Master Your Mix Podcast Kurt Ballou: Executing Your Vision
Kurt Ballou is an American musician, producer, and recording engineer best known as the guitarist and founding member of the influential hardcore band Converge. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, he is also the owner and chief engineer of GodCity Studio, a world-renowned recording facility that has become a cornerstone of modern heavy music production. With a background in both engineering and performance, Ballou bridges the gap between raw creative energy and meticulous technical precision, helping define the sound of countless bands across the hardcore, punk, and metal scenes. His production work is celebrated for its intensity, clarity, and attention to sonic texture — hallmarks that have shaped genre-defining records for artists such as Have Heart, High on Fire, Trap Them, and Nails.
Beyond his engineering prowess, Ballou is recognized for his deep understanding of instrument tone and studio design. At GodCity, he merges analog warmth with modern fidelity, crafting recordings that feel both visceral and articulate. His dedication to DIY ethics and craft has made him a respected figure not only among musicians but also within the broader audio engineering community. Through his work, Ballou continues to inspire a generation of producers and home-studio creators to pursue authenticity, precision, and emotional truth in every mix.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- Learning through revisiting old recordings
- Why you can’t trust all you read on forums
- Cheap vs. expensive gear: What really matters?
- Mic vs. placement vs. preamps: Which is most important?
- Mike and Kurt’s feelings on Atmos
- The secret to Kurt’s great guitar tones
- A simple trick for checking phase with multi-mic setups on guitar amps
- Simplifying your approach to production
- How to treat a 2-guitar band vs a 1-guitar band
- Getting guitars and bass to feel balanced
- Sidechaining guitars to vocals
- Mixing his own records with Converge
- Charging per song or by hour
- Recording entire albums in one session
To learn more about Kurt Ballou, visit: https://kurtballou.com/
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