UNSUNG - the Audiomovers Podcast

AUDIOMOVERS

UNSUNG is a fortnightly show exploring the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love, from a cast of globally acclaimed record producers, studio engineers, songwriters and composers. UNSUNG honours the real stories, and the truth behind the music that shapes our lives. It's a podcast by music obsessives, for music obsessives. UNSUNG is made by Audiomovers - part of the Abbey Road REDD family - and used by over 90% of recording sessions at the studio. It is the creator of a suite of groundbreaking pro audio software tools designed to help music makers collaborate.

  1. Aug 13

    The creative process behind an unconventional project | UNSUNG

    The latest episode of UNSUNG welcomes acclaimed producer and engineer, Luke Wooten who joins hosts @mirek.stiles and @mattsoczywko for an in-depth conversation about building hit records in Nashville and the creative process behind some of country music's biggest artists.With a career spanning more than three decades, Luke shares stories from working with Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, William Shatner, and many more, offering a rare insight into life inside Nashville's recording scene. Together they discuss finding an artist's unique sound, the importance of choosing the right musicians, producing without ego, and why preparation is the key to capturing unforgettable performances.The conversation also explores Brad Paisley's signature recording setup, Station West Studios, Nashville's world-renowned session musicians, the evolution from tape to Pro Tools, Dolby Atmos, studio acoustics, analogue versus digital workflows, and why great records are ultimately built on great songs, great players and great collaboration.➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – https://audiomovers.comUNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers exploring the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love.#LukeWooten #BradPaisley #MusicProduction #RecordProducer #AudioEngineering #RecordingStudio #MixEngineer #Nashville #Audiomovers #UNSUNGPodcastTimecode:00:00 Why the musicians are Nashville’s greatest asset.02:26 Working with Brad Paisley and his elaborate studio setup.05:48 The ""Tackle Box"" Project: Recording 16 tracks in two days.08:47 Stepping back from the console: Why producers stop mixing.11:23 Capturing the artist's vision instead of your own.13:05 The Station West origin story: Finding a ""hidden"" studio.16:24 Taking the ultimate financial risk on a dream.18:13 Why I converted to a standing desk for long sessions.20:45 Creating a creative sanctuary in Costa Rica.23:46 Watching Berry Hill transform into a world-class music hub.25:42 Why I’m optimistic about the rising tide of streaming.27:53 Post Malone’s deep respect for the Nashville community.31:38 The incredible depth of talent in local session players.34:09 Collaboration over ego in the control room.35:42 Mixing for Brad Paisley: When the guitar is as loud as the vocal.40:13 Why I finally transitioned to mixing entirely in the box.44:22 The adrenaline and magic of a live tracking session.46:08 Studio disasters: When the lights dim and the gear shorts out.48:08 My biggest rookie mistake: The accidental feedback loop.49:19 The importance of good diffusion and room tuning.52:30 Quickfire: the Lewitt 1040 and the Dr. Z DB4 Amp.56:08 Why the best guitar tones often use zero pedals.58:08 My favorite 1961 Les Paul Jr. and the Martin D-35.59:22 Closing thoughts and how to find Station West.

  2. Jul 30

    How Sean D Won Over Central Cee With Three Different Mixes | UNSUNG

    The latest episode of UNSUNG welcomes acclaimed mix engineer Sean D, who joins Audiomovers and hosts Jocelin, Matt Soczywko for an insightful conversation about building one of the UK's most respected mixing careers. From humble beginnings to mixing chart-topping records for artists including Central Cee, Headie One, M Huncho, D-Block Europe and more, Sean shares the journey behind his success and the lessons learned along the way. Together they discuss the importance of relationships in the music industry, transitioning from recording to full-time mixing, developing Signature Studios, and why business skills are just as important as technical ability.The conversation also explores Sean's mixing philosophy, working on landmark UK drill records, staying current through reference tracks, Dolby Atmos, analogue summing, simplifying workflows, and why making music feel great will always matter more than chasing technical perfection. ➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – https://audiomovers.com UNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers exploring the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love. #SeanD #MixEngineer #AudioEngineering #MusicProduction #RecordingStudio #Mixing #CentralCee #UKDrill #Audiomovers #UNSUNGPodcast 00:00 Why mixing is about feeling over technology 00:37 How I got my start in audio engineering 06:27 Building a sustainable career and giving back to the community 08:42 How to balance multiple creative roles in the music industry 12:03 The right way to build lasting relationships in the game 14:57 Turning points: major career milestones and moving into mixing 17:47 Why I chose to transition away from recording to focus on mixing 19:35 Behind the scenes of The Plug project and executive producing 22:44 Staying ahead of evolving trends in modern music production 26:20 Adapting classic mixing styles to fit modern trends 26:55 Tailoring your mix to match an artist's specific identity 29:31 Technical insights on monitors, rooms, and acoustic translation 33:07 The golden rule of mixing: keeping it simple and trusting intuition 34:34 My honest thoughts on Dolby Atmos and spatial audio 36:45 Breaking down my favorite plugins and daily mixing workflow 40:40 Dream collaborations and looking toward future artistic goals 42:32 Balancing the creative side with business: advice for aspiring engineers 46:20 Studio stories and finding technical workarounds under pressure 49:06 Overcoming the biggest challenges in mixing and mastering 50:54 Where to find Signature Studios and our educational resources 51:12 Wrapping up the session and closing thoughts

  3. Jul 16

    From mastering to pressing, every step explained – Piper Payne | UNSUNG

    Season 2 of UNSUNG continues with acclaimed mastering engineer Piper Payne, who joins hosts Mirek Stiles and Matt Soczywko for a fascinating conversation about mastering, vinyl, and the craft of making great records.Based in Nashville, Piper has mastered albums for independent artists and major labels alike, while also founding Physical Music Products, one of the industry's most innovative vinyl pressing plants. Together they discuss mastering philosophy, the resurgence of vinyl, building a pressing plant during the pandemic, and why physical media has become a vital lifeline for independent artists.The conversation also explores analogue vs digital workflows, communication between artists and engineers, preserving specialist knowledge, and why mastering is as much about serving the music as it is technical precision.➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – https://audiomovers.comUNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers exploring the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love.#PiperPayne #MasteringEngineer #Vinyl #VinylRecords #AudioEngineering #MusicProduction #RecordingStudio #Mastering #Audiomovers #UNSUNGPodcastTimecode00:00 The art and economics of vinyl records.00:48 Building a record plant in the middle of a pandemic.03:29 Why I left Electrical Engineering for Audio Mastering.06:55 Fixing the deficit in vinyl quality control.08:59 Helping Independent Artists recoup their studio costs.13:58 Why it used to take two years to press a record.15:11 Debunking the myth of heavyweight vinyl.17:27 Why colored and clear vinyl actually sound different.20:22 The "dark arts" and magic of a well-pressed record.23:07 Active vs. passive listening: The ritual of the LP.24:41 Finding the "old guys" to save a dying craft.29:41 From jazz drumming to the mastering chair.31:00 The moment I realized mastering was my future.32:35 Learning from icons like Mandy Parnell and Darcy Proper.35:32 Why cutting a record is a handshake with the artist.39:26 Passing on 10,000 hours of knowledge to the next generation.42:07 Moving from the Bay Area to Nashville.44:03 Navigating studio ego and the game of "telephone".47:44 The pros and cons of remote vs. attended sessions.50:16 My hybrid gear chain: From Api to Rupert Neve.51:57 Why modern mixes are "kissing the top" too hard.55:08 The "poop joke" guide to cleaning up your low end.56:49 A litmus test for mix engineers.59:41 Using your ears instead of watching a waterfall.1:02:01 Why I prefer watching meters dance to looking at an RTA.1:03:53 Falling into Reaper after a Sonic Studio breakdown.1:07:50 Quickfire: Cheeseburgers and PMC Monitors1:08:43 My wife’s collection of 14 tape machines.1:09:26 Mastering on the road with Audeze Headphones.1:10:31 Being a night owl in an early-morning town.

  4. Jul 2

    Why Most Audio Engineers Fail (And It Has Nothing To Do With Talent) — F. Reid Shippen | UNSUNG

    Season 2 of UNSUNG continues with acclaimed mixer, engineer, producer, and entrepreneur F. Reid Shippen, who joins hosts Mirek Stiles and Matt Soczywko for a wide-ranging conversation about mixing, studio culture, artist development, and what really makes a career in music last. Known for his work across country, rock, pop, Americana, and film projects, Reid has spent decades behind the console working with some of the biggest artists, producers, and songwriters in the industry. In this episode, he shares the lessons he's learned from a lifetime in recording studios — from major-label sessions and Nashville's music scene to modern mixing workflows and the realities of creative collaboration. The conversation also explores demoitis, mix revisions, artist psychology, sample replacement, Atmos mixing, and the changing role of the modern engineer. Along the way, Reid shares stories from Nashville sessions, discusses the challenges facing independent artists today, and offers practical advice for anyone trying to build a sustainable career in music. From studio etiquette and creative confidence to failure, persistence, and finding your own voice, this episode is packed with insights for musicians, producers, engineers, and anyone interested in how great records actually get made. ➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – https://audiomovers.com UNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers that explores the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love. Each episode features producers, engineers, mixers, composers, and artists shaping records and soundtracks across genres and industries. #FReidshippen #MixingEngineer #Podcast #Audiomovers #MusicProduction #AudioEngineering #Mixing #Nashville #RecordingStudio #Producer #Atmos #MusicIndustry Timecode 00:00 Why vibe is the most important tool in music production 01:37 Lessons from The Beatles on capturing authentic moments 04:33 Current studio projects and the evolution of the Nashville scene 08:10 Tapping into the unique musical spirit of Nashville 09:49 Navigating economic challenges when building a studio 10:35 My personal journey into the world of mixing and production 14:34 Breaking in: early career shifts and the move to engineering 17:11 Teaching the real-world skills that actually matter in the studio 20:33 The art of problem-solving and managing studio dynamics 22:00 Late-night mixing sessions and taking control of your creative agency 27:53 Surviving the long road to success in a creative industry 29:06 Inside the room: Taylor Swift's early career and production insights 30:30 Exploring the influence and art of modern music production 34:00 How to communicate with artists during the mixing process 35:42 Navigating artist references without losing the original vision 37:34 Finding the emotional connection in a raw mix 38:58 The "demo-itis" struggle: when an artist can't let go of the rough draft 44:06 Understanding why artists fall in love with their demos 45:11 A philosophy on the biggest challenges in modern mixing 49:21 Technical tips for session prep and plug-in management 51:43 The "dark art" of mixing drums and using samples 53:05 Pro techniques and tools for drum triggering 55:15 The balancing act: maintaining quality at high speed 58:38 My personal recording and mixing gear preferences 1:00:54 A deep dive into specific audio techniques and signal paths 1:02:58 Is it the future? exploring Immersive Audio and the Atmos format 1:07:04 Empowering indie musicians through the Once platform 1:10:10 A final look at essential mixing tools and creative techniques 1:13:03 Closing thoughts and acknowledgments

  5. Jun 18

    Vinyl Mastering, Atmos & Modern Music Production — Pete Lyman | UNSUNG

    In this episode of UNSUNG Season 2, hosts @mixedbyjocelin and @mattsoczywko are joined by GRAMMY-winning mastering engineer Pete Lyman for a conversation about mastering, vinyl, artist intent, and the role of the mastering engineer in bringing a record across the finish line.  Known for his work with artists including Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Amanda Shires, Halsey, and many others, Pete shares insights from a career spanning punk rock, country, pop, and independent music, explaining why understanding an artist's vision is often more important than chasing technical perfection. The conversation explores the resurgence of vinyl and what makes the format such a unique listening experience. Pete discusses album sequencing, music discovery, and why listening to a record from start to finish can reveal a deeper artistic narrative than simply skipping between tracks. Matt and Jocelin also dive into the technical side of vinyl mastering, covering topics including low-end management, phase relationships, side length limitations, loudness, and the challenges of ensuring a mix translates across every listening environment, from high-end immersive systems to everyday headphones. Alongside the technical discussion, Pete reflects on his journey from playing in punk bands to becoming one of the industry's most respected mastering engineers. The episode touches on immersive audio, modern mastering workflows, working with artists and producers, mentorship, studio culture, and the lessons he's learned from decades spent helping shape records across every genre. Whether you're an engineer, producer, musician, or passionate music fan, this episode offers a rare insight into the craft, philosophy, and responsibility of mastering music for generations of listeners. ➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – Audiomovers.com➡️ Listen to this episode on Spotify #PeteLyman #UNSUNGPodcast #MasteringEngineer #VinylMastering #AudioEngineering #MusicProduction #MixingEngineer #MusicIndustry #AtmosMixing #Audiomovers Timecode 00:00:00 Introduction: Meeting Pete Lyman of Infrasonic Mastering 00:01:05 'Immersive' Mixing and Mastering, and different formats 00:03:32 The Early Days: From Punk Rock to Professional Mastering 00:05:46 Breaking down 'The Process'. Listening is key! 00:10:35 Punk Rock Shaped Everything I Do. 00:11:58 Why vinyl is important to Pete Lyman. Streaming vs. playing an album. 00:15:22 How Pete mixes for Vinyl 00:19:54 Dub Plates to Dance Music - cutting vinyl. 00:26:33 Making your music future proof and mixing for all formats. 00:28:38 Watching Billy Strings. Unbelievable! 00:31:13 Working with Chris Stapleton. All live! 00:35:01 Collaboration: Communicating with Mix Engineers and Artists 00:40:42 Breaking down the studio journey. Moving to Nashville. 00:45:00 What still motivates me. My obsession. 00:46:12 The technical tour and studio setup, in the studio and at home. 00:52:43 QuickFire question round. 01:05:15 Closing Thoughts & The Future of Audio Engineering. Advice for beginners.

  6. Jun 4

    The Art of Recording Without Fear — Vance Powell | UNSUNG

    In this episode of UNSUNG season 2, hosts Matt Soczywko and Mirek Stiles are joined by GRAMMY-winning producer and engineer Vance Powell for a conversation about studio workflow, analog hardware, digital flexibility, and the realities of modern music production. Known for his work with artists including Jack White, Chris Stapleton, and Phish, Vance shares insights into how he builds fast, flexible studio systems designed to keep creativity moving. From instantly switching between classic hardware effects like PCM42 and Effectron-style delays, to balancing analog gear with modern plugin workflows, he explores how technical setup can directly shape artistic decisions in real time. The episode also touches on the challenges of working in world-class studios, unexpected technical failures, and how maintaining and understanding older equipment remains an important part of professional recording environments. Alongside this, Vance discusses his flexible approach to artist budgets and recoupment structures, designed to keep collaboration transparent, sustainable, and focused on making records rather than navigating rigid financial barriers. UNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers that explores the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love. Each episode features producers, engineers, mixers, and composers shaping records and soundtracks across genres and industries. Audiomovers software is used by professional engineers and creators worldwide, across countless GRAMMY-winning records, major film productions, and global releases. ➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – Audiomovers.com
 #VancePowell #UNSUNGPodcast #AudioEngineering #MusicProduction #StudioWorkflow #MixingEngineer #RecordingStudio #MusicTechnology Timecode Timecode[00:00:00] Introduction and studio economics[00:01:51] Sputnik Studio design and philosophy[00:02:54] Lessons learned from commercial studios[00:04:38] Equipment and tools as a craft[00:04:57] A little back story about the studio history[00:05:38] Working with Jack White[00:07:30] Working with the Wolf Audio Pro Patch[00:10:26] Modern mixing and gear integration[00:11:49] Using the Pioneer Reverb and other quirky gear[00:12:44] Creating a creative, comfortable studio vibe[00:13:50] The importance of functional maintenance[00:16:30] 'Waking up' the studio gear[00:18:31] Transitions in recording technology[00:20:15] Making recording affordable for artists - different techniques[00:24:14] The soul of live tracking sessions[00:27:28] Working with the band 'Little Feet'[00:32:16] Problems with modern "just because we can" production[00:35:50] Limitations and the discipline of tape[00:37:55] Impact of budgets on the industry[00:40:40] Collaborating with the band Phish and working with Brandi Carlile[00:43:00] Recording at The Barn with Phish in Vermont[00:45:15] Complex editing and polyrhythmic challenges[00:47:43] Pandemic challenges and remote solutions[00:48:50] Implementing Audio Movers and remote work[00:52:21] On tour, Live streaming and the Sphere shows[00:53:57] Finding consistency in live sound and dealing with problem people[00:56:55] Professional ethics and handling difficult artists[01:00:00] Managing artist expectations during tracking[01:02:16] Quick fire round and final thoughts

  7. May 21

    Immersive Audio, AI and the Future of Recording — Chuck Ainlay & Michael Romanowski | UNSUNG

    In this episode of UNSUNG season 2, hosts ‪Matt Soczywko and ‪Mirek Stiles are joined by GRAMMY-winning engineers Chuck Ainlay and Michael Romanowski for a conversation about immersive audio, stereo, Atmos, AI restoration, and the future of music production. Known for work with artists including Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, George Strait, Taylor Swift, and Miranda Lambert, Chuck and Michael explore how recording, mixing, and listening habits are continuing to evolve. From immersive mixing and binaural playback to AI-assisted restoration and the changing relationship between live performance and recorded music. The episode looks at where music production is heading next and what may be gained or lost along the way. UNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers that explores the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love. Each episode features producers, engineers, mixers, and composers shaping records and soundtracks across genres and industries. Audiomovers software is used by professional engineers and creators worldwide, across countless GRAMMY-winning records, major film productions, and global releases. ➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – Audiomovers.com ➡️ Listen to this episode on Spotify #ChuckAinlay #MichaelRomanowski #UNSUNGPodcast #AudioEngineering #MusicProduction #ImmersiveAudio #DolbyAtmos #MixingEngineer #MasteringEngineer #MusicTechnology Timecode 00:00 A casual chat among Audio Engineers 00:42 The real mission of the Recording Academy 04:56 How MusiCares supports the Music Community 08:08 Golf tournaments and keeping the team together 09:47 The true challenges of being an Audio Professional 12:19 Winning a Grammy and the reality of studio life 16:01 Should you ever go back and remix a record? 17:37 Inside British Grove Studio and the legendary Red 51 Console 19:06 Why we are still obsessed with vintage recording gear? 20:27 When it pays to break the rules in engineering 21:34 The long journey from surround sound to immersive audio 25:13 Technical headaches: The truth about Immersive Mixing 35:56 Making creative calls in Atmos Mastering 37:42 The deliverables nightmare: Making art translate everywhere 40:04 Taming the room: The battle for perfect immersive sound 41:47 From early DAWs to the Hard Disk revolution 45:59 A quick look at our technical podcasting setup 46:56 Keeping the passion alive in the studio 50:00 How the industry has shifted since our early days 52:30 Building the foundation: the Rock House Studio story 53:45 Career highs from Nashville to London 56:31 Mark Knopfler, Peter Frampton, and some legendary Pub stories 1:02:31 How a motorcycle trip led to a career in Mastering 1:08:25 The future of albums in an immersive listening world 1:10:52 New innovations pushing the boundaries of sound 1:14:02 Could AI and Quantum Computing restore lost music? 1:16:51 Rethinking stereo and immersive recording techniques 1:20:01 Production vs. Performance: Capturing the live energy 1:21:43 How live and recorded music are evolving together 1:23:28 Technology’s real impact on modern music creation 1:26:16 Looking ahead: Immersive audio and the future of the industry 1:29:15 Looking back: The path from Mono and Stereo to today 1:30:15 What nobody tells you about Immersive Production 1:33:12 Quickfire round: Our favorite studio picks 1:37:15 Finding the magic in iconic, historic studios 1:38:42 The pros and cons: Home setups vs. professional studios 1:39:20 Music is a communal experience: Final thoughts

  8. May 7

    How to collaborate with artists successfully — Jordan Brooke Hamlin | UNSUNG

    For Episode 4 Season 2 of UNSUNG we continue with producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, and MOXE founder Jordan Brooke Hamlin, who joins hosts Mirek Stiles and @mattsoczywko to talk about creativity, studio culture, and what it really takes to make artists feel safe enough to do their best work. Based in Nashville, Jordan has produced and engineered albums and new musical works for artists including Indigo Girls, KT Tunstall, Brandy Clark, Allison Russell, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Tenille Townes, Sasha Sloan, Lila Blue, Rufus Wainwright, and Adia Victoria. As a touring and session musician, her collaborators include Brandi Carlile, Amy Ray, Ruby Amanfu, Loudon Wainwright III, Katie Herzig, Dar Williams, The Secret Sisters, and more. In this episode, Jordan breaks down the thinking behind MOXE — her 20-acre residential recording studio, production house, and retreat space — and explains why environment, trust, movement, food, lighting, and even the walk between rooms can shape what happens in a session. Jordan also talks about the role of the producer today, from protecting the artist’s experience to helping them navigate creative pressure, feedback, budgets, and the realities of the modern music business. She discusses why “vibe is everything,” how to build a space that pulls artists out of self-criticism, and why making records is often about people as much as sound. Throughout the conversation, Jordan returns to a simple but powerful idea: great records come from understanding the person in front of you, not forcing them into a fixed process. ➡️ Follow Jordan Brooke Hamlin – https://www.instagram.com/jamlin/?hl=en ➡️ Learn more about MOXE – https://www.moxe.space/ ➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – https://audiomovers.com?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=unsung_jordan_brooke_hamlin Timecode 0:00 — Intro 0:45 — Creating the right vibe in the studio 4:20 — Why MOXE was built differently 9:30 — Making artists feel at home 14:00 — Building a studio around how people actually move 18:15 — The role of gear, instruments, and happy accidents 24:00 — What makes the right producer-artist fit 29:30 — How record-making roles have changed 35:00 — Protecting the artist’s experience 41:00 — Working with major artists and staying grounded 47:00 — Why artists need to ask “why am I doing this?” 53:00 — Collaboration, compromise, and creative trust 1:00:00 — Handling pressure and mistakes in sessions 1:07:00 — Quickfire: lighting, vocals, reverb, and monitors 1:15:00 — Closing thoughts UNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers that explores the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love. Each episode features producers, engineers, composers, and creatives shaping records and soundtracks across genres. Audiomovers software is used by professional engineers, producers, and composers worldwide across countless major releases. #jordanbrookehamlin #moxe #audiomovers #unsung #musicproduction #recordingstudio #producer #audioengineering #mixing #nashvillemusic

About

UNSUNG is a fortnightly show exploring the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love, from a cast of globally acclaimed record producers, studio engineers, songwriters and composers. UNSUNG honours the real stories, and the truth behind the music that shapes our lives. It's a podcast by music obsessives, for music obsessives. UNSUNG is made by Audiomovers - part of the Abbey Road REDD family - and used by over 90% of recording sessions at the studio. It is the creator of a suite of groundbreaking pro audio software tools designed to help music makers collaborate.

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