Sound Discussion

After more than 500 episodes of @RecordingStudioRockstars , Lij Shaw has spent countless hours exploring how other producers, engineers, and artists make great records. In this episode, we flip the script and explore the artist behind the podcast.

Lij joins Nate and Neil to trace his unconventional journey from architecture school to playing blues five nights a week in Hong Kong, discovering recording engineering, and eventually building The Toy Box Studio in East Nashville. He also opens up about the growing need to create music for himself after decades spent helping other artists realize their musical dreams.

The conversation explores Lij’s month-long songwriting retreat in Costa Rica, the portable setup that helped him write and record on the beach, and the power of collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership. Lij also offers thoughtful advice for anyone building a home studio: decide whether you’re creating a critical listening room or a space that makes it effortless to pick up an instrument and create—because those priorities don’t always lead to the same room.

Key Five Takeaways:

1. Helping others create doesn’t replace creating for yourself
2. Collaboration creates accountability—and better records
3. Changing your environment can change your creative behavior
4. Build your studio around what you actually want to do
5. The best creative tool is the one that helps you finish music

Resources and Links:

More Lij:
Recording Studio Rockstars - https://recordingstudiorockstars.com/
The Toy Box Studio - https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/
Lij Shaw on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/493pQhEnKsrrRaJFHo1rK5
Poetry Scores - https://poetryscores.blogspot.com/
Lij Shaw’s Nashville home-studio case - https://ij.org/client/lij-shaw/

Songwriting and Music:
How to Write Songs - https://howtowritesongs.org/
How to Write Songs on YouTube - @htws
GoHill Records - https://www.hollywoodrecordingstudio.com/gohil-records

Studios, Education, and Media:
Middle Tennessee State University Recording Industry program - https://www.mtsu.edu/program/recording-arts-and-technologies-bs-m-f-a/
Mix Magazine - https://www.mixonline.com/
WRVU Nashville - https://wrvu.org/
Bonnaroo - https://www.bonnaroo.com/

Gear Mentioned:
Martin Backpacker Guitar - https://www.google.com/search?q=martin+backpacker+guitars
Carl Tatz Design and PhantomFocus - https://carltatzdesign.com/
ADAM Audio D3V - https://us.adam-audio.com/products/d3v
Grace Design - https://gracedesign.com/
Lynx Studio Technology - https://www.lynxstudio.com/
Slate Digital VSX - https://stevenslateaudio.com/vsx/
Native Instruments - https://www.native-instruments.com/
iZotope - https://www.izotope.com/

Listen to Sound Discussion:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-discussion/id1727711992
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QLiTjT6OpY3prLIL8QoqD

Subscribe To Our Newsletter:
https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/newsletter

Shop:
https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/shop

Sound Discussion Is:
@natekelmesmixes
@benhlms
@merchantaudioproductions ​​
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just a heads up! We are switching to sequential episodes away from seasons.
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Big thanks to @ChordElectronicsLtd for supporting this episode. Their British-built DACs and headphone amps bring true studio-level detail into the listening experience, with gear used everywhere from hi-fi setups to world-class studios.

Check out the Mojo 2 and more from Chord Electronics here: https://chordelectronics.co.uk/mojo-2
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In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Vaughan of Chord Electronics for a conversation about sound, technology, and why digital-to-analog conversion matters more than most people realize.

Tom’s path into audio is anything but typical. Before working in high-end audio, he was a professional bassoonist, and that background gives him a really interesting perspective on how music is performed, recorded, and ultimately experienced by the listener.

We talk about the evolution of Chord Electronics, the impact of their Hugo DAC, and what makes one converter feel different from another — not just in terms of specs, but in timing, accuracy, depth, and emotional connection.

We also get into the practical side of listening: how DACs, headphones, speakers, and monitoring chains shape the decisions musicians, producers, mixers, and mastering engineers make every day.

At the heart of it all is a simple idea: better sound helps us connect more deeply with music. And whether you’re creating, recording, mixing, mastering, or just listening, the way your system translates that music matters.

Key Five Takeaways

Tom Vaughan brings a rare perspective to audio, combining his background as a bassoonist with his work in high-end audio engineering.
Digital-to-analog conversion plays a major role in how we perceive depth, detail, timing, and emotional connection in music.
Chord Electronics approaches DAC design differently, using FPGA-based technology rather than standard off-the-shelf DAC chips.
Better monitoring and conversion can help musicians, producers, mixers, and mastering engineers make more confident creative decisions.
At its core, the conversation is about the bridge between technical accuracy and emotional impact — how better sound can bring us closer to the performance.

Resources & Links

Chord Electronics - https://chordelectronics.co.uk/
Chord Mojo 2 - https://chordelectronics.co.uk/mojo-2
Dan Millice - https://www.millicemastering.com/
‪@NaturlAudio‬ AL-1 Limiter - https://naturl.audio/

Listen to Sound Discussion:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QLiTjT...

Subscribe To Our Newsletter:
https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/newsletter

Shop:
https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/shop

Sound Discussion Is:
Nate Kelmes
Ben Holmes
Neil Merchant
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big thanks to https://chordelectronics.co.uk/ for supporting this episode. Their British-built DACs and headphone amps bring true studio-level detail into the listening experience, with gear used everywhere from hi-fi setups to world-class studios.

Check out the Mojo 2 and more from Chord Electronics here: https://chordelectronics.co.uk/mojo-2

In this episode, we dive into the world of recording, gear, and artistry with legendary producer and engineer Sylvia Massy. Sylvia shares stories from her career, insights into her favorite equipment, and her adventures in unique recording environments—plus, a look at her upcoming book on vintage microphones.

Key Insights:
-Sylvia’s transition from punk bands in San Francisco to working with Bands like Tool and Green Jello.
-Her preference for vintage Neve consoles for their unique EQ and sound character.
-Creative recording stories, including capturing sound in extraordinary locations like bell towers and cliffs.
-The versatility of studio setups, from dedicated control rooms to live-room recording.
-Her extensive collection of historic microphones, including rare pieces used in Antarctica.
-Tips for home studio setup, emphasizing what’s truly essential.
-Perspectives on AI’s role in music, considering both its potential and limitations.
-Her upcoming publication, which features over 600 vintage microphones with historical context.

Resources & Links:

Sylvia Massy's Microphone Book "The Great Book of Vintage Microphones" (Due late 2026) - https://amzn.to/4dWankB
Rupert Neve Designs 5088 Console - https://rupertneve.com/5088
Reaper DAW - https://reaper.fm
Fender Studio Pro (prev. Studio One) - https://www.fender.com/pages/fender-studio-pro
WaveLab Mastering Software - https://www.steinberg.net/wavelab/

Connect with Sylvia Massy:
Website - https://shop.sylviamassy.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sylvia_massy
YouTube - @SylviaMassyKnowsStuff

Listen to Sound Discussion:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-discussion/id1727711992
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QLiTjT6OpY3prLIL8QoqD

Subscribe To Our Newsletter:
https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/newsletter

Shop:
https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/shop

Sound Discussion Is:
Nate Kelmes - https://www.natekelmes.com
Ben Holmes - https://linktr.ee/benholmesmastering
Neil Merchant - https://www.facebook.com/holdagrunge​
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we explore the world of DIY music gear, circuit building, and the passion for creating unique soundscapes with Nick Vivid. Discover how building your own equipment can transform your music production and performance. In this episode, Nick Vivid shares his insights on music production, the importance of authenticity, and industry trends. Discover how to stay true to your sound, the value of visual and musical coherence, and practical tips for artists and producers.

Get next month's episode ONE WEEK EARLY! Sign up here: www.sounddiscussionpodcast.com/newsletter

Topics Discussed:

DIY music gear and circuit building
The influence of custom equipment on sound quality
The passion and process of building studio and live gear Industry reward for safe, familiar sounds
The importance of emotional resonance in mixing
Balancing technical and creative aspects in music
The influence of visual art on musical identity
Industry risk-taking and artist authenticity

Links:

Reaper DAW - https://www.reaper.fm/
Freestyler DMX Software - https://www.freestylerdmx.be/
Steam Powered Radio API 2520 PDF - https://steampoweredradio.com/api-2520.pdf
Dan Millice Podcast Episode - https://youtu.be/mI1AUi7UDfs
FabFilter Pro-L2 Limiter Plugin - https://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-l-2-limiter-plug-in

Nick's Socials:

Website - https://nickvivid.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nickvivid/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mitch Rose shares his journey from live sound engineering to DIY studio building, emphasizing the importance of understanding your tools, the value of DIY in music production, and how affordable gear and knowledge can empower artists and engineers alike. In this episode, we explore the art and science of building your own hardware, the importance of analog gear, and the DIY ethos in music production. Our guest shares insights on soldering, building guitar pedals, and the value of investing in quality equipment.

Topics discussed:

- The importance of understanding your tools in music production
- Building and customizing your own studio gear
- The impact of studio closures on knowledge transfer
- DIY techniques for recording and studio design
- The role of hardware and software in modern music production Building your own hardware and guitar pedals
- Soldering skills for beginners
- Investing in quality analog gear
- Using clipping and saturation creatively
- The importance of committing to sound during recording

Links

DIY Recording Studio YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@diyrecordingstudio
DIY Recording Studio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/diyrecordingstudio/
AudioBois Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@audioboispodcast

Capi Gear - https://capi-gear.com
Micparts.com - https://micparts.com
Neve 1073 Preamp - https://www.ams-neve.com/
SSL Duality Console - https://solidstatelogic.com/
DIY Recording Studio Course - https://www.thediyrecordingstudio.com/courses
NAMM Show - https://www.namm.org
Schwab Digital GoldClip Plugin - https://www.schwabedigital.com/goldclip
Cranborne Audio Brick Lane Compressor - https://www.cranborne-audio.com/bricklane500

#diyrecording #audioengineering #musicproduction #diyaudio #homestudio #recordingtips #audiogear #studiodesign #analogvsdigital #soldering #guitarpedals #analoggear
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