Working Class Audio

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer and Composer Dane Giordano who has engineered artists for Warner, Sony and Universal Music Group. Dane has composed music for Film, Video Games, Television and more! He is also one of the House Engineers at Young Avenue Sound & Sun Studio.

• First Studio Experience
• Touring Survival Methods
• Bad Engineer Experiences
• Positive Studio Experiences
• Flat Rates
• Engineering Transition
• Sun Studio
• Electrical Audio Internship
• Steve Albini's Kindness
• Professional Studio Habits
• Embrace Beginner Mindset
• Clients By Word-Of-Mouth
• Financial Discipline
• Diversifying Services

• Dane's Site

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

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy WInning Producer/engineer/mixer, Justin Francis who has worked alongside artists like Sheryl Crow, Kacey Musgraves, Tyler Childers, Lake Street Dive, Justin Timberlake, Madison Cunningham, Gary Clark Jr, Sarah Jarosz and Lauren Daigle. Enjoy!

1. Early Music Passion
2. Audio Production Path
3. Studio Immersion
4. Formal Audio Training
5. Nashville Career Growth
6. Efficient Studio Culture
7. Navigating Payment Ethics
8. Community Client Insights
9. Nashville's "Clicky" Nature
10. Remote Studio Benefits
11. Beyond Music Row

1. Justin's Site

1. Guest: Justin Francis
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 mastering engineer and host of The Mastering Show, Ian Shepherd. They dive into the current state of mastering, AI’s growing role, work/life balance, and in-the-box vs. out-of-the-box mastering.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Links and Show Notes:

Matt's Rant: Building Things

Credits:

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back mastering engineer and host of The Mastering Show, Ian Shepherd. They dive into the current state of mastering, AI’s growing role, work/life balance, and in-the-box vs. out-of-the-box mastering. Enjoy!

1. Companion podcast episode
2. Advances in mastering technology
3. The rise of AI mastering
4. Shift toward releasing singles
5. Impact of social media
6. Mastering now democratized
7. Lower barrier to entry
8. AI lacks human context
9. AI results often bland/generic
10. Humans provide taste and nuance
11. Networking challenges in rural areas
12. Technology removes many practical limits
13. Career hasn’t suffered despite changes
14. Facing an empty nest soon
15. Focus on intentional, joyful work
16. Known as the "loudness guy"

1. Ian's 100th episode
2. Ian on WCA #132

1. Guest: Ian Shepherd
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 and mixer Dan Malsch to discuss his journey from guitarist to studio owner, working with bands like Ghost and Avenged Sevenfold, building studios with his own hands, and maintaining a no-ego approach to recording at the highest level.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Dan Malsch’s Journey From Guitarist to Music Producer

Explore how Dan transitioned from touring with his metal band Wicked Mariah to becoming a full-time producer and mix engineer.

Building and Running a Professional Recording Studio

Learn how Dan used his construction background to build a world-class recording studio in the Poconos from the ground up.

Working With Major Artists Like Ghost and Avenged Sevenfold

Dan shares behind-the-scenes stories of working with chart-topping rock and metal bands including Ghost, Avenged Sevenfold, and Gojira.

Mixing in Dolby Atmos

Get insight into how Dan created an Atmos mix room in two weeks and how he mixed Ghost's Impera and Skeletor albums in Dolby Atmos.

Collaborating With Legendary Mixer Andy Wallace

Hear how a chance meeting led to a close working relationship with Andy Wallace and how that partnership elevated Dan’s career.

Running a Successful Studio in a Secondary Market

Discover how Dan attracts big-name clients to his Pennsylvania studio without being based in LA, Nashville, or New York.

How to Maintain Long-Term Clients as a Music Producer

Dan discusses how professionalism, personal communication, and trust help him retain high-profile clients year after year.

Balancing Studio Life and Family Life

Hear how Dan prioritized being present for his family while running a busy studio and raising two kids.

Links and Show Notes:

Matt's Rant: Persistence

Credits:

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer and mixer Dan Malsch to discuss his journey from guitarist to studio owner, working with bands like Ghost and Avenged Sevenfold, building studios with his own hands, and maintaining a no-ego approach to recording at the highest level. Enjoy!

Explore how Dan transitioned from touring with his metal band Wicked Mariah to becoming a full-time producer and mix engineer.

Learn how Dan used his construction background to build a world-class recording studio in the Poconos from the ground up.

Dan shares behind-the-scenes stories of working with chart-topping rock and metal bands including Ghost, Avenged Sevenfold, and Gojira.

Get insight into how Dan created an Atmos mix room in two weeks and how he mixed Ghost's Impera and Skeletor albums in Dolby Atmos.

Hear how a chance meeting led to a close working relationship with Andy Wallace and how that partnership elevated Dan’s career.

Discover how Dan attracts big-name clients to his Pennsylvania studio without being based in LA, Nashville, or New York.

Dan discusses how professionalism, personal communication, and trust help him retain high-profile clients year after year.

Hear how Dan prioritized being present for his family while running a busy studio and raising two kids.

1. Dan's Studio
2. IMSRV Studio In Stockholm
3. Advice from Robert Diniro video

1. Guest: Dan Malsch
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, songwriter and host of Recording Studio Rockstars Lij Shaw.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Links and Show Notes:

Matt's Rant: Barriers

Credits:

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer, engineer, songwriter and host of Recording Studio Rockstars Lij Shaw.

• Friendship & Communication
• Studio & Workspace
• Costa Rica Trip
• Music & Production
• Collaboration & Mixing
• Identity & Roles
• Time Management

• Recording Studio Rockstars
• Chris Chamness (Matt & Lij colab)

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

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Elad Marish, co-founder and producer at Swell Music + Sound, a leading creative audio agency based in San Francisco. Elad and his team at Swell have brought music, sound design, and audio branding to high-profile clients including Apple, Nike, Google, and Uber, working on everything from global ad campaigns to immersive brand experiences.

• The Magic of KISS
• Wearing Out Record Needles
• Hating Piano
• Surf Culture
• Guitar Obsession
• Early Parenthood
• Painful Band Experiences
• Post Production Powerhouse
• Growing Swell Sound
• Navigating COVID
• Staying Lean

• Swell
• Elad on Linkedin

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

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Howie Beck who is a multi Juno nominated Mixer, Producer and musician located in Toronto who has mixed or produced music by artists as diverse as Feist, Charlotte Day Wilson, Barenaked Ladies, Chilly Gonzales, Ron Sexsmith, and the Weather Station amongst many more. 

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Links and Show Notes:

Matt's Rant: Small Chunks 

Credits: