Podcast · Music

Recording Studio Rockstars

by Lij Shaw · English · Music

Lij Shaw Interviews music producers, engineers, studio owners, and other professionals to bring you inspiring stories, tricks, and insights from the recording studio. So that you can take your recordings to the next level and become a rockstar of the recording studio yourself! - Guests: Vance Powell

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 52 min
Latest: 9 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

9 Oct 2026 · 2 hr 13 min

RSR579 - Gyasi Heus - Glam Rock Songwriting and Guitar Tones from David Bowie to Django Reinhardt to Alice Cooper

Is “school” ever really out when you’re chasing guitar tone, or are we always learning how to ditch Mr. Nice Guy in the classroom of rock? My guest today is Gyasi Heus, a Nashville-based musician, producer, and guitarist known for his theatrical rock sound, analog recording approach, and work with Alice Cooper. He’s an artist who blends classic influences with modern production, often building his own studio from vintage gear like TASCAM 388 reel-to-reel and analog amplifiers. In this episode, we got into the nuts and bolts of how vintage gear shapes the vibe of a recording. Gyasi shares…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E578 · 2 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 49 min
RSR578 Chris Pandolfi - Badass Banjo and Production Magic with The Infamous Stringdusters
Curious how bluegrass veterans approach recording live in the studio or manage the balance between virtual instruments and raw performances? Join us as Chris Pandolfi from The Infamous Stringdusters shares insights from decades of balancing tradition and innovation in music. My guest today is Chris Pandolfi , a founding member of The Infamous Stringdusters, known for blending traditional bluegrass with modern production techniques. With 20+ years on stage and in studio, Chris has explored everything from live ensemble recordings to experimental sampling, virtual instruments, and mixing…
E577 · 25 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 52 min
RSR577 - Marc Matthews - How to Build EDM Tracks From Start To Finish
What do happy accidents, deconstructing songs, and tools like stem splitters have to do with leveling up your production skills? My guest today is Marc Matthews , a UK-based producer, mixing and mastering engineer, EDM artist, and host of Inside The Mix podcast. He works with independent artists to craft impactful, clear tracks and shares practical insights from his experience as both an artist and engineer. In this episode, we dive into Marc’s journey from learning guitar and metal bands to mastering EDM production. We discuss his approach to building a workflow, selecting sounds, and the…
E576 · 18 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 33 min
RSR576 - Nettie Freed - The Granddaughter of Rock 'n' Roll: Embracing Risks and Authenticity
What risks and rebellions in rock and roll history continue to echo in today's music industry? My guest today is Nettie Freed , an artist, songwriter, creative director, and studio owner based near Nashville. With roots in a music industry family and decades of experience in L.A. and Nashville, Nettie shares her journey, her studio Spellbound Recorders, and fascinating stories from her family’s legacy. In this episode, we dive into the rich history of rock and roll through Nettie’s perspective, exploring her grandfather’s role in naming and shaping the culture, crossing racial barriers, and…
E575 · 11 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 52 min
RSR575 - David Amlen - Lessons from Decades of Studio Building and Engineering
What does it really take to design a studio that balances acoustic excellence with practical flow - without losing sight of the human element? My guest today is David Amlin , a veteran producer, engineer, and studio owner with over 35 years of experience across film, music, television, and more. From helping build one of New York’s largest recording facilities to producing deeply personal projects, David’s insights span a broad range of studio design, technology, and human-centered recording. In this episode, David shares the story behind his studio designs, emphasizing the importance of…
E574 · 4 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 32 min
RSR574 - JJ Catalyst - The Art of Finishing Award Winning Mixes Fast and Confidently
What does it take to finish a mix quickly without second-guessing your instincts? My guest today is JJ Catalyst, a Los Angeles-based recording engineer and mixer with credits spanning Disney, Showtime, and Billboard number ones. He's Emmy-nominated and known for blending modern pop with broadcast-ready production. We met at NAMM 2026, and he’s here to share his process and philosophy. In this episode, JJ opens up about his journey from growing up with a family immersed in music, through building a home studio in Phoenix, to moving to LA and focusing exclusively on mixing. We discuss how he…
E573 · 28 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 52 min
RSR573 - Greg Giorgio - Hybrid Studio: From Deep Snares and Cue Sends to Creative Mixing Techniques
What’s the secret to capturing that deep, punchy snare sound without overdoing it? I asked Greg Giorgio about his approach to drums, and he shared how tuning and subtle miking tricks - like dampening with towels and choosing the right snare - make all the difference. It’s about working with the instrument’s natural voice. My guest today is Greg Giorgio, a producer, engineer, and mixer known for his work with artists like The National, Delta Rae, and Death Cab for Cutie. With nearly two decades working alongside producer Peter Katis at Tarquin Studios, Greg now runs 9 Point Studios in…
E572 · 21 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 38 min
RSR572 - BZ Lewis - Unlocking the Emotional Power of Immersive Audio
What insights do immersive audio techniques, like Atmos, offer for emotional storytelling and how do different speaker setups influence our perception of space and emotion in music? My guest today is BZ Lewis , a producer, engineer, and mixer with over 30 years of experience. He’s earned six Emmy Awards and specializes in immersive audio, working with major brands like Apple, Google, and Sony. BZ has a deep background in both stereo and Dolby Atmos mixing, with credits spanning television, film, and music. In this episode, we dive into the practicalities of working in immersive audio,…
E571 · 14 Aug 2026 · 2 hr 6 min
RSR571 Brian Moncarz - Mixing Rock Drums for Bob Ezrin, Alice Cooper & Our Lady Peace
Have you ever wondered whether a killer drum sound starts with the right mic placement and kit selection, or if it’s something you can still craft in the mix? Or maybe you’re curious about how much room tone, mic choice, and tuning actually influence the final impact of your drums? My guest today is Brian Moncarz , a Toronto-based producer and mixer who’s played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of modern rock across Canada and beyond. With credits including Alice Cooper, Our Lady Peace, and many chart-topping singles, he’s a master of capturing drums that punch through the mix and feel…
E570 · 7 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 34 min
RSR570 Jordie Lane - Writing and Producing Great Songs from the Road, Circus, and Joshua Tree
What does it really take to make your best record by embracing limitations and finding creativity in the constraints? My guest today is Jordie Lane , a Nashville-based Australian indie roots artist, songwriter, and producer. With a background that includes performing at the Sydney Opera House, composing for TV comedy, and touring with legends like Billy Bragg and Old Crow Medicine Show, Jordie brings a wealth of unconventional recording experience. In this episode, Jordie shares his journey from childhood in a traveling circus to making records with makeshift gear in unconventional spaces.…
E569 · 31 Jul 2026 · 2 hr 5 min
RSR569 Vance Powell - Baking It In, Atmos Truth, Tiny Amps, and One-Take Magic
What happens when you stop calling it pre-production and just start making the record? My guest today is Vance Powell , multi-Grammy-winning producer, mixer, and engineer from Sputnik Sound in Nashville - and the most frequent guest in RSR history, now returning for his seventh appearance on the show. Vance has been with us since episode RSR002, and once again he brings an incredible combination of blunt honesty, deep musical intuition, old-school engineering discipline, and hilarious real-world stories from making records with artists like Chris Stapleton, Tyler Bryant, and a whole roster…
E568 · 24 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 45 min
RSR568 Kevin White - Songs of Apollo, NASA, & Music That Went to Space
What happens when you realize the soundtrack of space travel isn’t science fiction - it’s real music carried aboard real missions? My guest today is Kevin White, Nashville educator, musician, and creator of Songs of Apollo - a documentary project that explores the real relationship between music and space exploration. This isn’t just a story about composers imagining the cosmos. It’s a story about the actual music astronauts took with them, the songs that woke crews aboard Apollo missions, the playlists that traveled beyond Earth, and how NASA engineers, mission control, and the entire space…
E567 · 17 Jul 2026 · 2 hr 6 min
RSR567 Micah Tawlks - Co-Writing, Mixing, Blackbird Sessions & Capturing Ideas Before They Disappear
What happens when you start writing, producing, and mixing like the forest, not the trees, and you leave your worries behind? My guest today is Micah Tawlks - producer, mixer, songwriter, and artist based in Nashville, working out of his home studio in Whites Creek. Micah first joined us back on RSR324, and he’s back to go even deeper into the intersection of writing, recording, and mixing. He’s known for work with COIN, Hayley Williams, Louis Prince, Judah & the Lion, The Lone Bellow, Stephen Day, Ben Rector, and many more, including immersive Atmos mixes with Matt Wallace. In this episode,…
E566 · 10 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 52 min
RSR566 Toby Suess - Saving Home and Pro Studios from Nashville to Nevada!
What happens when you build a studio in an industrial zone…and still end up in court for making records? My guest today is Toby Suess , drummer, engineer, and owner of Tinroof Recording in Fallon, Nevada - a studio that started as nothing more than a rehearsal space and grew into a full hybrid recording room with a killer drum sound. Toby has recorded everything from punk bands to singer-songwriters, dialed in his live room, rebuilt a broken console card-by-card, and learned how to get great drum tones using ribbons, condensers, overhead techniques, and detailed tuning. In this episode, Toby…
E565 · 3 Jul 2026 · 2 hr 3 min
RSR565 - Jason Lehning - Mixing Vocals, Low-End Decisions, Writers’ Rooms & Keeping It Fun
What happens when you finally stop chasing every plugin and build a mix workflow that actually works? My guest today is Grammy-winning mixer, producer, and musician Jason Lehning , returning to the show after RSR074. If the name sounds familiar, it should - we’ve also had his brother Jordan (RSR104) and his dad Kyle (RSR094), the legendary producer behind Randy Travis. Jason grew up in studios and learned early on that songwriting, engineering, and mixing all feed the same creative impulse. In this episode, we dig into what it really means to build a mix template that supports musical…
E564 · 26 Jun 2026 · 2 hr 7 min
RSR 564 - Packy Lundholm - Writing, Producing & Recording Yourself at Home
What happens when a Chicago multi-instrumentalist with power-pop roots, psychedelic instincts, and indie-folk sensitivity lands in Nashville with a home studio, a loop pedal, and a fearless creative streak? What happens when a Chicago multi-instrumentalist with power-pop roots, psychedelic instincts, and indie-folk sensitivity lands in Nashville with a home studio, a loop pedal, and a fearless creative streak? In this episode, I sat down with Packy Lundholm - songwriter, producer, guitarist, and longtime member of I Fight Dragons, Theo Katzman's band, and collaborator with artists like May…
E563 · 19 Jun 2026 · 2 hr 6 min
RSR563 - Bobby Bare Jr - Why Monk Songs Come From a Disco Heart and Other Unicorn Sightings
Why do your deepest, most emotional songs come out better when you stop trying so hard? In this episode, I sit down with Nashville legend Bobby Bare Jr. - fearless songwriter, creative instigator, touring bassist for Guided By Voices, and the son of Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare. This conversation is a masterclass in real creativity, free of pretension and full of joy, humor, wisdom, and truth bombs about songwriting, gear, life, ego, and the artistic process. We dig deep into Bobby’s philosophy that the most powerful songs often come from the most playful moments - not the heavy,…
E562 · 12 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 36 min
RSR562 - Piper Payne - Crafting Vinyl Records With Care for Indie Artists
What do you actually need to know BEFORE you press your vinyl record… and what mistakes will totally ruin it? In this episode, Piper Payne returns to take us way deeper into the real-world physics, workflows, and decisions behind vinyl mastering and pressing. We dig into how your mixes translate onto a lacquer, why the inside of a record behaves differently from the outside, and what you should never do with high-frequency content, fades, or waveform clipping if you want your album to play back clean. Piper walks us through mastering decisions that happen long before a lacquer is ever cut -…
E561 · 5 Jun 2026 · 2 hr 1 min
RSR 561 - Kortney Grinwis - From Viral Drum Videos to Full-Time Musician Touring The World
What happens when your drumming videos blow up online… and suddenly you’re touring the world behind your own band? Hi Rockstars, it’s your host Lij Shaw. In this episode, I sat down with Nashville drummer and creator Kortney Grinwis , one half of the alt-pop duo Chapel, to talk about her journey from posting drum videos on the internet to building a full-time career on the road. Kortney shared how she developed her sound, her creative identity, and the instincts that guide her as both a drummer and artist. We talked about what it’s really like coming up in music today - navigating the…
E560 · 29 May 2026 · 1 hr 42 min
RSR560 - Mike Meiers - Stop Writing for Your Band - Start Writing for Real Opportunities
What happens when you stop chasing the band dream… and start writing songs that actually work in the real world? Hi Rockstars, it’s your host Lij Shaw. In this episode, I sat down with songwriter, producer, and sync-music mentor Mike Meiers to dig into how he went from traditional band life to building a sustainable career writing music for film, TV, ads, and beyond. We talked about how understanding the emotional core of a song is the number-one skill that determines whether your music connects - not just with listeners, but with supervisors, editors, and collaborators. Mike breaks down how…
E559 · 22 May 2026 · 2 hr 15 min
RSR559 - Pat Sansone - Playing and Songwriting with Wilco, Autumn Defense, and Big Star Quintet.
Why does the rough mix always feel like the real song - and how the hell do you get that magic back without ruining it? In this episode, Pat Sansone and I go deep into the lifelong puzzle of mixing: why the first tracking rough has all the energy, how chasing it can make you crazy, and why mixing is really more like photography than engineering. Pat walks through how his visual art - Polaroids, slide film, CMYK vs RGB, Lambda printing - has taught him to trust instinct, appreciate imperfections, and approach mixes like developing a print rather than fixing a file. We talk about turning the…
E558 · 15 May 2026 · 2 hr 15 min
RSR558 - Bleu McAuley - Sync, Songs, Survival, & The Future of Making Records
What happens when you sit down with a songwriter who’s done everything from early fan-funded records, to major-label pop, to K-pop, to sync, to teaching songwriting at Berklee - and ask him what really matters in the studio today? Bleu McAuley and I go deep into the intersection of creativity, workflow, sync licensing, AI, and staying inspired at a time when music creation is changing fast. We start with his early days in Boston, learning four-tracks and alternate tunings, following Ducky Carlisle around Room 9 From Outer Space, and eventually being pushed by producer John Fields to take a…
E557 · 8 May 2026 · 1 hr 51 min
RSR557 - Teresa Knox - Reviving Leon Russell’s Church Studio & the Tulsa Sound
What happens when you rescue a forgotten studio that once shaped American music history - and bring it roaring back to life? This week, I sat down with Teresa Knox , the powerhouse entrepreneur and preservationist behind the rebirth of The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma - the legendary home of Leon Russell, the early Shelter Records family, and the roots of what became known as the Tulsa Sound. Teresa shares the entire arc of this wild journey: from collecting Leon Russell Slurpee cups as an 8-year-old kid, to buying the abandoned church sight unseen, to rebuilding it from the ground up…
E556 · 1 May 2026 · 2 hr 3 min
RSR556 – Steve Genewick – The Majesty of Turning Spinal Tap Up to Eleven in Atmos
What happens when you finally get to mix Spinal Tap in Dubly Atmos? You turn it up to 11, of course! My guest today is Grammy-nominated engineer and mixer Steve Genewick, joining us from his Atmos room in Los Angeles to walk us through the wild, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt process of capturing and mixing the new "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" soundtrack and album. In this episode, Steve talks about working directly with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer; recording their live vocals; tracking the band as a real rock group; and assembling a full dubly Atmos…
E555 · 24 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 51 min
RSR555 - Matt Boudreau - From Stereo to Atmos: Revolutionizing Audio Mixing
What if your mix engineer secretly backed up every session in triplicate just so your grandkids could remix your demo in 2085? In this episode, I’m joined by my brother from another podcast, Matt Boudreau - veteran mixer, Atmos trailblazer, and the host of Working Class Audio. Matt’s credits include immersive mixes for Green Day, Alanis Morissette, and the theme for Real Time with Bill Maher, plus stereo magic on artists like Deafheaven. We kick things off recapping our AES Long Beach hang - complete with acai bowl addiction, barefoot sandbox airport vibes, and panels on everything from…
E554 · 17 Apr 2026 · 2 hr 3 min
RSR554 – Ronan Chris Murphy – Modern Songwriting Knight Writing Medieval Melodies in Ancient Italy
What happens when a tree destroys your home and studio - and it leads you to a new creative life across two continents? In this episode, I talk with Ronan Chris Murphy, the world-traveling producer, engineer, and artist known for his work with King Crimson, Steve Morse, and Tony Levin, and for teaching hundreds of musicians how to finish their records through his Recording Bootcamp and RIPA Festival of International Sound. Ronan shares how losing his home and studio in the mountains north of Los Angeles became a turning point that reshaped his creative life - leading him to rebuild from…
E553 · 10 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 47 min
RSR553 - Locke Davis - How to Build Your Community and Content to Grow Your Studio or Music Career - Pickr Music
What happens when you stop chasing shiny gear and start listening more carefully? In this episode, Locke Davis, founder and CEO of the Pickr Music app, shares how his deep dive into Nashville's studio culture and Blackbird Academy shaped his approach to building a platform that connects professionals and democratizes the recording industry. We explore the importance of community, the nuances of studio etiquette, and how technical tools can complement but not replace the human element in music creation. Locke also reflects on the subtle art of setting the emotional tone, how gear doesn't…
E552 · 3 Apr 2026 · 2 hr 10 min
RSR552 - Tim Easton - Songwriting, Shortcuts, and the Sound of Real Life
In this episode, we dive deep into the art of staying creative - even when life gets messy. Tim and I talk about recording at home, the beauty of imperfection, Logic shortcuts, AI tools, Costa Rica inspiration, punk rock sound gigs, and songwriting prompts that dig into the soul. We also laugh a lot about “Spanish Inquisition Part 2,” fart algorithms, “The Wrong Burrito” in Nashville, and how to survive creative burnout by reconnecting with nature. Whether he’s building Logic sessions in his home studio or drumming for meditation, Tim’s philosophy always circles back to one idea: just make…
27 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 34 min
RSR551 - Meghan Gohil - Future-Proof Your Music with Atmos, Hybrid Chains, and Indie Strategy
Meghan Gohil is a producer, mixer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. He runs Hollywood Recording Studio and GoHill Records, where he helps artists make professional-sounding records with smart workflows, hybrid mixing, and practical indie-release strategies. Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com In this episode, Meghan and I talk about the process of building a modern home-studio setup that competes with commercial rooms, how to blend analog gear with digital tools, and the best ways to keep your music career moving forward without getting bogged…
20 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 57 min
RSR550 - Laura Crapo - Making Records, Films, and Music Videos for MTV [Steve Albini, Sebadoh]
Have you ever wondered how embracing chaos and intuition can transform your creative process? Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com In this episode, Laura Crapo shares her journey through music, film, healing, and the importance of staying authentic to your unique voice. We explore the parallels between art forms, the influence of environments, and how trusting your inner voice can lead to unexpected opportunities. Laura discusses her experiences with analog sound, filmmaking experiments, spiritual practices like Reiki, and how they all interconnect in her…

About Recording Studio Rockstars

Recording Studio Rockstars is a English music podcast from Lij Shaw. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Lij Shaw
Language: English
Category: Music
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 52 min
Latest episode: 9 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1039639115

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