In this episode, Matt welcomes mastering engineer and artist Amar Lal of Oakland’s Macro Sound. Amar shares his journey from the New York DIY scene and touring with Big Ups to a corporate role at Sennheiser and his eventual return to independent studio ownership. They discuss the benefits of an all-digital mastering workflow, the "Active Listening Club" philosophy, and how Amar maintains career longevity through work-life balance and photography.

1. Mastering Engineer Roles
2. Oakland Studio Location
3. Shared Building Benefits
4. Early Childhood Canada
5. Childhood Piano Lessons
6. Experimental Music Scene
7. Circuit Bending Gear
8. High School Recording
9. New York Education
10. Touring Big Ups
11. Facing Career Burnout
12. Corporate Sennheiser Experience
13. Launching Macro Sound
14. Home Studio Logistics
15. Oakland Artistic Community
16. All Digital Mastering
17. Active Listening Club
18. Balancing Personal Life
19. Passion For Photography
20. Artistic Practice Philosophy
21. Mastering Room Acoustics
22. Local Community Ties
23. Remote Working Models
24. Studio Business Logistics
25. Auditory Sensitivity Issues

1. Amar Lal’s Site: Macro Sound
2. Band Reference: Big Ups
3. Sennheiser
4. Active Listening Club

1. Guest: Amar Lal
2. Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
3. WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
4. The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist Katie Marie for a deep dive into her 30-year career journey, moving from a rural UK trailer to world-class studios. They discuss the transition from solo artistry to a supportive production role, the philosophy of professional growth, and maintaining a healthy mindset around the business of music.

1. Producer And Multi-instrumentalist Background
2. Leaving School At Fifteen
3. Self-taught Musical Foundations
4. Early Four-track Recording Experiments
5. Transitioning From Solo Artist
6. Managing Performance Anxiety
7. Relocating From Devon To Austin
8. Mentorship At Blue Rock Studio
9. Sharing Process Via Live Streams
10. Transitioning To North Carolina
11. Morning And Afternoon Life Stages
12. Growing Wider Rather Than Taller
13. Collaborating With Christie Lenée
14. Overcoming A Poverty Mindset
15. Charging Based On Value
16. Selling The Human Experience
17. Prioritizing Songs Over Gear
18. Adapting To New Environments

1. Katie Marie’s Site
2. Blue Rock Studio
3. Book Reference: You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

1. Guest: Katie Marie Richards
2. Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
3. WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
4. The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer, engineer, mixer Ronan Chris Murphy (King Crimson, Steve Morse, Terry Bozzio, Tony Levin) to talk about being a pro audio nomad, falling trees, and and anchor points.

• World Travel
• Falling Trees
• Language
• Being a Respectful Human
• Anchor POints
• Debt

• Ronan's Site

• Guest: Ronan Chris Murphy
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mixing and mastering engineer Tyrone "Cross Bone T" Harris who shares his journey from a young music enthusiast in London to a professional mixing and mastering engineer.

1. Musical Roots and Early Influences
2. The Journey into Music Production
3. Curiosity and Learning in Music
4. Early Experiences with Technology
5. First Steps in Radio and Education
6. Navigating Challenges in Music Education
7. Transitioning to Professional Environments
8. Live Sound Experiences and Growth
9. The Art of Live Sound Engineering
10. Navigating the Music Industry as a Young Professional
11. Health Challenges and Career Adaptation
12. Transitioning to Home Studio Work
13. Building a Client Base in a Niche Market
14. Philosophy on Life and Overcoming Obstacles
15. The Importance of Small Wins and Motivation

Links and Show Notes:

1. CBT's Site

1. Guest: Tyrone "Cross Bone T" Harris
2. Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
3. WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
4. The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer/engineer/mixer and archivist, Phillip Broussard who has worked with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slipknot, System of a Down, and many more

• Texas upbringing
• Jobs in Gulf Coast refineries
• First studio internships in Austin
• Houston and Austin
• Kingsway Studio in New Orleans
• Prioritizing vibe over gear
• Relocating to Los Angeles
• Managing Teatro in Oxnard
• Collaboration with Rick Rubin
• Handling limited recording budgets
• Skills in reading the room
• Balancing career and family life
• Negotiating rates and invoicing
• Audio archiving and session restoration
• Networking to find new music

• Phillip's Site
• Trina Shoemaker on WCA
• Dave Schiffman on WCA

• Guest: Phillip Broussard
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcome musician/songwriter/producer/engineer Mitch Easter known for his work on the early R.E.M. records as well as his work with the db's, Game Theory, and Marshal Crenshaw as well as his own band Let's Active.

• Background and Upbringing
• Early Interest in Recording
• Drive-In Studio
• Fidelatorium Recordings
• Balancing Multiple Roles
• Collaboration with Don Dixon
• The Music Industry and the Indie Ecosystem
• Influences and Inspirations
• Views on Retirement

• YouTube version
• Mitch's Site

• Guest: Mitch Easter
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes engineer/mixer Joe Costa who has worked with Ben Folds. Sara Bareilles, William Shatner and many more.

• Ordering Lunch with William (Bill) Shatner
• Working with Ben Folds
• Mixing from Home
• Moving to Nashville
• Berklee School of Music
• Reading the Room

• Joe On Instagram @costa71
• Watch the Interview on YouTube

• Guest: Joe Costa
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

Producer, engineer, artist, and professor Willie Green returns to WCA to chat with Matt about about his new studio adventure and much more! Willie has worked with renowned artists such as Armand Hammer, The Roots, The Alchemist, and Wiz Khalifa.

1. The Green House Expands!
2. Physical Media
3. Marketing Strategies for Creative Spaces
4. Daily Patterns and Balancing Responsibilities
5. Adapting to Client Needs and Studio Management
6. Business Strategy
7. Innovation

1. Willie Green’s Website

1. Guest: Willie Green
2. Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
3. WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
4. The Voice: Chuck Smith

This is part 2 of a discussion Matt had with multi-platinum mixer and engineer Richard Chycki whose clients include such rock royalty as Rush, Aerosmith, Dream Theater, Skillet, Mick Jagger, Alice Cooper, Pink and many more.

• Management
• Networking: Building Relationships for Success
• Cultural Transition: From Canada to the U.S. Music Scene
• The Rush Connection: Networking and Opportunities
• Navigating the World of Immersive Audio Technologies
• Future Plans and Networking in Nashville

• Part 1 Interview
• Rich's Site

• Guest: Richard Chycki
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mixing engineer, producer and composerJade Alysse Berry, whose path to mixing was sparked by a life‑changing health event and a deep love for music. Jade shares practical insights on creativity, collaboration, and setting clear boundaries with clients.

1. How a health crisis redirected Jade’s career toward audio engineering
2. Challenges and politics of the music industry
3. Collaborative dynamics with partner Bob Horn
4. The creative process of mixing
5. Setting boundaries
6. Understanding client expectations
7. Effective communication

1. Jade on Instagram

1. Guest: Jade Alysse Berry
2. Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
3. WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
4. The Voice: Chuck Smith