Working Class Audio Working Class Audio

My guest today is the return of producer/engineer/mixer Don Zientara. Don has been highly influential in the D.C. hardcore music scene for over 30 years for his work with iconic punk and rock bands, including Fugazi, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Jawbox, and The Evens. His contributions have been pivotal in shaping the sound of many Dischord Records artists.
In this episode, we discuss

Studio Relocation

New Basement Setup

Historical Recordings

Studio Gear Changes

Analog to Digital Shift

Compact Studio Space

Recording Challenges and Success

Microphone Selection Strategy

Digital Console Benefits

Outboard Gear Preferences

Lower Overhead Costs

Promotion and Clientele

Reflection on Studio History

Neighborhood and Noise Management

Surfing and Staying Young

Selective Project Choices

Client Reactions

Control and Live Room Setup

Communication in Studio

Evolution of Punk Scene

Consistent Studio Rates

Historical Significance

Industry Perception


Matt's Rant: Beginning the Journey
Links and Show Notes

Don on WCA #106


Don Zientara's Biography: Wikipedia



Inner Ear Studio: Inner Ear Studio Official Website



Rights of Spring: Rights of Spring - Wikipedia


Credits

Guest: Don Zientara

Host: Matt Boudreau

Engineer: Matt Boudreau

Producer: Matt Boudreau

Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 

WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 

Announcer: Chuck Smith 

   

My guest today is Bristol, UK-based producer and mixer Elliot Vaughan, who has worked on projects by Frank Turner, Jason Ringenberg, Spunge, Ugly Kid Joe, Sonic Boom 6, The Wildhearts, Masca, and Hectares. Elliot is also an MPG Awards 2024 Breakthrough Producer Of The Year Nominee.
In this episode, we discuss

Bristol

Miles to Kilometers Conversion

City of Black Sabbath

Birmingham Heavy Metal Roots

Born Near John Bonham

Mom's Bank to Nurse Career

Dad's Ever-Changing Jobs

Peacefully Divorced Parents

Music In the House

Piano Practice

Hated Old Piano Teacher

Drum Lessons to Escape Math

Parents' Divorce Silver Lining

Drums vs Piano

Early Band Touring Adventures

Recording Studio Misfit

Mission Impossible Night

Pro Tools Learning Struggles

Band Tour Realization Moment

Day Job at Museum

Begging for Studio Time

Faked Experience for Bands

Building Reputation

Persistent Learning


Matt's Rant: Change of Heart
Links and Show Notes
Elliots site

Credits

Guest: Elliot Vaughan

Host: Matt Boudreau

Engineer: Matt Boudreau

Producer: Matt Boudreau

Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 

WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 

Announcer: Chuck Smith 

   

My guest today is Producer/Engineer Aaron C Schroeder, who has worked on projects for Willie Nelson, Hotegaia, Hallows, Arden Leas, Sharkie, Coasthouse Materials, and Hollow Earth Radio.
In this episode, we discuss

Texas Upbringing

Roller Blading & Silverchair

Battle of the Bands

Early Recording Experiments

Recording School

Studio Watchdog

Recording Willie Nelson

Palm Pilot Payment

Recording at Home

Mell Dettmer

Moving to Seattle

Working In a Gay Porn Store

Recording a Scene

Landlord Challenges

Recording in A Former Strip Club

Running a Basement Studio

The Fugazi Ethos

Don Zientara

Diversification of Audio

Podcasting Gigs

The Return to Physical Goods

Patreon Page

Audio for Film

Business Manager Role

Chuck Vanderbilt


Matt's Rant: Not Missing Out on Life
Links and Show Notes

Jacob Sciba on WCA #263


Steve Chadie on WCA #245 / #487


Alan Evans on WCA #133 /#328


The Altec Bird Cage

Aaron's Patreon

Aaron's Site

Credits

Guest: Aaron C Schroeder

Host: Matt Boudreau

Engineer: Matt Boudreau

Producer: Matt Boudreau

Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 

WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 

Announcer: Chuck Smith 

   

My guest today is Producer, Engineer & Mixer William Garrett. William has worked with a LARGE amount of people! That's includes Esperanza Spalding, Grouplove, John Legend, The Head and the Heart, Migos, Zara Larsson, The Shins, Max Richter, Sting, Ed Sheeran, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts, TLC, Arcade Fire, Miley Cyrus, Norah Jones, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Lopez, The National, Greta Van Fleet, St. Vincent, Iron & Wine, Luke Combs, Jack White, The Raconteurs, Cyndi Lauper, John Cale, Conor Oberst, New Kids On The Block, Michael Monroe, Jennifer Lopez, John Waite, Slayer, Brandi Carlile, Def Leppard, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Shawn Mendes, Mac Miller, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Bublé, Jon Batiste, Vampire Weekend, Carly Rae Jepsen, Alicia Keys, The Lumineers, Alanis Morissette, Black Pumas, James Blake, Finneas, Arlo Parks, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Samara Joy, Molly Tuttle, and Margot Price........to name a few! 
In this episode, we discuss

Winston Salem, North Carolina

Tobacco Leaves 

A Great Childhood

Stereo Under the Stairs

Early Musical Influences

Wipeout!

Playing Coffee Houses

Tossing X-Rays

Sound on Sound Recording

Boarding School in Maine

The World of Jingles

Nashville Sessions

Political Science and Economics

Berklee College of Music

Networking

Working as a Janitor

Driving Cabs on the Side

Burt Bacharach's Jacket

Tape Copy Guy

Alpha Media Records

After Hours Recording

House Sound Guy

Recording band Demos

The Norah Jones Story

Changing Technology

Presence and Perseverance

Jolly Automatic

Slayer

The Black Crowes

Rick Ruben

Ed Stasium

George Drakoulius

Hugging Smokey Robinson

Producing Artists for Spotify

Getting Laid Off

Going back to Freelance

Being Grateful


Matt's Rant: Going the Extra Mile
Links and Show Notes

William on Linkedin

William on Instagram

William's Linktree

Credits

Guest: William Garrett

Host: Matt Boudreau

Engineer: Matt Boudreau

Producer: Matt Boudreau

Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 

WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 

Announcer: Chuck Smith 

   

My guest today is Mastering Engineer Toby Campen, based in Brighton, UK, who has worked with Black Pines, Everyday Saints, The Endearing, Young Empress, Thorisson, Bekimachine, Rodney Cromwell, Daniel Hugh, Gemma Cullingford, The Droppers Neck, and Pixelstorm.
In this episode, we discuss

Growing up in Essex

Recording His Band

Crappy College Studio

Liner Note Reading

Recording Local Bands

Book Heavy Recording Classes

Archiving

Mixing for Film and TV

Mastering Mindset

Switching Lanes

Setting Up a Business

Going Part Time

Help From Wierd Jungle

Inspiration from Justin Perkins

Inspiration from Glenn Schick

Early Mistakes

Keeping Rates Up

Travis Ference 

AI Considerations

Getting Clients

The Tube

Human Interaction

Social Media Messaging

Audio Minimalism

Taking Care of Yourself

Standup/Sit Down

Production Expert


Matt's Rant: Net 30 and Beyond
Links and Show Notes
TobyCampen.com

Credits

Guest: Toby Campen

Host: Matt Boudreau

Engineer: Matt Boudreau

Producer: Matt Boudreau

Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 

WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 

Announcer: Chuck Smith 

   

My guest today is Producer/ Recording and Mixing Engineer Bruno Barcella, based in Sarnico, Italy, who has worked with The Peawees, Bee Bee Sea, Faz Waltz, The Manges, Dahlmanns, Kurt Baker, Gluts, The Apers, Freez, and Zatopeks.
In this episode, we discuss

Sarnico, Italy

Brothers Influence

American Music 

Playing Drums

Recording in Middle School

Punk Rock Bands

The Attraction of Tape

Sense of Community

Vasco Rossi

60's Girl Groups

Power Pop

Laundry Room Recording

Becoming a Studio Partner

Mixing at Home

Big Tree Studio

Live Sound

The Weird Jungle Influence

Trading Sticks for Faders

Importance of Family

Grumpy Live Sound People

Rates

Steve Albini


Matt's Rant: Reflecting on Steve Albini

Links and Show Notes

Steve Albini on WCA

MX80 Sound (mentioned in Rant)

Bruno's Site

Bruno's Collective

https://wildhoneyrecords.bandcamp.com/

Big Tree Studio

Weird Jungle


Credits

Guest: Bruno Barcella

Host: Matt Boudreau

Engineer: Matt Boudreau

Producer: Matt Boudreau

Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 

WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 

Announcer: Chuck Smith