Recording Studio Rockstars

Lij Shaw

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! - Guests: Vance Powell, Michael Beinhorn, Russell Wolff, Graham Cochrane, Joe Gilder, Björgvin Benediktsson, and many more...

  1. RSR545 - Josh Frigo - The Art of Atmos Mixing and Creative Collaboration in the Nashville Scene

    HACE 11 H

    RSR545 - Josh Frigo - The Art of Atmos Mixing and Creative Collaboration in the Nashville Scene

    Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com 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!   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.spectra1964.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://pickrmusic.com  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/0zdLhYe0iPNqdcuZULMsAQ?si=d1884ff0b2ef454a   If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review   CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRoockstars.com/545

    1 h y 54 min
  2. RSR544 - Eric Sarafin - Mixerman's Ultimate Guide to Producing Records, Music & Songs.

    6 FEB

    RSR544 - Eric Sarafin - Mixerman's Ultimate Guide to Producing Records, Music & Songs.

    What actually makes a mix feel musical before you ever touch an EQ? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Eric Sarafin, better known as Mixerman - a gold- and platinum-selling producer, mixer, and engineer with credits ranging from The Pharcyde and Tone-Lōc to Ben Harper, Lifehouse, Barenaked Ladies, Foreigner, and Pete Murray. He's also the author of Zen and the Art of Mixing, Zen and the Art of Producing, Zen and the Art of Recording, and his newest book, Mixerman's Ultimate Guide to Producing Records, Music & Songs.   In this episode, Eric and I get straight into what really makes mixes work - not plugins, presets, or loudness targets, but arrangement, balance, and the way instruments naturally interact. We talk about masking as something musical rather than something to eliminate, why most of the "music" lives in the midrange, and how perceived loudness comes from balance, not hype at the top or bottom.   We also dig into how listening quietly can reveal problems faster, why speed and familiarity with your tools matter more than features, and how motion and distortion bring life to otherwise static tracks. Eric shares his perspective on working fast, stepping away to regain objectivity, and making decisions that serve the song instead of the tech.   Along the way, we cover practical mic strategies for home studios, why placement matters more than price, and how knowing why you're choosing a tool is more important than following trends. This one is about thinking musically first - and letting the mix follow.     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.spectra1964.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://pickrmusic.com  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 Muso: https://credits.muso.ai/profile/925b8031-48bb-40d5-af32-c289cd7663a7   If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review   CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRoockstars.com/544

    2 h y 14 min
  3. RSR543 - Travis Harrison - Recording Guided By Voices, Built To Spill, The Men, and Tons of Garage and Punk Rock in Brooklyn, NY

    30 ENE

    RSR543 - Travis Harrison - Recording Guided By Voices, Built To Spill, The Men, and Tons of Garage and Punk Rock in Brooklyn, NY

    What actually happens when you stop isolating everything and just let a band play together in the room? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com 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.   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.spectra1964.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://pickrmusic.com  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/0RdFM4aImmogaEJBwV5pla?si=8b285a72dca7478a   If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review   CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRoockstars.com/543

    2 h y 7 min
  4. RSR542 - Ryan Prewett - The Sound of Retro Funk Beats in The Heart of Country: Music City

    23 ENE

    RSR542 - Ryan Prewett - The Sound of Retro Funk Beats in The Heart of Country: Music City

    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. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Ryan Prewett, a Nashville-based artist, producer, and mix engineer known for blending classic funk and soul with modern pop and groove-driven production. Ryan's work spans producing records, mixing, and building sample packs, and he's quickly carving out a name for himself in Nashville's creative community. His music captures the sweet spot between live musicianship and digital innovation - with an ear for timeless tone and modern punch.     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.spectra1964.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://pickrmusic.com  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/60JKT1OkF9LpLFQ5SKBPg8   If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review   CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRoockstars.com/542

    2 h y 5 min
  5. RSR541 - Bill Cheney - How Missile Tech Created the Sound of Classic Rock at Spectra1964

    16 ENE

    RSR541 - Bill Cheney - How Missile Tech Created the Sound of Classic Rock at Spectra1964

    How Did Michael Jackson's $98,000 Console Inspire the Ultimate Studio Compressor? What happens when missile-grade engineering meets music? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com Bill Cheney of Spectra 1964 joins me to reveal how a company born from aerospace tech became the secret sauce behind Stax, Ardent, and The Record Plant - and how that same precision lives on in Spectra's modern C610, STX mic pres, and new designs shaping today's studios. Bill shares the incredible story of the $98,000 Spectra console built for Michael Jackson, how John Lennon, Elton John, ZZ Top, and others tracked through Spectra desks, and why their gear still defines headroom and musical accuracy sixty years later. We dig into RMS vs peak clipping, console restoration, plugin modeling with Chad Blake, and what makes Spectra's circuits run ice cold while sounding hot as hell. If you've ever wondered why the most musical recordings in history still sound so alive, this episode takes you inside the circuits that made it possible.     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.spectra1964.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://pickrmusic.com  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/2TzboLsCf0C4mlKX1dNqtT?si=k3tHsiPgR3CRv-zuuo5GKA   If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review   CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRoockstars.com/541

    2 h y 7 min
  6. RSR540 – Jimmy Douglass – METAlliance, Atlantic Records, Foreigner, Television, Gang of Four, Timbaland & Snoop Dogg

    9 ENE

    RSR540 – Jimmy Douglass – METAlliance, Atlantic Records, Foreigner, Television, Gang of Four, Timbaland & Snoop Dogg

    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? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Jimmy Douglass, legendary producer, mixer, and engineer whose career spans more than five decades. Jimmy began as a teenager at Atlantic Records in New York, making tape copies and quietly slipping into the back of sessions, where he learned by watching giants like Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin, and Jerry Wexler. He grew up in the era when you had to earn your way into the control room, and those lessons shaped everything that came after. Jimmy talked about working on classic records for Foreigner, including helping mix Follow You, Follow Me when Genesis was still emerging, and cutting his teeth editing music for radio versions - including early work on King Crimson. He also shared memories of the post-punk era, mixing records for Gang of Four and Television, including the iconic Marquee Moon, and how those productions influenced his sense of space, energy, and performance. Then Jimmy walked us into the world that many people know him for - his long-running creative partnership with Timbaland. He explained how Tim's rhythmic sensibility forced him to rethink timing, movement, and pocket, and stories of respectful sessions working with Snoop Dogg.   We also talked about longevity: how Jimmy stays inspired, how he keeps reinventing himself, why he still chases accidents and surprises in the studio, and the challenge of balancing instinct with intention across 50 years of making records. If you love stories from inside the control room or want to understand how great mixers think, this episode is loaded with wisdom and wild history.   https://metalliance.com/ https://www.sheencenter.org/events/detail/studio-confidential-1   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.spectra1964.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://pickrmusic.com  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/6voPl0icbbrLKCh7MqFiHe?si=7MKSFLWmT76HunqSyUQHLg If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review   CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRoockstars.com/540

    1 h y 28 min
  7. RSR539 - Phil Wagner - Advancing Sound Quality From Soundworks to Solid State Logic

    2 ENE

    RSR539 - Phil Wagner - Advancing Sound Quality From Soundworks to Solid State Logic

    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 My guest today is Phil Wagner, a longtime pro-audio industry leader who's helped shape some of the most respected recording technologies in the world. Phil began his career in New York City at Soundworks Studios, working hands-on as a recording engineer before moving into product development and leadership roles. Over the years he's served as President of Apogee Electronics, U.S. President for Solid State Logic, and has collaborated with legendary studios, artists, and manufacturers across the globe. With decades of perspective bridging the analog and digital eras, Phil shares insights on consoles, converters, immersive mixing, and the business of audio, along with stories from the front lines of pro audio innovation. A big thank - you to Fadi Hayek at SSL 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.spectra1964.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://pickrmusic.com  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 Tidal:  https://tidal.com/playlist/a30de320-4f72-4ffe-a7cd-7dbd035f8dfb 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

    1 h y 38 min
  8. RSR538 - Toby Lloyd - From Punk to Producer - Tiny Triumphs over Mindset, Workflow & Vibe

    26/12/2025

    RSR538 - Toby Lloyd - From Punk to Producer - Tiny Triumphs over Mindset, Workflow & Vibe

    What does a rooftop studio, a cold plunge, and a punk rock heart have in common? Producer Toby Lloyd shares how surrender, discipline, and creative flow helped him build Tiny Triumph Recordings and rediscover joy in making music. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com Howdy Rockstars, my guest today is Toby Lloyd, a music producer, studio engineer, and mixing engineer who runs Tiny Triumph Recordings, a boutique rooftop recording studio in Wellington, New Zealand. Toby has worked with artists like Shapeshifter, Hollie Smith, Stan Walker, and Nightmares on Wax, and he's contributed to major film projects including Avatar 2, The Hobbit Trilogy, Mortal Engines, and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, as well as mixing scores for acclaimed films such as Savage, Stylebender, and Ka Whawhai Tonu (pronounced Car Far Fie Toe Nu). In addition to his studio and film work, Toby is also making new music as an artist himself. Big thanks to Matt Boudreau from Working Class Audio for making today's 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.spectra1964.com https://pickrmusic.com  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/4KcgK6N3gowUGrKLxBGkgy?si=65a448e9f89c42e6 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

    2 h y 24 min

Calificaciones y reseñas

5
de 5
2 calificaciones

Acerca de

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! - Guests: Vance Powell, Michael Beinhorn, Russell Wolff, Graham Cochrane, Joe Gilder, Björgvin Benediktsson, and many more...

También te podría interesar