The Modern Metal Producer

Andrew Barr
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  • Music Interviews

I interview music producers, mixing engineers, and other professionals in the rock and metal genres, and share their insights for all of us to learn. The goal of this podcast is to be the podcast I wish I had 20 years ago.

Episodes

  1. Aug 11

    What a Video Game Composer Knows About Metal (that you don't) - Geoffrey Day

    What does a video game composer know about metal that most producers don't? Geoffrey Day has scored games like Atomic Heart and Viscerafest, turned dozens of video game tracks into Doom-style anthems, and founded The Noise Department — a sound design lab building Serum presets for the heaviest, darkest music out there. He even rebuilt real guitar distortion pedals inside Serum 2, just to prove he could. In this episode we get into why synths sound fake in a metal mix (and the mental model that fixes it), designing sounds backwards starting from the effect chain, his SMS framework for sound design, why modern metal is closer to electronic music than most producers realize, and what a year of A/B testing real pedals against Serum taught him about what distortion actually is. GEOFFREY'S LINKS Lab Notes: https://thenoisedept.com/blogs/lab-notes The SMS Framework article: https://thenoisedept.com/blogs/lab-notes/how-to-make-better-synth-sounds-from-scratch The Noise Department: https://thenoisedept.com/ Maximum Overdrive (Serum 2 pack): https://thenoisedept.com/products/maximum-overdrive-presets-for-serum-2

  2. Jul 20

    How He Mixed 500+ Songs in a YEAR - Joel Wanasek

    Learn professional music mixing tips from an engineer behind billions of streams. Discover the workflow used to hit number one. This interview features a veteran music mixer who has shaped the sound of major acts like Ice Nine Kills and Machine Head. We discuss the technical and professional path required to sustain a career as a professional music mixer in today's competitive landscape. You will gain insight into how chart topping production is achieved and the realities of working at the highest level of the industry. Beyond technical skills, we talk about the transition from engineer to entrepreneur. Our guest shares his experience co-founding successful music production schools and software companies. If you are serious about your audio engineering career, this conversation offers a blueprint for growth and long-term success in the music industry. Subscribe for regulary music production breakdowns and comment which mixing technique you want to see analyzed next. *** Links mentioned in this podcast 👇 Mixed By Joel: https://www.mixedbyjoel.com/ URM Academy: https://urm.academy/ Drumforge (The best drum tones on the planet for metal producers): https://drumforge.com/

  3. Jul 7

    The Genius Behind The Biggest Rock Records of the Last Decade - Chris Baseford

    In this episode, you will learn: How a hybrid analog-digital workflow enhances modern mixing The importance of patience, preparation, and mindset over pure talent Strategies to create a positive studio environment that encourages creativity The role of trust and dependability in building a successful career How to leverage small breaks into steady career growth The significance of consistency and reliability for long-term success Practical tips for aspiring engineers and artists from someone who has recorded multiple chart-topping hits The impact of soft skills like punctuality, charisma, and relationship building How to think about the balance between sonic perfection and emotional communication What skills and habits to develop early to accelerate your career   Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Chris Baseford – The man behind big rock hits 02:37 - The evolution of digital and analog workflows in modern music production 05:09 - How analog gear influences decision-making and workflow limitations 09:19 - Chris’s journey into engineering and the first steps into the industry 13:41 - The significance of small, medium-sized career breaks versus a single big break 18:08 - The role of luck versus effort in career development 22:39 - What separates long-term successful professionals from those who burn out 27:20 - Creating an environment and mindset that attract repeat business 30:40 - Starting over: How to approach mixing a record from scratch 35:30 - Key ingredients of a great mix: emotional clarity, vibe, and technical skill 40:47 - The art of perspective and knowing when to spotlight elements in a mix 44:23 - How effective communication and clear goals make studios run smoothly 48:48 - Developing soft skills like charisma and punctuality as vital tools 54:26 - What to do if starting with just a basic laptop and limited resources 56:37 - How to connect and learn from industry pros today

  • 3 Episodes

About

I interview music producers, mixing engineers, and other professionals in the rock and metal genres, and share their insights for all of us to learn. The goal of this podcast is to be the podcast I wish I had 20 years ago.

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