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Recording Studio Rockstars

Lij Shaw Interviews music producers, engineers, studio owners, and other professionals to bring you inspiring stories, tricks, and insights from the recording studio. So that you can take your recordings to the next level and become a rockstar of the recording studio yourself! - Vance Powell, Michael Beinhorn, Russell Wolff, Graham Cochrane, Joe Gilder, Björgvin Benediktsson.
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Now displaying: May, 2025
May 30, 2025
In this episode, Lij Shaw chats with Ben Sabin, founder of Trace Audio, about his journey from Shangri-La Studio with Rick Rubin to wiring up some of the best studios in the biz. They dive deep into the mystical world of cables, the magic of patch bays, and why good studio wiring is like rock ‘n’ roll feng shui — get it right, and everything just flows!
Ben shares cool stories from his intern days, working with legends like Neil Young, and the hard-earned lessons of studio troubleshooting. They break down balanced vs. unbalanced audio, why your patch bay might be sabotaging your creativity, and how to future-proof your studio setup. Plus, if you’ve ever wondered how to avoid a spaghetti mess of cables, this episode is for you!

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

My guest today is Ben Sabin. He got his start at Shangri-La with Rick Rubin, where he saw top artists and engineers work at the highest level. He then split time between Shangri-La and Groove Masters, helping rewire tie lines, patchbays, and converters—sparking his passion for cabling and studio workflow. He also worked alongside legendary studio tech Pat Schneider on servicing and repairs.

In 2018, he helped LA producer Colin Cunningham set up patchbays and streamline his growing outboard gear collection. He then worked in live sound, gaining hands-on troubleshooting experience. In 2019, he founded Trace Audio, focusing on CAPI gear and custom cabling, relocating to Nashville, where it’s now a full-time business serving top industry clients.

Ben also rewired my studio, The Toy Box Studio, and I quickly saw how much we could learn from him—so I had to invite him on the podcast to talk about creatin the best setup for your studio. In fact, you’re hearing our voices right now through Trace Audio cables!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!


http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.adam-audio.com/

https://www.phantomfocus.com/category-s/149.htm

https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here!

https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy 

https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/

Listen to the podcast theme song “Skadoosh!” https://solo.to/lijshawmusic


Please check out the list of Trace Audio clients!
https://traceaudio.com/pages/clients

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/508

May 23, 2025
Rockstars, get ready to crank it up! This episode, I’m hanging with Adam Krinsky of Bellows Studio, diving into touring, studio life, and keeping that work-life balance tight. We talk studio humidity (yep, it matters!), live recording chaos, and dream studio setups!

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

My guest today is Adam Krinsky, starting his music career in Minneapolis, at the Institute of Production and Recording. While still a student, he recorded and mixed an album for The Alarmists, gaining local recognition. After graduating, he worked as an assistant engineer at Master Mix Studios under Grammy-winning Tom Tucker and later started teaching at the Minneapolis Media Institute and touring as a FOH mixer for artists like Mason Jennings, Iris Dement, and Dave Simonett. Today, he runs Bellows Studio in St. Paul and mixes live for Trampled by Turtles. Whether in the studio or on the road, he’s always mixing.

Adam Krinsky has been a guest of the podcast on RSR307 where you can hear his backstory.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!


http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.adam-audio.com/

https://www.phantomfocus.com/category-s/149.htm

https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here!

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/71uDzwTG14iEN7SrrGGEdo?si=838b90172e3241fd

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/507

May 16, 2025
"AI will never touch live musicians." Tim Lauer shares his journey working on a variety of albums and TV shows, highlighting how feedback from music supervisors shapes the final sound. He talks about his innovative use of reverb, effects, guitar pedals, and real-time processing to enhance recordings, emphasizing the collaborative nature of music creation. Tim also dives into how sampling and synthesizers are essential tools in modern music production, and discusses the intricate art of arrangement and orchestration, especially the roles musicians play in the studio. He explores the evolving landscape of music with AI and the future of live performances, all while stressing the importance of personal fulfillment and joy in making music.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

My guest today is Tim Lauer, a versatile musician, producer, and arranger. He has played on albums by Taylor Swift, The Civil Wars, Cheap Trick, Joan Baez, and more, and arranged strings for Dolly Parton, Smashing Pumpkins, and Shawn Mendes. Tim has produced cast recordings for shows like Nashville, Greenleaf, Big Sky, and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Recently, he worked on Amazon’s The Bondsman, Sony’s Patsy and Loretta, and Netflix’s Country Comfort.

He’s also part of the dream pop band Bien, with millions of streams and 1.5 million monthly listeners, and serves as musical director for NPR’s No Small Endeavor. Tim first joined us on RSR172.

Thank you to Glenn Rosenstein and Loren Francis for the introduction!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!


http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.adam-audio.com/

https://www.phantomfocus.com/category-s/149.htm

https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here!

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/7vbOMZzOi478USUr54FPtL?si=db2b0060b6fe4d5c

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/506

May 9, 2025
"AI can't produce anything we haven't already heard." Chuck Zwicky and Lij Shaw discuss how AI is changing music production and songwriting, highlighting the importance of human elements and collaboration in the creative process while exploring the balance between technology and artistic expression. Chuck offers insights on mixing, emphasizing the value of interaction and the significance of live feedback in crafting music. The conversation also includes personal anecdotes and advice for aspiring producers.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

My guest today is Chuck Zwicky, a Manhattan-based engineer, writer, and producer with a diverse discography. Chuck has worked with iconic artists like The Rembrandts, Reggie Watts, Soul Asylum, Prince, and Information Society, as well as emerging talents. His sun-soaked mixing HQ reflects his unique approach to mixing, from the gear he uses to the plugins he designs himself.

Chuck likes to bring together the audio artist and scientist through his techniques. This is Chuck’s second time on the show — he first joined us in episode RSR260.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!


http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.adam-audio.com/

https://www.phantomfocus.com/category-s/149.htm

https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here!

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/6m08mI58QrvO8e97BrilPi?si=f0ab12ca4019468d

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/505

May 2, 2025
"Metaphors are essential in plugin design!" Bill talked about Native Instruments, managing new products at iZotope, the importance of good speakers in the studio, how AI will help your sonic perspective, and using Ozone, RX, and the Catalyst plugins.

Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com

My guest today is Bill Podolak, a Senior Product Manager at iZotope by Native Instruments. Bill has had the privilege of managing the past two versions of Ozone 10 and 11 along with RX 11 and their new Catalyst Series - Plasma, Aurora, and Cascadia. He is also a musician and music producer and makes tracks in his spare time. His wife is also a singer-songwriter, and they make music together. Thank you to Dave Godowsky for the introduction!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!


http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com

https://usa.sae.edu/

https://www.izotope.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.native-instruments.com Use code ROCK10 to get 10% off!

https://www.adam-audio.com/

https://www.phantomfocus.com/category-s/149.htm

https://www.makebelievestudio.com/mbsi Get your MBSI plugin here!

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/4zUBC1bygkBypno6yiYcEU?si=3f4deed105b94924

If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/504

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