In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer / Producer Owen Davies who has worked with Broken Teeth, Survival, Fangs Out, Netherhall, Yo Titan, and Brookhorse.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Building THE Home Studio
• Working with a Studio Designer
• Navigating Studio Design Challenges
• Lessons from Early Studios
• Tap Dancing and Legal Battles
• Freelancing and Passion Projects

Links and Show Notes:

• Owen's Studio

Matt's Rant: Things You Should Charge For (In My Opinion)

Credits:

• Guest: Owen Davies
• Host/Engineer/Editor/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mastering engineer Adam Haggar who has worked with Migos, Belinda Carlisle, and The Antlers.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Adam's Journey In The Audio Industry
• Different Cities, Studios, And Roles Within The Music Industry
• His Approach To Mastering And Building His Business
• The Importance Of Networking
• Challenges Of Maintaining High Standards In A Competitive Industry
• Value Of Staying Connected To One's Passion For Music

Links and Show Notes:

• Adam s Site

Matt's Rant: Los Angeles

Credits:

• Guest: Adam Haggar
• Host/Engineer/Producer/Editor: Matt Boudreau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back the Pellicci Brothers, Jay and Ian, who appeared originally on WCA #054. They have worked with Deerhoof, John Vanderslice, Sleater-Kinney, and the Magnetic Fields.They currently run Brothers (Chinese) Recording in the Bay Area.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Challenges in Naming
• Unintentional Uniformity
• Studio History
• Literal Creativity
• Creative Decision Making
• Not Planning
• Studio Projects
• Burlap

Links and Show Notes:

• Brothers (Chinese) Recording
• WCA #057 with The Pellicci Brothers

Matt's Rant: Identity

Credits:

• Guest: The Pellicci Brothers
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Grammy Winning mastering engineer, Michael Romanowski. Michael’s extensive credits include Alicia Keys, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle, Lovett, Earth Wind & Fire, Kane Brown, and the Grateful Dead.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Studio Acoustics
• Immersive Audio Advocacy
• Future Of Immersive Audio
• Value Of Community Collaboration
• Critical Listening Skills
• Balancing Artistic Vision With Label Demands
• Bass Management Challenges In Immersive Audio
• Consumer Perceptions Of Immersive Audio
• Role Of VR And AR In Audio Localization
• The Dangers of Comparison

Links and Show Notes:

• Michael's Studio
• Michael on WCA #309

Matt's Rant: Year End Review

Credits:

• Guest: Michael Romanowski
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes monitor engineer Lizzie Westsmith who has worked for numerous bands and sound companies including Rancid, Ice Spice, Rat Sound and Coachella. Lizzie shares her journey from discovering her love for audio at Berkeley's iconic Gilman Street to navigating the challenges of the live production industry.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Role of a Monitor Engineer
• Maintaining Personal Balance
• 924 Gilman Influence
• Addiction and Recovery
• Rate Transparency
• Touring Life Balance
• Systems Engineering Goals
• Financial Management Strategies
• Community and Respect

Links and Show Notes:

• Lizzie on Instagram

Matt's Rant: Parlay, Pivot and Change Course

Credits:

• Guest: Lizzie Westsmith
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Producer/Engineer Ed Donnelly, who has worked with Willie Nelson, Zac Brown, Old 97s, Son Volt, Del McCoury, Nathan Jacques, Lorin Hart, Cole Gallagher, The Lonesome Captain, Trent Summar & The New Row Mob

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Musical Journey and Career
• Live Event Recording Journey
• Journey From Performer to Producer
• Independent Artist Budget Challenges
• Managing Budgets in Independent Bands
• Music Industry Evolution and Strategy
• Inspiration and Approaches in Work
• Independent Artists and Audio Professionals
• Immersive Audio Formats and Music

Links and Show Notes:

• Ed's Studio

Matt's Rant: Revisiting Community

Credits:

• Guest: Ed Donnelly
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back mastering engineer Maor Appelbaum (originally on WCA #062)to discuss his career, his approach to mastering across genres, and how he adapts to new technology. Maor has worked on projects for artists such as Faith No More, Yes, and Meat Loaf.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Genre-specific mastering approaches
• Creating and collaborating on new analog hardware
• Strategies for effective client communication
• Building and maintaining long-term professional relationships
• The value of being part of a collaborative team in the audio process

Links and Show Notes:

• Maor Appelbaum Mastering
• WCA #062 with Maor Appelbaum

Matt's Rant: The Value of Independent Clients

Credits:

• Guest: Maor Appelbaum
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt reconnects with engineer and studio owner Jeremy Goody, who was last featured in Episode 85. Jeremy has worked on VO projects for Microsoft, Nuance, Google, Seasonal Visions, and music projects for John Santos, Anticon, and Winfred E. Eye.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Studio Rebranding
• Battling Cell Towers
• Building Faraday Cages
• Shifting to Voice Recording
• Podcasting

Links and Show Notes:

• Jeremy's Studio
• 25th Street Recording
• John Vanderslice on WCA
• Adobe Podcast Tools
• Neutrik EMC Series
• Filmic Double Take
• Essentialism on Audible (I really like this one)
• The Compound Effect on Audible
• Switch on Audible
• Day Trading Attention on Audible

Credits:

• Guest: Jeremy Goody
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt reconnects with Grammy-winning producer and engineer J.J. Blair, last featured in Episode 96. J.J. shares the challenges of building a state-of-the-art recording studio in the Hollywood Hills and offers insights from his popular "Microphone Mondays" series. He also opens up about his recent heart surgery and recovery, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health in a demanding profession.

J.J.'s impressive credits include producing and mixing the Grammy-winning album Press On by June Carter Cash, engineering Rod Stewart's Grammy-winning and #1 Billboard album The Great American Songbook, Vol. 3, and engineering and mixing Joanna Connor's #1 Billboard Blues album, 4801 South Indiana Avenue.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• "Microphone Mondays" series
• Building a state-of-the-art recording studio
• Acoustic design, soundproofing, and the science of great studio environments
• Incorporating vintage and modern gear, including a custom Rupert Neve console
• Adapting production techniques for genres from Motown to modern rock
• Reflections on heart surgery, health, and maintaining resilience in the industry
• The importance of studying hit productions and what makes songs stand out
• J.J.'s experience with social media success and connecting with audiences

Links and Show Notes:

• J.J. on Instagram
• J.J.'s Website

Credits:

• Guest: J.J. Blair
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt talks with Paul "Willie Green" Womack, a producer, engineer, and professor based in Brooklyn, NY. With nearly two decades of experience, Willie shares his passion for hip-hop production, teaching, and building meaningful connections in the studio. Having worked with renowned artists such as Armand Hammer, The Roots, The Alchemist, and Wiz Khalifa, Willie provides an insider's perspective on balancing artistry with the technical demands of audio production.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Teaching Hip-Hop History and Vocal Production
• Remote Education and In-Person Dynamics
• Building a Studio in Brooklyn
• Mentoring Upcoming Artists
• Bridging Creativity and Technical Expertise
• The Role of Community in Creative Spaces
• Balancing Work and Passion Projects
• The Unique Challenges of Teaching During COVID
• Willie's Journey from Engineer to Educator

Matt's Rant: Blank Spaces

Links and Show Notes:

• Willie Green's Website

Credits:

• Guest: Paul "Willie Green" Womack
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt discusses Julie Kahryns extensive experience in the music industry as a producer, sound designer, composer, and educator. With a background spanning from criminal justice to a full-time music career, Julie has worked on a wide range of projects, including crafting unique audio samples for top software companies such as Ableton, Output, Cherry Audio, Splice, and Bandlab, as well as supervising music for films, and composing original scores.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Career Shift From Justice
• Roles: Producer, Composer, Designer
• Teaching at Berklee NYC
• Early Music Influences
• Mentor Tony Conniff's Guidance
• Learning Logic Pro
• Income From Samples
• Film Music Supervision
• Balancing Creativity and Business
• Parenthood's Career Impact
• Building Artist Confidence
• Collaborative Mixing Work
• Income Diversification
• Influences: Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson
• Film Scoring Techniques

Matt's Rant: Your Health

Links and Show Notes:

• Julie's Site (iamsnowangel.com)

Credits:

• Guest: Julie Kathryn
• Host: Matt Boudreau
• Engineer: Matt Boudreau
• Producer: Matt Boudreau
• Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell