Working Class Audio – Navigating the World of Recording With a Working Class Perspective

WCA #363 with Chaz Root – Classical Training, Going Blind, 4 Track Mastery, and Residential Recording

My guest is producer, engineer, and mixer Charles Root III, better known as Chaz Root of Electric Owl Works Recording in upstate New York.

In this episode, we discuss:

Root History
Playing Bars
Drinking Ages
Classical Training
Stuttering
Going Blind
Garbage Picking Stereos
Wah Wah Discovery
Rudy Van Gelder
4 Track Mastery
Starting Small
Electric Owl Works
Residential Recording
Finances

Matt’s Rant: Taking a Break from the Audio Party

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Chaz Root
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #362 with Matt Ross-Spang – New Studio, 60’s and 70’s Inspiration, 30,000 Feet Of Cable, 15% Red Neck, and Nice But Not Too Nice

My guest today is grammy-winning producer, engineer, and mixer Matt Ross-Spang. This is Matt’s second appearance on WCA.

In this episode, we discuss:

Sam Phillips Recording
New Studio
Crosstown Concourse
Sun Studios
Workflow
Steven Durr
Wiring
30,000 feet Of Audio cable
Aesthetic Choices
15% Red Neck
60’s and 70’s Inspiration
Custom Headphones System
Howard Hughes OCD
Nice But Not Too Nice
The Price of Wood

Matt’s Rant: Staying Positive

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Matt Ross-Spang
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #361 with Patrick Keane – Tinkering, Being Prepared, Choosing Gear, Room Building, and Problem Solving Lessons

Today, my guest is Portland, Maine-based mastering engineer Patrick Keane.

In this episode, we discuss:

Growing up w/out Screens
Tinkering
Problem Solving Lessons
Being Prepared
FOH
Producing
Discovering Mastering
Bob Ludwig
Choosing Gear
Selling Gear
Room Building
Finances
Retirement

Matt’s Rant: A Belated Birthday Celebration

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Patrick Keane
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #360 with Bryan Matheson – Keeping a Studio In Business, Always Learning, Good Landlords, and RTFM!

Today, my guest is studio owner, engineer, composer, and vocalist Bryan Matheson who owns and runs Skyline Studios in Oakland, California.

In this episode, we discuss:

Teac 2340
PCM Beta
Leos Pro Audio
Skyline Studios
Converting A Warehouse
Chips Davis
Ad Work
Keeping Outside Noise Out
Client Growth
Keeping a Studio In Business
Always Learning
RTFM
Covid Survival
UVC Lights
Good Landlords
Live Streaming
Sustaining Waves
Work/Life Balance

Matt’s Rant: Use It or Lose it!

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Bryan Matheson
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #359 with Will Yip – Feeding Off Stress, Setting Goals, Power of Routine, Investment in Songs, and Hard Working Parents

Today, my guest is Grammy-nominated record producer, audio engineer, songwriter, and musician Will Yip who has worked with Lauryn Hill, Panic! at the Disco, Blacklisted, and many others.

In this episode, we discuss:

Hard Working Parents
Strict Upbringing
Drums
Feeding off Stress
Falling in Love with Recording
Free Demos
Setting Goals
Mom’s Basement Studio
Buying into a Studio
Investment in Songs
Starting a Record Label
Management
Power of Routine
Taking Care of Your Body

Matt’s Rant: Complacency

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Will Yip
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #358 with Robert Carranza – East LA, Lessons from Musicians, Gear vs. Good Songs, Listening, and Family

My guest today is 4x Grammy Awarded Mixer, Engineer, Producer Robert Carranza. Robert has worked with Ozomatli, Marilyn Manson, Jack Johnson, Los Lobos, and many others.

In this episode, we discuss:

East LA
Black Sabbath
Music Today
First 4 Track
Bruce Swedien
Floating Assistant
Studio Managers
Pagers
Paul Rothchild
Getting Fired
Lessons from Musicians
Asking Questions
Listening
Emotion
Money Management
Gear vs. Good Songs
The Beatles
Mentors
Ego
Family

Matt’s Rant: Communication

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Robert Carranza
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #357 with Michael James – Small Town Strategies, Dolby Atmos, Alternator Records, Shelter In Place, and a Room of 100 People

Today, my guest is producer, mix engineer, and artist Michael James. Michael has worked with Hole, L7, Robben Ford, A.J. Croce, and many others. This is Michael’s second appearance on the show.

In this episode, we discuss:

Reflecting on Petaluma vs. Los Angeles
Balance
Pandemic Related Changes
Fiber Internet
Rogue Amoeba
Zoom
Dolby Atmos
Alternator Records
Shelter In Place
Alternative Audio Business
Tire Balancing
Having Open Plans
Small Town Strategies
Room of 100 People

Matt’s Rant: Dolby Atmos Update

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Michael James
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #356 with Todd Hutchisen – Blinders on Head Down, Serving the Scene, Anti-Trend, Triple Sessions, and Family Balance

Today, my guest is musician, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer Todd Hutchisen, co-owner of Acadia Recording Company located in Portland, Maine.

In this episode, we discuss:

Taking Ownership of Acadia
Studio Names
Tripple Sessions
Rudy Van Gelder
Don Zientara
Anti-Trend
Gear Restraint
Buying and Building Once
Analogies
Studio Ownership
Blinders on Head Down
Family Balance
Financial Philosophy
Serving The Scene
Safe Covid Sessions

Matt’s Rant: Knowing when to say Yes or No to Gigs

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Todd Hutchisen
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #355 with Jason Phelps – Lobster, Landlords, Studio Partnerships, Portland, Maine, and Bluegrass

Today, my guest is producer, engineer, and musician Jason Phelps, co-owner of Acadia Recording Company located in Portland, Maine.

In this episode, we discuss:

Portland, Maine
Lobster
Acadia Recording CO.
Gateway Mastering
Landlords
Mini Splits
Studio Business
Shared Workflows
Studio Partnerships
Grants and Loans
Handling Studio Money
Trust
Making People Comfortable
8 Tracks
Back Ordered Guitars
Bluegrass
Networking
Teaching
Having A Plan

Matt’s Rant: Having Coffee with New Friends

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Jason Phelps
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #354 with Tom Gordon – Granny’s House, Weed Offerings, 80 Hour Weeks, Sammy Davis Jr., and Advice from Shelly Yakus

My guest today is Producer, Engineer, and Educator Tom Gordon. Tom has worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Dr. Dre, The Beach Boys, Boyz II Men, Willie Nelson, Whitesnake, and Bruce Dickenson of Iron Maiden, to name a few.

In this episode, we discuss:

Growing up In Reno
Theater Parents
Sammy Davis Jr.
Reel to Reel Discoveries
Endless Love
Granny’s House
USC
Discovering Recording
Advice from Shelly Yakus
Milli Vanilli
Spec Deals
Music Bias
Weed Offerings
Working with Famous People
Whitesnake
Imirage Studios
Teaching
80 Hour Weeks
Lessons for Students

Matt’s Rant: Inspiration from Other Things

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Tom Gordon
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #353 with Matt Qualls

WCA #353 with Matt Qualls – Van Burnout, Doctors Office Recording, Working with Limitations, Sound Baths, and Memphis.

My guest today is recording, mixing, and mastering engineer Matt Qualls who is based in Memphis, Tennessee.

In this episode, we discuss:

Growing Up In Memphis
Early Recording
Van Burnout
Doctors Office Recording
Ardent Studios
Working with Limitations
Neve VR-60 and Toothpicks
Studio Maintenance
The Bay Area
Albuquerque
Feeling Retired
Gear Talk
Sound Bath
Moving Back to Memphis
Young Avenue Sound
Nashville vs. Memphis
Invasion
Sacrifices

Matt’s Rant: Over Committing

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Matt Qualls
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #352 with Sean O’Keefe

WCA #352 with Sean O’Keefe – Quitting School, Wednesday Warriors, Hacking the Intern Process, Managers, Royalties, and Soft Cities

My guest today is Grammy Nominated Mixer, Producer, Sean O’Keefe who has worked with Fall Out Boy, Hawthorne Heights, and The Plain White T’s, among many others.

In this episode, we discuss:

Chicago
4 Track Recording
Academic Father
Quitting School
Living in an Office
Wednesday Warriors
Lessons Learned from Gravity Studios
Hacking the Intern Process
Smart Studios
Fall Out Boy
Evanston
Soft City
Managers
Royalties
Economic Lessons
Gear Doesn’t Matter

Matt’s Rant: Random Thoughts

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Sean O’Keefe
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #351 with Travis Ference

WCA #351 with Travis Ference – Talent Shows, Capital Studios, Waiting for the Phone to Ring, and Doing Awful Things to Audio

My guest today is Grammy Nominated Mixer, Producer, and Recording Engineer Travis Ference. Travis has worked with Imagine Dragons, John Mayer, Ariana Grande, and Bush, to name a few.

In this episode, we discuss:

North Carolina
Blooming Late
Selling his Only Zeppelin CD!
Talent Shows
Sports
Berklee College of Music
Boston
LA
Capital Studios
Waiting for the Phone to Ring
Life As a Studio Runner
Disney Pop
Doing Awful Things to Audio
Independence
Personality Types in Audio

Matt’s Rant: Staying Organized

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Travis Ference
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #350 with Leslie Brathwaite

WCA #350 with Leslie Brathwait – Island Culture, The Craft of Recording, Taking Pride in Work, Valuing Peace, and Salads for Whitney Houston

My guest today is recording and mixing engineer Leslie Brathwait, who has worked with Pharrell Williams, Outkast, Björk, TLC, Jay Z, Madonna, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Akon, T.I., Monica, Michael Jackson, Cher, Mary J. Blige, 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G just to name a few.

In this episode, we discuss:

Virgin Islands
Calypso Music
Birth of Hip Hop
Drum Machines
Island Culture
Making Dubs
Leaving The Island
Full Sail
The Craft of Recording
Dallas Austin
Salads for Whitney Houston
Apple IIE
Taking Pride in Work
Good and Efficient
Building Relationships
The Cup Test
Turning Work Down
Valuing Peace
Mixing in the Box
Money Talk
Mix Philosophy

Matt’s Rant: Revisiting Habits

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Leslie Brathwaite
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #349 with Craig Alvin

WCA #349 with Craig Alvin – Muscle Shoals, Mentors, Survival, Bible College Neves, And A Brand New Studio

My guest today is Grammy-Winning Mix Engineer and Producer Craig Alvin. Craig’s recording credits include Hanson, Little Big Town, Amy Grant, Vanessa Carlton, Will Hoge, Andrew Belle, Brittany Howard, and a Grammy for his mix work on Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour album in 2019.

In this episode, we discuss:

Vancouver, Washington
Bible College Neves
5 O’Clock People
Joe Chicarelli
Always Be Listening
Oklahoma City
Advice on Nashville
Muscle Shoals
Mentors
Larry Crane
Aretha Franklin
Cost of Living
New Studio
Work/Life
Survival
Quality of Tracks

Matt’s Rant: Do We Always Need to Get Paid for Our Stuff?

Links and Show Notes

Craig’s Site
Craig On Instagram
WCA on Instagram: @working_class_audio
Connect with Matt on Linkedin
Current sponsors & promos

Credits

Guest: Craig Alvin
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #348 with Mike Blodgett

WCA #348 with Mike Blodgett – Reno to East Oakland, Starving Musician, Building a Studio, and Becoming an Electrician

Today, my guest is producer, engineer, composer, and electrician Mike Blodgett, the owner of Electric Sparky Land recording in East Oakland.

In this episode, we discuss:

East Oakland
Live/Work Space
Reno, Nevada
Viola
Field Recording
4 Tracks
Starving Musician
Becoming an Electrician
Business Practices
Building a Studio
Creating A Record Label
Recording Bands Live
Choosing Gear
Talking Electricity
Hiring an Electrician

Matt’s Rant: Atmos Studio Update

Links and Show Notes

Mike’s Studio
WCA on Instagram: @working_class_audio
Connect with Matt on Linkedin
Current sponsors & promos

Credits

Guest: Mike Blodgett
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #347 with Beckie Campbell

WCA #347 with Beckie Campbell – Controlling The Live Beast, Building A Resume, Planning for The Future, and Running Your Life On The Road

My guest today is Live Sound engineer Beckie Campbell. Beckie does FOH for major acts like the Indigo Girls and the Commodores. She’s also the owner of B4Media Production LLC, where she Produces corporate events, festivals, and live shows all over the US.

In this episode, we discuss:

Live Sound
Union Work
The UP of Michigan
FullSail
Building A Resume
Worship Sound
Controlling The Live Beast
Building Troubleshooting Skills
Setting Rates
A1 AND A2 Distinctions
Working On Digital Consoles
Taking Deep Breaths
Recording Shows
Hearing Protection
Money Management
Planning for The Future
Health and Wellness
Work/Life Balance
Running Your Life On The Road
Health Insurance

Matt’s Rant: Making time for your imagination

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Beckie Campbell
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #346 with Dante Fumo

WCA #346 with Dante Fumo – Post Production, Immersive Audio, Recording for 6 Packs, Finding Work, and The Sunk Cost Fallacy

Today’s guest today is sound designer, mixer, composer, and writer Dante Fumo. Dante started recording indie bands in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has since branched out into sound design for film and games and relocating to Minnesota.

In this episode, we discuss:

Copywriting
Prog Rock
Audio School
Recording for 6 Packs
Basement Studios
Day Jobs
Freelance Writing
Building a Studio
Working From Home
Post Production
Game Sound
Immersive Audio
Selling Gear
Lower Overhead
Studio Identity
The Sunk Cost Fallacy
Finding Work
Volunteering
Local Work Opportunities
Slack Channels
Hobby vs. Profession
Finances

Matt’s Rant: Dolby Atmos Update

Links and Show Notes

Credits

Guest: Dante Fumo
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #345 with Chuck Zwicky

WCA #345 with Chuck Zwicky – Collaboration, Analogies, Deterministic Latency, Social Media, and Flowers Next To Your Name

Today’s guest is producer, engineer, mixer Chuck Zwicky, making a return appearance on WCA. Chuck has worked with Prince, Soul Asylum, The Rembrandts, Mandy Moore, and many others.

In this episode, we discuss:

Collaboration
Social Media
COVID
Money
Survival
Analogies
Prince
Nostalgia
AI
Radio
Flowers Next To Your Name
1000 Sheets of Paper
Deterministic Latency
Outboard Gear

Matt’s Rant: My Favorite Hobby

Links and Show Notes

Chucks Website
Chucks First Interview on WCA
George Vlad Interview
SonoBus that Chuck mentioned
Facebook Feed Eradicator Matt mentioned
WCA on Instagram: @working_class_audio
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw

Credits

Guest: Chuck Zwicky
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

WCA #344 with Tim Palmer

WCA #344 with Tim Palmer – Treating People Well, Remote Clients, Comfort Zones, and Prodixing (Production + Mixing)

Today’s guest is producer, engineer, mixer, Tim Palmer known for his work with Pearl Jam, U2, Cutting Crew, Tears for Fears, and many more. This is Tim’s second appearance on the show.

In this episode, we discuss:

Key to Repeat Clients
Treating People Well
Humanizing Revisions
“Prodixing” (Producing + Mixing)
Remote Clients
Past vs. Present
State of Songwriting
Mutt Lang
Handling Compromise
Studio Building
Hearing Safety
Rethinking Gear
Music Cares
Black Fret
Pricing
U2
Comfort zones

Matt’s Rant: Thinking and Working Globally

Links and Show Notes

Tim’s Site: https://timpalmer.com/
Black Fret: https://www.blackfret.org/
Music Cares: https://www.grammy.com/musicares
Tim’s First Interview on WCA: https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-025-with-tim-palmer/
WCA on Instagram: @working_class_audio
Connect with Matt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboudreau/
Current sponsors & promos: https://bit.ly/2WmKbFw

Credits

Guest: Tim Palmer
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith
Additional Music: The License Lab

Will never get tired listening to this show.
October 12, 2021 by DarleneCabrera from Philippines
I'm from the Philippines and podcasts are not really a thing yet but I LOVE this show. I don't even know anything about the world of audio but it's a really good show to listen to. I love the rants most especially. The audio is clear. The questions are interesting and does not make me - a non audio person out of place. Highly recommended.
A podcast with a difference !
September 13, 2021 by Elisa Di Napoli from United Kingdom
Love this show, the quality is excellent and the information top notch. A podcast for music professionals with valuable advice and always interesting topics.
Can’t stop listening!
July 19, 2021 by natbrice from Australia
This show is such a great resource for not only recording, but about hearing about the mindsets of his guests. EVERY guest is so open about their journey, but it’s Matt who is the real star; so natural and welcoming. Great show! Making my way through them all!
Honestly the best.
July 12, 2021 by Guthtaigh from United States
Love the relaxed feel of this show. It’s like a fireside chat. Matt is a great host, the guests are always interesting. A great listen for those of us who make our livings on the other side of the glass.
An invaluable resource
June 13, 2021 by thecrushingdays from United States
I discovered these a couple years back, and as a noob to the audio roundtable, these episodes have been an invaluable resource for information and inspiration.