Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

This week's guest is mixing and mastering engineer, drummer, and podcast host Matt Boudreau. Matt started his 35 year career in the music industry as a drummer, but turned to the studio world after being inspired by sessions with producers like Joe Chiccarelli and Gil Norton. Since then he's worked on tons of records, as well as owned and operated multiple studios. In 2014 he started his podcast, Working Class Audio, which rapidly became one of the most popular podcasts in the audio industry. We chat about the inspiration behind his show, being financially diversified, and the importance of being a good person and building great relationships.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Playing in bands until falling in love with the studioStarting the Working Class Audio podcastHaving the right managerDiversifying your income as an audio professionalThe cost of keeping up with technologyBeing an advocate for yourselfTaking over a Bill Putnam built studio in San FranciscoWhy relationships matterTaking a loan out to buy an early Pro Tools rigMastering the basics of moneyMentally recovering from failed venturesBuilding a Dolby Atmos roomBeing a good personThe dangers of the instant gratification of social mediaUsing drum samplesLearn More About Matt Boudreau and Working Class Audio...Website: https://www.mattboudreau.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_boudreau/Working Class Audio: https://www.workingclassaudio.com/WCA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/working_class_audio/Check Out Matt's Drum Sample Course here!📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Matt BoudreauHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is veteran recording engineer and score mixer Todd Burke. As a score mixer he's worked on movies such as The Big Sick, The King of Staten Island, Daddy's Home 2, and Donnie Darko. On the record side of things his credits include names like Fitz and the Tantrums, M83, The Kooks, Ben Harper, and The Temper Trap, among many others. Todd's also recently banded together with several other engineers to launch a platform to share their experience with the next generation of engineers and producers. We have a great chat about being self taught, launching recordBetter, and being committed to decisions.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Teaching yourself to be an engineer by going through the tape vaultGiving back and sharing knowledgeFilling the seat differently for every projectCommitting and making decisionsMoving to LA after high school and sleeping at the studioRecording to analog tapeWorking at Grandmaster RecordersTransitioning from records to filmRecords happen on the other side of the glassWorking in Dolby AtmosLaunching recordBetterRecording music for film vs recording for recordsWorking with the KooksAlways having funCapturing the magic of a band in the roomWorking with Slyvia MasseyLearn More About Todd Burke...Website: https://toddburke.tumblr.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddburke/recordBetter: https://www.recordbetter.com/recordBetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recordbetter/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Todd BurkeHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is music executive and songwriter Shelby Kennedy. Shelby is the President of North American operations for amazing, which is the parent company for Amazing Radio, Amazing Songs, and now CMJ. Prior to that he has held various positions throughout the industry including Director of A&R for Disney's Lyric Street Records, Artist and Partner relations for Tunecore, as well as executive roles at both ASCAP and BMI. Along with all that, early in his career Shelby had success as a songwriter with his songs being cut by artists like Ray Charles and Reba McEntire. We have a great chat about being independent artists, being unique, and using every tool you've been given.In this episode, we'll dig in on...The global marketplace of musicAmazing Radio and Amazing SongsTurning limitations into opportunitiesThe many hats an independent artist wearsFilling the voidBeing a song pluggerThe complexities of publishing and songwritingSigning Rascal FlattsThe best music is always nextMusic release strategiesPROsLearn More About Shelby Kennedy and Amazing Radio...Website: https://amazingradio.us/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amazingradio/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Shelby KennedyHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is producer, songwriter, and recording artist Gab Strum. Gab releases music under the moniker Japanese Wallpaper, as well as writes and produces for other artists. Based out of Melbourne, Australia, he's found success on Triple J radio with several of his tracks as well as some of his productions. Including "Forces" featuring Airling and "In Motion" by Allday. His latest album "Glow" came out at the end of 2019 and has been followed up by a slew of new singles over the last year. We have a great chat about the artist's perspective of a mix, touring, and defining success in a way that fits your path.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Getting back the first mixThe Suzuki Method and ear trainingDealing with imposter syndromeTriple J radioSupporting an artist's vision, instead of telling them what their vision should beDefining success in way that fits your pathRecord labels and avoiding making decisions via committeeThe Australian music scene vs American music sceneThe duality of a musically and technically great mixBuilding relationships on the touring circuitHandling your own playback during tourProtecting your hearingThe importance of a great monitor and FOH team.Learn More About Gab Strum and Japanese Wallpaper...Website: https://gabstrum.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabstrum/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japanesewallpaper/Listen to Japanese Wallpaper here.📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Gab Strum (Japanese Wallpaper)Host: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest, Corey Schreppel, is an engineer and mixer specializing in podcast and broadcast production. Currently he is on the audio team for The New York Times, where he works on many of the narrative shows as well as their flagship show "The Daily." Prior to that he was the Technical Director for Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. Along with his decade of broadcast experience he's also worked extensively in the classical recording space as an engineer for the New England Conservatory of Music. We have a great chat about mixing live broadcasts, empowering your coworkers, and the importance of quality of life.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Mixing Live to 2Working the board the night Prince diedGetting repetitions to master your craftLearning to capture an ensemble as the sum of all it's partsWorkflow and systems designRemote collaboration, Pro Tools, and DropboxQuality of LifePodcastingsWorking for the New York TimesRecording in an old bank converted to a recording studioAudio of IP CodecsRecording classical ensembles at New England Conservatory or MusicMixing live broadcast showsCreative storytellingClock based radio broadcastsLearn More About Corey Schreppel...Website: https://coreyschreppel.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreyschreppel/Twitter: https://twitter.com/coreyschreppelLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyschreppel/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Corey SchreppelHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is mastering engineer and violinist, Eric Boulanger. Eric started his career at the legendary Mastering Lab working under Doug Sax before starting his own facility, The Bakery, in 2015. In addition to a mastering credit list that includes artists such as Diana Krall, Green Day, Weezer, and Andrea Bocelli, he also worked with Apple to develop the "Mastered for iTunes" protocol. Outside the world of mastering, Eric still finds time to play violin on sessions for various film and television scores. We have a great chat about listening, setting up a room, and knowing when you're ready to jump into your own business.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Approaching mastering as musician, not a robotBuilding a mastering studio in an old screening roomCalling everyday until you get the gigAttended mastering sessionsThe importance of listening and monitoring Playing violin from age 3Working at the Mastering LabBuilding a lathe before ever buying a vinyl recordPlaying violin for film scoresLossless audioThe most important part of a mastering roomStarting your own business and learning as you goLearn More About Eric Boulanger...Website: https://thebakery.la/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bakerymastering/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Eric BoulangerHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is composer, producer, and recording artist Morgan Kibby. Morgan spent seven years as a member of the band M83, during which time she played, wrote, and sang on two albums, including the Grammy nominated "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming." Since leaving the band, Morgan has contributed songwriting and production for artists such as Panic at the Disco, Harry Styles, and Lady Gaga. She also releases her own music under the moniker White Sea, including remixes for tracks by Lorde and the Weeknd, as well as trailers for movies such as "Harry Potter". In 2015 Morgan shifted her focus to scoring and since has done projects for Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu. We chat about balancing your passions, shifting focus mid career, defining success, and having seasons of "yes" in your career.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Playing and touring with M83Thriving on collaborationThe journey to find your voice as an artistHeadlining the Hollywood BowlScoring a film with before it was filmedNot chasing what you think people want to hearThe mental and physical toll of touringThe importance of studying what fascinates youSynths don't always have to be "80s"How music theory comes into playBeing selective of what you work onAttending the Sundance LabCanne Film FestivalSurrounding yourself with people you trustAlways learningLearn More About Morgan Kibby...Website: https://www.morgankibby.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiteseamusic/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Morgan KibbyHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is composer, recording artist, and sound designer Cyrus Reynolds. A classically trained musician from London's Royal Academy of Music, Cyrus has had success not only with his own music, but also in the world of trailer music. He has collaborated with artists such as Bon Iver’s S. Carey and Novo Amor and contributed sound design to artists likes Kanye West and Change the Rapper. He's also done work with Output, helping design instruments for them such as Exhale and Arcade. We have a great chat about his unique blend of cinematic orchestra with modern songwriting, how recording techniques influence creativity, and why following your passion or interests will always lead you to the most fulfilling version of your career.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Goal flexibilityComing from a classical music backgroundExperimenting and trying to move the needleFunding your own orchestra recordingFinishing parts on the plane on the way to Abbey RoadUsing AI and randomization parameters to recreate human tendenciesCreating plug-ins for OutputCollaborating with other artistsWriting trailer musicTuning systems and tuning relative to the musicLearn More About Cyrus Reynolds...Website: https://www.cyrusreynoldsmusic.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyrus_reynolds/Listen on Spotify Here!📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Cyrus ReynoldsHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceAudio Restoration: Dan ViaforeTheme Music: inter.ference

This week's guest is Emmy nominated re-recording mixer Ryan David Adams. Ryan has been working on the post-production side of television for nearly two decades, amassing a long list of credits along the way. He recently received his first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction or Reality Show in 2020 for the Netflix documentary series "Cheer." Other notable shows that he's worked on include The Voice, Masterchef, American Idol, Lego Masters, Last Chance U for Netflix, and Class Action Park for HBO Max. We have a great chat about working in television, keeping music as a creative outlet by working in other areas of audio, and the importance of checking your ego at the door.In this episode, we'll dig in on...The language of musicBeing a re-recording mixerADR and sound effectsMixing television in Dolby AtmosDealing with work visasLearning how little you knowFuture proofing contentBeing prepared for changesBroadcast specsAudio Engineering SocietyUnions in post-productionStems and delivery requirementsWorking with streaming services like Netflix and HBO MaxLearn More About Ryan David Adams...IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1392453Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artfromthenorth83/📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Ryan David AdamsHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Today's guest is mastering engineer, podcast host, software developer, and creative business coach Chris Graham. Chris is a co-creator and host of the Six Figure Home Studio podcast which became wildly successful because of its unique business focused approach to the recording industry. After years developing a thriving online mastering business and launching the podcast Chris began coaching other industry professionals on some of the best practices that helped his various endeavors succeed. We have a great chat about creating time, not seeking peer approval, and why word of mouth alone won't cut it.In this episode, we'll dig in on...Co-hosting Six Figure Home Studio podcastWorking on your business, not for itHaving a transmittable message How to create time using systemsNever wanting to have an employerBeing comfortable with being expensiveBuilding an online mastering businessThe freedom of the podcast formatReasons to hire a coachDriving website traffic with google adsFear of removing the personal touchPareto's PrincipleLearn More About Chris Graham...Website: https://www.ChrisGrahamCoaching.comBounce Butler: https://www.BounceButler.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_graham📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Chris GrahamHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference