Unstoppable Recording Machine Podcast

We’re going outside the box with photographer and entrepreneur, Alex Morgan, to talk career building, time management, and need to know band photography info.

Not only has Alex photographed bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Gojira, and Daath, but, more importantly, he brings a killer entrepreneurial mindset to everything he does. His approach to and passion for his career are things that everyone can take valuable lessons from.

“There’s something to be said for conditioning yourself to celebrate other people’s success instead of being jealous of them for having it.” - Alex Morgan

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

05:20 Providing the “full package” as a new business model

07:09 Why you need to be careful about “specializing”

10:30 Expanding outside your work niche or specific genres

22:00 The importance of in person networking in early career

37:30 Time management and delegation

51:00 Cultivating relationships with Gojira and others

1:04:00 Appreciating others’ success instead of envying

1:25:00 Investing in your own growth, retirement isn’t the goal

1:34:00 Wedding photography - high pressure and risk, flow state

1:45:00 Client/label expectations for band photography

1:55:00 Why bands need experience and self-awareness in image/photo shoots

2:01:30 Go to cameras/lenses, especially for low light

And much, much more

Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, James Paul Wisner (Paramore, Dashboard Confessional, Underoath) joins us for a conversation that goes in a ton of interesting directions, from amazing points related to artistry and mindset and deep into the technical end of things.

This is an extra long one, people. But we needed that added time to get in all the information that’s in this discussion. James is an amazing producer, and not only does he bring his impressive technical know how to the table, he also has philosophies for approaching his work that anyone could benefit from.

“For me, what motivates me, is wanting to get together with a group of talented guys, and bring out what their potential is.” - James Paul Wisner

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

The benefits of being a multi-instrumentalist

Doing homework on a band before you get them in the studio

Setting clear goals, and making room for potential setbacks

Managing your personal space and not allowing negative influences to take hold

James’s approach to vocals

And much, much more

TIME STAMPS:

2:30 Discovering recording and the Beatles around age 11, 4 track + 2 track

12:00 Approaching writing from piano vs guitar

14:00 Multi-instrumentalist, thinking like a drummer

17:40 Listening to a mix of the Beatles with drums up and some Lars Ulrich talk

22:00 Learning about a drummer, talking to bands before production

23:14 Eyal’s metronome tip

30:38 Doing homework on bands before entering the studio

33:00 Importance of inter-band communication

35:00 Getting clear on the goal, be committed to it, but have space for potential bad moments

42:06 Developing vision

43:50 Gut check moment: change or nothing’s going to happen

56:30 Getting new clients, placing ads back in the day

1:00:44 Not letting all the potential reasons that things could go wrong get in your way

1:02:57 Actively removing negative influences, managing your personal space

1:12:00 Getting involved with Further Seems Forever, Underoath, Tooth and Nail records

1:17:00 Working with David Bendeth

1:23:04 Conveying to musicians that simpler is better

1:29:06 James’s approach to tracking vocals

1:32:06 The technical side of things: clocking, high resolution audio, power conditioning

1:44:00 Getting drum sounds, tube traps for home studios

1:48:48 Getting clear and powerful vocals

1:50:33 Handling mix notes

1:58:00 Programming, mixing digital sounds with rock productions

2:02:00 James’s biggest piece of advice for vocal production

Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean O’keefe (Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack, Plain White T’s) joins us this time to impart some wisdom about committing, not letting deal specifics get in the way of a project, and Developing his workflow during the transition from analog to digital mixing.

Sean has worked on a number of successful records and with a bunch of amazing bands. Many of the lessons he’s learned that have made him the stellar producer his is stem from working on analog gear when he started, but those lessons are just as important today. Are you creating, or are you just sitting on iteration after iteration of the same song?

“Create. Create something, and do it quickly. Don’t slave. Don’t do revisions. Treat it like it’s an analog console. Create for the purpose of creating. And then move on. And do another one.” - Sean O’Keefe

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

Finishing projects and letting them go out into the world

Not letting worrying get in your way

The early days of Sean’s career

The lessons about committing that he learned working on analog gear

Why you shouldn’t be too much of a stickler about deals you’re offered

The process behind his recording with Fall Out Boy and others

And much, much more

Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode we’re talking about the further adventures of drum genius, Matt Brown.

This time we’re delving deeper Matt’s drumming and production career history, how to bounce back when the universe throws you a curveball, and studio construction.

“If you sit there and dwell on something you make that a reality. If I’m going to make my own reality, I’m going to make it what I want it to be.” - Matt Brown

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

- Matt’s experience teaching at the URM Summit

- The individual sounds of good drummers

- Matt’s background and how he began drumming and working in audio

- Rebounding from failures and struggles

- Studio construction

- And much, much more

Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve got Nick Sampson back for an in depth talk about his work with Polyphia, amazing drummers, and writing catchy songs.

Nick certainly has some amazing ideas about all facets of guitar. Whether you’re interested in the engineering of the objects themselves, becoming a better player, or getting amazing tracks, he’s you’re guy. But his studio craft doesn’t begin and end there. On this episode we get into the ins and outs of Nick’s approach to working in the studio.

“There’s certain genres of music that do not require you to be an amazing guitar player. Play in the pocket, hit the strings with the right velocity and the right angles, use the right pressure with your right hand, and that right there will make a massive difference.” - Eyal Levi

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

- Pushing the boundaries of what guitars can be

- How to bring out the best performances in clients

- Why Epitaph by Necrophagist is so important

- How Nick began working with Polyphia

- Approaching songwriting with singability in mind

- Nick’s tips for getting awesome guitar and bass tones

- And much, much more

Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, we’ve got Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon, Monuments, Sylosis) for a discussion about drum engineering, etiquette for assistants, and recording at Abbey Road.

Romesh has worked with some amazing bands and has had the opportunity to record in some legendary locations. His wide ranging experience allowed us to discuss a huge variety of topics. There’s something in this one for everyone.

“You should just assume that you’re not going to get lucky, and that you’re going to have to struggle. So, you want to set the odds as in your favor as possible. So, go to where the opportunity is.” - Eyal Levi

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

- Building a reputation starting with your strengths

- Romesh’s drum engineering process

- Track organization tips

- Recording and mixing at amazing (and potentially difficult) locations

- Guidelines for assistants in the studio

- And much, much more

Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Johnny Minardi returns to the podcast to chat about the secrets of A&R, getting return clients, and why you need to view the success of others as inspiration.

Between doing A&R for Roadrunner and Fueled By Ramen, managing producers with Self Titled Management, and Noise Creators Johnny is a great role model for how to get shit done in the recording industry. He’s built a knowledge base that encompasses pretty much every aspect of the industry, and we’re always happy to have him on board to share some of that knowledge with you.

“When you see someone having success, and you want that success, there’s two people: there’s someone that goes, ‘Fuck that guy’ and they’re jealous, and then there’s guys that go, ‘Wow! I’d love to be doing that. How’d they do it?’” - Johnny Minardi

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

- What contributes to a successful A&R career

- Building connections at the label once you’re signed

- Viewing the success as others as inspiration, rather than getting jealous

- Producer management

- The things that lead to return clients for producers

- And much, much more

Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Hood is back, and we’re talking the pros and cons of work travel, overcoming the procrastination that comes along with perfectionism, and why grit matters.

We think it’s safe to say that no one wants to be a flash in the pan. We all want to craft long running, successful careers. Figuring out how to get on track to do that takes conscious effort though, and Brian, as always, is full of solid gold insight on how to get there.

“Get it out, fail fast, learn from your mistakes, move on, and make it better.” - Brian Hood

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

- Working while traveling

- The mindset of “How can I?” instead of “I can’t”

- The value of accountability

- Grit

- Not letting perfectionism get in the way of progress

- When and why you should consider outsourcing

- And much, much more

Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arthur Rizk (Cavalera Conspiracy, Power Trip, Code Orange) joins us to talk studio experimentation, being cool, and keeping your hunger alive.

Creativity and drive are not unlimited resources. Burnout is a very real problem, especially when you’re grinding away at trying to build a career. During this discussion Arthur drops some really amazing insight about how to keep your head in the game.

“A hunger naturally manifests itself into good work, if you put the time and effort in.” - Arthur Rizk

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

- Feeding your creative drive by working on things you love

- Sacrificing sleep

- Arthur’s approach to gear

- Endorsements

- Building connections by not being a punisher

- Finding ways to decompress

- And much, much more

Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clifton Miles of Dead Room Recordings joins us to talk about how he’s persevered and built an audio production career after losing his hearing in one ear.

Everyone faces some form of adversity in their life. Audio production can be an especially tough path for a variety of reasons. After hearing Clifton’s story I think we’ll all be able to agree though that if he can overcome hearing loss, stay positive, and build a successful audio career there’s no reason for anyone to feel like the adversity they’re facing in their own lives is insurmountable.

“I just don’t like stopping doing something that I said I was going to do until I feel like I accomplish what I need to accomplish.” - Clifton Miles

ON THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

- Clifton’s hearing loss, and how he kept going in spite of it

- Staying positive through adversity

- How Clifton has adjusted his process

- Why it’s the results that matter

- And much, much more

Thanks for listening! Leave us a comment or review!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices