Master Your Mix Podcast

Mike Indovina
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Apr 13, 2022 • 1h 11min

Travis Ference: Making Your DAW Do the Work for You

Travis Ference is a mixer, producer, and recording engineer based out of Los Angeles, CA.  With over a decade of experience in the record business he has managed to work on multiple #1 albums, several top 10's, numerous RIAA platinum and gold certified records, as well as hit TV shows and blockbuster films.  His work can be heard on more than 15 million albums sold worldwide and nearly a billion streams.Upon graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, Travis moved to Hollywood and began working at Capitol Studios where he had the privilege of learning the art of recording from their world-class staff and clientele.  He would later join that staff as an in-house engineer for over five years.  After leaving his position at Capitol he worked as chief engineer for Alex da Kid's record label, KIDinaKORNER, managing their studios and handling day-to-day sessions and operations. Travis now works independently, producing and mixing for various artists, both in Los Angeles and remotely around the globe.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Picking microphones for their EQ curvesDrum tuning: why it’s so importantA technique for achieving a slamming drum soundFinding the “priority” of the mixHow to find frequencies that are masking each otherIdentifying the problems with your room and how it effects what you hear in your mixesBuilding templatesHow to properly gainstage your signalGetting big low end: how to get your kick and bass tracks to work well togetherUsing rough mixes as inspirationTo learn more about Travis Ference, visit: https://www.travisference.com/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/  Want additional help with your music productions? For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have questions you’d like answered on the show? Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!
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Apr 6, 2022 • 60min

EveAnna Manley: Understanding Tube Gear

EveAnna Manley is the CEO and co-founder of Manley Laboratories - makers of high-end audio gear frequently found in studios all over the world.Born in Las Vegas stumbled out of vacuum tube lineage as her father, Albert J. Dauray, owned the famous guitar amplifier company, Ampeg, in the late 1960's. EveAnna grew up in Atlanta listening to vacuum tubes and tales of the tube. She and her sister Stacey graduated from the prestigious Westminster Schools. EveAnna was very active in both the music and art programs in high school and then wound up as a music major at Columbia University with a mid-fi system driving her parents’ leftover AR-2ax speakers. On January 30, 1989, a 20 year old EveAnna on sabbatical from her studies at Columbia University met the crew and was hired on to the production team. She quickly learned to solder and assemble vacuum tube amplifiers, and after training a new team of assemblers, EveAnna worked her way into the Quality Control department.It was at this time that the first Manley professional products were developed, starting with the original 1u Reference 60dB Microphone Preamplifier and soon followed by the Manley Enhanced Pultec and Mid Frequency Equalizers. These products, along with the Manley Reference Cardioid and Reference Gold microphones, all made their debut at the 1990 Los Angeles AES Show.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Working your way up the ladder in the audio industryStanding out at your jobLearning electronicsTubes: What makes them special?What is even vs odd order harmonic distortion?Learning to listen for the differences between different pieces of equipmentAudiophile vs pro audio gearUnderstanding the different types of EQ and compressor designsTo learn more about EveAnna Manley and Manley Labs, visit: https://www.manley.com/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/  Want additional help with your music productions? For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have questions you’d like answered on the show? Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!
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Mar 30, 2022 • 55min

Justin Weis: Starting a Recording Studio Business

Justin Weis is a San Francisco, CA based audio engineer and owner/operator at Trakworx Mastering & Recording.  Justin has mastered, mixed, recorded or produced a wide variety of independent artists.  Some of his more well-known credits include: Sammy Hagar, Papa Roach, NOFX, Elliphant, Matt Nathanson, Larry Coryell, Agalloch, The Coup, B-Legit, Zion I, Berner and Andre Nickatina.  His approach emphasizes analog outboard gear and tape, integrated with modern digital tools.  Justin started out in the 1980s on electric guitar, bass and vocals in local Rock bands, then developed a love for home recording.  He graduated from California Recording Institute in 1994 and was hired as an instructor there.  In 1995 he started Trakworx in a room within the school, then in 1997 he left teaching to create his own studio space.  In recent years Justin has become a full-time mastering engineer.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Renting studios: How to keep your landlords happyGetting started with running a commercial studioCreating a business plan for your studioBuilding systems that make your studio stand out above your competitionHow to build a snowball of clients for your studioNiching down your audio servicesTo learn more about Justin Weiss, visit: https://www.trakworx.com/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/  Want additional help with your music productions? For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have questions you’d like answered on the show? Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!
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Mar 23, 2022 • 59min

Jeremy Griffith: Treating Your DAW Like a Console

Jeremy SH Griffith is producer, mixer, engineer and composer working in music, tv, and film. He has been involved in a wide variety of types of music, from worship music (Kim Walker-Smith, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe) to heavy bands (Norma Jean).IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Treating Pro Tools like a consoleSetting up your sessions for speedUsing track foldersWorking in different genresHow not using templates can help with creativityThe differences in working with new artists vs. established actsWhy the new “standards” of mixing have changedFinding the right vocal effects for your songsSyncing reverbs and delays to your song temposTo learn more about Jeremy Griffith, visit: http://www.jeremyshgriffith.com/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/  Want additional help with your music productions? For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have questions you’d like answered on the show? Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!
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Mar 16, 2022 • 1h 7min

David Castillo: Mixing Heavy Music

David Castillo is a producer and mixing engineer who conducts his business under the name “Ghost Ward”.  He is renowned worldwide for his work with prestigious bands such as Opeth, Whitechapel, Katatonia, Carcass, Dark Tranquillity, Leprous, Soen, Soilwork, Candlemass, Bloodbath and many more. Since 2014 Castillo has co-owned the legendary Studio Gröndahl in Stockholm along with Jens Bogren.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Dealing with stress in the studio and when working in live soundWorking with established bands: How to strike a balance of preserving their old sounds vs taking it in a new directionHow to pick the right producer to work withGetting rid of layers in order to achieve clarityHow to shape sounds at the source so that you don’t have to fix it in the mixGetting great bass tones: How to use a multi-amp setupCreating a balanced low end between your kick, bass, and guitar tracksWorking with blast beats and double kick: How to get them to sound clear in the mixHow to use automation to make your mixes sound more excitingTo learn more about David Castillo, visit: http://davidcastillo.se/ and http://studiogrondahl.se/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/  Want additional help with your music productions? For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have questions you’d like answered on the show? Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!
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Mar 9, 2022 • 1h 10min

John Greenham: Mastering for Billie Eilish

John Greenham is a Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer who has worked with many great artists including Billie Eilish, Los Tigres del Norte, Sam Smith, Katy Perry, Ice Cube, Banks, and many more. He currently works independently out of Echo Park in LA.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Learning to hear small boosts/cuts with EQThe benefits of analog vs digital gear in masteringWorking with Billie EilishHow to prepare your tracks for masteringHow to make your songs sound louder on SpotifyWhy you should mix with a limiter on How to make your low end feel hugeTo learn more about John Greenham, visit: http://www.johngreenham.com/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/  Want additional help with your music productions? For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have questions you’d like answered on the show? Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!
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Mar 2, 2022 • 1h 20min

Graham Waks: How to Acoustically Treat Your Home Studio

Graham Waks, recording engineer, mixer, producer, and owner of Left Plus Right Studio in Nashville, TN. He also runs Music City Acoustics, designing and building acoustic panels for home studios. He recorded and mixed projects in a wide range of genres with artists signed to major labels as well as indie artists paving their own way. Some of Graham’s music credits include: Lindi Ortega, Parade of Lights, Hadley Kennary, Kevin Presbrey, and Lauren Strange to name a few.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:How to learn about acoustics Finding your ideal listening positionHow to learn your room so that you can mix accuratelyHow to optimize your listening environment for freeMonitoring levels: What is the ideal level to listen atHow to measure room modesWhat type of acoustic treatment should you use?How to build your own treatmentWhy using Sonarworks isn’t the ideal way to tune your roomTo learn more about Graham Waks, visit: https://www.musiccityacoustics.com/For more information on Sonarworks, visit: http://links.masteryourmix.com/sonarworksLooking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/  Want additional help with your music productions? For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have questions you’d like answered on the show? Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!
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Feb 23, 2022 • 1h 24min

Jett Galindo: Mastering for Vinyl

Jett Galindo is a Filipino mastering engineer based in Los Angeles who has worked on albums for artists including Barbra Streisand, Weezer, Selena Gomez, Neil Young, and Pink Floyd.Jett began her engineering career in the world-renowned Avatar Studios in New York as the recording engineer for producer Jerry Barnes. As Barnes’ engineer, Jett engineered for veteran artists such as legendary singer-songwriter Roberta Flack, Nile Rodgers and Latin Grammy-winning Brazilian rock band Jota Quest.In 2013, Jett joined The Mastering Lab family as the sole right-hand man to pioneer mastering engineer and Grammy Technical Achievement award winner Doug Sax. Under the steady mentorship of the late Sax, Jett burgeoned to become the newest mastering engineer in The Mastering Lab roster. In 2014, Jett’s work with Brazilian rock band Jota Quest garnered the group a Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album.With engineering credits spanning different genres and legendary artists (Bette Midler, Randy Travis, Nile Rodgers, Roberta Flack and Gustavo Santaolalla, to name a few), Jett Galindo carries on the legacy left behind by her late mentor, mastering legend Doug Sax (The Mastering Lab). She now works as a mastering engineer alongside Eric Boulanger at The Bakery, located at the Sony Pictures Lot in Culver City, Los Angeles.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:The best ways to learn your equipment so that you can get the most out of itWhy it’s better to have less gear than moreChoosing gear that has a purposeHow to train your ears using blind testsBroad vs. narrow EQ - which is better?Why mastering engineers are very subtle with the EQ moves they makeMastering for vinylWhat to look out for when making a vinyl masterHow to choose the right manufacturing plantWhy track order is extremely important with vinyl mastersTo learn more about Jett Galindo, visit: https://www.jettgalindo.com/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/  Want additional help with your music productions? For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have questions you’d like answered on the show? Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!
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Feb 16, 2022 • 1h 12min

Bruce Kaphan: How to Become a Session Musician

Bruce Kaphan is a musician who has worked on many studio projects, often as a pedal steel player. Kaphan was a member of American Music Club.In addition to Mark Eitzel and American Music Club, Kaphan has worked on albums for Sheryl Crow, The Black Crowes, R.E.M., John Lee Hooker, Chris Isaak, Francesco De Gregori, Love & Rockets, Red House Painters and many others. He has also appeared in such live or pre-recorded television performances of David Byrne’s Feelings tour, and Jewel’s Saturday Night Live and MTV Unplugged appearances. Kaphan has also written many articles for Recording Magazine, and has released 3 solo albums - Slider- Ambient Excursions for Pedal Steel Guitar (2001), Hybrid (2010) and Bruce Kaphan Quartet (2012).IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:How to become a session musicianIs it better to niche down as a session performer?Does it matter if you know how to read music?What does it take to be the musician people want to hire?Writing for film scores - How to convey the emotion of a sceneHow to record pedal steelPedal steel signal chains that will give you big, lush, ambient soundsTo learn more about Bruce Kaphan, visit: http://www.brucekaphan.comLooking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/  Want additional help with your music productions? For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have questions you’d like answered on the show? Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!
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Feb 9, 2022 • 1h 10min

Joe Costable: Creating Great Mixes With Minimal Processing

Joe Costable started his career in Houston Texas at Studio 7303. Starting as an intern, Joe eventually moved up the ranks as an engineer working with many prominent artists and producers, such as Mike Jones, Scarface, Mannie Fresh, Gerald Levert, and many others. In the years since, Joe has worked with many more artists in genres from hip-hop to shoegaze. His work has been everywhere from top 10 at radio, selling millions of copies worldwide, national ad campaigns, to being featured on the most underground of music blogs.Joe currently works out of his New York based studio mixing primarily Rock, Alternative, and Pop records. He is a member of the Audio Engineering Society and a voting member of The Recording Academy. Some of his notable credits include artists such as American Authors, Good Charlotte, Rob Thomas, Bayside, and Young Rising SonsIN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Top-down mixing: How you can create a great sounding mix just using the master bussWhy it’s a good idea to NOT use compression in your mixesUsing automation vs compression: Which is better for creating clarity in your tracks?Joe’s vocal chainWhen and where to use saturationSidechaining effectsThe simple mix prep step Joe takes to have more control over gates and compressorsWhy renaming tracks in your session can actually cause you troubleUsing Soundflow to save time on your mixesA tool to easily convert your stereo tracks to monoStreamlining your mix revisions process with a simple appTo learn more about Joe Costable, visit: https://www.joecostable.com/To learn more about Soundflow, visit: http://links.masteryourmix.com/soundflowLooking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/  Want additional help with your music productions? For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have questions you’d like answered on the show? Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!

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