WCA #521 with Maor Appelbaum – Genre-Specific Mastering, Creating Analog Hardware, Building Client Relationships, and Being Part of the Team
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back mastering engineer Maor Appelbaum (originally on WCA #062)to discuss his career, his approach to mastering across genres, and how he adapts to new technology. Maor has worked on projects for artists such as Faith No More, Yes, and Meat Loaf.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Genre-specific mastering approaches
Creating and collaborating on new analog hardware
Strategies for effective client communication
Building and maintaining long-term professional relationships
The value of being part of a collaborative team in the audio process
WCA #520 with Jeremy Goody – Studio Rebranding, Shifting to Voice Recording, Battling Cell Towers, Building Faraday Cages, and Overcoming Obstacles
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt reconnects with engineer and studio owner Jeremy Goody, who was last featured in Episode 85. Jeremy has worked on VO projects for Microsoft, Nuance, Google, Seasonal Visions, and music projects for John Santos, Anticon, and Winfred E. Eye.
WCA #519 with J.J. Blair – Studio Construction, Microphone Insights, Heart Surgery, and Navigating the Modern Music Landscape
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt reconnects with Grammy-winning producer and engineer J.J. Blair, last featured in Episode 96. J.J. shares the challenges of building a state-of-the-art recording studio in the Hollywood Hills and offers insights from his popular “Microphone Mondays” series. He also opens up about his recent heart surgery and recovery, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health in a demanding profession.
J.J.’s impressive credits include producing and mixing the Grammy-winning album Press On by June Carter Cash, engineering Rod Stewart’s Grammy-winning and #1 Billboard album The Great American Songbook, Vol. 3, and engineering and mixing Joanna Connor’s #1 Billboard Blues album, 4801 South Indiana Avenue.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
“Microphone Mondays” series
Building a state-of-the-art recording studio
Acoustic design, soundproofing, and the science of great studio environments
Incorporating vintage and modern gear, including a custom Rupert Neve console
Adapting production techniques for genres from Motown to modern rock
Reflections on heart surgery, health, and maintaining resilience in the industry
The importance of studying hit productions and what makes songs stand out
J.J.’s experience with social media success and connecting with audiences
WCA #518 with Willie Green – Teaching Hip-Hop, Mentoring, Collaborating with Artists, and Hearing Your Work on the Other Side of the Globe
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt talks with Paul “Willie Green” Womack, a producer, engineer, and professor based in Brooklyn, NY. With nearly two decades of experience, Willie shares his passion for hip-hop production, teaching, and building meaningful connections in the studio. Having worked with renowned artists such as Armand Hammer, The Roots, The Alchemist, and Wiz Khalifa, Willie provides an insider’s perspective on balancing artistry with the technical demands of audio production.
WCA #517 with Julie Kathryn – Career Shift, Sample Creation, Becoming the Artist, Collaborative Mixing, Film Scoring, and Parenting
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt discusses Julie Kahryns extensive experience in the music industry as a producer, sound designer, composer, and educator. With a background spanning from criminal justice to a full-time music career, Julie has worked on a wide range of projects, including crafting unique audio samples for top software companies such as Ableton, Output, Cherry Audio, Splice, and Bandlab, as well as supervising music for films, and composing original scores.
WCA #516 with Will Holland – Internship Turned Career, Ownership Advantages, Low Overhead, Setting Rates, and Staying Young
In this episode, Matt talks with Will Holland, owner of Chill House, a 2,000-square-foot studio in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Will has worked with acts like SeepeopleS, Club d’Elf, Nth Power, Berklee, and the Lowell Chamber Orchestra.
WCA #515 with David Streit – Workflow Innovation, Gear Investments, Client Relations, Studio Efficiency, and Post-COVID Realities
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt Boudreau welcomes back audio engineer David, initially featured in WCA #210. David dives into his journey since his last interview, sharing updates on his Portland-based studio move, reflections on the city’s music scene post-COVID, and how the pandemic shifted industry dynamics. David offers insights on balancing live sound with studio recording, the adaptive approaches required in today’s music landscape, and how Portland’s music community is showing resilience in challenging times. David has worked with fourhundred, Lucid Aisle, Storm Large, Kelly Koval, Joshua Lowe and the Juncos.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Relocating Studio Spaces and Adapting to New Work Environments
Post-COVID Shifts in Portland’s Music Scene and Industry-Wide Changes
Balancing Live Sound, Studio Recording, and Creative Roles
Community Support, Artist Resilience, and Collaborative Culture in Portland
Freelance Audio Strategies: Workflow Tips, Gear Decisions, and Client Relations
Navigating New Music Production Trends and Managing Technical Challenges
Challenges in Sustaining a Music Career in a Changing Industry Landscape
WCA #514 with Christal Jerez – Education, Immersive Audio, Motherhood, New York Love, and VH1 Documentaries
In this episode of Working Class Audio, recorded live at AES 2024 in New York, Christal Jerez shares her career journey from Los Angeles to the UK. She discusses her experiences in live and studio sound, her move to the UK for a PhD, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with freelance work. Christal has worked with artists such as Lil Kim, Malik Moses, Al-Doms, and Timi O.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Move to the UK: Christal relocated to earn a PhD for the Andrew Scheps Music Production Scholarship, focused on immersive audio, supported by her family.
Immersive Audio: Passion for 3D sound and binaural audio, working with psychoacoustic experts at NYU.
Early Inspirations: Grew up in LA, influenced by family gatherings and VH1 documentaries.
Education Path: Studied audio production in university, learned hands-on through radio station work recording live bluegrass music.
Career Growth: Mentored by Serge Tsai at Platinum Sound, rising from assistant to freelance engineer. Focused on client relationships and studio professionalism.
Challenges as a Woman in Audio: Faced bias and underrepresentation in the industry. Emphasized importance of mentorship and resilience.
Balancing Work & Motherhood: Struggled to balance freelance work with being a mother, setting boundaries to manage family and career.
WCA #513 with Joel Jaffe: Navigating 40 Years of Studio Life, Recording Legends, Perfecting Live Room Techniques, Overcoming Bay Area Challenges, and Getting Out of the Chair
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt Boudreau chats with veteran producer and engineer Joel Jaffe, founder of Studio D Recording. Joel reflects on his 40-year journey running a renowned Bay Area studio, working with legendary artists like Faith No More and Huey Lewis, and perfecting live room recording techniques. He also shares insights on overcoming the challenges of studio life, the evolving music industry, and his decision to step away from day-to-day operations, or as Matt puts it, “getting out of the chair.”
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Challenges of running a studio in the Bay Area
Building and managing Studio D Recording
Recording techniques for live rooms and handling isolation
Working with iconic artists like Faith No More, Huey Lewis, and Soundgarden
The impact of streaming and the changing music industry
Balancing a 40-year career with family life
Lessons learned from mentors and iconic engineers
Advice for aspiring audio engineers and producers
Shifting from studio ownership to freelance work
Matt’s Rant: Revisiting Putting Yourself Out There
WCA #512 with Dr. Mary Mazurek – Classical Recording, Mentoring, Microphone Techniques for Live Performances, Evolution of Audio Technology, and Moving to Canada
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt Boudreau talks with Grammy-nominated recording engineer and educator Dr. Mary Mazurek about her work in classical music recording and her approach to teaching and mentoring.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Grammy-nominated projects
Challenges of recording classical music
Microphone techniques for live performances
Managing acoustics in different environments
Mentoring young engineers
Practical learning in audio
Evolution of audio technology
Moving to Canada
Summers in Chicago
Matt’s Rant: The most important thing is what comes out of the speakers!
WCA #511 with Gabriel Shepard – 25th Street Recording, Building, and Maintaining Client Relationships, Burning Out, and Learning from Other Producers
In this episode of Working Class Audio, we welcome back Engineer/Producer Gabriel Shepard, who first appeared on WCA #011. Now, 500 episodes later, Gabriel returns to share more from his journey. Gabriel’s impressive client list includes Cake, The Kronos Quartet, Bassnectar, Raphael Saadiq, and The Residents.
WCA #510 with Steve Lack- Freedom In Podcasting, Freelance Journey Shifts, Midlife Career Pivot, Seinfeld, and Working from a Sailboat
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Steve Lack shares his extensive background in audio post-production and podcasting. Steve reflects on his time working with Warner Brothers Discovery and his contributions to iconic shows like Seinfeld. With experience at NPR, VPM, Al Jazeera, and HBO, Steve now operates remotely from Richmond, Virginia. He discusses the flexibility of podcasting and how his journey from network television to podcasting has shaped his approach to building lasting client relationships.
WCA #509 with Alberto de Icaza- Mastering, Cash Flow Management, From Mexico to New Jersey, to Texas, Client Relations, and Crashing His Car
In this episode of Working Class Audio, mastering engineer Alberto de Icaza shares his journey from Mexico City to the U.S., transitioning from playing in metal bands to becoming a mastering engineer. Now based in Austin, Texas, Alberto discusses his path to mastering during the pandemic and the importance of building client relationships organically through word-of-mouth.
WCA #508 with Cesar Mejia – Navigating Post-COVID Teaching, Balancing Studio Ownership, Diversifying Income Streams, Expanding Shelter Studios, and Longtime Collaboration with Herbie Hancock
In this episode of Working Class Audio, host Matt Boudreau welcomes back Cesar Mejia, a longtime friend of the podcast, to discuss his continued journey as an educator, studio owner, and audio professional. Cesar, first featured in episode #117 back in 2017, shares his experiences navigating the post-pandemic world, teaching the next generation of musicians, and balancing life at his studio, Shelter Studios.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Cesar Mejia’s Return to Podcast: Reflecting on his first appearance in 2017, episode 117, and discussing his journey.
Teaching Post-COVID: Cesar talks about teaching at Cal State Dominguez Hills and Whittier College, highlighting changes in student mentality and the shift in teaching due to the pandemic.
Students’ Musical Preferences: Discussing the differences between students at Dominguez Hills, who are more electronic-focused, and those at Whittier, who are often acoustic musicians.
Shelter Studios and Family Property: Cesar’s studio, Shelter Studios, is located on family property that he inherited. He is working on possibly expanding the space while keeping the studio comfortable and home-like.
Balancing Expansion and Stability: Conversations about the benefits of expanding the studio or staying in the current location and the importance of financial stability.
Wiring and Additional Gigs: In addition to teaching and studio work, Cesar occasionally takes on wiring gigs for other studios, keeping his income diversified.
Collaboration with Herbie Hancock: Cesar continues to work with Herbie Hancock, especially on tours post-COVID, and handles audio tasks such as mixing stems for live performances.
WCA #507 with Ebonie Smith – Memphis Upbringing, Education, Atlantic Records, Administrative Proficiency, and Multitasking As A Necessity
My guest for this episode is Producer/Engineer/ Composer Ebonie Smith, who currently holds the esteemed roles of senior audio engineer and producer at Atlantic Records. Ebonie has worked on projects for The Hamilton Cast Album, Janelle Monae, Sturgill Simpson, and Jason Mraz.
WCA #506 with Wesley Heaton & Kamaron Lockwood – Studio Resilience, DIY Spaces, Live Sound Lessons, Gear Overload, And Lessons From Their First Studio Fiasco
My guests today are producer, engineer, and mixers out of Indianapolis, Indiana, Wesley Heaton and Kameron Lockwood, who are studio partners at Holy Ground Productions, who also happen to have a large amount of live sound experience working with bands like Bingo Boys, Skeletonwitch Rituaal, and Pillars.
WCA #505 with Ben Pike – Vinyl Mastering, Lathe Cut Records, Analog Studio Setup, and Navigating Chronic Illness
My guest today is Mastering & Record Cutting Engineer Ben Pike, who runs an analog-based mastering and record cutting studio in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Ben specializes in vinyl mastering and custom lathe cut records, working primarily with independent artists. He has collaborated with artists and groups such as ATA Records, Yaatri, The London Ambient Orchestra, Smith & The Honey Badgers, and King Zepha.
WCA #504 with Jordan Brooke Hamlin – Encouraging Artistic Risk, Moxe Studio, Nashville’s Music Culture, Zeppelin Hippies, and Reclaiming Neglected Land
My guest today is Producer/Multi-Instrumentalist/Engineer, Jordan Brooke Hamlin, who has worked with Indigo Girls, KT Tunstall, Vienna Teng, Lila Blue, Katie Herzig, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Allison Russell, and Brandy Clark.
WCA #503 with Tony Brooke – Audio Data Management, Seasonal Income Fluctuations, Career Coach Influence, Music Data Management Tools, and Getting Credit
My guest is Grammy Nominated Music Metadata Professional Tony Brooke. Tony has worked on projects for Richard Thompson, Coldplay, David Byrne, twenty one pilots, Maroon 5, Jane’s Addiction, Duran Duran, Steve Miller, Norah Jones, Erasure, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Doobie Brothers, Sarah McLachlan, Elvis Costello, Seal, George Clinton, Emmylou Harris, Indigo Girls, Lucinda Williams, Dave Chappelle, Khaled & Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Stern Grove Festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. He’s also worked for Pandora/SiriusXM and Warner Music Group.
WCA #502 with Hans-Martin Buff – From Journalism to Audio: Exploring Binaural Sound, Working with Prince, Dolby Atmos, and Mastering the Art of Sequencing and Assembly
My guest is Hans-Martin Buff, a Recording Engineer, Music Producer, and 3D Geek based in Munich, Germany. Hans has worked with Prince, Peter Gabriel, and the Scorpions.
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