Rene Coronado graduated in 1999 with with an AAS in audio engineering from South Plains College and jumped straight into the working world as an audio engineer at Dallas Audio Post where he does audio post and mixing, sound design, field recording and voice production. He also builds and releases sfx libraries at echocollectivefx.com and is the co host of the tonebenders podcast along with Tim Muirhead.
About this Interview:
I interviewed Rene when I was in France staying at Studio La Fabrique. We were challenged by 2 visiting wasps in my room and therefore did the interview in two parts (1 for each wasp-kidding). We discuss Rene’s job at Dallas Audio post, work/life balance, sound design, capturing sounds in the field and maintaining those sounds for future access as well as his podcast Tonebenders. Special thanks to Mark Kilborn for setting this up! -Enjoy!
This week WCA features the 2017 attendees to Mix with the Masters with Tchad Blake. Noam Levinberg, Rishi Bradoo, Eduardo Molina Goigoux, Jeremy Glover, Chris Brandes, Brett Bullion, Peo Hedin, Horacio Bolz, Ryan Worsley, Matthias Ortner, Guillaume Charret, Manuel Egger, Vincent Bonanno, Oded Davidov, Bas Kennis and Gilles Olivesi all join me for short conversations about their experience learning from Tchad Blake.
About these Interviews:
From Sept. 20th-26th I was in France attending Mix with the Masters with Tchad Blake. I met a great group of audio pros while there. We formed a strong bond and I felt it was important to have a brief chat with each one of them over the course of the time I was there. These interviews took place in the backyard of Studio La Fabrique in St. Remy de Provence.
Jack Shirley is a record producer, audio engineer, musician and owner of The Atomic Garden Studio located in Palo Alto, California. He is best known for his work with Deafheaven, Loma Prieta, Bosse-de-Nage, Punch, Whirr, La Bella, State Faults and Frameworks. Jack is currently one year into building a new studio in Oakland, California that will become the new Atomic Garden and has been designed by Wes Lachot .
About this Interview:
I visit Jack at his new studio location in Oakland, California and see the building in process. We talk about Jack’s humble beginnings at his parents house recording on an Mbox and Dell Computer all the way to his current setup of an API 1608 and 2 inch analog machine. Jack takes me through his progression as an engineer and businessman, laying out his approach to money, band and work. Jack is truly passionate, focused and just an all around nice guy. Enjoy, -Matt
Anthony “Rocky” Gallo is a producer/recording engineer based in NYC. Rocky has worked with artists such as John Legend, Tycho, Carrie Underwood, Cat Power, Yeasayer, Mos Def, Carly Simon, Jon Bon Jovi, Perry Farrell, Warren Haynes, Travis Barker, Robert Randolph, Andrew Bird, KRS1 and Talib Kweli just to name a few.
As the former Chief Engineer at The Cutting Room studios for years, Rocky has worked on platinum award-winning and many Grammy-nominated projects. He has worked closely with notorious producers including Steve Lillywhite, Eddie Kramer, Will.I.AM, Track Masters, and Jimmy Douglas. Rocky is constantly producing artists himself and is always excited to work in all music genres.
Since then Rocky has opened his own studio Virtue And Vice Studios located in Brooklyn, New York. Featuring a Vintage 8024 Neve Console(coming soon) he’s put together a variety of great instruments and high end analog equipment into one place with rates the indie artist can afford. When he is not freelancing at other studios it is his primary home.
About this Interview:
Rocky chat’s with me about his time at the Cutting Room and the events that lead up to that being his first studio job. We also talk about his new studio Virtue and Vice , his new Neve 80 series, being single, money, building permits and how he goes out 6 nights a week rather sitting on the couch watching Netflix. Many thanks to WCA Kyle Joseph for suggesting Rocky as a guest! -Matt
Tim Randolph is a musician, songwriter and record producer. After producing for several indie bands in a variety of studios across the U.S., Tim co-wrote and produced Nico Vega’s debut album in 2007. Since then, he has gone on to produce for and co-write with international stars such as Imagine Dragons, including two tracks from their 2017 album Evolve, reaching number two on billboard charts. Along with a thriving career in production, Tim is a multi-instrumentalist that has toured globally, most notably playing arenas and festivals with The Killers.
About this Interview:
TIm joins me for a chat about his early recording and live sound days as well as his current work producing and cowriting with Dan from Imagine Dragons. We also talk about the finer details of working with people in the music industry when it comes to songwriting splits and signing on with a manager. -Matt
Chris Selim is a musician, music producer and recording/mixing engineer. Chris is renowned for his work in the French Christian music industry. Having produced and mixed artists globally in Canada, USA, France, Belgium and Switzerland, Chris has been working remotely with many of these artists using today’s technology. Out of his recording studio near Montreal, Canada, Chris has mixed and produced more than 75 albums over the past fourteen years.
Chris has worked with Canadian Christian Artist, Convenant Award winner (Canadian version of the Dove Awards) and Juno nominee Lianna Klassen. French Christian Artists such as Impact, Seb Demrey, Luc Dumont, Andreanne, Peggy Polito to name a few…
Chris is also the creator of Mixdown Online (mixdown.online), a resource website and Youtube channel design for helping musicians and home studio owners with their music production, recording and mixing skills through Youtube tutorial videos and blog articles.
About this Interview:
I met Chris through an online “Mastermind” Friday morning video call I do weekly. I was able to hang out with Chris in person in Nashville and it’s there I realized he would be a great candidate for WCA. Chris joins me for a chat about diet, money, his involvement in the French Canadian Christian music scene, and his home studio build. -Matt
Chris Selim’s Bullet Proof Coffee : Try at your own risk 😉
The regular recipe is One big cup of black coffee… 1 tbsp of grass fed unsalted butter… 1tbsp coconut oil… A bit of natural vanilla extract… A bit of cinnamon powder… But if this is your first time, cut the butter and coconut oil quantity in half. – Chris
Robert Scovill is a modern day renaissance man with interests and activities spanning a wide breadth of professional audio. Robert is a 35-year veteran of professional concert sound and recording and has mixed over 3500 events in his career. His engineering and production talents have been enlisted by a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of marquee music acts including Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Matchbox Twenty, Jackson Browne, Rush, Def Leppard, Prince and many others. Scovill’s body of live sound and recording work has garnered numerous industry accolades including 6 TEC Awards for technical and creative achievement in sound reinforcement. Robert is a 4 time nominee, two time winner of the PLSN Parnelli Award for live sound engineer of the year and has been a multi-year nominee for Mobile Production’s “Top Dog” Award along with being an inaugural nominee for the highly coveted Pensado Award for live sound excellence.
As the owner of Eldon’s Boy Productions Inc. and MusiCanvas Recorders in Scottsdale, AZ, he offers full service mixing facility and mobile recording services.Robert is also a highly sought after consultant advising artists, sound companies and the house of worship market on everything from technology, workflows and acoustics for their companies and events.
As an educator, Robert has lectured throughout the world on concert sound and recording practices at seminars and trade shows, and is a regular contributor to numerous industry publications, blog sites and YouTube video series.
Robert’s profile includes positions as a technical consultant for many of the top name manufacturers in professional audio, including Avid, EAW, Neumann, Audio Technica, Electrovoice, Servo Drive, and Alesis. He has held the title of endorser for numerous products, including Avid’s VENUE live sound environment, WAVE’s digital technology, Neumann Microphones, ATI Paragon, Intersonics loud speakers, Future Sonics ear monitors, and countless others throughout the years.
In 2006 Robert served as guest speaker delivering the keynote address for the Annual AES conference in San Francisco. He currently holds the position of Senior Specialist for live sound and recording products for Avid as principle designer for their VENUE line of live sound consoles, contributing to all aspects of their commanding presence in the live event market.
Robert’s hobbies include snowboarding, archery, pistol and rifle sports along with endurance challenge athletic events. He has successfully completed the Lake Tahoe North/South Swim, The Alcatraz Swim Challenge, The Great Wall Marathon and World’s Toughest Mudder along with numerous other events.
Robert is very happily married with three children and a dog named Fender.
About this Interview:
Robert joins me via Skype in Arizona to talk about challenges on the road including diet, fitness, staying close with family as well as his love for digital technology in the live sound world. -Matt
Langston Masingale has been working in recording studios for the last 24 years, starting at age 16 in his uncles studio in New Jersey. Langston helped start JJ Audio Mics in 2009 and in 2014 invented what would become the core technology of Zulu.
He formed Handsome Audio in 2015 with his partner Tod Levine and Zulu was released this year.
Langston still owns a recording studio called Narrative Audio based in Syracuse, NY where he still produces and records artists.
His passion for the analog aesthetic drives him to create new and interesting tools for the modern recording engineer and record producer alike.
About this Interview:
Alan Evans (WCA#133) suggested I talk with Langston. Langston talks about his early experiences with his Uncle’s studio in New Jersey, how early exposure to analog tape shaped his sonic viewpoint and lead him to develop Zulu. Langston also talks about his faith, family and how his experience in college also helped drive him to be the person he is today. -Matt
Ryan Massey is a musician, recording engineer/producer, and is the co-owner of Sharkbite Studios and Jack London Rehearsal in Oakland, CA. Ryan has spent a lifetime in music- singing with the SF Opera as a choir boy, belting out punk rock anthems with his band American Steel (Lookout Records/Fat Wreck Chords), doing the pop thing with Communiqué (Lookout), rocking with The Sunset Shipwrecks (Lugosi Records), touring the world, running both studios and a very small label.
About this Interview:
Ryan came over to the house and chatted about many things including how he became the owner of Sharkbite Studios, how he runs his business, getting and beating Cancer, the importance of his family and the Bay Area recording/music scene. I have great respect for Ryan. He’s a hard working honest guy who deals fairly when it comes to business. Plus he’s a nice guy as well. -Matt
Anthony Gravino is an independent musician and record maker in Chicago, Illinois. He primarily works as a producer, recording engineer, mixer and mastering engineer out of his private studio,The Drake in Chicago, IL. In addition to his music production background, Anthony also plays guitar, bass, percussion and sings as a backing musician and a solo artist in both live and studio settings. His work includes an eclectic variety of styles across many genres including rock, jazz, blues, folk, pop, classial, R&B and a lot of stuff in between.
About this Interview:
Anthony talks with me about being influenced by Adam Schmitt and our mutual friend Jonathan Pines, how he runs his studio, the transition from day jobs to full time recording professional, insurance, and the importance of getting out of the house to see live music and meet bands.
Kevin Becka has worked as a recording engineer for over 25 years, working with the top names in music including Kenny G., Quincy Jones, Michael Bolton, George Benson, George Lynch, and more. An experienced educator, Kevin is currently the co-director and instructor at The Blackbird Academy in Nashville. He has also taught advanced recording at Belmont University, surround recording and lecturer at the Danish Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, Denmark, and was director of education and instructor at the Conservatory of Recording Arts for over 10 years. Kevin is a journalist who has worked as editors of Pro Audio Review and Audio Media USA magazines. Since 2003, Kevin has been the technical editor of the industry-leading Mix Magazine where he writes features, product reviews and a monthly column.
About this Interview:
On my recent trip to Nashville I was given a tour of Blackbird Studios by former WCA guest Mark Rubel (WCA #034). On that tour I was introduced to Kevin Becka. I later talked with Kevin at length during the Winter NAMM show that week and knew he would make a great guest for WCA. In this interview I chat with Kevin about the RIN-M meta Data plugin, Blackbird and Education, Blackbird graduate David Platillero and his struggle after being hit by a car. We also discuss Kevin’s background, his habits and quotes that help him keep his career moving forward and inspire others.
Jacquire King is known for his work with Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, James Bay, Modest Mouse, You Me At Six, Buddy Guy, Norah Jones, Of Monsters and Men, Josh Ritter, Cold War Kids, Punch Brothers, City and Colour, Moon Taxi, Robert Ellis, Amber Rubarth and Dawes. Our interview takes place at Jacquire’s private studio outside of Nashville, Tennessee where he graciously invited me over to have a chat and discuss our common connection to the Bay Area. We discuss his time there coming up as someone trying to make his mark in the studio scene and the changes that eventually convinced him to move to Nashville . We follow that up with his transition into Nashville and the struggles that followed and of course the success that followed that. Jacquire is a thoughtful and low key person who shares his views on what inspires him and how he works to inspire others. I have to say this interview really inspired me and got me thinking about my own career and what I can do to move it forward. I hope you have the same experience. -Matt
Show notes:
Links to my fellow YouTubers, Bloggers and podcasters I stayed with on this trip in Nashville.
Andrew Oswald is a recording engineer who is based out of Oakland, CA who makes records almost everyday. He co-owns and operates Secret Bathroom, a recording studio in West Oakland, where he also does a monthly live in studio podcast called Live From Secret Bathroom, that features new and upcoming bands. Andrew started recording bands in high school while growing up in San Diego where he also took a series of Pro Tools certification classes. Eventually he made his way to the Bay Area to go to recording school even though he already accumulated a few years of experience . While in recording school he continued to record bands and become affiliated with local recording vets Eli Crews (WCA #044) and Jonah Strauss (WCA #016) who gave him keys and access to their studios . Andrew found early success with his recordings of the band Ash Borer which were both praised by Pitchfork . After graduating Andrew and his studio partner Max Senna opened Secret Bathroom and have been making records in that space for the last 6 years. YOu can read more on Andrew at: http://secretbathroom.com/ and http://www.andrewoswaldrecording.com/
Alan Evans is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, studio engineer, record producer, whose “retro” style incorporates elements of rock, blues, soul, R&B, funk,jazz,reggae and the psychedelic. In addition to singing lead and backing vocals, Evans often plays all the guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and percussion himself on his solo recordings. Alan Joins Matt for a discussion about his musical side, family, living in a small town and keeping things relaxed and musically focused in the studio.
Ian Shepherd is a mastering engineer owner of Mastering Media Ltd, host of The Mastering Show podcast as well as the founder of the website Production Advice. Over the last twenty years he’s worked on literally thousands of CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays for all of the major record labels, TV stations and independents, including several number one singles and award-winning albums. Ian has been a fierce critic of the so-called “Loudness Wars” and in 2010 he organized the first Dynamic Range Day to raise awareness about the issue. He also developed two plugins with MeterPlus – Perception, which received an AudioMedia Gear Of The Year award in 2014, and Dynameter, which helps you achieve optimal audio dynamics for your music, and competitive loudness for online streaming. Ian has worked with Keane, Tricky, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Deep Purple, The Orb, Leslie Garret, Culture Club, Porcupine Tree, Andy Weatherall, The Las, Ozric Tentacles, Christine Tobin, New Order and King Crimson amongst many others.
Ian chats with Matt about the Loudness Wars, dynamics in music, family, clients, money matters and his plug in Dynameter.
Ronan Chris Murphy works around the globe in the wide extremes of music and in the last 20 years has amassed a discography spanning several hundred albums including work with international pop stars to some of the most respected virtuoso musicians in the world.
As a producer, engineer and/or mixer, Ronan Chris Murphy has worked with the likes of King Crimson (several albums), Steve Morse (Dixie Dreggs Deep Purple), Terry Bozzio (Zappa, Missing Persons), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, John Lennon, Pink Floyd)), Martin Sexton, Jamie Walters, Ulver, The California Guitar Trio, Chucho Valdes y Groupo Irakere, Pete Teo Joan LaBarbara (Philip Glass Ensemble, Steve Reich) Nels Cline (Wilco) as well as various projects featuring members of Tool, Ministry, Weezer Dishwalla, and Yes.
Before diving into production and mixing Ronan spent several years as a musician playing in bands in the scene that later became know as grunge, sharing the stage with bands such as Dinosaur Jr., All, The Flaming lips, Gwar and the Rollins Band. He has an odd footnote in rock history his first band was an early DC punk band called Freakbaby, which was also the first band of Dave Grohl following Ronan’s departure from the band.
Ronan speaks with Matt from his new studio in the mountains about his recording workshops, career, trolls, and recording Terry Bozzio.
To learn more about Ronan?s production and mixing work, as well as his studio visit Veneto West.
Andy Reed purchased his first guitar when he was 18 and by the time he was 21 he started a band with his brother called The Haskels. They signed a small record deal and ended up recording with Brendan Benson of The Raconteurs. This is where Andy initially got the recording bug.
Fast forward through touring, experimenting with 4 tracks and you’ll arrive at Andy acquiring his first Pro Tools rig at age 23. Andy would spend every second he had in his basement for the next 3 years figuring out how to get better sounds, write better songs, and hone the craft of recording by learning from his own mistakes on his own recordings. 3 years later Andy would emerge with recordings of his own music that attracted others to officially hire him to record. For the last 14 years Andy has been recording and producing artists from all over the country.
Andy joins Matt to talk about recording in Bay City Michigan, family life, his mentors and his musical connection to Donny Brown of the Verve Pipe.
Brad Smalling is an audio professional with a passion for music and for making great records – records that connect the artist and the listener emotionally. From the creative to the technical, Brad is passionate about all aspects of the record-making process. Brad’s creative ear and his ability to connect with the artist combine to present the artist’s music as they envision it and often in ways they never considered.
Brad’s desire to learn about audio appeared in his teens while learning to play guitar but he wouldn’t actively pursue engineering until 2000 when he built a recording studio in his basement in Boulder, CO. After gaining confidence through self study, he and his wife, Jenny, hired Wes Lachot to design what would become Evergroove Studio. Solar powered and located on 4.5 wooded acres just outside Denver, Evergroove Studio opened in 2006 and offers a retreat-like setting sought by artists that desire a different recording studio experience.
Brad continues to grow as an audio professional and small business owner by striving for excellence in every project, and pushing himself to be a better engineer, business owner, and person. In addition to studio work, Brad enjoys the challenges of live mixing and recording, as well as the detail of mastering. He works closely with artists and their home studios to help them capture better recordings, or by a combination of home recording and studio recording at Evergroove. This experience led to the launch of the Evergroove Academy of Recording (EAR) – a series of workshops for audio engineers, producers, and musicians focused on producing the highest-quality recordings possible.
When asked about his passion for audio Brad said:
“I love exploring different microphone techniques, the thrill of the first take, and the excitement on an artist’s face when they hear their music in a way that moves them. I enjoy working closely with artists to help bring out the emotion of the song. I like exploring arrangements through overdubs and I love combining all the tracks into a mix that draws the listener into the music. The final creative and technical process of mastering fascinates me and, finally, I love album release shows; that moment when an artist’s work is presented to the World.”
When not in the studio you can find Brad with his wife at a local music show, working with the massive interactive performance art group itchy-O, on a local hiking trail, road-tripping across the Western USA, or enjoying a locally crafted beer on a sunny deck.
Brad joins Matt to talk about his solar powered studio, his partnership with his wife and how hiring studio designer Wes Lachot was one of the best moves he ever made.
Frank Pappalardo started out a guitarist wanting the rock star dream. After hearing Van Halen’s “Eruption” at a party he realized being a killer recording engineer was a more realistic plan than being a mediocre guitar player. From his early days at Chicago’s River North Recorders to his current 30 plus year gig at PBS’ Soundstage Frank has had an incredible career recording and mixing so many household names including Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band, Fall Out Boy, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, Sheryl Crow, Sonic Youth, Death Cab For Cutie and the list goes on and on. Frank talks with Matt via Facetime from Saint Charles, Illinois ( West of Chicago) in the post house where he does most of his mixing work about family, work ethic and his overall approach to audio. Enjoy!
Craig Schumacher has been making noise unprofessionally since 1985. He’s managed to carve out a niche in the desert southwest by be part of an eclectic scene that bubbles out of Tucson and has been an integral part of the sound of Calexico and Giant Sand, and has recorded artists like Neko Case, Amos Lee, KT Tunstall, Roger Clyne, Left Over Salmon, The Jayhawks, Steve Wynn, and John Doe at WaveLab. He is also a sought after mixer and has been to France, Sweden, LA, NYC, Austin, and New Orleans for mix jobs. He is also an adjunct professor at Scottsdale Community College for the past ten years.
Craig crashes at Matt’s house for a night while on his way to record the new Calexico record. Naturally an interview that was long overdue was in order.
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