Girls Twiddling Knobs

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Whether you’re in a band, have a team or are a totally DIY, solo musician, you’ll likely need to work with other people from time-to-time to get your music out into the world. But it doesn’t always feel easy or rewarding and, even worse, sometimes – especially if you’re a woman in music – collaborative relationships can be disrespectful. 

So, inside this episode, Isobel shares three steps you can take to ensure your collaborative relationships are respectful, rewarding and successful. Isobel also shares her own past experiences of disrespectful collaborations and how destructive they can be, not only to our self-esteem, but also our enthusiasm for following a career in music. This episode will show you how to make collaborating in music feel awesome.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:34} What Forms Does Collaboration Take In Music?
{05:32} Why Collaboration Can Be Tricky (Especially For Women In Music)
{10:48} Isobel’s Experiences Of Disrespectful Collaborations
{15:26} 3 Steps To Respectful Collaborations As A Woman In Music
{35:39} What To Do When A Collaboration Turns Sour
{38:11} Why You Don’t Need To Collaborate With An Ar*E H*Le, Even If They Say You Should
{40:22} Episode Summary

Listen to EP#17 with Neeta Sarl >>

Listen to EP#51 with Emily Nash >>

Listen to {BONUS EPISODE} Why Music Technology Education Has (Largely) Failed Women >>

Read the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee Misogyny in Music Inquiry >>

SUPPORT FOR UK MUSICIANS
Musician’s Union Bullying and Harassment Helpline: 0800 088 2045
Help Musicians Music Minds Matter Support Line: 0808 802 8008 
Music Support helpline: 0800 030 6789

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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There have never been so many initiatives fostering marginalised talent in electronic music and sound, and one such platform is the UK’s Oram Awards. Established in 2017, the Oram Awards is a partnership between The Radiophonic Institute, PRS Foundation & The Daphne Oram Trust, and elevates the work and voices of women, Trans and Non-Binary music creators working in sound innovation, music and related technologies.

Inside this episode, Isobel gets the chance to chat with 2022 winners Kelly Jayne Jones and Amble Skuse to discuss their artistic practice and what winning an Oram Award means to them as women in music. Isobel is also joined by judge and Senior Lecturer of Sonic Arts at Goldsmiths University, Iris Garrelfs, who shares why Daphne Oram is such an inspirational figure and how you can apply for the 2023 awards yourself.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:55} Oram Awards judge, Iris Garrelfs, speaks about the formation of the Oram Awards
{11:15} Why the Awards is dedicated to Daphne Oram
{14:25} Who can apply for the Oram Awards?
{20:48} Previous winners, Amble and Kelly, speak about their creative practise
{31:17} Why the Oram Awards is necessary and the impact of winning the award has had for Amble and Kelly
{43:37} Their advice for creating conceptualised music
{52:32} Why you don’t need to know everything about tech in order to use it
{59:13} Episode Summary

Find out more about the Oram Awards >>

Follow the Oram Awards on Instagram >>

Links to the websites of this week’s guests:
Amble Skuse >>
Kelly Jayne Jones >>
Iris Garrelfs >>

Check out Daphne Oram’s An Individual Note >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Now, you might have heard about this production technique in the context of compression. You may already be using this technique in your own projects but even if you’re not just yet, you might have heard someone talk about adding sidechain compression either in a studio or on a YouTube video.

But, if you’re totally new to sidechaining, today’s episode will break it down so you’re no longer in the dark. And if you’re already using sidechaining in your music, perhaps we’ll just fill in any gaps in your knowledge or confirm that you’ve got this whole sidechaining thing wrapped up.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{02:34} Side chaining in a nutshell
{02:49} Why we use it in music production
{04:25} 3 of the most common uses of side chaining
{10:43} The best way to start using side chaining in your tracks
{11:00} Episode Summary

Read Sage Audio’s blog post, What is Sidechaining >>

Read Ledger Note’s article What is Sidechaining >>

Read iZotope’s blog post 5 Essential Tips for Mixing Reverb >>

Watch @mikerussell’s ‘Sidechain Compression to Duck Music W/ Voice’ video tutorial >>

Watch @mastering.com’s ‘Vocal Reverb  Sidechaining’ Logic video tutorial >>

Watch @whatsupimforrest’s ‘Silent Sidechaining / Ghost Compression’ Tutorial for Ableton Live 11 >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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It’s easy to feel tied down or boxed in as a woman in the music industry, and many artists use a pseudonym to create separation between their personal and creative lives. But today’s guest, Riz Maslen, has been releasing electronic music under multiple musical identities for the past three decades.

Inside this episode, Riz shares how she’s used different monikers to play with different genres, contexts and identities, what it was like getting into production during the ‘90s in London and her new ambient release, Stairway 13. Riz also shares the important qualities she thinks women bring to the field of production and why less can be more when it comes to music tech gadgets and gear.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:00} How Riz got started in music
{09:54} Forging her way in the London music scene and getting started with music production
{16:55} The women that shaped Riz’s own confidence in music
{21:15} The process of recording her first track released on Ninja Tune and her experience of life on the road
{28:38} Why Riz decided to release music under different monikers and a walkthrough of her creative process
{44:32} The unique qualities women bring to music production
{48:28} A look into Riz’s recording setup and her top tips for getting started for free!
{56:35} Riz’s advice for releasing music under a different moniker
{01:01:17} Episode Summary

Check out Riz’s music here >>

Listen to Stairway 13 here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

What culture would enable women to learn and thrive with music technology? And how might this be fostered in music tech learning spaces? Inside this BONUS podcast episode Isobel shares the unique teaching approach she’s developed over the past five years, and why it's set over 400 women (and counting) up to win with music technology.

This practical discussion continues on from last week’s BONUS episode all about how music technology education has (so far) been failing women. But inside this episode, Isobel gives some progressive and helpful tips for cultivating a more gender inclusive culture where women truly thrive. Whether you’re a teacher, facilitator, studio owner or women wanting a better space to learn recording and production, this episode will help you find and create a music tech space that women love to be a part of.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{05:17} Influences that have shaped my approach
{06:30} The 3 pillars of my teaching approach
{07:05} Pillar #1: Community
{12:55} Pillar #2: Artistry
{18:33} Pillar #3: Respect
{23:58} What this means for wider music tech
{27:29} What this means for you
{30:06} Next week’s teaser

Enrolment in Home Recording Academy closes Feb 7th @ 6pm GMT. GRAB YOUR SPOT NOW >> 

[So they are easier to navigate, these references are not academically formatted]

Listen to last week’s BONUS episode – Teaching Women Music Technology [PART 1]: Why Have We Failed So Far? >>
‘Permission to Play: Practice principles for collaborative learning in music technology’ >>
‘Talk for collaborative learning in computer-based music production’ >>
Women Make Music 5 Year Report >>
Dignity at Work 2: Discrimination in the music sector >>
Listen to EP#18 with Dr Eddie Dobson >>
Listen to EP#43 on what’s inside Home Recording Academy >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

If you’ve ever struggled to own the title of ‘Musician’ this episode’s for you. Every single person has a slightly different definition of what actually makes a musician, but the reality of how and why we *feel* like one is often complex and even pretty misunderstood.

Inside this episode, Isobel sits down with pianist and Home Recording Academy alumni student, Lois Lelland, about why she struggled to feel like a ‘proper’ musician in the past and why that’s now totally changed. In fact, Lois is set to release an amazing new EP of compositions she has lovingly recorded and produced herself and she’s never felt so excited and confident as a musician.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:43} Why Lois struggled to feel like a ‘proper’ musician
{09:11} When this began to change for Lois|{12:43} Starting to record her music from home
{17:18} Why Lois took part in Home Recording Academy not just once, but twice.
{26:09} The process of self-recording, producing and releasing her stunning debut
EP, Sepia.
{50:42} Collaborating with other musicians
{54:16} Episode Summary

Listen to Lois’ new album, Sepia >>

Follow Lois on Instagram >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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“Surely if women *really* wanted to record and produce music, they’d just get on with it like their male peers, right?” Well… Sadly it’s not that simple. Today in 2023, women still are considerably outnumbered on music production programmes and in recording studios and are less likely to learn through free online resources, like YouTube, compared to their male contemporaries.

It’s true that women, in theory, aren’t banned from taking part in these spaces. So, inside this BONUS podcast episode Isobel explores why the problem might not be lack of access. Instead, could it be a culture that lacks an inclusive approach? If so, what culture would enable women to better learn and thrive with music technology?

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{07:47} How most music tech spaces have traditionally operated
{19:55} Episode Summary

Grab your spot on Isobel’s FREE Live masterclass ‘5 Simple Steps to Record Your Music from Home’ >>

[So they are easier to navigate, these references are not academically formatted]

• Annenberg Inclusion Initiative – Inclusion in the Recording Studio? >>
• Music Teacher Magazine – Only a quarter of A Level Music Technology students are female >>
• House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee Misogyny in Music Inquiry >>
• Written evidence from the Music Producer’s Guild >>
• Technology and the Gendering of Music Education >>
• ‘Women in Audio: contributions and challenges in music technology and production’ >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

If your first few attempts at self-producing your music have left you feeling like throwing in the towel, this episode is for you. Jess Magoch is an award winning Philadelphia based Hip Hop/Jazz artist who decided it was time to become more independent through developing her skills in recording and production. But as Jess shares in her chat with Isobel, it wasn’t a straightforward process.

It took patience, practice and self-compassion for Jess to gradually build up her production chops and, eventually, she and other people couldn’t believe how good her recordings were sounding. In fact, a major sync exec for brands like Vogue and Vanity Fair was blown away by Jess’ production skills. What’s even better is that Jess now feels 100 X more confident, independent and excited about her music moving forward.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{06:40} How Jess got started in music and how she used it to find her voice
{11:30} Why you’re never ‘too old’ to pursue your music
{18:00} The moment when a major sync exec was blown away by Jess’s production skills
{24:39} The process of learning and taking action is more important than the ‘perfect’ outcome
{34:24} The most important lessons Jess has learned from recording and and producing her music
{40:45} How learning these skills has allowed Jess to communicate her ideas with confidence and produce her music on her terms
{58:07} Jess shares the plans for her forthcoming album, Trivial Pursuit, and her advice for other DIY musicians
{01:03:36} Episode Summary

Pre-order Jess’s new album, Trivial Pursuit >>

Download Jess’s unreleased song for FREE >>

Find out more about Jess and follow her journey >> 

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Most musicians will have to make a big, bold, scary decision at some point in their career if they’re going to keep growing and developing as an artist. But how do you know when it’s time to take a risk, take the plunge and get out of your comfort zone? 

Inside this special BONUS episode, Isobel unpacks the types of big decisions you might face as a woman in music and when to know if it’s time to be brave and just go for it!

LINKS

Listen to EP#56: Being Assertive in Music Tech Spaces >>

Check out the 2022 Misogyny In Music, Parliamentary Committee Inquiry >>

Read USC Annenberg's Inclusion Initiative’s 2021 Inclusion in the Studio? report >>

Read the 2017 PRSF Women Make Music 5 Year Report >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Have the last few months of financial insecurity made you question if you can keep investing in your music? Many musicians are having to make some tough decisions when it comes to basic living costs, let alone their music careers. But inside this episode, Isobel shares how having the ability to record and produce yourself will not only save you money but can make you money too.

No, this isn’t some pie in the sky, “Let’s make a hit record, baby!” stuff. Making an income from your music isn’t always straightforward and there’s no sugar coating that. But having basic skills in recording and production is one of the best ways you can keep showing up as an artist, regardless of a global recession. Keep listening to find out how.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{06:06} What is the financial situation here in the UK right now?
{08:59} What are the financial challenges musicians are facing right now?
{11:40} How does this affect women specifically?
{17:26} How can you recession-proof your music?
{23:42} Episode summary
{24:34} How can you get financial help if you’re struggling right now?
{25:52} Next week’s teaser

• Read about the music gender pay gap in Music Business Weekly >>
• Read about Counting the Music Industry >>
• Get support from Help Musicians >>
• Get support from the Musicians Union >> 
• Funding from Arts Council England >>
• Fund your music through the PRSF >>
• Fund your music through Help Musicians >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

There’s nothing more frustrating than being creatively restricted by the skills and tools at your disposal, and oftentimes this leads to musicians being overly-reliant on others to get our music out into the world. But this week’s podcast guest, VOLTA HYMN (AKA Delali Zevon-Aniakwah), decided to develop her music tech know-how in order to forge her own artist project and become fully independent.

Inside this conversation, Delali shares how attending one of Isobel’s 5 day recording challenges helped her record her new release, INCOGNITO MODE, and we get the chance to hear two tracks off the record and the concepts behind them. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{02:55} How Delali got started in music and the artists that influence her
{13:20} What led Delali to form her artist identity, VOLTA HYMN
{18:07} Learning to record and produce herself as an independent musician
{22:03} How attending one of Isobel’s 5 day challenges helped Delali record her new album, INCOGNITO MODE
{30:39} The process of writing and producing her album
{42:30} What’s next for Delali?
{44:45} Episode Summary

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

If you want to make 2023 the year you finally have amazing recordings of your music without breaking the bank, this episode is for you. Inside, Isobel shares 5 Key Strategies to Home Record Your Music Like a Pro!

Even if you’ve worried that recording your music at home will automatically make it sound amateur in comparison to paying for commercial studio time, this episode will show you how amazing sounding tracks are in fact, well within your grasp. All you need is a little insider know-how, and Isobel is pulling back the curtain and giving you exactly that - these are the strategies she’s honed from years of recording and producing music and helping thousands of other women do the same.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:35} First-and-foremost, record good quality audio
{05:35} Have a project map
{11:58} Make a to-do list when you recording
{15:20} Save presets
{16:50} Organise your session
{18:50} Episode Summary

Download my FREE 3 Steps to Sound Treating your Home Recording Space  PDF Guide >>

Speed Up Your Production Process with my 6 Music Production Hacks To Save You Time checklist >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Adversity can be one of the most creativity-enhancing experiences for many musicians, but when you’re faced with chronic illness that may dictate your energy and ability to work, it’s a whole different story.

Inside this episode Isobel chats to musician and producer April Rose Gabrielli about her experience developing epilepsy, totally out of nowhere, and how it informed her debut album, I Woke Up Alive. April also shares her journey into recording and production and the BTS scoop on her professional team and promotion strategy too.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:51} How April got started in music production
{16:44} Getting signed with BMG and becoming a full time musician and producer
{23:51} The difference between engineering and producing
{27:20} The difference between a publishing deal and record deal
{34:40} The process of recording her debut album, I Woke Up Alive, after getting diagnosed with Epilepsy
{46:50} How living with Epilepsy impacted how April wrote, produced and promoted her album 
{55:17} April’s advice for musicians who aren’t in full health
{01:00:37} Episode Summary

Listen to I Woke Up Alive on Spotify >>

Check out April’s website >>

Follow April on Instagram >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

How many times have you been given advice on your music, recording or production, even though you didn't ask for it? Or perhaps you’re always looking for advice rather than trusting your own internal resources and instincts? For many women in music, getting advice can feel like a tricky terrain to traverse without getting mansplained at, stereotyped or thrown a unhelpful red herring.

So, inside this episode, Isobel examines the types of advice we might receive as musicians, if women really are more likely to receive unsolicited advice than their male counterparts and the effects this might have on our careers. Crucially, Isobel outlines three questions to ask yourself before seeking out advice and one principle to stick by if you’re on the receiving end of it.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:41} The most common types of advice musicians might receive
{05:54} Are women in music *really* more likely to receive unsolicited advice?
{10:32} How might this affect our confidence and careers?
{13:40} How to respond to unsolicited advice
{15:39} Women can also give bad advice
{18:41} How to get good quality advice on your music
{23:00} Next week’s teaser

REFERENCES
A Study of Unsolicited Advice >>

8 Types of Advice >>

How the gender bias in performance reviews impact womens' careers >>

Women in Music: 9 Female Producers on the Challenges They Face and How We Can All Support Women Beatmakers in Today’s Industry >>

The Best Advice to Women in Music from Female Musicians >>

Music Feedback: When to Take the Opinions of Others Seriously and When Not to Care >>

Check out Jeia here >>

Check out SADIVA here >>

Check out Saaaz here

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

It’s not uncommon for musicians to feel disheartened by recording and releasing their music when they don’t receive the recognition or respect they’d like. But inside this episode, Penny White (AKA Jenny Welch) shares how this all changed once she became more involved in the process of recording and production.

This is a journey that has resulted in Jenny recording and releasing two EPs, being made track of the week on BBC Introducing: Midlands and feeling more fulfilled than ever before in the process. Penny shares her past experiences recording and releasing, how learning to record and produce helped her fall back in love with her music and how she produced a bigger sound on her new EP, TWO.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:08} How Jenny got into music
{13:42} Why Jenny fell out of love with music and had to take a break
{24:20} How she regained control of her music again
{33:24} Recording and releasing her music for the first time
{37:21} Her experience of learning about recording and production in a women-only space
{43:55} What success looks like now for Jenny
{48:09} The process of recording her second EP, TWO.
{01:05:07} Jenny’s advice for getting started with recording
{01:09:03} Episode Summary

Penny Music Artist Website >>

Listen to TWO on Spotify >>

Watch the video for ‘Better Than This’ >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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Recording and producing as a woman in music is still pretty nonconformist, but in the context of the Middle East, it’s a down-right act of resistance, as this week’s guest Blu Fiefer explains.

The Lebanese based artist has had to face many of the familiar challenges regarding accessing safe-spaces in which to record, being taken seriously as a female artist and forging a career in a competitive industry. But she’s also had to do this in a time of conflict, revolution and collective trauma and in a society that has told her even just being a woman following her music definitely isn’t OK.

Despite this, Blu has become one of the only female Hip Hop producers and label owners in the Middle East today. This episode will inspire you to follow your heart, take bold steps and chase meaning rather than hollow success in your music.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:40} Blu Fiefer’s experience of moving from Lebanon to London to start her journey in music
{16:21} How Blu’s pursuit of a music career is an act of revolution in Lebanon
{34:16} How feeling unsafe as a woman in music led Blu to set up her own label
{52:39} The meaning behind her track “Shut Up” and a walkthrough of her creative process
{1:03:19} Her favourite part of the recording and production process
{01:08:50} Blu’s forthcoming album
{01:31:41} Episode Summary

Listen to Blu Feifer on Spotify >>

Follow Blu on Instagram >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Nowadays, pretty much everyone feels busy, but for musicians this can really start to eat into vital music making time. Urgent tasks can seem to dominate your schedule, and before you know it, the day’s gone and your music’s been left to the bottom of your to-do list.

Inside this episode, Isobel shares how she’s managed to make time for her music, even though her diary seems busier than ever. Between running a business, holding space for (literally) thousands of other women in music and all the usual day-to-day chores, it’s not always felt easy, but Isobel has been making the time to record and produce some of her favourite music to date. Keep listening to find out how.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:17} Business vs feeling overwhelmed
{06:19} Why I wasn’t making music as much (if at all)
{07:43} What made me want to prioritise it more
{09:58} What batching is and how it helped
{20:32} 3 other time-hacks that Isobel swears by
{22:01} Why it matters to you
{23:43} Episode Summary

Grab your spot on my new workshop, 3 Time Hacks To *Actually* Make Your Music Happen in 2023, on Wednesday 7 December >>

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If you’re someone who loves a good concept album, this episode is for you because Isobel is joined by musician and producer, Miss Grit, to discuss their new album Follow The Cyborg. Combining both grit and cleanliness in equal measure, Miss Grit’s music is an exploration of what it means to be human and then reframe this on our terms.

But this doesn’t mean Follow The Cyborg was made in a big, flashy studio. Miss Grit prefers to record and produce music in the privacy of their own home in order to fully embrace the intimacy of making music. Inside this episode. Miss Grit shares the process of making their new album, their experience of learning music tech in a male dominated environment and why they’re so fascinated by cyborgs too!

**CORRECTION: Miss Grit releases the SINGLE, Follow The Cyborg in November 2022. The album of the same title will be released in Spring, 2023**

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:15} Miss Grit’s journey into music technology
{11:27} Forming the ‘Miss Grit’ identity and navigating social media as an artist
{17:36} What Cyborgs represent in Miss Grit’s music
{23:43} A walkthrough of their creative process
{31:04} Why Miss Grit prefers to record in their home studio
{40:57} Their advice for home-recording musicians
{46:34} Episode Summary

Listen to Miss Grit’s new single ‘Follow The Cyborg’ >>

Check out Miss Grit’s website >>

Follow Miss Grit on Instagram and Facebook

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

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Recording studios are wonderful spaces where real magic can happen, but it’s also so liberating to have the skills and set up to create music and experiment with your creative ideas from the comfort of your own home.

Inside this Golden Nugget Episode we’re going back to #57 where Isobel chatted to musician and producer, Flaming June (AKA Louise Eatock), about how much more freely she has been able to make music through learning to record and produce herself.

Inside, Louise dissects exactly how this has helped her shape her own vision and make an album she’s truly proud of (which has also gone on to win an award, BTW). It’s an important reminder of the freedom and creative possibilities home recording can afford.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{02:01} How Louise used EQ to transform her music
{05:10} The techniques and equipment Louise used to depict living with ADHD 
{08:04} Outro

Listen to the full, original episode HERE >>

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

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Do you ever worry about how other people perceive you as an artist? This question is particularly loaded for women and gender expansive musicians because there’s so much tied up with how femininity should be presented and received (and even what it is).

It’s for this reason that Isobel is sharing a Golden Nugget from EP#30 when she chatted with the amazing London based musician and producer, BISHI who spoke so candidly and articulately about how she’s been received over the years.

BISHI has always had a very strong visual element to her music, which has sometimes led to intense scrutiny and judgement. But it’s interesting hearing how growing up surrounded by London’s queer community helped her to approach her visual identity with a sense of boldness and play.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{01:57} Receiving a passive aggressive response from people   
{04:47} Feeling free and confident to explore her artistic identity
{07:28} Outro 

Listen to the full, original episode HERE >>

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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One of the biggest drains on many a musician’s time, self-esteem and mental energy is social media - you’ve probably found yourself both loving and hating it in equal measure.

So today we’re going waaay back to episode #44 where Isobel shares her best tips for getting more intentional about how we use social media so it stops being a vanity scale and starts actually adding to our creative self expression - I know WHAT a novel idea, right?!

And Isobel will be walking you through a mini artist branding exercise too, so grab a pen and paper if you want to take notes!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{01:44} Social media is an extension of our art
{03:19} Create a dialogue with your followers
{04:07} Set digital boundaries
{04:56} Be intentional with your time on social media
{06:03} Outro

Listen to the full, original episode HERE >>

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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People always wax lyrical about how much warmer or better analogue technology sounds, but what are the practicalities of recording in this format as opposed to digital?

Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#07 when she chatted to engineer and owner of Analogue Catalogue recording studio, Julie McLarnon about how preparation really takes on a whole new meaning in an analogue studio. Even if you’re working mainly or solely with digital software, there’s a lot we can still take from Julie’s approach.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{01: 48} Why Julie set up her studio, Analogue Catalogue
{04:58} What are the benefits of using analogue technology?
{07:00} The process of recording in analogue
{09:09} How Julie sound-treated the studio
{14:48} Outro

Listen to the full original episode HERE >> 

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

—----------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Ever fantasised about starting your own recording studio? Wouldn’t it be so cool to pick out all the gear you want, decorate it exactly to your tastes and make it feel super welcoming for other women in music?

Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#35 when she chatted to musician, producer and studio owner Majelen about how she and her partner set up their own studio and the DIY approach she embraced doing so.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{01:55} How Majelen found her studio space during the pandemic
{05:15} The software that will help you find the perfect sound-treatment
{07:30} It's an ongoing, creative process of trial-and-error
{09:28} Analogue vs Digital
{11:00} Outro

Listen to the full original episode HERE >> 

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

—----------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Ever found yourself having to argue the toss over whether women-only music spaces are necessary? Or if feminism is even an issue anymore all together?

Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#16 when she described a very tricky debate that unfolded in one of her facebook post’s comment thread, why she believes in women-only music tech learning spaces and how she drew her boundaries on this discussion.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{01:46} The backlash received from men about female-only music tech spaces
{04:39} What it's like to be a woman in the music industry
{09:09} Why I banned one person
{12:27} Healthy discussions I've had about the need for female-only spaces
{15:39} Outro

Listen to the full original episode HERE >> 

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

—----------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Have you ever wished you felt more confident with music tech? Perhaps self-doubt stops you sharing your ideas in the studio or even completing your home recording projects all together?

Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#03 to dismantle some of the most insidious music tech myths that keep women second-guessing themselves and shares how to, instead, cultivate a confident, growth mindset with recording and production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{01:49} Recording and production misconceptions
{03:31}  How this affects our recording process & output
{08:51} A better way?
(12:28} Outro

Listen to the full original episode HERE >> 

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

—----------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Producing amazing sounding vocals can feel like a bit of a mysterious art. How do you make sure they sound punchy, but warm? Delicate, yet crisp? Inside this Golden Nugget episode, we’re going all the way back to EP#05 to hear LA based producer SJae’s top music production tips, including using delay instead of reverb on vocals.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{02:10} Streamline your setup
{04:26} Treat compression like a friend
{05:52} Think about your panning
{06:16} SJAE's bonus tip!
{11:57} The difference between built-in and add-on plug-ins
{14:07} Episode summary

Listen to the full original episode HERE >>

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

—----------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Ever thought about taking some time away with JUST your music? Inside this Golden Nugget episode, we’re travelling back to EP#27 to hear how musician and DJ Nik Nak did exactly that. What came out the other side was a collection of recordings from Turkey and a whole new methodology of DJing with environmental sound. Maybe an artist retreat could be the beginning of new creative horizons for you too?

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{02:08} NikNak's creative process
{04:57} What initiated NikNak's retreat?
{07:31} Repurposing sounds in a live DJ performance
{10:34} Episode summary

Listen to the full original episode >>

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

—----------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Are you worried about financing your music making as we head into the next few months? Listen up because this Golden Nugget episode has some amazing advice inside. We’re going back to a conversation Isobel had in EP#58 with one of her students, Sam Crane, about how she was able to access £3,000 of support to record her music all thanks to her newly acquired home recording skills.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{02:27} How applying for funding can give you clarity as an artist
{05:46} Sam's top tips for a successful application
{09:07} Episode summary

Listen to Sam's music here >>

Listen to the full original episode HERE >>

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

—----------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Thinking of making a musical change of direction? This Golden Nugget episode is for you. Inside, Isobel takes you through a powerful exercise from EP#46 to get clarity on whether this is the right thing for you as an artists and what a musical change-up might look like for you as an individual.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{02:02} When would you change direction in your music?
{03:40} Why would you change direction in your music?
{05:18} What happens next?
{06:25} A simple, powerful exercise to help you change musical direction
{10:12} Episode summary

Listen to the full original episode HERE >>

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

—----------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Ever worry that making music is all too trivial in comparison to the serious challenges we're facing these days?

Welcome to the first of a new feature here on Girls Twiddling Knobs - bite sized takeaways from the podcast archive showcasing a tip, technique or hit of inspiration that we're calling Golden Nuggets.

Inside this first episode, Isobel delves back to EP#06 to share a fresh perspective on why making music is vital right now, precisely because of the challenges we're facing.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{02:31} What value has music had in your hardest, darkest times?
{04:49} Why your music is important and needs to be shared
{05:59} It's not an 'either-or' choice, it's a 'both-and' choice
{06:51} Are you giving in to your inner critic?

Listen to the full original episode HERE >>

And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend.

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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The role of a music manager can be pretty tough; not only do you have all the hopes and dreams of your artists wheying heavy on your shoulders but you also do all the hard-ball industry negotiations and career strategising too - none of which you can ever be sure will actually work out.

But as well as this, today's guest, Vanessa Threadgold, was also faced with an even bigger challenge throughout her career: how to make sure her female artists were protected against studio environments that, at worst, were unwelcoming and, at worst, down right exploitative and abusive.

Inside this episode, Vanessa shares how this question led her to co-found Cactus City, a music studio and social enterprise helping women to have safer studio experiences and more opportunities to build a profitable music career too. 

—------------------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{07:21} How Vanessa found her career in the music industry
{18:07} Redefining success as a musician
{33:41} What led Vanessa to set up Cactus City and create a safe recording space for women
{52:15} In what other ways does Cactus City cultivate positive change in the music industry?
{55:44} Maintaining a healthy work-life balance
{01:23:26} How to start monetising your music
{01:32:30} Ways to keep updated and get involved with Cactus City
{01:33:59} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Fancy making your own safe studio space at home? Download my FREE 3 Step Guide To Sound Treating Your Home Recording Space >>

Find out more about Cactus City >>

Music Royalties Explained >>

PRS for Music (UK performing right body) >>

PPL (UK master rights body) >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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After dropping out of studying drama and visual art, Mel Uye-Parker started picking up multi-track recorders, recording vocals in studios, writing songs for other artists and eventually studying recording and composition. Now, she’s an artist with over two decades under her belt and programme leader of ICMP’s Creative Music Production MA.

Inside this episode Isobel gets to hear about all of this as well as how Mel’s identity as a black, gay woman has shaped her experience of the wider white-hetero dominant culture of music production. Mel also shared about the music she’s making today, including a new release under her artist project, OMOTE.

___________

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:42} Musical identity
{16:00} How Mel got into music production
{32:08} Experiencing imposter syndrome as a producer
{37:54} Has Mel’s identity affected her experience as an artist and an educator?
{55:08} Mel’s new project ‘OMOTE’
{01:05:58} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Find out more about Mel’s work >>
Follow the OMOTE project on Instagram >>  

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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The terms signal flow and signal chain are widely used in music production and audio engineering. But unless you’ve formally studied this area or spent time learning the ropes in a recording studio, you may not be as familiar with what they mean or how they work.

Inside this episode, Isobel breaks down the basic components of both and how they relate to making music inside a DAW at home. You’ll also find out the three most common issues you can stumble across in your signal flow and chain and how to fix them too.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey, admin support from Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{03:59} Intro
{05:06} Where does the term ‘signal flow’ originate?
{07:13} What is a modern definition of a ‘signal chain in music recording?
{08:53} Three common signal flow/chain issues & how to fix them?
{12:30} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Download Isobel’s 10 FREE Tools to Start Recording Your Music From Home PDF Guide >>

Understanding The Audio Signal Chain, read the article on giveanote.com >>

Signal Chain: Order of Operations, read the article on iZotope.com >>

Signal Flow, read the article on SoundGirls.com >>

Signal Chain: How to Put Your Effects in the Right Order, read the article on Landr.com >>

How To Troubleshoot Your Signal Path, read the article on Sweetwater.com >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

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Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Not many producers enter into the industry at quite the rate or age that this week’s guest did, but at just 21 years old, Charlie Deakin Davies was already producing countless artists, winning prestigious awards and producing the audio for Balcony TV.

Fast forward to now, and after two years working as one of Gary Barlow’s in-house songwriters and producers, Charlie has an established career working with some of today’s hottest musicians and bands. Alongside this, Charlie has co-founded the Trans Creative Collective, drawing from their own experience as gender non-binary and wanting to create more opportunities for other trans creatives.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{03:04} Intro
{05:18} Charlie’s journey into music production
{13:44} How they began working with Gary Barlow
{21:52} Their experience of working in the industry as non-binary
{35:48} A day in the life of a Music Producer
{52:00} Tips on how to secure work as a producer
{01:03:08} The Trans Creative Collective
{01:19:25} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Are you ready to find your perfect vocal mic? Take the 45 second quiz now >>

Find out more about Charlie’s work >>

Check out the Trans Creative Collective on Instagram >>

Watch the Abbey Road #TransDayOfVisibility documentary >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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When Rookes started making music, she didn’t have a clear plan but over the course of the last few years she’s not only forged an impressive career as a music producer, but co-founded a thriving community of other women in music tech too.

Inside this episode she talks to Isobel about how she started learning to self-produce as an artist and the allies that helped her cut her music production teeth. She also shares how her awareness of gender inequalities in the field led her and friend, Kate Tavini, to founding 2% Rising: an online community for women in production and studio engineering.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:30} Jenny’s pathway into music
{17:22} How Jenny learned to self-produce her music
{25:23} Tackling the gender imbalance in the music industry
{36:35} How 2% Rising came to formation and is transforming the careers of women in music
{57:59} Building a safe community to learn and connect
{01:08:25} What’s coming up next for Jenny?
{01:13:23} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Find out more about Rookes and her music >>

Check out 2% Rising >>

Find out more about the ‘We Move’ Music Hackspace events series >>

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

How might imposter syndrome affect your ability to record and release your music? Well, that’s probably pretty self explanatory. But inside this week’s episode actually looks at how recording and production skills may offer women a way of overcoming this tricky phenomenon.

Isobel also unpacks what Imposter syndrome is, how it might affect people in the creative Industries and, more specifically, women in music too. FInally, Isobel tackles the biggest Imposter syndrome trap you still might fall into, even after getting some much needed recording and production know-how.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:56} What is Imposter Syndrome?
{07:02} How does it manifest for women in music?
{09:23} Examples of female musicians who experience Imposter Syndrome
{12:24} How learning to record and produce yourself can dispell Imposter Syndrome
{15:37} But don't lots of female musicians feel  imposter syndrome around recording and
producing their music, isobel?
{18:46} The biggest trap to avoid, even so
{19:35} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: A Study by Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes >>

Imposter syndrome affects 87% of people in the creative industries >>

Sherelle’s interview with Mixmag >>

Ashnikko’s interview with Forbe’s >>

Lady Gaga: 'I still feel like a kid in high school' >>

Home Recording Academy: Student Stories of Transformation >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Senem Pirler is a New York based, Turkish born, sound artist and academic whose practice is all about connection; Whether it's humans, plants or seemingly inanimate objects, Senem has a knack of finding ways to question profound ideas around identity, belonging and being present in the world.

Inside this week’s episode, Isobel gets the chance to hear how Senem started training as a classical pianist, then worked as a sound engineer and, eventually, studied for a PhD in electronic arts at Rensselaer under none other than the late Pauline Oliveros. In 2018, Senem was the recipient of The Malcolm S. Morse Graduate Research Enhancement Award to support her in honouring the work of her mentor Oliveros and Deep Listening.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{5:06} Let’s meet Senem Pirler
{9:44} How she got started in music technology and sound design
{13:38} Working with Pauline Oliveros
{25:49} Entanglement and Queer Theory
{30:40} Collaborations: ‘Unearthly Vibrations’ and ‘Moved in Light’
{44:46} Senem’s software recommendations
{49:13} Episode Summary

Other Notes:

• Correction: Senem connected the Neve Console.
• Instead of performing 'The Witness', Claire Chase, Susie Ibarra and Senem performed Pauline's other score titled '13 Changes'. Watch the video documentation here >>
  
  

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Download my 10 FREE Tools to Start Recording Your Music guide >>

Find out more about Senem and her work >>

Find out more about the Pauline Oliveros documentary >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

In 2020, Isobel launched one of the first and only music technology courses designed exclusively for women in music, focussing not only on the technical processes involved in recording, producing and mixing music from home but also the mindset blocks and societal pressures women face when embarking on such a task.

In it’s fourth round of enrolment, Isobel has added some exciting new updates and features and inside this episode you’ll get the whole inside scoop on exactly what you can expect to find inside. If you’ve been frustrated at a lack of female-focussed courses in music-tech and are ready to embrace all the possibilities home recording will bring to your music, this episode is a must listen!

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{05:53} What is Home Recording Academy?
{08:10} Who is HRA for?
{11:34} What’s inside HRA?
{19:35} What’s NEW inside?
{25:57} What my students say about HRA
{28:57} Why I created HRA
{34:17} Episode Summary

Enrol in Home Recording Academy before doors close on May 17th at 6pm GMT >>

Listen to Episode 43 for a full breakdown of all the modules inside Home Recording Academy >>

Listen to Episode 58 about New Revenue Streams Home Recording Can Open Up In Your Music >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Usually when we think about recording our music, we think about all the outgoings: the new recording gear we’ll need to invest in, or even the studio time we might have to book. But what if having recording and production skills actually opened up new revenue streams in your music and gave you more freedom and independence as a musician?

Well, that’s exactly what happened for this episode's three guests Sam, Sandy and Annie. None of these musicians have been recording music for a long time, but after learning to record and produce from home, they’ve all seen new earning opportunities in their music that have changed their options for good.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:37} How home-recording skills can create new revenue streams for your music
{07:04} Applying for Funding w/ Sam Crane
{25:43} How does Sam feel about the future of her music?
{30:25} Advice and top tips for a successful funding application
{40:07} Recording and Producing for Clients w/ Sandy Ince
{46:00} What led Sandy to invest in her home-recording skills?
{01:00:52} Sandy’s plans for the future
{01:07:04} Recording and Producing for Theatre w/ Annie Ball
{01:13:07} How these recording skills helped Annie save money and become more visible as
a musician
{01:19:56} Annie’s advice for starting your recording journey
{01:21:47} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Listen to Sam’s music here >>

Check out Sandy’s music here >> and say hello to Sandy on IG >>

Find out more about Annie’s music here >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

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How many times have you said to yourself, “I’d love to have the freedom to record my music where and when I want, but won’t it just sound amateur if I do it myself?” It’s a common thought for many musicians that can leave you feeling totally reliant on other people to get your music out of your head and into the world.

But inside this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, Isobel speaks to musician Flaming June, AKA Louise Eatock, about the incredible journey she’s been on learning to record and produce her music from home. It’s one that’s led Louise releasing her first self-produced album, Hope In A Jar, which has since won an award and wider critical acclaim. And as she shares inside, Louise has now properly got the recording and production bug!

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{07:24} How Louise got started in music
{11:54} Balancing music and motherhood
{16:15} The positives and challenges of being a musician
{19:00} What led Louise to start recording her music
(26:48} The real value of having a supportive community
{30:30} Finding freedom to create music for yourself and why you shouldn’t wait until you “know it all” to get started
{37:19} Taking back control of the creative process for her album ‘Hope In A Jar’
{48:38} How self-producing her album led to commercial success
{53:58} How does Louise feel now that she’s gained recording and production skills?
{58:22} What lies ahead for Louise and her music?
{01:01:00} Advice for musicians who want to record their music too
{01:03:49} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Listen to Hope In A Jar >>

Find out more about Flaming June >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Ask some women how they feel in music studios, music tech classes or dealing with live sound technicians and many will say they’ve had to work hard to feel confident. Many others will say that asserting their needs, opinions and boundaries in these spaces is still an ongoing struggle. And this can significantly influence not just how women creatively contribute and collaborate in these settings, but if they even enter them in the first place. The result? Less women recording music, learning to record music and even performing music.   

So, in this week’s episode, Isobel asks why these still often male-dominated spaces can feel so difficult for women to assert  their needs, boundaries and opinions. What can we do to maintain a sense of integrity and authenticity as women collaborating with music tech in ways that feel respectful and equal? And does a narrative that women should keep the peace, rather than rock the boat, contribute to a lack of assertiveness in recording and production spaces?

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{05:03} Do music tech spaces make women feel less confident and assertive?
{13:29} The effects of this on women’s music careers
{15:45} Why might women find it hard to be assertive in recording studios?
{16:54} What is assertiveness?
{18:26} How can we cultivate more assertiveness as women in music tech spaces?
{21:05} When aggression is necessary
{22:25} Why it’s not all your responsibility
{23:14} What to do if assertiveness is not received or respected?
{25:10} Recognising how your own internalised misogyny might be keeping you small
{26:57} The missing piece in the puzzle
{30:18} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Join the ‘Record Your Damn Music!’ FREE 5 Day Challenge >>

It’s Not Just Björk: Women Are Tired of Not Getting Credit for Their Own Music article in Slate >>
Does being assertive backfire for women in the workplace? Half the Sky article >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Now, what is a music producer? I mean what do they do? Or maybe most importantly, when have we earned the right to call ourselves one? Surely there’s some way we know for sure we’ve graduated from music tech dabbler to full blown producer, right?

Well, not really, which may be one contributing factor to so few women being represented in this profession. And, that’s why inside this episode, Isobel draws from women in music production and one of the most respected producers of all time, Brian Eno, to better understand this term.

By the end of this episode, your knowledge of the term will be significantly expanded as will your confidence in owning the title of producer if this has been something you’ve been struggling with.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:31} What is a music producer? 
{07:59} The difference between a producer and engineer 
{12:17} Do women relate to the term ‘music producer’ differently?
{17:03} What is Brian Eno’s definition?
{19:11} 3 empowering resources of you’re struggling to adop the term of producer
{21:06} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Ready to Discover Your Female Producer Spirit Guide? Take the Quiz now >>

Music Production: What does a music producer do? Read the Berkeley article >>

What is a music producer? Read the Renegade article >>

Sound & Vision: Why Only 2% of Music Producers are Women. Read the Sound & Vision article >>

13 Women On How To Change Male-Dominated Studio Culture. Read the Fader article >>

Brian Eno and the role of the producer. Read the Ethan Hein article >>

Join the Home Recording Academy Waitlist here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

Watch this episode on YouTube

Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

In this week’s episode we’re jumping into the fascinating, complex and playful world of theatre sound design with Tony Award winning Broadway sound designer, Jessica Paz. With years of experience under her belt designing complex sound systems, sound effects and audio experiences for acclaimed productions like Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown, Dear Evan Hansen and Little Shop of Horrors, there isn’t much Jessica hasn’t seen or done when it comes to theatre sound design.

Inside her discussion with Isobel, she unpacks exactly what makes theatre sound design unique, her favourite aspects of this role and the challenges she’s faced along the way. Jessica also has some killer advice for any other women looking to explore this field themselves.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{05:26} What does a theatre sound designer do?
{15:38} How Jessica got into theatre sound design
{19:43} The tools, equipment and sound systems used in Hadestown
{30:28} The positives and challenges of a designer
{42:48} Jessica's experience as a woman in the industry
{48:20} Jessica's advice for getting into theatre sound design
{49:48} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Grab your FREE 3 Step Guide to Sound Treating Your Home Recording Space >>

Find out more about Jessica Paz’s work >>

Listen to EP#24 of the podcast here >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Listen on Spotify.

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Never one to take the conventional path, UK experimental electronic composer and producer, Elizabeth Bernholz, AKA Gazelle Twin’s back catalogue plays with and subverts a variety of identities. Inside this episode, Isobel has the chance to hear all about her journey into music making so far, her evolution as an artist, where she’s at now (including being a fulltime musician and mother) and the reissue of her first album, The Entire City / The Wastelands, which is coming out on April 8th, 2022.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{05:30} How Elizabeth got started in music
{20:01} The catalyst for the creation of Gazelle Twin
{26:35} Finding her identity as a live performer
{36:48} The process of self-releasing her debut album ‘The Entire City'
{48:25} How The Terminator was an inspiration for her track ‘I Am Shell I Am Bone'
{53:20} The themes and ideas that influenced her album ‘Pastoral’
{01:01:46} Ways Elizabeth uses music to creatively express her frustrations
{01:13:30} Landing her first job as a film composer for 'The Power'
{01:23:12} Managing her music career as a mother
{01:28:30} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

To listen to all the Gazelle Twin tracks featured in this episode, check out this special Spotify playlist >>

Find out more about Elizabeth’s work >>

Listen to The Entire City / The Wasteland >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Many musicians think they need all the ‘right’ gear before they can start recording and producing from home, which can massively stunt their skills and careers. But guess what?  You DON’T need fancy gear to get started! The thing you really need to invest in costs hardly anything and you probably have it all at home already. This week's episode dives into acoustic treatment and how you can use it.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:45} Musicians making professional music with a minimal setup
{10:47} What you should do to get professional home recordings
{11:19} What is acoustic treatment?
{12:25} 3 steps to sound-treating your space
{15:57} Gear to up your acoustics game
{16:37} Episode summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Enter the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Grab your FREE 3 Step Guide To Sound Treating Your Home Recording Space >>

EP#11: Start Recording Your Music For Under £100 >>
Listen to Visions (2012) and Art Angels (2015) by Grimes >>
Grimes Details Gear Behind Art Angels article on Stereogum >>
Grimes: Claire Boucher insists that anyone can do what she does. If only it were true article in Loud & Quiet >>
Listen to girl in red >>
Home Recording Gear Haul: girl in red article on Spotify >>
How to become a pop star without leaving your bedroom article on i-D >>
Why do Recording Studios Need Acoustic Treatments? Article o

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Welcome back to another season of Girls Twiddling Knobs! At 20 years old, our first guest of the season, Emily Nash, is perhaps the youngest guest we’ve ever had on the podcast. But don’t let that fool you because this DJ & producer is currently setting the EDM world on fire.

When she didn’t get the grades she needed at school, she was encouraged to do a Music Production course at her local college. Little did she know that within just a couple of short years this would lead her to sign to Ministry of Sound and be tipped by Radio 1 as one of 2022’s rising stars.

Inside this episode, Emily shares what it’s been like seeing her music take off, her creative process and her positive experience so far as a women in the industry.

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{06:00} How Emily Nash got started in music
{09:57} Emily’s musical influences
{11:09} How the music scene has shaped her music
{14:28} How she got started using music technology
{17:36} Emily’s creative process of making hit track ‘Garden’
{21:21} Kicking off her music career and getting signed by Ministry of Sound
{25:30} Gaining confidence performing as a DJ
{28:35} Top Tips for making electronic music 
{31:34} The artists who inspired Emily to become a DJ
{33:53} Episode Summary

Girls Twiddling Knobs listeners get 10% off iZotope's award-winning audio plugins and a 30 day free trial of their incredible Music Production Suite 4.1. Just use the code GIRLSPOD10 here >>

Start producing your music with Isobel’s recommended 10 FREE Recording Tools >>

Listen to Emily’s music on Spotify >>

Watch ‘Get To Know Emily Nash’ >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Inside this very special 50th episode of the podcast and the Season 02 finale, Isobel takes a trip to the most famous recording studios in the world, Abbey Road, to celebrate their 90th Birthday. Join her and in-house Assistant Engineer, Marta Di Nozzi, for a binaural walking tour of this historic building’s three main studios and the amazing music that’s been recorded there. Whether it’s Amy Winehouse’s time recording in Studio 3, The Beatles’ love of Studio 2 or the many large scale film scores that have come to life in Studio 1, Abbey Road has many tales to tell. 

And, after getting the 3D experience of all these spaces and finding out about all the wonderful vintage gear housed inside, Isobel sits down with Marta in Abbey Road’s Gatehouse studio to hear how she got into working with sound and why Abbey Road is such a special place to work. Of course, Isobel picks Marta’s brains on her top recording tips and also the initiatives at Abbey Road to help make recording and production more diverse and inclusive too.

This is a real treat of an episode, so stick it in your ears now.

And, Happy Birthday Abbey Road!

---------------

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{02:13} Brief history of Abbey Road Studios
{08:00} Meet our tour guide - Marta Di Nozzi
{11:17} Studio Three Live Room
{17:18} Studio Three Control Room
{22:22} Studio Two Control Room
{27:03} Studio Two Live Room - live recording setting up
{34:21} Studio One Live Room
{45:04} Studio One Control Room
{48:12} Why is Studio One Marta’s favourite space?
{52:48} The Gatehouse
{54:26} How Marta got started in sound engineering
{58:50} Studio vs. Live recording
{01:01:06} What makes Abbey Road so special?
{01:09:08} Equalise Programme - encouraging gender diversity in sound engineering
{01:18:58} Marta’s Top Tips for Home Recording
{01:26:17} Episode Summary

Find out more about Abbey Road Studios >>

Find out more about Marta Di Nozzi >>

Download the Waves X Abbey Road Chamber Reverb plugin >>

Download the Waves X Abbey Road Reverb Plates plugin >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

Loved this week's episode? Share it with a friend 👯‍♀️

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Explore more episodes here.

Listen on Spotify.

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Send us a text

Delay is one of those plugins that can be deceptively tricky in music production: use too much and it can sound gimmicky; use it without knowing what you're trying to achieve and it can sound silly, and;, not understanding all it's capabilities beyond something that makes things sound... 'echoey' 🤷‍♀️ can mean you miss a music production trick.

But have no fear, because inside this week’s episode, Isobel is helping us get to grips with what delay is, when you might use it in your tracks and also how to practically apply it in your next recording project.

We're talking tape delay, slap echo, ping-pong delay and more and all with an added discussion around what the Greek nymph Echo has to do with feminism and music technology.

---

Hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:44} How Delay Occurs in the Real World
{07:30} How Delay was Developed in Audio Production
{08:29} What About Delay Plugins Inside your DAW?
{10:35} Why Use Delay In Music Production?
{11:55} How to Stop Delay Sounding Gimmicky!
{14:54}  Summary

Download your FREE PDF Guide, 10 FREE Tools to Start Recording your Music, Right Now HERE >>
Echo Vs. Reverb, The Physics Classroom article >>
Echo in Greek Mythology on Britanica.com >>
How High the Moon, Les Paul and Mary Ford (1951) >>
Maestro Echoplex tape delay unit >>
Roland Space Echo tape delay unit >>
AMS DMX digital delay unit >>
Boss DD-2 digital delay pedal >>
Listen to Effortless Pain Relief >> and With You >>
Learn more about different types of delay affects here >>
Listen to King Tubby’s Jah Jah Dub here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Beirut has a troubled recent past with sectarian violence making ‘normal’ life feel increasingly difficult. Nour was born in this vibrant city, and upon returning to Lebanon’s capital city, something fitted into place and she was immediately inspired by the ever shifting soundscape. 

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Inside this week’s episode, Isobel examines the fascinating process of sound synthesis, including what it is, how it was developed, the women who have played a vital role in this technology and then, lastly, how you can start incorporating it into your own music too.

Isobel also highlights two contemporary female artists doing interesting things with sound synthesis right now, and all of the music mentioned in this episode of the podcast will be added to our fab new Girls Twiddling Knobs playlist too!

Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted and produced by Isobel Anderson with production support from Jade Bailey and Francesca O’Connor and is a Female DIY Musician Production.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:40} What is Sound Synthesis?
{09:11} How/When Did Sound Synthesis Start?
{12:05} Female pioneers of Sound Synthesis
{14:04} Contemporary Women Making Music with Synths
{15:27} New developments in Sound Synthesis
{17:33} Best Ways to Start Using Sound Synthesis in your Music
{20:33} Episode Summary

Listen to the Girls Twiddling Knobs Playlist on Spotify >>

A helpful summary of audio synthesis >>
Read more about the beginnings of Sound Synthesis >>
Read more about the female pioneers of electronic music >>
Watch the Sisters with Transistors Documentary >>
Watch the Delia Derbyshire docu-drama The Myths and Legendary Tapes >>
Find out more about Daphne Oram >>
Find out more about Delia Derbyshire >>
Find out more about Suzanne Ciani >>
Find out more about Laurie Spiegel >>
Listen to Episode 22 of Girls Twiddling Knobs with Hannah Peel >>
Listen to Episode 34 of Girls Twiddling Knobs with Melody Loveless >>
Listen to Georgia’s albu

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Inside this week’s episode, Isobel explores how to make a change of direction with your sound. There’s lots of reasons we might hit this fork in the road with our music but how can we get clear on the new direction to take moving forward? Isobel draws from contemporary artists who have made big changes in their music and looks at what’s worked for them and also when there’s been some backlash too.

Finally, you’ll be walked through an exercise you can do at home to get clearer on if you’re ready for a change in musical direction and what that might look like for you. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the new musical possibilities when assessing our next step as an artist, but there are ways to find a direction that has real intention and clarity. That’s important for both you and your listeners and this exercise will help you get there.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{03:26} The 3 W's
{05:48} Why your Music Direction is Important
{09:00} Examples of Artists Who Have Changed Their Sound
{19:36} Where Next? How to make an intentional shift in your musical direction
{24:02} Episode Summary

Read NME’s feature on St Vincent here >>

Read Vanity Fair’s article on Lady Gaga’s album Joanne here >>

Read about Lorde’s Solar Power album in the Independent here >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Inside this week’s episode, Isobel is joined by experimental artist and producer, Kayla Painter, who’s immersive, ever-evolving AV performances figure into the earliest stages of her music and have taken her to stages, such as The Great Escape, Camp Elsewhere, Bluedot, and the inaugural edition of Gilles Peterson’s We Out Here festival.

Isobel got to sit down with Kayla and hear all about how she started making music, her experiences as a woman in music technology, how she’s stayed true to herself as an artist and much, much more. She also shares the inside scoop on her fabulous new EP, Somewhen, which is an exploration of time and identity through the retro-future sound worlds Kayla Crafts, and she gives us the low down on exactly how she crafts her beats.

This episode is a must listen for any budding electronic producers out there!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:39} Kayla’s journey into electronic music and production
{25:20} Building a career in music
{35:15} Kayla describes her recording space and creative process
{43:44} Exploring themes of time and identity in her new EP, Somewhen
{52:49} Why Kayla decided not to release an album
{01:02:06} The team involved in releasing her EP
{01:11:09} Top 3 tips for programming drum beats
{01:20:30} Episode Summary

Listen to Kayla’s new EP, Somewhen here >>

Check out Kayla’s fab new video for her track Beginnings from the Sea >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify
Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Chances are, unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 10 years, social media has become a massive part of your life, including your music. But, many musicians say that if it weren’t for needing to stay visible online for their music, they’d probably jack it in. Why?

Well, it’ll come as no surprise that there’s mounting research into how social media has as many negative effects on us as individuals and society as the positive ones that first excited us when it came into our lives. As well as making connections with likeminded people, growing communities and sharing our ideas and our art with a wider audience, there’s a constant pressure to put out content and keep up with the highlights our peers share online. It’s easy to feel like we’re not doing enough or ‘keeping up’.

So, inside this episode, Isobel explores how we as musicians might survive the effects of social media and three key ways to even better enjoy this crucial piece of connecting technology moving forward. Listen in to find out.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{02:25} Scroll through my feed
{03:59} The cold hard truth about social media
{10:42} The colder, harder truth about social media for musicians
{18:09} What social media rewards (and what it doesn’t)
{20:39} 3 ways to better enjoy using social media as a musician
{25:36} Episode Summary

References:

• Andreassen, C. S., Pallesen, S., Griffiths, M. D. (2017). ‘The relationship between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self-esteem: Findings from a large national survey’. Addictive Behaviors, (64), pp.287-293 [Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.03.006]
  
  
• Booker, C.L., Kelly, Y.J. & Sacker, A. (2018). ‘Gender differences in the associations between age trends of social media interaction and well-being among 10-15 year olds in the UK’. BMC Public Health, 18, pp.321. [Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5220-4]

• Lee, A. (2020). How Musicians' Mental Health Is Affected By Social Media. Classical Music [Available at: https://www.classical-music.uk/resources/article/how-musicians-mental-health-is-affected-by-social-media]
  
  
  
• Muqaddas, J., Sanobia S., Nawaz, A. (2017). ‘Impact of Social Media on Self-Esteem’. European Scientific Journal, 13(23), pp.329-341, [Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3030048]

Listen to Episode 23 of the podcast, Why Create if No One’s Watching >>

Check out

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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An Exclusive Module-by-Module Sneak Peek Into My Signature Program

In all my months of making this podcast, I have never done this.

I’ve NEVER revealed, detail by detail, what’s inside my very special signature programme, Home Recording Academy, to my podcast listeners…until now.

In this extra special, I walk you through my totally unique, female-focussed music tech course — module by module — and explain exactly how Home Recording Academy helps my students gain the vital skills they’ve been missing to finally record their music on their own terms.

I’ll be sharing the lessons, topics, modules, tech, and the mindset taught inside the program. Plus, I’m answering ALL your questions about HRA along the way.

Including:

• What is HRA?
• Who’s right for HRA?
• What exactly does HRA teach? 
• How long does it take to go through HRA (and when can I expect to have my recordings ready to share with the world?) 
• Does HRA teach me the tech in a way I’ll be able to handle/retain/enjoy?
• What kind of results do HRA students actually see after the program?

To be totally honest, I poured out my heart and soul in this episode. 

HRA is transformative. I’ve seen it time and time again with my students…I know the power of this programme. 

So I hope you enjoy this extra special insider’s view into Home Recording Academy because it’s an absolute joy to share my heart’s work with you!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:20} What is HRA?
{05:58} Who is HRA for?
{09:22} What can you learn with HRA and what is included?
{14:32} How are you supported in HRA?
{17:12} What is included in each module?
{22:17} What can you achieve with HRA?
{25:07} Why did I set up HRA?
{30:26} Episode Summary

Enrolment is now open for Home Recording Academy but you only have till 6pm GMT on October 1st to grab your spot inside. Find out more here >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Every now and then as a teacher, one of your students shares something with you that truly takes your breath away. That’s exactly what Isobel felt when she first heard multi-instrumentalist Asha McCarthy’s new album Epitaph, which she recorded, produced and mixed from home after completing Isobel’s digital course, Home Recording Academy.

But it wasn’t just the fact that Asha had produced something of such technical quality and delicacy, but also the sheer depth of emotion and meaning within it. Unsurprising once you learn this album came out of birth trauma and is dedicated to her daughter as a result. This life-changing experience helped Asha to drop the perfectionism that had been keeping her stuck for years and share this beautiful album with the world.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{05:11} Asha’s journey into music and production
{13:38} How pressure and perfectionism was holding Asha back
{20:58} Overcoming self-doubt to release her debut album, Epitaph
{29:36} The process of recording, producing and mixing her album from home
{35:19} How Asha’s mindset changed 
{46:02} Asha’s 3 Big Takeaways from Home Recording Academy
{55:10} Episode Summary

Grab your spot on the 3 Key Secrets to Making Pro Recordings of your Music FREE Live masterclass here >>

Listen to Asha’s stunning new album Epitaph here >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{05:07} ‘Experts’ are great, aren’t they?
{07:37} Understanding the ‘expert myth’
{10:01} The no. 1 limiting belief that holds women back from becoming their own expert
{10:53} How Carol Dweck’s powerful mindset research can flip the ‘expert myth’ on its head
{15:07} The question you need to ask instead
{16:37} The essential first step you should be taking
{18:13} Episode Summary

Join Isobel’s FREE 5 day challenge, Clean Up Your Recordings (you dirty girl) HERE >>

Check out The Myths of Creativity (2013) by David Burkus HERE >>

Read Carol Dweck’s updated edition of her fascinating book Mindset (2017) HERE >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Inside this episode, Isobel is joined by The Anchoress, AKA Catherine Anne Davies, as she candidly shares the experiences that led her to seriously invest in the skills, gear and home recording space necessary to take ownership of how, and with whom, she makes music.

In fact, having her own home recording set up and knowledge of how to record and produce has meant that her latest release, the Top 40 album The Art of Losing, was largely made by her, from her house and counts Elton John as a no.1 fan.

Catherine’s garnered sparkling reviews in NME, Mojo and countless other top music press, and was listed as one of The Sunday Times’ albums of the year.

So, if you needed any convincing that creating your own home recording space and developing your recording skills was an absolute must for any C.21st woman in music, this episode’s for you!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{02:50} Intro
{04:45} Catherine's honest experience of the music industry
{25:23} Combating low confidence and performance anxiety as a solo artist
{36:13} How building a DIY home-recording space enabled her to regain control over her music and create a No #1 chart-topping album
{53:13} Why you don’t have to prove yourself
{1:00:18} The process, finance and people involved in the success of her album
{1:16:46} The 3 best vocal mics for every budget
{1:30:22} Episode Summary

Join the Clean Up Your Recordings (you dirty girl) FREE 5 Day Challenge waitlist HERE >>

Listen to The Art of Losing HERE >>

Catherine’s top vocal mic picks:

1. Neumann U87 condenser mic >>
2. SE Electronics dual valve mic >>
3. Coles 4104 commentators ribbon mic >>

      BONUS: Shure SM58 dynamic mic >>

Golden Age Project PRE-73 MKIII pr

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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This week on Girls Twiddling Knobs I'm joined by musician, mother, small business owner and Home Recording Academy alumni student, Cat Lawless, who, despite being suuuuper busy, learnt to record her music from home.

Maybe you're reading this thinking, "That's alright for Cat but I literally don't have a minute in the day - I'll NEVER find time to do this myself"? Cat has been there too!

But this issue isn't just about the next 10 minutes, 24 hours, 7 days or even 12 months. Making the time to invest in recording and production skills will serve you for years to come giving you more creative control, personal freedom and professional opportunities.

So, leave your exhaustion and disbelief at the door. I promise you, this podcast episode is worth your time!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:46} Introducing Cat Lawless and her journey into music
{20:41} Turning her passion for music into a business
{28:27} How Cat found her voice and confidence to record her music
{39:11} Cat’s Top 3 Tips on making time for your music
{59:13} Episode Summary

Grab your FREE 3 Step Guide to Sound Treat your Home Recording Space HERE >>

Find out more about all the wonderful things Cat is doing:
Cat Lawless Music >> 
Little Folk Nursery Rhymes >>

Listen to the episode here
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Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Technophobia is one of the biggest reasons so many women fail to record and release their music, especially on their own terms. Even though it’s so commonplace, very few of us are truly aware of what it is, the REAL underlying triggers and how to fix it.

But, by getting a handle on the key concepts Isobel shares in this episode it is possible to gain the tools and confidence to start using technology to achieve the things you always wanted to with your music.

That could mean finally holding your own album in your hands, or collaborating with people all over the world. Whatever it is that technophobia is holding you back from doing, now’s the time to move past it and really shine as a woman in music.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{01:15} Intro
{03:13} What is Technophobia and how does it affect musicians?
{05:38} Are women more likely to have technophobia?
{08:02} What are the common narratives that contribute to this in female musicians?
{09:32} What’s really going on?
{11:24} What are the consequences for your music if you don’t learn to move past technophobic self-talk?
{13:07} 3 practical tips for overcoming technophobia and start using music tech in ways that feel supportive to your music
{16:43} The most important step you need to take to move past your technophobia
{17:35} Episode Summary

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community HERE >>

Check out Technophobia: The Psychological Impact of Information Technology (1998) By Mark J. Brosnan HERE >>

Read ‘Technophobic Women’ on ie Women Blog HERE >>

Read the EOCD’s Bridging The Gender Divide 2018 report HERE >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Are you ready to follow the journey of a sound wave and expand the horizons of your audio knowledge? If so, boy is this a corker of an episode to kick off Season 2 of the podcast as Isobel takes you on a virtual tour of the National Science and Media Museum’s new exhibition series SONIC, BOOM.

Inside, Curator of Sound Technologies, Annie Jamieson, shares her personal take on all the weird and wonderful audio objects on display, how she curates sound and the commissioned artist works on display at the gallery spaces.

Plus, you’ll get a sneak peak of the galleries’ soundscapes too!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{0:00} Intro
{04:12} Annie Jamieson’s pathway into music
{10:03} Replicate everyday sounds using technology at the National Science and Media Museum
{22:42} The instruments, objects and apparatus used to deepen our understanding of sound
{44:52} Sound-treating a gallery space to create an immersive experience
{56:25} How you can get involved with their interactive exhibitions
{01:02:18} Working within an all-female workplace
{01:08:25} Episode summary

Subscribe to the podcast now so you never miss an episode.

Check out both ‘Sonic: Adventures in Audio’ and ‘Boom: Experiments in Sound’ and other associated events at the National Science and Media Museum HERE >>

Both exhibitions run until the 5th of December, 2021.

See images and more info for some of the objects mentioned in the podcast by searching HERE >>

Listen to the episode here
Listen on Spotify

Join the Girls Twiddling Knobs Podcast Community here >>

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Music production isn't just about expensive gear and nerding out on the latest plug-in. It’s as much, if not more, about your ability to translate emotion through sound.  But this process is often difficult to pin down or articulate and rarely gets talked about on your average music tech course or YouTube video. So inside this week’s episode, Isobel is diving into the intangible process of translating emotion into sound. You’ll also learn three emotion driven production techniques that will help your music stop listeners in their tracks and speak to their soul.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{04:43} What we’re defining as emotion
{06:00} What we’re defining as sound
{06:51} How are they connected?
{10:02} Why this connection is the key to great music and professionally produced music
{15:15} 3 emotion driven production techniques to try in your own music
{23:26} Episode summary

Discover your Female Producer Spirit Guide. Take the quiz NOW >>

Check out Seth Horowitz’s book, The Universal Sense: How Hearing Shapes the Mind HERE >>
Read more about Harmonic Organisation and Culture-Specific Emotional Cues HERE >>
Listen to BBC Radio 4’s The Why Factor all about why we listen to sad songs HERE >>
Watch Rachel Claudio’s Ted Talk, ‘How to Translate the Feeling Into Sound’ HERE >>
Listen to David Oyelowo on BBC Radio 4’s The Film Programme HERE >>
Read Ana Tajadura-Jimenez’s PhD thesis on Embodied Psychoacoustics HERE >>

Listen to the episode here
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Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Have you ever wanted to start your own recording studio? One where you can pick all your favourite gear, get the mood just right and work with artists you truly believe in too? Well, that’s exactly what this week’s guest, Majelen, did with her fiance Courtney… during lockdown… while they already have two other businesses! #lifegoals. But, as you’ll hear when Isobel sits down with the musician and producer, Majelen has a DIY ethos that is only surpassed by her passion to make women feel more confident, safe and welcome in the studio. If you haven’t loved these spaces in the past and you’re curious about what recording in a female-centred studio would feel like, keep listening!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:46} An overview of Majelen’s music journey
{06:55} Her personal experience of being a woman in music
{14:13} How a negative studio session inspired Majelen to become a producer
{21:38} The most important lessons learned from setting up her own recording studio, Liondance Studios
{37:20} Creating a safe and supportive space for women in her studio
{45:26} The differences between her experience of music tech spaces as a lesbian, as opposed to a woman, in general
{50:32} Top tips for getting the most out of your studio session
{56:40} Episode summary & next week’s teaser

Grab your FREE 3-Step Guide to Sound Treating your Home Recording Space now HERE >>

Find out more Liondance Studios HERE >>

Listen to Majelen’s Music HERE >>

Listen to the episode here
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Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Computer coding can often feel like a totally foreign language to newbies or even just anyone who isn’t a coding wizard. But today’s podcast guest, musician, artist and coder Melody Loveless is here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. Melody uses live coding in live performance, music composition and sound installation and teaches MAX/MSP both privately and to groups. Inside this episode, Isobel learns why Melody’s ethos is one of inclusion and openness and the exciting possibilities coding can bring to your creative practice.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{04:02} How did Melody get started with music tech?
{08:16} Bringing the worlds of music and tech together
{13:34} How Melody uses code to create auditory installations and live experiences
{22:32} Free tools to get started with Live Coding
{35:15} Demystifying MAX/MSP so you could use code with confidence
{52:22} Episode summary & next week’s teaser

Rate and review the podcast NOW >>

Sign up for Melody’s FREE Getting Started with MAX course on Music Hackspace HERE >>

Check out Melody’s work HERE >>

Find out more about MAX/MSP HERE >>

Find out more about Sonic Pi live coding software HERE >>

Listen to the episode here
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Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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If the thought of self-releasing your music feels a tad overwhelming, you’re not alone. It’s a daunting prospect for many DIY artists. But, as Isobel shares in this week’s episode, even veteran DIY musicians can have their own self-releasing wobbles because there are many disruptive factors that have changed the process of releasing music over the last 10 years. Isobel explores exactly what these are and, crucially, what she intends to do to shake up her own music releasing strategy and still love the process of sharing her music.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{01:38} Why I’m sharing this on the podcast
{06:19} What is conventional music releasing?
{08:46} Three forces that have disrupted DIY music releasing
{18:04} How personal circumstances can shape how you share your music
{22:57} The opportunities this also brings
{24:30} My plans for sharing my music in the future
{26:36} Episode summary & next week’s teaser

Download your FREE PDF GUIDE, 10 FREE Tools to Start Recording your Music, Right Now >>

Read The Local’s article on Spotify HERE >>
Read Fortune’s article on Spotify playlist pitching HERE >>
Listen to Episode 01 of the podcast about my pathway into self-producing and self-releasing HERE >>
Listen to Episode 32, our live panel discussion at Women’s Work Festival about Motherhood and Music HERE >>

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Join the Female DIY Musician Tribe Community on Facebook

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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How well are mothers supported in the music industry, how does it change a woman’s music career and how can it affect your creativity? These are all questions that Isobel explored with three musician mothers, Olga Fitzroy, Ruby Colley, Abigail Smith during a Live panel discussion at Belfast’s Women’s Work Festival on June 17th, 2021 and boy was there a massive response from women of all ages. Also discussed inside this recording of the event, is the choice not to have kids, as well as making music without children when you’d desperately love to become a parent.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{01:15} Episode overview
{04:48} Panel introductions
{08:11} Parental Pay Equality
{14:17} How to reserve energy for your music as well as your children
{19:42} How does becoming a mother affect creativity?
{26:10} How does the public perceive a mother in music?
{32:27} Can we relate to those in the commercial world?
{34:20} Panellist tips for mothers-to-be
{42:47} Balancing work pressures and motherhood
{48:39} Touring with children
{51:24} How to keep your passion for music
{54:34} Challenges as a single parent
{58:43} Finding the time to be creative
{01:03:00} The Oh Yeah Music Centre ‘Mothers in Music’ Project
{01:07:18} What support is available for mothers in the industry?
{01:12:31} Episode summary

Tell us what you think about this topic and the podcast by leaving a rating and review HERE >>

Find out more about Olga Fitzroy HERE >>
Listen to Ruby Colley’s Work HERE >>
Check out Abigail Smith’s music HERE >>
Find out more about the work of Parental Pay Equality HERE >>
Check out the Music Producer’s Guild HERE >>
Find out about Women’s Work HERE >>
Read the article ‘18 Musical Moms Talk Motherhood’ in Paste Magazine HERE >>
Read The Guardian’s interview with Marina Abramovic HERE >>
Check out Parents In Performing Arts HERE >>
Find out more about The Musicians’ Union HERE >>
Find out more about Pregnant Then Screw

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Music is a blend of many things, but perhaps one of the most important elements is the ability to craft sound? Inside this week’s episode, Isobel is joined by composer, producer and performer Caro C and hears about why musicians who are truly dedicated to their craft have shaped her music so profoundly. This fascination led her to founding the Delia Derbyshire Day in 2013, which is now a yearly event that champions the work of female electronic musicians. As she shares, Caro’s new album, Electronic Mountain, embraces this dedication to sonic experimentation and meticulous absorption in both technical detail and artistic expression.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:47} How Caro got started in music
{09:04} Your music doesn’t have to be commercial to be successful
{13:24} Setting boundaries and knowing your values
{23:39} How electronics opened up a world into music production and live sound
{31:14} Honing her craft while exploring the Berlin music scene
{39:34} Launching Delia Derbyshire Day to celebrate women in electronic music
{55:06} Exploring nature in Caro’s new album ‘Electronic Mountain’
{01:06:00} Recognising female electronic producer pioneers in ‘Sisters With Transistors’
{01:11:34} Summary and next week’s teaser

Discover your Female Producer Spirit Guide NOW >>

Listen to Caro’s new album, Electronic Mountain, HERE >>
Find out more about Delia Derbyshire Day HERE >>
Register FREE for Girls Twiddling Knobs LIVE at Women’s Work Festival HERE >>

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Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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There’s not many people, musicians included, who have had quite as varied and exciting a career as BISHI. From the age of 15, she was putting on LGBT club nights in Soho, performing in some of East London’s most influential electronic music venues, not to mention having had a classical Indian and classical Western musical training growing up. Inside this week’s episode, BISHI shares all about blazing this inspiring trail as an artist and the fabulous WITCiH festival she has coming up, celebrating women in tech, taking place from June 9-11th.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{04:56} WITCiH festival details
{07:27} Using  creativity to reinvent your career
{13:41} What is the ‘Life Narrative’ and how is it influencing your life?
{18:25} BISHI's expansive music career
{29:45} From technophobe to producer
{34:31} Creating your own opportunities with a DIY career 
{40:13} Structural racism and sexism in the music industry
{59:41} Owning your identity
{01:04:50} Upcoming projects and the formation of WITCiH
{01:10:05} BISHI’s top tip for musicians
{01:11:52} Summary & next week’s teaser

Download your FREE PDF guide, 10 FREE Tools to start Recording Your Music, Right Now HERE >>

Grab tickets for the WITCiH festival HERE >>

Learn more about BISHI and her work HERE >>

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Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Have you ever been kept up at night with this aching dread that you might never reach true success as an artist? It’s a common worry and a lingering sense of failure and shame can often follow as a result. But what if reaching massive success is as rare as being hit by a bus? And, how do we square not living up to our early ambitions as musicians with the reality of making art across a whole lifetime? These are questions that journalist Rosie Millard sought to explore in a three parts series for BBC Radio 4, and that she and Isobel discussed when they sat down to record this episode too. Ooooh, it’s a juicy one!!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{05:35} The life and work of Rosie Millard
{11:52} Celebrating British Art & Culture
{15:59} What happens if the story doesn’t go your way?
{34:10} The importance of exposing children to Art & Culture
{43:36} Finding joy in the process
{48:50} Letting go of expectations and embracing change
{58:44} Who else are you creating for?
{01:03:48} Summary & next week’s teaser

Rate and review the podcast here >>

Listen to Rosie’s three parts series The Dream of Success HERE >>
On BBC Radio 4’s One to One programme, HERE >>
Find out more about Rosie and her work HERE >>

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Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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There’s never been a time in history where we have as many opportunities to really play with musical texture in such diverse and powerful ways and yet, texture isn’t often mentioned much when discussing electronic, or even popular, music. But texture is vital to making music that is truly engaging, emotive and meaningful and effectively communicating your own intention within your music. Inside this episode, Isobel not only shares how we can build a deeper understanding of musical texture but also practical tips on how to experiment with texture in your own music too.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:48} Why does texture matter in music production?
{05:44} What is texture anyway?
{14:18} 3 common texture misconceptions
{20:15} How to start experimenting with texture in your music
{22:56} Summary & next week’s teaser

Find out more and join the Female DIY Musician Tribe >> 

Texture in Film by Lucy Fife Donaldson >>
Examples of ‘The Ophony’s’ >>
‘The DAW and the End Of Time’, blog post on Brian Daly’s Harmonic Distortion blog >>

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Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Inside part 2 of 2, Isobel continues her fascinating conversation with musician and creative NikNak, AKA Nicole Raymond, this time delving into the concepts behind her album Bashi, which blends turntable improvisation with field recordings. Nicole also shares her experience as a black woman in music tech and how we can make the field more inclusive, moving forward. Ultimately, Nicole’s music and her message inspires a sense of brave experimentation and creative integrity; qualities that are so worth cultivating as musicians.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:44} How NikNak created her album ‘Bashi’
{07:00} Why taking time-out made her more creative
{10:50} The art of performing
{16:05} Creating your world with sound
{22:28} Tackling diversity and accessibility in music
{49:53} Summary & next week’s teaser

Download your FREE 3 Step Sound Treatment Guide here >>

Find out more about NikNak’s work HERE >>
Check out Laurain James’ music here >>
Listen to Episode 17 with Neeta Sarl on Sample Packs here >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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NikNak is a true renaissance lady spanning turntablism, radio presenting, live performance, sonic arts and more but underneath everything she does is a playful approach to sound. Inside part 1 of 2, Isobel chats with her about how she got started DJing and learning turntable techniques, how she’s learnt to trust her creative intuition and why she believes it’s best to let go of the word ‘should’ when it comes to music tech.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:37} Introducing NikNak
{06:12} What is ‘Turntablism’?
{14:40} The top 3 turntable techniques you need to know!
{20:55} How dyslexia has influenced her music creation
{30:09} Having confidence and embracing your uniqueness
{47:12} Episode summary & next week’s teaser

Rate and review the podcast >>

Find out more about NikNak’s work HERE >>
Pam the Funktress DJing with her breasts >>

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Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Much of the time, music recording and production takes place inside the studio, which we’ve covered a lot on the podcast already. But inside today’s episode, Isobel shares why field recordings - recordings made outside the studio - became so important to her own production style and how you can get started with these more experimental recording techniques to transform your sound in multiple, exciting ways.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{04:33} What is field recording?
{09:53} Women pioneers of field recording
{17:18} How and why I use field recordings in my music
{20:19} How to get started with field recording
{26:51} Episode summary & next week’s teaser

Download my FREE PDF Guide, 10 FREE Tools to Start Recording your Music, Right Now HERE >>

REFERENCES
America Over the Water by Shirley Collins >>

The World Soundscape Project >>

Environments, Irv Teibel >>

Chris Watson >>

My Words Trace A Path: encounters with place through voice, performance and field recording, PhD Thesis, Isobel Anderson >>

Kit’s Beach Soundwalk, Hildergard Westerkamp >>

Thought Experiments in F# Minor, Janet Cardiff >>

Know Your Heart, Isobel Anderson >>

CHALK / FLINT, Isobel Anderson >>

Cold Water Songs, Isobel Anderson >>
Virtual Barber Shop >>

In The Field, Angus Carlyle & Cathy Lane >>


EQUIPMENT MENTIONED
Zoom H4n Pro Handy Recorder >>

Rycote Portable Recorder audio

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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In modern music technology, we take for granted our ability to and appreciation of hearing sound spatially. Stereo recording and reproduction has been especially embedded in our listening practices, whether it be through headphones or speakers. But inside this week’s episode, Isobel chats with Prof. Gascia Ouzounian about her new book, Stereophonica, where she explores how this wasn’t always the case and that how we hear sound spatially is constantly evolving and changing.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{04:34} What is Stereophonica?
{17:04} Spatial awareness in the Battlefield
{27:54} Experimenting with electronics to control human emotions with sound
{35:56} How sound is used as an aesthetic component in art
{45:41} Recognising the work of Yoko Ono
{49:05} The Isobel Map
{53:08} Creating soundart for urban spaces
{01:08:25} Summary

Download your 10 FREE Tools to Start Recording your Music HERE >>

Stereophonica is out now! Find out more HERE >>

Gascia on the NYE Special episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs >>

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Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Creativity is undoubtedly an innate human process. We exist because we were created, we are perpetually making new experiences, stories and even cells, and even when we die our matter goes into new creations, whether animal, mineral or vegetable. But a creative practice? This involves some kind of intentional commitment, and sharing this work? This involves opening a dialogue with others around our creative practice. But what if no-one’s paying attention? Inside this week’s episode, Isobel asks whether it’s all ‘still worth it’.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{03:33} Why I’m Recording This Episode
{08:59} How My Own Motivations For Creating Have Changed Over Time
{19:38} The Noble (But Nearly Impossible) ‘Cliche’
{20.58} The Value Of Making Art, For Art’s Sake
{27:40} When It’s Not Just ‘Art For Art’s Sake’
{32:56} Why It’s Not All Just About ‘Getting Attention’
{34:10} ‘Getting Attention’ Vs 'Paying Attention’
{37:43} What Does This All Mean?
{39:13} Summary & Next Week’s Teaser

Rate and review the podcast >>

REFERENCES
The Person Behind the Mask, Linda H. Hamilton >>
David Bowie on making your best work >>
Why We Make Art, UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Centre >>
Kate Nash on Instagram, ‘Woke up feeling BITTAH about my industry’ >>
Rebecca Solnit, Recognitions of my Non Existence (2020) >>
Katy Waldman on Recognitions of my Non Existence in the New Yorker >>
Rebecca Solnit, The Mother of All Questions (2017) >>
How craving attention makes you less creative | Joseph Gordon-Levitt >>
Girls Twiddling Knobs NYE Special with Gascia Ouzounian >>

Listen to the episode here

Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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Composer and producer, Hannah Peel, is fast becoming one of the most inventive, multidimensional and prolific artists in UK electronic music. Inside this episode, Isobel sits down to chat with Hannah about her creative practice, her new album Fir Wave and the realities of being a contemporary, independent musician working in experimental music today.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro & episode overview
{03:14} How Hannah began her journey into music tech
{10:27} Music tech didn’t always come easy
{14:37} Finding your unique sound world
{17:32} How a project in Library Music led to her new album 'Fir Wave'
{31:30} Hannah's '7P' rule for success
{34:35} Should you have a manager?
{45:31} Hannah's top tips for releasing music
{49:21} Dealing with insecurity, self-doubt and 'workaholism'
{56:50} Summary & next week's teaser

Pre-order Hannah Peel's new album 'Fir Wave' here >>
Go to hannahpeel.com to check out all of Hannah’s exciting projects >>

Discover your female producer spirit guide here >> 

Listen to the episode here
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Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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There’s a part of the recording process that can often feel overwhelming to musicians, and that’s self-releasing music. For a totally DIY artist, Isobel’s success with sharing her music is impressive, but she’s also had to learn everything through trial and error. Luckily, you can side-step three of the most common mistakes Isobel has made herself and observed from other musicians with her invaluable advice for self-releasing your own music right here in this week’s episode.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro & episode overview
{03:39} What is self-releasing music?
{05:40} Self-releasing mistake No.1 and how to avoid it
{09:19} Self-releasing mistake No.2 and how to avoid it
{12:22} Self-releasing mistake No.3 and how to avoid it
{18:11} The most important thing to remember when releasing your music
{19:13} Summary & next week’s teaser

Check out the funding wizard on Help Musician UKs website to find some funding pots you could apply for if you’re based in the UK >>

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Ready to level up your music making with the powerful art of field recording? Download my new FREE Essential Gear Checklist to Start Field Recording With Your Smartphone >>

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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson and produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey.

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In this week’s episode Isobel chats with post-production audio engineer Emma Butt about a fascinating piece of research she published recently into lack of diversity within the field of  post-production sound in UK television. Emma shares why and how she took on this important project, her career to date and her ambitious plans for creating more diversity in her industry moving forward.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{02:52} Emma recalls experiencing sexism in her first job in live sound
{12:10} Not conforming doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong
{21:43} Studying sound engineering and beginning her career in TV post-production
{37:38} Emma explains her research findings into diversity within post-production roles
{55:26} Using her findings to launch a new scheme to ensure diversity in the industry
{01:01:28} Top tips for getting started
{01:04:23} Summary & next week’s teaser

Emma Butt Website >>

Emma’s article ‘Diversity in Post-Production Sound Roles in UK Television Production’ in Reprezentology (2020: 12-21) >>

Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity >>

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