In this episode, we bring you Joshua Riley, Manchester-based Mixing Engineer, to talk about mixing, content creation, and social media.

Joshua is an experienced mixer, lecturer, and public speaker, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sound Production from SAE Institute South Africa.

Today, you’ll hear about Joshua’s newly built mixing setup, his to-do list after getting a mix, filtering and clipping, mixing vocals, using automation, getting into content creation, the power of social media, convincing artists about the importance of a mixing engineer, and the three things that Josh wishes he’d known sooner.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:38] A bit about Josh.
• [04:17] Josh’s mixing setup.
• [09:10] Josh’s workflow.
• [14:13] Mix bus processing.
• [17:07] Filtering and clipping.
• [19:54] Mixing backing vocals.
• [22:45] Automation.
• [27:33] VCAs vs buses.
• [29:41] Content creation.
• [52:25] Mixing and mastering.
• [55:29] Solving problems with RX.
• [59:58] The importance of having a mixing engineer on the team.
• [65:02] Three things Josh wishes he knew sooner.

Notable Quotes

• “There’s no right or wrong way to do these things.”
• “If you just sit all day waiting for that phone to ring, it isn’t going to happen.”
• “It’s not an easy industry to be in.”

Connect with Joshua

Website:www.mixedbyjoshua.com.

Instagram:@joshjriley.

TikTok:@mixedbyjoshua.

In this episode, we bring you Matthew Weiss, Grammy-nominated audio engineer, to talk about his mixing setup and process.

Matthew Weiss is a Grammy nominated engineer and audio mentor who has worked with countless chart-topping artists, such as Dizzee Rascal, Juicy J, MURS, and Royce Da 5’9″. In addition to his engineering, Matthew has appeared as a guest speaker at Cornell University, ProStudio Live, SXSW, and SUNY Fredonia. His audio education tutorials are among the most highly regarded resources in the field of music production.

Today, you’ll hear about Matt’s approach to vocals, how he maintains an efficient workflow, his use of autotune, the importance of getting the timing right, gain staging and plugins, how Matt approaches the mix bus, and the three things Matt wishes he’d known earlier.

Episode Timestamps

• [01:16] A bit about Matt.
• [02:19] How Matt approaches vocals.
• [10:24] How to be more efficient.
• [12:50] Tracking with or without autotune.
• [18:45] Getting the timing right.
• [21:52] Matt’s session workflow.
• [29:52] Gain staging.
• [35:10] Matt’s approach to the mix bus.
• [37:17] Matt’s go-to vocal plugin chain.
• [41:27] Using reverbs.
• [47:44] Delays and doublers.
• [49:31] Processing backing vocals.
• [53:42] Clipper plugins.
• [56:32] What three things Matt wishes he’d known sooner.
• [60:33] Matt’s advice to new engineers.

Notable Quotes

• “I’m not a fan of booths.”
• “It’s not just about being fast. It’s about being very transparent.”
• “Everybody’s job is to do the best they can with the skills that they have.”
• “There’s a difference between knowing something and truly understanding something.”
• “This business is a people business.”
• “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Connect with Matt

Email:Matt@weiss-sound.com.

Website:weissadvice.com.

promixacademy.com/course/matthew-weiss-mixing-bundle.

Instagram:www.instagram.com/weisssound.

TikTok:www.tiktok.com/@weisssound.

YouTube:Weiss Advice.

In this episode, we bring you Jerome Renard, Belgian-Born Mixing Engineer, to talk about his mixing setup and process.

As a mixer he believes that every song deserves to have an engineer who understand the deepest needs and connections you have with your music.
As someone who has lived, experienced and engineered pop music internationally, he’s able to bring a multicultural perspective to each project, helping to emphasize with goals of every artist he works with.

His experience working alongside John Metcalfe brought him to Real World
Studio, Universal Music in Studio La Grande Armee in Paris, and his sessions with Simon Phillips were the catalyst for bringing him to Los-Angeles.

Today, you’ll hear about Jerome’s mixing process and setup, his use of parallel compression and gain-staging, his views on vocal tuning, automation, what an average mixing week looks like for Jerome, getting more work in the industry, and hear the three things Jerome wishes he’d known earlier.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:45] A bit about Jerome.
• [02:55] Jerome’s mixing process.
• [07:41] Mixing acoustic drums.
• [09:20] Parallel compression.
• [10:34] Gain-staging.
• [13:09] Jerome’s mix bus.
• [19:31] In the box mixing.
• [23:43] Vocal tuning.
• [26:05] Jerome’s day-to-day.
• [29:52] Automation.
• [34:43] Jerome’s monitoring setup.
• [37:34] Mixing in a studio vs at home.
• [41:42] Jerome’s advice for getting more work.
• [48:06] Three things Jerome wishes he’d known earlier.

Notable Quotes

• “Being comfortable is more important than knowing your room.”
• “Mixing is all about feel.”
• “Reputation is everything.”

Connect with Jerome

• Website: jerome-renard.com.

Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Leslie Brathwaite, 18x Grammy Award-Winning Mix Engineer, to talk about work-life balance.

Leslie’s credits include Pharrell Williams, Outkast, Björk, TLC, Jay Z, Madonna, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Akon, T.I., Monica, Michael Jackson, Cher, Mary J. Blige, 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G. Beyonce, Jack Harlow, David Guetta, and Cardi B. He holds GRAMMY Awards for Best R&B performance by Duo or Group - Brandy and Monica, The Boy Is Mine (1999), Best R&B Album – TLC, FanMail (2000), Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group – TLC, No Scrubs (2000), Best Rap Album – OUTKAST, Stankonia (2002), Best Urban Contemporary Album – Pharrell Williams, GIRL (2015), and Best Pop Solo Performance – Pharrell Williams, Happy (2015).

Today, you’ll hear about how Leslie manages his day-to-day life on the go, how he mixed Cardi B’s WAP in the back of his truck, the productivity boost of working from home, how mixing is like surgery, how overthinking can unravel a mix, the pressure of working with A-listers, the revision process, Leslie’s non-template approach, learning from other mixers, how Leslie got to where he is now, the narrowing production quality gap, getting credit for the work, networking and competition, the function of management, and the three things that Leslie wishes he’d known earlier.

Episode Timestamps

• [01:06] A bit about Leslie.
• [02:33] Leslie’s day-to-day.
• [05:20] Mixing Cardi B in the back of a truck.
• [07:54] Productivity working from home.
• [13:01] Mixing like surgery.
• [14:32] Overthinking.
• [21:04] The pressure of working with A-listers.
• [22:32] The revision process.
• [27:19] Stress vs success.
• [30:22] Working without templates.
• [31:45] Leslie’s mix bus.
• [32:30] In-the-box limitations.
• [34:55] Learning from other mixers.
• [39:20] Transitioning from recording to mixing.
• [42:30] Learning is learning.
• [45:58] The production quality gap.
• [52:14] Minimal processing on the mix bus.
• [55:20] Hearing a record that he’s mixed.
• [60:10] Mixing credits.
• [61:53] Would Leslie’s approach be different now?
• [64:27] Competition.
• [65:56] Having a manager.
• [68:33] What Leslie wishes he’s known earlier.

Notable Quotes

• “If you’ve got the right tools, you can mix records on the go.”
• “As a professional, you have to be able to do your job, no matter the content.”
• “Everybody has the tools now.”
• “The people who need to know will find out.”
• “Never give up.”

Connect with Leslie

Website:Leslie Brathwaite.

Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Mixed By Jocelin, Award-Winning Engineer and Producer, to talk about his approach to Mixing and Mastering.

Jocelin has worked as a recording, mixing, and mastering engineer for over a decade. After making a name in the industry working at Relentless Energy Studio, Jocelin became a prominent engineer in London’s rap scene, having worked with artists including JME, AJ Tracey, Headie One, and Not3s.

Today, you’ll hear about how Jocelin approaches a mix, his producing and mastering, switching between DAWs, AI mixing, the importance of creativity, being more accessible as a mixer, doing the final print offline, and taking on every opportunity in the industry.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:51] A bit about Jocelin.
• [02:43] Pro Tools vs Logic.
• [06:08] Approaching a mix.
• [10:58] Processing vocals.
• [14:15] AI mixing.
• [16:01] Being creative.
• [18:27] Mixers being accessible.
• [22:24] Mixing and producing.
• [27:46] Parallel processing.
• [35:12] Mixing and mastering.
• [41:01] Mastering Aladdin in Logic.
• [49:56] Doing the final print offline.

Notable Quotes

• “It’s more important to be creative.”
• “Anyone can start engineering.”
• “There are loads of different ways to get to the same destination.”
• “You will be scared, but don’t let that stop you.”

Connect with Jocelin

• Website: engineears.com/mixedbyjocelin. 
• Instagram: @mixedbyjocelin.
• @mixed_opinionspodcast.

Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Jon Blass, Grammy Award-Winning Mix Engineer, to discuss his process and perspective for successful mixes.

Jon Blass is a GRAMMY award-winning mix engineer. His mix work has garnered 11 additional GRAMMY nominations, multiple Dove and Stellar awards, and frequently lands atop the Billboard Gospel charts. His mix credits include India.Arie, Naomi Raine Gene Moore, Maranda Curtis, Tweet, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin, Todd Dulaney, Jason Nelson, Brian Courtney Wilson, Melvin Crispell, Donald Lawrence, Shirley Caesar, Fisk Jubilee Singers, and many others.

Jon works in both stereo and Dolby Atmos from his private, Atmos-enabled Limn Sound Studio in Nashville. He has recently served on the Nashville chapter Producers & Engineers Wing and Diversity Outreach Initiative committees for the Recording Academy and the Audio Engineering Society’s local executive committee. Jon is an alum of the GRAMMY NEXT program as well as the Society of Leaders In Development (SOLID).

Today, you’ll hear about how Jon approaches a mix in multiple different genres, automation and compression, using real faders, his Dolby Atmos setup, Jon’s transition to independence, and hear the three things that Jon wishes he’d known sooner.

Episode Timestamps

• [01:00] About Jon.
• [02:08] Jon’s multi-genre approach to mixing.
• [06:17] Automation.
• [09:51] Adding or replacing samples.
• [12:32] Compression.
• [20:40] Jon’s go-to parallel compressors.
• [25:14] Mixing vocals.
• [27:01] Real faders.
• [28:09] Jon’s Dolby Atmos setup.
• [29:39] Switching to Dolby Atmos mixing.
• [34:11] The future of Atmos.
• [37:44] How long does a mix take?
• [38:36] Jon’s average day.
• [44:01] Production quality.
• [47:58] Transitioning into independence.
• [51:28] 3 things Jon wishes he’d known earlier.

Notable Quotes

• “Mixing is feeling.”
• “If it sounds good, it is good.”
• “Don’t overthink it.”
• “What’s meant to be will be.”
• “This is not a gig where you get a job.”
• “Relationships are crucial.”
• “Be open to things you don’t know.”

Connect with Jon

Website:www.jonblass.com.

Instagram:@jonblass.

Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Brent Hendrich, award-winning Nashville-based mixing engineer, to talk about freelance mixing.

Brent Hendrich is an award-winning mix engineer with over 20 years of experience in the Nashville music industry. With a passion for creating captivating and impactful mixes and a talent for aligning each mix with the artistic vision of collaborators, Brent has established himself as a go-to professional across all genres, most notably Pop.

Brent’s commitment to his craft and pursuit of excellence has been recognized and celebrated within the industry. He played a pivotal role in creating a Dove award-winning record, has contributed to several Emmy award-winning projects, and is a voting member of the Recording Academy.

As a collaborator, Brent understands the importance of working closely with artists and producers to bring their musical vision to life. He sees the value in the nuances of every project, ensuring that each mix is an authentic reflection of the artist's intent and that it far surpasses expectations. Whether you're an established artist looking to elevate your sound or an up-and-coming talent seeking a mixer who can propel your music to new heights, Brent is a failsafe choice. With his creativity, technical expertise, and commitment to providing exceptional customer service, Brent will leave an unforgettable impression on your music.

Brent has collaborated with distinguished artists, including Delanie Leclerc, Nick Hall, and Alaina Cross.

Today, you’ll hear about Brent’s journey from doing everything to specializing in mixing, social media’s role in Brent’s business, the difference between working with artists and producers, how Brent creates his work-life balance, his 20 years of freelancing, maintaining productivity, and hear the things that Brent wishes he’d known sooner.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:33] About Brent.
• [03:27] Specializing in mixing.
• [06:00] Using social media.
• [10:02] Dealing with artists and producers.
• [11:42] Mixing for self-produced artists.
• [15:42] Brent’s workflow.
• [28:39] Gainstaging.
• [33:50] Levels before mastering.
• [36:39] Brent’s work-life balance.
• [41:51] Freelancing.
• [45:59] Tuning.
• [49:47] Brent’s social media formula.
• [54:03] How to be more productive.
• [55:50] 3 things Brent wishes he’d known earlier.

Notable Quotes

• “The better the producer and the better the song, the easier it is to mix.”
• “Use your ears more than you do math.”
• “You’re a business.”
• “You’ve got to let people know who you are.”
• “You’re going to be doing things other than just audio at times.”

Connect with Brent

Website:brenthendrich.com.

Instagram:@brenthendrich.

Book a Mix Assist session.

Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Aidan Duncan, LA-Based Mixing and Recording Engineer, to talk about engineering, recording, and mixing vocals. 

Aidan Duncan is a mixing and recording engineer in Los Angeles, CA. He has assisted mixing legend Dave Pensado out of Fab Factory studios in North Hollywood. Spending 4 years with Dave perfecting his craft and helping artist’s visions come to life, he learned the key factors to making it as a top tier mixer. Now, he caters to artists such as Wizkid, Chris Brown, BNXN fka buju, Marc E. Bassy, Dillon Franics, Big Freedia, G-Eazy and many more.

Today, you’ll hear about how Aidan records different genres, the quality of vocal recordings since the start of the pandemic, the new Melodyne in Pro Tools, nudging vocals, mixing and recording, using automation, and hear what Aidan wishes he’d known sooner.

Episode Timestamps

• [01:06] About Aidan.
• [03:21] Aidan’s vocal chain.
• [09:16] Aidan’s genre focus.
• [10:03] Recording different genres.
• [14:12] How vocal recordings have changed since Covid.
• [17:15] Working with vocal coaches.
• [21:52] Pro Tool’s new Melodyne.
• [28:12] Tuning vocals.
• [36:30] Nudging.
• [41:19] How long is each session?
• [43:09] Mixing and recording.
• [45:10] Automation.
• [50:10] What Aidan wishes he’d known sooner.

Notable Quotes

• “You’ve got to make the artist is the most comfortable.”
• “I always try to think of autotune as an effect.”
• “There’s no normal working in this industry.”
• “Automation is key.”
• “Knowing how to communicate is huge.”

Connect with Aidan

Website:www.aidanduncan.com.

Instagram:@the.aidanduncan.