Master Your Mix Podcast

Ryan Ordway is a multifaceted artist, songwriter, producer, and audio engineer with over two decades of experience in recording, mixing, music licensing, session playing, and commercial studio management. Having recorded and produced nearly 1,000 songs across various genres, he has worked with internationally recognized artists and designed, built, and operated multiple recording studios. In 2020, he partnered with The Studio Portland in Portland, ME, overseeing an ambitious remodel completed in 2024. Under his direction, The Studio became home to 98.9 WCLZ’s Studio Z series, hosting artists such as Noah Kahan, Grace Potter, Lake Street Dive, Joy Oladokun, and Gregory Alan Isakov.
Ordway’s songwriting talents led him to record at the renowned Blackbird Studios in Nashville with legendary producer Ken Scott (The Beatles, Elton John, David Bowie). His song Easy Street was featured in Getting Started with Music Production (Hal Leonard, 2015). His work has been nominated for Producer of the Year at the New England Music Awards (2023) and Song of the Year for Back Again (2022).
Beyond the studio, Ordway’s music has been licensed in over 13 countries and featured on major platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu, as well as in TV shows such as The Office, Happy Endings, and Raising Hope.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Studying a producer/engineer’s entire workflows, rather than in bite-sized pieces
Getting into music publishing
What kinds of mixes you need to submit if you want your music to be licensed
Why you should start your own music publishing company
Songwriting splits: how to deal with them fairly
Writing music for possible sync deals
Embracing a “less is more” approach to songwriting and engineering
Finding the right people to get into sync work
Making fans by shaking hands
Building your team for success

To learn more about Ryan Ordway, visit: https://theordways.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...

Duncan Ferguson is a Nashville-based mastering engineer and educator, best known as the founder of The Voltage Exchange, a mastering studio specializing in high-quality masters for digital, CD, and vinyl releases. With a Master’s degree in Sound Recording from McGill University, Duncan combines deep technical knowledge with refined critical listening, helping artists translate their mixes into competitive, release-ready records without sacrificing musical intent. His work spans a wide range of genres, and he’s known for a thoughtful, communicative approach that helps mixers and producers understand why their music sounds the way it does at the final stage.
In addition to his mastering work, Duncan teaches audio and mastering at SAE Institute Nashville, where he helps the next generation of engineers develop reliable listening skills, technical confidence, and a strong decision-making mindset. His dual role as a working mastering engineer and educator gives him a unique perspective on the most common mix issues, how small changes upstream can dramatically improve masters, and how home-studio producers can get closer to professional results before the mastering stage even begins.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Continuing to learn new skills
The future of mastering
Immersive mastering
New technologies that are making vinyl cutting more affordable/accessible
Not letting perfection stop you
Collaborating on the vision of a project
Prepping for mastering by using Izotope RX
When to use analog vs digital
Solid state vs tube gear
Duncan’s go-to tools for controlling low end

To learn more about Duncan Ferguson, visit: https://thevoltageexchange.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/

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Pete Lyman is a GRAMMY-nominated mastering engineer, and owner of Infrasonic. Pete’s digital and vinyl mastering career spans thousands of titles over the last two decades. He has mastered Grammy-award winning and Grammy-nominated albums for Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Halsey, Sturgill Simpson, John Prine, Weezer, Panic! At the Disco and more.
In 2005 Lyman opened Infrasonic West, a custom-built mastering facility in Echo Park, CA. Pete, and his 1956 Neumann AM32B Cutting Lathe, moved to Nashville, TN in 2018 and opened Infrasonic East. In 2022, Infrasonic West found its new home in Highland Park, CA. Since then, Pete has curated the Infrasonic roster to include engineers spanning everything from mixing to mastering to vinyl cutting to immersive and so much more.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Why not committing to your mix is doing more harm than good
The biggest problem people make with their editing
Using room correction tools/software
Why the level of your mix doesn’t matter as much as you think it does
Why stem-mastering is stupid and you should avoid it
Passive vs. active listening
Preserving the character of a mix in mastering
Knowing when to do nothing as part of your job as a mixing and mastering engineer
How to let go of your personal tastes when working on something that doesn’t connect with you
Understanding the needs of various genres

To learn more about Pete Lyman, visit: https://infrasonicsound.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/

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Kevin Antreassian is an American musician, producer, engineer, and studio owner based in New Jersey. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Audio Engineering from William Paterson University and is the founder and operator of Backroom Studios, a multifaceted recording and rehearsal facility established in 2007. Over his career, Antreassian has worked with a wide range of artists across rock and metal genres, providing production, recording, mixing/mastering, and technical services for both emerging and established acts.
As a guitarist, he is best known for his tenure with the influential mathcore band The Dillinger Escape Plan, performing with the group through their later period and contributing to their final shows and recordings, as well as other groups like The Sawtooth Grin and Knife the Glitter. In addition to his work in the studio and on stage, Antreassian has served as a touring guitar technician for notable acts, and he teaches music production and guitar tech at William Paterson University.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Choosing between touring, corporate audio, and running a studio
Why multiple income streams matter if you want long-term stability
The not-so-glamorous truth about life on the road
Avoiding burnout when you’re obsessed with making records
How starting with minimal gear actually sharpens your skills
Why he keeps outboard gear set to fixed settings
How he uses templates for speed and consistency rather than tone
Tuning out the marketing noise around gear so you can stay focused
Creating clarity and focus in chaotic music
How editing impacts the energy and feel of a performance
When live-off-the-floor beats isolated tracking
Why automation is the biggest separator between amateur and pro mixes

To learn more about Kevin Antreassian, visit: https://backroom.studio/
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

Shane Slack is an Emmy-nominated mastering and post-production engineer, and the owner of Mono Theory, Inc., a Florida-based studio specializing in mastering, sound design, and Foley for music, television, and film. With credits spanning Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney+, CBS, and Showtime, Shane has helped shape the sound of high-profile projects including Ted Lasso, The Umbrella Academy, NCIS: LA, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. A graduate of Valencia College’s Sound & Music Technology program, he’s also a member of the Recording Academy and the Audio Engineering Society, where he’s active in mastering education and diversity initiatives.
Drawing from early influences like Motown, reggae, and classic video game soundtracks, Shane’s work combines deep technical expertise with an ear for emotional storytelling. Whether mastering indie releases or handling sound for major media productions, he’s passionate about translating creative intent into mixes that connect across every playback system. Through Mono Theory, he continues to bridge the gap between art and acoustics—helping artists, producers, and filmmakers bring their sonic visions to life.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Why learning about mastering first is a smart decision
Production and mixing mistakes that often need to be fixed by a mastering engineer
Understanding psychoacoustics
How to double-track instruments for better translation and phase
Why phase correction is so crucial for proper mix translation
Checking mixes in mono
Using mid-side EQ
How to make mixing easier, simply by being careful with instrument voicing
Why it’s better to use multiple compressors, rather than only one
Developing your audio skills faster by taking your time
Asking yourself “why” when you’re making the moves you’re making

To learn more about Shane Slack, visit: https://www.instagram.com/slackshane/
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