Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

This week’s guest is Los Angeles based producer, engineer, and mixer Paul Fig. Paul is known for being a go to tracking engineer, especially in world of hard rock with credits including AFI, Jerry Cantrell, Slipknot, Rush, Alice in Chains, Bush, and Deftones. He also currently owns and operates the studio Dave’s Room in North Hollywood. We go deep on recording techniques for guitars and vocals, as well as chat about his journey from Sound City to freelancing and the importance of staying two steps ahead of everybody.In this episode we'll dig in on...Engineering records that you are producingMaintaining phase coherence in multi mic guitar recordingsStarting as a runner at Sound City at 32Working with Jerry Cantrell and Alice in ChainsSongwriting demos in the rock worldTransitioning from being in a band to working in a recording studio"Riff Mining"Taking over Dave's Room studioSM57 secretsRecording vocals with two mics at onceHaving music in Sonic HighwaysDesert island guitarsBeing part of a studio familyMaking records and making library musicIntonation and guitar doublingTravis' Intro: Planning TomorrowLearn More About Paul Fig and Dave's Room...Website: https://paulfigmusic.com/Dave's Room: http://www.davesroom.net/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulfigmusic/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulFigMusic/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Paul FigHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week’s guest is Nashville based mixing engineer Billy Decker. Billy is most known for mixing a lot of hits, and mixing them fast. His credits include 16 Billboard #1's and artists such as Sam Hunt, Chris Young, Rodney Atkins, and Cassadee Pope. In the studio he works very quickly, finishing mixes in about an hour. He’s written a book about his process called "Template Mixing and Mastering" and has also done a course for Pro Mix Academy on the same topic. We chat about the “how” and “why” of working fast, the importance of superior customer service, and the advantages of specializing.In this episode, we'll dig in on...The "Why" for working fastMixing with TemplatesHow specializing can work in your favorUnderstanding your pricing and your hourlyBeing a signed songwriter and then becoming an engineerChoosing a "great hang" or superior customer service over raw engineering abilityNashville songwriting demo studiosProducers now vs producer 20 years agoDelivering quality from home studiosUsing drum samplesWork-Life BalanceThe importance of having interests outside the studioTaking the time to save templates for everything you doLearn More About Billy Decker...Check out his book "Template Mixing and Mastering" HERECheck out the Pro Mix Academy course HEREWebsite: http://www.billydecker.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deckerboards/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billy.decker.353📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Billy DeckerHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Jannick Frampton & Travis FerenceAudio Restoration: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is engineer, mixer, producer, and professor Dr. Susan Rogers. Susan is a professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston where she is also the acting Director of the Berklee Music Perception and Cognition Laboratory. Prior to her academic career she worked for 22 years as an in demand engineer and producer with artists such as David Byrne, Barenaked Ladies, Rusted Root, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and also spent four years as Prince's personal staff engineer. We have a great conversation about how the brain reacts to music, analog vs digital, and why success should be defined by what you believe could be possible, not by what is obvious.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Working with PrinceListening and how music triggers the brainModern uses for analog tapeThe art and craft of mixingUS Army electronics manualsMusic Cognition and PsychoacousticsLeaving the music industry to work in scienceTeaching at Berklee College of MusicTaking your toys apartWriting a bookHow to find an audienceCheck out Susan's book! "This is What it Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You"📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Dr. Susan RogersHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

This week’s guest is producer and mixer Carl Bahner. Carl has mastered the art of working remotely, having worked with artists in 16 countries. His credits include artists such as Transviolet, St Lucia, Joywave, and Hippo Campus. Prior to working full time behind the glass Carl toured all over North America and the UK playing drums for the band Cheerleader. In addition to all that, he coaches fellow engineers and producers on how to build client rosters full of music they are passionate about and hosts a music business podcast that promotes self-reflection and proactivity. We have a great chat about input vs output goals, narrowing your target audience, and the importance of making decision based on passion.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Work ethic and determinationAsking yourself "Why is this important to me" before taking a gigThe musician hustle: Gigs, sessions, lessonsBuilding a studioCaring why you press a button, not what the button doesKnowing when to use your music theory and when to notPositioning yourself for successSetting aside time for client outreachLearning to do remixes by passing time on the tour busRemote assistants and delegationEarning and deserving word of mouthLearn More About Carl Bahner...Website: https://www.carlbahner.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/Listen to Carl's "Thanks for Thinking" podcast HERE!📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Carl BahnerHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is producer, mixer, podcaster, and musician Ben Wallick. Ben is currently based out of Jerusalem, Israel where he has worked with an array of talented acts in both the studio and on the stage. Before the pandemic, Ben was most recently handling bass duties on tour for artist Alex Clare in Israel and throughout Eastern Europe. Ben is also the creator and host of Secret Sonics, a podcast where he interviews a wide range of producers and audio engineers. We have a great chat about embracing delegation, fighting perfectionism, and how starting our podcasts plays into our music careers. In this episode, we'll dig in on...Embracing delegationTake aways from talk to over 100 producers and engineers on Secret SonicsBass playing as a bridge between harmony rhythmAvoiding a perfectionism mindset as you charge more for a jobBuilding community in the digital realmBeing a self-taught producer and engineerEssentialismGrowing up in New York City and moving to IsraelStarting and managing a successful wedding bandBranching out from a smaller music scene and out into the broader worldLearn More About ...Website: https://www.benwallick.com/Instagram: https://www.benwallick.com/podcastSecret Sonics: https://www.benwallick.com/podcastSecret Sonics Instagram: https://www.benwallick.com/podcastSecret Sonics on Apple Podcasts HERE📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Ben WallickHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is London based mixer and mastering engineer Manon Grandjean. Manon has spent much of her time lately working with UK chart topping grime and hiphop artists such as Stormzy, Dave, Fredo, and AJ Tracey. Some of her other credits include London Grammar, Craig David, Birdy, and Nao. In 2017 she was named "Breakthrough Engineer of the Year" by the Music Producers Guild and then followed that with "Recording Engineer of the Year" in 2018. We chat about freelancing in London, realizing the power of templates, and how career perfectionism is different from project perfectionism.In this episode, we'll dig in on...How smaller budgets change the way young engineers learn to recordMastering your own mixesCareer spanning perfectionism vs project based perfectionismFreelance engineering and assisting at multiple studios to pay the billsPicking a good manager that is on the same page as youRealizing the power of having a recording templateBeing classically trained on guitar and harp growing upGrowing up interested in science and discovering recording as the combination of music and scienceThe importance of having a setup that is ready to go at all timesWinning Breakthrough Engineer of the YearTransitioning from engineering to mixingAlways pushing yourself and learningLearn More About Manon Grandjean...Website: https://www.manongrandjean.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandjeanmanon/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Manon GrandjeanHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is London based producer, engineer, and mixer Guy Massey. Guy is a Grammy and Music Producer Guild award winner that came up through the legendary Abbey Road Studios. He’s worked on projects for artists such as Ed Sheeran, Kylie Minogue, Ajimal, Ray Davies, Spiritualized, and The Beatles. He's also been involved in movie soundtracks such as "Yesterday" and "Rocket Man" as well as various other projects. We have a chat about the future of immersive audio, the importance of making mistakes on your own time, and why if you want to get great at something you have to enjoy it.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Being inspired to be the best you can by the history of the studio you're working inLocking up multiple tape machines for film sessionsWorking on Beatles RemastersDefining success as having a quiet confidenceComing up through the legendary Abbey RoadU67s on everything!Reamping things in studio to use as ambience for 5.1 Surround mixesDolby Atmos and the future of immersive audioEverything is in service to the songLearning to make things sound as good as possible with a limited paletteCasting your influences wide and listen to A LOT of music.Comparing vintage mics and picking the best parts.Going freelance to work on the opportunities you are passionate aboutLearn More About Guy Massey...Website: www.guymmassey.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yugyessam/Twitter: https://twitter.com/guy_massey📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Guy MasseyHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is Los Angeles based artist Dresage. A blend of genres ranging from dreamy synth wave to indie art pop, Dresage is the artist project of producer, songwriter, and composer Keeley Bumford. In addition to releasing her own music she also co-wrote and was the featured vocalist on Jai Wolf's single "Better Apart". Co-scored as well as wrote and performed all the original songs in the Hulu/Blumhouse film "My Valentine," and was featured on Andrew Huang's "4-Producers One Sample" Youtube series. She also has loads sync placements in various shows and ad spots, including Netflix's The Crown and an Apple Watch trailer. We chat about making her latest EP, and how embracing the idea that it's ok to not know everything can empower you to experiment, learn, and ultimately find your creative voice.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Making her Terror Nights / Terror Days EPKeeping perspective as a self-producing, self-recording artistCommitting to your production because it informs all the decisions that followHow music fits into TV and Film vs Ads and TrailersBeing intentional about the choice to keep your artist voice and not get lost behind the scenesBuilding a community on DiscordDiscovering jazz and the Great American SongbookAttending Berklee College of MusicBuilding relationships and supporting your collaboratorsShazaamTaking advantage of opporunitiesWorking at the Interscope recording studiosTop-lining in the EDM worldTravis' Intro Topic...How all of your gigs and experiences come together to make you a better creative and person.Learn More About Dresage...Check out Terror Nights / Terror Days EP - HERE!Website: https://www.dresage.la/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dresagemusicTwitter: https://twitter.com/dresagemusicYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/dresagemusicTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dresagemusicFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dresagemusicSupport Dresage on Patreon HERE!Join Dresage's Discord Server HERE!📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: DresageHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week is the last bonus re-release episode before Season 2 begins! I've attached another brand new intro to this episode as well. Shoshana is one of my favorite people and her story has a lot of insights for anybody in the music industry so I wanted to share it with y'all again.This week’s guest is the amazingly talented vocalist and broadway veteran Shoshana Bean. Shoshana and I have a great conversation about the progression of her career from being a singing and dancing two year old to holding leading roles on Broadway and releasing chart topping records as an independent artist. She is a truly inspiring person, committed to her artistic integrity and unwavering in her belief that driving towards what you fear is the key to success and growth.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Leaning into your greatest fearsMoving to NYC and breaking into BroadwayBeing your own best brand ambassadorSinging and dancing at two years oldBuilding a career brick by brickManaging your own career and standing by your decisionsHuman connection without an agenda is the best networkingAuthenticity in everything you doLearn More About ...Website: https://www.shoshanabean.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shobean/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Shoshana BeanHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Credits in the music industry are a dumpster fire. In this bonus episode I wanted to share my thoughts on credits and how things got to the state they are in today. I also talk about ways we can change our perspective on credits and what I'm going to try to do with the Progressions platform to encourage people to support each other by giving credit. This is the first in a series of bonus episodes focusing on credits in the music industry.Submit your credits to be read on air HERE!📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: N/AHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference