Production Expert Podcast

The Watercooler Podcast: Grammy-Winning Producers Dom Morley, Matt Lawrence & Adrian Hall on Peer Support, Industry Rates & Why Audio Professionals Need Community to Survive

In this special "Watercooler Podcast" edition, host Ashea is joined by producers and mixers Dom Morley, Matt Lawrence, and Adrian Hall—for a candid conversation about the isolation of solo audio professionals and the critical importance of peer support and collaboration. Dom, Matt, and Adrian have maintained a monthly "water cooler chat" since working together at Metropolis Studios. This episode explores how this simple monthly ritual became essential to their careers and mental health, discussing rates, client management, creative practice, and why building trusted peer groups creates space for radical honesty impossible in larger organizations. In This Episode: The Isolation Paradox — How modern technology enables solo work while creating profound isolation and mental health challenges The Water Cooler Concept — Forced community structure for distributed solo entrepreneurs; monthly peer gatherings inspired by business literature 30 Years Experience: Age & Creativity — How experience builds confidence while youth brings innovation; the myth that creativity declines with age Trust & Peer Equality — Why working with peers at similar levels enables radical honesty impossible in hierarchies Knowing Each Other Deeply — How decades of shared history allow direct feedback without offense or ego Business Conversations — Discussing rates, pricing strategies, client negotiations, margin protection in trusted circles Artist Management Challenges — Navigating changing expectations, revision limits, sign-off procedures, scope creep Protecting Industry Standards — Responsibility to maintain rates and distinguish between discounts and day rates Abundance Mindset vs. Competition — Approaching work from 'enough for everyone' perspective; collaborative vs. protective attitudes Sharing Knowledge Across Specializations — Cross-disciplinary learning: live broadcast, Atmos, mastering, specialized tools Social Media & Curated Reality — Everyone posts only best work; false impressions of constant high-profile projects Big Names Doing Smaller Work — Industry secret: established professionals work on smaller projects but don't publicize it Rates as Fluid Not Fixed — Why publishing single rates creates problems; complexity of varying work types and discounts Teaching as Professional Practice — How education bookends isolation with human connection and community Professional Jealousy — Acknowledging competitive feelings while managing them constructively Transition from In-House to Freelance — How Metropolis experience shaped expectations differently than freelance work Client Respect & Communication — File delivery, respecting artist bandwidth, maintaining boundaries without being difficult About Our Guests: Dom Morley: Grammy-winning producer and engineer (Amy Winehouse "Rehab"). Founder of Mix Consultancy and multiband.io session organization tool. Previously taught at Leeds Conservatoire. Initiated the monthly peer collaboration concept discussed in this episode. Matt Lawrence: Grammy-winning producer, mixer, and engineer (Mumford & Sons "Babel"). Specializes in live sound, mixing major festivals for BBC broadcasts. Extensive experience with 5.1 and Atmos formats. Combines high-pressure broadcast environments with meticulous studio production. Adrian Hall: Accomplished mixer, engineer, and producer. Grammy-nominated. Brings extensive mixing expertise and band production experience. Contributes perspective on professional growth, confidence building, and collaborative practice. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations to the Production Expert Podcast, discussing both creative and business sides of audio production.

Rock and Roll Scientists: Flow Studio,Pre-Production Planning, Modern Music Production, AI & Education. (Part 2)

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Todd Urban, General Manager at Softube, educator at Passaic County Community College, and creator of the Urban Sound Studio YouTube channel. With over 30 years of experience in audio production, Todd discusses Softube's philosophy of being "rock and roll scientists," the evolution from Console One to the groundbreaking Flow Studio hardware, and how creative workflow and intentional pre-production can transform recording and mixing practices. Todd shares insights into Flow Studio's design philosophy of facilitating "flow state" rather than perfectionism, the importance of committing to decisions in tracking, the balance between hardware and software in hybrid workflows, and how understanding mixing principles makes tracking engineers more effective. In This Episode: Pre-Production Planning and Intention — Establishing emotional objectives and sonic goals before tracking Tracking Conservative, Mixing Creative — Capturing intentional raw material for successful mixing Teaching Audio Production: Learning from Students — Educators staying current with trends while maintaining principles The Role of Recording Engineers in Modern Production — Why understanding mixing makes tracking engineers more effective About Our Guest: Todd Urban: Todd Urban is the General Manager at Softube with 10+ years at the company across product education, development, management, and marketing. With over 30 years of professional audio experience, Todd holds degrees in orchestral arranging, music education, jazz performance, music management, and a production master's from UC Berkeley. He is the creator of the Urban Sound Studio YouTube channel and teaches at Passaic County Community College in New Jersey. Stream Todd Urban's Music Here: https://open.spotify.com/album/3JWFSrFxOdt4KdVKfd3AXp?si=ZvcmY6u2QiS_hzC_S-PSlA About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast.

Krotos CEO Orfeas Boteas Addresses Community Backlash: Why Video to Sound Released for Adobe, Not DAWs, Misleading Marketing, Social Media Backlash & How the Company Plans to Support Audio Professionals in 2026

In this Production Expert Podcast Special Edition, Mike Thornton, co-founder of Production Expert invites Orfeas Boteas, founder and CEO of Krotos, and Matthew Collins, head of product, to address significant community concerns following the release of Video to Sound integration for Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. This candid conversation tackles difficult questions about the company's strategic direction, the role of AI in sound design, misleading social media practices, and Krotos' commitment to the professional audio community. Orfeas and Matthew respond directly to concerns from industry professionals and clarify misconceptions about generative AI, product positioning, and future roadmap. In This Episode: Why Video to Sound Released for Adobe Premiere Before DAWs — Technical constraints preventing DAW video track access, with integrations coming later in 2024 Addressing 'Abandonment' Concerns from Audio Professionals — Krotos is expanding markets, not abandoning professionals The Core Mission: Making Sound Important Earlier — Bringing sound into creative workflows as an equal partner rather than afterthought AI is Not Generative: The Truth About Krotos Technology — All sounds are professionally recorded; AI is assistive, not generative AI as Automation, Not Replacement — Automating tedious tasks like auditioning thousands of sounds, not replacing human creativity Evolution from Specialised Tools to Krotos Studio Platform — Journey from Dehumanizer, Reformer, Weaponizer to unified Krotos Studio Misconceptions About Social Media Posts and Credits — Addressing posts implying Krotos involvement in Jurassic World, House of the Dragon, and Nolan films Sound Redesign vs. Official Production Credits — Distinguishing creative sound redesign exercises from official product involvement claims Social Media Clarity and Labelling Issues — Acknowledging unclear messaging in fast-scrolling social feeds, committing to better labelling Industry-Wide Social Media Challenges — Platforms encouraging content reuse without explicit permission creates attribution confusion Marketplace and Collaboration Possibilities — Vision for professionals to contribute assets and create ecosystem marketplace Industry Change with New Technology — Technological disruption requires community to work as united front, not adversarially Communication Missteps on Product Roadmap — Acknowledgement of moving too quickly without explaining technical constraints and timeline to community About Our Guests: Orfeas Boteas: Founder and CEO of Krotos, leading sound design software company. Founded Krotos with a passion for sound, guiding the company through evolution from specialised tools to the broader Krotos Studio platform. Deeply committed to understanding and supporting the audio production community. Matthew Collins: Head of product at Krotos, responsible for product development and strategy. Works with both the professional audio community and content creators to develop streamlined sound design tools. Actively communicates technical roadmap and product philosophy to industry stakeholders. About Our Host: Mike Thornton has been involved in the broadcast audio industry for all his working life, some 45 years. Mike has worked with Pro Tools since the mid-1990s, recording, editing, and mixing documentaries, comedy, and drama for both radio and TV, as well as doing the occasional music project. He was the co-founder of Pro Tools Expert and has now retired, taking up the role of Chairman of Production Expert Ltd., bridging innovative companies and the professional audio industry.

Rock and Roll Scientists: Softube's Todd Urban on Pre-Production Intention, Philosophy & Facilitated Creative Momentum for Tracking and Mixing (Part 1).

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Todd Urban, General Manager at Softube, educator at Passaic County Community College, and creator of the Urban Sound Studio YouTube channel. With over 30 years of experience in audio production, Todd discusses Softube's philosophy of being "rock and roll scientists," the evolution from Console One to the groundbreaking Flow Studio hardware, and how creative workflow and intentional pre-production can transform recording and mixing practices. Todd shares insights into Flow Studio's design philosophy of facilitating "flow state" rather than perfectionism, the importance of committing to decisions in tracking, the balance between hardware and software in hybrid workflows, and how understanding mixing principles makes tracking engineers more effective. In This Episode: 30+ Years in Audio: From DIY to Industry Leadership — Journey from musician with minimal resources through education to industry leadership The 'Rock and Roll Scientists' Philosophy — Combining musical edge with scientific rigor for innovation and challenge Console One: Redefining Mixing in the Box — 2014 breakthrough introducing hardware control for digital channel strips Flow Studio: From Zero to 80% Mixes — Facilitating flow state and creative momentum through intelligent design Flows and Presets as Creative Tools — Pre-configured signal chains enabling quick professional-sounding starting points The Omni Knob: Macro Control Design — Five knobs with main macro control addressing real workflow needs Hybrid Workflow Philosophy — Balancing hardware summing and analogue gear with in-the-box mixing Decision Fatigue vs. Creative Exploration — When to commit during tracking versus maintaining flexibility during mixing Pre-Production Planning and Intention — Establishing emotional objectives and sonic goals before tracking Tracking Conservative, Mixing Creative — Capturing intentional raw material for successful mixing Teaching Audio Production: Learning from Students — Educators staying current with trends while maintaining principles The Role of Recording Engineers in Modern Production — Why understanding mixing makes tracking engineers more effective About Our Guest: Todd Urban: Todd Urban is the General Manager at Softube with 10+ years at the company across product education, development, management, and marketing. With over 30 years of professional audio experience, Todd holds degrees in orchestral arranging, music education, jazz performance, music management, and a production master's from UC Berkeley. He is the creator of the Urban Sound Studio YouTube channel and teaches at Passaic County Community College in New Jersey. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast.

From Tomorrowland to Broadcast: Pieter Doms & Mark Gittins on Building the AREAL SR1 Headphones, Upmix Algorithms & Why Binaural HRTFs Are Limiting

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Mark Gittins, immersive audio engineer and owner of SenSound studios, currently working on broadcast for a major international football tournament, and Pieter Doms, co-founder of AREAL Technologies from Belgium. Together they discuss the invention and development of immersive audio monitoring technology, the AREAL SR1 headphones, and how spatial audio is transforming professional audio production. Pieter shares the fascinating origin story of how AREAL Technologies was born during the pandemic, starting as a Tomorrowland festival request to convert stereo music to immersive audio in real time. Mark discusses his experience using the headphones for remote mixing during high-pressure broadcast work, and both explore the challenges and opportunities in immersive audio adoption. In This Episode: The Origin of AREAL Technologies — How Pieter Doms and his team created an upmix algorithm during the pandemic The SR1 Headphones Development — The creative journey from a joke about building a studio in a headphone to a functioning solution Non-Binaural Immersive Monitoring — How the SR1 achieves 3D soundscape representation without relying purely on HRTFs Remote Mixing for Broadcast — Mark's experience using the headphones while working on tournament broadcasts Challenges in Getting Started with Immersive Audio — Infrastructure requirements, learning curve, and barriers for engineers Binaural Monitoring Limitations — Why traditional binaural platforms struggle with height representation Room Simulation & Personalization — Head width parameter optimization, EQ customization, and virtual room simulation The Chicken-and-Egg Problem of Adoption — Why immersive audio adoption is slow and the role of content availability Immersive Audio in Mainstream Media — Dolby Atmos prevalence in streaming, TV, and film The Future of Spatial Audio — Wearable and augmented reality applications About Our Guests: Mark Gittins: Immersive audio engineer and owner of Sensound, a professional mixing studio specialising in immersive projects. Originally from Birmingham, England. Pieter Doms: Co-founder of AREAL Technologies from Belgium, with over 20 years of professional sound engineering experience. As a live sound engineer for major events including Tomorrowland, his technical expertise in algorithm design led to the creation of AREAL Technologies during the pandemic. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Instagram: @iamashea Resources & Links AREAL Technologies — https://areal.world/ SenSound Studios — https://www.sensoundaudio.com/ Megatone Studios — Birmingham-based tracking and control room Tomorrowland — Festival featuring immersive audio experiences Dolby Atmos — Immersive audio format for streaming and broadcast Virtuoso — Binaural monitoring software Genelec UNIO — genelec.com/unio Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UNIO monitoring ecosystem. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.

QUIZ TIME: How Well Do You Know Your World Cup Music?

Quiz Time! In this podcast episode, immersive audio engineer Mark Gittins joins Ashea from Kansas City to go head-to-head with AREAL co-founder and audio engineer Pieter Doms for our World Cup Music Quiz. England vs Belgium just took on a new, immersive meaning!

How AI is Ruining Dialogue Production: Award-Winning Producers on Descript, Pacing Loss & Preserving Audio Craft

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Eloise Whitmore and Tony Churnside, award-winning sound designers and co-founders of Naked Productions, for a frank discussion on how AI tools like Descript are fundamentally changing audio production—and not always for the better. Eloise and Tony address the critical issue of how AI-assisted editing is eroding the art of natural dialogue pacing, how younger generations of producers are losing foundational skills, and what audio professionals must do to preserve the human artistry in sound design. This conversation tackles the uncomfortable truth about AI tools in professional audio production: while tools like Descript and Adobe Enhance can be lifesavers in certain situations, their overuse is removing the nuance, emotion, and natural rhythm that makes dialogue compelling. For audio engineers, music producers, podcast creators, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and craft, this episode provides critical perspective on maintaining quality and authenticity in an increasingly automated creative landscape. In This Episode: Descript and AI Transcription Tools - How Descript revolutionized transcription and some aspects of production workflow, but also introduced new challenges by allowing producers to work with text instead of raw audio The Loss of Natural Pacing in Audio - Why younger producers and sound designers lack the ability to recognize and preserve natural human pacing, leading to robotic, emotionless dialogue that immediately signals AI involvement Working with Words vs. Raw Audio - The fundamental difference between editing based on text transcripts versus listening to and editing raw audio, and why working with raw audio teaches critical production skills Descript's Limitations - What Descript cannot do: it cannot pace dialogue naturally, it removes meaningful silences and hesitations that convey emotion and authenticity, and it simplifies complex storytelling nuances AI Audio Enhancement Tools (Adobe Enhance, Studio Sound) - How tools like Adobe Enhance sterilize vocals by removing the characteristics that make voices unique, and why these should be backups rather than primary solutions The Impact of Time Constraints and Budgets - How production timelines have expanded while budgets remain static, forcing producers to take shortcuts that compromise quality and craft Building a Sound Library - Why aspiring sound designers should create personal sound libraries instead of relying on free or YouTube-sourced sounds, and how this develops a distinctive sonic identity Advice for Emerging Producers - The importance of learning to listen, understanding speech pacing, recording raw interviews and mixing them properly, and not relying on automation to replace human judgment About Our Guests: Eloise Whitmore: Eloise Whitmore is an award-winning radio producer and sound designer with 20 years of experience in professional audio production. She won the Radio Sound Designer and Producer of the Year award in 2013, and co-founded Naked Productions with Tony Chernside. Her experience spans BBC dramas, documentaries, features, and international projects, giving her deep insight into how production workflows have evolved and the critical importance of preserving craft in an age of automation. Tony Churnside: Tony Churnside is a multi-award-winning sound designer and technical producer with a PhD in audio production. His background in acoustics combined with decades of practical production experience makes him uniquely positioned to understand both the technical capabilities and limitations of AI tools. As co-producer of the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 satire The Skewer, Tony understands the demands of professional audio production under pressure. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden). Resources & Links Mentioned Descript - AI-powered transcription and editing software. Visit: descript.com Adobe Enhance - AI audio enhancement tool from Adobe Descript Studio Sound - AI audio processing feature within Descript Pro Tools - Digital audio workstation used by both producers Altiverb - Convolution reverb plugin by Audio Ease Zoom H4N - Portable audio recorder for field recording Sony D100 - Portable audio recorder Naked Productions - Award-winning sound design and audio production company. Visit: nakedproductions.co.uk Genelec UNI-O Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio Subscribe & Follow Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube All major podcast platforms Follow us: Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast] Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com] Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UNI-O monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UNI-O allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.

Radio Drama Production & Sound Design: Award-Winning Producers Eloise Whitmore & Tony Churnside on Location Recording, BBC Dramas & The Skewer

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Eloise Whitmore and Tony Chernside, co-founders of Naked Productions, an award-winning sound design and audio production company specializing in BBC radio dramas and acclaimed audio content. Eloise won the Radio Sound Designer and Producer of the Year award in 2013, and Tony is a multi-award-winning sound designer and technical producer behind the acclaimed satirical BBC Radio 4 comedy series The Skewer. Together, Eloise and Tony discuss the evolution of radio drama production in 2026, innovative location recording techniques for achieving authentic sound, the craft of sound design and storytelling, and the contrasting workflows between long-form drama and fast-turnaround satire productions. Whether you're interested in audio drama, sound design, radio production, podcasting, or understanding how award-winning audio content is created, this conversation provides insider insights into professional audio production, creative collaboration, and the technical approaches that define modern radio and audio storytelling. In This Episode: Radio Drama Production Techniques and Evolution - How radio drama production has changed over 20 years, the shift from traditional studio recording to innovative location-based approaches, and the impact of lockdown on production methods Location Recording for Authentic Sound - Documentary-style recording techniques that capture real actor movement and ambient sound, using handheld microphones to follow action like a camera, and achieving authenticity through immersive recording Sound Design and Storytelling - The philosophy of "painting sound worlds" and "telling stories with sound," creating immersive audio experiences, and the importance of sound design in radio drama Naked Productions: From Concept to Broadcast - Overview of award-winning projects including BBC dramas like Putin and Lockerbie, sound installations, and the diverse range of audio content the company produces The Skewer: Fast-Turnaround Satire Production - How The Skewer is produced on an extremely tight deadline, the concept of a "river of sound," building flexible structures for last-minute changes, and the collaborative creative process Actor Performance and Immersive Recording - Why actors deliver better performances when physically engaged in their scenes, the advantages of recording with movement versus traditional studio recording, and how modern techniques benefit acting quality Pro Tools Workflow and Audio Engineering - Shared session structures, favorite plugins (Altiverb, speakerphone, Avid Pro Limiter), automation techniques, and the evolution from baked-in mixing to real-time automation Day in the Life of Radio Producers - Comparing the workflows of long-form drama production versus fast-turnaround satire, time allocation between recording and mixing, and the demands of professional audio production About Our Guests: Eloise Whitmore: Eloise Whitmore is an award-winning radio producer and sound designer with 20 years of experience in radio production. She won the Radio Sound Designer and Producer of the Year award in 2013, recognition of her innovative approach to audio production and storytelling. As co-founder of Naked Productions, Eloise leads the creative vision for the company's diverse projects, from BBC radio dramas to audio installations, bringing expertise in location recording, sound design, and the technical and creative demands of professional audio production. Tony Churnside: Tony Chernside is a multi-award-winning sound designer and technical producer with a background in acoustics and audio production. He holds a PhD in audio production and has expertise in object-based audio formats and audience consumption. As co-founder of Naked Productions and the technical producer behind the critically acclaimed BBC Radio 4 satire The Skewer, Tony brings both deep technical knowledge and creative production expertise to professional audio projects. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden). Resources & Links Mentioned Naked Productions - Award-winning sound design and audio production company. Visit: nakedproductions.co.uk The Skewer - BBC Radio 4 satirical comedy series. Available on BBC Sounds BBC Radio Dramas - Putin, Lockerbie, and BBC Scotland productions Pro Tools - Digital audio workstation used by both producers Altiverb - Convolution reverb plugin by Audio Ease Speakerphone - Dialogue processing plugin Genelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio Subscribe & Follow Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube All major podcast platforms Follow us: Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast] Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com] Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UniO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UniO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.

No More Labels. Grammy Winning Mixer & Producer Matt Lawrence On The Music Industry For Studios, Artists & Labels In 2026 Part 2

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Matt Lawrence, a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer who has worked on some of the most influential records of the past 20 years. In this first part of a two-part conversation, Matt discusses his journey into the audio industry, his perspective on the current state of the music industry in 2026, and how the landscape has changed for studios, artists, and record labels over his career. Matt brings invaluable insights from two decades of working at the highest levels of music production, having mixed and produced records that have shaped contemporary music across multiple genres. Whether you're an aspiring audio engineer, a music producer, an artist navigating the modern music industry, or a label executive seeking perspective on industry dynamics, this conversation provides honest, experienced insights into how the music business is evolving and what it takes to build a sustainable career in professional audio production. This is Part 2 of a two-part episode exploring the past, present, and future of the music industry.

No More Labels. Grammy Winning Mixer & Producer Matt Lawrence On The Music Industry For Studios, Artists & Labels In 2026

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Matt Lawrence, a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer who has worked on some of the most influential records of the past 20 years. In this first part of a two-part conversation, Matt discusses his journey into the audio industry, his perspective on the current state of the music industry in 2026, and how the landscape has changed for studios, artists, and record labels over his career. Matt brings invaluable insights from two decades of working at the highest levels of music production, having mixed and produced records that have shaped contemporary music across multiple genres. Whether you're an aspiring audio engineer, a music producer, an artist navigating the modern music industry, or a label executive seeking perspective on industry dynamics, this conversation provides honest, experienced insights into how the music business is evolving and what it takes to build a sustainable career in professional audio production. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode exploring the past, present, and future of the music industry. In This Episode: Career Journey into Audio Production - How Matt Lawrence got started in the audio industry, the path that led to Grammy recognition, and the formative experiences that shaped his career as a mixer and producer Work on Influential Records - Overview of Matt's extensive discography and the iconic projects he's contributed to over the past 20 years in mixing and production The Evolution of the Music Industry (2006-2026) - How the music industry has transformed over the past two decades, changes in recording technology, distribution, and the business model for artists and labels The Role of Studios in Modern Music Production - What studios look like in 2026, how the role of physical recording spaces has changed, and why certain aspects of professional studios remain invaluable Artists Navigating the Current Landscape - The challenges and opportunities for musicians and artists in 2026, from recording and production to promotion and distribution Record Labels and Industry Structure - How record labels are adapting to the modern music ecosystem, their changing role, and what sustainable relationships look like between labels, artists, and production professionals Technology and Production Innovation - Advancements in recording technology, production tools, and mixing techniques that have emerged over Matt's 20-year career Professional Insights from Industry Veterans - Lessons learned, perspectives on what it takes to succeed in professional audio, and honest assessment of the current state of music production About Our Guest: Matt Lawrence: Matt Lawrence is a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer with an extensive career spanning over two decades in professional music production. His work has touched some of the most influential records released over the past 20 years, earning him recognition and respect throughout the music industry. With deep experience working across multiple genres and with diverse artists and labels, Lawrence brings authentic perspective on how the music industry operates and the evolution of music production in the modern era. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden). Resources & Links Mentioned Matt Lawrence - Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer Genelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio Subscribe & Follow Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube All major podcast platforms Follow us: Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast] Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com] Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UniO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UniO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more. Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part episode with Matt Lawrence exploring the music industry landscape of 2026 and his insights on studios, artists, and labels.

Smash Hit- Recording Adele's 'Hello' & Tony Visconti/Toontrack's 'Drumopolis' at Metropolis.

"Behind some of the world's greatest hits lies a great question: does constraint breed genius? In this Podcast Edition, Drummer Steven Gilchrist (Graham Coxon, The Damned, and Boney M) and Grammy winning engineer Liam Nolan (Rihanna, Stormzy, the Black Eyed Peas) sit down with our Host Ashea to reveal the behind-the-scenes of Adele's 'Hello,' the meticulous process behind the legendary Drumopolis project with Tony Visconti, and what it really takes to engineer records that resonate globally. In This Episode: Inside the Adele 'Hello' sessions: The mic chain that captured one of the biggest vocal performances of the decade (U47, Neve 1081, 1176) How Tony Visconti designed Drumopolis: capturing '70s legend with modern flexibility across 29 microphones The Decca tree, room mics, and why a tea towel on the snare matters (vintage tone with intention) Why recording vibe, comfort, and 'reading the room' is non-negotiable—and what that looks like in practice Analog vs. digital: the tape machine, commitment, and why limitations can raise the stakes for performance Managing expectations: why clients listening on car stereos ask for mixes that don't exist, and how to set boundaries Democratizing music production: why tools like Drumopolis matter beyond the studio Working with Rihanna, Stormzy, the Black Eyed Peas & will.i.am: lessons from sessions with global superstars About Our Guests Liam Nolan Liam Nolan is a recording and mix engineer who has recently transitioned to freelance work after years at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick. Over his career, he's engineered sessions with some of the world's biggest artists, including Adele, Stormzy, Rihanna, AJ Tracey, the Black Eyed Peas, and will.i.am. He was the engineer on Adele's Grammy-winning 'Hello,' credited for his work in a writing session that became chart history. His approach prioritizes artist comfort, technical precision, and understanding the unique sonic demands of each session. He specializes in capturing vocal performances and crafting the sonic identity of records at one of the world's most legendary facilities. Instagram: @liamjnolan | Website: mixedbyliamnolan.com Steven Gilchrist Steven Gilchrist is an accomplished drummer, percussionist, producer, and engineer. He's performed with legendary artists including Graham Coxon, The Damned, and Boney M. As the owner and operator of Brixton Hill Studios, he works as a session drummer, producer, and engineer. Under his name Stephen Evens, he's currently working on his fifth record, all of which (except the first) have been recorded to tape. He collaborated with Tony Visconti on the Drumopolis project for Toontrack, providing his Ludwig drum kit and his mother's Premier snare for the sound design. Steven is a strong advocate for analog recording, commitment in the studio, and the philosophy that limitation breeds creativity. Instagram: @thestephenevens | Brixton Hill Studios: brixtonhillstudios.com About Our Host Ashea Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. Her production and mixing credits include work with Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, and SVT1 (Sweden). Through the Production Expert Podcast, she brings industry insiders together to explore the craft, process, and philosophy behind the world's greatest records. Website: asheamusicofficial.com Instagram: @iamashea Featured In This Podcast: Metropolis Studios: metropolisstudios.com Toontrack Drumopolis SDX: toontrack.com Brixton Hill Studios: brixtonrecording.com Genelec UNIO Monitoring: genelec.com/unio Source Elements Suite: sourceelem

• Chapters

Women In Audio: Why The Numbers Are Falling, With Nana Ayebi-Kwakye

The number of women working as audio engineers and music producers is falling, not rising. Ashea is joined by British-Ghanaian producer, rapper and author Nana Ayebi-Kwakye to discuss why the gap is widening, where the signs of hope are, and the thinking behind her children's book Delasi On A Mission, written to show young girls that the studio is a place they belong. Women In Audio: Why The Numbers Are Falling, With Nana Ayebi-Kwakye The proportion of women working as professional audio engineers and music producers has been moving in the wrong direction for years. The data is uncomfortable, the reasons are tangled, and the industry's response has been inconsistent at best. In this conversation, Ashea sits down with producer, rapper and author Nana Ayebi-Kwakye to talk honestly about what's happening, what's working, and why representation in children's books might matter more than another panel discussion at a trade show. In this episode: Why the percentage of women working in professional audio production is declining rather than growing, and what the available data actually shows The signs of hope: the initiatives, mentorship structures and visible role models that are starting to shift the picture for the next generation The principle Nana keeps coming back to: if you can't see it, you can't be it, and what that means in practical terms for studios, schools and parents The story behind Delasi On A Mission, the children's book Nana wrote to put a young girl behind the desk rather than in front of the mic The barriers that show up before anyone gets near a studio: perception, language, who appears in the photos, who teaches the classes What working professionals can actually do, beyond awareness, to change the numbers in their own corner of the industry About Our Guest: Nana Ayebi-Kwakye: Nana Ayebi-Kwakye is a British-Ghanaian music producer, rapper and author. Her debut children's book, Delasi On A Mission, tells the story of a young girl discovering music production and learning to navigate the obstacles that come with it, aimed at readers aged six and up. She is also involved in initiatives including The Leading Vibe and her own Sounds You Make project, both focused on widening access to music production for young people. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum selling songwriter, music producer & audio engineer from the UK. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM) Steve Smart (Kiss FM) The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden).

Not Just For Guitarists! The Fender Studio Rebrand & The Future Of DAWs (With Fender/PreSonus)

Description In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Arnd Kaiser, Product Designer Strategist at Fender Musical Instruments, and Tony Carridi, Global Revenue and Go-To-Market Executive at Fender PreSonus. Together they discuss the strategic rebrand of Fender Studio, exploring what this evolution means for music producers, audio engineers, and musicians using Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software. This conversation goes beyond the surface-level rebrand to explore the vision driving Fender's entry into the DAW market, the future of music production software, and what producers should expect from Fender Studio going forward. Whether you're a guitarist, music producer, audio engineer, or just curious about the future of music production tools, this episode provides insider insights into one of the music industry's most iconic brands' strategic move into professional music production software. Discover why this rebrand matters, what innovations are coming, and why Fender Studio is positioning itself as a game-changer in the competitive DAW landscape. In This Episode: The Fender Studio Rebrand Strategy - Understanding the vision behind Fender's rebrand and repositioning of their DAW product, and what strategic decisions led to this major announcement Product Design & User Experience Focus - How Fender approaches product design strategy to create intuitive, professional-grade music production software that serves both beginners and experienced producers Expanding Beyond Guitarists - Why Fender Studio is positioning itself as a tool for all music creators, not just guitarists, and how this broadens the addressable market for the product The Future of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) - Industry perspective on where DAW technology is headed, emerging features, and competitive dynamics in the music production software market Go-To-Market Strategy & Industry Positioning - Insights into how Fender is launching and marketing Fender Studio to different segments of the music production community Innovation in Music Production Tools - The technological innovations and features that make Fender Studio a compelling option in a crowded DAW marketplace Collaboration Between Fender & PreSonus - How the partnership between Fender Musical Instruments and PreSonus creates synergies and advantages for Fender Studio users What Inspires Professional Audio Engineers - Personal insights from industry executives about what drives their passion for music production and innovation in the field About Our Guests: Arnd Kaiser: Arnd Kaiser is a Product Designer Strategist at Fender Musical Instruments, responsible for shaping the vision and strategic direction of Fender's product offerings in the music production software space. With expertise in product design and strategic planning, Kaiser brings deep understanding of how to create tools that resonate with musicians and producers across different skill levels and genres. Tony Carridi: Tony Carridi is a Global Revenue and Go-To-Market Executive at Fender PreSonus, overseeing the commercial strategy and market positioning of Fender Studio. With extensive experience in revenue growth and market strategy, Carridi brings insights into how Fender is approaching the competitive music production software market and building a sustainable business around innovative music tools. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden). Resources & Links Mentioned Fender Studio - Fender's professional music production DAW software. Visit: fender.com/studio PreSonus - Digital audio workstation and music production technology company. Visit: presonus.com Fender Musical Instruments - Iconic manufacturer of guitars and music production equipment. Visit: fender.com Genelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio Subscribe & Follow Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube All major podcast platforms Follow us: Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast] Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com] Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UniO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UniO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.

How Well Do You Really Know Your Guitars/Synths? Quiz Time

In this episode Ashea is joined by Arnd Kaiser and Tony Cariddi of Presonus/Fender for a tense guitar and synth quiz designed to really test your abilities. If you fail it's worth thinking long and hard about your career choice because you're likely an impostor ;) Enjoy!

The Lord Of The Strings- Emmy Winning Composers Discuss Composing For Film & TV (Part 2)

Description In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Stephen Gallagher, an Emmy Award-winning composer and music editor with credits on major film and television productions, and Tilman Sillescu, creative director, co-founder, and principal composer at Sonuscore. This is Part 2 of the Lord Of The Strings, continuing their in-depth exploration of professional film and television scoring. In this episode, Stephen and Tilman delve deeper into the collaborative process between composers and directors, discussing the balance between creative independence and serving the director's vision. They explore the importance of delegation in team environments, managing multiple demands across different projects, and the mindset required to adapt to each director's unique style and creative preferences. Whether you're a composer, music producer, or anyone interested in understanding how professional orchestral scores are crafted in demanding production environments, this conversation reveals the professional and interpersonal skills that separate experienced composers from emerging talents. In This Episode: Balancing Creative Independence and Collaboration - The importance of finding balance between personal creative expression and working collaboratively with directors, producers, and other team members in film and television production The Skill of Delegation and Team Leadership - How composers effectively delegate tasks in a team environment, trust collaborators with specific aspects of the score, and manage workflow across multiple projects and deadlines Serving the Director's Vision - Understanding that a composer's primary responsibility is to serve the director's intent and the story they're telling, rather than imposing a personal creative agenda Adapting to Different Directors' Demands - Each director has unique creative preferences, production challenges, and storytelling approaches, requiring composers to be flexible and responsive to varied creative demands Human Behavior in Creative Collaboration - Drawing parallels between human relationship dynamics and creative collaboration, understanding how people work individually and collectively Managing Micromanagement and Creative Control - The importance of letting go of excessive control, trusting collaborators, and avoiding the pitfall of trying to micromanage every aspect of a production Problem-Solving Across Diverse Projects - No two film or television projects present the same challenges, requiring composers to develop adaptable problem-solving skills and creative flexibility Building a Professional Composing Career - Insights into how experienced composers navigate the entertainment industry, work with varied production teams, and sustain long-term creative careers About Our Guests: Stephen Gallagher: Stephen Gallagher is an Emmy Award-winning composer and music editor with extensive credits in film and television. His work has been recognized with Emmy Awards, and he has contributed music to major television and film productions that have reached global audiences. With a distinguished career spanning decades, Gallagher brings deep expertise in orchestration, music editing, and the interpersonal skills required to collaborate effectively with directors and production teams in demanding entertainment environments. Tilman Sillescu: Tilman Sillescu is a creative director, co-founder, and principal composer at Sonuscore, a leading company known for developing advanced digital orchestral libraries and composition tools. As an award-winning composer in his own right, Sillescu combines deep musical knowledge with innovative technology and practical production experience. His perspective bridges the gap between creative composition and the practical realities of professional film and television scoring. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden). Resources & Links Mentioned Sonuscore - Digital orchestral libraries and composition tools. Visit: sonuscore.com Stephen Gallagher - Emmy-winning composer and music editor Genelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio Subscribe & Follow Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube All major podcast platforms Follow us: Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast] Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com] Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UniO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UniO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more. Note: This is Part 2 of a two-part episode. Be sure to listen to Part 1 for the complete conversation with Stephen Gallagher and Tilman Sillescu.

The Lord Of The Strings- Emmy Winning Composers Discuss Composing For Film & TV (Part 1)

Description In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Stephen Gallagher, an Emmy Award-winning composer and music editor with credits on major film and television productions, and Tilman Sillescu, creative director, co-founder, and principal composer at Sonuscore. Together they explore the craft of composing for film and television, diving deep into orchestration techniques, string articulation, music production tools, and the creative workflows that define professional film scoring. Whether you're an aspiring composer, music producer, or audio engineer looking to understand how professional film and TV scores are created, this two-part episode reveals insider insights from Emmy-winning composers who have shaped the soundtracks of iconic productions. Discover the technical and creative approaches that separate professional orchestral music from amateur compositions, and learn how modern digital tools are transforming the composition process while maintaining the richness of orchestral sound. In This Episode: String Ensemble Articulation & Digital Orchestration - Why getting convincing orchestral string parts to sound authentic is challenging, and how modern composition tools like Sonuscore's libraries solve articulation problems that traditionally required live orchestras Film Scoring vs. Television Music Production - The unique demands and constraints of scoring for film versus episodic television, including timeline pressures, creative collaboration, and technical requirements Orchestration Techniques for Professional Composers - Deep dive into how Emmy-winning composers approach orchestration, layering, and arrangement to create emotionally impactful scores Music Editing in Post-Production - The critical role of music editing and how composers work with editors and directors to shape final scores in the post-production workflow Digital Tools & Software for Modern Composition - Overview of contemporary music production tools, libraries, and workflows that professional composers use to stay creative and efficient Creative Workflow & Staying in the Creative Flow - How professional composers maintain creative momentum and avoid getting bogged down in technical details during the composition process Collaborating with Directors & Production Teams - How composers navigate feedback, creative direction, and collaborative relationships with directors and producers in film and television Emmy Awards & Career Path in Film Scoring - Stephen Gallagher's journey to Emmy recognition and insights into building a sustainable career as a composer in the entertainment industry About Our Guests: Stephen Gallagher: Stephen Gallagher is an Emmy Award-winning composer and music editor with extensive credits in film and television. His work has been recognized with Emmy Awards, and he has contributed music to major television and film productions that have reached global audiences. With a distinguished career spanning decades, Gallagher brings deep expertise in orchestration, music editing, and the technical and creative demands of professional film and television scoring. Tilman Sillescu: Tilman Sillescu is a creative director, co-founder, and principal composer at Sonuscore, a leading company known for developing advanced digital orchestral libraries and composition tools. As an award-winning composer in his own right, Sillescu combines deep musical knowledge with innovative technology, creating solutions that help composers achieve professional-quality orchestral sounds in the digital realm. His work with Sonuscore has made advanced composition tools accessible to a global community of music producers and composers. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning legendary artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden). Resources & Links Mentioned Sonuscore - Digital orchestral libraries and composition tools. Visit: sonuscore.com Genelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio Subscribe & Follow Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube All major podcast platforms Follow us: Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast] Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com] Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UniO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UniO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more. Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Part 2 continues the conversation with Stephen Gallagher and Tilman Sillescu.

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Producer Lunch Talk: Compressors, Mix Translation & Working Backwards with Chic's Richard Hilton & Steve DeMott"

Description In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Richard Hilton, an award-winning producer and engineer who has worked extensively with Nile Rodgers and Chic, and Steve DeMott, Grammy-nominated producer and engineer from the acclaimed Tribe Collective. Together they dive deep into compression techniques, mixing workflows, and the art of working backwards in music production. The proportion of modern music production relies heavily on understanding the nuances of audio engineering, and in this conversation, Ashea sits down with two industry veterans to talk honestly about what separates professional-quality mixes from the rest. Whether you're a professional audio engineer, music producer, or aspiring musician looking to elevate your craft, this discussion reveals insider secrets from producers who've worked with legendary artists like Nile Rodgers and Chic, providing invaluable insights into the production techniques and studio workflows that define hit records. In This Episode: Compressor Techniques & Mixing Best Practices - Deep dive into compression, its applications in modern music production, and how top producers use compression to shape sound and achieve professional-quality mixes Mix Translation Across Playback Systems - Why mixes that sound great on studio monitors may not translate to other listening environments, and how professional engineers ensure consistency across headphones, car speakers, and mobile devices Working Backwards in Production - Unconventional production workflows and creative approaches that yield breakthroughs, straight from producers who've worked at the highest levels of the music industry Recording with Iconic Artists - Insights from Richard Hilton's extensive experience working with Nile Rodgers and the legendary band Chic, and what those collaborations taught him about music production Grammy-Level Production Standards - Steve DeMott shares the engineering mindsets and technical approaches that earned his work with Tribe Collective Grammy nominations Song Structure & Great Titles - How producers approach songwriting, track development, and the importance of crafting songs with exceptional titles and sonic quality Audio Engineering Fundamentals - The tools, monitoring setups, and studio practices that matter most for producing professional recordings Producer Mentality & Studio Culture - The thinking and approaches that define successful production teams and how to build a sustainable creative practice About Our Guests: Richard Hilton: Richard Hilton is an award-winning music producer, recording engineer, and songwriter with a career spanning decades. Known for his extensive work with industry-leading artists including Nile Rodgers and the iconic band Chic, Hilton brings unparalleled expertise in music production and professional studio engineering. His experience capturing world-class recordings and crafting hit records provides invaluable insights into the production process, audio engineering best practices, and what it takes to work at the highest levels of the music industry. His collaborations with Nile Rodgers and Chic have shaped modern music production standards. Steve DeMott: Steve DeMott is a multi-talented music producer, engineer, and songwriter whose work with the Grammy-nominated group Tribe Collective has earned him recognition as one of the industry's most meticulous audio engineers. Known for his deep understanding of compression and mixing techniques, DeMott is passionate about crafting songs with exceptional titles and sonic quality. His expertise spans advanced audio engineering, music production strategies, and creative direction. His contributions to Grammy-nominated work demonstrate the level of precision and artistry required in professional music production. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning legendary artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden). Resources & Links Mentioned Genelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio Nile Rodgers - Legendary producer and guitarist who continues to influence modern music production Chic - Iconic band known for groundbreaking work in funk, disco, and popular music Tribe Collective - Grammy-nominated music group showcasing cutting-edge production and engineering Subscribe & Follow Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube All major podcast platforms Follow us: Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast] Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com] Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UniO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UniO allows you to quickly create great-sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.

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How Well Do You Really Know Your Compressors? Quiz Time

Today on the Production Expert Podcast, Ashea puts Richard Hilton and Steve De -Mott's compression trivia knowledge to the test. So how did you do you? Let us know. About Our Guests: Steve DeMott: Producer, engineer, songwriter, and musician who has worked with the Grammy nominated Tribe collective Richard Hilton: Musician and producer well known for his work with Nile Rodgers and Chic

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Professional Mixing in Stereo & Atmos: Grammy-Winning Mixer Andrew Scheps on Workflow, Impostor Syndrome & Industry Insights (Part 2)

Description In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Andrew Scheps, a three-time Grammy Award-winning mixer and producer, for Part 2 of their in-depth conversation about professional mixing in the era of immersive audio. Building on the discussions from Part 1, Andrew delves deeper into practical techniques for mixing in Atmos and spatial audio formats, with particular focus on the unique challenges of mixing for headphone playback, binaural rendering, and maintaining mix translation across different monitoring environments. In this episode, Andrew answers listener questions while providing concrete, actionable advice on EQ and panning techniques in immersive formats, the differences between phantom center and actual center speakers in spatial mixes, reverb strategies for Atmos, and insights into where the music production industry is heading. Whether you're a professional mixer looking to expand into immersive audio, a producer curious about Atmos workflows, or an audio engineer wanting to understand the future of spatial mixing, this conversation provides both technical knowledge and strategic industry perspective from one of the world's most respected mixing engineers. In This Episode: Mixing in Atmos with Headphone Monitoring - Practical techniques for creating mixes in Atmos that translate accurately on headphones, including the challenges of binaural rendering and headphone-specific mixing considerations Panning and Spatial Placement Techniques - How phantom center differs from actual center speakers in immersive mixes, and strategies for placing elements in three-dimensional space effectively EQ and Equalization in Immersive Formats - How equalization approaches change in Atmos compared to stereo, maintaining balance in surround configurations, and frequency management across spatial channels Reverb and Spatial Effects in Atmos - Advanced reverb techniques specifically designed for immersive mixing, creating depth and space in three-dimensional mixes, and psychological acoustic principles Binaural Rendering and Headphone Playback - Understanding how binaural rendering works, the challenges of creating convincing spatial imaging through headphones, and translation between different listening formats Practical Real-World Mixing Tips and Tricks - Actionable advice from decades of professional mixing experience, workflow optimization, and techniques that immediately improve mixing results Industry Direction and Future of Mixing Technology - Andrew's perspective on where the music production industry is headed, emerging technologies in spatial audio, and how mixers should prepare for future formats Listener Questions and Career Advice - Andrew addresses questions from podcast listeners about mixing, professional development, and navigating the modern music production landscape About Our Guest: Andrew Scheps: Andrew Scheps is a three-time Grammy Award-winning mixer and producer with an extensive discography that includes work with some of the world's most influential artists. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, innovative mixing techniques, and expertise in both traditional stereo and immersive audio formats like Atmos, Scheps has established himself as one of the most sought-after mixers in the music industry. His technical knowledge combined with artistic sensibility has made him a mentor figure to many aspiring audio engineers and producers. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden). Resources & Links Mentioned Andrew Scheps - Three-time Grammy Award-winning mixer and producer Atmos and Spatial Audio - Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other platforms offering immersive audio mixes Genelec UNIO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio Subscribe & Follow Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube All major podcast platforms Follow us: Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast] Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com] Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UNIO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UNIO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more. Note: This is Part 2 of a two-part episode. Be sure to listen to Part 1 for the beginning of the conversation with Andrew Scheps on mixing fundamentals, impostor syndrome, and career insights.

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Professional Mixing in Stereo & Atmos: Grammy-Winning Mixer Andrew Scheps on Workflow, Impostor Syndrome & Industry Insights (Part 1)

Description In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Andrew Scheps, a three-time Grammy Award-winning mixer and producer renowned for his work with iconic artists and his expertise in both stereo and immersive audio mixing. In this candid conversation, Andrew discusses his career journey, his approach to mixing in Atmos, his creative workflow, dealing with difficult clients, navigating impostor syndrome despite significant achievements, and his perspective on the future of mixing and music production. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation that covers everything from technical mixing strategies to the personal and professional challenges of working at the highest levels of the music industry. Whether you're an aspiring mixer, an experienced audio engineer, or a music producer looking to expand your skills in immersive audio formats like Atmos, Andrew shares invaluable insights, practical mixing tips, and honest perspectives on the evolving landscape of professional music mixing. Listeners will also get a preview of fan questions that will be answered in Part 2. In This Episode: Mixing in Atmos and Immersive Audio Formats - Deep dive into how Grammy-winning mixers approach mixing for Spatial Audio and Atmos, including technical considerations, creative opportunities, and the future of immersive mixing Stereo Mixing Fundamentals and Best Practices - Andrew's approach to creating professional stereo mixes that translate across all playback systems and serve as the foundation for immersive mixes Creative Workflow and Mixing Techniques - Practical insights into how Andrew structures his mixing workflow, uses tools effectively, and maintains creative momentum throughout long mixing sessions Dealing with Difficult Clients and Industry Dynamics - Honest discussion about managing client relationships, handling creative disagreements, setting boundaries, and navigating the business side of professional mixing Impostor Syndrome in Professional Music Production - Despite being a three-time Grammy winner, Andrew discusses feeling like an impostor and how successful professionals manage self-doubt and imposter syndrome Life Balance and Well-being for Audio Professionals - How mixers and producers maintain mental health, work-life balance, and personal fulfillment while working on high-pressure projects The Future of Mixing and Music Production - Andrew's perspective on where mixing technology and music production are headed, emerging trends, and how to stay relevant as an audio professional Mixing Tips and Industry Insights - Practical techniques, studio setup advice, and professional insights that can immediately improve listener's mixing approach About Our Guest: Andrew Scheps: Andrew Scheps is a three-time Grammy Award-winning mixer and producer with an extensive discography that includes work with some of the world's most influential artists. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, innovative mixing techniques, and expertise in both traditional stereo and immersive audio formats like Atmos, Scheps has established himself as one of the most sought-after mixers in the music industry. His technical knowledge combined with artistic sensibility has made him a mentor figure to many aspiring audio engineers and producers. About Our Host: Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden). Resources & Links Mentioned Andrew Scheps - Three-time Grammy Award-winning mixer and producer Atmos and Spatial Audio - Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other platforms offering immersive audio mixes Genelec UNIO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio Subscribe & Follow Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube All major podcast platforms Follow us: Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast] Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com] Sponsorship This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UNIO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UNIO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more. Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. Andrew answers listener questions in Part 2, which continues the conversation on mixing, career advice, and the future of music production.

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