Working Class Audio
Working Class Audio
Peel back the glamour of the professional recording world. Guests from the world of audio for music, film, games, restoration, and more share their insights on how they made their journey, how they survive, their advice on the real things including wins, losses, working with other people, money, and career advice.
Hosted by audio engineer Matt Boudreau.
The Working Class Audio Podcast - Navigating the World of Recording with a working class perspective.
Hosted by audio engineer Matt Boudreau.
The Working Class Audio Podcast - Navigating the World of Recording with a working class perspective.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 21, 2025 • 1h 39min
WCA #575 with Michael Beinhorn – Remote Production, Artist Development, Risk Taking, High-End Listening, and Unique Voices
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer Michael Beinhorn who has worked with The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Herbie Hancock, Korn, Marilyn Manson, Weezer, Ozzy Osbourne, Hole, Cuco, Aerosmith & Violent Femmes. Michael originally appeared on WCA #029 back in 2015. In This Episode, We Discuss:Music productionRemote productionPre-productionMusic critiqueMainstream musicAI in musicUnique voicesMusic industryCreativity in musicMusic technologyArtist developmentRisk-taking in musicMusic analysisRecording industryListening setupCollaborationLinks and Show Notes:Michael's SiteMichael on WCA #029Matt's Rant: Auto PilotCredits:Guest: Michael BeinhornHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
Dec 16, 2025 • 1h 6min
WCA #574 with Stephen DeAcutis –Owning Your Time, Getting It Right At The Source, Solving Audio Problems, and Performing Live
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mixer, producer, engineer, writer, and performer Stephen DeAcutis. Stephen has worked with Vanilla Fudge, Gladys Knight, Travers and Appice, Corey Glover, and Cyndi Lauper. In This Episode, We Discuss:Owning Your TimeEmbracing Old and NewCelebrating the New GenerationSolving Audio ProblemsWorking At HomeCommunicating with MusiciansGetting It Right At The SourcePerforming LiveLinks and Show Notes:Stephen's SiteStephen on InstagramMatt's Rant: Staying PositiveCredits:Guest: Stephen DeAcutisHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 11min
WCA #573 with Natalie Bibby – AIR Studios, Direct to Disc, Attended Sessions, MPG, and Connecting with Others
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mastering and lathe cutting engineer Natalie Bibby who works at AIR Studios in the U.K.. Natalie has worked with Kraftwerk, Bring Me The Horizon, Lola Young, Jimmy Eat World, The Vaccines, Lewis Capaldi, GIRLI, and CATTYShe's also led a world-class mastering workshop at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios, UK.In This Episode, We Discuss:Early musical influencesStarting in recording & mixingUniversity training & goalsMetropolis internship lessonsMoving into masteringLive cuts & direct-to-discHalf-speed mastering overviewLearning & mentorship insightsJoining AIR StudiosAIR StudiosValue of attended sessionsManaging client expectationsHybrid mastering workflowsHow mastering engineers listenCommon mixing problemsMusic Producers Guild Challenges for studiosAIR’s cutting reputationVinyl cutting processMastering vs. cuttingAmerican mastering mystiqueLinks and Show Notes:AIR StudiosMusic Producers GuildMatt's Rant: How we present ourselvesCredits:Guest: Natalie BibbyHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
Dec 2, 2025 • 1h 14min
WCA #572 with Alex Crescioni - Extreme Metal, Techniques, Clients, Survival, and Letting Go.
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back guitarist, producer, and mixing/mastering engineer Alex Crescioni to talk about Extreme Metal production. Alex is known for his work with Burton C. Bell, Deverauxx, and Siglos.In This Episode, We Discuss:Extreme MetalTechniquesSoundsRoom ToneBusinessSurvivalLetting GoLinks and Show Notes:Alex’s SiteAlex on LinkedinAlex on InstagramAlex on WCA #333Matt's Rant: Spread the WorkCredits:Guest: Alex CrescioniHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
WCA #571 with Don Setaro –DEEP DIVE - Gary Young Hospital For The Chemically Insane
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer/engineer/mixer and record label owner Don Setaro. Matt and Don get into a deep dive discussion of the re-issue process for former Pavement drummer, Gary Young's album "Hospital For The Chemically Insane". Former WCA guests Dan Johnson and Justin Perkins chime in to talk about their role in the process. In This Episode, We Discuss:PavementGary YoungDetective WorkRestorationTape RescueMastering from CDRe- IssueKeeping the VibeLinks and Show Notes:Gary on BandcampIAC RecordsMatt's Rant: StructureCredits:Guest: Don Setaro /Dan Johnson/Justin PerkinsHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 25min
WCA #570 with Ken Sluiter – A deep dive into stereo rebuilds for Atmos mixing.
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer/engineer and mixer Ken Sluiter to delve into the intricate process of stereo rebuilds for Atmos mixing. They discuss the challenges of finding and organizing original material, the importance of matching to comparison masters, and the unique aspects of each project. Ken shares insights on the ingestion process, the role of research in understanding original recordings, and the potential of AI tools in audio restoration. The discussion also touches on the future of mixing and the evolving landscape of music production.In This Episode, We Discuss:Stereo rebuilds for Atmos mixing.The process involves gathering original assets and recreating mixes.Each project is unique, requiring a tailored approach.Matching to a comparison master is crucial for accuracy.Researching the original recording can provide valuable insights.AI tools can assist in stem separation but have limitations.Finalizing mixes involves careful listening and adjustments.The future of audio mixing may involve more AI and technology.Understanding the original recording process is key to successful rebuilds.Links and Show Notes:Ken on WCA #166Matt's Rant: Music Expo/AES/NAMMCredits:Guest: Ken SluiterHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 9min
WCA #569 with Dan Johnson & Catherine Vericolli – Audio Restoration/Archive Deep Dive
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Dan Johnson of Audio Archiving Services and Catherine Vericolli of Central Audio Archiving to do a deep dive into the world of audio archiving, preservation, and restoration. In This Episode, We Discuss:Analog TapesAnalog MachinesModular Digital MultitracksDAT MachinesDASH MachinesPro DigiRetrospectMezzoLinks and Show Notes:Links to Danhttps://www.audioarchivingservices.com/https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-405-with-dan-johnson/Links to Catherine https://www.centralaudioarchiving.com/https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-035-with-catherine-vericolli/https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-403-with-catherine-vericolli/Matt's Rant: This AI ThingCredits:Guest: Dan Johnson & Catherine VericolliHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 47min
WCA #568 with John Cuniberti – OneMIc, Dynamics, Acoustics, Placement, and 2 Tracks
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back John Cuniberti who produces, engineers, mixes and masters records for many artists including most notably Joe Satriani, Sammy Hagar, The Dead Kennedys, and Chicken Foot. John originally appeared WCA #005 back in 2014 and returns to do a deep dive into his OneMic recording concept. In This Episode, We Discuss:OneMic SeriesDynamicsAcousticsPlacementTempo2 Track as Multi-TrackRibbon MicsLinks and Show Notes:OneMIc on YouTubeJohn's SiteShiny Eyes StudioMatt's Rant: Focus of Your AttentionCredits:Guest: John CunibertiHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 7min
WCA #567 with Gena Johnson – Listening to Artists, Keeping Overhead Low, Career Champions, and Glitter Walls
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy Winning producer/engineer/mixer Gena Johnson who has worked with Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, and John Prine. In This Episode, We Discuss:Leave your ego at the doorMake people feel comfortableListen to the artistLabels are business partnersWord of mouth workFeminine energy in productionWomen in the industryClassical voice training for 12 yearsInternship at Welcome 1979Learned tape machines and solderingAssisting at Nashville studiosFirst number one recordWorking at RCA Studio ARewiring Studio A intensivelyMentor Michael Wagner's influenceChampions Vance Powell and Daryl ThorpWalls painted with glitterKeep overhead lowGood attorney and manager combinationLinks and Show Notes:Gena's WebsiteGena on InstagramVance Powell on WCAMatt Ross-Spang on WCADarrel Thorpe on WCAMatt's Rant: Sonic Intrusion RevisitedCredits:Guest: Gena JohnsonHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
Oct 21, 2025 • 56min
WCA #566 with Mike Blodgett – Isolated Ground, Ground Rods, Isolation Transformers, Power Conditioners, and Electrical Safety
In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back engineer/producer electrician, Mike Blodgett to discuss electricity and pro audio!In This Episode, We Discuss:Isolated GroundsIsolation TransformersGround RodsPower ConditionersApartment PowerHome Studio PowerElectrical SafetyLinks and Show Notes:Mike on WCA #348Matt's Rant: How You ListenCredits:Guest: Mike BlodgettHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
