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Working Class Audio

Peel back the glamour of the professional recording world. Guests from the world of audio for music, film, games, restoration, and more share their insights on how they made their journey, how they survive, their advice on the real things including wins, losses, working with other people, money, and career advice. 
Hosted by audio engineer Matt Boudreau.
The Working Class Audio Podcast - Navigating the World of Recording with a working class perspective.

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mastering and lathe cutting engineer Natalie Bibby who works at AIR Studios in the U.K.. Natalie has worked with Kraftwerk, Bring Me The Horizon, Lola Young, Jimmy Eat World, The Vaccines, Lewis Capaldi, GIRLI, and CATTYShe's also led a world-class mastering workshop at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios, UK.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

 • Early musical influences
 • Starting in recording & mixing
 • University training & goals
 • Metropolis internship lessons
 • Moving into mastering
 • Live cuts & direct-to-disc
 • Half-speed mastering overview
 • Learning & mentorship insights
 • Joining AIR Studios
 • AIR Studios
 • Value of attended sessions
 • Managing client expectations
 • Hybrid mastering workflows
 • How mastering engineers listen
 • Common mixing problems
 • Music Producers Guild 
 • Challenges for studios
 • AIR’s cutting reputation
 • Vinyl cutting process
 • Mastering vs. cutting
 • American mastering mystique

Links and Show Notes:AIR StudiosMusic Producers Guild
Matt's Rant: How we present ourselvesCredits:Guest: • Natalie Bibby
Host/Engineer/Producer: • Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: • Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: • Chuck Smith

WCA #573 with Natalie Bibby – AIR Studios, Direct to Disc, Attended Sessions, MPG, and Connecting with Others

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back guitarist, producer, and mixing/mastering engineer Alex Crescioni to talk about Extreme Metal production. Alex is known for his work with Burton C. Bell, Deverauxx, and Siglos.
In This Episode, We Discuss: • Extreme Metal
 • Techniques
 • Sounds
 • Room Tone
 • Business
 • Survival
 • Letting Go

Links and Show Notes:Alex’s SiteAlex on LinkedinAlex on InstagramAlex on WCA #333
Matt's Rant: Spread the WorkCredits:Guest: • Alex Crescioni
Host/Engineer/Producer: • Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: • Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: • Chuck Smith

WCA #572 with Alex Crescioni - Extreme Metal, Techniques, Clients, Survival, and Letting Go.

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer/engineer/mixer and record label owner Don Setaro. Matt and Don get into a deep dive discussion of the re-issue process for former Pavement drummer, Gary Young's album "Hospital For The Chemically Insane". Former WCA guests Dan Johnson and Justin Perkins chime in to talk about their role in the process. 
In This Episode, We Discuss: • Pavement
 • Gary Young
 • Detective Work
 • Restoration
 • Tape Rescue
 • Mastering from CD
 • Re- Issue
 • Keeping the Vibe

Links and Show Notes:Gary on BandcampIAC Records
Matt's Rant: StructureCredits:Guest: • Don Setaro /Dan Johnson/Justin Perkins
Host/Engineer/Producer: • Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: • Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: • Chuck Smith

WCA #571 with Don Setaro –DEEP DIVE - Gary Young Hospital For The Chemically Insane

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer/engineer and mixer Ken Sluiter to delve into the intricate process of stereo rebuilds for Atmos mixing. They discuss the challenges of finding and organizing original material, the importance of matching to comparison masters, and the unique aspects of each project. Ken shares insights on the ingestion process, the role of research in understanding original recordings, and the potential of AI tools in audio restoration. The discussion also touches on the future of mixing and the evolving landscape of music production.
In This Episode, We Discuss: • Stereo rebuilds for Atmos mixing.
 • The process involves gathering original assets and recreating mixes.
 • Each project is unique, requiring a tailored approach.
 • Matching to a comparison master is crucial for accuracy.
 • Researching the original recording can provide valuable insights.
 • AI tools can assist in stem separation but have limitations.
 • Finalizing mixes involves careful listening and adjustments.
 • The future of audio mixing may involve more AI and technology.
 • Understanding the original recording process is key to successful rebuilds.

Links and Show Notes:Ken on WCA #166
Matt's Rant: Music Expo/AES/NAMMCredits:Guest: • Ken Sluiter
Host/Engineer/Producer: • Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: • Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: • Chuck Smith

WCA #570 with Ken Sluiter – A deep dive into stereo rebuilds for Atmos mixing.

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Dan Johnson of Audio Archiving Services and Catherine Vericolli of Central Audio Archiving to do a deep dive into the world of audio archiving, preservation, and restoration. 
In This Episode, We Discuss: • Analog Tapes
 • Analog Machines
 • Modular Digital Multitracks
 • DAT Machines
 • DASH Machines
 • Pro Digi
 • Retrospect
 • Mezzo

Links and Show Notes:
Links to Dan

https://www.audioarchivingservices.com/https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-405-with-dan-johnson/

Links to Catherine 

https://www.centralaudioarchiving.com/https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-035-with-catherine-vericolli/https://www.workingclassaudio.com/wca-403-with-catherine-vericolli/
Matt's Rant: This AI ThingCredits:Guest: • Dan Johnson & Catherine Vericolli
Host/Engineer/Producer: • Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: • Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: • Chuck Smith

WCA #569 with Dan Johnson & Catherine Vericolli – Audio Restoration/Archive Deep Dive

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back John Cuniberti who produces, engineers, mixes and masters records for many artists including most notably Joe Satriani, Sammy Hagar, The Dead Kennedys, and Chicken Foot. John originally appeared WCA #005 back in 2014 and returns to do a deep dive into his OneMic recording concept. 
In This Episode, We Discuss: • OneMic Series
 • Dynamics
 • Acoustics
 • Placement
 • Tempo
 • 2 Track as Multi-Track
 • Ribbon Mics

Links and Show Notes:OneMIc on YouTubeJohn's SiteShiny Eyes Studio
Matt's Rant: Focus of Your AttentionCredits:Guest: • John Cuniberti
Host/Engineer/Producer: • Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: • Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: • Chuck Smith

WCA #568 with John Cuniberti – OneMIc, Dynamics, Acoustics, Placement, and 2 Tracks

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy Winning producer/engineer/mixer Gena Johnson who has worked with Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, and John Prine. 
In This Episode, We Discuss: • Leave your ego at the door
 • Make people feel comfortable
 • Listen to the artist
 • Labels are business partners
 • Word of mouth work
 • Feminine energy in production
 • Women in the industry
 • Classical voice training for 12 years
 • Internship at Welcome 1979
 • Learned tape machines and soldering
 • Assisting at Nashville studios
 • First number one record
 • Working at RCA Studio A
 • Rewiring Studio A intensively
 • Mentor Michael Wagner's influence
 • Champions Vance Powell and Daryl Thorp
 • Walls painted with glitter
 • Keep overhead low
 • Good attorney and manager combination

Links and Show Notes:Gena's WebsiteGena on InstagramVance Powell on WCAMatt Ross-Spang on WCADarrel Thorpe on WCA
Matt's Rant: Sonic Intrusion RevisitedCredits:Guest: • Gena Johnson
Host/Engineer/Producer: • Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: • Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: • Chuck Smith

WCA #567 with Gena Johnson – Listening to Artists, Keeping Overhead Low, Career Champions, and Glitter Walls

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back engineer/producer electrician, Mike Blodgett to discuss electricity and pro audio!
In This Episode, We Discuss: • Isolated Grounds
 • Isolation Transformers
 • Ground Rods
 • Power Conditioners
 • Apartment Power
 • Home Studio Power
 • Electrical Safety

Links and Show Notes:Mike on WCA #348
Matt's Rant: How You ListenCredits:Guest: • Mike Blodgett
Host/Engineer/Producer: • Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: • Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: • Chuck Smith

WCA #566 with Mike Blodgett – Isolated Ground, Ground Rods, Isolation Transformers, Power Conditioners, and Electrical Safety

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back engineer/producer and 3D audio geek, Hans-Martin Buff to discuss mixing Peter Gabriel's I/O as well as his own project Tearjerkers. 
In This Episode, We Discuss: • Tearjerkers
 • Peter Gabriel
 • Real Word Studios
 • Binaural Mixing
 • ATMOS
 • Format Haters

Links and Show Notes:Pure Audio Streaming:Immersive Audio Album:Link tree Album:Youtube Siren Video:Audiomovers Apple: Illusonics Neumann RimeVirtuoso: Waves NX: 
Matt's Rant: Focused DiscussionCredits:Guest: • Hans-Martin Buff
Host/Engineer/Producer: • Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: • Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: • Chuck Smith

WCA #565 with Hans-Martin Buff – Tearjerkers, Peter Gabriel, Real World, Binaural, and ATMOS

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer, Producer, Mixer Steve Dierkens. In this conversation, Steve shares his journey from as a succesful enginer working in film in California to a professional audio engineer and producer living in Canada. He discusses his early influences, the transition to a professional career, and the lifestyle changes that came with moving to Canada. Steve reflects on the challenges of building a studio, the importance of family, and the reevaluation of his career goals. He emphasizes the need for joy in music production and offers insights into financial perspectives in the audio profession. The conversation also touches on remote collaborations, social media challenges, and the definition of success and happiness in the industry.
In This Episode, We Discuss: • Career path shift
 • Family-driven choices
 • Moved to Canada
 • Studio-building challenges
 • Joy in work
 • Financial balance
 • Valued client relationships
 • Global collaborations
 • Social media pressure
 • Redefining success

Links and Show Notes:Steve and Chris Selim's Podcast
Matt's Rant: More on Streaming vs Physical MediaCredits:Guest: • Steve Dierkens
Host/Engineer/Producer: • Matt Boudreau
WCA Theme Music: • Cliff Truesdell
The Voice: • Chuck Smith

WCA #564 with Steve Dierkens – Career Path Shift, Joy in Work, Financial Balance, Global Collaborations, and Redefining Success

My guest is Leff Lefferts making a return to WCA after his first appearance on WCA #101. Leff comes from a music recording background but has worked in film sound for the last 16 years at Skywalker Sound. He's worked as a Sound Effects Editor, Sound Editor, Supervising Sound Editor, Sound Designer, and Re-Recording Mixer on various movies, including, The Croods: A New Age, The Revenant, The Peanuts Movie, How to Train Your Dragon 2, and many more. 

In this episode, we discuss:

Randy Thom

Skywalker Sound

ATMOS

Telling Stories

Roles in Film Sound

Technology Changes 

Content on Streaming Services

Planning Your Life

Music Industry vs Film Industry

Watching the Credits

Making Records for Enjoyment

Financial Security

UA Plugins

Early Days of Pro Tools

Bay Area Pro Audio Lore

Matt's Rant: Being Proactive
Links and Show Notes

Leff on WCA #101

Leff's Email

Leff on IMDB

Download 15 Tips to Help you Survive as an Audio Pro

Credits

Guest: Leff Lefferts

Host: Matt Boudreau

Engineer: Matt Boudreau

Producer: Matt Boudreau

Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 

WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 

Announcer: Chuck Smith

WCA #393 with Leff Lefferts - The World of Film Sound, Working with Randy Thom, Telling Stories, Planning Your Life, Financial Security, and ATMOS

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