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WCA #377 with Rob Folson Jr.

WCA #377 with Rob Folson Jr – DMV, Go Go Music, Working for the Church, 9 to 5 Audio, and The Drag that is Commuting

My guest is a producer, engineer, mixer, Rob Folson Jr., who has worked with Rare Essence, The Chuck Brown Band, Ceelo Green, Citizen Cope, Blackbyrds, The Huck-a-Bucks, Tracey Lee, Black Alley, Greg Rice, Leonard Taylor-Arron Burroughs.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • The DMV
  • Quitting College
  • Go Go Music
  • Discovery of Recording
  • Sequencers
  • Playing The Kennedy Center
  • Church Mixing
  • Working for the Church
  • Charles Harris
  • A/V for the NIH (National Institute of Health)
  • Benefits and 401K
  • The Drag that is Commuting
  • Home Studio
  • Studio One
  • Dealing with Burnout

Matt’s Rant: Helping Ukraine

Links and Show Notes

Credits

  • Guest: Rob Folson Jr. 
  • Host: Matt Boudreau 
  • Engineer: Matt Boudreau
  • Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
  • Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #376 with Brian Charles

WCA #376 with Brian Charles- Zippah Recording Studio Fire, Community Support, Band Directors, Studio Insurance, and The Jimi Hendrix Pep Rally

My guest is Brian Charles, producer, engineer, mixer, writer, educator, guitarist, and plug-in designer. Brian has worked with The Sheila Divine, Dispatch, Weakened Friends, Marina and the Diamonds, The Gigolo Aunts, and Mike Slap. Brian is the owner of Zippah recording which suffered fire damage in December of 2021.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Moving Around As a KId
  • Boston
  • Grade School Rock Band
  • Early Recording Discoveries
  • Jimi Hendrix Pep Rally 
  • Band Directors
  • Being a Tape Op
  • Writing and Producing
  • Zippah Recording Studio Fire
  • Making Improvements
  • Studio Finances
  • Water and Smoke
  • The Smell of a Campfire
  • Community Support
  • Studio Insurance
  • Manufacturer Support
  • Transatlantic Reverb

Matt’s Rant: Dolby Atmos Update

Show Notes

Rant Notes

Credits

  • Guest: Brian Charles
  • Producer/Host/Engineer: Matt Boudreau 
  • Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
  • Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #375 with Hillary Johnson

WCA #375 with Hillary Johnson – Home Ownership, Pandemic Records, Experiencing The Symphony, Home R&D, and The Love of Recording Bands

My guest is  New York-based recording engineer and producer Hillary Johnson Hillary has worked with Bootblacks, Bell Hollow, The Prids, and Second Still. This is Hillary’s second appearance on the show. Her first appearance was on WCA #003.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Home Ownership
  • Moving To the Exurbs
  • Future Home Studio
  • Livestreaming DJ
  • Home R&D
  • AV Design
  • Learning Logic
  • Home Studio Plans
  • House Buying Process
  • Experiencing The Symphony
  • Having Your Own Space
  • Having a Day Job
  • New York Recording Ecosystem
  • Studio Closings
  • Pandemic Records
  • The Love of Recording Bands

Matt’s Rant: Collectors and Users

Credits

  • Guest: Hillary Johnson
  • Producer/Host/Engineer: Matt Boudreau 
  • Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
  • Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #374 with Kolton Lee

WCA #374 with Kolton Lee – Target Karaoke Machine, Dumpster Diving, Working with Jacquire King, Finding Your Role, and the Green Beret’s of Audio

My guest is mixer, engineer, producer Kolton Lee. Kolton worked with producer Jacquire King for several years and has worked with artists such as Daughtry and Shania Twain. He currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Cave Creek, AZ
  • Target Karaoke Machine
  • Garageband
  • Dumpster Diving
  • Craig Schumacher
  • Cave Creek Studio
  • The Need to Grow
  • Moving to Nashville
  • Working with Jacquire King
  • Session Documentation
  • Green Beret’s of Audio
  • Finding Your Role
  • Working Multiple Jobs
  • Financial Advice
  • Moving Back to Arizona
  • Working with High Profile Artists
  • Getting Reestablished
  • Luna and Apollo’s

Matt’s Rant: Audio and Fame

Credits

  • Guest: Kolton Lee
  • Producer/Host/Engineer: Matt Boudreau 
  • Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
  • Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #373 with Mark Abrams

WCA #373 with Mark Abrams – Puremix, Supportive Family, Automation, Intention, and Skipping the Bar for the SSL

My guest is Columbus, Ohio-based Producer/Mixing Engineer Mark Abrams. Mark has worked with Angel Lopez (Kanye West, Coldplay, Sam Smith), Kara Dioguardi, Spencer Sutherland, Buggie, Effee, Mark Stepro (Drummer for Butch Walker, The Wallflowers, Aaron Lee Tasjan), Ryan Brown (Drummer for Dweezil Zappa), Kid Runner, and Lydia Loveless. Mark is also the content manager for Puremix.

In this episode, we discuss:

Matt’s Rant: Staying on Top of Your Money

Credits

  • Guest: Mark Abrams
  • Producer/Host/Engineer: Matt Boudreau 
  • Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
  • Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #372 with Glenn Schick

WCA #372 with Glenn Schick – Mastering Without Speakers, Customer Service, Audio Travel Tips, Streaming Levels, and Working Remote

My guest is Grammy-Winning mastering engineer Glenn Schick. Glenn abandoned his old mastering rooms in Atlanta and masters all of his records on the go, on headphones, and travels the world doing so.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Queens Upbringing
  • Discovering Recording
  • Transitioning To Mastering
  • Moving to Atlanta
  • Atlanta Hip-Hop
  • Customer Service
  • Downsizing
  • Working in The Box
  • Mastering Without Speakers
  • Retraining the Brain
  • Room Simulation Software
  • Audio Travel Tips
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Streaming Levels
  • Vinyl Mastering
  • New Communities
  • Working Remote

Matt’s Rant: Our Passion

Credits

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

WCA #371 with Pete Morse

WCA #371 with Pete Morse – Mixing for Video, Sketchy Contractors, Working From Home, Camaraderie, and Frozen Dance Partys

My guest is Pete Morse, who runs Red Vault Audio in Portland, Maine.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Portland Studios
  • Red Vault Audio
  • WWF
  • Working From Home
  • Building a Studio at Home
  • Studio Build Details
  • Sketchy Contractors
  • Camaraderie
  • Mixing for Video
  • Stock Music Creation
  • Perfectionism
  • MTV Influence
  • Pink Floyd
  • 0% Financing
  • Streamdeck
  • Worklife Balance
  • Frozen Dance Partys
  • SBA Counseling
  • Family Communication

Matt’s Rant: More Backup Talk!

Links and Show Notes

Credits

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

WCA #370 with Nikki McGuinness

WCA #370 with Nikki McGuinness – Farm Life, Studio Building, Thinking on Your Feet, Pygmy Goats, and Falling Off Ladders

My guest is Songwriter / Engineer / Producer Nikki McGuinness, who runs Creation X Recording based on a farm in Berkshire, England.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Farm Life
  • Building a Studio
  • Contractors
  • Open Recording Spaces
  • Learning to Record
  • The Corporate World
  • Low-Grade Depression
  • Health Issues
  • Thinking on Your Feet
  • Pygmy Goats
  • Loving Life
  • Ladders
  • Creative ventures
  • Choosing Gear
  • Sylvia Massey

Matt’s Rant: Capturing Stories

Links and Show Notes

Credits

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

WCA #369 with Heidi Trefethen & Ben Bernstein

WCA #369 with Ben Bernstein and Heidi Trefethen – Dolby Atmos, Gear Purchases, Audio Janitors, and Breaking Into Matts’ House

My guests today are former WCA guests Heidi Trefethen and Ben Bernstein. Heidi is a French Hornist, multi-instrumentalist, educator, and sought-after sound engineer. Ben is a producer, engineer, and mixer based in Oakland, California.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Dolby Atmos
  • Studios Vs. Covid
  • Future Sessions
  • Skywalker Sound
  • Gear Purchases
  • Studio Ownership
  • Breaking Into Matt’s House
  • Gear Lending Library
  • Broken Guitars
  • Mountain Music
  • Great Musicians
  • Getting Along
  • Audio Janitors

Matt’s Rant: Mixing it Up!

Links and Show Notes

Credits

  • Guest: Heidi Trefethen & Ben Bernstein
  • Host: Matt Boudreau 
  • Engineer: Matt Boudreau
  • Producer: Matt Boudreau
  • Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
  • Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #368 with Wavy Wayne

WCA #368 with Wavy Wayne – Thinking Bigger Picture, One Bad Night, Audio Education, Social Media Advice, and 7 AM Algebra

My guest is mixing engineer and audio educator Wavy Wayne, who has worked with Jim Jones, Future, Ashanti, Yo Gotti, Dave East, and many more.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • St. Louis
  • Discovering Music
  • Being a Kid Rapper
  • Positive Studio Exposure
  • Stage Fright
  • Sony Acid
  • Education
  • 7 AM Algebra
  • One Bad Night
  • Getting Kicked Out of Full Sail
  • Surviving in New York
  • Audio Education
  • School Debt
  • Thinking Bigger Picture
  • Teaching in St. Louis
  • Social Media Advice

Matt’s Rant: Clear the Clutter!

Links and Show Notes

Credits

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

WCA #367 with Brad Dollar

WCA #367 with Brad Dollar – Moving to Nashville, Getting Work, Classic Money Mistakes, Survival, and Time Travel Retrospective

My guest is producer, engineer, and coach Brad Dollar who has worked with Bob Weir, Journey, G-Eazy, and Parmalee. 

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Moving to Nashville
  • Coaching
  • Transition of Culture
  • Music Business
  • Competition
  • Buying a House
  • Getting Work
  • Bay Area vs. Nashville
  • Recording School
  • Mentors
  • Grammy U
  • Survival
  • Classic Money Mistakes
  • Managing Money Tip
  • Time Travel Retrospective
  • Just Ask
  • Advice For Newbies

Matt’s Rant: Do We Really Need A Website?

Links and Show Notes

Credits

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

WCA #366 with Perry Leenhouts

WCA #366 with Perry Leenhouts – Anything is Possible, US & Europe Comparison, Punk Rock Lessons Learned, and Living in an Abandon School.

My guest is Perry Leenhouts, producer, engineer, and owner of Point Break Sound Studio in Stockholm, Sweden. Perry is also a member of the band, The Travoltas. 

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Point Break Sound
  • Welfare State
  • US & Europe Comparison
  • The Travoltas
  • Punk Rock Lessons Learned
  • Working with Others
  • Being in The Van
  • From Drummer to Engineer
  • Living in an Abandon School
  • Public Radio Internship
  • Anything is Possible
  • Stockholm
  • Shared Space
  • Marketing
  • Finances
  • Taxes

Matt’s Rant: Another Dolby Atmos Update

Links and Show Notes

Credits

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

WCA #365 with Alex Allinson

WCA #365 with Alex Allinson – Cooking, Parallels, Presentation, Running a Studio, and Taking the Crooked Path

My guest is Alex Allinson, producer/engineer, and co-owner of The Bridge Sound and Stage in the greater Boston area.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Interning
  • Being Driven
  • Taking the Crooked Path
  • Cooking
  • Parallels
  • Not Coasting
  • Avoiding Growing Stale
  • Moving On
  • Diverse Clients
  • Presentation
  • Running a Studio
  • Saving For the Future
  • Financial Mentors

Matt’s Rant: End of The Year Downtime

Links and Show Notes

Credits

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

WCA #364 with Chris Collier

WCA #364 with Chris Collier – Fathers Influence, Controlling Your Destiny, Getting Involved, Client Tree Branches, and Realizing Your Worth

My guest is producer, engineer, mixer, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Collier, who has worked with Lynch Mob, Mick Mars, Korn, Whitesnake, and many more. 

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Fathers Influence
  • Home Studios
  • Getting Your Name Out There
  • Identity Crisis
  • Being a Homebody
  • The Drive of Recording
  • Just Doing It
  • Discovering Pro Tools
  • Getting Involved
  • Controlling Your Destiny
  • Recording Dave Grohl Style
  • Moving to Vegas
  • Mick Mars
  • Client Tree Branches
  • Realizing Your Worth

Matt’s Rant: Remembering the Bigger Picture

Links and Show Notes

Credits

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

WCA #363 with Chaz Root

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

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

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

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

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

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