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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

WCA #357 with Michael James

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WCA #343 with Tanner Campbell

WCA #343 with Tanner Campbell – Holding Court, Pound Puppies, Quality of Character, Imposter Syndrome, and Audio Dramas

My guest today is podcast engineer, content producer, and thought leader Tanner Campbell.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Pound Puppies
  • Holding Court
  • IT Influence
  • Podcasts
  • Marijuana Legalization 
  • Colorado
  • Podcast Audio Quality
  • Imposter Syndrome 
  • Portland, Maine
  • ATM Studio
  • Joanne Fabrics
  • Podcast Studio
  • Corporate Clients
  • Joan London
  • Marketing Locally
  • Quality of Character
  • Surviving COVID
  • Bankruptcy Discussions
  • Binaural Audio
  • Spotify
  • Q-code
  • Audio Dramas

Matt’s Rant: Random Thoughts

Links and Show Notes

Credits

  • Guest: Tanner 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 #342 with Steve Sykes

WCA #342 with Steve Sykes – Jazz in Philadelphia, The Guys in the White Coats, The Other Side of The Glass, Miami Vice, and The Deli Accident

My guest today is producer/engineer/mixer, Steve Sykes. Steve has worked with Stanley Clark, Al Jarreau, Smokey Robinson, Enrique Iglesias, and many more. He talks to us from his studio in Los Angeles. 

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Jazz in Philadelphia
  • 10th-Grade Education
  • Lunch in Denver
  • Homelessness 
  • The Guys in the White Coats
  • The Deli Accident
  • Payphone Gig Offer
  • Learning Drums
  • Day Labor Jobs
  • Recording
  • Mike Chapman
  • Al Schmitt
  • Bill Smith
  • Steve Genewick
  • Pete Doell
  • Miami Vice
  • Syncing
  • Always Be in Record
  • Musician Engineers 
  • Work-Life Balance

Matts’ Rant: Reclaimed Wood Walls

Links and Show Notes

Credits

  • Guest: Steve Sykes
  • 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