival mixes by top EDM producers like Skrillex. Plus Chris affectionately refers to his audience by introducing each video with "Yo What's Up Aliens" which obviously a great way to talk them don't you think so Rockstars?

Some of his collaboration and remix credits include The Funk Hunters, Manic Focus, Defunk, Stylust, Psymbionic, Stickybuds, David Starfire, Soohan, and more. I'll include links to his Youtube channel in the show notes where you can also find a collection of his EDM music productions.

Thanks to our sponsors!

Soundporter Mastering: Get your free mastering demo at https://www.soundporter.com

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

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

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear discography on Spotify

Hear more on YouTube

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/279

My guest today is Daniel Schlett a Producer, Engineer, Mixer and owner of Strange Weather Studio seen on the cover of Mix Magazine in 2019 as one of the best rooms in Brooklyn NY. Daniel's production finds itself at the creative intersection where acoustic and rock recording meets loop and edit based production. His discography ranges from NYC hip hop to live in-studio performances, to rock production from Mali with a clear sense of how each sounds best.

Daniel has worked with many great artists including Iggy Pop, Booker T., Songhoy Blues, Peelander-Z, Ghostface Killah, War on Drugs, Luke Temple and Here We Go Magic, Combo Chimbita, The Lost Brothers. And I've been enjoying a fantastic sounding playlist of videos for you in the show notes.

I'm psyched to talk with Daniel today about his philosophy of production with a wide range of musical styles and see what we can learn about working with a variety of artists. Thanks to Dave Hintze at API for making our introduction.

Thanks to our sponsors!

Soundporter Mastering: Get your free mastering demo at https://www.soundporter.com

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

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

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear discography on Spotify

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/278

My guest today is Brian Murphree mastering engineer at Soundporter Mastering in Spring Hill TN. After recording his first band in 1994 at a studio in Decatur, AL, and taking the mix-engineer helm in 1999 for his punk band, Random Conflict, followed by a 5-year stint with Surf Rock band, Daikaiju, Brian has been focused on recording, mixing, and mastering for underground artists who might lack the budget to track in major professional studios.

Brian spent 20 years recording, mixing, and mastering music in the North Alabama, Middle TN area, helping artists find their best sounds without blowing their budget. For the past 4 years, he has focused solely on mastering and has been able to grow his client list even in the challenging climate of COVID-19.

Grammy-winning "Boo" Mitchell of Memphis' Royal Studios, Mark Slaughter, Melly Baldwin, and BZ Lewis are just a few clients Brian has worked with and his goal is to always help his clients realize their best production and mix no matter who they are, and to do it without breaking the bank.

Brian takes pride as a mastering engineer in being easy to work with and helpful at the early stages before you even think your mix is ready for mastering. And Since Brian and Soundporter are a welcome sponsor on the podcast also I thought it would be cool to have Brian as a guest on the show so that we can get to know him better and discover "how to get your mix ready for mastering".

Thanks to our sponsors!

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

PreSonus Studio One: https://www.presonus.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

API Audio: http://www.apiaudio.com

Soundporter Mastering: https://www.soundporter.com

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/277

My guest today is Kevin McMahon of Marcata Recording first started by The Walkmen in 2000 as a purely analog facility located in Harlem inside what had been a Nascar production facility.

Kevin joined in 2003 and took over daily operations, bringing his collection of vintage microphones, preamps, and a long history of studying great live performance from the decade of work as a live sound engineer/designer at the now-defunct but not forgotten venue Brownies in New York City's East Village.

Doing live sound is where Kevin developed his love of living interactions between musicians, and the ability to recognize the spirit of an artists' vision and to act with a sense of urgency toward nurturing an environment to allow that vision to be realized at any cost.

Some of Kevin's credits include: Real Estate, Pile, Parlor Walls, Mr Gnome, The Walkmen, The French Kicks, Diarrhea Planet, and Herzog to name just a few.

Thanks so much to Caleb for making our introduction.

Thanks to our sponsors!

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

PreSonus Studio One: https://www.presonus.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

API Audio: http://www.apiaudio.com

Soundporter Mastering: https://www.soundporter.com

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear discography on Spotify

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/276

My guest today is Morgan Page a GRAMMY-nominated producer and DJ with hundreds of millions of plays, and charted multiple Billboard, Beatport, and US Dance Radio #1s.

Morgan has built a massive live following performing at major festivals across the world, including Coachella, EDC, Electric Zoo, Burning Man, and Ultra Music Festival, as well as countless shows in the world's top venues and clubs. He typically tours nearly year-round and holds a Las Vegas residency at Daylight, having previously held a three-year residency at Wynn Las Vegas.

Morgan also curates and hosts a weekly radio mix show, 'In The Air,' which airs on Sirius XM and broadcasting weekly uninterrupted for nearly ten years, and has surpassed episode number 500!

Outside of music, his two main passions are the environment and technology, and particularly where the two intersect. The Tesla-driving producer installed solar panels to power his recording studio; he is always on the cutting edge and an early adopter and advocate of new tech.

In 2013, he brought to life the groundbreaking 'Morgan Page Presents 3D Tour,' a forward-thinking, immersive visual experience utilizing 3D technology. In 2014, partnering with Oculus, DTS, and Alienware, he also produced the first-ever virtual reality lyric video for his single 'In The Air.' Followed by an Oculus partnership to produce a Gear VR mobile experience for his single "Open Heart." Most recently, he's produced music for Tesla and SpaceX.

Morgan's Quick Tips project is his way to pass on his vast wealth of knowledge and experience to an eager audience of musicians and producers, as well as the broader creator community, helping them crack the creativity code and improve their workflow. MPQT is comprised of a series of 750+ short-form tips and 50+ blog post deep-dives available online and in physical card sets. Recently Morgan partnered up with technology leader OWC to distribute the cards and connect with creators as a brand ambassador.

Thanks to our sponsors!

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

PreSonus Studio One: https://www.presonus.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

API Audio: http://www.apiaudio.com

Soundporter Mastering: https://www.soundporter.com

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/275

My guest today is John Storyk, registered architect and acoustician, is a founding partner of WSDG (Walters-Storyk Design Group). He has provided design and construction supervision services for the professional audio and video recording community since the 1969 design of Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady Studios in New York City.

John Storyk received his architectural studies from Princeton and Columbia Universities. As an independent designer, engineer and principal designer of WSDG he has been responsible for over 3.5k world-class audio/video production facilities, including studios, radio stations, video suites, entertainment clubs and theatres.

His work includes private studios for Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, Ace Frehley, Russ Freeman, Taylor Dayne's producer Rick Wake; Johnny Yuma Recording in L.A.; Greenway; C & C Music's Robert Clavicles; Oven Studios (Alicia Keys); Roc the Mic (J-Z) and others.

Professional audio video installations include Soundshop, Nashville; Crawford Post, Atlanta; Talking House (San Francisco); screening rooms for NYC's Planet Hollywood and Technicolor; conference facilities for Mercury (Polygram), EMI, CEMEX, Sumitoma; large scale educational and performance facilities for Full Sail/Platinum Post (Orlando), Ex'Pression Center for New Media (San Francisco), and Jazz at Lincoln Center / XM Radio (New York city).

He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Acoustical Society of America, Audio Engineering Society (AES) and a frequent contributor to AES convention papers and professional industry periodicals. John is also a frequent lecturer at schools throughout the nation. He has established courses in acoustics at both Full Sail and Ex'pression Center for the Media Arts and is an adjunct professor of Acoustics and Studio Design at Berklee College of Music, Boston.

As an architect turned music producer myself I feel very honoured to have John with us today on the show to see what we can learn about studio design and the ways it can help us make better records.

Thanks to our sponsors!

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

PreSonus Studio One: https://www.presonus.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

API Audio: http://www.apiaudio.com

Soundporter Mastering: https://www.soundporter.com

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/274

My guest today is Patrick Rene aka Killah Trakz a Miami native rapper and hip hop music producer who has worked with artists like Iconz, Rick Ross, 2 Live Crew, and Uncle Luke to name a few.

An analog junkie at heart adapting in the world of digital, Trakz has been at the forefront of the digital revolution of music distribution by having one of the most downloaded albums in the MySpace / Napster era titled " Hoodz Prodigy ".

Getting his start in '07 at a time when the "Internet" was at its peak of popularity for all advocates of music, sites like AcidPlanet, UGHH, MP3.com, and hundreds more were gaining more notoriety by the day. Within the first week, Trakz saw his debut album surpass 50,000 downloads with ease. Overnight Success was an "understatement" for what would follow.

After landing several placements with his production on numerous indie films, Trakz got calls from everyone wanting his sound. By 2008, his sound was hitting the radio waves but getting heard by millions by "ghost producing" for the likes of many of today's favourites.

I met Trakz through our Facebook group at Recording Studio Rockstars. He kept posting so many great hip hop songs that I knew I had to learn more. So I am excited to have him join us today on the podcast to hear more about his story and see what we can learn about writing, producing, and mixing hip hop in the digital age.

Thanks to our sponsors!

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

PreSonus Studio One: https://www.presonus.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

API Audio: http://www.apiaudio.com

Soundporter Mastering: https://www.soundporter.com

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/273

My guest today is Stephen Shirk an engineer, producer, and owner of Shirk Studio in Chicago. Originally from Bloomington, Illinois, he began playing in bands through junior high college at Miami University where he earned a degree in Business and Marketing.

In 1998 he moved to New York City to chase his dream of working in a recording studio where he worked at The Hit Factory, Pink Noise and Three Tree Productions as well as assisting on sessions at many legendary NYC facilities like Avatar (Power Station), Clinton, Right Track, and Sound on Sound. Recording in New York also exposed Stephen to a unique artistic community beyond that of music. His collaboration with Nadine Robinson would ultimately land one of his sound designs in the Museum of Modern Art's Tempo exhibit in 2002.

In 2004, Stephen relocated to Chicago to continue producing and recording bands, creating sound for art installations, as well as providing audio services for the advertising community. This was the beginning of SHIRK studios. Through a chance meeting at SXSW in 2006, Stephen partnered with the music blog, HearYa.com, and began recording and filming the HearYa live sessions.

The video series featured powerful live in-studio recordings of artists like Alabama Shakes, Delta Spirit, Other Lives, Patterson Hood, White Denim, Strand of Oaks, Rayland Baxter and many more. In 2013 he acquired the building that now houses SHIRK studios in Chicago's West Town neighbourhood. Firmly planted in Chicago, Stephen records, produces and hosts sessions with some of Chicago's most celebrated artists as well as those just getting their start.

I had the pleasure of spending a day at Shirk studio in 2019 when I hosted a mixing clinic there with Anthony Gravino. We spent the day listening to the beautiful Sphere console and I knew I found a new favourite studio in Chicago. Plus Stephen is the coolest.

Thanks to our sponsors!

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

PreSonus Studio One: https://www.presonus.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

API Audio: http://www.apiaudio.com

Soundporter Mastering: https://www.soundporter.com

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/272

Marc Daniel Nelson is a Latin Grammy-nominated producer/mixer. He has been producing, mixing and managing creatives for over 19 years.

Since our last interview, Marc has been diving headfirst into the film and tv world for music. In 2018, Marc engineer and mixed the score for the film "Amanda" that went on to be nominated for the French Academy Award for "Best Score". That following spring he mixed the score and music for the Ukraine film "Ya, Ty, Vin", which was the last film Zelinsky Vladimir starred in before becoming president.

"Ya, Ty, Vin" went on to having the largest film opening in Ukraine history. In 2019 and 2020, Marc engineered and mixed the scores for a few Netflix originals movies. Outside of film score work, he has kept busy mixing numerous large action trailers and continuing work in the album world, with mixes for Francesca Battistelli, Eric Burdon / Ben Harper and more.

Thanks to our sponsors!

JZ Microphones: Use coupon ROCKSTARS to get 50% off The BB29 mic at JZmic.com

PreSonus Studio One: https://www.presonus.com

Spectra1964: https://www.spectra1964.com

OWC: Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com

iZotope: iZotope.com/Rockstars code ROCK10 10% off

API Audio: http://www.apiaudio.com

Soundporter Mastering: https://www.soundporter.com

RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy

Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com

Hear more on Youtube

If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/271