Master Your Mix Podcast

Justin is an audio engineer specializing in mastering music, as well as sweetening audio for short video productions.After working at several recording studios around the state of Wisconsin including Smart Studios, Simple Studios, and a handful of others from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, he opened his own mastering studio Mystery Room Mastering in Milwaukee, WI in 2009. He also does a lot of mastering and metadata work for The License Lab, a music licensing company located in Milwaukee, WI. When time permits and inspiring topics arise, he writes articles for The Pro Audio Files.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Why mastering there is so much more that goes into mastering than just adjusting the audioMastering DAWs: What makes them different than most software used for recording and mixingHow to set up a mastering sessionWhy it’s important to decide on track order before starting the mastering processWhy automated mastering services are not really mastering your songsWhat is CD-Text?Streamlining your customer experience to work more efficientlyHow to optimize your website to get more clientsTime-saving apps for your studioLoudness: how loud should your masters be?What sample rate/bit depth should you record at?What is dither? When should you use it?To learn more about Justin Perkins, visit: https://www.mysteryroommastering.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!

Dusty Wakeman has worn a lot of hats – producer, engineer, musician, and owner/manager of Los Angeles based Mad Dog Studios. His work with Dwight Yoakam, Lucinda Williams, Roy Orbison, Michelle Shocked, Buck Owens and many other artists has helped generate a number of multi-platinum and Grammy-winning records. Growing up in Texas, Dusty developed a love of the whole process of making music, from touring in groups to engineering records and designing his own studios. After moving to Los Angeles in 1977 to pursue a career as a bass player, he took a “temporary” gig at West L.A. Music, where he became store manager and stayed for three years. In 1980 he founded Mad Dog Studios, which he owned and operated for 28 years. Dusty discovered Royer mics in 2000, caught ribbon fever, and picked up a number of Royers for Mad Dog Studios, leading to a close relationship with Royer Labs. Looking for a ‘lifestyle change’ after 25 years of constant engineering, producing records and touring, Dusty came across the prototype for the MA-200. His enthusiasm for the new brand led to Dusty joining Mojave Audio in September of 2005. His in-depth knowledge of recording, understanding of the importance of choosing the right microphone for the job, and his ability to share his experience make Dusty an invaluable asset to Mojave Audio. Dusty serves as President of Mojave Audio.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Imposter syndrome: What to do when you’re feeling doubt in your abilities as an engineerMic combinations to get the ultimate guitar soundWhen to use ribbon microphones instead of dynamics or condensers.How to use low pass filters to create more clarity in your mixWhat makes one microphone better than anotherWhat to look out for when buying microphonesA great resource for being able to shootout hundreds of microphonesTube mics: Are they worth the hype?To learn more about Dusty Wakeman and Mojave Audio, visit https://mojaveaudio.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!

Don Gunn is a freelance recording/mixing engineer, producer, and musician in Seattle, WA. who has worked with hundreds of artists over the years including Death Cab for Cutie, Peter Frampton, Soundgarden, The Lonely Forest, King Crimson, The Humans, and Fences.Don started Gropius Mastering in 1997, but recently returned to the more creative side of producing, recording, and mixing. He primarily works at Two Sticks Audio in Seattle, a brand new room built by Jason McGerr from Death Cab for Cutie, but also Studio Litho and other fine rooms around Seattle. Don has also written an instructional book on Apple's Logic Pro DAW.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Scheduling creative timeCompartmentalizing your work to optimize your creative focusBatching tasksHow to edit your drums but keep a human feelThe challenges that come along with mixing live albumsMixing King Crimson and Death Cab For CutieMixing music in surround soundHow to clean up audio with clicks, pops, and noiseTo learn more about Don Gunn, visit:  http://dongunn.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!

Sean McLaughlin is a producer, engineer, mixer and assistant professor in the Music Production and Engineering Major at Berklee.He started his studio,  37’ Productions, as a means for musicians to achieve high quality, label-ready recordings routinely unavailable to unsigned artists.Sean has worked with notable producers Andy Johns, Jimbo Barton, Carmen Rizzo, and artists Rush, Elliott Smith, Marilyn Manson, Death Row Records, and many others. In 2013, 2018 and 2019, Sean had the honor of being named Producer of the Year by the New England Music Awards. In 2019, Sean became the first to win Producer of the Year for both the Boston Music Awards and New England Music Awards in the same year.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Attended vs. unattended sessions: Which should you do?How to use an artists’ rough mix to help make your mix sound betterHow to get mix revision notes that make your life easierEditing vocals and drumsEditing drums - using tempo mapping to create a more natural feelThe problem with using multiband compressionThe # 1 question you should ask all artists before you start working with them in order to make sure everyone shares the same creative visionEQ: Before or after compression?Should you start a mix with drums or vocals?To learn more about Sean McLaughlin, visit: https://www.37ft.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!

Val Garay is a legendary Producer/Engineer with a career spanning almost 4 decades when he started as a young singer/songwriter in the late 60’s.He’s garnered over 100 gold & platinum records with total record sales over 125,000,000 worldwide.He’s been Nominated for Grammy’s on 9 different occasions and won for the “Record of the Year & Song of the Year” with Bette Davis Eyes in 1981 and an Emmy Nomination for Neil Diamond’s TV Special, “Glad You’re Here With Me Tonight”.He’s worked with such legendary artists as , Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Kim Carnes, The Motels, Jackson Browne, JD Souther, Sarah Brightman, Santana, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Andrew Gold, Frankie Valley & The Four Seasons, Marvin Gaye, Dolly Parton, Eric Carmen, Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, Joan Armatrading, Randy Meisner, Jennifer Warnes, Seals & Crofts, The Mama’s & Papa’s, Queensryche, Orleans, Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds and the list continues.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:How to create a snowball of success in the industryBalancing your “sound” with the vision of the artists you work withShould you put songs out frequently or is it better to wait?“Letting go” with your musicGiving back to younger generationsHow to get a balance of all of your drum kit tracks (without even turning on your monitors)The secret to getting drums and bass to feel balancedThe 6 different mixes he makes for every artist he works withReimagining songs in different genresTo learn more about Val Garay, visit: http://www.valgaray.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!

Geoff Daking got his start as a drummer in the band, Blues Magoos. Over time, he transitioned from performing music to working in the studio, where he worked with tons of great artists including Meatloaf on his “Bat Out Of Hell” album.In 1994, Geoff started a company, Daking Audio, where he built a line of amazing, affordable mic preamps, EQs, compressors, and consoles designed to achieve pro-quality sound out of a home studio.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:How to get a job in a studio without any experience at allWorking with Meatloaf, Lou Reed, Luther VandrossWhat makes gear better suited for home studios vs large format facilitiesChoosing microphone preamps: What makes a good oneMistakes you’re likely making with your preampHow to achieve different types of saturation from your mic preampWhat to look out for when choosing a compressorCompression types: How different models differ and what they sound likeWhy using a stepped EQ is often better than parametricWhy HPFs are so critical in home studiosTo learn more about Geoff Daking, visit: https://www.daking.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!

Josh Newell is a Los Angeles based engineer, mixer, and producer known for his work with a wide range of artists, including Linkin Park, Intronaut, Nas, Avril Lavigne, Celine Dion P.O.D, and many more. He has gained a reputation for being a master with Pro Tools and being very thorough with his work.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Mastering your DAWStriking a balance between being thorough vs. being fastPro Tools certification - Is it worth it/necessary?How to get in with bands that you want to work withWhat makes a great assistantOptimizing your recording environment in order to work fast and stay creativeThe challenges of working with A-level artistsTips for editing drums so that they sound tight but naturalThe one track that you should be recording in order to make guitar editing easyTo learn more about Josh Newell, visit: https://josh-newell.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!

Jaimeson Durr is a San Francisco Bay Area recording engineer, mixer and producer that works on a variety of music genres from local legends like, Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Chickenfoot, The Circle, The Dead, Dan the Automator as well as many other new promising artists.For the past 14 years Jaimeson has been primarily working out of his own studio Wally’s Hyde Out (formally Studio C) in the legendary Hyde Street Recording Studio complex where many well known artists recorded including Santana, Clearance Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane,The Grateful Dead, Green Day, Train, and many, many more.He has also performed on and mixed several songs for hit prime time TV shows and movie trailers 90210, The Mindy Project, Ugly Betty, Rango, Arthur, The Lorax, Tangled and many more.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Analog summing: Is it worth investing into it?How to build trust with artists so that they keep hiring youDeciding how much to editThe sweet spot for micing guitar cabinetsGetting guitar tones with Joe SatrianiHow temperature can affect tuningCreating efficiencies to work quicklyRecording records with iPhones To learn more about Jaimeson Durr, visit: www.JaimesonDurr.comTo learn more about his studio, Wally’s Hydeout, visit: www.WallysHydeout.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!

Scott Michael Smith is an American audio engineer, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles, California. Smith has worked with John Mayer, Fink, Colbie Caillat, Katy Perry, Carole King, Weezer and many more. Smith has worked extensively in film and television music as well. Some of Smith's score work includes The Handmaid's Tale, It Chapter 2, The Invisible Man, Mank and the Academy Award-winning film The Revenant.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Recording and mixing orchestrasHow to mic an orchestraHow to keep organized and manage hundreds of audio tracksThe secret to recording hundreds of tracks worth of instruments in less than 3 hoursHow Scott lays out his template to mix fastThe challenges of recording orchestras during COVIDDolby Atmos: the challenges of adopting this new system for mixingWill Atmos work for mixing music?To learn more about Scott Michael Smith, visit: http://www.scottmichaelsmith.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  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!

Hans DeKline is a Grammy-winning, Los Angeles mastering engineer. Since 2005, he has mastered thousands of songs & albums by artists such as U2, Pixies, Touche Amore, mewithoutYou, Burna Boy, Veruca Salt, Lisa Loeb, Mark Isham, James Fearnley (the Pogues), Letters to Cleo, UMI, Candiria, Ritchie Ramone, and so many more.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Setting your expectations for having your song masteredWhether or not you need to know how to mix before you can become a mastering engineerWhy you don’t need a perfectly treated room or expensive equipment to master records professionallyThe most important button in your studioHow long it usually takes to master a songWhy attending your mastering sessions isn’t a good ideaThe simple tool that will help ensure your mixes translate from system to systemWhy meters don’t matterHow to prepare your tracks for masteringTo learn more about Hans DeKline, visit: https://hansdeklinemastering.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!