Unstoppable Recording Machine Podcast (Eyal Levi)

Legendary producer Dan Korneff (Paramore, The Devil Wears Prada, Papa Roach) joins us for a rapid-fire Tips & Tricks session that will blow your mind. Ever wonder what it takes to produce and mix at the highest levels of the music industry? If you answered yes, then this episode is for you. "I think music exists in octaves. That’s just how it exists. So if you’re doing something in that 3k range check out the 6k, and the 12k and see what’s happening there." - Dan Korneff In 35 hard hitting minutes we cover: Dan's secret guitar widening trick Carving frequencies to make space in a mix High and low passing guitars Surgical EQ on guitars to eliminate harshness while retaining clarity His most hated guitar frequencies Harmonic EQ Processing individual tracks VS busses When to use sidechain compression What's on his master bus chain Optimizing hybrid mixing setups Why he prefers Cubase Maintaining a quick turnaround Links: Dan Korneff's credits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Speed Mixing 2 is here! Get the sequel to URM’s flagship course: https://nailthemix.com/speedmixing

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

In This Episode:

00:00:00 A Brief Introduction to Speed Mixing and it's Impact

00:08:33 Strategies for Efficient Mixing

00:16:17 Maximizing Limited Time for Music Mixing

00:24:06 Life-Changing Mixing Strategies

00:32:05 Avoiding the Mixing Rabbit Hole

00:39:17 The Magic of Established Mixing Techniques

00:46:44 Mastering Structured Training

00:53:29 The Evolution of Modern Audio Plugins

01:01:36 Limitations of Automated Mixing Tools

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

Andrew Bayliss is a songwriter, producer, and engineer who has worked with Jellyroll, Sylar, Sleeping with Sirens, and many others. On this episode: Do you write enough songs to really be great at it?  Andrew’s process for getting demos done quickly What it was like working with Jellyroll on “Dead Man Walking” Darker music for darker times Making every aspect of a song correspond to the hook What it was like working with Zakk Cervini on Sleeping With Sirens Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vocal production that sounds amazing requires you navigate the intersection of composition, physical performance, gear selection, and creative coaching with your A-game the entire time! That's why we devoted two podcast episodes to vocal production and mixing. This one is jam packed with info! “If the vocal sucks on the record you might as well trash the entire thing” - Joel Wanasek What you'll learn in part 1: Acoustic treatment for vocal recording How to fix badly recorded vocals AT4040 vs SM7B Time aligning vocals by hand Using Revoice Pro Autotune tips Outboard compressors like Shadow Hills and Distressors Condenser vs dynamic microphones How to save money on high dollar microphones Links: Melissa Cross Izotope RX (audio repair) Real Traps Audio Technica Empirical Labs Distressor Revoice Pro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finn Mckenty (CreativeLIVE, The Punk Rock MBA) joins us to discuss the inner workings of songwriting, creation of a unique point of view, and effective marketing for bands and producers in the fast-paced, highly competitive creative world of today. To say that today’s recording market is oversaturated would be an understatement. It’s more important than ever for producers to adopt effective and engaging ways to promote themselves. However, most think that self-promotion equals salesy spamming and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Hit play to find out the right way to promote yourself. “At the end of the day there are no secrets, just attention to detail and a lot of hard work. That's the difference between the pros and the beginners.” - Finn McKenty IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: Product market fit How to get an internship Developing your unique voice or sound The importance of high standards and how to maintain them Standing out in a crowded market The difference between part writing and songwriting What attention to detail really means What the pros share that amateurs don’t Links: CreativeLIVE The Punk Rock MBA Eyal’s CreativeLIVE songwriting class Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Mckinney and Derek Rydquist from The Zenith Passage join us to discuss everything you've ever wanted to know about producing top tier tech death.

Chapters:

00:06:43 - The Evolution of Music Technology and its Impact on Bands

00:10:07 - Enhancing Songs with Vocal Patterns

00:16:31 - Making Tech Death Accessible

00:19:55 - The Death Metal Voice & Sacrificing Lyrics for Performance

00:26:15 - Refining the Recording Process

00:29:05 - The Challenges of Tracking and Evaluating Performance

00:35:32 - Constructed Guitar Tracking

00:38:38 - Using Guitar Pro for Writing Music

00:45:24 - Achieving a Mechanical Sound while Remaining Human

00:48:35 - Ensuring Strong and Accurate Vocals

00:51:46 - Triggering Drum Samples

00:54:56 - Layering and Mixing Techniques

01:01:35 - The Explosive Finale

01:04:46 - Finding the Balance in Mixing

01:07:41 - The Magic of Working with Dave Otero

01:23:48 - Overcoming Performance Anxiety

01:35:43 - Sharing and Tagging on Social Media

Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM.

When you sign up, you'll get access to:

    ⁃    Insanely detailed audio production tutorials

    ⁃    One-on-one feedback

    ⁃    Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal

Sign up at: http://urm.academy

Follow URM on Instagram: http://instagram.com/urmacademy

Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram: http://instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio

Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps!

Hiram Hernandez is a top billboard charting Songwriter/Producer. He joins Joel on the URM Podcast.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at ⁠https://urm.academy⁠

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:09:46 Breaking into the L.A. Music Scene

00:14:30 The Value of Being Easy to Work With

00:23:34 The Art of Mastering in Music Production

00:28:12 Navigating Music Industry Dynamics in LA

00:32:39 The Ego-less Approach of Young Bands

00:42:01 Importance of Registering with SoundExchange

00:46:29 Understanding Music Royalties and SoundExchange

01:00:37 Software vs. Hardware in Music Mixing

01:05:19 Passion for Music Production and Sonic Mastery

01:10:18 The Journey to Pursuing Music Full-Timeg

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/⁠

WEBSITES:

⁠https://www.urmpodcast.com/⁠

⁠https://urm.academy/

Austin Coupe is an up and coming producer known for his work with artists such as Moodring, Prison, nothing,nowhere, Citizen and many more.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

In This Episode:

00:00:00 - Austin Coupe: The New School Producer

00:03:24 - The Challenges of Working in the Music Industry

00:17:26 - Finding Identity as an Artist

00:34:53 - The Importance of Socializing Outside of Work

00:41:25 - The Isolation of the Music Industry

00:45:30 - Rapid Fire Questions

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

The most common mixing mistakes up and comers make involve trying to run before they walk. In other words... they try to do the advanced stuff before they conquer the basics. Focusing on the wrong things will keep you from achieving your mixing potential. For instance, you shouldn't even think about Mid Side EQ before you've mastered a simple 4 band. Don't mess with parallel compression when you don't even understand what attack and release do. Don't start mixing a song if the tracking still needs editing and tuning. All great mixes are built on solid fundamentals like EQ, compression, gain staging, levels, and panning.  “You don’t spend years on the mix, but you spent years learning how to mix” - Eyal Levi You can avoid the most common mixing mistakes when you learn: The biggest steps you can take towards great tone What to focus on first The importance of fundamentals The most common causes of bad tone Technical vs musical mixing When to take risks and experiment The pros and cons of new plugins Links: Presonus Faderport Fabfilter Pro-q2 Drumforge Nail The Mix Unstoppable Recording Machine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Korneff has perfected the process of turning out modern, top-quality mixes on analog gear in an industry that's moving faster than ever. Can you imagine mixing on a massive console with tons of outboard, yet still keep up with modern deadline demands? Dan Korneff does it every day. According to him the keys are in the efficiency of your setup and how well you understand you gear. One of the beautiful things about audio is that there's usually multiple ways to achieve the same goal. Learn which methods and workflows are best for you, and optimize them until your process is second nature. Then you'll be able to focus on what really counts, the music! In this episode you'll learn: Dan Korneff's client requirements Secrets to punchy mixes with bus compression How to get properly credited for your work Why he prefers Cubase How he integrates Cubase with his console and outboard His inspiration for becoming a gear builder Where to start if you want to build your own audio gear Tips for maintaining a healthy work/life balance Links: Dan Korneff's site Dan Korneff's credits Savior Custom Drums CreativeLIVE's audio courses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Perfection Is The Enemy Of Progress" - Winston Churchill Imagine if our favorite mixers decided to stop mixing until every single aspect of their control room was perfect... They would never mix, because no control room is ever perfect! No matter how hard you try, you can't get better than best. Sure, there's always room for improvement, and over time, with the right work ethic, anyone can improve what their best is. However, in the present moment, you can't do any better than the best you can do. Learn to live with that. Perfectionism is one of the biggest momentum killers we face. It's a futile pursuit because like it or not, nothing will ever be perfect. You are chasing the impossible. Once you replace perfectionism with an unbreakable commitment to getting the job done, that's when your audio skills will really jump to the next level. Perfection is nothing, momentum is everything. In this episode we cover: Making the most of your listening environment Using "crappy" speakers to improve your mixes The difference between real and arbitrary deadlines Don't trust a spec sheet, trust your ears Resources for quality acoustic treatment Links: How to build your own acoustic panels Build your own acoustic panels for under $30 Real Traps GIK Acoustics CreativeLIVE  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Levy is a composer, audio engineer and sound designer who is known for his work with Rooster Teeth and on Doom.  On this episode: 2:00 - Health as a priority 12:10 - Working on Doom 27:06 - Staying organized under intense pressure 40:26 - Channeling your creativity at any time 51:02 - Incorporating drums into composing/sound design Follow David Levy on Instagram and Twitter. Check out David Levy’s website. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam D is a producer as well as a guitarist in Killswitch Engage and Times of Grace. He’s worked with bands such as The Acacia Strain, All That Remains, Unearth, Underoath, and many others. On this episode: 2:48 - Balancing the band and production work 13:22 - Why Adam got into production 23:21 - Music theory doesn’t have to play a role in songwriting 40:03 - What matters most for guitar tones 51:00 - The pre-production process 1:04:39 - Shaping a guitar’s sound 1:12:20 - Recording drums in a great room Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to MixCritMonday, the show where we critique YOUR mixes. First on the MixCritMonday chopping block is our longtime subscriber, Jenson Manning (we love you dude). We took him to school on: Bass VIs like Texas Grind Multiband compression Getting the low end of the kick balanced right The dangers of mixing in headphones (and how to make the most of it) Different mastering chains including plugins like Izotope Ozone and Slate Digital FG-X Getting the right snare sound Blending vocals The difference between real monitors and computer speakers Want us to crit your mix? Click here to find out how!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeremy Spencer is a drummer, vocalist, and songwriter. He was previously in Five Finger Death Punch and now releases music as Psycho Synner. Shawn McGhee is a producer and songwriter. On this episode: 4:37 - Drum editing is a fine-tuned skill 15:57 - Getting repeat clients 28:57 - You have to write music you like, don’t chase accolades 38:08 - Try things and fail in order to see what works 48:37 - Focusing on what will get you to your goal Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Misha Mansoor and Mark Holcomb are the duo who make up Haunted Shores and guitarists in Periphery.  On this episode: 5:30 - Black metal recording styles 19:35 - How Misha learned the difference between black metal and death metal 31:36 - Creative boundaries 46:54 - Solving the riff puzzle 53:15 - Knowing when you need space from your work 1:16:19 - Mistaking productivity for progress Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simone Pietroforte, known for his work with artists such as Reflections, Signs of the Swarm, and Distant, joins Eyal and Joel on the URM Podcast.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

Chapters:

00:01:42 - Starting Out and Building a Portfolio

00:07:30 - Chaos in the Music Industry at Every Level

00:11:05 - Influenced by Joey's Masterclass

00:16:42 - Two Choices: Move or Get Good and Stay

00:22:23 - The Importance of Ear Training

00:35:01 - Dealing with Rejection

00:46:19 - The Dangers of Overusing Mixing Techniques

00:51:23 - Gear Talk and Best Microphone Options

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

Mick Gordon is a composer and producer best known for his work on video game soundtracks Doom, Wolfenstein, and many more. He’s also worked with bands such as Monuments and Bring Me the Horizon. On this episode: 2:50 - Defining your role based on the project 12:08 - Getting into the gaming industry 26:30 - How to not get pigeon-holed 33:50 - Working with Bring Me The Horizon 43:30 - Sound design can be overwhelming Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dean Lamb is a guitarist in Archspire and YouTuber with over 89k subscribers. Dave Otero is a producer and mixing/mastering engineer who owns Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado. On this episode:  The dynamic between Archspire and Dave in the studio Not letting the business side of things interfere with the music How to price your services What a producer manager ACTUALLY does Eyal, Dave, and Dean. The three most handsome men on the internet How Dave keeps his objectivity as producer Technicality vs musicality Do awards matter? Dave’s approach to negotiation Perks to being a Canadian metal band Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to #MasteringCritMonday, the show where we critique YOUR mastering. Prolific mastering engineer, Maor Appelbaum stopped by to help us critique some listener-submitted mastering work. In this episode you'll learn about: Nice and loud vs fatiguing to listen to What to submit to a mastering engineer Adding low end without destroying the track When to apply a heavy-handed mastering approach Maor's favorite outboard gear Adding treble without harshness Mastering for vinyl Links: Maor's website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Heylmun is a guitarist in Suicide Silence. Taylor Young is a producer, mixer, and musician (ex Nails) who has worked with Suicide Silence, Twitching Tongues, and many others.  Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Yip is a producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and label owner known for his work with bands such as Code Orange, Circa Survive, Turnstile and many more.  On this episode: 4:14 - Having a strong work ethic 12:20 - When to follow your passions 28:46 - Teaching the next generation of producers 38:32 - Limited pie myths 51:37 - Setting boundaries and focusing on one task 1:00:22 - Avoiding burnout 1:10:48 - Determining compatibility with a band Follow Will Yip on Instagram and Twitter. Check out Will’s website. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to MixCritMonday, the show where we critique YOUR mixes. In the hotseat this month is Caleb Rodriguez. Caleb submitted a metalcore mix for us to crit and after a little investigation we figured out that he was making two major mistakes: He used little to no reference material His source tracks were not ready for mixing, yet he didn't fix them We also discovered that his mixing environment was an acoustical mess and that he was compensating by mixing in headphones, a big no no. Considering he wasn't even using reference material to get his bearings, Caleb was basically his own worst enemy on this mix. The combination of unedited, poorly performed tracks with an unreliable listening space placed a glass ceiling on how good his mix could actually get.  In this episode you'll learn about: Acoustical room treatments for under $200 How to properly use reference mixes Steps to take if you mixing environment is sub par Which little details make a huge difference in a guitar tone Replacing an out of tune bass with a synth bass Mid range buildups that can make a mix hard to listen to Want us to crit your mix? Click here to find out how! Links: Line 6 Pod Farm Savior custom Drums Drumforge Steven Slate Drums Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Gering is a musician, producer, and songwriter who has worked with bands such as A Day to Remember, One OK Rock, and Papa Roach. He is also the keyboardist for The Devil Wears Prada. On this episode: Should you go to audio school? Transistionig from a songwriter for The Devil Wears Prada to a band member Why you should write music. Often.  The #1 mistake local bands and producers make How do you know when something actually sounds good? Kevin Thrasher’s genius “writing for the trash bin” idea The importance of the technical side of production Learning how to read the room Using limitations as a tool Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Ray Ernster is a Grammy award winning mixer who has worked with Kanye West, Doja Cat, Burna Boi, and many others. On this episode: 2:40 - Do techniques work across different genres? 17:17 - Niching down to pop and R&B 28:47 - Set up a retirement account… NOW 39:59 - Some paths are unproductive 53:49 - Getting introduced to Kanye West Follow Jesse Ray Ernster on Instagram. Check out Jesse's DIY Tube Trap guide. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Johnson is a producer/audio engineer who has worked under notable producers such as Andrew Wade, Will Putney, and Machine for artists such as A Day To Remember, The Ghost Inside, Fit For An Autopsy, and many others. He’s also a URM alumni. On this episode: What reading the room actually means How Ben got started with Andrew Wade Admit when you don’t know something Pushing past imposter syndrome Sacrifices Ben made to help his dream become a reality What it’s like to keep up with Will Putney’s insane pace  Copy at the beginning, then form your own style How URM changed Ben’s life Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joey Doherty, a producer and sound designer, joins Joel on the URM Podcast.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at ⁠https://urm.academy⁠

00:00:00 From Guitar Enthusiast to Producer

00:12:50 The Art of Salvage Mixing

00:16:28 Navigating the Music Industry: Building Relationships in L.A.

00:28:28 Exploring Sound Design with EDM and Pop

00:40:19 Evolving Music Trends in the 2000s

00:43:52 The Breakthrough Track that Changed Everything

00:51:07 Collaborating on Call of Duty Soundtrack

01:03:20 Common Denominators of Hit Songs

FOLLOW JOEL & URM:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/⁠

WEBSITES:

⁠https://www.urmpodcast.com/⁠

⁠https://urm.academy/

Tank The Tech is a guitar, bass, drum tech, tour manager, and successful YouTuber best known for laying out the cold, hard truth about how the touring and music industry works.

Chapters:
00:00:00 - Welcome to the Unstoppable Recording Machine Podcast
00:02:24 - The Truth About the Touring Industry
00:05:13 - Why the Music Industry isn't for Everyone
00:07:41 - The Importance of Humanizing Artists
00:10:27 - The Rising Costs of Touring Expenses
00:18:12 - Fond Memories of Van Touring
00:23:32 - Trailer Troubles and Midnight Emergencies
00:36:43 - The Importance of Planning for the Future in the Music Industry
00:44:01 - Representing the Artist
00:46:45 - Finding Your Zen in Instrument Work
00:54:35 - The Importance of Learning Various Skills on the Road
00:59:53 - The Unsung Heroes of the Concert Tour
01:05:03 - Recognition as the "YouTube Guy" during work
01:07:26 - The Need for Qualified People in the Music Industry

NAIL THE MIX is an online mixing school created by Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek and Eyal Levi - the guys who produced bands like TDWP, Chelsea Grin, Blessthefall, Machine Head, Monuments, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, Reflections, Born Of Osiris, Asking Alexandria and dozens more of this generation's best metal bands.

Every month, NAIL THE MIX members get exclusive access to the REAL MULTI-TRACK SESSIONS from a REAL ALBUM, and a 6-8 hour live streaming class from the producer who mixed it. These are the actual sessions by bands like Gojira, Meshuggah, Periphery, Opeth, Fall Out Boy, Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and more - and NTM is the only place in the world you'll get access to them!

http://nailthemix.com/

Lasse Lammert is a producer who owns LSD-Studios in Germany.  On this episode: 2:48 - Being a tone hunter 19:16 - Lead guitars aren’t a core element 29:28 - Not everyone can technically explain what they hear 41:44 - How references get brought into mixes 52:58 - Establishing a rapport with bands  1:07:18 - Seeing sounds as colors Check out Lasse’s website. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jens Bogren is a producer/mixer who is known for his work with bands such as Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, Amon Amarth, and Arch Enemy. He also owns Bogren Digital and Fascination Street Studios. Ihsahn is the vocalist and guitarist in Emperor. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Renowned producer and engineer Kris Crummett joins the show to talk about his experiences producing bands and constructing studios from the ground up. Constructing a studio can be daunting and no matter how clear-cut your plan is, there will be unforeseen variables that can hamper the process. The upside to building on your own, if done properly, will educate you to understand the inner workings of sound.  If you're building your own studio, or just planning on building acoustic treatment for a room that already exists, this episode is for you. “The best thing about building your own stuff is you get the understanding on how to make something from nothing” - Kris Crummett Links: Kris Crummett’s studio Kris Crummet’s CreativeLIVE classes Bob Golds room calculator John Sayers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Cowell joins Eyal and Joel on the URM Podcast.

Chapters:

00:02:07 - The Importance of Helping Bands Break Independently

00:05:53 - The Importance of Going Viral and Putting Yourself Out There

00:09:39 - The Vision for Sleep Theory

00:12:48 - The Journey of Releasing Singles

00:14:44 - The Power of a Viral Moment

00:21:48 - Finding Your Audience on YouTube

00:27:22 - The Art of Writing Music from Dreams

00:39:57 - Old School Approach to Mixing Records

00:45:35 - Unlocking Musical Potential

00:52:55 - Grinding Towards Success

NAIL THE MIX is an online mixing school created by Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek and Eyal Levi - the guys who produced bands like TDWP, Chelsea Grin, Blessthefall, Machine Head, Monuments, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, Reflections, Born Of Osiris, Asking Alexandria and dozens more of this generation's best metal bands.

Every month, NAIL THE MIX members get exclusive access to the REAL MULTI-TRACK SESSIONS from a REAL ALBUM, and a 6-8 hour live streaming class from the producer who mixed it. These are the actual sessions by bands like Gojira, Meshuggah, Periphery, Opeth, Fall Out Boy, Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and more - and NTM is the only place in the world you'll get access to them!

Kurt Ballou is known for having one of the rawest most brutal signature production styles. His records burst with pummeling grit, yet they're always punchy and huge. We sat down and discussed the method behind his sonic madness with a focus on guitar tone, as well as how he built and maintained his career. One of the most prolific producers in metal/hardcore/punk, Kurt Ballou worked with a laundry list of bands including everyone from Champion and Have Heart to Kvelertak, Cave In and Nails. He also plays guitar in Converge, one of the most influential hardcore bands of the past two decades (currently on their eighth album). WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - Kurt Ballou's thoughts on studio etiquete - Surgical EQ tips - Balancing budget vs time - The difference between panning space and reverb space - Cool uses for saturation plug ins - Using notches instead of low pass filters - The science of sound - Of course pedals and cab! - Smoothing out harsh upper mids Links: Kurt Ballou's Studio  Kurt Ballou's discography Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adair Daufembach is an LA-based, Brazilian producer, musician, songwriter, and engineer who has worked with Tony MacAlpine, Kiko Louriero, Angra, and many others. On this episode: 12:30 - Making a living off of a niche 32:42 - Moving from Brazil to LA 45:18 - How to understand an unfamiliar genre 1:07:33 - Forcing what you want into reality 1:26:16 - When people responded to Adair’s mixes Follow Adair on Instagram and Facebook. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joey Sturgis shares his In The Box mastering tips and tricks. Out of the three of us, Joey Sturgis has done the most mastering and in fact, he's never had one of his mixes mastered by an outside engineer. He's totally self-taught and responsible for several chart-topping masters. In this episode, he shares some of his most effective mastering techniques. Joey dives into his process, and how goes about getting the last 5 to 10% out of the track, using tools such as saturation, harmonic exciters, processors like Waves MaxxBass and spatial treatment. “Having your mix unmastered is kind of like having a product on the shelf that doesn’t look like it was put together by a designer” - Joey Sturgis In This Episode You'll Learn about: Joey's goto mastering plugins Multi-band compression The loudness war Dithering Saturation in mastering Best uses for Izotope Ozone Enhancing the low end for small speakers Limiting vs clipping Mid-Side processing Links: Fuck 4k Plugin and Shirt Waves MaxxBass Fab Filter Pro-Mb Izotope Ozone Waves LinMB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luck is the meeting place of preparation and opportunity. Nobody knows that better than Josh Newell, who is regarded for his genre spanning work with artists such as Linkin Park, Avril Lavigne, Cynic, Intronaut, Celine Dion, and more. On this episode we discuss how Josh Newell has managed to work his way to the top LA production circles, the difference between producing pop and metal, what it takes to maintain a long career, as well as many of his favorite mixing techniques. If you want to work in big studios, on various different genres, for lots of different producers, this episode is for you. “If someone sings better upside-down, figure out a way to fuckin’ hang them upside down!” - Joey Sturgis WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: How to build intentional relationships How to spot and seize great opportunities The power of word of mouth How he became Linkin Park’s go-to engineer Josh’s take on Andy Wallace’s mixing style How to find “the hook” Links: Josh Newell's website NRG Studios CreativeLIVE audio courses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neal Avron is a Grammy award-winning producer, mixer, and instrumentalist. He’s worked with acts such as Linkin Park, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, and many others. On this episode: 2:10 - Dealing with egos in the studio 21:56 - Knowing when something is done 41:48 - Working with Fall Out Boy 51:57 - Neal’s career longevity 1:15:04 - Letting the band do their thing vs. moving forward 1:21:34 - Neal’s approach to pre-production Follow Neal on Twitter. Check out Neal’s website. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Low, a member of the band Oubliette, formerly of Inferi, and a fantastic engineer/producer, joins Eyal and Joel on the URM Podcast.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Mike Low: From Musician to Engineer

00:09:29 - The Value of School and Learning ProTools

00:14:16 - The Stupidest Internship

00:18:26 - Starting a New Band with Malcolm Pugh

00:22:53 - Switching to Cubase and Logic

00:36:07 - Proactive Approach to Getting Assistant Work

00:40:59 - Overcoming Panic and Booking Gigs

00:49:40 - Nostalgia for Making Music on Windows 95

00:59:24 - Anomalies in Pro Tools and Cubase

01:03:46 - Building a Band for Success

01:07:16 - Qualities of a Great Assistant

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

Adam Nolly Getgood is a producer and mixer and the co-founder of GetGoodDrums. On this episode: What the pandemic changed for Nolly How much tone experimentation should be done during a recording session How Dan Weller from Sikth transitioned into becoming a great producer How Nolly divides his time between production and GetGoodDrums Mixing in Dolby Atmos - is it the future? Nolly’s incredible hunt to figure out exactly how to recreate Andy Sneap and Colin Richardson’s signature rhythm tones What defines quality if everything is pretty good? How would Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody turn out if they produced it in Pro Tools? Why Nolly uses Kai monitors The groundbreaking game changing effect Sonarworks and Soothe had on audio production Why the term “practice makes perfect” is a lie Using ProQ3’s dynamic EQ bands on Devin Townsend and Periphery mixes  The beauty of the right Mesa cab with the right Vintage 30s Check out GetGoodDrums. Follow Nolly on Instagram. Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guitar virtuoso, Per Nillson (Scar Symmetry, Kaipa, Zonaria) joins the show to discuss how to write and record great guitar solos. “The way that you know that you know a piece is that you can imagine yourself playing it from beginning to end.” - Eyal Levi IN THIS EPISODE: How much Per Nillson practices Should you really autotune that guitar track?  Is it more important to practice or to immerse yourself in music?  The advantages of true temperament frets and evertune bridges What to do with uninspired guitar players A great trick for consistently upping your guitar game How to actually become as good as your influences Why you shouldn’t focus on the response of others on videos Links:  Scar Symmetry Kaipa True Temperament Evertune Bridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Graham Cochrane, online educator and Youtube personality, joins the show to discuss how he created the popular Recording Revolution channel and went from food stamps to success. Things You’ll Learn: - Making great sounding records using just the bare minimum of gear and tools. - Marketing oneself and staying true to a specific demographic - The importance of keeping a consistent voice - Why it’s best to commit to sounds early in the production process - Best practices for a studio website - How to stay ahead in a competitive world Links: Recording Revolution  Graham Cochrane's Youtube  Graham Cochrane's CreativeLIVE classes  Graham Cochrane’s Pensado’s Place episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Yip is a producer, songwriter, and label owner known for his work with bands such as Code Orange, Circa Survive, Turnstile and many more. Today, he joins Eyal Levi to answer questions from the URM Discord community. On this episode: 2:23 - Working in different genres 10:44 - Analog vs.digital workflow 23:00 - Music release strategy 39:00 - Being more assertive with artists 48:55 - What happens when a song isn’t coming to fruition Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to MixCritMonday, the show where we critique YOUR mixes. This month we discuss common pitfalls in guitar production and mixing. “Pay attention to what you think you’re hearing versus what you are actually hearing.” - Eyal Levi WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Cutting out harshness without dulling the guitars Where to locate harshness in guitars How much distortion is TOO much distortion The difference between compressing and limiting guitars Proper palm muting technique Want us to crit your mix? Click here to find out how! Links: Recording Rock Guitars With Andrew Wade Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brandon Smith is a producer and a musician who creates electronic rock music under the name The Anix. On this episode: 2:10 - Where his DIY attitude comes from 11:28 - Creating arrangements with guitars and electronics 22:20 - Building a world around marketing 29:19 - Getting playlisted on Spotify 45:36 - Using data to determine next steps 1:02:59 - Getting music into movies/trailers 1:22:08 - Working with FiXT 1:39:36 - You can’t put out something that everyone loves Follow Brandon Smith on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joey Sturgis and Eyal Levi did a live QNA on the URM Discord.  On this episode: 6:02 - Joey’s mindset for knowing what to add to a mix/arrangement 16:18 - Creating content that connects with your audience 24:24 - How to drum up work in weird times 37:47 - Strategies for balancing time 50:20 - Layering drum samples Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"You're translating what people say into what they want."- Joey Sturgis What's a producer's real job? Engineer? Coach? Fearless leader? Psychiatrist? Band member? Chaperone? Friend? Arranger? Songwriter? Session musician? Actually, it's all the above. You must become a musical translator. "They aren't the ones who are the expert. You're the expert, they are the client. They just don't know how to say it in your terms. They will never say, 'adjust it to a 4 to 1 ratio." - Eyal Levi "If they could translate it to you they wouldn't be hiring you. It's your job is to convert their language into technical shit."- Joey Sturgis IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: How to become a musical translator and interpret your client's vision What a client really wants and needs How to properly pace a session for maximum results and creativity How to read a client's personality and mood Who the best musicians are in the band Who he's actually working for Dealing with real world nightmare scenarios like a singer blowing out their voice The importance of remaining in "the zone" The psychology of peak performance How to get takes the artists didn't realize they had in them Think you've got what it takes to be a great producer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawrence Mackrory is a producer, mixer, and mastering engineer who has worked with Meshuggah, Bloodbath, Katatonia, and many others.  On this episode:  Working with Daniel Bergstrand How to grow your career as a producer/mixer Branching out on his own Choosing your clients is a luxury to build towards What it was like to work with Bloodbath and Katatonia The nerve racking reality of sending files to a producer like Jacob Hansen Having a side gig in voice acting Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Zuretti is an award-winning composer & sound designer for Marvel, as well as Netflix. He’s also a songwriter and guitarist for his cinematic metal band Binary Code. On this episode: 3:00 - Knowing when to pivot  14:46 - Absorbing music as a kid  25:30 - Being persistent without being a punisher 42:34 - Working with Netflix and leveling up 1:00:48 - Starting a production company and building a team Sponsored by: DistroKid Follow Jesse Zuretti on Instagram. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam “Nolly” Getgood drops in to touch on everything from launching his new drum sample company GetGood Drums, to why he stepped down as the touring bassist for Periphery, production and mixing tips, as well as what it takes to network with the top tier world-class professionals out there. “There’s this curve that happens where when you are first starting out, you don’t know what you’re listening for and being able to hear things in a really controlled environment in an amazingly treated room, allows you to develop your ear to hear the subtleties...what happens once you know what you're listening to, you start to need less information to be able to do your job...” - Adam "Nolly" Getgood (Periphery, GetGood Drums) On this episode: - How classical informs Nolly’s musical perspective - The countless producers who came up in the forum scene - Nolly’s transition from touring musician with Periphery to full-time producer/engineer - How he delivered amazing mixes working with headphones on a tour bus - What DAW Nolly prefers these days - The techniques Nolly uses to get his SLAMMING bass tone ITB - Why he prefers a Beta57 to the SM57 Links: GetGood Drums Nolly on Nail The Mix Aphex Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eyal Levi and Joel Wanasek are critiquing mixes of “Drone Corpse Aviator” by Archspire.  On this episode: Why Archspire has a hard style to mix When to make changes vs. starting over You can’t have a muddy mix And more! Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Jones is a producer, mixer, songwriter, and musician who has worked with We Came As Romans, Fever 333, Plain White T’s, and many others. On this episode:  Finding your ideal schedule for peak creativity and productivity How sleep affects your audio work Balancing multiple projects and doing an amazing job  WZRD BLD’s advice for Zach Being someone who people want to work with Have you earned a day off? How to score repeat clients Pros and cons of taking work just for a paycheck Understanding what element’s of a band’s songs you’re supposed to care about Maintaining the right vibe while making tough choices  The importance of trusting your taste Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MixCritMonday is back! Eyal Levi and Joel Wanasek crit three subscriber mixes of Jason Richardson’s “Upside Down.” On this episode: 7:15 - Bass guitar balance 9:54 - Inconsistent cymbals 17:58 - Painful highs and mids 23:14 - When gear helps 26:39 - How too much low end impacts a whole mix Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jakob Herrmann is a producer and the owner of Top Floor Studios. He’s worked with DarkTranquility, Amaranthe, Evergrey, and many others. He joined Eyal Levi to answer some questions from the URM Discord community.  On this episode: 3:42 - Capturing room mics on bass and guitar 8:02 - The line between something that’s technically good and the band’s message 19:00 - Finding the right tones with doubling and overdubbing 29:40 - How to record bedroom vocals 37:45 - Working with new mixers or producers 45:36 - Jakob’s preferred drum heads, cymbals, and bass and guitar strings Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cody Matthew Johnson is an award-winning composer and the CEO of Emperia Group.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Cody Matthew Johnson: Metal Musician to Game Audio Composer and CEO

00:07:15 - Forging Your Path in Music

00:20:42 - The Crucial Role of Passion and Identity in Creative Work

00:31:12 - Metal's Impact on Gaming Culture

00:38:35 - Managing Hate in the Digital Sphere

01:06:10 - Understanding Video Gaming's Immersive Soundscapes

01:09:19 - Crafting Vibes and Atmosphere With Sound Design

01:26:14 - Building a Company and Supporting Its Talent

01:32:47 - The Current State of the Music Industry

01:36:08 - Balancing Defensive and Offensive Strategies

NAIL THE MIX is an online mixing school created by Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek and Eyal Levi - the guys who produced bands like TDWP, Chelsea Grin, Blessthefall, Machine Head, Monuments, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, Reflections, Born Of Osiris, Asking Alexandria and dozens more of this generation's best metal bands.

Every month, NAIL THE MIX members get exclusive access to the REAL MULTI-TRACK SESSIONS from a REAL ALBUM, and a 6-8 hour live streaming class from the producer who mixed it. These are the actual sessions by bands like Gojira, Meshuggah, Periphery, Opeth, Fall Out Boy, Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and more - and NTM is the only place in the world you'll get access to them!

http://nailthemix.com/

Rick Carson is a multi Grammy nominated engineer and the founder of Make Believe Studios and plugin company.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

In This Episode:

00:00:00 - The URM Podcast with Rick Carson

00:04:06 - Celebrating Success in Plugin Development

00:14:46 - The Evolution of Channel Strips in Music Production

00:26:09 - Microphone Techniques for Drums

00:37:54 - Sonic Signatures in Recording Technology

00:43:11 - The Importance of Consistent Studio Monitors

00:48:06 - Room Acoustics and Treatment Recommendations

01:03:27 - The Loudness War

01:07:31 - Unveiling the Knob (feat. Joel)

01:11:53 - Advancements in Digital Equalizers

01:16:06 - Starting in Engineering with What You Like

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

Francesco Ferrini is a pianist, composer, and the keyboardist in Fleshgod Apocalypse. He’s also known for his orchestral arrangements for artists such as Dimmu Borgir, Ice Nine Kills, and many more. On this episode: 5:22 - The orchestral influence in Fleshgod Apocalypse 16:17 - Finding clarity in a dense arrangement 42:44 - Writing guitar parts that work with orchestra 1:09:57 - How to get better at orchestration Follow Francesco Ferrini on Instagram and Twitter. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Pauley is a musician, vocalist, producer, and engineer. He’s also the bassist and vocalist for Of Mice & Men. On this episode: 3:03 - Aaron’s pre-production process 18:56 - Limiting yourself can create discipline 34:50 - Using plug-ins isn’t cheating 51:40 - Making an EP over Zoom and with an old MacBook Pro 1:08:38 - Learning from Howard Benson and David Bendeth Follow Aaron on Instagram and Twitter. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I’m always trying to up my game.” -Ola Englund In the modern music industry musicians and engineers must learn to wear multiple hats in order to succeed. You might have to balance your time as a guitarist, songwriter, mixer, videographer, and blogger just to make ends meet. That’s the new normal.  In this episode Ola Englund (The Haunted, Feared, Ex-Six Feet Under) talks about his guitar playing, techniques, studio experience, and how he accomplished a breakout success with his YouTube channel. “If you make good content, the infrastructure is there for you to get your name out.” - Ola Englund WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Tips for developing your ears How to dial amp sims for consistency Ola’s sweet spot for micing cabs The importance of video in an oversaturated market How Ola Englund started in YouTube  OE’s stance on cheaper series guitars vs small company boutiques.  Ola’s practice/warm-up routine or lack thereof   Links:  Ernie Ball Ola Englund Ola England - YouTube Feared - Facebook The Haunted - Facebook Apogee Torpedo Reload Booster FabFilter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Douches is one of the most recognizable names in mastering when it comes to any genre of heavy music. With over 6000 mastering credits to his name with artists ranging from Mastodon to Whitechapel to Bowling For Soup Alan Douches has become one of the most in demand engineers in the world. We spoke at length about so many things that it's hard to summarize. Alan shared great advice for up and comers as well as lots of great mastering tips. “What are you pretending not to know?” - Alan Douches Topics: - Steps to take when mastering for vinyl - What mastering for Itunes entails - Analog mastering tips - The science of listening - Using dynamics to control your EQ Links: Alan Douche's Mastering Studio Pendulum Compressor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phil Pluskota (Sonic Assault Studios) is an engineer, producer, and mixer from Central Florida who is known for his devastatingly sick guitar tones.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

In This Episode:

00:00:00 Exploring Guitar Tone with Phil Pluskota

00:03:31 The Futility of Internet Arguments

00:07:08 Guitar Amp and Cab Combinations for Mixing

00:17:25 Tips for Microphone Placement on Guitar Cabs

00:20:43 The Importance of Room Ambiance in Metal Music

00:24:23 The Debate on Reverb in Mixing

00:33:31 Andrew Wade's Guitar Technique

00:37:39 Exploring the 5150 Amp and Its Popularity

00:44:10 Comparing Guitar Pickups in a Mix

00:47:38 Rapid Fire Gear Q&A

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

John Douglass shares how he mastered drum editing and quit his day job. What are the #1 and #2 skills and traits that will get and keep your employment as an audio engineer? 1 - You must be reliable 2 - You must be an amazing editor John Douglass has worked his way up from being a kid with a laptop in a bedroom to working with some of the biggest artists in pop and metal. And he did it by becoming the best at crucial things that nobody else wants to do, like drum editing. If you want to up your drum editing game and turn audio into a full-time career, this episode is for you. John Douglass is an accomplished engineer/mixer/producer, having packed an impressive number and variety of credits into his five years as an audio professional. In the studio, he has worked with metal artists such as Battlecross, Cryptopsy, The Contortionist, Assassins, and Hypno5e in addition to pop artists such as Katy Perry, Nelly, TI, and Rick Ross. In addition to being an amazing engineer, he has also been an editor for Eyal Levi, Joey Sturgis, Will Putney, Andrew Wade, Jason Suecof, and Mark Lewis. He is an encyclopedia of engineering knowledge and a ninja of workflow. In this episode you will learn about: - Drum editing - Finding and keeping work as an audio engineer - Locking phase during edits - Using Quick Keys and batch commands for an efficient workflow - Transient alignment Links: John Douglass's Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Atikins is a producer best known for his work with Cradle Of Filth and Sylosis.

Chapters:

00:02:17 - Starting a Career In Mobile Recording

00:04:30 - Support and Mentorship in the Music Industry

00:11:30 - Balancing Workload and Work-life Balance

00:15:49 - Managing Band Expectations

00:18:08 - The Importance of Structuring Your Day

00:22:41 - The Challenges of Recording in the Studio

00:29:24 - Providing Fresh Perspective on Songwriting

00:38:34 - Challenges of a Geographically-dispersed Band

00:43:11 - The Challenges of Starting a Studio in LA

00:49:49 - The Signature Sound of Cradle of Filth

00:56:29 - Overcoming the Need for Routine

01:01:02 - The Gift of Genuine Talent

01:03:09 - Encouraging the Type of Person Who Pursues Music

01:07:29 - Josh Middleton's Success in Architects And Sylosis

NAIL THE MIX is an online mixing school created by Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek and Eyal Levi - the guys who produced bands like TDWP, Chelsea Grin, Blessthefall, Machine Head, Monuments, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, Reflections, Born Of Osiris, Asking Alexandria and dozens more of this generation's best metal bands.

Every month, NAIL THE MIX members get exclusive access to the REAL MULTI-TRACK SESSIONS from a REAL ALBUM, and a 6-8 hour live streaming class from the producer who mixed it. These are the actual sessions by bands like Gojira, Meshuggah, Periphery, Opeth, Fall Out Boy, Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and more - and NTM is the only place in the world you'll get access to them!

Curt Martin, a producer, songwriter, and mixing engineer based in LA, joins Eyal and Joel on the URM Podcast.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:10:37 - Pursuing a Career in Music

00:17:09 - The Grind and Self-Marketing in the Music Industry

00:24:54 - Meeting Matty Beats and Developing a Partnership

00:31:39 - The Influence of Pop Music on Metal And Rock Engineers

00:38:24 - Working with the Backstreet Boys

00:41:49 - Taking the Leap and Grinding to Learn ProTools

00:49:09 - Embracing Disaster Sessions

00:52:45 - Common Denominators of a Hit Song

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

Ryan Clark is the vocalist and main songwriter, and Jeremiah Scott is the producer and a guitarist in Demon Hunter.  On this episode: The process of making the new Demon Hunter album How Jeremiah learned from Aaron Sprinkle and Zeuss Balancing a successful band with full time careers and family lives The power of being fully DIY Nobody is going to care about your music as much as you How Ryan and Jeremiah fell into their roles What led Jeremiah into production Why Demon Hunter are so selective about tours The lessons Ryan learned working at a label Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Weller is a guitarist in SikTh and a producer, mixer, and songwriter who has worked with Enter Shikari, Young Guns, and Babymetal, among others. On this episode: 3:45 - Writing songs that stand the test of time 14:19 - Be clear about your goals early on 35:20 - Taking control of sessions 43:13 - Having someone else’s future in your hands 51:15 - Working with Taylor Larson 1:13:38 - Working on Enter Shikari’s The Mindsweep 1:19:00 - Piggybacking and riff writing Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frank Godla is a musician, the chief company director, and co-founder of the legendary media outlet Metal Injection, Blast Beat Network and recently, MetalSucks.  On this episode: The early days of Metal Injection Living a nomadic lifestyle Following your passion relentlessly Working on music during the pandemic What it means for a band to have their own sound The realities of making a living off an unrealistic profession Developing a super efficient content creation system Knowing when to let an idea go Are you just too close to a song or piece of content, or is it really great? The commitment required to win  How Frank got Metal Injection’s Slay At Home series off the ground Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kerim "Krimh" Lechner is a world renowned drummer known for his bands Septicflesh and DAATH, his ex band Decapitated, live stints with Behemoth, his YouTube channel with over 100k subs, and his virtual drum instrument with Bogren Digital, “Krimh Drums.” On this episode: How Krimh manages his time between YouTube, Septicflesh, Krimh drums, session work, DAATH, his solo music, and life Getting the Behemoth gig Krimh’s approach to learning someone else’s songs Proper risk assessment  Are YouTubers real musicians? How Eyal and Krimh collaborated to create “No Rest No End” Finding the exact right tempo for a song What it was like to work with Jens Bogren The meticulous drum sampling process How to prepare for a recording session Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Pilotta is the production manager and Nail the Mix producer at URM. He’s also an audio engineer and producer. On this episode: 2:53 - What role audio plays for Nick 9:29 - Hitting a plateau 29:47 - Dealing with successes and failures 45:38 - Learning to let things go 59:31 - You can take a vacation! 1:05:06 - Going remote with Nail the Mix Check out Nick's website. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anssi Kippo is a producer and the founder of Astia-studio in Finland. On this episode: 10:58 - Analog vs digital 21:52 - Typical session length 35:06 - How to approach bands that resist analog workflow 47:11 - Crucial components when working with tape 1:01:18 - Why he stopped touring 1:13:20 - Working on the arrangements for Children of Bodom’s Hatebreeder 1:19:36 - Capturing the most authentic guitar sound Check out Anssi’s blog.  Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Lever is a producer who has worked with bands such as Sleep Token, Monuments, Loathe, and many others.  Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to be successful in audio production? Ask anyone who's made it and there IS a formula. Here it is: 1. Ambition 2. Vision 3. Execution 4. Determination 5. Luck 6. Timing  This episode covers how all six of those factors come into play over the course of a career in audio production, and what YOU can do to harness them. "Successful people get shit done. Period." – Joey Sturgis "My motto has always been the phrase 'follow the money' and what I mean by it isn't necessarily 'follow the money' but more to sit down and think about what you want to do, what is it that they're doing that you're not doing, and then use that and model that behavior, because if you shoot for the highest pinnacle of whatever you're trying to do, in terms of your profession it will force you to raise the bar. It will allow you to grow rapidly and even outshine who ever you're competing with because they entered so much lower than you."- Joel Wanasek "In order to get from point A to point B, saying that your point B is quite ambitious, you have to make some very precise and I would even say, planned out moves." - Eyal Levi LINKS: Drumforge Eyal Levi's CreativeLIVE courses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Lever is a producer who has worked with bands such as Sleep Token, Loathe, and many others. On this episode: 2:39 - Some traits can’t be taught 15:30 - Having discipline when exercising 30:34 - Talking about change vs. just doing it 49:18 - Audio myths 1:03:43 - People don’t think the same way as you 1:11:49 - Adding value as a producer Follow George on Instagram and YouTube. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kellen McGregor is a producer, songwriter, and a guitarist in Memphis May Fire. On this episode: How Kellen balances a production career with Memphis May Fire The importance of proper sleep Kellen’s physical fitness routine Protect your ears at all costs! How Kellen approaches writing with production clients How Kellen secured the trust of his band mates as a mixer Mixing songs with dense layers The reality of test mixes Understanding the sonic goals for a mix in advance How to not lose perspective while mixing songs you’ve written and produced What to expect in Kellen’s Nail the Mix Follow Kellen on Instagram. Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buster Odeholm is a producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist who runs Odeholm Audio. He also plays guitar in Vildhjarta and Humanity’s Last Breath. On this episode: 2:05 - What Buster’s been working on 11:25 - Finding inspiration to innovate sounds 24:18 - Emotional intent in mixes 32:46 - Buster’s live setup 40:00 - What to look for in drum samples Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oz Craggs is a producer, mixer, and the owner of Hidden Tracks studio in Folkestone, England. His credits include Neck Deep, Mallory Knox, Gallows, and more.  On this episode: 2:45 - From janitor to studio owner 16:25 - Learning psychology is a huge help 30:29 - Producing vocals when you can’t relate to the topic 46:57 - Balancing being the authority figure and a buddy to the band 1:02:01 - Specializing vs. not specializing 1:12:50 - The drums on Redneck by Lamb of God Follow Oz Craggs on Instagram.  Check out Hidden Track Studios on Facebook. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maor Appelbaum, a legendary mastering engineer, joins Joel on the URM Podcast.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at ⁠https://urm.academy

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00:00 Developing Listening Skills  

00:06:14 Testing Audio Gear: Analog vs Digital  

00:13:24 Evolution from Mixing Engineer to Mastering Engineer  

00:26:41 The Challenges of Solo Careers in Music  

00:33:30 Developing Your Unique Sound as a Mastering Engineer

00:40:07 Importance of Quantity in Early Career  

00:58:50 Understanding Audio Converters and Workflow Choices

01:04:49 Investing in Audio Gear for Professional Growth  

01:17:35 Music Production Pricing Strategies

01:22:42 Indie Labels and Payment Terms

01:29:06 Effective Communication in Speed Mixing

01:35:01 Importance of Song Placement in Albums

FOLLOW JOEL & URM:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/⁠

WEBSITES:

⁠https://www.urmpodcast.com/⁠

⁠https://urm.academy/

Legendary audio entrepreneur Steven Slate joins us to talk about the process of building his ideas from nothing into some of the top audio software and hardware companies in the world. His philosophies on audio, and success in the industry are a must for people who want to make their mark on the world, but haven’t figured out their path, as well as those who are already on their path, but still want more out of life. Does that sound like you? “If you have some kind of impact, you're bound to be polarizing.” - Steven Slate In This Episode: Rolling with the punches How to deal with haters and naysayers The difference between valid and invalid complaints Why your DAW doesn’t matter Why worrying about your gear too much is a waste of time The secret to keeping your ambition burning hot Links: Slate Digital Steven Slate Drums Slate Media Technology Slate Pro Audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anton Delost is a Toronto-based producer, songwriter, and mix engineer who has worked with Seaway, Silverstein, Hollow Coves, and many others.  On this episode: 4:30 - Know how to do everything 16:00 - Songs just need to be good 30:36 - Taking risks and collaborating 46:08 - How Anton started working with Drew Fulk 57:28 - Anton’s approach to songwriting collaboration 1:14:45 - Let the people you hire do their jobs Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Otero is a renowned recording and mixing engineer, best known for his work with artists such as Cattle Decapitation, Khemmis, Archspire, and Cephalic Carnage.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

In This Episode:

00:03:24 Building a Career in the Audio Industry

00:10:25 Navigating Economic Uncertainty with Passion

00:20:30 Evolution of Death Metal Bands

00:30:54 The Role of Feedback in Music Production

00:37:49 Crafting the Perfect Chorus

00:51:08 Overcoming Procrastination in Creative Work

FOLLOW EYAL,& URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

Geoff Swan is a producer and engineer based out of the UK who has worked with Charli XCX, Yungblood, and many other huge acts.  On this episode:  Making a name for yourself while working on huge pop production teams Is it a red flag when artists don’t have enough mix notes? Shooting yourself in the foot by being over litigious  A great mixer is a great problem solver Any session, no matter the budget, will have errors in it Not allowing creative fatigue to cloud your decision making Working with an Evertune brings a whole new set of challenges Everyone uses the CLA plugins. Everyone!  Geoff’s method of collecting mentors Mixing pop vs. metal Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Braunstein is a producer who has worked with Volumes, Spiritbox, Dayseeker, and many others. Raad Soudani is the bassist and co-producer in Volumes. On this episode: Dark times lead to even darker music Why Raad Soudani wanted to work with Daniel Braunstein again How Opeth, Mike Patton, and The Beatles trained their fans to expect the unexpected Why you need delusional optimism  Hell froze over. Heavy music is mainstream again. Dealing with the tragic loss of Diego Farias How Daniel Braunstein approached working with Volumes this time around Metal bands hiring a co-writer: strictly forbidden or the norm? If you want long and successful relationships, know your role Listen to Volumes on Spotify. Follow Daniel Braunstein on Instagram. Follow Raad Soudani on Instagram. Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Cannon is a producer, podcaster, mastering engineer, author, and music marketer who also produces podcasts for The Daily Beast.  On this episode: 10:16 - Vanity metrics won’t help you 16:46 - Breaking into other regions 26:51 - Cheat codes in metal 35:55 - Socials or content, which comes first? 44:10 - TikTok promotion works Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Plotnikoff is a producer/engineer who has worked with acts such as AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Cher alongside producers such as Howard Benson, Mutt Lange, Bruce Fairbairn, and countless others. On this episode: 2:45 - Failing more than you succeed 13:05 - Keep moving forward and take breaks as needed 27:17 - Understanding your strengths and weaknesses  35:07 - Visualizing mixes 47:45 - Imposing boundaries on your work 59:24 - What it’s like to work on Howard Benson’s team Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Dunne is an engineer and mixer who has worked with Ice Nine Kills, Alluvial, Emmure, Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, and many others.  On this episode: Killing the LA and Nashville myth Remote production hacks How to quit your day job and mix full time What it was like mixing a perfectionist like Wes Hauch from Alluvial Jeff’s workflow with Drew Fulk AKA WZRD BLD How Jeff’s mixing has evolved since the Emmure Nail The Mix Playback strategies Why Jeff only wears black t-shirts Is using a CRM a huge mistake? Great producers with horrible websites How Jeff builds IRs Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Clancy is a producer, engineer, musician, and the singer of Mutiny Within. He’s worked with Machine Head, Kataklysm, and many others. On this episode: 7:00 - Working with Jason Suecof and getting into production 19:37 - Being a person who can just learn new things 33:25 - Taking calculated risks 46:03 - Getting a chance from Colin Richardson 54:15 - Knowing when something is good enough 1:01:53 - How long album mixes take 1:10:31 - Working with STL Tones Follow Chris Clancy on Instagram. Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jarrett Pritchard is a versatile producer, recording engineer, and live sound expert with nearly 30 years of experience in the music industry. He also plays guitar in several bands while managing a bustling schedule of tours and projects.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

In This Episode:

00:03:58 - Session Recall Software Discussions

00:07:37 - Benefits of a URM Academy Membership

00:11:54 - Embracing Old Analog Gear

00:23:53 - Evolution of Sharing Ideas in the Metal Community

00:44:18 - Diversification and Innovation in Extreme Metal

00:48:47 - Maintaining Originality in Metal Music

00:52:40 - The Underrated Innovators of Metal

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

Mike Mowery is an artist manager at 10th Street Entertainment where he manages Ice Nine Kills. On this episode: 2:26 - Adapting from tour management to artist management 18:53 - Honing Spencer Charnas’s vision with Ice Nine Kills 25:20 - The role of loyalty in the industry 37:50 - Don’t quit just because things get hard 58:16 - Shifting from Outerloop to 10th St Entertainment Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin McCombs is a producer, mixer, and engineer known for his work with Papa Roach, 311, and Story of The Year.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at ⁠⁠https://urm.academy⁠⁠

In This Episode:

00:00:00 Kevin Mccombs' Journey from URM Student to Head Engineer

00:04:50 Metal's Influence on Mainstream Music

00:15:08 Mastering the Art of Engineering

00:20:23 Overcoming Less-Than-Ideal Situations

00:34:49 Work Ethic

00:39:52 Life-Changing Career Decision

00:54:42 Mike Shinoda's Collaboration with Colin

00:59:19 Working with Big Names: Jonas Brothers and Cannibal Corpse

01:17:40 Reflecting on the Forum Days

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/⁠⁠

WEBSITES:

⁠⁠https://www.urmpodcast.com/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://urm.academy/⁠

Lasse Lammert is a world-renowned producer and engineer best known for his work with bands like Alestorm and Gloryhammer. 

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at ⁠https://urm.academy⁠

In This Episode:

00:05:00 Reference Mixes and Audio Mixing Preferences

00:15:27 Balancing Band Members in the Mix

00:18:23 Overcoming Bad Recordings

00:24:46 Embracing Recording Mistakes as Artistic Choices

00:30:47 Recording Music in the Jungle: A Unique Experience

00:37:02 Handling Challenges in Music Production

00:39:42 Artist vs Label Dynamics

00:42:45 Perfecting Guitar Amplifier Prototypes

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/⁠

WEBSITES:

⁠https://www.urmpodcast.com/⁠

⁠https://urm.academy/

Adam Bentley is a guitarist and mixer who has worked with Felix Martin, I Built the Sky, and his own band Arch Echo. On this episode: 2:24 - A typical work day 10:36 - The good side of Berklee 21:28 - DAWs and working in-the-box 36:55 - Always needing to move forward 47:43 - Building a career as a mixer 1:12:02 - Working with bands that can help your band 1:24:32 - A good template keeps evolving Follow Adam Bentley on Instagram. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Cannon, prolific mastering engineer/author/entrepreneur joins the URM Podcast crew to discuss what it takes to become great at mastering and promotion. After all, what good is your talent if you don't develop it or share it with the world? To really win at the game of audio you must learn to master your own motivation. Motivation is the most powerful personal asset you can develop. The same motivation that drives you to become a world class engineer is what will drive you to find better and better paying gigs. Without it you won't get off the couch, but with it you won't stop until the job is crushed. Easier said than done, right? Press play... "The motivation to not suck is all it took." - Joey Sturgis In this episode you'll learn: Jesse's ITB plugin chain How to handle ear fatigue The #1 way to refresh your hearing 2 keys to a great master Intentional relationship building The secret to keeping high level gigs A positive use of loudness in mastering Fundamentals that every mastering engineer should learn Links: Jesse’s site Jesse’s studio Off The Record Podcast Noise Creators Podcast Jesse’s book DIY Guide podcast The Lefsetz Letter Fundamentals of Mixing Rock and EDM with Jesse Cannon on CreativeLIVE DIY Mastering with Jesse Cannon on CreativeLIVE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Huber is a pop-centric mixing engineer based in Nashville Tennessee. Matt has worked with artists such as Boys Like Girls, Tove Lo, and All Time Low.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

In this Episode:

00:03:02 - The Importance of Being in the Music City

00:06:23 - Transition from Producing to Mixing

00:20:26 - Finding Ways to Spend Less Time on Non-Creative Tasks

00:27:28 - The Two Hour Song Experiment and Efficiency Techniques

00:31:04 - Streamlining Workflow with Bounce Factory

00:37:38 - Workflow Efficiency and Creativity

00:47:22 - Preparing for Mixing and Setting Boundaries

00:50:07 - Rapid Fire Mixing Questions

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

John Douglass is an Atlanta-based engineer, mixer, and producer who has worked with Corey Taylor, Alluvial, Nick Johnston, Mr. Bungle and many others. He’s also worked on TV and films including Rick and Morty, The Walking Dead, Archer, and more. On this episode: 3:46 - What is the luck factor? 26:34 - A renaissance in quality 35:46 - Having someone else mix your work 51:07 - Jay Ruston’s efficiency 1:02:06 - John’s front-of-house work 1:19:06 - Specializing in drum editing Follow John Douglass on Instagram. Check out John’s website. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Lever is a producer who has worked with bands such as Sleep Token, Loathe, and many others. He joined Eyal Levi on Discord to answer questions from the URM community.  On this episode: 3:04 - Adjusting to having a sub in the room 13:57 - Side-chain compression 22:12 - Hearing distortion 38:05 - Why George works in a small studio Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doug Weier is a 3 time Grammy nominated mixing engineer with 21 billboard #1 singles.

URM Academy is the world’s best online school for metal music producers, with hundreds of tutorials and artists including Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, and Lorna Shore as well as mixers like Will Putney, Tom Lord-Alge, Buster Odeholm and dozens more. Join now at https://urm.academy

In This Episode:

00:00:00 - Doug Weier: An Impressive Dude

00:12:12 - The Importance of Pocket and Grid in Music Production

00:16:50 - The Power of Tape Saturation

00:20:59 - The Importance of Fundamentals

00:24:43 - The Fallacy of Copying Mix Templates

00:36:57 - The Power of Outboard Gear in Mixing

00:52:45 - Starting at the Bottom and Working Your Way Up

00:56:57 - Raising Rates and Losing Clients

01:00:50 - The Role of a Manager in Negotiating Rates

FOLLOW EYAL, JOEL & URM:

https://www.instagram.com/eyalleviurmaudio/

https://www.instagram.com/joelwanasek/

https://www.instagram.com/urmacademy/

WEBSITES:

https://www.urmpodcast.com/

https://urm.academy/

Joey, Eyal, and Joel are joined by mastering legend Bob Katz for some rousing discussion about the current state of recording and what it actually takes to create professional-sounding mixes and masters. It's really common for people to want presets and templates, however, mastering is always a case of figuring out what specific situations require. You can’t just slap the same plugins with the same settings on everything. You must diagnose each situation individually, and then apply the correct processing. Learn about what it takes to master at the very highest levels of the game from a true legend and innovator, Bob Katz. “It’s like putting salt and pepper on your food before you taste it.” - Bob Katz WHAT YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT: - Bob’s minimum specs for a monitoring setup - The truth about mastering for iTunes - Bob’s approach towards M/S processing - Stem mastering - The use of saturation in multiple genres - The NS10 phenomenon Links: Bob Katz's website Mastering Audio - Bob Katz's book Bob Katz's K-Meter plugin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Slagel is the founder and CEO of Metal Blade Records. He's also the author of Swing of the Blade: More Stories from Metal Blade Records. Get a copy of Swing of the Blade. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taylor Young is a producer, mixer, and musician (ex Nails) who has worked with Suicide Silence, Twitching Tongues, and many others.  On this episode: 3:36 - Working with bands who can play 14:44 - How a drum career influenced a production career 27:39 - Getting sick guitar tones 38:24 - Sending musicians home 43:19 - Taylor’s new pedal Follow Taylor Young on Twitter.  Check out Taylor’s studio The Pit. Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dryw Owens is an engineer who has worked with Dance Gavin Dance, Hail the Sun, A Lot Like Birds, and many others. He works out of Little Russia Recordings in Sacramento, CA. On this episode: 2:15 - Being a collaborator 13:50 - The trajectory of the artists is important 21:00 - Democracies can be bad for bands 31:59 - Why the sophomore slump exists 41:46 - Helping people get to the next level and stand out 53:13 - Taking detailed notes on techniques used Sponsored by: DistroKid Want to level up your audio game? Sign up for URM. When you sign up, you'll get access to: Insanely detailed audio production tutorials One-on-one feedback Multi-track sessions from some of the biggest names in rock and metal Be sure to follow URM on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Eyal Levi on Instagram. Like this show? Please leave us a 5-star review - even one sentence helps! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Jones, a producer, songwriter, and mixer, joins Eyal and Joel on the URM Podcast.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Joel's Return to Podcasting

00:01:50 - Catching up with Zach

00:07:33 - Work-Life Balance and Dedication

00:14:41 - Workflow and Quick Production Techniques

00:19:07 - Consistency in Instrument Tones

00:23:40 - The Pressure of Commercial Success

00:27:40 - The Feeling of Monotony in Creative Work

00:35:49 - The Hidden Demo on the Record

00:46:12 - Lack of Originality and Fear of Going Against the Norm

00:56:13 - Finding Your Artistic Identity

00:58:18 - Working with Artists in Different Stages of Their Careers

NAIL THE MIX is an online mixing school created by Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek and Eyal Levi - the guys who produced bands like TDWP, Chelsea Grin, Blessthefall, Machine Head, Monuments, Miss May I, Of Mice & Men, Reflections, Born Of Osiris, Asking Alexandria and dozens more of this generation's best metal bands.

Every month, NAIL THE MIX members get exclusive access to the REAL MULTI-TRACK SESSIONS from a REAL ALBUM, and a 6-8 hour live streaming class from the producer who mixed it. These are the actual sessions by bands like Gojira, Meshuggah, Periphery, Opeth, Fall Out Boy, Bring Me The Horizon, A Day To Remember and more - and NTM is the only place in the world you'll get access to them!