Insights In Sound

He's been the force behind hundreds of club remixes, including 64 number one tracks in the Billboard Dance Music charts, and has revved up the crowds on multiple continents. We sat down for a deep dive in his Las Vegas studio. THIS IS PART ONE OF TWO PARTS.

Recorded live at NAMM 2025, in this TEC Tracks panel we talk about getting in over your head, feeling like an imposter, and how we're all just learning as we go. Whether you're a n00b or a seasoned professional, we all share the same challenges.  Our panel (L-R): Daniel Liston Keller - moderator Rafa Sardina - producer/engineer Ross Hogarth - producer/engineer Rick Allen - sound designer David Morgan - live sound professional Ken Caillat - producer/engineer

He's been behind the faders for everyone from McCartney and AC/DC to Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, and so many more. We caught up with Pab during rehearsals for Macca's South America tour in the fall of 2024.

Part Two of our in-depth conversation with the legendary Tom Oberheim.

He's one of the founding fathers of electronic instruments, a legendary name in synthesizer history, and a most humble and unassuming genius. We sat down with Tom Oberheim to learn about his personal history, and that of the company that bears his name. Part One of our two-part interview.

He cut his teeth doing landmark recordings for artists including Dead Kennedys and Joe Satriani, designed multiple Bay Area recording studios, created the art of reamping, and has captured multiple artists with his One Mic series. We finally got to sit down for a chat with the mad genius himself.

Part two of our conversation with Blackbird Studio and Blackbird Academy founder/director John McBride.

From live sound to studio recording, John McBride has probably done every job in pro audio at least twice. He's a non-stop bundle of energy with an unwavering love for every aspect of music and the creative process. In this two-part interview, we cover everything from his roots in music and production to his dedication to helping shape the next generation of music and recording.

With a legacy of more than 30 years of timeless recordings, Cherokee Studios is among a handful of legendary studios that built the L.A. recording scene. We caught up with Bruce Robb to talk about the past, present, and future of professional recording.  

From the Automatt to Capitol to Skywalker Sound, Leslie Ann Jones has engineered some of the most epic recordings while blazing a trail for women in the audio industry. We take a dive into her illustrious career.

His resume is as stellar as he is humble and pragmatic: Toto, Don Henley, Neil Young, The Mavericks, Miles Davis, and so many more. He's also one of the funniest guys in the biz. We got together at his Surf Shack studio to talk about pretty much whatever came up.  

Mid-Side mic placement is one of my favorite techniques for recording stereo sources. It's often overlooked, and it's easy to implement. We got together with Dusty Wakeman over at Mojave Audio's HQ studio and put together a short demo. Use headphones or earbuds to really hear the effect.  

From James Bond to Transformers, action films through documentaries, Jeff Fair has spent decades deeply immersed in music for film, TV, and video games. We buckled in for a wild ride through his musical career. 

From Academy Award-winning films like "U-517" and "Letters from Iwo Jima" to shows like "Gettysburg" and "Seal Team," Charles Maynes has been behind memorable and impactful sounds in modern film and TV. We sat down for a wild and wide-ranging chat about music, sound, and life in general.

Few people can come close to Tom Rhea's first-hand history with music technology and synthesis. We do a deep dive into his work with Moog, ARP, and other early innovators, and his unique perspective on the science and the craft.

For our 150th episode, we chat with Bob Margouleff, legendary producer/synthesist behind landmark recordings from Stevie Wonder, as well as Devo, Oingo Boingo, Isley Brothers, Depeche Mode, and many more.

His bass chops and production sensibility have earned him a place with artists as diverse as Warren Zevon, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Rickie Lee Jones, Ben Harper, and Shelby Lynne, to name just a few. Despite the challenges of advancing MS, he's still cranking out great music and very much in demand.

From his pioneering work in vector synthesis with Sequential Circuits and beyond to his sonic endeavors with modular synths, Chris Meyer has been a major force in the evolution of electronic music. We caught up with him at his home in New Mexico.

Insights In Sound - Robert Scovill, Live Sound Pro - S15, E7 He's fingered the faders for artists as diverse as Rush, Tom Petty, Kenny Chesney, Prince, Toto, Jackson Browne, Alice Cooper, Matchbox Twenty, and the Go Gos, consulted on technologies from Avid, EAW, and more, written articles and blog posts, and inspired a generation of up and coming audio experts. We finally managed to schedule a date to catch up with Robert Scovill in his home office before he hit the road again with Kenny Chesney's band.  

Aside from his five Grammys, 14 Latin Grammys, and a vast and diverse discography, it's Rafa Sardina's deep connection with the music and the artists he has worked with that makes him truly one of a kind.

A true renaissance woman, polymath, and big picture thinker, Dr. Kelly Snook is a music producer, technologist, NASA scientist, inventor, educator, and researcher whose work truly places her at the axis of art, science, and technology.  

His early fascination with synthesis led to touring and recording with legendary musicians including Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates, and Foreigner, as well as his own highly-acclaimed Synergy series of recordings. We do a deep dive into Larry Fast's musical and creative journey.    

Dominic Milano's work as Editor of Keyboard Magazine put him at the forefront of documenting a new era in synthesis and music creation. We cover his work reporting and being a part of the growth of an industry, as well as his work in digital video and the multimedia revolution.

Best known for nearly four decades as drummer for Weird Al Yancovic, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz has been much more than just a time-keeper. We go deep on tour stories, Dr. Demento, and his unofficial role as photographer and keeper of the Weird Al archives.

One of a handful of attorneys who manage to balance the legal and creative complexities of our industry, David Helfant has represented both the artists and the companies behind some of the biggest songs, movies, and more. 

He's been behind classic tracks from artists like James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Kim Karnes, and Neil Diamond, with a career stretching from 3-track tape to Pro Tools. We talk about what's changed and what remains the same.

We do a deep dive into Denny's early career and development as a filmmaker, his learning curve in creating "Wrecking Crew," and his subsequent work on "Immediate Family," as well as his current projects.

Healthy Touring - Maintaining a Healthy Headspace on the Road Music Industry Therapists Collective psychotherapists Jodi Milstein and Whitney O'Malley are joined by veteran tour director David “51” Norman and live sound engineer Wayne Pauley for an exploration into common challenges faced by touring professionals, and how individuals can bolster their own welfare, as well as that of their colleagues. Expect insights into circadian rhythm, group dynamics, and the impact of chronic stress, as well as some tried-and-tested strategies for improving living and working conditions and fostering positive mental health on the road. Daniel Keller (moderator) Wayne Pauley, live sound pro Jodi Milstein, MA, LMFT, LPCC David “51” Norman, tour manager Whitney O'Malley, LMFT, LPCC

Same As It Never Was - The Role of the Producer in the Post-Major Label Era   The post-major label era has changed everything about making music. Artists can go it on their own, from writing and recording to releasing and promoting their work. We talk with well known producers about how the role has changed for them, and what remains the same. Live-streamed from NAMM Show 2024. Panelists: Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin) Mark Needham (Dolly Parton, Imagine Dragons, The Killers) Ross Hogarth (Van Halen, Keb' Mo', Edgar Winter) Adam Moseley (The Cure, Roxette, Richard Marx, Avril Lavigne) Erik Zobler (Kenny Loggins, Anita Baker, George Duke) Moderator: Daniel Liston Keller

Recorded live at the NAMM Show 2024. Front of House. Monitors. Artist. Three perspectives on the same performance, completely different but indelibly intertwined. Join three members of Kenny Chesney's touring family — bassist Harmoni Kelley, FOH engineer Robert Scovill, and Monitor Engineer Phill "Side Phill" Robinson — as they share their perspectives and tales about the good, the bad, and the hilarious.

How can the music industry create more accessibility for the blind and visually impaired? We take up the conversation with advocates Joey Stuckey and Jay Pocknell. Taped live at the NAMMShow 2024.  

It takes years of work and dedication to become an overnight success, and Mark Parfitt's journey is a case in point. Time in the trenches in school and in the studio prepared him to make the most of opportunity, and his recent work with Justin Bieber has brought him well-deserved recognition.  

Despite being the "new kid" in the Immediate Family, Steve Postell's career has been a long and winding road, replete with songwriting, production, jingles, touring, and a whole lot more. He fills us in on a truly multi-faceted career. Thanks to Jackson Browne and Groove Masters Studios for the time and space.    

Adam Moseley began his career at Trident Studios in London as a chef and construction worker, working his way through the ranks to engineer and produce recordings with U2, Lenny Kravitz, Rush, Kiss, and many more. We talk about his approach to production, the creative process, and the lessons he brings to his classes at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.

Insights In Sound - Brian Kehew, Producer/Engineer - Season 14, Episode 1 (131) Calling Brian Kehew's career diverse is something of an understatement. He's an accomplished engineer, producer, author, educator, musician, technologist, restoration expert, remixer, and so much more, with a breadth of understanding and a near endless trove of anecdotes and perspectives. We met in his Los Angeles-area studio for a wide-ranging conversation that could have easily spanned several hours.

From Electric Lady to Capitol Studios, Michael Frondelli has brought his "A-game" to a long and eclectic career as recording engineer, producer, label owner, activist, and entrepreneur. We take a deep dive into his fascinating journey.

Few people have been at the helm of more classic recordings than Bill Schnee. His discography encompasses some of the most memorable albums and artists of the late 20th century, and his book "Chairman at the Board" is a testament to the music and technology of the era. We met up in Nashville for a fun and informative chat.

John Jennings' career has been anything but ordinary, from musician to tech guy to ribbon mic evangelist. We get into the long and winding road that led him to Royer Labs.

Jim Messina's musical journey is remarkable in its length and versatility. He's been a successful songwriter, producer, engineer, publisher, and of course, artist. He played bass with Buffalo Springfield and co-founded Poco, but he's best known for his work with Kenny Loggins, with Loggins & Messina ultimately selling more than 20 million albums before going on to successful solo careers. He continues to record, perform, produce, and mentor younger artists.

In an industry filled with unique career paths, Gil Griffith has forged his own, combining a love of music and technology with a keen grasp of business and a passion for connecting with other creatives. We hung out for a wide-ranging chat on career, technology, music, and discovering what you're good at.

Insights In Sound - Mixing In ATMOS - Season 13, Episode 3 (#123) We got together with two of our favorite producers, Matt Wallace and Will Kennedy, to delve into the ever-evolving conversation about immersive audio and mixing in ATMOS. With a growing catalog of mixes under their collective belts, they bring a breath of clarity to a murky and over-analyzed topic.  

Insights In Sound - Will Turpin, Bassist/Producer - Season 13, Episode 5 (#125) He's best known for his work as bassist for '90s rockers Collective Soul, but Will Turpin boasts a long and diverse career of his own as well. We caught up with him at Real to Reel Studios, the facility his father opened in the 1970s.

Insights In Sound - Candace Stewart, Studio Manager - Season 13, Episode 4 (#124) It takes a vast mix of mad skills and a touch of neurodiversity to manage the organized chaos of a multi-room studio. Candace Stewart is one of the best, and has always brought her own inimitable style to the gig. We met up at the iconic East West Studios for a raucous and wide-ranging chat.

The endorsements game is about much more than free stuff. Done well, it's a two-way street that benefits both artist and manufacturer. Understanding artist relations, marketing, and how you, as an artist/influencer, fit into the equation is key to establishing and maintaining good relationships. We sat down with Dino Monoxelos (Ampeg) and Brian Ali (Roland) to talk about how the game has changed in the modern social era.  Recorded live at the #nammshow 2023.

Insights In Sound - Scoring for Picture - Jeff Rona - Season 13, Episode 2 (#122) We visited with award-winning film and TV composer Jeff Rona for a conversation about scoring for film, TV, and gaming in today's fast-changing media landscape, and to talk about his book, "The Reel World."  

Insights In Sound - Happy Accidents - Season 12, Episode 10 (#120) While pre-production and preparation are always important aspects of a recording, often the best and most memorable parts of a recording are completely unplanned. We sat down with engineer/producer Ross Hogarth and musician/producer CJ Vanston to share some anecdotes about the unexpected.

Insights In Sound - So You (Don't) Want to Be a Rock & Roll Star - Season 12, Episode 9 (#119) Not everyone dreams of being a rock star, and not all rock stars are on stage. The music industry is a vast community of interesting and creative people with career paths that are anything but typical. We chat with Simon Jones (Yamaha Guitar Group) and Sean Halley (Strymon) about what a "day job" looks like in today's music industry. Recorded live at the NAMM Show 2023.  

Insights In Sound - Livestreaming for Musicians - Season 12, Episode 8 (#118) Live from the NAMM Show, here's our panel on "Livestreaming for Musicians" with William Golde from PTZOptics, a company that's been disrupting the DIY video space with great cameras and awesome educational content to get you going. If you're curious about live-streaming and just dipping a toe in, or already podcasting and looking to up your game, these folks will get you on the right track.

Insights In Sound - Steven Miller, Producer/Engineer - Season 12, Episode 7 (#117) Steven Miller is a bit of a music industry Zelig. His productions run the gamut from Windham Hill and Dave Matthews to Pink and Jonas Brothers. He helped Steve Jobs introduce the Apple Macintosh, and created the ubiquitous Ocean Way Drums library. We met up with him at the legendary East West Studios in Hollywood.

Insights In Sound - Sound Design: Your Brain's the Best Plug-In - Season 12, Episode 6 (#116)   In today's world of nearly unlimited audio processing power and options, the sonic possibilities for sound design are greater than ever before. But despite a nearly unlimited array of plug-ins and processors, inspiration still comes from the individual. We hear from veteran sound designers Drew Schlesinger, Rick Allen, and Charles Maynes on having a focused and purpose-driven approach to creating a sonic canvas for the most challenging projects. Recorded live at the NAMM Show 2023.  

Insights In Sound - Michael Beinhorn on the Making of "Rockit" - Season 12, Episode 5 (#115)   In the early 1980s, the music industry was caught in the midst of a cultural upheaval. The slick, heavily-produced sounds of progressive and corporate rock were running headfirst into the raw power of punk and HipHop, with upstart artists creating their own scene in major cities across the globe, and the birth of MTV bringing it to living rooms everywhere. New York was one of the epicenters of this cultural melting pot, with an underground music scene that was rife with experimentation and inspiration. With then-partner Bill Laswell, Michael Beinhorn was one half of the production team Material, whose music was increasingly impacted by the burgeoning cultural shift. In 1982, a chance meeting led to collaborating on Herbie Hancock's epic recording Rockit! and the album Future Shock. We met at the NAMM Show to chat about the birth of that recording and the impact of the music, culture, and the MTV era.