

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

Apr 22, 2024 • 1h 14min
WCA #488 with Gavin Haverstick - Acoustical Design, Love of Music, Investing in Yourself, Creating Inspiring Rooms, Acoustic Myths, and Meeting People Where They're At
My guest today is Acoustical Consultant Gavin Haverstick. Gavin has worked on projects for Ringo Starr, Coldplay, Twenty One Pilots, Louis Bell, Tim Henson, Tori Kelly, David Crowder, and Luca Pretolesi. In this episode, we discuss
Small Town in Indiana
Colorado State University
Love of Music
Highschool Sweethearts
Musical Theater
Love of Stability
Robotics and Mechanical Engineering
Working for Auralex
Laminating Battery Cells
Going Solo
Relationships
Hiring People Better Than You
Rider Leadership Solutions
Investing in Yourself
Adding Value
Meeting People Where They're At
Underestimating Isolation
Building Codes
Aiding Contractors
Working with Dolby
ATMOS Rooms
Creating Inspiring Rooms
Storage Space
Lighting
Acoustic Myths
Planning for the Future
Core Values
Matt's Rant: Stepping Outside The BubbleLinks and Show Notes
Haverstick Designs
Richard Carasco on WCA
Credits
Guest: Gavin Haverstick
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Apr 15, 2024 • 1h 27min
WCA #487 with Steve Chadie - Sharing Knowledge, Leaving the Nest, Gig Snagging, Low Maintenance Living, and The Loudness Button
My guest today is the return of Grammy-winning engineer and Mixer Steve Chadie. Steve has worked on projects for Willie Nelson, Los Lonely Boys, Particle Kid, and Supersuckers. In this episode, we discuss
The Shroom Room
Rupert Neve Design
The Well-Behaved Self
Potty Mouth
Too Much Truck Time
Denton, Texas
Titty Bingo
Expanding Client Base
Management
Painfully Introverted
Networking
Willie Nelson
Leaving the Nest
College Ball
Leaving Texas
Making it Work
Being Challenged
Time to Make The Doughnuts
The Inner Asshole
Staying Invisible
Wendel Junior
Missle Command
Low Maintenance Living
Ikigai
Free Work
Gig Snagging
Legal Pads
Mold Sickness
Recalls
Thinking About Quitting
The Loudness Button
Commitment
Willing to Learn
Nighttime Calm
Financial Advice
Sharing Knowledge
Matt's Rant: Tune OutLinks and Show Notes
Steve's Site
Steve's first episode
Titty Bingo
Credits
Guest: Steve Chadie
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Apr 8, 2024 • 59min
WCA #486 with Ryan Ordway - Music Learned Via Camping, The Rembrandts, Fallback Plans, Client Trends, and the Portland Music Scene
My guest today is Producer/Engineer/Songwriter, Ryan Ordway. Ryan runs The Studio Portland and has worked with 98.9 WCLZ Studio Z Series, The Heavy Heavy, Gregory Alan Isa Kov, Nature Valley, and actor Xander Berkeley.In this episode, we discuss
Central New Hampshire
Music Learned Via Camping
Being Connected Technologically
The Rembrandts
Fallback Plan
LA Kicking his Ass
Not Going to Berklee School of Music
Starting on Tape
Home Studio Struggles
Moving to Portland
Clear Lines Between Home and Work
Studio Portland
Facelift for an Old Studio
Portland Music Scene
Speaker Choice
Ready to Record
Client Trends
Mark Rubel
Focusing on the Client
Songwriter Perspective
Matt's Rant: Food for ThoughtLinks and Show Notes
The Studio Portland
Pete Morse on WCA
Todd Hutchison on WCA
Jason Phelps on WCA
Mark Rubel on WCA
Kevin Becka on WCA
Credits
Guest: Ryan Ordway
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Apr 1, 2024 • 1h 1min
WCA #485 with Andy Nelson - Recording Friends, Financial Realities, Wedding Invitations, Getting Serious About Audio, and Postal Jobs
My guest today is Producer/Engineer/Mixer Andy Nelson. Andy has worked on projects for Pain of Truth, 200 Stab Wounds, Fireworks, Primitive Man, Never Ending Game, Full of Hell, Dead in the Dirt, Gridiron, Harms Way, Weekend Nachos, and Inclination. Andy is also the guitarist of Weekend Nachos, Singer/Guitarist of Dust Muscle, and bassist of Like Rats, a self-described art education dropout and a former synthesizer tech.In this episode, we discuss
Early Days
Middle-Class Western Household
School band
Columbia College
Getting Serious About Audio
Recording Friends
Pricing
Music Industry's Challenges
Financial Realities
Postal Workers
Imposter Syndrome
Partnership with Pete Grossman
Chasing Other Sounds
Wedding Invitations
Navigating Financial Waters
Future Plans
Financial Tips
Matt's Rant: PricingLinks and Show Notes
Bricktop Recording
Weekend Nachos
Credits
Guest: Andy Nelson
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Mar 25, 2024 • 1h 10min
WCA #484 with Fernando Reyes - Leaving Peru, Challenging Cultural Norms, Life in a Different Language, Working with Michael Brauer, and Flying Solo
My guest today is Mix Engineer Fernando Reyes. Fernando has worked on projects for The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, Fabio Capri, ARIZONA, and Idina Menzel. He has also spent the last 7.5 years as Michael Brauers' assistant. In this episode, we discuss
Lima, Peru
Exposure to Computer Recording
Early Recording
Leaving Lima
Challenging Cultural Norms
PowerPoint
Planning Ahead
Therapy
Full Sail
Flying Solo
Adulting
Life in a Different Language
Grandparents Spoiling
Friends
Alternaitves to School
Electric Lady Studios
General Assistant
Michael Brauer
Longevity
Raising Questions
Thrown Into the Deep End
Doing His Own Thing
Lessons Learned
ATMOS
New York to Miami
Watering The Seeds
Having Family Close
Taking Meetings
Building Community
Management
Matt's Rant: The Gear We ChooseLinks and Show Notes
Fernando's Site
Michael Brauer on WCA
Credits
Guest: Fernando Reyes
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Mar 18, 2024 • 1h 8min
WCA #483 with Lars Deutsch - Impact Mixing, Composition, Classical Music, Heavy Metal, Soccer, and Brute Force Networking
My guest today is composer, producer, and engineer Lars Deutsch.Lars has worked with 88 Rising Accura Adidas Amazon Anthony Anderson (Transformers) Blacklist (Trailer) Brett Gelman (Stranger Things) Budweiser California Energy Upgrade CBS Conde Nast (featuring BTS, Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Rihanna, Black Pink, Alicia Keys, ASAP Rocky and Dolly Parton, Chris Hemsworth, David Schwimmer, Jessica Chastain, Malin Akerman, Idris Alba, Hillary Duff, Scotty Pippen, Dwayne Haskins, Danielle Brooks, Kendrick Sampson and Billy Eichner) Epson FOX Flying Theater Mexico City Generali Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang Clan) Intel IRKO Higher Brothers Honda Hyundai Ian McKellen (Lord Of The Rings) James Earl Jones (Darth Vader) Joji Kate Micucci (Scrubs, Big Bang Theory) Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid's Tale) Katie Melua Keith Ape Keke Palmer (Hustlers) Lewis Hamilton Magic Wands MBL Mercedes Neckermann Niki Nowness (Louis Vuitton) Oreos Palm Springs Film Festival Patrick Williams Paul Alexander Juutilainen Philip Rivers (NFL quarterback) Philips Rachel Shelley (Deep State) Red Bull Rich Brian Ruinart Stephen King's The Passenger Tencent The Martian (trailer) The Masked Singer Toyota Voices for Children VW Wink Martindale (Tic-Tac-Dough)In this episode, we discuss
Heavy Metal and Soccer
Classical Music
Excited About Guitar
Studying in London
Composition
Audio Branding
Impact Mixing
Berlin
German Stereotypes
Love of Los Angeles
Brute Force Network
Working with Irko
Mixing on His Own
Prodixing
Development
Cash Flow
Always Working
Flagship Projects
Pricing
Voice Doubles
Credits
Revisions
Matt's Rant: Always Be LearningLinks and Show NotesLar's SiteCredits
Guest: Lars Deutsch
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Mar 11, 2024 • 1h 7min
WCA #482 with Ken Lewis - Working from Ohio, Cancelling Vacations, Go Getter Attitude, Producing Remotely, and Mixing Night
My guest today is Grammy-winning producer/mixer/finisher Ken Lewis. Ken has worked on projects for BTS, The Old Kanye, Taylor Swift, and David Byrne.In this episode, we discuss
Working from Ohio
Playing Guitar at 10
Basement Records at 16
Berklee College of Music
Parents Support
Go Getter Attitude
Talent is the Entry
Moving to New York
Getting Mugged
Soundtrack Studios
Interning Etiquette
Specializing
Cancelling Vacations
Working From Home
Leaving New York
Producing Remotely
Being Perceived as Too Expensive
ATMOS
Running A Little Factory
Having Open Heart Surgery
Getting More Rest
Make More Money Than You Spend
Money Press
Mixing Night
Matt's Rant: Reflecting on Mark RubelLinks and Show Notes
Mark Rubel WCA #034
Ken's Site
Mixing Night
Credits
Guest: Ken Lewis
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Mar 4, 2024 • 1h
WCA #481 with Brendan Dekora - What You Put In, Runner Blues, Charging What You Are Worth, Winning a Grammy, and Working From Home
My guest today is Grammy-winning engineer Brendan Dekora, who has worked with Nine Inch Nails and Steven Wilson. In this episode, we discuss
Sibling Music Taste
Marching Snare
Attraction to Audio
Parents Support
CRAS
What You Put In
Moving to LA
Runner Blues
Paying People in Outboard Gear
Building a Portfolio
Raising Your Rates
Charging What You Are Worth
Assistants on the Phone
East West/Cello
Having the Courage to Say Yes
Wearing the Right T-Shirt
Being Ready for the Gig
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Winning a Grammy
Focusing on Mixing
Working From Home
Recalls
ATMOS
Matt's Rant: The Bigger PictureLinks and Show Notes
Brendan's Site
Brendan's Podcast
Credits
Guest: Brendan Dekora
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Feb 26, 2024 • 56min
WCA #480 with Pete Grossman - Local Hardcore and Metal, Chicago Recording Studios, Word of Mouth, Balancing Family and Playing Guitar Upside Down
My guest today is Pete Grossman, Producer/Engineer/Mixer/Mastering Engineer and owner of Bricktop Recording in Chicago, Illinois. Pete has worked with Veil Of Maya, Inclination, Frail Body, Gates to Hell, and Weekend Nachos. In this episode, we discuss
Library Research
Playing Guitar Upside Down
Guitar Lessons
Jazz Band
Columbia College
Family Building
Family Business
Studio Building
Contractor Pricing
Isolation
Word of Mouth
Low Overhead
Property Taxes
Local Hardcore and Metal
Calendar Management
Covid
Accommodating Clients
Remote Work
18 Years of Business
Balancing Family
Growing Financially
No Console
Future Studio Plans
Chicago Recording Studios
Matt's Rant: Business ContinuityLinks and Show Notes
Pete's Studio
Bricktop on Instagram
Credits
Guest: Pete Grossman
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith

Feb 19, 2024 • 60min
WCA #479 with Richard Carrasco - Punk Rock, Electrical Engineering, Sync Libraries, Lame Contractors, and New Studio Construction
My guest today is Producer/Engineer/Composer/Mixer Richard Carrasco, who runs FullWave Studios in Eastvale, California.In this episode, we discuss
South Los Angeles
Weekend Cleaning
Middle Child
Playing Guitar
Community College
Electrical Engineering Degree
Punk Rock
GODSNATAS
Creating a Label
Book Your Own Fucking Life
Electro Magnetics
US Navy
Freelance Recording
Garage Studio
New Studio Construction
Job Flexibility
Haverstick Designs
Lame Contractors
Taking Over Construction
Sync Libraries
Creating Clinics
Live Instruments for Libraries
Matt's Rant: Update on SchoolLinks and Show Notes
Fullwave on Haverstick Designs Site
Fullwave Studios Site
Richard on Instagram
Credits
Guest: Richard Carrasco
Host: Matt Boudreau
Engineer: Matt Boudreau
Producer: Matt Boudreau
Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
Announcer: Chuck Smith