

Working Class Audio
Working Class Audio
The Working Class Audio Podcast pulls back the curtain on the professional recording world. Host and audio engineer Matt Boudreau talks with guests from music, film, games, restoration, and beyond—diving into their real-world journeys. No fluff, just honest conversations about the wins, losses, money, collaboration, and survival strategies that define a career in audio. It's recording life from a working class perspective.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 17, 2023 • 60min
WCA #448 with Tim O'Sullivan - Cars on Fire, The Phoenix Sun, Niko Bolas, Eric Valentine, and Polite Persistence
My guest is Grammy Nominated producer /engineer Tim O'Sullivan who has worked with Rayland Baxter, Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Mia Doi Todd, Chicano Batman, and É Arenas. In this episode, we discuss
The Phoenix Sun
Uncles Band
College Studio
Cars on Fire
Mechanical Engineering
Arizona Studios
Working at Capital
The Runner Pool
Niko Bolas
Being Honest
Basic Signal Flow
Night Crew
Eric Valentine
Archives at EMI
Amazing Time
Polite Persistence
Working for UTA
Studio Installs
Brooklyn
Tech work
Matt's Rant: Doing Audio in PublicLinks and Show Notes
Tim's Site
Niko Bolas
Steve Genewick
Eric Valentine
Credits
Guest: Tim O'Sullivan
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Jul 10, 2023 • 1h 3min
WCA #447 with Harold LaRue- Mastering, Michigan Winters, Restaurant Lessons, Discharging Capacitors, Connecting Via The Union, and Professional Communications
My guest is Grammy Winning Mastering engineer Harold LaRue who has worked with Wayne Shorter, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, Lisa Bella Donna, Jeffrey Osborne (L.T.D.), Joey Alexander, Kayley Hill (The Voice), Jack Russell's Great White, and Southern Raised. In this episode, we discuss
Navy Brat Life
Michigan Winters
4 Track Entry
Ronan Chris Murphy
Software Development
Pro Audio Repair
Discharging Capacitors
Restaurant Lessons
Earned Marketing
Food Recycling
Retro Instruments
Moving Around the US
Networking via NARAS
Transitioning to Mastering
Growing Tired of Moving
Moving to Houston
Connecting Via The Union
How to Join The Union
Winning a Grammy
Professional Communications
Matt's Rant: Studio Owner DiversificationLinks and Show Notes
Ronan Chris Murphy on WCA
Harold's Site
Credits
Guest: Harold LaRue
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Jul 3, 2023 • 1h 22min
WCA #446 with Andrew Oedel- Running a Church Studio, Costco TV's, Diversification, Goodfellas, and Dressing Up As An Elf
My guest is Grammy Nominated Recording Engineer/Mixer Andrew Oedel. Andrew owns Ghost Hit Recording and has worked with Sophie B. Hawkins, Brynn Cartelli, Mandy Harvey, Heather Maloney, Rachael Price, Seth Glier, The Front Bottoms, Sincere Engineer, and Watsky.In this episode, we discuss
Growing up in Western Mass
Early Focus on Music
Connecticut College
NYU
Internships
Freelancing
Avatar
Casting A Wide Net
Dressing Up As An Elf
Customer Service
Handouts
Willing to Clean Toilets
Studio Etiquette
Goodfellas
Working with Watsky
Studio in a Warehouse
220-Year-Old Church Studio
Double Mortgages
Accommodating Outside Producer/Engineers
Studio Rates
Family
Costco TV's
Diversification
Studio Expenses
Property Tax
Matt's Rant: Matt's New MachineLinks and Show Notes
Andrew's Studio
Hollow Mountain Sound
Matts Picture Instagram
Watsky x Infinity
Credits
Guest: Andrew Oedel
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Jun 26, 2023 • 1h 10min
WCA #445 with Brad Smalling- Adopting ATMOS, Watching the Bottom Line, Relationships, Outreach, and Networking
My guest is Brad Smalling, Atmos Creative, Engineer, and Owner of Evergroove Studio. Brad has worked on projects for J Balvin, Carly Simon, Story of the Year, RoSaWay, and Enisa, Bava.In this episode, we discuss
Reconnecting
Athena Wilkinson
Ergonomic Nightmare
Adopting ATMOS
Spousal Instinct
UMG
J Balvin
Wes LaChot
Watching the Bottom Line
D Mixing
Solar Power
Inspiration
Business Coaching
Relationships
Outreach
Sonos ERA300
Getting Out and Networking
Matt's Rant: Sonic IntrusionLinks and Show Notes
Evergroove Studio
Lisa Zahiya Business Coach
Credits
Guest: Brad Smalling
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Jun 19, 2023 • 1h 59min
WCA #444 with Jacob Light- The Acute Student, Survival, Focus, Discipline, Financial Literacy, and Music as Religion
My guest is Producer/Engineer and owner of Modern Tone Studios, Jacob Light. Jacob has worked with Tess Stevens & The Details, Briget Boyle, Lipstick, and many local artists, bands, and singer/songwriters that write fantastic music.In this episode, we discuss
Israel
School and Music
Falling in Love with The Beatles
Legendary Mix Tapes
Curators
Recording Discovery
Digidesign VHS Tapes
Focus and Discipline
Growing the Network
Weed and Pizza
School Negotiations
Survival
Lack of Entitlement
Israeli Airforce
Acute Student
Moving to The US
Starting Over
Music as Religion
Building a Studio
Running a Successful Studio
Financial Literacy
Buy Back Your Time
Matt's Rant: A New LaptopLinks and Show Notes
Modern Tone Studios
Buy Back Your Time
Credits
Guest: Jacob Light
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Jun 12, 2023 • 1h 16min
WCA #443 with Golden Gate Mixers - Mixing Collective, Mutual Respect, Working in Silos, Coffee Bar Needs, and Putting on Pants
My guest is my mixing and mastering collective with Reto Peter and Mckay Garner called Golden Gate Mixers. In this episode, we discuss
Mixing Collective
Celebrating Wins
Working in Silo's
Mutual Respect
The Dynamics of Numbers
Working from Home
Putting on Pants
Feeling Isolated
Coffee Bar Needs
Focusing
Space Constraints
Selling Gear
The Hassle of Setup
Apartment Studios
Separation
Soundproofing
Neighbors
ATMOS Considerations
Competition
Support Systems
Matt's Rant: Working From HomeLinks and Show Notes
Golden Gate Mixers Site
McKay on WCA #294
Reto on WCA #295
Weird Jungle Collective
Credits
Guest: Golden Gate Mixers
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Jun 5, 2023 • 1h 11min
WCA #442 with Louie Gonzalez - Family, Listening Habits, Recording as a Drug, Financial Consistency, Day Gigs, and Being Happy
My guest is Recording Engineer/Mastering Engineer/Producer, Louie Gonzalez who has worked on projects with Tropa Magica, Discordant, 4thy, LIV, Suzie True, little fighter, and Banana Leaf Boy. In this episode, we discuss
San Pedro California
Swimming
Family
Access to Music
Oldest Child
Value in Failure
Death Metal Pedal
Recording as a Drug
Cal State Dominguez
The Apple Store
Financial Consistency
Viacom CBS
The Shelter Studios
Moving to Mastering
Listening Habits
Saying No
Day Gigs
Purchase Decisions
Having Audio Pay For Itself
Being Happy
Matt's Rant: Taking My Own AdviceLinks and Show Notes
Cesar on WCA
Louie's Site
Credits
Guest: Louie Gonzalez
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

May 29, 2023 • 57min
WCA #441 with Anna Frick- Polyester School Band, Mix Tapes, Post College Challenges, Saturn Return, and Surviving the Cut
My guest is Colorado-based mastering and restoration engineer Anna Frick who has worked on projects for Billy Strings, Wayne Gottstine (of Split Lip Rayfield), Wood & Wire (GRAMMY-nominated), Ben Sollee, Bill & the Belles, Stelth Ulvang, Cellista, Cody Qualls, Curtis McMurtry, Lil Smokies, LVDY, Dzirae Gold, Justin Hiltner, The Rise and Fall of Paramount Records (Third Man Records), the Navajo Nations (oral history project).In this episode, we discuss
Fort Collins Born
Outdoor Upbringing
Polyester School Band
Game Boy Soundman
Recording Friends
Positive Recording Experience
Mix Tapes
Music Industry Studies
CU Denver
Post College Challenges
Booking Agency Internship
Trying to Get a Foot In The Door
Calling the Cops
Audio Book Publishing
Editing Room Tone
Airshow Mastering
Saturn Return
Financial Planning
Developing Workflows
Mastering Mastering
QCing
The Growth of Hearing
File Management
Surviving the Cut
CRM Nerd Fest
Going Solo
Setting Up Shop
Wind Over the Earth
Branding
Centering Oneself
Matt's Rant: How Are We Spending Our Time?Links and Show Notes
Anna's Site
Anna on Instagram
David Glasser on WCA
Jason Livermore on WCA
Credits
Guest: Anna Frick
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

May 22, 2023 • 55min
WCA #440 with Tess Greenham - Training the Ears, Understanding the Business, Mastering Notes, Sonic Growth, and Working with Her Dad
My guest is Los Angeles-based Mastering Engineer Tess Greenham, who has worked with Trousdale, McCall, RF Shannon, Cami Petyn, and Bellsaint.In this episode, we discuss
Growing Up In SF
Moving to LA
Awareness of Audio
Working with Her Dad
Pandemic Discovery
Training the Ears
Understanding the Business
Keeping Calm with Clients
Mastering Notes
Sonic Growth
Appreciating Analog Gear
Honoring the Artist's Intention
Dealing with Slammed Mixes
Learning From a Parent
Being a Nepo Baby
Being Organized
Leaving the Sonic Nest
Working From Home
Financial Approach
Matt's Rant: Taking Care of the ClientsLinks and Show Notes
Tess and John's Site
Tess on Instagram
Credits
Guest: Tess Greenham
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

May 15, 2023 • 1h 21min
WCA #439 with John McBride - Always Learning, The Golden Rule, The Next Lennon and McCartney, Positive Attitude, and Inside Blackbird
My guest is Engineer/Mixer, Studio Owner, and Live FOH Engineer John McBride, who many know as the man behind Blackbird Studios. John has worked with his wife, Martina McBride, Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart, Take 6, Joss Stone, and Greta Van Fleet, to name a few. In this episode, we discuss
Wichita, Kansas
Joe Walsh
Parents Musical Tastes
The 10 Best Years of Music
Piano Lessons
Save The Music
Dissecting Music
The Next Lennon and McCartney
Chemistry Major
Getting Laughed at By The Bank
Starting a Sound Company
Always Learning
Parents House Collateral
Selling to Clare Brothers
Having No Debt
Positive Attitude
James Brown to Metallica
RATT and the Birth of KYFO
Small World of Touring
Moving to Nashville
Garth Brooks
The Golden Rule
Building Blackbird Studios
Richard Dodd
Vance Powell
Rolf Zweep
Mark Rubel
Luck in Business
Gretch Round Badge
Inside Blackbird
Trina Shoemaker
Matt's Rant: Investing in Yourself!Links and Show Notes
Inside Blackbird
Blackbird Studio
Blackbird Academy
Blackbird Rentals
Credits
Guest: John McBride
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith