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WCA #317 with Ryan Gilligan – Quad Studios, Busta Rhymes, Duffle Bags of Hard Drives, Michael Brauer, and Mixing Based on Emotion

My guest today is Grammy award-winning mixer engineer and producer Ryan Gilligan. Ryan got his start at Quad Studios in New York, where he started as an intern, then assistant before taking on a year-long engineering gig for Busta Rhymes. Following that, he returned to Quad and began a mentorship with Michael Brauer that would last for seven years. He worked alongside artists, such as Coldplay, John Mayer, Kanye West, Shakira, Grizzly Bear, and many others. Eventually, he moved to Los Angeles to work with producer John Hill on music for Adele, Gwen, Stefani, and Florence and the Machine. He ended up staying in Los Angeles and continues to work there to this day freelancing. 

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Playing Trumpet
  • Interning
  • Quad Studios
  • Electric Lady
  • Busta Rhymes
  • Duffle Bags of Hard Drives
  • Los Angeles
  • New York
  • Michael Brauer
  • Health Challenges
  • Mixing Based on Emotion
  • Surviving on Mixing
  • Strict Budgeting

Matt’s Rant: Banking! Yes, seriously.

Links and Show Notes

Credits:

  • Guest: Ryan Gilligan
  • Host: Matt Boudreau 
  • WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 
  • Announcer: Chuck Smith
  • Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau & Matt Boudreau
  • Additional Music: The License Lab