Working Class Audio

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt is joined by Chris Selim from Mixdown Online ‪ and Lij Shaw from Recording Studio Rockstars to discuss our NAMM 2025 experience. In This Episode, We Discuss: Wearing Good Shoes Drinking Water Community Gear We Saw Companies We Like Seminars at NAMM Podcaster and YouTuber Things Links and Show Notes: https://gracedesign.com/ https://gracedesign.com/produ...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer / Producer Owen Davies who has worked with Broken Teeth, Survival, Fangs Out, Netherhall, Yo Titan, and Brookhorse. In This Episode, We Discuss: Building THE Home Studio Working with a Studio Designer Navigating Studio Design Challenges Lessons from Early Studios Tap Dancing and Legal Battles Freelancing and Passion Projects Links and...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mastering engineer Adam Haggar who has worked with Migos, Belinda Carlisle, and The Antlers. In This Episode, We Discuss: Adam's Journey In The Audio Industry Different Cities, Studios, And Roles Within The Music Industry His Approach To Mastering And Building His Business The Importance Of Networking Challenges Of Maintaining High Standards In...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back the Pellicci Brothers, Jay and Ian, who appeared originally on WCA #054. They have worked with Deerhoof, John Vanderslice, Sleater-Kinney, and the Magnetic Fields. They currently run Brothers (Chinese) Recording in the Bay Area. In This Episode, We Discuss: Challenges in Naming Unintentional Uniformity Studio History Literal Creativity Cre...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Grammy Winning mastering engineer, Michael Romanowski. Michael’s extensive credits include Alicia Keys, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle, Lovett, Earth Wind & Fire, Kane Brown, and the Grateful Dead. In This Episode, We Discuss: Studio Acoustics Immersive Audio Advocacy Future Of Immersive Audio Value Of Community Collaboration Critical Listening Sk...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes monitor engineer Lizzie Westsmith who has worked for numerous bands and sound companies including Rancid, Ice Spice, Rat Sound and Coachella. Lizzie shares her journey from discovering her love for audio at Berkeley's iconic Gilman Street to navigating the challenges of the live production industry. In This Episode, We Discuss: Role of a Monito...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Producer/Engineer Ed Donnelly, who has worked with Willie Nelson, Zac Brown, Old 97s, Son Volt, Del McCoury, Nathan Jacques, Lorin Hart, Cole Gallagher, The Lonesome Captain, Trent Summar & The New Row Mob In This Episode, We Discuss: Musical Journey and Career Live Event Recording Journey Journey From Performer to Producer Independent Arti...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back mastering engineer Maor Appelbaum (originally on WCA #062)to discuss his career, his approach to mastering across genres, and how he adapts to new technology. Maor has worked on projects for artists such as Faith No More, Yes, and Meat Loaf. In This Episode, We Discuss: Genre-specific mastering approaches Creating and collaborating on new...

In this episode of Working Class Audio , Matt reconnects with engineer and studio owner Jeremy Goody, who was last featured in Episode 85. Jeremy has worked on VO projects for Microsoft, Nuance, Google, Seasonal Visions, and music projects for John Santos, Anticon, and Winfred E. Eye. In This Episode, We Discuss: Studio Rebranding Battling Cell Towers Building Faraday Cages Shifting to Voice Recor...

In this episode of Working Class Audio , Matt reconnects with Grammy-winning producer and engineer J.J. Blair, last featured in Episode 96. J.J. shares the challenges of building a state-of-the-art recording studio in the Hollywood Hills and offers insights from his popular "Microphone Mondays" series. He also opens up about his recent heart surgery and recovery, emphasizing the importance of prio...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt talks with Paul "Willie Green" Womack, a producer, engineer, and professor based in Brooklyn, NY. With nearly two decades of experience, Willie shares his passion for hip-hop production, teaching, and building meaningful connections in the studio. Having worked with renowned artists such as Armand Hammer, The Roots, The Alchemist, and Wiz Khalifa, Willi...

In this episode of Working Class Audio , Matt discusses Julie Kahryns extensive experience in the music industry as a producer, sound designer, composer, and educator. With a background spanning from criminal justice to a full-time music career, Julie has worked on a wide range of projects, including crafting unique audio samples for top software companies such as Ableton, Output, Cherry Audio, Sp...

In this episode, Matt talks with Will Holland, owner of Chill House, a 2,000-square-foot studio in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Will has worked with acts like SeepeopleS, Club d'Elf, Nth Power, Berklee, and the Lowell Chamber Orchestra. In This Episode, We Discuss : Chill House Studio Location 2,000 Square Feet Space Multiple Studio Rooms Local, Mid-Level Clients Will's Boston Beginnings Internship...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt Boudreau welcomes back audio engineer David, initially featured in WCA #210. David dives into his journey since his last interview, sharing updates on his Portland-based studio move, reflections on the city's music scene post-COVID, and how the pandemic shifted industry dynamics. David offers insights on balancing live sound with studio recording, the a...

In this episode of Working Class Audio , recorded live at AES 2024 in New York, Christal Jerez shares her career journey from Los Angeles to the UK. She discusses her experiences in live and studio sound, her move to the UK for a PhD, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with freelance work. Christal has worked with artists such as Lil Kim, Malik Moses, Al-Doms, and Timi O. In This Episode,...

In this episode of Working Class Audio , Matt Boudreau chats with veteran producer and engineer Joel Jaffe, founder of Studio D Recording. Joel reflects on his 40-year journey running a renowned Bay Area studio, working with legendary artists like Faith No More and Huey Lewis, and perfecting live room recording techniques. He also shares insights on overcoming the challenges of studio life, the ev...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt Boudreau talks with Grammy-nominated recording engineer and educator Dr. Mary Mazurek about her work in classical music recording and her approach to teaching and mentoring. In This Episode, We Discuss : Grammy-nominated projects Challenges of recording classical music Microphone techniques for live performances Managing acoustics in different environme...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, we welcome back Engineer/Producer Gabriel Shepard , who first appeared on WCA #011 . Now, 500 episodes later, Gabriel returns to share more from his journey. Gabriel's impressive client list includes Cake , The Kronos Quartet , Bassnectar , Raphael Saadiq , and The Residents . In This Episode, We Discuss: 25th Street Recording Building Client Trust Creative...

In this episode of Working Class Audio , Steve Lack shares his extensive background in audio post-production and podcasting. Steve reflects on his time working with Warner Brothers Discovery and his contributions to iconic shows like Seinfeld . With experience at NPR, VPM, Al Jazeera, and HBO, Steve now operates remotely from Richmond, Virginia. He discusses the flexibility of podcasting and how h...

In this episode of Working Class Audio , mastering engineer Alberto de Icaza shares his journey from Mexico City to the U.S., transitioning from playing in metal bands to becoming a mastering engineer. Now based in Austin, Texas, Alberto discusses his path to mastering during the pandemic and the importance of building client relationships organically through word-of-mouth. In This Episode, We Dis...

In this episode of Working Class Audio, host Matt Boudreau welcomes back Cesar Mejia, a longtime friend of the podcast, to discuss his continued journey as an educator, studio owner, and audio professional. Cesar, first featured in episode #117 back in 2017, shares his experiences navigating the post-pandemic world, teaching the next generation of musicians, and balancing life at his studio, Shelt...

My guest for this episode is Producer/Engineer/ Composer Ebonie Smith, who currently holds the esteemed roles of senior audio engineer and producer at Atlantic Records. Ebonie has worked on projects for The Hamilton Cast Album, Janelle Monae, Sturgill Simpson, and Jason Mraz. In This Episode, We Discuss: Memphis Upbringing and Tri-State Area Radio and Musical Influences Transition from Sports to M...

My guests today are Wesley Heaton and Kameron Lockwood, producers, engineers, and mixers from Indianapolis, Indiana. They are studio partners at Holy Ground Productions and have extensive live sound experience working with bands like Bingo Boys, Skeletonwitch Rituaal, and Pillars. In this episode, we discuss: Studio Location And Name Early Friendship Timeline Growing Up Experiences Meeting Through...

My guest today is Mastering Engineer Ben Pike, who runs an analog-based mastering and record cutting studio in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Ben specializes in vinyl mastering and custom lathe cut records, working primarily with independent artists. He has collaborated with artists and groups such as ATA Records, Yaatri, The London Ambient Orchestra, Smith & The Honey Badgers, and King Zepha. In...

My guest today is Producer/Multi-Instrumentalist/Engineer, Jordan Brooke Hamlin, who has worked with Indigo Girls, KT Tunstall, Vienna Teng, Lila Blue, Katie Herzig, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Allison Russell, and Brandy Clark. --------------------------------- In this episode, we discuss Upbringing In Kentucky Music-Loving Family Zeppelin Hippies Deep Connection To Music Early Music Exposure Discover...