Ever wondered how seasoned producers handle low-end management, creative sampling, or guiding musicians without spooking them? Join me as I chat with Nashville’s own Brad Jones to uncover practical studio techniques, legendary stories, and lessons learned over decades of making records.
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In this episode, Brad shares insights from his experiences working with artists like Jill Sobule and Robyn Hitchcock, as well as legendary musicians like Buddy Emmons and Rosco Gordon. We discuss the art of capturing authentic performances, creative sampling tricks, and how to create emotionally resonant songs without overcomplicating the process. Brad also dives into the importance of spontaneity, the value of analog sensibilities in a digital world, and lessons on leading sessions with confidence and kindness.
Whether you're at home recording, mixing in a professional studio, or just passionate about the nuts and bolts of record-making, Brad’s stories and tips will help you approach your projects with a fresh perspective and grounded practice.
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Ever wonder how the chaos of remote recording setups and complex signals can actually come together in a studio environment?
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My guest today is Roger Alan Nichols, a Nashville-based producer, engineer, and songwriter with a résumé including Grammy-nominated projects, work with Hayley Williams, Steven Tyler, and the band Dreaming in English. He's also been a guest on the podcast multiple times, sharing detailed insights into studio workflows and production challenges.
In this episode, Roger and I get into the nitty-gritty of managing complex signal chains, especially when remote elements are involved. We discuss how he navigates the technical maze of audio routing via apps like Audio Hijack and virtual devices, as well as practical strategies for recording drums and vocals in unpredictable environments.
Roger shares stories about tuning drums, tracking with unconventional microphones, and how his experience with different gear influences decision-making in real time. We also explore the evolving role of gear and technology in Nashville’s music business, including the impact of internet-based collaborations and sample libraries.
Throughout, Roger emphasizes the importance of listening carefully, trusting your instincts, and simplifying setups to keep projects moving efficiently without sacrificing quality.
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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What does it really take to make a record that feels authentic, timeless, and even fun to make, without getting caught up in hype or hype-y gear?
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My guest today is Jon Estes, a Nashville-born multi-instrumentalist, producer, and engineer with a diverse background working with artists like Béla Fleck, Robyn Hitchcock, Kacey Musgraves, and Rodney Crowell. He's known for blending vintage gear with modern tools and for his thoughtful approach to studio work, including his own home setup.
In this episode, Jon and I discuss his journey from self-taught bassist playing in church to working at some of Nashville’s iconic studios. We explore how his early experiences with the Wooten family and studying jazz at the University of Miami shaped his musical and production sensibilities. Jon shares insights into making records with a minimal, efficient setup, emphasizing the importance of being prepared, organized, and communicative. We also get into the details of his studio design, his approach to recording instruments - especially bass and vocals - and how he uses creative tricks like headphone mics and tape techniques to achieve unique sounds.
Throughout, Jon emphasizes that authenticity, clear communication, and keeping things simple often lead to better results than chasing gear or complex workflows.
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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What happens when you mix turntables with virtual reality to reach 4 million students and 20,000 educators worldwide?
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My guests today are Ronnie and Tiffany Notch, the creative forces behind Breach, a company that blends music, technology, and education in groundbreaking ways. They share their journey from a chance meeting in a recording studio to building Breach, highlighting the role of Asymbli, their entertainment division. The discussion covers their extensive educational outreach, which has impacted millions of students globally, and their collaborations with major brands like Microsoft.
They delve into the delicate balance between passion and business, the power of intuition in creativity, and the innovative use of storyboarding in music production. They also explore the importance of selecting the right artists and maintaining a playful approach to creativity, all while balancing work and family life. The episode underscores music's role as a universal language and its potential in education.
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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My guest today is Josh Frigo, a producer, mixer, multi-instrumentalist, and artist based in Nashville, Tennessee, who believes in putting artists and their ideas first. After several years as a touring utility player, Josh shifted his focus full-time to production and mixing, building a creative career shaped by self-learning, collaboration, and curiosity.
Working across pop, singer-songwriter, and alternative genres, he’s produced and developed indie artists such as MisterMoon, Sparkbird, and Phùng Khanh Linh, and co-mixed Atmos projects for Niall Horan, NF, Bo Staloch, and more with his mixing partner Alex Dobbert at Movement Mixing.
A big thank-you to Andy Freeman for making today’s introduction!
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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What actually makes a mix feel musical before you ever touch an EQ?
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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What actually happens when you stop isolating everything and just let a band play together in the room?
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My guest today is Travis Harrison, founder of Serious Business Music, a Brooklyn-based studio known for capturing raw, honest performances from real bands. Travis joined me to talk about how his studio and workflow evolved over time - from early audio-only recordings to embracing video, hybrid setups, and modern tools - while still staying rooted in classic recording approaches.
We talked about recording bands live in the room, why Travis embraces bleed instead of fighting it, and how capturing the energy of a performance often matters more than perfect isolation. He shared how he’ll use simple setups like a single M 160 ribbon mic on drums, how preparation and adaptability become critical when recording larger bands, and why letting musicians interact naturally can shape the sound of a record in ways plugins never will.
Travis also broke down his hybrid workflow, using tape as a tone-shaping tool rather than a rigid format - running tracks through a tape machine for color before moving into Pro Tools for editing and mixing. We discussed mic choices like using an SM57 on bass cabinets for midrange growl, routing and flexibility with a Soundcraft Ghost console, and how his Brooklyn studio has been shaped by real-world challenges like soundproofing, space limitations, and evolving technology. Throughout the conversation, we kept coming back to the balance between tradition and innovation - and why great records still come down to musicians, rooms, and decisions made in the moment.
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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How do you turn your studio skills into a thriving artist career?
Ryan Prewett shares how funk, collaboration, and sync licensing helped him shift from producer-for-hire to full-time artist - and why building assets is the new record deal.
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
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How Did Michael Jackson’s $98,000 Console Inspire the Ultimate Studio Compressor?
What happens when missile-grade engineering meets music?
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
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What happens when you sit down with an engineer who helped define multiple eras of music - from Foreigner to Timbaland - and he tells you the secret is still just listening for what feels good?
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
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What does it take to lead two of the biggest names in pro audio?
Phil Wagner shares how he went from NYC engineer to running SSL and Apogee - and why the best technology still starts with listening.
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRoockstars.com/539
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
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https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRoockstars.com/538
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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My guest today is Ian Fitchuk, a two-time Grammy Award–winning musician, songwriter, and producer based in Nashville. You’ve heard his work on Golden Hour with Kacey Musgraves - a landmark record that helped redefine the sound of modern country and pop. Ian has also collaborated with artists like Maggie Rogers, Joy Oladokun, Chris Stapleton, and Beyoncé, bringing his versatile musicianship and deep sense of songcraft to every project he touches.
In this conversation, Ian shares his journey from growing up in a musical family to finding his voice as both an artist and a producer. We talk about the evolution of the Nashville music scene, how collaboration shapes every great record, and why fear can actually be one of the most powerful creative tools in the studio. Ian opens up about rediscovering his own songwriting, balancing commercial work with personal expression, and learning to embrace uncertainty as part of the artistic process.
Whether you’re a songwriter, producer, or studio musician, this episode is packed with insight into what it really means to make music in Nashville today - not just as a profession, but as a lifelong creative pursuit.
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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What does it take to go from Ohio to LA and start mixing records at the highest level?
In this episode, I sat down with mixer and engineer Ryan Nasci to trace his journey from the Midwest to Los Angeles, where he worked alongside the legendary Tony Maserati and began mixing artists like Kingfish, Celeste, and more. Ryan breaks down how he built a hybrid workflow that blends analog gear, plugins, and Atmos into mixes that stay musical, open, and emotionally focused.
We dig into Ryan’s approach to gain staging, managing headroom, using trim plugins, tightening low end, and shaping vocals for dynamic performers. He shares how he uses tape vs. plugins, when hardware matters, how to set compression strategies that preserve energy, and why understanding the why behind every move is the key to a competitive mix.
Ryan also talks about mixing in Atmos, building depth with headphones, creative mic choices in small studios, keeping mixes clean without over-stacking plugins, and how persistence, day-rate pricing, and good communication help engineers build sustainable careers in today’s industry.
Huge thanks to Michael Estok for connecting us!
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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Learn why polar patterns matter more than EQ as Derek Bargaehr of Vanguard Audio Labs breaks down capsules, circuits, self-noise, phase tricks, stereo techniques, and practical mic placement you can use on your next session.
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My guest today is Derek Bargaehr. A lifelong tinkerer, he started out burning himself with a soldering iron and modding guitar pedals at 15, eventually working as Director of Operations for a successful microphone company. A freelancing engineer, producer, gear tech, and bassist, Derek earned a BA in Commercial Music – Audio Engineering & Music Business from Azusa Pacific University. Today, he runs Vanguard Audio Labs as the Chief Everything Officer, designing microphones and restoring priceless vintage AKG, Neumann, and Gefell mics.
He was previously a guest on RSR249, and I’m excited to have him back to talk about his new line of microphones, including the V14 Variable-Voltage Tube Condenser, the V24 Stereo Tube Condenser, and the V1 Gen2 FET Pencil Condenser!
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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What happens when a French-Canadian music producer trades poutine for prairie skies and builds a new studio in Calgary? Will his acoustic panels survive the move? Tune in as Chris Selim shares his journey, one recycled bass trap at a time.
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My guest today is Chris Selim, a musician, music producer, and mixing engineer behind Mixdown Online, where he helps home studio owners and musicians improve their recording, mixing, and production skills. His YouTube channel has grown to over 125K subscribers and 14 million views, thanks to his clear, practical tutorials that make it easier to get pro results from your home studio.
Chris is also the co-host of the Studio Stuff Podcast, a laid-back and informative show where he and Steve Dierkens talk music production, gear, and home studio life. With more than 80 albums produced and over 22 years of experience, Chris is especially known for his work in the French Christian music scene.
Working primarily in-the-box with Cubase, Chris shares the tools and techniques he once searched for himself—empowering musicians around the world to make better music from home.
He first joined us back on episode RSR098 and I’m excited to have him back.
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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What happens when you don’t cage the elephant—and let creativity run wild in the studio? Lincoln Parish shares how recording live, trusting your gear, and embracing bleed helped shape the sound of a Grammy-nominated band and his work as a producer today.
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My guest today is Lincoln Parish, founding guitarist of the Grammy-nominated rock band Cage the Elephant. After years of success on the road and in the studio with the band, Lincoln left in 2013 to focus full-time on producing and songwriting. From his Nashville studio Talk Box Rodeo, he’s worked with artists like Lilly Hiatt, Alicia Blue, and Carrollton, with music landing in shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Lucifer.
Lincoln brings a great perspective on what it’s like going from the band and the stage to producing records in the studio.
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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Ever mix a Grammy-winning track on AirPods? Justin Francis did - and he's back to share killer tips on mixing in the box, vocal stacking, pedalboard tricks, and keeping the studio vibe fun. Get ready to level up your mixes and laugh along the way!
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com
My guest today is Justin Francis, a Grammy award-winning engineer, mixer, and producer with a talent for channeling deep emotion through sound. Justin brings a creative, artist-first approach to every session, working across many genres - from Sheryl Crow and Kacey Musgraves to Tyler Childers, Lake Street Dive, Justin Timberlake, Madison Cunningham, Gary Clark Jr., Sarah Jarosz, and Lauren Daigle.
Originally from western Pennsylvania and now a long-time fixture in the Nashville music scene, Justin has earned a reputation for his innovative techniques and dedication to serving the song.
He’s been on the show before in episodes RSR220 and RSR280, and I’m psyched to have him back again today.
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
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What do drum mics, bluegrass, and Pro Tools have in common? Find out as David Streit shares 35+ years of studio wisdom, from Quad Studios to acoustic sessions, and why trusting musicians might be your best mic technique yet.
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My guest today is David Streit, a recording engineer, producer, mixer, and live sound engineer based in Portland, Oregon. With over 35 years of experience, he started mixing live shows in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, before refining his recording skills in Nashville. He later freelanced in Nashville and Santa Cruz before settling in the Pacific Northwest.
David holds a recording degree from Middle Tennessee State University and interned at The Aspen Music Festival, learning classical mic’ing techniques. His career spans assisting at Quad Studios, teaching multi-track recording, and working in location sound.
Thanks to MTSU for the introduction where we were both students!
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
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Did Chet Atkins invent fingerpicking just to keep other guitarists from catching up? In this episode, I talk with Don Cusic—author of Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar—about Chet’s legendary style, Nashville studio secrets, and how the music biz has changed (and stayed weird).
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My guest today is Don Cusic, the Curb Professor of Music Industry History at Belmont University and the author of over 30 books on music, culture, and the music business. His latest is Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar, a newly released biography that explores the life, legacy, and lasting influence of one of Nashville’s most iconic musicians.
Don has also produced albums for legends like Bobby Bare, Jeannie Seely, and Jim Ed Brown. He co-produced the Eddy Arnold Tribute album with Cheetah Chrome and collaborated with Mike Curb on an album of James Weldon Johnson songs performed by American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle.
Thank you to Pam Lewis and Associates for the introduction!
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Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/529
What does it take to build a dream studio from the ground up? Nick Bullock of Freda Recording shares how he created a retreat for artists on a Nashville farm, blending music, acoustics, and visual storytelling to support independent musicians.
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My guest today is Nick Bullock, Co-Founder and CEO of Freda Recording, a boutique recording studio and Artist Services company located on a beautiful farm outside of Nashville, TN.
Nick returns to the podcast after previous appearances on episodes RSR030 and RSR411 to share more insights from his journey as a producer, engineer, and artist advocate. With a focus on serving the song and honoring the artist’s vision, Nick has built a career around making records that are intentional, meaningful, and emotionally impactful. He’s worked with artists like Alexz Johnson, Katie Kuffell, National Park Radio, St Paul DeVence, The Aqua Ducks, Katie Basden, and many others.
In 2024, Nick and his wife Meredith launched Freda Recording together—blending music production, visual storytelling, and hospitality to help artists realize their full creative potential and bring their dreams to life.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
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https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy
https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/
Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0c03TBvvxbGKhLyngWgco6?si=fxAeqINJTW2fkNcPwROKGw&pi=u-8bMXHbjCSoCN
If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/528
What does it sound like to record reverb inside a giant dome? Dr. Chris Warren shares how Echo Thief captures real-world impulse responses, the power of Max programming, and why reverb is key to music, game audio, and immersive sound design.
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My guest today is Dr. Chris Warren, a sound designer, digital composer, and creator of immersive sonic installations. His exhibits have been featured at the Museum of Making Music, the Fleet Science Center, and NAMM. Dr. Warren's extensive research in acoustic measurement has produced EchoThief, a library of beautiful reverberation from around North America. These sonic snapshots of distinctive spaces have been featured in video games (Sony's Days Gone, Bethesda's Wolfenstein II), museum exhibits, sonic software, and artistic work around the globe. Dr. Warren teaches digital music composition and sound design at San Diego State University.
Thank you to Susan Clausen for the introduction!
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com
https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!
https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!
https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy
https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/
Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vzarQ5NKsI5UShPA0OA7r
If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/527
“It’s pretty hard to f* it up in Muscle Shoals.” Jay Tooke found creative freedom and killer drum sounds after leaving Nashville for the slower pace of Muscle Shoals. We talk studio vibes, live tracking, subtlety in performance, and the magic of first takes.
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com
My guest today is Jay Tooke, a Canadian-born, award-winning producer, drummer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and mix engineer now based in Muscle Shoals. After a 14-year run in Nashville, Jay developed a reputation for his intuitive and organic approach to production—working with artists like Randy Houser, Cody Johnson, Lindi Ortega, James Otto, and many more. He’s produced six #1 singles and multiple top 10s across Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with credits ranging from mixing for Cody Jinks to drumming on albums by The Steel Woods.
We had Jay on the show back on episode RSR311, where we talked about his transition from band life to the control room, mixing in Muscle Shoals, and embracing a less-is-more approach to production. Today, we’re catching up on what he’s been working on lately at Fame Studios and Noble Steed and digging deeper into his creative process.
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https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!
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https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy
https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/
Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3v6l7ldK64dlpBATOv3PIy?si=da901ffdebb34951
If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/526
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com
My guest today is Alan Evans, a recording, mixing, and mastering engineer, producer, and musician based in Western Massachusetts. Alan’s probably best known as the drummer and co-founder of Soulive, but over the past 30 years, he’s also built a deep discography engineering, producing, and shaping the sound of hundreds of recordings.
He grew up in a musically rich household in Buffalo, NY, soaking in the sounds of Miles Davis, Ray Charles, and Jimi Hendrix which ignited his interest in music. As a teenager, he hit the clubs and started recording bands, teaching himself the craft of recording, mixing, and production from the ground up.
These days, Alan continues to push boundaries through his label, Vintage League Music, with projects spanning jazz, funk, reggae, rock, and Americana—including recent recordings with Oteil Burbridge and MonoNeon at Floki Studios in Iceland, and a new album with Charlie Hunter and Ella Feingold at Pilot Recording Studios in Housatonic, MA.
Alan’s been on the show before in episodes RSR183, RSR339, and RSR440—and I’m psyched to have him back again, this time in person for video at Ready To Rock Studios.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
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https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy
https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/
Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic
Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1F16ucxEvIBugOepkzsTkW?si=FJKiBFINRAOZrjKf0FdYJg
If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/525