Master Your Mix Podcast

Mike Indovina
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Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 7min

Matt Colton: Why Density is Killing Your Masters

Matt Colton is a Grammy Award–winning mastering engineer whose career has spanned over two decades at the forefront of the music industry. Known for his meticulous ear and versatility across formats, he has mastered projects for some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including Peter Gabriel, Arctic Monkeys, Aphex Twin, James Blake, and Depeche Mode. Beginning his journey in the late 1990s at Porky’s Mastering in London, Colton went on to hold senior roles at AIR Studios and Alchemy Mastering before joining Metropolis Studios, where he now works across stereo, half-speed vinyl, pure analog vinyl, live-to-vinyl, and Dolby Atmos formats. In addition to winning the Music Producers Guild’s Mastering Engineer of the Year award in 2013, he earned a Grammy in 2025 for Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) for his work on Peter Gabriel’s i/o.Colton’s approach to mastering blends technical precision with musical sensitivity, always aiming to enhance the emotional impact of a recording without overshadowing the artist’s intent. A strong advocate for well-designed monitoring environments, he credits his PMC monitors and deep understanding of room acoustics as central to his decision-making process. He is equally comfortable working with cutting-edge digital tools—favoring plugins like the Sonnox Oxford Limiter for its transparency—and traditional analog equipment, especially in his vinyl cutting work. Whether delivering a high-resolution Atmos master or a half-speed vinyl cut, Colton’s work is characterized by clarity, depth, and a deep respect for the music, making him one of the most trusted names in mastering today.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:His journey to becoming a mastering engineerHow a little can go a long way in masteringWhat to look out for in production to ensure the highest quality mastersWhy density doesn’t equal loudThe homogenization of musicMixing mistakes to avoidFinding mastering engineers who complement the needs of your mixWhy you need a clear vision before recording, mixing, or mastering your musicLearning the strengths/weaknesses of your gearPicking gear based on the projectThe simplest way to get wide mastersRemastering George Michael’s “Faith”To learn more about Matt Colton, visit: https://www.thisismetropolis.com/engineers/matt-colton/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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix 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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Aug 20, 2025 • 1h 10min

Vance Powell: Making Mixes with Character (Revisited)

Vance Powell is an American six-time Grammy Award-winning record producer, engineer, and mixer. His credits include Phish, Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Wolfmother, Deadly Apples, Seasick Steve, Black Prairie, The Revivalists, Tinariwen, JEFF the Brotherhood, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes, and Martina McBride, among many others.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:●  Working with Jack White and Chris Stapleton●  How his live sound experience influences his work in the studio●  The importance of “making decisions” while tracking●  Why he doesn’t edit his tracks●  Should you record with a click track?●  Imposter syndrome: How to learn from it●  Why doing “shootouts” is a bad idea●  Reverb vs delay: When it’s better to use one vs the other●  Using saturation●  How to create ambiance through mic positioningTo learn more about Vance Powell, visit: http://www.sputniksound.com/vance/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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix 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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Aug 13, 2025 • 1h 21min

Ken Sluiter: Mixing With Context

Ken Sluiter is a Grammy‑nominated recording engineer, producer, and mixer whose career spans from Chicago’s indie scene to major Los Angeles studios. He has worked with a diverse roster of artists, including Weezer (Red Album), Morrissey, James Blunt, Heart, OK Go, Jerry Lee Lewis, Andra Day, The Mekons, and Flogging Molly. After establishing himself at Chicago’s Kingsize Sound Labs, Ken moved to LA in 2003, where he assisted legendary engineers Andrew Scheps, Greg Fidelman, and Jim Scott on projects for artists such as Metallica, Pink, and Keith Richards.Known for his refined in‑the‑box Pro Tools workflow and ability to commit to bold sonic decisions early in the process, Ken blends analog tracking with digital precision in his own API‑equipped mix room. His credits extend to film and television scores—including Hannibal and American Gods—and he now works extensively in Dolby Atmos, continuing to shape mixes for artists across genres.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Working on jinglesThe process of editing on tapeCharging based on time vs per projectChecking your ego at the door to help grow your careerAlways being ready for anything to happen in the studioBeing flexible to a band’s style of workingHow clocking affects your sound while mixingHow to identify a good clock from a bad oneMixing in-the-box vs. hybridWhy you should listen really loud when starting a mixListening in context to determine when something is/isn’t a problemMaking bass sound good on small speakersFocusing on mixing translationMixing kick drums to feel big, but without being muddyUsing gates as a sound shaperKick/bass relationships: How to get them to work well togetherTo learn more about Ken Sluiter, visit: https://promixacademy.com/mentor/ken-sluiter/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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix 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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Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 15min

Steve Chadie: Working With Willie Nelson (Revisited)

Steve Chadie, a 25+ year veteran of the recording industry, began his career as an intern at Willie Nelson's Pedernales recording studio in 1995, quickly working his way up to Assistant Engineer for Larry Greenhill.He stayed on at Pedernales until the doors closed commercially in 2012. He still records Willie Nelson at the facility, however, including vocals and guitar on “Last Man Standing”, “My Way” (for which he received a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album), “God’s Problem Child”, “Willie Nelson and The Boys”, and “Summertime -Willie Nelson sings Gershwin”.Most recently, Steve co-produced “The Willie Nelson Family”, a collection of songs done with his band in March 2019 and with his immediate family at the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020.Other credits with Willie include tracking engineer on "Heroes”, "Let's Face The Music And Dance”, “Django And Jimmie” (Willie's collaboration with Merle Haggard in 2015) and mixing on "December Day", a collection of work he recorded with Willie and his sister Bobbie in between touring on impromptu sessions that date as far back as 2004.Steve has been awarded a double platinum record for Los Lonely Boys "Heaven" and was nominated for a Grammy for the song "Heaven", as well. He has recorded and/or mixed five Los Lonely Boys records since their debut release.Other accolades include a triple platinum record for work done on Sublime's "Sublime" and a platinum record for work on Hillary Duff's self-titled recording "Hillary Duff". In addition, he has been awarded a gold record for work done on Kenny Wayne Shepherd's "Live On" CD.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Working with Willie NelsonBeing reliableHow to get artists to keep hiring youWhy you should always be “rolling” when in the studioRiding vocals as you record themRecording brushes on a drum kitHow to record acoustic guitarsMono vs stereo recording techniques on guitars: When and where to use themSteve’s technique for creating wide-sounding acoustic guitarsExperimenting in the studio without slowing down a session To learn more about Steve Chadie visit: https://stevechadie.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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix 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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Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 9min

Taylor Larson: Creating Energetic Rock Drums (Revisited)

Taylor Larson is a record producer, mixer, and audio engineer who has worked with artists such as Asking Alexandria, Periphery, From First to Last, I See Stars, Veil of Maya, Within Temptation, The Dangerous Summer, Conditions, and Sky Eats Airplane. He is also the guitarist of The Evening.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Making sacrifices to work in audioUsing reference tracks to make you a better engineerHow to create energy in a mixRecording drums that hit hardThe secret tip John Feldmann uses for recording drums that sound bigBreaking the “rules” of audioCreating sustain for your drumsA simple trick for getting ghost notes to be clearly heardWhy dynamics aren’t always importantTo learn more about Taylor Larson’s company, MixWave, visit: https://www.mixwave.net/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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix 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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Jul 23, 2025 • 50min

David Bottrill: How Emotion Shapes Every Mix Decision (Revisited)

It’s undeniable that the merits of diversity lay at the heart of David Bottrill’s vast discography. With artists like Peter Gabriel, Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, Muse, Silverchair, Staind and Rush, David’s work spans genres and generations, lending to a sound that is both familiar and progressive. He’s cultivated the aggressive hard-rock palette of bands like Stone Sour, Godsmack, and Mastodon, while maintaining a connection to other ends of the spectrum with artists like Afrocelt Sound System, IAMX, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.  With three Grammy Awards and the success of millions of copies sold worldwide, David has produced and mixed platinum and gold career-defining albums that have established paradigms and redefined genres. “I prefer to work on music that has a strong identity and shows elements of originality,” David states, “genre isn’t really important.” It’s this focus on identity and potential that inspires David to push artists to curate the best of themselves and make music that defines who they are in that moment. And yet, even in their individuality, each album that David works on distinctly shows his fingerprint.  David spent 20 years living in the UK and has just built a new Atmos mix and overdub studio in the greater Toronto area in his native country of Canada, although he still spends much of his time working with artists in various international locations. David has recently retired from the board of directors for Make Music Matter, but still supports the non-profit that uses the creation of music and socially conscious art to help heal trauma in marginalized communities and individuals. Through Make Music Matter, David found an outlet for his experience, truly helping better the lives of others and bringing awareness to the community at large.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Balancing the artist’s vision vs giving people “what they want”Mixing in subgroupsBuilding mix templates to maximize creativity and speedCarving space in the low end to get clarityMixing with a subwooferThe downside of using reverbKnowing when to step away from a mix and restart later To learn more about David, visit: https://www.davidbottrill.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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix 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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Jul 16, 2025 • 2h 2min

Tokyo Speirs: How Pro Bands Balance Creativity & Work

Tokyo Speirs is a multi-Platinum-certified Canadian record producer, audio engineer and songwriter from the Greater Toronto Area.He has worked with many charting artists via Walk Off The Earth, such as Lindsey Stirling, Lukas Graham, Phillip Phillips, Gabriela Bee, USS, and Luminati Suns. With certified gold singles such as “Fire in my Soul,” Platinum on their 2019 full-length album "Here We Go," which peaked as the #1 selling pop album in America (Nielsen’s Pop Album Chart), #3 on Canada’s Top Albums Chart, and debuted in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Album Sales Chart, and Platinum on their latest Album “Stand By Me” which included the Platinum-certified smash hit “My Stupid Heart,” with the help of viral TikToks and creative live performances. He has co-written and co-produced the Pokémon Journeys theme song, Disney’s Go Away Unicorn and Blade Runner Black Lotus.    Using unconventional samples, creative lyrics and unique recording techniques, Tokyo pushes the boundaries while reigning in the weirder side of pop. Having also gained respect in songwriting and mastering, at the end of the day, he's just a friendly engineer (friendgineer?) who strives to draw intimate, captivating performances, whether that means invisibly recording or pushing talent as far as possible to get the take.He is currently working and performing with Walk Off the Earth, producing Luminati Suns, as well as dipping his toes into video production and live production.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Finding your niche in productionBeing strong-willed to push your skillsLetting experimentation inspire creativityWorking and writing with Walk Off The EarthTreating music as a jobThe inner workings of a successful bandSetting up roles for different members of a bandRecording unique instrumentsPrioritizing during the recording and mixing stagesKnowing when to spend time on something vs. moving onScheduling your life around musicHow he organizes his files, sessions, and ideasHow to make choruses that are hugeTo learn more about Tokyo Speirs, visit: https://www.instagram.com/friendgineer/Check out Walk Off The Earth on tour: https://tour.walkofftheearth.com/And check out their latest single: https://orcd.co/breakingmyheartLooking 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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix 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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Jul 9, 2025 • 55min

Justin Francis: Creating Space For Vocals

Justin Francis has a knack for channeling emotion through sound. His multi-faceted and innovative recording approach as a Grammy award- winning engineer, mixer, and producer has led to a lineage of work with a range of artists across an eclectic spectrum of musical genres. Raised in western Pennsylvania and now having immersed himself in the Nashville music scene for well over a decade, he 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. Justin’s dedication to serving the song, paired with an intention to advocate for and uplift artists, makes him one of the most sought-after creative minds in music today.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Moving to Nashville to break into the industryGoing freelance after years of working in a big studioServing parts, not instrumentsThe importance of starting a mix with volume and panning onlyCreating space for vocals in a mixSidechaining instrumentation based on vocalsSetting up your sessions to help you work efficiently and have ultimate control over your processingBeing intentional with effectsHow tracking with effects can change the vibe of a sessionLearning to let go and not constantly tweak your settingsWorking with Sheryl Crow and Maddison CunninghamTo learn more about Justin Francis, visit: https://www.jryanfrancis.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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix 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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Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 6min

Phil Greiss: Chasing Your Instincts

Phil Greiss is a French-Canadian producer, songwriter, mix engineer, and multi-instrumentalist known for his genre-blending work in global pop and Latin music. He co-wrote and co-produced the chart-topping hit “Savage Love” by Jason Derulo and Jawsh 685, earning a 2021 ASCAP Pop Award. Greiss was also behind the production and mixing of J Balvin’s “Mi Gente,” which became a massive global success and earned him Latin Grammy nominations and over 68× RIAA Platinum certifications.Launching his career in France with acclaimed albums for artists like Corneille and Zaho, Greiss broke into the international scene after co-producing Willy William’s “Voodoo Song,” which became the foundation for “Mi Gente.” Since then, he has worked with high-profile artists including Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, David Guetta, and BTS, producing hits like “Goodbye” and “Metele Al Perreo.” His recent work continues to bridge cultures and genres, solidifying his role as a leading force in contemporary pop and Latin music.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Following your passions, despite societal/parental pushbackTrusting your earsLearning to understand the “sound” of your plugins/hardwareThe key to success as a songwriterWhat publishers are looking for in a songwriterBeing a “finisher”Balancing creativity vs. technical: how to prevent each one from harming the otherWriting songs for viralityUsing clipping in your mixesWorking with limitationsBuilding your workflow for predictable resultsTo learn more about Phil Greiss, visit: https://about.me/philgreissLooking 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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix 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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Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 5min

Ryan Worsley: How to Create Polished, Controlled Vocals

For more than 20 years, Ryan Worsley has been studiously, methodically, prodigiously, and obsessively honing his craft. Most recently, he was nominated by the Juno Awards for Recording Engineer of the Year (2020), but he was first recognized by the Western Canadian Music Awards in 2015 with his first award for Engineer of the Year. He has since won Producer of the Year twice (2019, 2022).Ryan’s collaboration with Juno Award-winners Dear Rouge (Universal Music Canada) has been particularly fruitful. He produced, wrote, and mixed their LPs Black To Gold (2015), PHASES (2018), and Spirit (2022), resulting in five Top 10 singles on the Canadian Alternative Chart—including a #1 with “Fake Fame” in 2022.He also produced, co-wrote, and mixed Monowhales’ Daytona Bleach, which earned four Top 10 singles on Canadian rock radio and contributed to the band’s Juno Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year (2022).Ryan has worked with a wide range of artists, including Willow, Said The Whale (Arts & Crafts), Hotel Mira (Light Organ), Mathew V (604 Records), The Royal Foundry, and Shaun Frank.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Is knowing music theory problematic?Why it’s a good thing to work with poor musiciansHow to keep objective when working multiple roles on a projectMaking songs grow and building excitementUnderstanding how radio affects your mixesAutomating your mix for impactBlending samples with real instrumentationAchieving natural dynamics in a songHow to pick samples efficientlyMaking your vocals feel controlled and polishedKnowing when to double vocalsHow to process layered vocalsUsing parallel processing on vocalsCompressing vocalsTo learn more about Ryan Worsley, visit https://www.echoplantsound.com/ryanLooking 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 Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix 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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