Master Your Mix Podcast

• Spencer Hoad: Leaning Into Saturation

  Spencer Hoad is a versatile songwriter, producer, and engineer whose work spans pop, rock, and alternative genres. With a career rooted in both major-label and independent projects, Spencer has collaborated with an impressive roster of artists, including Avril Lavigne, Sia, Blink-182, Korn, Neon Trees, The Used, and Fifth Harmony. Known for his ability to take songs from concept to final master, Spencer often handles vocal production, engineering, mixing, and mastering himself—demonstrating a rare blend of creative and technical skills. His credits include engineering on Sia’s breakout track “I’m In Here,” assisting on D.R.U.G.S.’ debut album, and contributing to projects by I Prevail and Black Veil Brides. Whether working in top-tier studios or remotely from his own setup, Spencer brings a polished, emotionally resonant sound to every project he touches.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Audio school vs internshipsWorking on being a “good hang”Assisting John FeldmanMaking records with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and The UsedDriving preampsLeaning into saturationFocusing on cohesiveness The importance of creating contrast in a productionHow to approach mixing when working on genre-bending musicTo learn more about Spencer Hoad, visit: https://www.spencerhoad.com/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/Want additional help with your music productions?For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.comThe Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2KSubscribe to the show:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJejYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMixHave questions you’d like answered on the show?Send them to [email protected] leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/Thanks for listening!Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to...

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• Chris Selim: Getting Big Drums Sounds From a Bedroom Studio

  Chris Selim is the musician, music producer, and mixing/mastering engineer behind Mixdown Online. With a passion for music that knows no bounds, Chris has dedicated himself to helping home studio owners and musicians worldwide enhance their music production, recording, and mixing skills.As the creator of Mixdown Online, Chris has built a thriving community of over 129K subscribers on YouTube, with more than 15 million views across his videos. Through his engaging tutorial, he empowers aspiring musicians and studio enthusiasts to create better music from their own home studios.Driven by a desire to share the knowledge and tools he wished he had when starting out, Chris brings a unique blend of expertise and accessibility to his teachings.Renowned for his work in the French Christian music industry, Chris has produced and mixed artists globally for over 20 years in Canada, USA, France, Belgium, and Switzerland. With more than 80 albums to his credit, he often collaborates remotely from his home recording studio in Canada.Working primarily "In The Box" using CUBASE, Chris serves as a valuable resource for home studio owners and musicians, providing expert insights into recording and mixing techniques.Through his dedication to his craft and his commitment to sharing knowledge, Chris Selim continues to inspire and empower musicians worldwide to realize their full potential.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Building a team to make your sound betterGetting started in a small nichePicking a DAWDo different DAWs sound different?When is it worth buying third-party plugins?Recording drums in small roomsThe importance of character micsOverheads: When to treat them as kit mics vs. cymbal micsApplying saturation to drumsCheap vs expensive micsWhy routing is so important to get right before you mix.To learn more about Chris Selim, visit: https://www.mixdownonline.com/Check out Chris’ free guide for 5 Pro Reverb Techniques To Make Your Drums Stand Out: https://www.mixdownonline.com/pl/2148693564Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/ Want additional help with your music productions?For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show:Apple Podcasts:

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• Jonathan O’Brien: Having a Minimalist Approach to Production

  Jonathan O’Brien is a producer, mix engineer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Idyllwild, California, where he operates The Music Box—a hybrid recording studio and creative retreat tucked in the San Jacinto Mountains. Known for his immersive, emotionally rich mixes and collaborative approach, Jonathan has worked with artists including Gal Musette, Young the Giant, Coma Culture, and Andrew Goldring, often wearing multiple hats as producer, engineer, and musician. His productions span genres from indie rock to experimental pop, always rooted in a meticulous attention to tone, space, and sonic storytelling.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Owning a “retreat-style” studioSetting working hoursDo you need to live in a major music city?Thinking with a mastering perspective while mixingMixing on bussesUsing minimalist processingThe power of reducing your optionsLeaning on tape saturation instead of EQCreating contrast between instrumentsHow to make mixes feel balanced in the stereo fieldTracking with reverbTo learn more about Jonathan O’Brien, visit: https://www.jonobrienrecording.com/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/ Want additional help with your music productions?For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix Have questions you’d like answered on the show?Send them to [email protected] leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!

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• Matt Colton: Why Density is Killing Your Masters

  Matt Colton is a Grammy Award–winning mastering engineer whose career has spanned over two decades at the forefront of the music industry. Known for his meticulous ear and versatility across formats, he has mastered projects for some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including Peter Gabriel, Arctic Monkeys, Aphex Twin, James Blake, and Depeche Mode. Beginning his journey in the late 1990s at Porky’s Mastering in London, Colton went on to hold senior roles at AIR Studios and Alchemy Mastering before joining Metropolis Studios, where he now works across stereo, half-speed vinyl, pure analog vinyl, live-to-vinyl, and Dolby Atmos formats. In addition to winning the Music Producers Guild’s Mastering Engineer of the Year award in 2013, he earned a Grammy in 2025 for Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) for his work on Peter Gabriel’s i/o.Colton’s approach to mastering blends technical precision with musical sensitivity, always aiming to enhance the emotional impact of a recording without overshadowing the artist’s intent. A strong advocate for well-designed monitoring environments, he credits his PMC monitors and deep understanding of room acoustics as central to his decision-making process. He is equally comfortable working with cutting-edge digital tools—favoring plugins like the Sonnox Oxford Limiter for its transparency—and traditional analog equipment, especially in his vinyl cutting work. Whether delivering a high-resolution Atmos master or a half-speed vinyl cut, Colton’s work is characterized by clarity, depth, and a deep respect for the music, making him one of the most trusted names in mastering today.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:His journey to becoming a mastering engineerHow a little can go a long way in masteringWhat to look out for in production to ensure the highest quality mastersWhy density doesn’t equal loudThe homogenization of musicMixing mistakes to avoidFinding mastering engineers who complement the needs of your mixWhy you need a clear vision before recording, mixing, or mastering your musicLearning the strengths/weaknesses of your gearPicking gear based on the projectThe simplest way to get wide mastersRemastering George Michael’s “Faith”To learn more about Matt Colton, visit: https://www.thisismetropolis.com/engineers/matt-colton/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/ Want additional help with your music productions?For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here:

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• Vance Powell: Making Mixes with Character (Revisited)

  Vance Powell is an American six-time Grammy Award-winning record producer, engineer, and mixer. His credits include Phish, Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Wolfmother, Deadly Apples, Seasick Steve, Black Prairie, The Revivalists, Tinariwen, JEFF the Brotherhood, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes, and Martina McBride, among many others.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:● Working with Jack White and Chris Stapleton● How his live sound experience influences his work in the studio● The importance of “making decisions” while tracking● Why he doesn’t edit his tracks● Should you record with a click track?● Imposter syndrome: How to learn from it● Why doing “shootouts” is a bad idea● Reverb vs delay: When it’s better to use one vs the other● Using saturation● How to create ambiance through mic positioningTo learn more about Vance Powell, visit: http://www.sputniksound.com/vance/Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/ Want additional help with your music productions?For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix Have questions you’d like answered on the show?Send them to [email protected] leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/ Thanks for listening!

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