A Long Island native who got his start playing jazz trumpet, Andrew Scheps has mixed records for artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adele, Metallica, Jay-Z and many others. After graduating from the Recording Engineering Program at the University of Miami, he spent some time working for New England Digital as a field service technician for the Synclavier, one of the first digital synthesizers/samplers/workstations, then on the road with Stevie Wonder (as a keyboard tech) and Michael Jackson (mixing live sound), before settling in LA.

Having got into mixing a few years before the analog-to-digital revolution, Andrew worked with a collection of vintage gear at his Punkerpad West studio in Van Nuys, California, including a Neve Electronics BCM-10 with ten 1073s that were used for reference during the Waves Audio Scheps 73 plugin modeling process.

In July 2015, he made the switch to working completely “in the box”

Scheps is known for his balanced, modern sounding and often loud mixes.

He is also the owner and president of Tonequake Records and Punkerpad UK (formerly Punker Pad West).

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

• The importance of having skills that go beyond basic audio engineering
• Diversifying your skills and musical genres
• Being proactive vs reactive in the studio
• Why he switched working on analog gear to being 100% in the box
• Creating efficiencies in your workflow
• How using macros will make you a better engineer
• His go-to macros for saving time
• Andrew’s new app, Bounce Factory
• The various mixes you should be delivering to every client
• How he uses his “rear buss” system to make his mixes feel bigger
• His approach to creating ambiance in a mix
• Various ways you can manipulate your plugins to get a cooler sound

To learn more about Andrew Scheps, visit: http://www.mcdman.com/scheps

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

• The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
• The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Subscribe to the show:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review: https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Brendan Duffey is a Grammy award-winning mixing and mastering engineer. 15 Grammy nominations, multiple certified Multi-Platinum records, and awards in film and advertising are some of the highlights of his 25+ career in music production. Brendan has worked with Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Kendrick Lamar, Sheryl Crow, Devin Townsend, Ella Mai, Mount Westmore (Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Too Short, E-40), Milton Nascimento, Daniela Mercury, Muni Long, Graham Bonnet, Muni Long, Anitta, De La Tierra, Angra and many more.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

• Having diversity in your skillset
• Being a “people person”
• How to network
• Being an extroverted introvert
• Why work/life balance is bullshit
• Aligning with like-minded people
• Working with Sylvia Massy
• Being a creature of habit
• Engineers who have their own sonic footprint
• Establishing client expectations
• Having a checklist for your workflow
• Using AI in mastering
• The value of your personal brand as an audio engineer
• Atmos mastering

To learn more about Brendan Duffey, visit: http://www.brendanduffeyaudio.com/

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

• The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
• The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Subscribe to the show:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review: https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Zakk Cervini is a Grammy-nominated producer and mixing engineer who has worked with artists like Blink-182, All Time Low, Good Charlotte, 5 Seconds Of Summer, and many more. He is well known for being a very versatile engineer in the studio. His persistence and eagerness to constantly learn and adapt to the changing musical landscape is one of his big strengths that keeps him high in demand.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

• Mixing on headphones
• How to make templates work in multiple genres
• Programming drums vs using real kits
• How to serve the song
• Using rough mixes as inspiration
• Creating an inspiring studio environment

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

• The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
• The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Subscribe to the show:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review: https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Nicky Howard is a mastering engineer based in 'sometimes sunny' Yorkshire, UK.

He's worked alongside many Grammy-Winning & Nominated artists, producers, and mix engineers, including Rhymefest, Kipper Eldridge (producer for Sting, Gary Numan, and Mary J Blige), and Mikalai Skrobat (Mixing Engineer/Producer for Kanye West, and Pharell Williams). He is credited on Billboard Top 100 and UK Chart hits, and his work has amassed millions of plays. In 2022, he received a nomination for the MPG Mastering Engineer of the Year award.

His work within the dance music community is well established, with credits on some of the most coveted labels, including !K7, Anjunadeep, Afterlife (by Tale of Us), WUGD (by Jax Jones), Purified (by Nora En Pure) and Cafe De Anatolia. Nicky has worked with influential artists, including Ewan McVicar, Hannah Laing, Chris Luno, and Franky Wah. His work on the 25th-anniversary of the groundbreaking UKG track RIPGROOVE led to the DJ Mag game-changer award for the artist.

Nicky's studio was designed from the ground up as a no-compromise mastering facility. A fully bespoke room with exacting acoustics to create the most natural and precise sonic environment possible, allowing confidence in decisions necessary to make your music sound its best. The centerpiece is a cutting-edge full-range 7000-watt Kii Audio BXT Monitoring System, finished in custom bronze metallic.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

• The journey of becoming a mastering engineer
• The art of listening
• Not being fixated on all the technical stuff
• Fixing vocal artifacts in mastering
• The downsides to using limiters
• Switching from an analog studio to going 100% in the box
• Why digital mastering can be better
• Keeping your clients happy
• Mastering low-end

To learn more about Nicky Howard, visit: https://nickyhoward.co.uk/

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

• The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
• The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Subscribe to the show:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review: https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Ryan Schwabe is a platinum-certified mixing and mastering engineer, a former professor of recording arts & music production at Drexel University's Music Industry Program, and a former Vice President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy, as well as Co-Chair of the Producer and Engineer's Wing.

Currently, he is the Treasurer of the Philadelphia Chapter of the AES and the owner of Xcoustic Sound, a mixing and mastering post-production audio company. Ryan is also the owner and product designer for Schwabe Digital.

Ryan received his second Grammy nomination for "Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical" for mixing and mastering the album, Adolescence by BAYNK in 2023. His first nomination was for mixing the "Best Dance/Electronic Album" Planets Mad by Baauer in 2021.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

- Taking chances with your career

- Choosing between your dreams or opportunities

- Teaching yourself vs. having a mentor

- Analyzing tracks on an album

- Creating the arc of a record

- What levels to master to

- How Spotify determines the loudness of a record

- When digital sounds better than analog

- The real reason people pay you to work on their tracks

- Using clippers in production and mastering

- Clipping vs. limiting

- How to use clipping to make your tracks louder

- Different flavors of clipping

- Hard clipping vs. soft clipping

To learn more about Ryan Schwabe, visit: https://www.ryanschwabe.com/ or https://www.schwabedigital.com

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

• The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
• The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Subscribe to the show:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej

Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review: https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Inspired by early punk and new wave, Adam Greenspan's journey through the vast soundscapes of the late 80s, to industrial and alt 90s, marked a lifelong immersion in music. With over 25 years in the industry, his career ignited with the engineering of Faith No More's "Album of the Year." Later, a serendipitous connection with fellow producer Nick Launay led to fruitful collaborations, shaping albums for luminaries such as Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Supergrass, The Cribs, and Refused.

Greenspan's recent productions have garnered critical acclaim, notably securing a 2019 Mercury Prize shortlist for IDLES' "Joy as an Act of Resistance" and a 2020 Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album with Thomas Dybdal's "All These Things." His return to IDLES resulted in a UK #1 album with "Ultra Mono," highlighting his enduring impact on contemporary music.

Continuing to shape sonic landscapes, Greenspan's recent projects include works with Bloc Party and Flogging Molly. His approach is characterized by close collaboration with artists, aiming to distill a sound and style uniquely theirs while encouraging them to explore new territories. Emphasizing the visceral impact of music and its ability to evoke emotion and movement, Greenspan rejects formulas in favor of capturing genuine artistic expression.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

• Working with Nick Launay
• Going backward on the studio ladder to make for more opportunities
• Having the right attitude to stand out when you’re getting started
• Working from rough mixes
• Pushing the boundaries of an artist
• Leaning into what makes an artist special
• Creative approaches to using poorly recorded tracks
• Creating a 3D sound using effects
• Using distortion on vocals
• Panning effects
• How to use stereo wideners effectively
• Capturing the room and making your tracks sound big
• Making the most out of a small room
• Eliminating noise on your tracks

To learn more about Adam "Atom" Greenspan, visit: https://www.atomgreenspan.com/

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

• The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
• The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community

To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.

Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

We hit 200 episodes! In celebration of this giant milestone, I recorded a special Q&A episode where I answered questions submitted by our audience about all things production and more.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

• Mike’s thoughts on the production of Metallica’s “black” album
• How many layers to record for heavy guitars
• My mic of choice for recording vocals
• How to find time to write a book
• What to do if you’re working on your music in a non-symmetrical room
• The simple way to gain-stage your tracks
• How to add top-end to your mixes without making them sound harsh
• Where to find Mike’s production portfolio
• Using reference tracks: Why you should use them, how to pick the right ones, what to do with them.

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

• The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
• The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community

To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.

Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Tony Hoffer is most known for his colorful, gritty productions and mixes that pop out of the speakers. His work over the years spans across alternative, electronic, rock, pop and indie.

Hoffer spent his early years in Miami making music on 2 cassette decks and a reel-to-reel machine. As a teenager, he moved to Los Angeles and went ‘hi-tech’ upgrading to a Tascam 4-track cassette deck falling in love with music and the art of production.

Tony started off playing guitar in ‘post-punk’ bands and fell in love with sampling his favorite post-punk records (Cure, Chameleons, Bauhaus) into his own songs and productions. His big break was co-producing Beck’s double Grammy nominated album ‘Midnite Vultures’ which was a hybrid of intricate sampling and live playing. That initially led to him to working with Air, Phoenix and Supergrass. Some additional credits include: M83, The Kooks, Belle & Sebastian, Silversun Pickups, The Fratellis, Depeche Mode, Fitz & The Tantrums, Blondie, Metric, Chromeo, Dirty Heads, The Snuts, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Ziggy Marley.

Tony’s productions and mixes have been nominated and/or won 7 Grammy’s (US), 4 Juno’s (Canada), 2 Aria’s (Australia) and the Mercury Prize (UK).

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:

• Working with Beck
• Working fast and being a minimalist
• Running organic sounds through synths
• Giving tracks character & grit
• Recording live off the floor vs. tracking individually
• Using samples in your productions
• Creating hooks
• Separating production time from mixing time

To learn more about Tony Hoffer, visit: http://tonyhoffer.com/

Notable gear mentioned in this episode:

• ARP2600 (Plugin Version): https://sweetwater.sjv.io/JzMmkQ
• Korg MS20: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/XYMX45

For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

• The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
• The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community

To make sure that you don’t miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android.

Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!