

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

Dec 27, 2019 • 2h 13min
RSR225 - Harold LaRue - How To Do Pro Mastering In Your DAW
My guest today is Harold LaRue a mastering engineer and audio educator based in Houston, Texas. Harold started out playing drums and running live sound in the 80's and worked as a software developer and pro audio repair technician before meeting his wife, Elizabeth, an accomplished restaurateur; together, they built and operated several popular restaurants and a recycling company before he returned to his passion for recording and music production. Harold studied with Producer/Engineer, Ronan Chris Murphy (also on the podcast RSR015), and learned the theatrical sound trade as a Union Journeyman on Broadway shows and other large-scale productions. Harold shares his knowledge and experience with universities and recording schools across the country, provides technical support and consulting services to recording industry professionals, and operates a full-time mastering business, working on projects for artists including Macy Gray and R&B legend, Jeffrey Osborne. Thanks to our sponsors! WhisperRoom: https://whisperroom.com Get 10% off the 4x4 or 4x6 booths now when you mention Recording Studio Rockstars: http://whisperroom.com Eventide: https://www.eventideaudio.com OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com Hear more on Youtube If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/225

Dec 20, 2019 • 2h 5min
RSR224 - Jesse & Jonah Marks - Capturing Sounds Around The World at The Touch of Sound
My guests today are Jesse and Jonah Marks, the founders and curators of The Touch of Sound, a recording adventure and website dedicated to authentically capturing the sounds of the world. Anything from fish markets in Japan and Turkey to Sea Lions in the Galapagos Islands to the street musicians of Cuba will make it onto their website which includes sounds they themselves have captured plus sounds from contributors like yourselves Rockstars. Hint Hint. Jesse is an audio engineer who began recording location sounds for potential use in his professional and personal projects. Jonah is an avid traveller whose passion for exploration has taken them around the globe. Whenever possible, they travel together at a furious pace, but their obsession with collecting sounds slows them down to appreciate the moments. Over the past 12 years, they have travelled the world with a microphone and a mission: to collect authentic and high-quality audio recordings. Thanks to our sponsors! WhisperRoom: https://whisperroom.com Get 10% off the 4x4 or 4x6 booths now when you mention Recording Studio Rockstars: http://whisperroom.com Eventide: https://www.eventideaudio.com OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com Hear more on Youtube If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/224

Dec 13, 2019 • 2h 5min
RSR223 - Jarrad K - Writing, Producing, and Programming in LA & Nashville
My guest today is Jarrad K, a Southern California raised, Nashville based songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. He has worked with an eclectic slew of artists including Weezer, Goo Goo Dolls, Kate Nash, Ruston Kelly, Betty Who, The Brummies, Travie McCoy of Gym Class Heroes and Elohim. He also has toured with various artists such as Zak Waters/Pretty Sister, Ruston Kelly and Lucie Silvas. He currently owns and operates his own recording studio, Chateau Noir, in East Nashville. Thanks to our sponsors! WhisperRoom: https://whisperroom.com Get 10% off the 4x4 or 4x6 booths now when you mention Recording Studio Rockstars: http://whisperroom.com Eventide: https://www.eventideaudio.com OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com Hear more on Youtube If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/223

Dec 6, 2019 • 1h 48min
RSR222 - Steve Chadie - Recording Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Los Lonely Boys, Wilco, and Supersuckers
My guest today is Steve Chadie who began his career as an intern at Willie Nelson's Pedernales recording studio in 1995, quickly working his way up to Assistant Engineer for Larry Greenhill. Upon Greenhill's departure, he took on the position of Head Engineer, capitalizing on the learning opportunities presented while working alongside many producers including John Porter, Paul Leary and a recurring 14-year stint with legendary producer Andy Johns. Steve has been awarded multiple gold and platinum records and several Grammy nominations spanning a wide range of artists including Sublime, Los Lonely Boys, the Supersuckers and Merle Haggard. Whether recording major label artists or local bands, Steve approaches the task with the same enthusiasm and attention to detail and artist comfort as he was taught to do from the start. He has a deep respect for the art and is always willing to lend a helping hand, gear or advice to upcoming young engineers that he collaborates with. He is of the opinion that this is an apprentice-based guild and knowledge should be passed down to these engineers to keep the craft alive. Thanks to our sponsors! WhisperRoom: https://whisperroom.com Get 10% off the 4x4 or 4x6 booths now when you mention Recording Studio Rockstars: http://whisperroom.com Eventide: https://www.eventideaudio.com OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com Hear more on Youtube If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/222

Nov 29, 2019 • 2h 26min
RSR221 - Hamish Benjamin - Lessons Learned from Mark Howard, Joe Chiccarelli, Steve Albini, Butch Vig, Vance Powell, and Eric Valentine About Recording Bands
My guest today is Hamish Benjamin a Recording Engineer and Producer from England, as well as the host of a new very cool podcast called 'Somewhere Sound' where he interviews great producers and engineers. Hamish is also the youngest guest to be on Recording Studio Rockstars at the tender age of 21. He started his podcast less than a year ago yet he already has a whos who list of incredible guests including Mark Howard, Larry Crane. Joe Chiccarelli, Steve Albini, Butch Vig, Vance Powell, and Eric Valentine to start. As an engineer himself, he runs a portable recording studio business also called 'Somewhere Studios' recording mainly from a hall in the south east of England. He specialises in recording bands live, playing together in one room, fusing traditional recording techniques with the benefits of modern digital recording. So I am excited to talk to Hamish today about what he has learned from his luminary podcast guests and from starting a studio business himself. And maybe even remembering what it was like to be 21 again. :-) Thanks to our sponsors! WhisperRoom: https://whisperroom.com Get 10% off the 4x4 or 4x6 booths now when you mention Recording Studio Rockstars: http://whisperroom.com Eventide: https://www.eventideaudio.com OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com Hear more on Youtube If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/221

Nov 22, 2019 • 2h 17min
RSR220 - Justin Francis - Grammy Nominated Engineer Shares Mixing Tips for Your Home Studio
My guest today is Justin Francis a multi Grammy nominated Nashville engineer and mixer who I got turned on to from listening to mastering engineer Kim Rosen's discography when preparing for her interview. Justin Mixes from his log cabin home studio in Ashland City, Tennessee. In just one week, clients can range from Andrea Bocelli to Alice Cooper, and other notable artists include Top 40 bands like Little Big Town; country singers like Kacey Musgraves, Ronnie Milsap, Tyler Childers, Margo Price, and Rodney Crowell; blues legends like Buddy Guy; classic rock stalwarts like Deep Purple; punk legends like Anti-Flag, and rabble-rousers like Rozwell Kid and Diarrhea Planet — streams of which reach more than a million every month. Additionally, Justin's work with bluegrassers like Special Consensus and Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen earned him two Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album. Today I'm going to ask Justin all about his studio here in Nashville, how he likes to mix a wide variety of music, and what tips we can learn for getting better mixes in our own pro and home studios. Thanks to our sponsors! WhisperRoom: https://whisperroom.com Get 10% off the 4x4 or 4x6 booths now when you mention Recording Studio Rockstars: http://whisperroom.com Eventide: https://www.eventideaudio.com OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com Hear more on Youtube If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/220

Nov 15, 2019 • 2h 9min
RSR219 - Ryan Smith - Sterling Sound Engineer & Tips for DIY Mastering At Home
My guest today is Ryan Smith a mastering engineer at Sterling Sound. He has mastered records for a wide array of artists, including Greta Van Fleet, Elle King, and AC/DC. Ryan Smith began his journey in the world of audio when he moved to New York City in 1995. In the late 90's he moved through various recording studio gigs and other "audio odd jobs" around New York City. This eventually led to a job as an assistant engineer at the Manhattan's Right Track Recording, where Ryan had the opportunity to work alongside legendary engineers and producers, including Phil Ramone, Arif Mardin, Russ Titelman and Frank Filipetti. In 2002, Ryan made the move to mastering. He joined Sterling Sound where he's been for the past 17 years. Early in his time at Sterling, Ryan spent time working alongside both Ted Jensen and the late George Marino. In addition to digital mastering, Ryan learned the art of vinyl mastering and lacquer cutting from George. During the current resurgence of vinyl, Ryan has become one of the most in demand vinyl specialists around. Thanks to our sponsors! WhisperRoom: https://whisperroom.com Get 10% off the 4x4 or 4x6 booths now when you mention Recording Studio Rockstars: http://whisperroom.com Eventide: https://www.eventideaudio.com OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com Hear more on Youtube If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/219

Nov 8, 2019 • 2h 23min
RSR218 - Dr Ford - How to Mix in a Pro or Home Studio from an Award Winning Mixer
My guest today is Daniel Ford aka "Dr Ford", 6 x Award Winning Producer and Mixer with music at #1 on iTunes, & the Billboard Top 20. Daniel has Studio C of the world-famous Sound Kitchen Studios here in Nashville and has been on the show with us before for episode RSR136 to talk share some great tips for vocal mixing. We also covered Daniels recording journey studying under west coast legends Ronnie King and DJ BattleCat of Tupac, Snoop, & Dr Dre cred. So go back and check out that episode to learn more. But today we decided to bring Dr Ford back to focus strictly on mixing in your home studio. Lets learn what we can about taking the tracks that you have or that people send you and mixing the drums, bass, guitars, keys, and vocals to sound like a polished mix. Were going to dig into each element of a mix and break down some of the challenges and solutions that you might run when mixing. Dr Ford has lots of experience teaching online and in person. So if you want to follow up this interview to learn more then make sure to check out his website at DrFord.com or go visit his Youtube channel where he does regular videos including a new series called The Dr's Office. Thanks to our sponsors! WhisperRoom: https://whisperroom.com Get 10% off the 4x4 or 4x6 booths now when you mention Recording Studio Rockstars: http://whisperroom.com Eventide: https://www.eventideaudio.com OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com Hear more on Youtube If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/218

Nov 1, 2019 • 2h 16min
RSR217 - Justin Cortelyou - Platinum Engineer working with Paul MacCartney, Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, and Phish
My guest today is Justin "Corky" Cortelyou a platinum selling Nashville producer, engineer, mixer who has worked with all sorts of great talent learning under greats like bluegrass legend Bil VornDick (working with Marty Robbins, Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss) , mixing guru Chuck Ainlay (working with Dixie Chicks, Mark Knopfler, Miranda Lambert), and master mixer Mike Shipley (working with Def Leppard, Shania Twain, Maroon 5, and Aerosmith). Justin studied music and engineering at Middle Tennessee State University, became the night manager for Sound Stage Studios before moving out to LA to work with Mike Shipley. Justin then teamed up with producer, songwriter, and musician, Tommy Henriksen. He partnered with Tommy developing artists, negotiating record deals with Warner Bros., Geffen, and Interscope, touring, and doing front of house. In 2008, Tommy and Justin moved their operations to Nashville, TN where they teamed up with legendary producer, Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, KISS). Alongside Bob Ezrin, Justin worked with some of the biggest artists in history including Paul McCartney, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, Johnny Depp, Phish, Ke$ha, and Kiss to name just a few. Working out of Ezrin's Anarchy Studio, Justin's work has gone on to gain international acclaim including numerous #1's and sales records. Thanks to our sponsors! WhisperRoom: https://whisperroom.com Get 10% off the 4x4 or 4x6 booths now when you mention Recording Studio Rockstars: http://whisperroom.com Eventide: https://www.eventideaudio.com OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com Hear more on Youtube If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/217

Oct 25, 2019 • 2h 7min
RSR216 - Chris Finney - Recording Dr John, The Meters, BB King, and the Rebirth Brass Band in New Orleans
My guest today is Chris Finney a Grammy Winning Producer, Engineer, and Mixer. He is a life long advocate of music and business education, on both the High School and College levels. His 25+ years in the recording studio include dates with Robert Plant, B.B. King, Herbie Hancock, and New Orleans legends Dr. John, Harry Connick, Jr., Allen Toussaint, the Meters, and Fats Domino. He has been instrumental in kicking off and developing the recording careers of New Orleans funk-rock mainstays Galactic, Trombone Shorty, The Revivalists, Naughty Professor, and newcomers like SexualThunder! and Organized Crime. In 2017, He co-founded the non-profit 30AMP Circuit, with renowned guitarist Charlie Hunter. 30AMP's mission is to bring music from underserved communities around the world into the mainstream. Their first project brought them to rural Southeast Mexico to produce "Lo Sagrado," by Silvana Estrada, which was released in November, 2017. Chris is currently adjunct professor of Music business at Tulane University in New Orleans, and is an active member of the Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy, currently serving as a Chapter Governor, as well as Co-Chair of the Producers and Engineers wing. A big thanks to Emile Louapre, for introducing me to Chris to bring him on the show. Thanks to our sponsors! WhisperRoom: https://whisperroom.com Get 10% off the 4x4 or 4x6 booths now when you mention Recording Studio Rockstars: http://whisperroom.com Eventide: https://www.eventideaudio.com OWC - Other World Computing: https://www.OWC.com RSR Academy: http://RSRockstars.com/Academy Want to learn more about mixing? Get Free mix training with Lij at: http://MixMasterBundle.com Hear more on Youtube If you love the podcast, then please Leave a review on iTunes here CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AT: http://RSRockstars.com/216


