

Unstoppable Recording Machine Podcast
Eyal Levi
Wanna level up your recording skills? You came to the right place! Join Eyal Levi as he sits down each week with the best producers in the business to talk shop. You’ll get information, inspiration and most of all actionable insights from every episode. And when you’re ready to hit the books, head over to https://urm.academy to get your learn on!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 12, 2025 • 1h 4min
JOEY DOHERTY | EP 419
Joey Doherty, a producer and sound designer, joins Joel on the URM Podcast.URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy00:00:00 From Guitar Enthusiast to Producer00:12:50 The Art of Salvage Mixing00:16:28 Navigating the Music Industry: Building Relationships in L.A.00:28:28 Exploring Sound Design with EDM and Pop00:40:19 Evolving Music Trends in the 2000s00:43:52 The Breakthrough Track that Changed Everything00:51:07 Collaborating on Call of Duty Soundtrack01:03:20 Common Denominators of Hit SongsFOLLOW JOEL & URM:https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/WEBSITES:https://www.urmpodcast.com/https://urm.academy/

Mar 7, 2025 • 1h 15min
HIRAM HERNANDEZ | EP 418
Hiram Hernandez is a top billboard charting Songwriter/Producer. He joins Joel on the URM Podcast.URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academyIN THIS EPISODE:00:09:46 Breaking into the L.A. Music Scene00:14:30 The Value of Being Easy to Work With00:23:34 The Art of Mastering in Music Production00:28:12 Navigating Music Industry Dynamics in LA00:32:39 The Ego-less Approach of Young Bands00:42:01 Importance of Registering with SoundExchange00:46:29 Understanding Music Royalties and SoundExchange01:00:37 Software vs. Hardware in Music Mixing01:05:19 Passion for Music Production and Sonic Mastery01:10:18 The Journey to Pursuing Music Full-TimegFOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/WEBSITES:https://www.urmpodcast.com/https://urm.academy/

Dec 16, 2024 • 56min
CURT MARTIN | EP 417
Curt Martin, a producer, songwriter, and mixing engineer based in LA, joins Eyal and Joel on the URM Podcast.
URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:10:37 - Pursuing a Career in Music
00:17:09 - The Grind and Self-Marketing in the Music Industry
00:24:54 - Meeting Matty Beats and Developing a Partnership
00:31:39 - The Influence of Pop Music on Metal And Rock Engineers
00:38:24 - Working with the Backstreet Boys
00:41:49 - Taking the Leap and Grinding to Learn ProTools
00:49:09 - Embracing Disaster Sessions
00:52:45 - Common Denominators of a Hit Song
FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:
https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/
https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/
https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/
WEBSITES:
https://www.urmpodcast.com/
https://urm.academy/

Nov 13, 2024 • 1h 42min
MAOR APPELBAUM | EP 416
Maor Appelbaum, a legendary mastering engineer, joins Joel on the URM Podcast.
URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00:00 Developing Listening Skills
00:06:14 Testing Audio Gear: Analog vs Digital
00:13:24 Evolution from Mixing Engineer to Mastering Engineer
00:26:41 The Challenges of Solo Careers in Music
00:33:30 Developing Your Unique Sound as a Mastering Engineer
00:40:07 Importance of Quantity in Early Career
00:58:50 Understanding Audio Converters and Workflow Choices
01:04:49 Investing in Audio Gear for Professional Growth
01:17:35 Music Production Pricing Strategies
01:22:42 Indie Labels and Payment Terms
01:29:06 Effective Communication in Speed Mixing
01:35:01 Importance of Song Placement in Albums
FOLLOW JOEL & URM:
https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/
https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/
WEBSITES:
https://www.urmpodcast.com/
https://urm.academy/

Nov 1, 2024 • 55min
PHIL PLUSKOTA | EP 415
Phil Pluskota (Sonic Assault Studios) is an engineer, producer, and mixer from Central Florida who is known for his devastatingly sick guitar tones.
URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy
In This Episode:
00:00:00 Exploring Guitar Tone with Phil Pluskota
00:03:31 The Futility of Internet Arguments
00:07:08 Guitar Amp and Cab Combinations for Mixing
00:17:25 Tips for Microphone Placement on Guitar Cabs
00:20:43 The Importance of Room Ambiance in Metal Music
00:24:23 The Debate on Reverb in Mixing
00:33:31 Andrew Wade's Guitar Technique
00:37:39 Exploring the 5150 Amp and Its Popularity
00:44:10 Comparing Guitar Pickups in a Mix
00:47:38 Rapid Fire Gear Q&A
FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:
https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/
https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/
https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/
WEBSITES:
https://www.urmpodcast.com/
https://urm.academy/

Oct 21, 2024 • 55min
DAVE OTERO | EP 414
Dave Otero is a renowned recording and mixing engineer, best known for his work with artists such as Cattle Decapitation, Khemmis, Archspire, and Cephalic Carnage.
URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy
In This Episode:
00:03:24 Building a Career in the Audio Industry
00:10:25 Navigating Economic Uncertainty with Passion
00:20:30 Evolution of Death Metal Bands
00:30:54 The Role of Feedback in Music Production
00:37:49 Crafting the Perfect Chorus
00:51:08 Overcoming Procrastination in Creative Work
FOLLOW EYAL,& URM:
https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/
https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/
WEBSITES:
https://www.urmpodcast.com/
https://urm.academy/

Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 18min
KEVIN MCCOMBS | EP 413
Kevin McCombs is a producer, mixer, and engineer known for his work with Papa Roach, 311, and Story of The Year.
URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy
In This Episode:
00:00:00 Kevin Mccombs' Journey from URM Student to Head Engineer
00:04:50 Metal's Influence on Mainstream Music
00:15:08 Mastering the Art of Engineering
00:20:23 Overcoming Less-Than-Ideal Situations
00:34:49 Work Ethic
00:39:52 Life-Changing Career Decision
00:54:42 Mike Shinoda's Collaboration with Colin
00:59:19 Working with Big Names: Jonas Brothers and Cannibal Corpse
01:17:40 Reflecting on the Forum Days
FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:
https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/
https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/
https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/
WEBSITES:
https://www.urmpodcast.com/
https://urm.academy/

Oct 7, 2024 • 50min
LASSE LAMMERT | EP 412
Lasse Lammert is a world-renowned producer and engineer best known for his work with bands like Alestorm and Gloryhammer.
URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy
In This Episode:
00:05:00 Reference Mixes and Audio Mixing Preferences
00:15:27 Balancing Band Members in the Mix
00:18:23 Overcoming Bad Recordings
00:24:46 Embracing Recording Mistakes as Artistic Choices
00:30:47 Recording Music in the Jungle: A Unique Experience
00:37:02 Handling Challenges in Music Production
00:39:42 Artist vs Label Dynamics
00:42:45 Perfecting Guitar Amplifier Prototypes
FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:
https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/
https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/
https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/
WEBSITES:
https://www.urmpodcast.com/
https://urm.academy/

Oct 1, 2024 • 1h 10min
Speed Mixing 2: Two decades of mixing knowledge in 1:09:33 | EP 411
Speed Mixing 2 is here! Get the sequel to URM’s flagship course: https://nailthemix.com/speedmixing
URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy
In This Episode:
00:00:00 A Brief Introduction to Speed Mixing and it's Impact
00:08:33 Strategies for Efficient Mixing
00:16:17 Maximizing Limited Time for Music Mixing
00:24:06 Life-Changing Mixing Strategies
00:32:05 Avoiding the Mixing Rabbit Hole
00:39:17 The Magic of Established Mixing Techniques
00:46:44 Mastering Structured Training
00:53:29 The Evolution of Modern Audio Plugins
01:01:36 Limitations of Automated Mixing Tools
FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:
https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/
https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/
https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/
WEBSITES:
https://www.urmpodcast.com/
https://urm.academy/

Sep 23, 2024 • 1h 5min
JARRETT PRITCHARD | EP 410
Jarrett Pritchard is a versatile producer, recording engineer, and live sound expert with nearly 30 years of experience in the music industry. He also plays guitar in several bands while managing a bustling schedule of tours and projects.
URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy
In This Episode:
00:03:58 - Session Recall Software Discussions
00:07:37 - Benefits of a URM Academy Membership
00:11:54 - Embracing Old Analog Gear
00:23:53 - Evolution of Sharing Ideas in the Metal Community
00:44:18 - Diversification and Innovation in Extreme Metal
00:48:47 - Maintaining Originality in Metal Music
00:52:40 - The Underrated Innovators of Metal
FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:
https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/
https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/
https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/
WEBSITES:
https://www.urmpodcast.com/
https://urm.academy/


