Riff to Radio

If your drum recordings sound weak, boxy, or like they were tracked on a laptop mic—this episode is for you. In this episode, I break down exactly how to record punchy, powerful, mix-ready drum tracks from home —without needing a fancy studio. From choosing the right room and mic placements to dialing in overheads and room mics, you'll get a full walkthrough of the process that helps your drums ac...

Ever wondered why your latest release doesn’t hit as hard as your favorite records—even though you “did everything right”? In this episode, I break down one of the most common (and costly) mistakes metal bands make: hiring the cheapest engineer they can find. I share real stories from the trenches, including one band that ended up spending more time and money fixing a bad mix than if they had just...

In this episode, I’m joined by Alan Douches , a Grammy-winning mastering engineer who’s worked with heavy music icons like Converge , Mastodon , The Dillinger Escape Plan , Every Time I Die , and The Black Dahlia Murder . With over 16,000 albums under his belt and nearly four decades in the industry, Alan brings unmatched insight into the world of mastering—and why it’s a crucial final step for an...

Most metal bands are still thinking the old way: “Write the album. Record the album. Drop the album. Tour the album.” But here’s the problem:  In the age of short attention spans, social media algorithms, and weekly new releases— That strategy is just... outdated. When you wait a year between projects, the hype dies. Now imagine releasing a killer single every 6–8 weeks . Each one is an opportunit...

What if I told you that you could make recordings that sound just as good, if not better than a professional studio, and save yourself a ton of cash in the process?  Over the past 12 years, I've helped countless bands produce aggressive music they're proud to release, all without stepping foot into a professional studio.   I’m sure a lot of you can relate to this… You pool your money to record at...

For metal bands, having a great sounding mix is essential to convey the intensity, power, and complexity of their music. How you prepare those tracks could be the difference between getting a killer mix and having your engineer secretly plotting revenge. By preparing your recorded tracks for mixing you provide the mix engineer with the tools needed to bring your sonic vision to life. A few years a...

A bad mix will rob your music of its punch, clarity, and intensity. A great mix can unlock massive opportunities, from elevating your band's sound to reaching new fans and standing out in a crowded scene. Working with a professional mixing engineer is the best way to ensure your recordings achieve your sonic vision. 10 years ago a band asked me to remix and master a few songs for them. At the time...