The Studio Experience Podcast

The immersive audio environment is beginning to be more understood and accessible, both for engineers and consumers. But there's still a lot of confusing, conflicting, or missing information about it out there. So in this episode, we discuss a lot of common topics that come up in working with Dolby Atmos, and take some questions from a live audience as well!

When we first start our music making journey, just grasping the basics is a lot to figure out. But over time, we advance on into more technical aspects. However, what we can lose sight of in that process is that often times, the fundamentals are really all that's required to do great work. This episode dives into that idea with some practical advice for people at all stages of their music making career.

A challenge we face daily as audio engineers is finding (and maintaining) the right balance between a track's fullness being either too overpowering or too lacking in any given tonal range. In this episode, Adam breaks things down into five tonal categories, providing some challenges and solutions for each of them, but also provides some big picture ideas to be aware of and incorporate into your workflow.

Using compression tastefully in audio is an absolute core skill to have, but it can be a difficult topic to have a firm grasp on. Part of the consideration is when to use compression to begin with, then it becomes a question of how to use it, and how much to apply. So we're dedicating today's bonus episode to our thoughts surrounding these questions.

It's sometimes hard to know what to say, when to say it, and how and where to say it too. But having great communication skills is essential to building great working relationships. Another challenge is knowing how and when to speak up when you have knowledge or perspective on a topic that you think your clients may need. We'll be addressing all of these issues in today's episode.

Adam gives a quick address to the audience in this "episode between episodes."

In the world of microphones, there is no shortage of choice. You have your pick of everything from under $100 to over $10,000. You have a vast variety of brands. You have many different types and styles. All of these options can get confusing and potentially overwhelming. Furthermore, knowing when and how to use all these different kinds of mics adds even more decisions to your plate. So we're dedicating this bonus episode to be all about microphones. Enjoy!

With a slew of Billboard number 1's, including a run of 13+ weeks at number 1, mixing engineer Doug Weier has a ton of very valuable experience and insight to share. In this episode, we talk with Doug about his approach to being a mix engineer and working in the music industry. You'll learn about everything from philosophy to mix buss techniques. Get ready, it's a good one!

In this bonus episode, you can get some helpful insight into a range of areas including recording, mixing and mastering as Adam takes a look at lots of the most common questions he is asked.

Jason Miller, owner of Red Barn Studios, is no stranger to mixing things up and adapting his business model to work with what people are needing. In this interview, we hear about his views and approach to building community online and in person, as well as being an early adopter of new or different ideas.

In this bonus episode, we both choose a couple of our favorite plugins and take some time to share  why we like them, and how we like to use them.

A common tension we feel as freelance engineers is whether or not we should waver from our normal rate to work at a reduced price. The answer isn't a simple yes or no, and we believe there are different circumstances that can qualify for a discounted rate, or maybe even working for "free." Listen in for our take on these ideas!

One of the most vital elements to having a great studio is an excellent acoustical environment. Being able to hear everything accurately and trust that it's right is invaluable. Many people assume it's difficult and expensive to obtain that kind of space, but you might be surprised how much you can do without a lot of resource. We're dedicating this episode to tons of practical advice about basics of acoustics and how to go about drastically stepping up your studio space.

A huge amount of work and interactions happen online, but many of us lack the skills to make the most of that reality. In this episode, we have our great friend Matt Huber joining us to discuss many of the challenges and solutions around that idea. Matt is a model example of how to have an engaged, natural presence online that can result not only in lots of great work, but also great relationships.

In this bonus episode all about goals, we examine different approaches to goal setting and pursuing. We also discuss our approach to setting goals in a general sense, how we break them down, and how we look at them to ensure they are the right goals to have in place.

Many situations come up that make us ask the question "Should I hire a professional or do this myself?" Weighing the pros and cons to come to a conclusion may not always be easy or straightforward. So in this episode, we're discussing when it makes sense to go one route over the other, certain benefits to each direction, and things to consider when weighing your options.

The way we feel when we work - and how we feel about our work - can be heavily influenced by our surroundings. That's why it's so important to be aware and proactive about setting a great mood and vibe in our studio spaces. Not only can it put you and any guests in the right headspace, but it can also serve as a desirable aesthetic that might draw in more people to work with you. In this final episode of season 2, we discuss these ideas and more!

When working in audio, it may sometimes feel challenging to come up with different ways to expand and grow your skills and income. Even though there are lots of audio engineers in the world, there are still tons of opportunities to use the skills you already have to earn more income.  In this episode, we ask the question: "What are needs that people have that I can meet?" In addition, Joe and Adam talk about their own experiences of working in many different areas, all within the audio umbrella.

The majority of music being made either contains or features vocals, so it's critical to get them right. But as many people know, that can be quite a challenge. In this bonus episode, we mostly hone in on the setup and processing end of vocals, in the context of recording, editing, mixing and mastering.

When you're a self-employed audio engineer trying to earn more money, it might feel counter-intuitive to spend money first. However, there are many scenarios and tools that require us to make an initial investment so that in return, we can further our business to be better and able to do and earn more. While penny pinching on a budget is certainly admirable, so is wise spending. So in this episode, we'll discuss a myriad of different circumstances where it might make sense for you to make the initial investment so that it can pay off for you later on.

Over time, headphones are becoming more and more of a popular choice in the music making process, not simply used for music consumption only. The idea that headphones can't be used or trusted for critical audio decisions is becoming less and less common. We're using this episode to talk all about different scenarios where headphones can excel, as well as some pitfalls to be aware of.

Achieving the right amount of density for your tracks in recording, mixing and mastering is a highly-coveted accomplishment, but doesn't come easily. For many, it's no surprise that the balance between clarity, impact, space, dynamics, and thickness is a very tricky job. So in this episode, we talk about different techniques and even mentalities to getting a nice density that is appropriate for the music you're working on.

When you're working on multiple projects with multiple clients, things begin to get more and more difficult to keep track of. Leads can start to fall through the cracks, revisions can be forgotten, deliverables can be left unsent. This all costs your business tremendously, so we're taking this bonus episode to talk about ways to better manage your projects so that you stay on top of them and keep your clients happy.

Sometimes creativity and perfection can feel at odds with one another. The pursuit of "perfection" may feel restrictive to a more free-spirited person, but endless exploration of ideas without refining them into a finalized presentation can also be quite draining to some people. In today's episode, we discuss how to use both creativity and perfection to make great art that we can all be proud of.

Talk of how you handle your files may not sound like the sexiest thing in the world, but it's actually very important to consider and get right so that you can be more effective and efficient in how you go about your work and how you deal with your clients. In this bonus episode, we discuss different methods of taking care of your files to ensure a great day to day experience for you and your clients.

Sometimes, committing to a sound can be difficult. "Could it sound better this way? What if we try it that way?" There are infinite options, so when do you know you've chosen the right one? This can be a struggle both for engineers and for artists, so we're going to dive into overcoming commitment issues in this episode by talking about how they can come up, and ways to tackle them and move on!

Reverb is one of the most fun, and potentially dangerous tools in the audio tool belt, largely due to how deceptive it can be. In this week's bonus episode, we talk about different types of reverb, many instances of when and how to use them, and some tips for getting the best results you can, whether you're producing, recording, mixing or mastering.

Boosting your workflow efficiency is often viewed as a positive thing. However, there is a point where focusing too much on efficiency can be harmful to the creative process. In this episode, we talk about the pros and cons of this dilemma, centered around 3 very common and potentially powerful workflow enhancers: Presets, Templates, and Automation.

Bass is notoriously one of the most difficult things to understand and get "right" in the world of audio. That's why we're dedicating this bonus episode to it! We discuss various tips and techniques to help you manage your bass more effectively, and have a better under understanding of it as well.

Sometimes, we go to great lengths to serve our clients well. But because of that, we might find ourselves frustrated, and even potentially feeling taken advantage of at times. So how do you balance great customer service with healthy boundaries? That's what this week's episode is all about!

If you are a mixing or mastering engineer, you may have questions about mixes that have any clipping or limiting applied to them, and whether that is a good idea or not. In this bonus episode, we break down some of the pros and cons to this, and offer some insight into options you can use in your own workflow.

If you've been an audio engineer for very long, it's no secret that our work is often "seasonal." Meaning sometimes, you're very busy and can hardly keep up, while other times, it feels so slow, you wonder if you'll be able to pay your bills for the month. For some, these seasons come and go within no time at all, and for others, they can be stretches of several months or more. In this episode, we discuss healthy ways to go through these different seasons, make the most of them, and prepare yourself and your business for what's to come next.

In this bonus episode, we discuss our journeys in monitoring levels, as well as some of the techniques and benefits to using certain levels to achieve certain results. Additionally, we address some basics of how your hearing health is being affected by your monitoring habits.

Dolby Atmos. What is it, how does it work, should I invest in it, will it last, etc. etc. No doubt, many of these questions (and probably a lot more) have run through your mind if you're an audio engineer in 2021. This episode is dedicated entirely to the topic of Dolby Atmos, and we've brought in two engineers that work in it daily: Webster Tileston and Mike Monseur of Axis Audio in Nashville, TN. They're going to help shed some light and dispel some myths, so get ready to learn!

Today's bonus episode is dedicated to phase. A seemingly simple and forgettable topic, phase is actually vital to have a firm grasp on - whether you're recording, producing, editing, mixing or mastering.

It can be tough dealing with rejection - either giving or receiving it. But if you've spent much time at all in the freelance world, you know that it's bound to happen, and can sometimes really hurt. The good news is, it doesn't all have to be bad. In fact, sometimes rejection can be a great thing that actually helps your clients, and propels your career forward too! In this episode, we share our thoughts on why that is, and how it works.

In this bonus episode, we have our friend X:144 back again to talk about keeping a busy schedule and full life, balanced with down time and rest, and the importance of each in maintaining a healthy life.

For today's episode, Adam interviews Maged Kalil Ragab, better-known by many as X:144. He is an accomplished audio engineer in many different facets of the industry from video games to all aspects of music making. In this episode, X:144 shares tons of different experiences, as well as many nuggets of wisdom and advice that we can all take something away from to be better at our craft.

This bonus episode is centered around gain staging. We cover every phase from recording, mixing and mastering, and the role that  gain staging plays in each scenario. Enjoy!

Welcome to Season 2! Working in an ever-evolving industry can sometimes feel like a huge challenge.  Just keeping up with current trends, and being in the know of what is coming next might seem like a full time job. The good news is, it doesn't have to be that hard, complicated, or stressful. In this episode, we discuss healthy, realistic ways to stay involved and aware of what's going on around you so that you don't get left behind and but remain stress-free.

Ah yes, the voodoo-infused, black magic art known as mastering! What is it really? And why is it so mysterious? You might be surprised to find that it's not actually as complex as it is often portrayed to be; it's simply misunderstood. In this episode, Adam gets into some details about his process with mastering, some of the common tools he likes to use for it, and lots of little nuggets that might help you improve your own audio along the way!

There are an infinite number of ways to mix a song. Some are complex, some are simple, and roadblocks are oftentimes just around the corner. So in this episode, Joe talks about his approach to mixing, which includes some of his favorite tools and techniques, as well as things he finds helpful and things he tends to avoid. Get ready for some excellent insight into his mixing process!

One of the most valuable, yet often overlooked skills in audio is listening. But good listening extends beyond critical listening in the audio sense...  it's arguably even more important to develop your skills in listening to your clients. Listening helps you make the right moves and avoid the wrong ones. With enough care and attention, it will propel your audio and personal skills to new levels. That's what this episode is all about - enjoy!

Making the jump to full time self-employment is a huge step in many people's careers, but there are lots of pros and cons to either side of that jump. Is it fun? Will you miss having a consistent day job paycheck? Will enough work come in? These questions and scenarios - along with so many more - are sure to run through your mind whether you're considering going full time, or already have and aren't quite sure about it. In this episode, we break down a lot of misconceptions and unknown facets to the coveted full time self-employed life, so that you can make a decision about the right next step for you, wherever you are!

Maintaining a full studio schedule, strong family dynamic, and consistent social media presence can feel like a near-impossible balance to achieve. But Daniel Dennis is doing it consistently and has a lot of insight to share about it! In this episode, we interview Daniel, a producer/engineer based in Nashville, Tennessee, and get a great look into how he makes it all work in a healthy, sustainable way.

Getting your music to sound great in your studio is one thing... Getting it to sound great EVERYWHERE is something else entirely. We've all heard (and experienced first hand) the stories of the dreaded car test where all your hard work seems to have been mysteriously undone after you exported your reference file. In this episode, we dive deep into why this happens and how you can avoid it, for good!

People across the world are actively searching for amazing audio engineers to hire. But with so many choices online, how can you stand out from the crowd and land more gigs? Two massive pieces of the puzzle are your website and portfolio. They're pretty much your business card for the Internet. This episode is dedicated to discussing the valuable roles that your website and portfolio play in not only representing you and your work, but also getting you more work, more often.

Achieving clarity and definition in a recording, mix or master can be challenging. Harder still is when you feel like the audio is either too dull or too bright, but you can't seem to find the middle ground. This episode is dedicated to those problems! We'll discuss ways to identify problem areas that might be too harsh, how to go about bringing in clarity without harshness, and different tools and approaches that can be used to do so.

A common trait in audio engineers is the desire to always level up your skills. But the journey can be tough, and there are many roadblocks along the way. When looking for advice, direction and techniques, there is no shortage of information on how to go about this journey. In fact, it can get incredibly overwhelming to know who to trust, what to do and how to do it. Then comes the frustration of hitting those roadblocks and feeling like you're stuck, making no progress. So with this episode, we address these challenges and lay out some practical advice on navigating it all so that you can actually move forward and improve your audio skills.

When do you call it done? When can you confidently hit send? We all want to put our names to something we can be proud of. And so at times, the problem is that we put too much into projects or tasks that don't need it. Or we might not be sure if we've done enough where a task is truly finished. The fact is, whether a project takes you 5 minutes or 5 months, it has to sound great, and that's what this episode is all about!

"Will anyone work with me if I charge this much?" "How much is my work really worth?" "What if I lose all my clients when I raise my rate?" We're all familiar with these questions, and many more like them. Knowing how and where to set or raise your rates can sometimes be painfully difficult. Doing so with confidence is an even bigger challenge. That's why we've made this podcast episode. In it, we discuss lots of ways to go about identifying what rate is right for you and your clients, and knowing when and how it can change. These things apply whether you're just starting out in audio, or have been doing it for years. Enjoy!