
Music Production Podcast
An exploration of music production through informal discussions about technique, philosophy, gear, and creativity. Hosted by Brian Funk, a musician, songwriter, teacher, and Ableton Certified Trainer.
Latest episodes

Dec 31, 2023 • 10min
#353: 4 Ways to be More Creative!
Here are 4 tips I've learned that improve creativity! Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes: Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

Dec 21, 2023 • 1h 50min
#352: Collaborating and Producing with Raul Sotomayor
Raul Sotomayor is a musician, producer, and DJ from Mexico City. Raul makes Afro-Caribbean electronic music as Tonga Conga. He has a record label and studio named Kaya Records and produces music for a wide range of artists. Raul and I had a great time talking about his work as Tonga Conga and his background as a percussionist and DJ. He shared some thoughts on building a studio area that is comfortable and conducive to creativity. Raul detailed his insights on collaboration and helping artists reach their creative goals. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes: Raul on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tongaconga/ Tonga Conga's latest album Jevi - https://virginmusic.lnk.to/Jevi Raul's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@tongaconga/videos Tonga Conga, Vanessa Zamora "Duele" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnSQ5_e7ozg Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

Dec 16, 2023 • 55min
#351: Make Your Own Rules with Andrew Huang
Andrew Huang is a musician, producer, video maker, and sound explorer. He's known for his YouTube channel which currently has over 2.35 million subscribers. Andrew recently released the Transit plug-in with Baby Audio, the Ghost Pedal with Endorphines, and the iOS Flip sampler. His new book, Make Your Own Rules, details his story as a music industry misfit and shares advice on how to build a career and navigate through a new and ever-changing musical landscape. Andrew and I had a great conversation about his work and how he followed his passion to get where he is today. Andrew's insights about collaboration and experimentation are valuable lessons for musicians at any stage of their career. Andrew's book is currently available for pre-order and will be released February 6, 2024. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes: Andrew's Website - https://andrewhuang.com Make Your Own Rules by Andrew Huang - https://andrewhuang.com/book Andrew's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@andrewhuang Andrew's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andrewismusic Flip Sampler - https://www.flipsampler.com Transit Plug-in - https://babyaud.io/transit Ghost Pedal - https://www.endorphin.es/modules/p/ghost-pedal Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

Dec 5, 2023 • 1h 29min
#350: Stavroz on Creating, Producing, and Performing Their New EP Kick Up the Dust
Stavroz is an organic and cinematic electronic music group from Belgium. The award-winning 4-piece combines DJ-style electronic performances with acoustic instruments such as bass, guitar, wind, and brass. In December 2023, they released their Kick Up the Dust EP, combining a variety of styles, moods, energies, and instrumentation. I spoke with Gert from Stavroz, whose varied role in the band includes mixing, producing, and performing brass instruments, among other duties. Gert takes us through the band's creative process beginning with song creation, jamming, recording, and live performance. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes: Stavroz - https://www.stavroz.be Kick Up The Dust by Stavroz - https://stavroz.bandcamp.com/album/kick-up-the-dust Stavroz Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stavroz_official/ Stavroz YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StavrozOfficial Stavroz Live I Hangar Mind - https://youtu.be/uEjI5UGesQE?si=osVmQnN6idkJaMmR Stavroz Live @ Fort Saint Eynard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HlpoRR9NoM Stimming on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/martin-stimming Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store This episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Music Production Club Live Meeting Music: "Aurora" by Trevphonic - https://soundcloud.com/trevb111/aurora "231030 MPC Jam" by Psychotronic Squirt Gun - https://on.soundcloud.com/3Drmq "Project 202 for MPC" by Siqn - https://subnoiseky.bandcamp.com/track/project-202-for-mpc Animus Invidious - https://animusinvidious.bandcamp.com/ "Mysteriously Creepy" by Brian Funk - https://on.soundcloud.com/hkdJC Join the Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

10 snips
Nov 29, 2023 • 1h 24min
#349: Mixing Pop Music with Brent Hendrich
Brent Hendrich, an award-winning mix engineer, shares valuable techniques and strategies for mixing pop music. He discusses the challenges he's faced, the importance of hands-on experience, the evolution of pop music, balancing elements in a mix, the role of saturation, checking mixes on different devices, and the intricacies of mixing pop music. He also talks about his love for music production and community involvement.

5 snips
Nov 21, 2023 • 2h 5min
#348: Getting Inspired By... with Will Hatton
Will Hatton, a music producer and educator, talks about his success with his YouTube Channel and carving his own path in the music industry. They discuss philosophical principles of creativity and productivity. They also explore topics such as building a close-knit online community, the impact of the pandemic, starting a YouTube channel, authenticity in sponsorships, filmmaking techniques, finding inspiration in music production, and rethinking education.

Nov 15, 2023 • 1h 16min
#347: Battling Through Creative Challenges with Composer Amanda Cawley
Guest Amanda Cawley, an award-winning composer, discusses creating sonic worlds for film and video games. Topics include overcoming creative challenges, the mental game of writing music, collaborative music creation, dealing with the inner critic, and the importance of letting go. The chapter also explores imposing creative challenges and using nature sounds in music for an immersive experience.

Nov 7, 2023 • 48min
#346: Yeuda Ben-Atar aka Side Brain
Yeuda Ben-Atar, aka Side Brain, a musician, producer, and Ableton Certified Trainer, talks about his unique path to controllerism and the LA Beat scene. They discuss his online teaching, the LA beats scene, becoming an Ableton trainer, collaborations with Chuck Sutton and II, and their enthusiasm for eight-bit music. They also mention their Halloween plans and the importance of staying motivated.

Nov 1, 2023 • 1h 27min
#345: Exploration Through Songwriting with Chloe Echo
Chloe Echo is a singer/songwriter, producer, and educator originally from New Zealand and living in Los Angeles. She just released her new EP Past Life. Chloe teaches for Berklee Online. Chloe and I got a chance to reconnect after meeting and writing music together at the Monterey Songwriting Retreat. She spoke about how her past has brought her to where she is now as a person and artist. We reflected on our songwriting sessions together and the lessons we both learned about collaboration and making ourselves vulnerable to write music with new people. Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube Show Notes: Chloe Echo Website - https://chloeecho.com/ Past Life by Chloe Echo - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2jM0dpaor5joc69oZ5SB9I?si=0SHfHYVETqG7z1gv-Iu3sQ Chloe's SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/chloeecho Dissect Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/2b025hq3gJ17tQdxS3aV43?si=23b02a86aae643e3 Brian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.com Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk

Oct 23, 2023 • 1h 47min
#344: Lanier Sammons - Engineer, Composer, and Educator
Lanier Sammons, an engineer, composer, and educator at California State University, Monterey Bay, shares his insights into music production and education. He discusses his cover of ZZ Top's 'Waiting for the Bus' and the artistic challenges involved in reinterpreting classics. The conversation emphasizes the joy of collaboration, recalling experiences from the Monterey Songwriting Retreat. Lanier also highlights the innovative approaches in music education that foster creativity and the impact of personal environments on musical inspiration.