

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...
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 1, 2024 • 2h 5min
RSR443 - Dave Coleman - East Nashville Songwriter, Rocker Guitarist, and Producer
Produce records with bands or bricks? Dave talked about assembling a production for an artist, songwriting for publishing vs self, how to get songs finished, the importance of sightlines and headphones, and how to find your voice on stage and studio. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Dave Coleman who grew up near the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, in Jamestown, Tennessee. He thought he'd become a park ranger, but his love of guitar and music sent Dave to Belmont University in Nashville. He started a band (The Coal Men, still active after 24 years), had a brief publishing deal with Acuff-Rose Music, played for years with Duane Jarvis, and a long list of Nashville's roots and Americana artists. Producing, recording, and mixing became his day to day around 2010. He's a self described "multi-instrumentalist with a community-driven heart." Dave has produced and recorded albums for Amelia White, Tim Carroll, The Rough & Tumble, Lynn Taylor and the BarFlies, Ned Hill, and lots more. The Coal Men, have released 5 albums, with another coming in 2024. I have had the pleasure of knowing Dave for many years and in 2013 worked with Dave here at The Toy Box Studio doing overdubs and mixing his record Escalator. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://www.native-instruments.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://lewitt.link/rockstars https://iZotope.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/21Gcyt7Lbqzq3Bu10WEMGo?si=89bebc45b6c34ef3 If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/443

Feb 23, 2024 • 2h 20min
RSR442 - John Arrucci - Master Percussionist in Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, North-Indian, and Classical Composition
Ga Ga Ti Ga, Ga Ga Ga Ti Ga... John talked about the Samba sing-a-long, studying in India, and Brazil, recording vibes and various percussion instruments, the importance of cultural context in music, and bringing your A-game to every studio session! Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is John Arrucci, an acclaimed master artist in Classical, Jazz, North Indian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian and other indigenous traditions and someone I first met when he moved to Nashville to build his studio. Having composed, performed, and instructed for over 40 years, John has studied on three continents and received numerous honors. His work as drummer and percussionist is featured on scores for feature films, television, commercial spots and recordings including on Sony, Polygram, Mercury, Chesky, Koch Jazz, Chiaroscuro, Rykodisc and other labels. He has performed and/or recorded with Michael Brecker, John Patittucci, Mariah Carey, David Byrne, Philip Glass Ensemble, and for Dalai Lama, Bishop Desmond Tutu and many other dignitaries and has performed at notable venues such as Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Merkin Hall and United Nations. His percussion can be found on programs including Patriot, Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Oprah Winfrey and Rosie O'Donnell. As a composer, John has received numerous commissions, grants and awards from members of The New York Philharmonic, The Manhattan Marimba Quartet, The Mannes College of Music and many others. His acclaimed 2011 release "Metaphors" features 9 of his compositions and performances on Drum Set, Vibes, Marimba and Percussion. John taught for over 20 years at Princeton University, the City University of New York, and many other prominent institutions including an Eastman School of Music where he graduated with distinction. The Smithsonian Institution awarded him a Post-Doctoral level research fellowship to study Tabla in Benares, India with Pandit Sharda Sahai. He has also studied music in Brazil, and Shekere and Agbe with the renowned Chief James Hawthorne Bey, and Conga and Afro-Cuban drumming with Frank Malabe and Tabla with Robert Becker. He has basically done a tremendous amount of music and finally landed in Nashville, Tennessee making himself available for in-studio and remote recording, live performances, touring, commissions and Master Classes, one of which I recently took to learn Samba drumming which was amazing! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://www.native-instruments.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://lewitt.link/rockstars https://iZotope.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/79yhhF3Yr5dp4a9iMhkqBn?si=6869fa6d30e44433 If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/442

Feb 16, 2024 • 2h 10min
RSR441 - Brandon Highfill - Neotek Consoles, UAD Luna, and Guitar Pedals!
Which is actually more... less or more? Brandon talked about mixing with guitar pedals, Velcro walls, installing the Neotek Elite console, working with Jacquire King, and why you should be using SSL UF8 and UC-1 with UAD Luna and Harrison Mixbus 32C. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Brandon Highfill, head engineer at Schematic Studios and the owner of Eastside Music Supply here in Nashville, TN. Originally from Jacksonville, FL Brandon moved here in 2009 and with his friend and bandmate Blair, started Eastside Music Supply in 2014. Brandon played guitar in bands since high school and was always fascinated with the recording process but didn't really catch the "bug" until he set out to build a practice space for himself in 2016 which morphed into a full-blown studio as he became obsessed with making the room sound good and building it right the first time. This quickly led to sell more than half of his pedal collection to invest in a small handful of microphones, an interface, his first analog mixer and a Tascam 388. Brandon was hooked and gone were the days of making music in his bedroom as it became less about recording his own music and more about recording anything at all. "I just wanted practice and it became like a drug honestly". THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://www.native-instruments.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://lewitt.link/rockstars https://iZotope.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5dmXQKHhEVeXnDpxCksLJh?si=dcf85a8abb54419a If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/441

Feb 9, 2024 • 2h 2min
RSR440 - Al Evans - Producing Grateful Dead Ballads in Iceland "Lovely View Of Heaven"
Are you listening to the gnomes? Al talked about recording in Iceland, studying Grateful Dead lyrics, finding Oteil's voice, band tracking setup, the importance of bleed, mono vs stereo, mixing templates, Aquarian Rescue Unit, and Michael Jackson. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Al Evans a multi-instrumentalist, engineer, producer, artist, and record label owner based in Western Massachusetts. Alan has been making music on stage and in the studio for over 30 years, most notably with his band Soulive as well as with artist like Oteil Burbridge, John Scofield, George Porter Jr., Karl Denson, Ivan Neville, and Reggie Watts. Al has been a guest on the podcast previously for episode RSR183 and RSR339 to talk about recording at his studio Ironwax. And today we get to talk about his recent production for Oteil Burbridge "Lovely View Of Heaven" recorded in Iceland, and recording new material with his band Soulive. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://www.native-instruments.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://lewitt.link/rockstars https://iZotope.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1F16ucxEvIBugOepkzsTkW?si=9fba70c2aa574145 If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/440

14 snips
Feb 2, 2024 • 2h 14min
RSR439 - Brian K Fisher - LEWITT Microphones and Home Studio Rock Production
Brian K. Fisher, Seattle-born musician, mixer, producer and LEWITT marketing manager. He talks about recording layered bedroom-psych vocals, getting punchy drum sounds and remote mixing workflows. He demos LEWITT mics on vocals and guitar amps, explains tube/FET mic options, sample layering for drums, and practical home-studio recording tips.

11 snips
Jan 26, 2024 • 2h 14min
RSR438 - Dave Godowsky - From Songwriting to A&R for Rounder Records, iZotope, Native Instruments, and Plugin Alliance
Dave Godowsky, veteran A&R/artist-relations pro and songwriter/producer, reflects on signing Nathaniel Rateliff, managing Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and guiding Ween’s recovery and reunion. He shares island songwriting rituals, capturing first-take magic, working with mixers like Chris Shaw, and finding inspiration in Native Instruments and Kontakt.

Jan 19, 2024 • 2h 7min
RSR437 - Jordan Hamlin - MOXE Studio [Indigo Girls, KT Tunstall, Brandi Carlile]
Take care of your unicorns! Jordan talked about using a Neve console with Pro Tools, capturing the moment and letting the vibe happen, recording your heroes and when to push them for even more, and microphones for vocals, guitar, piano, and drums. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Jordan Hamlin, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, engineer and music producer based in Nashville, TN. A lifelong advocate for Creatives, she is the owner and founder of a 20 acre residential recording studio and retreat space, MOXE. In the studio, she's produced and/or engineered albums or new musical works for the GRAMMY winning duo, Indigo Girls, KT Tunstall, Tenille Townes, Allison Russell, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Sasha Sloan, Lila Blue, Rufus Wainwright, Adia Victoria, and many others. As a touring and session musician, her contributions on stage and in the studio have included collaborations with Brandi Carlile, Missy Higgins, Amy Ray, Ruby Amanfu, Loudon Wainwright III, Katie Herzig, Dar Williams, The Secret Sisters and The Nashville Ballet. Please check out the discography playlist in the show notes. Jordan is making awesome sounding records with exceptional singers and you will love it! Thanks so much to Cheyenne Medders for making our introduction and for Dave Kalmusky and Addiction Studios for reconnecting us recently. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://www.native-instruments.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://lewitt.link/rockstars https://iZotope.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5xMVMDXiILPAl7pDwZigA5?si=48b5eb4eabc54f74 If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/437

Jan 12, 2024 • 2h 35min
RSR436 - Nathan Yarborough - Heavy Rock and Metal Recording [Korn, Mastadon, Code Orange, Rise Against]
Digital or real guitar cabinet? Nathan talked about going from intern to engineer at Blackbird Studios, running a studio like a high-end hotel, how steel drums are heavy metal, why tape should always be rolling, and how to create crankable records. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Nathan Yarborough, a heavy rock and metal music producer, engineer, and mixer who started out in North Carolina with a Tascam 4 track studying recording in college and finding his way to Nashville to intern at Sony/Tree and Blackbird Studios where he worked for eight years with some of the greatest engineers like Vance Powell, Niko Bolas, George Massenburg, Joe Chiccarelli and many others. He then went on to engineer records for producer Nick Raskulinecz for 10 years and now he works with a variety of bands at all different levels to make great recordings here in Nashville. I met Nathan recently at the 25th Annual AudioMasters Benefit Golf Tournament when we stopped at hole. That was sponsored by the Nashville Recording Supply Company. I came home with a crappy golf score but a new role of black galf tape for the studio and an amazing playlist of Nathan's discography of hard rock and metal albums including artists like Korn, Mastadon, Glasswalker, Code Orange, and Evanescense. So please give a listen to that in the show notes below. Thanks to Adam Dalton and Eric Masse for making our introduction. THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://www.native-instruments.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://lewitt.link/rockstars https://iZotope.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Bw6JShspe4ypBp6Jb6Pw7?si=4324eda8e5fb45cd If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/436

Jan 5, 2024 • 2h 15min
RSR435 - Jacquire King - Answers All Your Questions How To Make A Great Record
Don't let the gear eclipse the performance! Jacquire talked about creating 1+1 Management, the five tiers of an artist's professional team, mixing in UAD Luna, making music for META, why social media is important, and how to mix with delay & reverb. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guest today is Jacquire King, a Grammy-winning music producer, mixer, and engineer with over 13 billion streams and more than 35 Grammy nominations. His extensive credits include: Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, James Bay, Shania Twain, Modest Mouse, Smash Mouth, Norah Jones, Buddy Guy, Zach Bryan, Punch Brothers, Ingrid Michelson, Cold War Kids, City and Colour and many many more. And I'm going to quote from his great website bio: "Jacquire has just one gold record hanging in his studio. It's Mule Variations by Tom Waits, a personal favorite in the mile-long list of critically acclaimed albums, multiple GRAMMY Awards, and national accolades he's earned in more than 30 years as a sought-after recording engineer and producer." He grew up in the Washington, DC area, absorbing a rich mix of influences from reggae to punk rock. While his friends were forming hardcore bands, Jacquire was studying the noise, making cassette mixes, and learning to transform raw live music into a complex listening experience. If he maintains one constant aesthetic in his work, it's blending traditional recording artistry with emerging tools and technology. "Curiosity moves an art form forward, so I incorporate whatever gives the artist the freedom to create. I always want to be part of that evolution." Jacquire is committed to playing an active role in the recording industry's next chapter, serving as an ambassador for new technology and acting as a frequent mentor to up-and-coming professionals. "I don't have any studio secrets," he said. "If I can help someone figure out their own combination of talent and technology, I want to do that. If I can give an artist a new tool to make something great, count me in." He has his own studio, The LBT, just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. Thank you to Matt Boudreau and Mark Rubel for connecting us - and for API putting us on the same golf team for the The Annual AudioMasters Benefit Golf Tournament for the Engineers Relief Fund. If deals really do get made on the golf course then this interview might be one of them! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! http://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://gracedesign.com/ https://www.native-instruments.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://lewitt.link/rockstars https://iZotope.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://www.adam-audio.com https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5UoWocMmVdpSlAbDDi0i8K?si=6b016c9b4c5b4d21 If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/435

Dec 29, 2023 • 1h 56min
RSR434 - Pete Lyman, John Baldwin & Brandon Towles - Atmos Mixing & Mastering & Vinyl at Infrasonic Sound East
How many engineers can you fit on a podcast? Pete, John and Brandon talked about the good and bad of a shared studio, Atmos mixing and mastering, how to make great bass, vinyl records, and why their worst day is better than most jobs' best days! Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com My guests today are Pete Lyman, John Baldwin & Brandon Towles mixing, mastering, and cutting vinyl at Infrasonic Sound East here in Nashville. Pete Lyman who has been a guest on episode RSR165 is a GRAMMY-nominated mastering engineer, and owner of Infrasonic Mastering, an audio and vinyl mastering studio with locations in Los Angeles, CA and Nashville, TN. Pete's digital and vinyl mastering career spans thousands of titles with clients like Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson, John Prine, Weezer, Panic! At the Disco and more. John Baldwin is a GRAMMY-nominated mastering engineer based in Nashville, TN. In 2010 John launched John Baldwin Mastering out of a studio he built in his house, eventually moving to Historic RCA Studio A. John joined the Infrasonic Mastering roster in 2021, bringing a wide spectrum of genres and skills, including restoring and remastering from vinyl and tape. His discography includes artists such as Nancy Sinatra, Deer Tick, Emmylou Harris, The Jesus Lizard, Sly Stone, The Stone Roses, Margo Price, Delta Spirit, and many others INCLUDING Twiggs II a record I produced at The Toy Box Studio. Brandon Towles is a Mixing Engineer and Assistant/Engineer/All Around Good Guy to multi-Grammy winner F. Reid Shippen. Originally from Georgetown, KY, after traveling the country for a few years, Brandon landed in Nashville to work with Reid and Infrasonic Immersive. He has Co-Mixed and Assisted on projects for artists including Dierks Bentley, Keke Palmer, Parker McCollum, The Aces, Kenny Chesney, and many more. Outside of music, Brandon loves playing basketball, the Detroit Lions, and very, very short walks on the beach. Thank you to Raelynn Janicke for setting this interview up! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! https://UltimateMixingMasterclass.com https://www.native-instruments.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off! https://lewitt.link/rockstars https://www.Spectra1964.com https://MacSales.com/rockstars https://iZotope.com use code ROCK10 to get 10% off any individual plugin! https://www.adam-audio.com https://RecordingStudioRockstars.com/Academy https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/ Listen to these guests' discography on Spotify: Pete Lyman: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MjQvecFkWiCvpVubFQ1Xe?si=8a3c8e75085945b1 John Baldwin: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5Bc7sk7fQyTR4zIGpukczw?si=8e56f9203b114ee8 Brandon Towles: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5cYne80PW7Q0RJgBHzzNNn?si=b8ca212e598247db If you love the podcast, then please leave a review: https://RSRockstars.com/Review CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SHOW NOTES AT: https://RSRockstars.com/434


