Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Podcast

What is the biggest problem in mixing right now, and why are so many modern sessions making that problem worse? 
In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle Podcast, Bobby sits down with multi-platinum mixer and engineer Richard Chycki, known for his work with Rush, Dream Theater, Aerosmith, Mick Jagger, Alice Cooper, and Pink, to unpack what is really hurting mixes today. Richard explains why too many recording decisions are being postponed, how immersive audio changes the way mixers create space, and why clearer standards are needed if Atmos mixes are going to translate in the real world. 
Bobby and Richard dig into the realities of mixing legacy artists in immersive formats, including the challenge of preserving the original intent of a classic record while adapting it for modern playback. They also talk about why dense sessions with hundreds of tracks can actually slow down decision making, how bed versus object choices affect impact and glue, what makes Sony 360 different from Atmos, and why emotional intent still matters more than technology. If you care about mixing, immersive audio, Dolby Atmos, Sony 360 Reality Audio, session management, and modern music production, this conversation is packed with insight.
Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.
Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.
📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books
🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course
🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses
📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky
🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com/

Can compressor presets really fix a weak vocal, or are most mixers solving the wrong problem first? 
In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, Bobby sits down with author, musician, and lecturer Craig Anderton to unpack the art and science of vocal production, from performance psychology and gain envelope “microsurgery” to why a single vocal can connect more directly than a doubled one. The conversation also moves into inside out mixing, recording vocals flat, plugin minimalism, DIY creativity, and the mindset required to keep evolving with music technology. Craig Anderton is an internationally recognized authority on music technology, has written more than 1,000 articles, authored over 50 books, and continues to publish through Sweetwater while sharing educational resources at craiganderton.org.

Craig explains why great vocals start before the compressor, why performance still beats presets, and how subtle gain moves can often outperform heavy processing. He also shares stories about learning from top engineers, working with voices like Martha Davis and Chuck D, building bigger sounding vocals without the usual tricks, and finding creative freedom by using fewer plugins and following what the song actually wants.

Connect with Craig
Website
Sweetwater articles
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.
Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.
📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books
🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course
🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses
📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky
🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com/

What does it really take to stay relevant in today’s music business when private equity is reshaping pro audio, viral success is far rarer than people think, and YouTube keeps gaining influence? 
In this solo episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle Podcast, Bobby breaks down the latest music industry news and production trends, connecting the dots between business shifts, platform power, legacy gear, and loudness myths so artists, producers, mixers, and music creators can better understand where the industry is heading.

Bobby digs into Native Instruments filing for insolvency, what that could mean for users of Native Instruments, iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx, and why private equity continues to create concern in pro audio. He also looks at AudioTonics acquiring more respected audio brands, the sale of Norman’s Rare Guitars, and why not every acquisition is bad news.

From there, Bobby tackles the reality of going viral in music, why slow growth often creates a stronger long-term catalog, and why YouTube may be the smartest platform for artists who want sustainable traction. He also explains why YouTube views no longer count toward Billboard in the same way, why that matters less for indie artists than many think, and why platform relevance is shifting right in front of us.

The episode also celebrates 75 years of the Fender Telecaster, with Bobby explaining why its design still matters today, before wrapping with a practical breakdown of LUFS, streaming loudness, and the new laws affecting video streamers. If you want a sharper view of the modern music business without hype, this episode delivers exactly that.
Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.
Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.
📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books
🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course
🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses
📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky
🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com/

Is AI really coming for your gig, or are most musicians worried about the wrong things entirely? In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle Podcast, author, musician, and lecturer Craig Anderton breaks down what AI actually means for working artists, producers, and songwriters, and why the real advantage is still the human fingerprint that machines cannot touch.

Craig unpacks new listener data that shows real pushback against AI-generated music, why fans still want to support human artists, and how musicians can stop trying to “out-computer a computer” and instead double down on feel, emotion, and creative risk-taking. He also shares where AI tools are genuinely useful in the studio, from vocal comping and demo production to research and writing, and where they fall apart on nuance, vibe, and context.

You will hear Craig’s take on legal and copyright minefields around training data, the difference between influence and imitation, and what K-pop and modern fan culture can teach every independent musician about building deeper connections and putting a unique “fingerprint” in the music.

Connect with Craig
Website
Sweetwater articles
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.
Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.
📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books
🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course
🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses
📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky
🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com/

What role do commercial recording studios really play in today’s home studio world? In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, Bobby sits down with Sam Rudy, founder of Pro Studio Time, to explore whether studios are still necessary for modern music production, or simply a creative luxury. From writing camps and residential studios to AI disruption and changing booking habits, this conversation dives deep into how artists, managers, and labels are navigating studio choices in 2025.

Sam shares insights from working with over 130 studios globally, explains why so many studio inquiries never turn into bookings, and reveals what artists actually look for today, which is often less about gear and more about feel. If you have ever wondered whether high-end studios still matter, or how to choose the right space for your next session, this episode delivers answers.

Guest: Sam Rudy
Founder, Pro Studio Time
https://prostudiotime.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pro-studio-time

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Studios are perhaps not a necessary part of the production anymore the way they used to be, but they are still a place where people can get together and collaborate
• High quality audio is still very much a thing and necessary
• Most studio inquiries do not turn into bookings, often only 20 to 40 percent convert
• Many artists book studios not for the gear, but for how the space makes them feel
• A pair of speakers and a decent vocal chain is sometimes all you need
• Daylight and atmosphere are increasingly important factors when choosing a studio
• Residential studios have gained popularity due to flexibility and creative focus
• AI and new technology may disrupt parts of the industry, but past tools like drum machines and autotune ultimately expanded creativity
• Lowering the barrier to entry for music creation can lead to more artists eventually seeking professional studios
• Success in any field comes down to volume of iteration, doing it as often and as long as possible
Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing.
Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.
📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books
🎙️ Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready. Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course
🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses
📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
Bluesky
🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.

Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.

Produced by APodcastGeek
https://apodcastgeek.com/