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WCA #577 with Justin Gray

WCA #577 with Justin Gray – Immersive, Balancing Family Support, Belief In Your Work, Early Surround, & Being Engineer and Artist

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Producer, Mixer & Mastering Engineer Justin Gray. Based in Toronto, Canada, Justin has worked on projects for Snoop Dogg, Brandy, Nicky Youre, Mother Mother, Arkells, Jamie Fine, Lola Brooke, Upsahl, and The Sheepdogs.

In this conversation, Justin Gray discusses his album ‘Immersed’, exploring the creative process, technical aspects of immersive audio, and the importance of community and collaboration in music production. He shares insights on funding, marketing strategies, and the role of social media in promoting his work. The discussion also touches on the challenges of balancing family life with artistic pursuits and the significance of believing in oneself as an artist.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Innovative immersive audio
  • Early surround experiments
  • Community-driven collaboration
  • Canadian arts funding
  • Value of physical media
  • Social media promotion
  • Impact of recognition
  • Balancing family support
  • Belief in the work
  • Engineer and Artist

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant:Forming Your Own Bubble

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #576 with Alan Evans

WCA #576 with Alan Evans – Health, Creativity, Reflections, Client Interactions, and 2026

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer, engineer, mixer, multi-instrumentalist, singer and, songwriter, Alan Evans. Alan is of course well known as a member of his band Soulive. He’s also been a past guest on WCA #133 and 328.

Matt Boudreau and Alan Evans reflect on the past year and share insights on creativity, health, and the music industry. They discuss the importance of recharging creatively, embracing technology, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to ensure longevity in their careers. The duo also emphasizes the significance of simplicity in music production, the role of album artwork, and the power of community and connection in fostering creativity. As they look ahead to 2026, they express excitement for new projects and the journey of self-discovery in their artistic endeavors.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Reflections on the past year
  • Creativity and staying inspired
  • Recharging creatively
  • Health, wellness, and career longevity
  • Simplicity in music production
  • The role and value of album artwork
  • Community and connection as creative fuel
  • Looking ahead to 2026
  • New projects on the horizon
  • Self-discovery through artistic work

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant:What’s Inspiring Me

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #575 with Michael Beinhorn

WCA #575 with Michael Beinhorn – Remote Production, Artist Development, Risk Taking, High-End Listening, and Unique Voices

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer Michael Beinhorn who has worked with The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Herbie Hancock, Korn, Marilyn Manson, Weezer, Ozzy Osbourne, Hole, Cuco, Aerosmith & Violent Femmes. Michael originally appeared on WCA #029 back in 2015.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Music production
  • Remote production
  • Pre-production
  • Music critique
  • Mainstream music
  • AI in music
  • Unique voices
  • Music industry
  • Creativity in music
  • Music technology
  • Artist development
  • Risk-taking in music
  • Music analysis
  • Recording industry
  • Listening setup
  • Collaboration

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant:Auto Pilot

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #574 with Stephen DeAcutis

WCA #574 with Stephen DeAcutis –Owning Your Time, Getting It Right At The Source, Solving Audio Problems, and Performing Live

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mixer, producer, engineer, writer, and performer Stephen DeAcutis. Stephen has worked with Vanilla Fudge, Gladys Knight, Travers and Appice, Corey Glover, and Cyndi Lauper.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Owning Your Time
  • Embracing Old and New
  • Celebrating the New Generation
  • Solving Audio Problems
  • Working At Home
  • Communicating with Musicians
  • Getting It Right At The Source
  • Performing Live

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Staying Positive

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #573 with Natalie Bibby

WCA #573 with Natalie Bibby – AIR Studios, Direct to Disc, Attended Sessions, MPG, and Connecting with Others

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mastering and lathe cutting engineer Natalie Bibby who works at AIR Studios in the U.K.. Natalie has worked with Kraftwerk, Bring Me The Horizon, Lola Young, Jimmy Eat World, The Vaccines, Lewis Capaldi, GIRLI, and CATTYShe’s also led a world-class mastering workshop at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios, UK.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Early musical influences
  • Starting in recording & mixing
  • University training & goals
  • Metropolis internship lessons
  • Moving into mastering
  • Live cuts & direct-to-disc
  • Half-speed mastering overview
  • Learning & mentorship insights
  • Joining AIR Studios
  • AIR Studios
  • Value of attended sessions
  • Managing client expectations
  • Hybrid mastering workflows
  • How mastering engineers listen
  • Common mixing problems
  • Music Producers Guild
  • Challenges for studios
  • AIR’s cutting reputation
  • Vinyl cutting process
  • Mastering vs. cutting
  • American mastering mystique

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant:How we present ourselves

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #572 with Alex Crescioni

WCA #572 with Alex Crescioni – Extreme Metal, Techniques, Clients, Survival, and Letting Go

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back guitarist, producer, and mixing/mastering engineer Alex Crescioni to talk about Extreme Metal production. Alex is known for his work with Burton C. Bell, Deverauxx, and Siglos.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Extreme Metal
  • Techniques
  • Sounds
  • Room Tone
  • Business
  • Survival
  • Letting Go

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Spread the Work

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #571 with Don Setaro

WCA #571 with Don Setaro –DEEP DIVE – Gary Young Hospital For The Chemically Insane

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer/engineer/mixer and record label owner Don Setaro. Matt and Don get into a deep dive discussion of the re-issue process for former Pavement drummer, Gary Young’s album “Hospital For The Chemically Insane”. Former WCA guests Dan Johnson and Justin Perkins chime in to talk about their role in the process.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Pavement
  • Gary Young
  • Detective Work
  • Restoration
  • Tape Rescue
  • Mastering from CD
  • Re- Issue
  • Keeping the Vibe

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Structure

Credits:

  • Guest: Don Setaro /Dan Johnson/Justin Perkins
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #570 with Ken Sluiter

WCA #570 with Ken Sluiter – A deep dive into stereo rebuilds for Atmos mixing

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer/engineer and mixer Ken Sluiter to delve into the intricate process of stereo rebuilds for Atmos mixing. They discuss the challenges of finding and organizing original material, the importance of matching to comparison masters, and the unique aspects of each project. Ken shares insights on the ingestion process, the role of research in understanding original recordings, and the potential of AI tools in audio restoration. The discussion also touches on the future of mixing and the evolving landscape of music production.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Stereo rebuilds for Atmos mixing.
  • The process involves gathering original assets and recreating mixes.
  • Each project is unique, requiring a tailored approach.
  • Matching to a comparison master is crucial for accuracy.
  • Researching the original recording can provide valuable insights.
  • AI tools can assist in stem separation but have limitations.
  • Finalizing mixes involves careful listening and adjustments.
  • The future of audio mixing may involve more AI and technology.
  • Understanding the original recording process is key to successful rebuilds.

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Music Expo/AES/NAMM

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #569 with Dan Johnson & Catherine Vericolli

WCA #569 with Dan Johnson & Catherine Vericolli – Audio Restoration/Archive Deep Dive

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Dan Johnson of Audio Archiving Services and Catherine Vericolli of Central Audio Archiving to do a deep dive into the world of audio archiving, preservation, and restoration.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Analog Tapes
  • Analog Machines
  • Modular Digital Multitracks
  • DAT Machines
  • DASH Machines
  • Pro Digi
  • Retrospect
  • Mezzo

Links and Show Notes:

Links to Dan

Links to Catherine

Matt’s Rant: This AI Thing

Credits:

  • Guest: Dan Johnson & Catherine Vericolli
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #568 with John Cunibert

WCA #568 with John Cuniberti – OneMIc, Dynamics, Acoustics, Placement, and 2 Tracks

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back John Cuniberti who produces, engineers, mixes and masters records for many artists including most notably Joe Satriani, Sammy Hagar, The Dead Kennedys, and Chicken Foot. John originally appeared WCA #005 back in 2014 and returns to do a deep dive into his OneMic recording concept.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • OneMic Series
  • Dynamics
  • Acoustics
  • Placement
  • Tempo
  • 2 Track as Multi-Track
  • Ribbon Mics

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Focus of Your Attention

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #567 with Gena Johnson

WCA #567 with Gena Johnson – Listening to Artists, Keeping Overhead Low, Career Champions, and Glitter Walls

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy Winning producer/engineer/mixer Gena Johnson who has worked with Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, and John Prine.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Leave your ego at the door
  • Make people feel comfortable
  • Listen to the artist
  • Labels are business partners
  • Word of mouth work
  • Feminine energy in production
  • Women in the industry
  • Classical voice training for 12 years
  • Internship at Welcome 1979
  • Learned tape machines and soldering
  • Assisting at Nashville studios
  • First number one record
  • Working at RCA Studio A
  • Rewiring Studio A intensively
  • Mentor Michael Wagner’s influence
  • Champions Vance Powell and Daryl Thorp
  • Walls painted with glitter
  • Keep overhead low
  • Good attorney and manager combination

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Sonic Intrusion Revisited

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #566 with Mike Blodgett

WCA #566 with Mike Blodgett – Isolated Ground, Ground Rods, Isolation Transformers, Power Conditioners, and Electrical Safety

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back engineer/producer electrician, Mike Blodgett to discuss electricity and pro audio!

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Isolated Grounds
  • Isolation Transformers
  • Ground Rods
  • Power Conditioners
  • Apartment Power
  • Home Studio Power
  • Electrical Safety

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: How You Listen

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #565 with Hans-Martin Buff

WCA #565 with Hans-Martin Buff – Tearjerkers, Peter Gabriel, Real World, Binaural, and ATMOS

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back engineer/producer and 3D audio geek, Hans-Martin Buff to discuss mixing Peter Gabriel’s I/O as well as his own project Tearjerkers. 

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Tearjerkers
  • Peter Gabriel
  • Real Word Studios
  • Binaural Mixing
  • ATMOS
  • Format Haters

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Focused Discussion

Credits:

  • Guest: Hans-Martin Buff
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #564 with Steve Dierkens

WCA #564 with Steve Dierkens – Career Path Shift, Joy in Work, Financial Balance, Global Collaborations, and Redefining Success

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer, Producer, Mixer Steve Dierkens. In this conversation, Steve shares his journey from as a succesful enginer working in film in California to a professional audio engineer and producer living in Canada. He discusses his early influences, the transition to a professional career, and the lifestyle changes that came with moving to Canada. Steve reflects on the challenges of building a studio, the importance of family, and the reevaluation of his career goals. He emphasizes the need for joy in music production and offers insights into financial perspectives in the audio profession. The conversation also touches on remote collaborations, social media challenges, and the definition of success and happiness in the industry.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Career path shift
  • Family-driven choices
  • Moved to Canada
  • Studio-building challenges
  • Joy in work
  • Financial balance
  • Valued client relationships
  • Global collaborations
  • Social media pressure
  • Redefining success

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: More on Streaming vs Physical Media

Credits:

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

WCA #563 with Jon Rezin

WCA #563 with Jon Rezin– Working Remotely in Ohio, Mixing, Saving Time, Skills and Network

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy winning Mixer, Producer, & Mastering Engineer Jon Rezin who has worked with Natalia Jimenez, One Direction, Andy Grammer, BoA, and Santana.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Working Remotely in Ohio
  • Mixing
  • Saving Time
  • Skills
  • Network
  • Building Relationships
  • The Masked Singer
  • American Idol

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Streaming vs Physical Media

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #562 Steve Genewick talks Spinal Tap

WCA #562 – STEVE GENEWICK talks SPINAL TAP

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Recording and Mixing Engineer Steve Genewick. Steve gives us the full behind the scenes look into the making of the new Spinal Tap record “The End Continues”. From the initial phone call to the release of the record and movie we get into the details.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Initial Phone Call
  • Where to Record
  • Setup
  • Mics, Preamps, etc..
  • Mixing
  • Mixing in ATMOS
  • WIG Day!
  • In The Box
  • Cracking Up

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Perfection

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #561 with Jordan Lonn

WCA #561 with Jordan Lonn – FOH, Paying Dues, Failing Kidney’s, Home Town Gig, and Sustained Energy

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Jordan Lonn, Head Audio Engineer at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, California. The venue hosts a wide range of performances, including musical acts such as Joss Stone, Joan Osborne, and the Count Basie Orchestra, as well as musical theater and stand-up comedy.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Guitar Center
  • Dropping Out Of College
  • Paying Dues
  • Sustained Energy
  • Failing Kidney’s
  • Health Epiphany
  • Home Town Gig
  • FOH
  • Gallo Center

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Acting Territorial

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #560 The Backup Episode

WCA #560 The Backup Episode – 3-2-1 System, Nevada City Fire Scare, Altadena Fire Experience, and Best Practices & Considerations

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Grammy Nominated producer, engineer, and mixer Travis Ference as well as multi-instrumentalist, sound designer and audio engineer Kerry Rose to talk all about backing up and archiving audio.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • 3-2-1 System
  • Best Practices & Considerations
  • Insurance & Liability
  • Personal Experiences
  • Travis’s Altadena Fire Experience
  • Kerry’s Nevada City Fire Scare
  • Scorched Earth
  • Remote/Cloud Storage
  • Challenges with Cloud
  • Offsite NAS
  • Methodology Over Tools

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: The Many Hats We Wear

Credits:

  • Guest: Travis Ference and Kerry Rose
  • Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
  • The Voice: Chuck Smith

Video Interview

WCA #559 with Moses Schneider

WCA #559 with Moses Schneider – Hansa Studios, Disco Powder, Obscuring Audio, The Wall, and No Sandwich Recording

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes engineer and producer Moses Schneider. The Berliner is responsible for some of the most successful records of recent years. The Beatsteaks achieved their breakthrough in the German charts under his direction. His other productions include Tocotronic, Fehlfarben, Dendemann, Kreator and others. In 2008, Schneider was nominated for the German music award Echo for his work on “Kapitulation” by Tocotronic and “Limbo Messiah” by the Beatsteaks. In 2018 and 2022 he was nominated for the German music Award “Preis für Popkultur” as “favorite Producer”.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Hansa Studios
  • The Pixies
  • Gil Norton
  • Gordon Raphael
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Disco Powder
  • Gentrification
  • Obscuring Audio

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: Walking…..yes walking

Credits:

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

Video Interview

WCA #558 with Ady Parzentny

WCA #558 with Ady Parzentny – Barcelona, Artist Support, Studio Connections, and the Audio Nomad Book

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Ady Parzentny. Adrian Parzentny is a German‒Polish music producer, audio engineer, and creative adventurer. With over 13 years of travel and music production experience, Adrian has recorded traditional musicians across Morocco, the Sahara Desert, and beyond — often in remote villages, mountain ranges, and DIY setups built inside vans and hotel rooms.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

  • Barcelona move
  • Audio Nomad book
  • Studio connections
  • Modeling
  • Freelance audio
  • Travel recording
  • Gear philosophy
  • Artist support
  • Music mediums
  • Authentic living
  • Intuition guides

Links and Show Notes:

Matt’s Rant: More Discipline

Credits:

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

Video Interview