Working Class Audio

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Ady Parzentny. Adrian Parzentny is a German‒Polish music producer, audio engineer, and creative adventurer. With over 13 years of travel and music production experience, Adrian has recorded traditional musicians across Morocco, the Sahara Desert, and beyond — often in remote villages, mountain ranges, and DIY setups built inside vans and hotel rooms. In This Episode, We Discuss: Barcelona move Audio Nomad book Studio connections Modeling Freelance audio Travel recording Gear philosophy Artist support Music mediums Authentic living Intuition guides Links and Show Notes: Get the book!  Listen to Ady on WCA #468 Matt's Rant: More Discipline Credits: Guest:  Ady Parzentny Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer, engineer, and musician Assaad Lakkis, the creative force behind Bull Funk Zoo and owner of Bull Funk Studios in Dubai. Assad’s career blends boundary-pushing rock, funk, and experimental sounds with his work producing and recording artists from around the world, making him a central figure in the Middle Eastern music scene. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Bullfunk Identity Time in the US Bullfunk Studios Learning and Mentorship First Studio Challenges Job Market in Dubai Current Home Studio Financial Realities Client Acquisition Diversified Income Continuous Learning Perseverance Mental Health Matt's Rant: Self-employed discipline Links and Show Notes: Bull Funk Zoo: https://www.bullfunkzoo.com/ Bull Funk Studios: https://bullfunkstudios.com/ Bull Fuunk Zoo on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BullFunkZoo/videos Credits: Guest: Assaad Lakkis Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer, engineer, mixer, Toby Lloyd who runs Tiny Triumph Recordings in Wellington, New Zealand. Toby's career spans working in film (The Hobbit Trilogy, Avatar, Mortal Engines) as well as music by playing a central role in the New Zealand Music world.  In This Episode, We Discuss: Producing And Mixing Music Rooftop Recording Studio Meditation And Cold Plunge Punk Rock Beginnings 110 Studio Rejections Sound Recordist On The Hobbit Learning In Collaboration Eight Years In Film University Studio Engineer Full-Time Music Producer Intimate Studio Design New Studio Lease Parenting Five Children Artist Relationship Building Financial Discipline Strategy Wellington Music Challenges Safe Space For Artists Staying In New Zealand Stories Of Perseverance Links and Show Notes: Toby's Studio Matt's Rant: A Brainstorm Credits: Guest: Toby Lloyd Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer/engineer/musician Pierre de Reeder. Pierre owns and runs 64 Sound and is a member of the band Rilo Kiley.  In This Episode, We Discuss: Rilo Kiley LA Survival 64 Sound Dave Trumfio Recording on 8 Track Cassette New Studio Business Model Bonding with the Landlord The Hunt Links and Show Notes: 64 Sound Rilo Kiley King Size Sound Labs Rob Schnapf on WCA Profit First Book You Are a Bad Ass at Making Money Book The Psychology of Money Matt's Rant: Money Talk Credits: Guest: Pierre de Reeder Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes engineer and producer Mark Pistel. His extensive credits include influential work with Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and Consolidated, as well as notable collaborations with artists such as Meat Beat Manifesto, Grace Jones, Hercules and Love Affair, Chuck Prophet, Rykarda Parasol, Machines of Loving Grace, Holly Herndon, Los Mocosos, and many others. In This Episode, We Discuss: Growing up in Duluth Vibrant San Francisco Scene Sampler Revolution Disposable Heroes Album Production Jack Dangers Adapting to Industry Changes Union Work Links and Show Notes: https://www.markpistel.com Matt's Rant: Differences Credits: Guest: Mark Pistel Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer & Producer Stefan Bock. His credits include productions for Peter Maffay, Herbert Grönemeyer, Sarah Brightman, Yello, 2L, Berliner Philharmoniker and Deutsche Grammophon. Due to his expertise in the field of immersive audio, Stefan Bock is a renown speaker at international congresses, including those of the Audio Engineering Society and the Association of German Sound Engineers. He is also a regular lecturer at the ARD.ZDF Medienakademie. In This Episode, We Discuss: Being Too Early Inventions Immersive Audio Pure Audio Streaming MSM Studios The Beauty of Niche Good Acoustics Links and Show Notes: Pure Audio Streaming MSM Studios Matt's Rant: Nerd Groups Credits: Guest: Stefan Bock Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer, mixer, composer and songwriter Daniel Holter. Daniel first appeared in 2018 on WCA Episode #179. Over the years, Daniel has mixed music by artists such as Nick Lowe, Field Report, Over The Rhine, Amos Lee, Blitzen Trapper, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Phil Keaggy, Crowded House, Dead Horses, WebsterX, and Ryan Higa. He’s also composed and/or produced thousands of cues currently being used by such varied clients as Apple, Nike, Google, Microsoft, GM & Gatorade, virtually all of the top shows on HBO, ESPN, CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, and all across the globe in tv, radio, advertisements, video games and film. In This Episode, We Discuss: Studio Aesthetics Hospitality Making Artists Feel at Home THUD Studios Relationships Cashflow Seattle Family Business Candles Links and Show Notes: Daniel on WCA #179 The Candles! (discount Applied on Checkout) THUD Studio Matt's Rant: The Curse Credits: Guest: Daniel Holter Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer and Composer Dane Giordano who has engineered artists for Warner, Sony and Universal Music Group. Dane has composed music for Film, Video Games, Television and more! He is also one of the House Engineers at Young Avenue Sound & Sun Studio. In This Episode, We Discuss: First Studio Experience Touring Survival Methods Bad Engineer Experiences Positive Studio Experiences Flat Rates Engineering Transition  Sun Studio  Electrical Audio Internship Steve Albini's Kindness Professional Studio Habits Embrace Beginner Mindset Clients By Word-Of-Mouth Financial Discipline  Diversifying Services Links and Show Notes: Dane's Site Matt's Rant: Session Documentation in the 21st Century Credits: Guest: Dane Giordano Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy Winning Producer/engineer/mixer, Justin Francis who has worked alongside artists like Sheryl Crow, Kacey Musgraves, Tyler Childers, Lake Street Dive, Justin Timberlake, Madison Cunningham, Gary Clark Jr, Sarah Jarosz and Lauren Daigle. In This Episode, We Discuss: Early Music Passion Audio Production Path Studio Immersion Formal Audio Training Nashville Career Growth Efficient Studio Culture Navigating Payment Ethics Community Client Insights Nashville's "Clicky" Nature Remote Studio Benefits Beyond Music Row Links and Show Notes: Justin's Site Matt's Rant: Simplification Credits: Guest: Justin Francis Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back mastering engineer and host of The Mastering Show, Ian Shepherd. They dive into the current state of mastering, AI’s growing role, work/life balance, and in-the-box vs. out-of-the-box mastering. In This Episode, We Discuss: Companion podcast episode Advances in mastering technology The rise of AI mastering Shift toward releasing singles Impact of social media Mastering now democratized Lower barrier to entry AI lacks human context AI results often bland/generic Humans provide taste and nuance Networking challenges in rural areas Technology removes many practical limits Career hasn’t suffered despite changes Facing an empty nest soon Focus on intentional, joyful work Known as the "loudness guy" Links and Show Notes: Ian's 100th episode Ian on WCA #132 Matt's Rant: Building Things Credits: Guest: Ian Shepherd Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell The Voice: Chuck Smith