Master Your Mix Podcast

Eric Stenman is an LA-based producer, mixer, and engineer whose four-decade credit list runs from Deftones, Thrice, and Weezer to Daniel Caesar's Grammy-nominated Freudian and every AWOLNATION album since 2011's Megalithic Symphony. A decade running Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles gave way to overseeing AWOLNATION's own Malibu studio, where Stenman has helped engineer some of alternative rock's biggest, guitar-built (and famously bass-guitar-free) low end. Most recently, he's stepped from behind the board into the band itself, co-founding the metallic-hardcore project The Barbarians of California with longtime collaborator Aaron Bruno.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Why "I'll fix it in the mix" usually means more work later, not less
How Eric commits to compression and tone while tracking, instead of capturing it flat and safe
What changes once you start picturing the finished mix while you're recording
Why more experience means fewer decisions get pushed down the road
How this mindset shift cuts down on retracking and rebuilding sounds from scratch
How treating a song as a whole (instead of piece by piece) keeps a mix from falling apart
Why he avoids soloing individual tracks during a mix
How stepping away from a mix for a week changes what you hear when you come back
How he decides a mix is done, even when a client keeps sending notes
How Eric fills low end without ever touching a real bass guitar
What "translating" actually means across car speakers, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers

To learn more about Eric Stenman, visit: https://ericstenman.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Get the latest plugins from Carve Audio:
Smashburger Compressor: https://carveaudio.com/smashburger/
Busboy: https://carveaudio.com/busboy/
Slapshot: https://carveaudio.com/slapshot/
Gas Can Amp: https://carveaudio.com/gas-can-amp/

ALL PODCAST LISTENERS GET 25% OFF. USE PROMO CODE: PODCAST25

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Jon Estes is a Nashville producer, mixing engineer, and multi-instrumentalist who works roughly 200 sessions a year, often as bassist, engineer, and producer on the same record. He's played on Kesha's Grammy-nominated Rainbow and Robyn Hitchcock's self-titled album, and produced and mixed full-length records for Jessie Baylin, Dara Tucker, and Langhorne Slim, most recently engineering and mixing rising country breakout Waylon Wyatt's 2026 debut Dustpiles. He also scores for TV (NBC, HBO, Disney) and video games (Fortnite). Estes runs a hybrid analog/digital studio in Nashville built around a 1" tape machine and a deep collection of vintage instruments.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
The road to becoming a session musician
The plugin Jon calls his best mixing hack, and it's not an EQ or a compressor
What it actually means when you cringe listening back to your own mix
Why sending a mix out too soon has "no reward," even on a deadline
Why Jon calls some of the most famous mixes in music history "insanely bad," and doesn't mean it as an insult
Why he sometimes works to make a mix sound worse, on purpose
How to force objectivity when you’re wearing multiple hats on a project
The reason a different guitar or a different pick can beat any plugin move

To learn more about Jon Estes, visit: https://jonestes.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Get the latest plugins from Carve Audio:
Smashburger Compressor: https://carveaudio.com/smashburger/
Busboy: https://carveaudio.com/busboy/
Slapshot: https://carveaudio.com/slapshot/
Gas Can Amp: https://carveaudio.com/gas-can-amp/

ALL PODCAST LISTENERS GET 25% OFF. USE PROMO CODE: PODCAST25

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Craig Parker Adams is a Los Angeles-based recording and mixing engineer, producer, and guitarist with over 25 years of studio experience at his Hollywood-based Winslow Ct. Studio. He's contributed to 8 Grammy-nominated projects with 2 wins across Blues, Folk, Americana, and Latin Pop, including co-producing and engineering Dave & Phil Alvin's Common Ground and recording Gaby Moreno's ¡Spangled! with Van Dyke Parks. Since 2014, he's served as the exclusive mixing engineer for the Zappa Family Trust, overseeing archival releases drawn from Frank Zappa's legendary Vault, including The Hot Rats Sessions and The Mothers 1971.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Why he staggers when each band member walks in the door
The moment a legendary drummer got offended by his notes, and what happened next
What it's like mixing for a listener who catches every single mistake
What goes into mixing over a thousand Frank Zappa songs
Why adding your own take can quietly work against someone else's vision
The real reason clients send referrals before they've even heard the mix
Why he had to learn an entirely new recording system in five days

To learn more about Craig Parker Adams, visit: https://craigparkeradams.com/ and http://www.winslowctstudio.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Get the latest plugins from Carve Audio:
Smashburger Compressor: https://carveaudio.com/smashburger/
Busboy: https://carveaudio.com/busboy/
Slapshot: https://carveaudio.com/slapshot/
Gas Can Amp: https://carveaudio.com/gas-can-amp/

ALL PODCAST LISTENERS GET 25% OFF. USE PROMO CODE: PODCAST25

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Howie Beck is a Toronto-based mixer and producer whose credits include Feist, Barenaked Ladies, Ron Sexsmith, Walk Off The Earth, and Charlotte Day Wilson, whose breakout single "Work" he mixed and co-produced. Before turning to mixing full-time, Beck built a cult following as a solo artist, writing, performing, and recording every instrument on albums like Hollow and How to Fall Down in Public himself. He's been nominated for three Juno Awards in three separate categories: Album, Recording Engineer, and Producer of the Year, a rare spread that reflects his range. He now runs Studio H, a Dolby-approved Atmos mix room in Toronto's Queen West.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
How four-track and ADAT recording forced him to commit to musical decisions
Why unlimited tracks can work against the editing process instead of helping it
The Prince song with no bass on it, and what it says about restraint
How Howie stays objective when working on his own music
Why he goes to tape for certain projects and what it changes sonically
His drums-first mixing workflow and the reasoning behind it
How he approaches vocal depth and space to make vocals feel forward in a mix
The tradeoffs of heavy vocal compression (breaths, sibilance, mouth pops)
Why he pulls up an artist's rough mix before he opens the real session
How demoitis shows up more today than it used to, and how he talks clients through it
Training his ears and body to trust his monitoring environment at different volumes

To learn more about Howie Beck, visit: https://www.howiebeck.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Get the latest plugins from Carve Audio:
Smashburger Compressor: https://carveaudio.com/smashburger/
Busboy: https://carveaudio.com/busboy/
Slapshot: https://carveaudio.com/slapshot/
Gas Can Amp: https://carveaudio.com/gas-can-amp/

ALL PODCAST LISTENERS GET 25% OFF. USE PROMO CODE: PODCAST25

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Brendan Dekora is a Los Angeles-based mixing engineer and producer whose two-decade climb through top studios like EastWest culminated in a full-time engineering post for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, earning him a Grammy for his work on Pixar's Soul score. His credits also include Foo Fighters' Concrete and Gold, Steven Wilson's Hand. Cannot. Erase., Billy Idol, Danzig, Muse, and Deafheaven. He now mixes and produces independently from his home studio, focused on rock and art-rock artists.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
The two questions he asks every client before touching a single fader
What he does when a client hands him references that contradict each other
How to pick the right reference tracks
Why "I don't want to sound like anyone else" is the hardest brief he gets
How he decides whether to keep a "wrong" sound in a mix or fix it
Why he considers "putting his own stamp on everything" a mistake, not a selling point
Working with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross on Nine Inch Nails tracks and film scores
How he balances his own creative instincts against what the artist is actually asking for

To learn more about Brendan Dekora, visit: https://www.brendandekora.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Get the latest plugins from Carve Audio:
Smashburger Compressor: https://carveaudio.com/smashburger/
Busboy: https://carveaudio.com/busboy/
Slapshot: https://carveaudio.com/slapshot/
Gas Can Amp: https://carveaudio.com/gas-can-amp/

ALL PODCAST LISTENERS GET 25% OFF. USE PROMO CODE: PODCAST25

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!