Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

Travis reflects on his new recording studio build and breaks down what he's doing differently this time. In this episode we'll cover: Studio Construction & Acoustics Workflow Optimization Speaker Shootouts Atmos Analog Gear CONNECT: 📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod 🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspo...

Dan Kalisher is a Los Angeles based pedal steel, guitar player and producer. As a 15+ year veteran of the studio and touring scene Dan has played for Noah Cyrus, Sabrina Carpentar, Grace Potter, American Idol, and A Complete Unknown Soundtrack. In this episode, you'll learn about: How to be the one that gets the gig Building trust with people in the industry Why networking is a dirty word The...

Travis discusses how the loss of his studio reframed everything he thinks matters to having a successful career in music.

Michael J. Morgan is a career coach for mix engineers who has guided numerous Grammy-winning and nominated professionals, including Jon Castelli, Eric Dubowski, and Rauiri O'Flaherty. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why talented engineers stay stuck (hint: it's not about talent) The internal narratives sabotaging your career without you knowing The role of a coach for a mixer and producer The...

Ari Herstand is a Los Angeles–based musician, author of the best‑selling "How to Make It in the New Music Business", and host of the Webby‑award winning podcast "The New Music Business," where he empowers artists to build successful DIY careers in the modern music industry. Recognized by Forbes as “the poster child of DIY music,” he also founded the artist‑advocacy education platform Ari’s Take. I...

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Howard Benson is a Grammy winning rock producer who has made records with My Chemical Romance, Three Days Grace, Daughtry, All American Rejects, POD, and Hoobastank. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why having hits is a "numbers game" How producer royalties have changed over the past three decades How DAWs are hurting artists Disguising pop music as rock music The Howard Benson vocal chain How...

Mat Leffler-Schulman is a mastering engineer who's worked with artists such as Jon Batiste, Blondie, Mary J Blige, Beach House, and many more. In this episode, you'll learn about: The Value of Working with a Human Mastering Engineer The Ethics of Using Stem Splitting to Alter a Mix in Mastering The Various Roles AI Could Play for Music Production Pros How to Address "Width" in a Master The Busines...

Travis shares how mixing and recording knowledge is shared today versus when he started and explains why the abundance of information can be both empowering and limiting. ⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️ https://www.travisference.com/2025plan 📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspod Connect with Me: 📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe 📸 Instagra...

Andrew Scheps is a Grammy winning engineer and mixer who has worked with Adele, Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, and many more. We chat about the future of audio recording, the implications of AI, the mindsets you need to succeed, and the skills every engineer must have. In this episode, you'll learn about: How AI Will Integrate into Mixing and Recording What Engineering and Mixing Will L...

Following the announcement of Spike AI, Travis discusses his thoughts on the inevitability of the us of AI in mixing and how it might affect the careers of future generations of engineers and mixers. ⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️ https://www.travisference.com/2025plan 📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspod Connect with Me: 📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisfere...

Brendan Dekora is an engineer and mixer with credits with artists such as Trent Reznor, Foo Fighters, Steven Wilson, and Muse. In this episode, you'll learn about: What You Need to Know as a Freelance Engineer to Align with your Clients Why “Vibe” is More Important than Skills How Authentic Content can be One of Your Best Tools Tips for Remote Mixing and Collaboration How to Navigate Moving into t...

Sam Fischmann is a cofounder of the audio plugin company Musik Hack. As a software developer and musician he is passionate about demystifying the mastering process and making it accessible to everybody by creating tools that enable musicians to focus more on the creative and less on the technical. In this episode, you'll learn about: The Truth Behind Loudness Standards Where the -14LUFS Target Cam...

Travis discusses the myths that people believe about big credits and how you should actually think of them. ⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️ https://www.travisference.com/2025plan 📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspod Connect with Me: 📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod 🎵TikTok: https://...

Nick Broste is Chicago based audio engineer and musician who specializes in recording bands in ensembles in both studio and live settings. The spirit of removing the obstacles of artistic expression for artists is the driving force for Nick’s approach to recording and always puts the music first. In this episode, you'll learn about: How the Role of the Engineer Changes When There is No Producer Th...

Travis talks about the year he spent NOT buying plug-ins and how the recording studio culture fuels the audio tech industry into trying to sell engineers everything. ⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️ https://www.travisference.com/2025plan 📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspod Connect with Me: 📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe 📸 Instagram: ht...

Marc Matthews is a music producer, mastering engineer and the host of the Inside the Mix Podcast. In this episode, you'll learn about: How Social Media and Content Can Be Networking The Value of Having a Strong Core Group of “Music Friends” Making What You Are Passionate About Is the Cost of Higher Education Worth it for Music? How Releasing Something Helps You Relate to Artists The Importance of...

Travis discusses why he quit every staff engineering gig he had and how to know that you're ready to go freelance as a recording engineer, mixer, or producer. ⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️ https://www.travisference.com/2025plan 📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspod Connect with Me: 📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe 📸 Instagram: https://w...

In this episode, you'll learn about: Is Our Musical Taste Nature or Nurture Practicing Minimalism in Process How to Discover Your Sonic Preferences Is Our Musical Tastes Nature or Nurture How to Discover Your Sonic Preferences Why A-B Tests are a Sales Psy-Op How We Are Too Concerned with the Process of Making Records vs The Outcome How to Find Your Sound in the World of Internet Opinions What’s W...

In this episode Travis breaks down the five productivity tips that help him find work life balance and still deliver on a high level for his clients. In this episode, you’ll learn about: The Importance of Planning How to Beat Task Overwhelm The Secret to Operating at Your Highest Level Why Your Calendar Is Your Super Power Deep Work ⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️ https://www.travisference.com/2...

In this episode, you'll learn about: Soundflow Keyboard Maestro How to Use Automation to Speed up Workflow Why Consistent File Naming So Important Automating Complete Session Delivery and Stem Printing The Power of Pro Tools Track Presets Coding and Automation is a Skill just like playing an instrument How Making Music for Sync Differs from Making Records How to Hit All the Cuts when Composing for...

From making coffee and sweeping floors to credits with Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons, and Ariana Grande... Travis breaks down the mindsets that have helped his career so far. In this episode, you'll learn about: The Engineering Philosophies that Get You Hired How to ACTUALLY Network The Importance of Business Avoiding Perfectionism Defining Success What He Wishes He Knew Before Starting in Studios...

Steve Genewick is a recording engineer and mixer with over 30 years of experience working in some of the biggest studios in the world. In addition to being one of the top call engineers for big band, jazz, and orchestra sessions, Steve was also one of the first music mixers to work in Dolby Atmos. Many of the techniques he pioneered have shaped the people mix in the format today. In this episode,...

Travis breaks down science of how to master any skill based on the research of Daniel Coyle and his book “The Talent Code” In this episode, you'll learn about: Hotbeds of Talent Throughout the World How to Build Skill Like You Build Muscle Myelin and the Role it Plays in Skill Mastering The Benefits of Deep Practice and How to Do It ⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️ https://www.travisference.com/2...

Travis reflects on the latest episode’s success on YouTube and how overweighting the follow up to a big win can prevent you from building on that momentum. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why we put so much weight on our next move after a big success or failure How overweighting opportunities have been setbacks for his mix career How “Quantity” plays into your career growth When to transition...