393 avsnitt • Längd: 70 min • Veckovis: Tisdag
An exploration of music production through informal discussions about technique, philosophy, gear, and creativity. Hosted by Brian Funk, a musician, songwriter, teacher, and Ableton Certified Trainer.
The podcast Music Production Podcast is created by Brian Funk. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Nick Maclaren is the Chief Strategy Officer for Serato. Nick talked about his experiences as a DJ and how it lead him to become a Serato user. We discuss Serato's new multi-fx plug-in Hex FX. Nick also spoke about the technological developments that have changed DJing and music production, and the challenges that lie ahead as tech gets more and more powerful.
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Brian Funk
Andrew Lockington is a film and television composer who composed the scores for many films including blockbuster hits City of Ember, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Sandreas, and Rampage, as well as hit television shows like Mayor of Kingstown, Special Ops: Lioness, and his latest Landman, starring Billy Bob Thornton. He also created the opening theme for Amazon Prime's Monday Night Hockey.
Andrew's work is known for its creativity and attention to detail. We spoke about some of those techniques like how he recorded in a prison for Mayor of Kingstown and used its gates, walls, bars as musical instruments. Andrew explains how this kind of extra effort can help us bring out the emotional impact in our work.
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Join me at the in-person Finish February Workshop Retreat at Ableton's Pasadena Headquarters - https://brianfunk.com/workshop
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
It’s time for #Jamuary2025, a challenge to make and share music for as many days as you can during January.
I’ll be sharing the prompts I am giving to my Music Production Club here on the podcast.
Whether you are keeping up with the Jamuary challenge or using these prompts sometime in the future, I hope they help inspire you to make some new music!
Join the Music Production Club to get the downloads and access to a supportive community of fellow music makers: https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Good luck and have fun making music during Jamuary2025!
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Brian Funk
It's time for Jamuary 2025! These 31 days of creativity will dramatically increase your creativity.
Here are some lessons, tips, and takeaways that will help you prepare to make the most of the Jamuary challenge.
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Brian Funk
David Rowell is a veteran music journalist who has worked as an editor and writer at the Washington Post for over 20 years. Stewart Copeland of the Police said "David Rowell is the kind of critic that scares us musicians. He really gets it, maybe even more than we do."
David is here to talk about his new book The Endless Refrain: Memory, Nostalgia, and the Threat to New Music. In it he expores the popularity of legacy acts and tribute acts and the challenges it creates for new musicians trying to get their music heard. David raises the question "do we even want new music?" We discuss his take on the trajectory of the music industry and what it means for artists like many of us, who create original music, and our culture in general.
Finish-February 3-Day In-Person Workshop at Ableton's Pasadena Headquarters - https://brianfunk.gumroad.com/l/kwhsgv
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Brian Funk
C4RP00L is an alternative hip-hop band that combines hip-hop beats with electric guitar and bass. They've just released new music, Creature Mode: Vicious and Creature Mode: Velocity.
I spoke with Danger, Renzo Starr, and Villian about their new releases and recent touring. We had a great discussion about writing music as a group and performing live. Please welcome C4RP00L to the Music Production Podcast.
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Brian Funk
Tyson Boorman is a mixing and mastering engineer for Nightowl Music Group. He is the author of The Objective Mix - Mix Like a Pro Without Pro Gear or Premium Plug-ins. Tyson teaches music production on his YouTube channel, Objective Mixing, and he also runs a podcast called Prolific Super Producer, where, in the very near future, I'll be a guest.
Tyson and I spoke about his production philosophy of "skills over gear." We talked about the practical insights and messages from his book The Objective Mix. And Tyson gave a great explanation of how and why to use compressors in different mixing situations.
Tyson is giving listeners of this podcast his "The 5 Secrets to Industry Standard Mixes" and "The Compression Styles Every Bedroom Producer Needs to Know" guides for free! Go to https://www.objectivemixing.com/funk to download them.
This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io
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Brian Funk
Let's get the big things right before we worry about the details.
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Brian Funk
Ben Levin is a musician, visual artist, and educator. He runs the Ben Levin Music School where he hosts courses that help artists find their voice, finish music, and maintain and cultivate their love of music-making. Ben's YouTube Channel hosts his art, music, and educational content. His new album Heaven Heaven Heaven features indie, alternative rock music with 2 Fender Bass VIs at its core.
Ben and I explore the complexities of artistic identity, the challenges of navigating platforms like YouTube, and the importance of creativity in education. Ben explains the challenges of being artistically honest and following our passions while trying to create a consistent online presence that cooperates with the algorithms so we can actually make a living artistically. Ben even brings out his Fender Bass VI to demonstrate how he uses it on his new album Heaven Heaven Heaven.
This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io
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Brian Funk
David Mash is a musician, composer, educator, technologist, and futurist. David worked at Berklee College of Music for 44 years, first as a teacher of guitar and jazz. Then he started the Music Synthesis department, which is now the Electronic Production and Design department. David was Berklee’s Assistant Dean of Curriculum for Academic Technology (BADCAT) in 1989, Vice President for Technology in 1997, Vice President for Technology and Education Outreach in 2006, and Senior Vice President for Innovation, Strategy, and Technology in 2013. He is the President of the Bob Moog Foundation Board, and as Chair of the Board for the Alan R. Pearlman (ARP) Foundation.
It was an honor to speak with David, a man who played a major role in bringing the latest in music technology to the academic world. David spoke about his influential career and how he has evolved over the years as a musician. He shared how a hand injury derailed his guitar playing career and guided him to a new chapter in synthesis and music technology. We discussed his various musical projects and some of the important collaborators he's worked with along the way. It's an incredible story about a man who undoubtedly shaped the musical landscape for all who follow.
This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io
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Brian Funk
Andrea Stolpe is a renowned, multi-platinum creative consultant whose methodology for songwriters and music artists has been taught worldwide. A writer with 20+ years of experience in the music industry, Andrea has written for such artists as Faith Hill, Julianne Hough, and Jimmy Wayne. She has turned her experience into award-winning online courses and live events as well as numerous articles, books, and resources.
As one who has followed and learned from her for years, I really enjoyed speaking with Andrea. She shared lots of practical songwriting advice musicians from any genre can use. Andrea shared her story and how she continues to hone her songwriting craft. We spoke about the vulnerability and openness songwriting requires, as well as how to grow by working with collaborators.
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Brian Funk
KIN TALA is a musical duo from Blackpool, England, who just released their debut EP, Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost. They created the album entirely on their own, learning to produce and mix along the way.
I spoke with Dominic of KIN TALA about their new EP and the creative process they used to make it. Dom discussed how the duo did most of their learning on the fly and how they managed to inject their personality and style into the music. We talked about overcoming creative challenges and working hard to find a unique sound.
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Brian Funk
Ian Temple is the CEO and Co-Founder of the online music school, Soundfly. Soundfly offers courses in a variety of topics related to music-making and music production. Ian is a pianist, composer, and plays in the band Sontag Shogun.
Ian and I spoke about the creative process and the challenges of making music. Ian shared insights about learning music and growing as a musician. He explained how we should embrace challenges and obstacles along the way and use them to our creative advantage.
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Brian Funk
Corey Baker is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and Ableton Certified Trainer. Corey made a huge impact on the electronic music scene and toured the world as Kill Paris. He shares his workflow and techniques in his tutorials and courses, and hosts a weekly sample flip challenge.
I spoke with Corey about his music, educational community, and production techniques. We discussed some of the newer features in Ableton Live 12.1, as well as the process of learning complex software to create music. Corey shared how being discovered by Skrillex on SoundCloud changed the course of his career.
This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io
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Brian Funk
Thomas Glendinning is a music producer, educator, and sound designer. He creates some of the finest Ableton Live and Max for Live devices available at his site ELPHNT. Tom recently released his new album Micro((osmos under the name Conso/e.
Tom joined me for a 3rd conversation on the Music Production Podcast to talk about his new album and some of his latest Max for Live creations, including Essentials. We spoke about the fun and challenges of creating music and devices. Tom shared some great insights from his experiences that will surely help music-makers of all levels. We also spent some time discussing the latest features in Ableton Live 12.1.
This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Michelle Moog is the executive director of the Bob Moog Foundation and daughter of synthesis pioneer Bob Moog. The Bob Moog Foundation’s Mission Statement is to inspire creative thinking by providing interactive educational experiences at the intersection of science, music theory, history, and innovation. Michelle helped bring the organization from a volunteer-driven, grassroots effort to the educational and historical preservation force it is today.
Michelle and I spoke about the Bob Moog Foundation and their efforts to preserve the history of Bob Moog’s work. She shared personal stories of growing up with her father and how she has learned about him and his work on a deeper level since starting the Bob Moog Foundation.
This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io
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Brian Funk
Carter Vail is a musician, producer, and video creator. His fast-paced, lighthearted short-form songs have garnered him hundreds of thousands of followers across social media. His new album, 100 Cowboys, combines upbeat music with emotional lyrics that document a difficult breakup. Carter shares his songwriting process, thoughts on collaboration, and why he chooses to work fast and be prolific in his creative process.
This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
David Alexander is an audio engineer, producer, and musician originally from Portland, Oregon and now based in Los Angeles. He has over 20 years of experience working in all genres, with roots in the subcultures of hardcore and punk. David shares his unique blend of technical skills and creative philosophy on social media.
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Brian Funk
Evan Frankfort is a Songwriter, Sound Designer, and TV and Film Composer. His TV and film credits include Wild Kingdom: Protecting the Wild, The Harlem Globetrotters: Pay it Forward, 90210, and The 100. He writes music and plays in the indie rock band The Spiritual Machines. He has collaborated with diverse artists including Warren Zevon, The Bangles, Rancid, and Liz Phair.
Evan and I spoke about his passion for creating music and his ongoing search for the creative lightning strike. He shares insights from his process and workflow that can help any music maker. Evan's passion and excitement for music production is inspiring and infectious.
This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io
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Brian Funk
Francis Preve is a sound designer, producer, and synthesizer programmer. He programs factory presets for the leading synthesizer manufacturers including Sequential, Roland, Korg, Oberheim, Serum, and many more. He is the Section Lead of Digital Composition at Austin Community College. Francis releases sound packs through his company SympleSound. His latest release, Serum Models, turns the popular synthesizer into a hyper-realistic physical modeling synth.
In our 4th conversation on the Music Production Podcast, Francis discusses his new pack, Serum Models, and explains how physical modeling synthesis works. We go deep into his work as a sound designer and Francis gives thorough explanations of a variety of synthesis concepts. We also talk about his work as an educator and some student success stories, along with the traits those students exhibit in his classes. It's a wide-ranging and deep conversation with one of the world's best sound designers!
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Brian Funk
Tyler Manning and Jordan Dale are part of Boredomfighters, a nonprofit that brings music-making and collaboration to kids across the United States. Boredomfighters conducts workshops, assemblies, and "Instrument Gardens" to empower young people to create music on the fly using modern production techniques.
Tyler and Jordan spoke to me about their work in Boredomfighters and how they've been inspired by inspiring young people to create music. They share their techniques to help participants feel safe to drop inhibitions and have fun creating music together. The principles they share apply to any musical situation. We had a blast talking about their work and listening to music their audience created at a recent event.
This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio, makers of incredible music software. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Dex Green is a Nashville-based producer, engineer, and songwriter. He recorded his new album, Imaginary War, by himself, playing every instrument. Dex has worked with artists like Elvis Costello, Margo Price, and Collective Soul. His work has been nominated for a Grammy.
Dex and I spoke about his work and the lessons he's picked up from recording countless acts in various genres. He discussed the process of recording his new album Imaginary War. Dex shared how he's combined philosophies and concepts from jazz studies, playing in punk and ska bands as a teenager, and recording top artists in Nashville.
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This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio. Use the code MPP15 to save 15%! https://babyaud.io
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AI is getting really good at generating realistic and emotional music. Where will this leave music-makers?
Today we discuss how we can ensure that we remain relevant in the face of an AI music takeover!
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Brian Funk
Mikas is the creator of We Make Dance Music, a site of music resources for producers. On his podcast, Live Electronic Music Tutorials with Mikas, he creates tracks in real-time, sharing tips and techniques along the way. The result of each episode becomes a template viewers can purchase on WeMakeDanceMusic.com.
This is the second time Mikas and I spoke on the Music Production Podcast. Immediately I was reminded of his passion and impressive work ethic. As a new father, Mikas discussed the importance of staying consistent and scheduling time to work on his music career. He spoke about how we can take small actions on a regular basis to complete major goals. Mikas also had some powerful thoughts on authenticity and honesty in art and how that can lead to deeper connections with your audience.
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Jeff Leisawitz is a musician, producer, coach, college songwriting professor, and author. His new book The Magical Impact of Storytelling explores how creatives can connect with their audiences and produce more meaningful work with effective storytelling.
It was great to have Jeff back on the Music Production Podcast to discuss how we can use storytelling to make better music. We talk about how writing about the specific helps illuminate the universal. Jeff shares famous stories that have helped hit songs connect with listeners. We discuss dealing with the inner critic and the concepts of The Golden Repair, The Hero's Journey, and Head, Heart, and Hands.
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Brian Funk
Iftah is the creator of a number of official Ableton Live Packs, including CV Tools, Time and Timbre, Microtuner, and the new Performance Pack for Live 12. Formerly one-half of the duo, Skinnerbox, Iftah has performed around the world. His creative pursuits cover various mediums and styles such as electronic music, field recordings, photography, and programming.
Iftah and I spoke about his work as a music producer and developer. We discuss Iftah's journey in music, the development of the Performance Pack for Ableton Live, and the importance of rest and recovery in the creative process. Iftah speaks about the significance of building your own instruments and the satisfaction of seeing others use and create with your tools. We discuss the new features in Ableton Live 12 and the Performance Pack. We also explore the concept of constraints in music production and the importance of following one's own interests and passions.
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Gregg Lehrman is the founder and CEO of Output. Output is a music-creation software company created by musicians for musicians. Gregg is an ASCAP award-winning musician and producer who has worked in television and film.
Gregg spoke about his work at Output and how he started the company to fulfill his creative needs. He shared lessons he learned working for Hans Zimmer and how those experiences informed his work at Output. Gregg elaborated on how focusing towards a clear vision can help creatives work through the process and finish more work. Gregg also shared details about Output's latest work, Co-Producer.
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Brian Funk
Sound Oracle is a music producer and sound designer. He has worked with the heavy hitters in the hip-hop world, and his sounds have been used in Grammy-winning songs by Timbaland, Jay-Z, Drake, and more. His latest packs Golden Era Hip Hop Drums and Trap Drums are featured packs in the new Ableton Live 12 update.
Sound Oracle and I had an inspiring conversation about his work as a producer and sound designer. He shared how he broke into the music scene when Timbaland discovered his sounds. This episode is littered with tips about organization, workflow, and maintaining healthy working relationships. Sound Oracle also shared some of his favorite tools he uses in his productions.
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
The Him is a music producer, DJ, and plug-in designer with over 500 million streams on Spotify. He's toured some of the largest festival stages and done remixes for artists like Tiesto, The Chainsmokers, and Miley Cyrus. The Him just released his first plug-in, Sub Ninja, which allows producers to get an accurate understanding of the bass frequencies in a mix.
The Him and I spoke about his career and Sub Ninja. We discussed the creative process and how he stays enthusiastic by balancing different projects with rest. The Him generously shared lots of useful insights we can all use in our own music production.
You can get 10% off Sub Ninja with the code: MPPODCAST - https://dsp.thehim.com
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Brian Funk
Johan Ransby is an artist, coach, and producer. He shares tips and techniques that help artists finish more music and reach their career goals. His website is loaded with helpful creative tools and his social media accounts contain priceless advice.
Johan and I had a great conversation about how he approaches making music and teaching his students. He emphasized the importance of seeking challenges and chasing excitement. We talked about creativity, live performance, and being enthusiastic about our work. The episode ends with Johan's impromptu critique of my song "I'm Looking for You" from my album Rectangles.
This episode is sponsored by Audimee "Ulimited Vocals, Unlimited Freedom" - https://audimee.com
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Brian Funk
Michaela Shiloh and Andre Mullens run the community-based record label HRDRV, which helps artists develop their careers. Their combined decades of experience in the music industry include writing music for top artists like Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez and working for Bad Boy Records.
Michaela and Andre discuss the importance of camaraderie and collaboration in running their company, HRDRV. The conversation also delves into the challenges of wearing multiple hats as a musician and the need for a toolbox in the music industry. Michaela and Andre share stories from their journeys in the music business and how they led to the development of HRDRV.
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Brian Funk
Carlos Sosa is a musician, producer, composer, and music director. Sosa formed Grooveline Horns, a 1970s funk and R&B influenced brass group. Carlos tours and records with Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Mraz, Zac Brown Band, and Hanson.
Carlos and I spoke in-depth about his music career recording and touring with some of music's largest acts. He spoke about how his never-ending desire to learn had him remote-recording since 2004, meeting new people, and landing dream gig after dream gig. Carlos' energy and enthusiasm fuels this great conversation, loaded with insight and wisdom.
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Brian Funk
Philip Röder is a music producer who runs the Copilco professional mixing and mastering studio in Berlin. Philip's YouTube Channel, Pick Yourself, helps music producers hone their craft and tap into their own personal style.
Philip and I had a great conversation about his work and his underpinning philosophies. We went into detail about how he encourages musicians to invest in themselves and "pick yourself." Philip explains how he employs the Go-Giver mindset to his work and how it has brought him success in many aspects of his life.
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Brian Funk
Tim Smolens is a musician, composer, and recording engineer. He teaches music theory on his YouTube channel and at High Castle Music Conservatory. Tim has toured and plays in the bands ISS and High Castle Teleorkestra.
Tim and I had an inspiring conversation about his work and appreciation of music and chord theory. Throughout the episode, Tim demonstrates the principles on his piano. We discussed the chord theory of the Beach Boys and Soundgarden, the evolution of recording technology, and much more.
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Brian Funk
Alexkid is a music producer and plug-in designer. He's been releasing house music for decades and designing Max for Live devices for Ableton and Isotonik Studios. Alex now runs 510k Arts, where he releases his powerful sequencers, including the new VST/AU plug-in Seqund.
Alexkid and I spoke about his work, music, and experience designing sequencers. He went into great detail about the subtle art of humanization and how groove and feel are an integral part of his sound and sequencer design. He shared his philosophies about having a playful mindset and the importance of moving fast while creating.
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Brian Funk
Alex Akimov is the founder of Simple Social, a music digital marketing agency, and Sound.Me, an AI-powered artist and creator platform. He has worked as an artist manager, promoter, and touring guitarist. Alex explores ways to help artists reach their career goals.
On this episode, Alex discusses his experience in the music industry and his current focus on Simple Social and Sound.Me. He shares strategies about releasing music and building a career in the music industry.
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Brian Funk
Charlie McCarron is a film composer, songwriter, and game designer. He is currently running a Kickstarter campaign for his Troubadeck songwriting cards. Charlie ran the Composer Quest Podcast, where he interviewed songwriters and discussed their creative process.
It was great to catch up with Charlie, who was the 2nd guest on this podcast! Charlie showed us his new Troubadeck, which is a fantastic tool for songwriting and jamming with others. We spoke about Charlie's work in film composing and game design. Throughout the episode, Charlie shared insightful wisdom about the connections between film composing, songwriting, and game design.
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Brian Funk
Thad Cockrell is a musician, songwriter, and producer in Nashville, TN. His new album, THE KID, comes out January 26th and is available on vinyl for $100. Thad appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon after Fallon discovered his song "Swingin'" at a hardware store.
In this episode, Thad discusses the evolution of his musical style and the importance of creating from a place of authenticity. He explains how he is challenging the current state of the music industry and the devaluation of music by selling his new record for $100. We had a great conversation about the power of music and songwriting, and the enjoyment of the craft.
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Brian Funk
TJ Dumser is an ambient artist who makes music as Six Missing. His newest album Here For Now combines modular synths, electronic and acoustic instruments, and immersive field recordings. TJ's music explores human resilience and the power of finding the present.
TJ and I had a great conversation about his writing process and how he uses music to immerse himself in the present moment. We discussed how so many musical concepts and strategies also apply to everyday life. He also spoke about his musical gear and balancing his work as an artist with his day job.
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Brian Funk
Here are 4 tips I've learned that improve creativity!
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Brian Funk
Raul Sotomayor is a musician, producer, and DJ from Mexico City. Raul makes Afro-Caribbean electronic music as Tonga Conga. He has a record label and studio named Kaya Records and produces music for a wide range of artists.
Raul and I had a great time talking about his work as Tonga Conga and his background as a percussionist and DJ. He shared some thoughts on building a studio area that is comfortable and conducive to creativity. Raul detailed his insights on collaboration and helping artists reach their creative goals.
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Brian Funk
Andrew Huang is a musician, producer, video maker, and sound explorer. He's known for his YouTube channel which currently has over 2.35 million subscribers. Andrew recently released the Transit plug-in with Baby Audio, the Ghost Pedal with Endorphines, and the iOS Flip sampler. His new book, Make Your Own Rules, details his story as a music industry misfit and shares advice on how to build a career and navigate through a new and ever-changing musical landscape.
Andrew and I had a great conversation about his work and how he followed his passion to get where he is today. Andrew's insights about collaboration and experimentation are valuable lessons for musicians at any stage of their career. Andrew's book is currently available for pre-order and will be released February 6, 2024.
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Brian Funk
Stavroz is an organic and cinematic electronic music group from Belgium. The award-winning 4-piece combines DJ-style electronic performances with acoustic instruments such as bass, guitar, wind, and brass. In December 2023, they released their Kick Up the Dust EP, combining a variety of styles, moods, energies, and instrumentation.
I spoke with Gert from Stavroz, whose varied role in the band includes mixing, producing, and performing brass instruments, among other duties. Gert takes us through the band's creative process beginning with song creation, jamming, recording, and live performance.
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Music Production Club Live Meeting Music:
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Brian Funk
Brent Hendrich is an award-winning mix engineer with over 20 years of experience in the Nashville music industry. He has worked in just about every stage of the recording process and within a wide variety of musical genres. In recent years, Brent has become a specialist in mixing pop music.
Brent and I spoke about his work as a pop music mixing engineer. He shared valuable mixing techniques and strategies for reaching the artistic vision of his clients. Brent discussed some challenges he's faced and skills he's learned during his 20+ year career.
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Music Production Club Live Meeting Music
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Brian Funk
Will Hatton is a music producer and educator. He runs the popular Inspired By... YouTube Channel and has taught music for over a decade. Will releases music under the name Hush Child.
Will and I had a great time talking about a wide range of topics. We discussed his work and success with his YouTube Channel. Will shared some insights about how he carved his own path in the music industry. We spent quite a bit of time discussing philosophical principles of creativity and productivity.
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Music Production Club Live Meeting Music
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Brian Funk
Amanda Cawley is an award-winning orchestral composer for film, television, and video games. Amanda's work includes the documentary Visionary Gardeners, the animated series Fireman Sam, and the video game Siegebreaker.
Amanda and I spoke about her work creating sonic worlds for film and video games. She shared how she overcomes creative challenges and blocks, as well as the mental game of writing music. I found Amanda's insights quite valuable and look forward to applying them to my own work!
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Music Production Club Live Meeting Music
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Brian Funk
Yeuda Ben-Atar, aka Side Brain, is a musician, producer, and Ableton Certified Trainer. Yeuda has taught countless students both online and in person. He first caught my attention around 2010 using his Sega Dreamcast arcade stick and other video game controllers to perform with Ableton Live. Yeuda regularly releases Ableton Live Packs and tutorials and holds a weekly "Study Group" where he and participants explore music production in all different styles of music.
Yeuda and I finally got to speak after years of following each other's work. He spoke about his unlikely path to finding himself at the center of controllerism and the LA Beat scene. Throughout the conversation his passion for what he does is undeniable.
If you are in the Los Angeles area, check out the Los Angeles Ableton User Group meeting on November 15, 2023.
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Brian Funk
Chloe Echo is a singer/songwriter, producer, and educator originally from New Zealand and living in Los Angeles. She just released her new EP Past Life. Chloe teaches for Berklee Online.
Chloe and I got a chance to reconnect after meeting and writing music together at the Monterey Songwriting Retreat. She spoke about how her past has brought her to where she is now as a person and artist. We reflected on our songwriting sessions together and the lessons we both learned about collaboration and making ourselves vulnerable to write music with new people.
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Brian Funk
Lanier Sammons is an engineer, composer, and teacher at California State University, Monterey Bay. He teaches recording and technology, and has worked on many records, films, concert hall works, and installation pieces.
Lanier and I spoke about his work as a teacher and producer, as well as his new track, a cover of ZZ Top's "Waiting for the Bus." We discussed our experiences together at the Monterey Songwriting Retreat, and how collaborating with others helps bring out new ideas and opportunities for music producers.
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Brian Funk
Filip is a musician and producer who runs the YouTube Channel Flow Prod. Filip shares practical tips and techniques that help music producers improve their music and workflows.
Filip and I spoke about his work as a producer and YouTuber. He shared some thoughts on balancing music and life, as well as some practical approaches that allow him to create more music at higher levels.
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Brian Funk
Alex Geringas is a producer, composer, and Grammy-winning songwriter. He has 16 number-one songs in Germany and won a Grammy for his co-writing of Kelly Clarkson's "Dark Side." He has written music for Batwheels, the entire Trolls TV franchise, and collaborated with Timbaland on the theme for Fast and Furious: Spy Racers.
Alex and I had a great conversation about his work in television and film scoring. He shared how he works with show producers to find the perfect palette for each project. Alex's excitement for his work on the Bat-Man BatWheels show revealed many insights into creating moods and atmospheres with music that any musician can use in their work.
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Brian Funk
Joseph Holiday makes music as Snakes of Russia. His new album, True Surrender, releases on Friday, October 13, 2023. Joseph also creates soundscapes for films and sound design work for Ableton and Spitfire Audio.
For Joseph’s second appearance on the Music Production Podcast, we discussed his workflow and process for his new album. Joseph spoke about traveling to Salem, MA to God City studio where he ran his synths and drum machines through guitar amps and PA loudspeakers. We talked about his favorite gear and plug-ins, as well as how he brings his music to the stage for live performances.
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Brian Funk
Peter Bell is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, and teacher at Berklee College of Music. He composed the themes for This Old House, New Yankee Workshop, Victory Garden, the ABC After School Special, the award-winning film Radio Cape Cod, and countless jingles and production tracks. He recorded with Bonnie Raitt and the James Montgomery Band and has two Emmys, seven NEBA awards, and six ASCAP awards.
Peter and I had a great conversation following our week together during the Monterey Songwriting Retreat. Pete discussed the importance of working with other musicians and played some of his collaborations with former Berklee students. He also shared the fascinating story of meeting a young Bonnie Raitt and playing on her first album.
This episode is sponsored by Kits.ai, a platform for artists, producers, and fans to create AI voice models with ease.
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Brian Funk
Jörgen Kjellgren is a musician and producer from Sweden. His new album, Bluebird, comes out September 14th and combines singer-songwriting and ambient music beautifully.
Jörgen and I spoke about his new album, Bluebird. Jörgen shared his songwriting and recording techniques. He went into detail about how the songs were started with lyrical writing and the production techniques he used to bring each track new dimensions.
Note: There was a glitch in the audio until minute 27. I don't think it's so bad that the audio shouldn't be released. But if it bothers you too much, please skip to 27:00 minutes where the issue is resolved. Otherwise, consider reading the transcript at https://brianfunk.com/jorgen3
My apologies for the problem! Thanks for listening!
Brian Funk
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Brian Funk
Bobby Owsinski is an audio engineer, producer, author, and educator. His book, The Mixing Engineer's Handbook is in its 5th edition and is a foundational part of college classrooms. Bobby writes about music production and gear on his blog Music 3.0. He also hosts the Podcast Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle, which covers the latest industry news and features interviews with assorted music professionals.
I've been following and learning from Bobby's work for the last decade, so speaking with him was a true honor. Bobby spoke in great depth about his exploration of AI in music production. He spoke of the fears many producers have and how we can leverage the new technologies to take our music to new places faster.
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Brian Funk
Lynden Williams makes music as Divorce Court. His new album, Two Hours, marks a new direction with his collaboration with Chase Lambert. Lynden also works as a documentary filmmaker for Ableton.
It was great to reconnect with Lynden! His music and workflow have evolved tremendously in the years I've known him. Lynden shared insights he learned from artists while filming documentaries with Ableton. He spoke about the power of creativity and the fun and challenge of bringing his music to the stage for live performances.
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Brian Funk
Our favorite artists inspire us to make our own music. But it's easy to get caught up in trying to replicate their sound. In doing so, we ignore what is our number one advantage over every other music producer in the world.
In this episode, we talk about why we can't and don't even want to sound like our favorite artists and what we can do to unlock our own musical super-power that can set us apart from the crowd.
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Brian Funk
JP Rende and Kat Raio Rende are a husband and wife songwriting team and founders of Earworm Music. JP and Kat write and produce music for kids television, animation, film, and commercials. They won an Emmy for their song "Friends with a Penguin" sung by Billy Porter on Sesame Street. They've produced music for various shows including Gabby's Dollhouse, Baby Shark's Big Show, Barbie's Dreamhouse Adventure, and more.
JP and Kat shared details about their unique collaboration, allowing them time to work together and separately. They gave a glimpse into how the process of writing specifically for kids and how scripts, pitches, and deadlines all play a significant part in their work.
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Brian Funk
Episode Transcript:
Brian Funk: Hello everybody and welcome to the Music Production Podcast. I'm your host, Brian Funk. And on today's show, I have JP Rendy and Cat Rayo Rendy of Earworm Music and they do a lot of cool stuff. Congratulations, first of all, they just won an Emmy for the song, Friends With a Penguin that they wrote for Billy Porter. That was, what a catchy song and fun. Great job guys,
JP Rende: Thank
Brian Funk: congrats.
JP Rende: you,
Kat Raio Rende: Thanks.
JP Rende: thank you, thank you.
Brian Funk: They write for Sesame Street, Gabby's Dollhouse, Princess Power, Baby Shark's Big Show, Barbie's Dreamhouse Adventure. There's a long list of stuff they do. They do a lot of work for kids in animated TV and film commercials. I love the Charmin, Shiny Hiny song they have. That
Kat Raio Rende: Ha
Brian Funk: was
Kat Raio Rende: ha
Brian Funk: great.
Kat Raio Rende: ha.
JP Rende: Hahaha
Brian Funk: A lot of fun. Kat, you've sang with Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Ray Charles. A lot of really impressive stuff. You guys are doing great work and it sounds like you're having fun. You've married your music and your lives together. So
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
Brian Funk: it's a really unique combination and I'm very excited to talk to you guys. I had a lot of fun digging into your catalog a bit, getting ready for the show.
JP Rende: Sweet, thank
Brian Funk: Welcome.
JP Rende: you.
Kat Raio Rende: Thanks.
Brian Funk: So, first of all, congratulations on the Emmy. That's great.
JP Rende: Oh, thank you.
Brian Funk: That must've
JP Rende: Yeah,
Brian Funk: been
JP Rende: that
Brian Funk: a real
JP Rende: was
Brian Funk: treat.
JP Rende: really fun. That was a really fun night.
Kat Raio Rende: That was a wild time.
JP Rende: Yeah, we didn't think we were gonna win, honestly, because we've been nominated before and it's really a crap shoot. You never know. You really never know how the cards fall. And I remember the first time that we went out to the ceremony, maybe it's just a little bit of arrogance. Of course we got this. We got this.
Brian Funk: Hehehe
Kat Raio Rende: This is
JP Rende: It's
Kat Raio Rende: Sesame Street.
JP Rende: a great song. Ah, we lost. And it felt so bad. It felt, you know, I'm gonna give it real. A lot of people are like, oh, it doesn't matter. It felt bad to lose. So when we got nominated again, we went out with like, hey, it's probably not gonna happen. Let's just have a great time. And we were up against a Ben Folds song. And it was a really good song. Like, Ben Folds, I don't know you, but I wanna know you and you're fantastic. It was called
Kat Raio Rende: little things.
JP Rende: The Little Things Charlie Brown. It was for Charlie Brown's special. So I
Brian Funk: Oh
JP Rende: was
Brian Funk: wow.
JP Rende: like, he's gonna win, it's all good. And then when Jojo Siwa called Friends With a Penguin, we were shocked. Like, full on that meme with Taylor Swift like this. We were totally shocked and it was a really fun thing. And you know, the song, as silly as it can come across on the surface, has a much deeper meaning about, you know, just say hi to somebody that's different than you and you can become friends and don't be afraid of anything that's dissimilar because that's how we learn from each other.
Brian Funk: Is that the Emmy behind you, Kat? I see.
Kat Raio Rende: I know, I was trying to cover it up because I don't want it to look like a douche. I'm sorry, I don't want it to look like a jerk, but
Brian Funk: No, that's great.
Kat Raio Rende: yeah.
Brian Funk: You should
Kat Raio Rende: So.
Brian Funk: have that proudly displayed.
Kat Raio Rende: Ah ha
Brian Funk: Yeah,
Kat Raio Rende: ha!
Brian Funk: that's awesome.
JP Rende: Yeah, sorry, I have one too. It's not in my studio. I gave it to my parents. And partially I was like, you know what? I'm just gonna look at that and become complacent. So I always gotta stay hungry, so.
Brian Funk: Yeah, yeah, right. That's a big part of it. You know, you mentioned being silly. And this is like something I kind of wanted to talk to you guys about because there's, I think, a different mindset that goes into writing songs like this compared to like being an artist. You know what I mean? Like
Kat Raio Rende: Yes.
Brian Funk: a serious artist. So just to give you a sense of where I'm coming from with this. I have my serious artist side,
Kat Raio Rende: Hehehe
Brian Funk: where I write my songs and stuff. But a few years back with a friend of mine, we wrote songs kind of directed for kids with special needs, specifically autism, for social behavior stuff. And it's called social story songs. And that's something that's often used to help teach proper behavior in places, restaurants, how to interact with people. We had a song similar. to the concept of yours, the perfect greeting for who I'm meeting. So it just teaches
JP Rende: Oh
Brian Funk: you
Kat Raio Rende: Yes!
Brian Funk: how
JP Rende: wow.
Brian Funk: to say hello and stuff. But what I found with that was it was very liberating to write in that way where you didn't have to be so artistic about everything and so serious about it. I had a lot of fun with that. And I wanted to ask you guys a little bit about just that mindset and that way of writing and getting free to be silly with it a little bit and have fun with the songwriting process.
Kat Raio Rende: That is the most fun that I think that you can possibly have, especially when it comes to like, I'm neurodivergent and like writing from that perspective and writing, there's like that is a really great, it's a really good place to come from, but also like a really great way to like get all of that out. You know, like you said, like being an artist, I started off as an artist and And it's just not as much fun. It's so much fun writing for like to be silly. And like, you know, there are some artists that do it now. And there's, especially for like, you know, they're for kids movies, but like the recent Barbie movie had a song by Lizzo that I thought was so funny. Like it started off as, I did not write it, but it was a song that was. the first time it came around, it was very serious and happy. And the second time around, it started getting panicked because Barbie was changing as a person. And,
JP Rende: Poiler alert.
Kat Raio Rende: spoiler alert, sorry. But it's so fun to write like that because like, as writing for kids and knowing their parents are also watching it, it's so fun to like, add adult content in it. Like, we wrote a song for Baby Shark's big show called call me Billiom and where Billiom, Baby Shark's best friend, was trying to be an adult and he said I'm not William now from now on call me Billiom and then the song is like this very serious like rap song and there was like a funny little I don't know if it's an Easter egg but for the adults where it's like I have a cute sign in my living room that says live splash love I'm Billiom it's like You can get to the parents, the silly side of the parents. It brings out the silly side of the parents too. And it's so fun to like add like, I love puns, adding
Brian Funk: Uh...
Kat Raio Rende: puns and I dream of fish puns. But it's so fun to add, I
JP Rende: True
Kat Raio Rende: do.
JP Rende: story.
Kat Raio Rende: I wake up in the middle of the night and like, JP, I'll be right back, I gotta go. Sometimes I'll like go hide
Brian Funk: Thanks
Kat Raio Rende: in
Brian Funk: for
Kat Raio Rende: the
Brian Funk: watching!
Kat Raio Rende: laundry room and just like write, you know, write things down or sing into the voice recorder. But. There's nothing like, I think of it as like neurodivergent writing, but it's just you get to write what you actually want to write, whereas everything else has to be in this like serious box and
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Kat Raio Rende: kids music you just do, like kids think like that and they enjoy it, so I really love it the most.
Brian Funk: It's something I've taken to my artist side too. You know, playing in a band when we're trying to come up with music, a lot of times it does start out kind of silly and it's gibberish or blabbering or just placeholder lyrics. But being free enough to do that has opened the door to actually get into some of those other areas too. And I find
Kat Raio Rende: Oh yeah.
Brian Funk: it's something I encourage people to do is like. Don't be afraid to be silly. Don't be afraid to make bad music. And I try to remember that with myself because a lot of times things that might not seem like my masterpiece after I work on it for a little while starts to come together a little bit
Kat Raio Rende: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: when I'm not so judgmental about it.
Kat Raio Rende: Oh, it'd be so nice to add that into it. Like Primus and Macklemore and Eminem and who else? There's some artists that really do it well.
Brian Funk: Yeah.
JP Rende: Harry Grip.
Kat Raio Rende: Well, Perry Grip is a kid's artist, but
JP Rende: Yeah, but
Kat Raio Rende: he's
JP Rende: he's
Kat Raio Rende: like
JP Rende: amazing.
Kat Raio Rende: the king.
Brian Funk: Yeah, and you mentioned too, I guess, the concept of just capturing ideas whenever you get them at the moment. So you're jumping out of bed. I think that's such a smart thing to do because I think they disappear so fast.
Kat Raio Rende: I
JP Rende: Yeah,
Kat Raio Rende: mean,
JP Rende: have
Kat Raio Rende: sometimes,
JP Rende: you, have you, oh sorry Kit.
Kat Raio Rende: I was just gonna say sometimes, the whole song is there. Sometimes we'll read a brief when we get a song, and we will read a brief at night, or in the afternoon on a Sunday, and then wake up on a Sunday morning at two o'clock and be like, here, here's this, and there's the whole song. Or the main idea of the song usually comes in the middle of the night. And it's
JP Rende: Yeah.
Kat Raio Rende: so much fun because it's like you didn't write, I didn't, you know, like your subconscious writes it and you're like, that's a good idea, subconscious. Thank you.
Brian Funk: Thanks for watching!
JP Rende: Well, mine is sometimes I write the most amazing songs in my dreams and then like I wake up and they're fucking horrible. But in your dreams, like they're the greatest song ever. You're like, oh my God, I'm gonna
Brian Funk: Yeah.
JP Rende: change the world with this song and then you have all these accolades and people are singing your song and then you wake up and you hum a tune, you're like, what is that? So, but fortunately, cats middle of the night stuff is always.
Brian Funk: Well, I think
Kat Raio Rende: Most
Brian Funk: it's
Kat Raio Rende: of
Brian Funk: important
Kat Raio Rende: the time.
Brian Funk: that you're comfortable with letting that stuff in. Even if it is, it turns out to be bad. Just let the music in or let it out, however you want to look at it. And
Kat Raio Rende: You know what,
Brian Funk: then
Kat Raio Rende: writing,
Brian Funk: later, judge.
Kat Raio Rende: yeah, writing lyrics too. The way that I personally write lyrics is I'll write, and it goes for ideas in general. Even if you have really bad ideas, you kind of have to like. Expel them first so I'll write all the worst stuff and knowing it's not going to be possible knowing that like if you're writing for a specific character who's an octopus and you really need to change it, you know, it's and it's an octopus specific Line and it's definitely not going to work for them. You write it out anyway, and then Once you get all the bad, you know, once you get all the stuff that doesn't work out first, you know you have it like for some reason it just sticks in your brain until you let it, until you're like, okay, I'll give you some attention, you know, write it down, and now after that's done, the other stuff comes to mind for whatever reason. You know, you put your bad rhyme down, you put your... It's not like you have it as a placeholder either. You just literally have to like write it on a piece of paper, write it on a, you know, a Word document. And then... once you've given it the attention that it needed, it goes away and leaves room for other things, I think.
Brian Funk: Last weekend we had a party at my house and it's like this thing we do once...
JP Rende: Thanks for the invite, Brian.
Kat Raio Rende: Hahaha!
Brian Funk: Yeah, I'm
JP Rende: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Brian Funk: kind of sad because you guys aren't that far away.
Kat Raio Rende: hehe
Brian Funk: But we have just music outside, so we just set up drums and guitars
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
Brian Funk: and stuff. And there's a lot of jamming that happens. And it's very spontaneous, but... Sometimes you want to try to develop it a little bit and you sing a little bit and you just sort of have to be okay with whatever fits whatever works and just get stuff out and Sometimes the thing that might even have felt silly or dumb in the beginning starts to actually make sense and work That and I think that freedom That you give yourself to be okay with that Is so important because then if then the good stuff can come out without getting kind of gate-kept, you know, before it had a chance.
JP Rende: For sure. I think that you really hit the nail on the head is you can't be afraid to write shit. You can't, you know? And what that can do is you gotta get that bad stuff out of you before the good stuff can come. And self-judgment is...we all suffer from it many times. And I commend you for doing that at a party, because I know that like... even in our studios, Cat's studio's not far from mine, but when we're each kind of like messing around with stuff, we really don't want the other person hearing it, just because
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
JP Rende: it's not that they're gonna judge it. I think Cat knows the way that I write and I know the way she writes, but it's just the fact that I wanna be able to get out all the kinks that I'm feeling, and I feel as though that... there's a bit of a show-off-ness when somebody else is hearing it.
Brian Funk: Right.
JP Rende: We're professionals, right? So we have to conduct ourselves as quote unquote professionals, so it's like we play the wrong chord in front of somebody else and they're like, you know a six is a minor, right? But
Kat Raio Rende: Ha ha
JP Rende: you
Kat Raio Rende: ha!
JP Rende: mess up and you play a major and you're like, oh no, I didn't do that. But when you're by yourself and you don't judge, then fun stuff can happen. So.
Brian Funk: Hmm.
JP Rende: I do think it's important to not be afraid to just mess around and make it sound like crap because for all you know the next time that you go sit down and write, one little nugget of that crap session could make the song that you're working on now. Brilliant.
Kat Raio Rende: Wanna hear something, JB? That I've never
JP Rende: Short.
Kat Raio Rende: told you? I mean, it's not whatever. But the reason why I don't like to hear, for you to hear what I'm doing is because I think you're gonna like it. And I'm like, I'm not, it's not done, it's not done. So I think that like, you know, my first thing tends to be pretty, depending
JP Rende: Oh, here it
Kat Raio Rende: on
JP Rende: comes.
Kat Raio Rende: where it's coming from.
JP Rende: Here it comes. I
Kat Raio Rende: What?
Brian Funk: Thank you.
Kat Raio Rende: What do you think I was gonna say?
JP Rende: thought you were gonna say like, my first thing tends to be really, really good, but it's not good enough for me. So I don't... Ha ha
Kat Raio Rende: No,
JP Rende: ha.
Kat Raio Rende: no, it just like, it's just like a rough thing. And sometimes it's like a little bit simple or something. Sometimes like, my memory is kind of, I can't always access it. And sometimes I'll write something that I'm like, oh, this might be close to something I've worked on before, or sometimes like something I've written before. And, or it's like, you know, it's like, for lack of a better term, it's like derivative of my own stuff, I guess? And so I'll be like, I can't do, I want to do something new on this. Like I want to change, like there was, there's, there was a song we were working on yesterday for Baby Shark's Big Show and it was like this wacky, like really out there, like chord change that didn't belong because two characters who don't get along were trying to, were finding out that they were friends. And um, it, I, It was really out there and I'm like, this part is good. I don't want him to hear that because it's not actually finished. But the other chords were like so much the same and the same and the same. So I knew the rhythm was good. I knew the production was good. It was really good. I knew that you were going to like it, Jay. But I knew there was more to go and I knew it was going to be like, keep it. And that's what happened.
JP Rende: Yeah.
Kat Raio Rende: And I was like, oh, but you know, we did end up keeping it. And usually when he says stuff like that, it is the right, it was the right thing to do. So that's something that like, we tend to kind of hear, when we hear it undone, the other person will, either JP will pair it down for me or I will do something on his tracks.
Brian Funk: Right, nice. You know, it's interesting, you guys, your situation, right? Cause you are partners in the music and you're married too.
JP Rende: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: And it's often, those are often comparisons that are made when you're in a band. It's like being married to a couple of people or all these relationships. And so much happens, I mean, within a relationship, but then within a musical relationship, and sometimes they affect the other relationship, you know?
JP Rende: Absolutely.
Brian Funk: but it seems like you guys have figured out some ways to make that work. And one of the maybe interesting things that's going on right now for people that are watching, they might be able to tell, but you guys are in the same building, right? Same house,
Kat Raio Rende: Oh yeah.
Brian Funk: but
JP Rende: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: different spaces. You have your own separate space for that,
JP Rende: 100%.
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
Brian Funk: for your work.
JP Rende: We learned this a long time ago. We do our best work together, but when we're actually like in a co-writing session, we both tend to be a little bit headstrong on our ideas and sometimes that affects the music in a negative way. So we found that part of our process that really works is that if we get a brief for, you know, we get hired to do something is that we'll come together for a very short while and say, okay, what are we thinking here? Okay, I'm thinking X, Y, and Z, and I'm thinking, okay, that's cool. And we do the collaboration there before we even get to an instrument, anything. And then it's like, okay, once we kind of settle on, let's say, okay, we're gonna do an up tempo that kind of has like something that sounds like this, the kind of pantomime or sing something with a drum beat that's like, th
Kat Raio Rende: Mm-hmm.
JP Rende: I'll add stuff, she'll sing some ideas, I'll sing some ideas, and then before we know it, we have a cohesive track and song, but then Kat is the last person, not the last person to touch it, because I do the mixing, but the last creative, so once she's singing it, she could be like, hmm, you know what, this idea really wasn't good, and just be like, hey. Do you mind if I try this? And sometimes I'm like, yeah. And sometimes I'm like, no. No,
Kat Raio Rende: Hehehehehehe
JP Rende: you may not. You may do it exactly the way I did it because I like it. And then we fight, and then we fight some more, then we argue, then we realize that I'm wrong and she realizes that she's wrong. We find somewhere, sometimes it's in the middle and then sometimes it's like, you know what, Kat? You're absolutely right. And that's it. So that's our process. It's not the most...
Kat Raio Rende: collaborative? No, it is
JP Rende: No,
Kat Raio Rende: collaborative.
JP Rende: no, it's not the most cohesive, but I think that it helps us and it helps save our personal life as well, because in the very beginning, we would argue in the studio, before we were married, before we were even dating,
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
JP Rende: and then it'd be like, well, I don't wanna see you for a while, I'm mad
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
JP Rende: at you, whatever. So we found that within our professional life to kind of keep it there. And then, you know, once we go upstairs and we're with our kids, it's like, you know, we'll still talk about it and we'll still sing, but the kind of negotiations are over at that
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah,
JP Rende: point.
Kat Raio Rende: and it allows us to like show instead of tell. Like instead of being like, I want it to sound like X, Y, Z, and then they have their own idea of what it could be because it could be anything. Like we're trust. People trust us now, thank God. It allows us to show each other instead of having to tell them about it, which we'll never say. If you're like, I wanna marry these two styles that are crazy, the other person will be like, that's terrible. But if we have the right idea, it will end up working out. And also, on a side note, we're very serious, at least I am very serious about like, when work ends, we try not to talk about work. because if you're spending nearly all your time with someone, because don't forget, we go out with our friends and we go on dates and a lot of our time is spent together. We were like, okay, nine o'clock, I'm gonna go. and I'm gonna be on my room, you're gonna be on your room, and we can, you know, you have to knock before entering the whole thing. It has to be very separate so that the two of us can feel like we're not, like we're coming home from work or going
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
Kat Raio Rende: to work because it's, you know, just a staircase down instead of having to even leave the house, which is a wild
Brian Funk: Right.
Kat Raio Rende: thing.
Brian Funk: Yeah. And it's hard enough on your own even to divide that kind of labor, especially when you're not clocking in
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
Brian Funk: every
JP Rende: Mmm.
Brian Funk: day, or you have the kind of job where it follows you, where you can take the work home or, you know, you can think about your music all day long, all night long
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
Brian Funk: to have those lines are really important.
JP Rende: Well, what I find that's pretty awesome about our job is that we have deadlines. And deadlines, I think, are really, really important. Before we did this, you know, Cat was doing the artist thing, and I was doing the songwriter producer thing, and just writing songs and hoping people would buy them or pick them up and sing them or whatever, but there was no deadline. Like, I could take months on a song if I wanted to. And I feel as though that having deadlines helps us get fully involved in the project and then finishing it and on to the next one. And I find that helps creativity, creatively, for me at least, kind of be all in it and then boom, it's like a conveyor belt. It's off and the next one comes. So good, bad, or ugly, that project is at least until we either get feedback or whatever, is off the plate and we can kind of start fresh. So it's kind of like, I guess, is it Tiger Woods? I don't know, somebody's saying like, you can't, don't worry about the last shot you did, worry about the one you're doing now.
Kat Raio Rende: Mm.
JP Rende: And that's how I take the music.
Kat Raio Rende: Especially pitching, because there's so much pitching involved. Even,
JP Rende: Oh yeah.
Kat Raio Rende: you know, we know all our peers who are at the top of their game still have to pitch.
JP Rende: Yeah, I hate pitching.
Kat Raio Rende: It's a wild thing.
JP Rende: It's the worst.
Kat Raio Rende: Like after you write it, it's none of your business. And you have to just like, that one's done.
JP Rende: Mm-hmm.
Kat Raio Rende: No matter what it does.
Brian Funk: Can you take us through the process of a project, a song? You know, you mentioned a pitch, a brief, then the deadline, of course.
JP Rende: Sure.
Brian Funk: What does that look like and what is the general timeframe? Or maybe it depends on the project.
JP Rende: It really depends on the project, really. Like we also work on jingles, and sometimes that's 24 hours. So something will come in, and like the Charmin, for instance, hey, and you know, we're gonna do these toilet songs. And a
Brian Funk: Thanks
JP Rende: lot
Brian Funk: for watching!
JP Rende: of times when it comes to jingles, the lyrics are already written, so we just kind of gotta make something out of it. But let me give you a, like in the... television world is a brief will come in. Well, do you want a pitch? They're very similar. Do you want a pitch or let's say we have the job and we're just working on the brief?
Brian Funk: Can you do both? Cause
JP Rende: Sure.
Brian Funk: that
JP Rende: They're
Brian Funk: sounds
JP Rende: very,
Brian Funk: pretty
JP Rende: very similar,
Brian Funk: interesting.
JP Rende: whereas,
Brian Funk: Yeah.
JP Rende: well, I'll do a pitch first. So we'll get an email from a network that, let's say Disney, we were just, got one last week. And it'll say, okay, here's the premise of the show, we're looking for a theme song, it's gotta be within 30 seconds to a minute long, it has to incorporate the kind of premise, sometimes they'll say we want the name of the show within the song, sometimes they will say we don't want the name of the show in the song, then they will give us references. And this is where,
Kat Raio Rende: Hmm
JP Rende: you know, I really dislike pitching is because the references are so bizarre sometimes and they don't make any sense. And I understand where they're coming from because I think that, you know, in a perfect world, it would be like, oh my God, we're gonna have like, you know, a Dua Lipa beat with a ska, you know, horn section, and then what we're gonna do is like, you know that like, really cool filtered guitar that Third Eye Blind used on their second record? We wanna have that in there with like, lyrics like Lizzo. Now, it sounds awesome, but it's nearly impossible to do.
Brian Funk: Right.
JP Rende: And sometimes people... people hit it, you know, but.
Kat Raio Rende: I am gonna interrupt and just say that like, and sometimes the references, as they are for anyone are subjective. So like what
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Kat Raio Rende: I, as the show runner, might like about a specific song, might be different than what you might like. And so they'll be like, we really like this song. And sometimes they'll describe why they like it in an effort to really pinpoint it down. But sometimes you have to like, you know, especially if it's a very popular song, sometimes you have to be like, oh, that just means they want high energy.
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Kat Raio Rende: or like, you know, shake it off has been
JP Rende: Oh, Cat,
Kat Raio Rende: the
JP Rende: I
Kat Raio Rende: thing,
JP Rende: was just about
Kat Raio Rende: right?
JP Rende: to play a game
Kat Raio Rende: Or like,
JP Rende: with you. I was like,
Kat Raio Rende: Iconopop,
JP Rende: all right, the
Kat Raio Rende: shake
JP Rende: first
Kat Raio Rende: it off,
JP Rende: song
Kat Raio Rende: happy.
JP Rende: that everybody always asks, I was gonna go one, two, three, and we were both gonna say
Kat Raio Rende: Shake
JP Rende: Shake
Kat Raio Rende: it off.
JP Rende: It Off. They love Shake It Off. They love that boom. Boom.
Brian Funk: Right.
JP Rende: Love
Kat Raio Rende: Or
JP Rende: it.
Kat Raio Rende: like, and other times, the references are so, not obscure per se, but like so indie or so dark, which generally like doesn't work for kids stuff. And then the end product is never as indie or dark. It's just that like sometimes, and this is no disrespect to the showrunner, they don't want it to be dark or indie. They want it to have the show to have substance. I mean the song to have substance of some sort and so maybe you know that's how you're interpreting the fact that they have this like, you know, very slow song with very things that are very like off Inappropriate for a kid's song sometimes like and we only know this because we do it so much that that's not necessarily what they want They want a little bit of like a deeper vibe. That's
JP Rende: Yeah,
Kat Raio Rende: that's usually about it
JP Rende: I think interpreting briefs is an art form in itself.
Brian Funk: Hmm.
JP Rende: Because again, it's not, you know, the showrunners and the network, they're not trying to make our life difficult. They're trying to get the best piece of music that, you know, conveys their idea of the show. And it's our job to kind of say, yeah, I get what you're saying, but I don't think that's exactly what you mean. Like Kat's saying. And sometimes it is, and a lot of times, you gotta just take a shot, and you gotta say, well, I don't know if they're really feeling it. I don't know if what they're asking for works. And again, sometimes we're right, and we'll win, and be like, okay, we had an instinct on what I think works for the show, and sometimes we're clearly wrong, and that's okay. I mean, that's all part of it, and I think that's where. the creativity lies within this kind of work is that we do have the freedom to choose or not to choose,
Kat Raio Rende: Mm.
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
JP Rende: where otherwise we're just, you know.
Kat Raio Rende: gonna be killed by AI.
JP Rende: We're just cranking product down a conveyor belt, like just building cars, we're not. So we're able to kind of put our spin in what we do within those briefs. And again, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, and that's just part of it.
Brian Funk: So yeah, a lot of decoding. That happens in bands too. That happens
Kat Raio Rende: Definitely.
Brian Funk: especially when you're talking with people that aren't musicians. They'll say very abstract things.
JP Rende: Well,
Kat Raio Rende: Oh.
JP Rende: that's one of the most difficult things is when we're getting feedback from non-musical people and they will always say, listen, I don't know music at all. And so anytime they'd be like, I'm like, okay, here it comes. And then it's just like, yeah, you're right. You don't know music at all. And
Kat Raio Rende: Oh
JP Rende: that, you know, but, you know, it's always really great when you're working with. a network that has a point music person because they're able to filter all the awesome ideas that's coming from the non-musical people and say, okay, I get it. I get what you want and I'm going to speak to the composers the way that I can convey that. So that's awesome.
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah, it's very different working from a new show in a big network than a, you know, even a big show that's going to network or that is being developed. We really like working with new shows too.
Brian Funk: Right, because you can craft that identity a
Kat Raio Rende: Oh
Brian Funk: bit,
Kat Raio Rende: yeah.
Brian Funk: I guess.
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah, there's
JP Rende: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: Rather
Kat Raio Rende: a little
Brian Funk: than
Kat Raio Rende: bit
Brian Funk: trying
Kat Raio Rende: more
Brian Funk: to
Kat Raio Rende: interpreting,
Brian Funk: fit into it.
Kat Raio Rende: but
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Kat Raio Rende: it's worth it.
Brian Funk: Right.
JP Rende: Definitely.
Brian Funk: So that's a pitch. And
JP Rende: Yeah.
Brian Funk: that would mean basically you don't have the job yet.
JP Rende: Oh no,
Brian Funk: So they're kind of fishing around.
JP Rende: that's the worst part about it. Again, I don't wanna be negative, but it's really, it's hard because you're putting all your effort into it. And again, actors have the same thing when they go on
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
JP Rende: the audition.
Brian Funk: Yeah.
JP Rende: This is part of the job and nobody likes it, but you can get... a real kind of sense of pride when you're able to crack that code and be like, look,
Kat Raio Rende: Hehehe
JP Rende: we gave you this and you love it and it works and it works on, you know, for the whole tone of the music of the series. So we really love that.
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah, and a lot of times, sorry, a lot of times, if you've already had something that you really like that you could maybe reuse from something else, then you also have an opportunity to kind of like, I don't know how it is for you, but generally, we do this for a living and we really enjoy what we do as a job, but sometimes we have these other musical ideas that are. that we wouldn't maybe play with on our own, you know, if we have something or like if we just have the time to do a pitch, sometimes we'll do something really crazy and really out there just because like it's just another way to like flesh out what some idea that you that you have and a lot of times that works that does work because sometimes if you're getting five songs or more you're just going to pick something that jumps out to you.
JP Rende: Yeah.
Kat Raio Rende: And so a lot of times that's what works.
JP Rende: Yeah, and now the...
Kat Raio Rende: Assignzons?
JP Rende: Assigned songs, thank you very much. Very, very similar except the pressure is kind of off because you know you have the job, but you know that there's always gonna be notes, there's always gonna be feedback. And sometimes it's great, actually I found that a lot of times the notes that come back are like, spot on, we're like, yes, I get that. Yes, our chorus takes too long to come in or this lyric just isn't really fitting, beautiful. But I do like the fact that we know we're gonna get a second shot. And a lot of times in pitching you don't get a second shot. It's like, yes, no. You've
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
JP Rende: done all the work, put all your heart and soul into this song, and then it's just like, sometimes it works for them, sometimes it doesn't. It really has nothing to do with your ability. It has nothing to do with that your music isn't good. It just wasn't working for, or what they, it just wasn't what... they had in mind and that's fine. But when you're assigned a song, if you do deliver something that isn't exactly what they have in mind, you get other chances to kind of revise it and kind of, I guess it becomes another collaborative process then with the network. And I think that's always, I love collaborating. So I find that it's kind of fun to collaborate with people that don't necessarily do exactly what you do.
Kat Raio Rende: Mm.
JP Rende: especially with script writers, collaborating with them is so much fun. Like Kat said, showrunners, which most of the time are also script writers. So yeah, it's a lot of fun.
Brian Funk: How much time do you generally have to
Kat Raio Rende: Hehehe
Brian Funk: work on a song?
JP Rende: Um, okay. So pitches and assigned songs are roughly about a week. You get about a week
Kat Raio Rende: depending
JP Rende: to
Kat Raio Rende: on
JP Rende: do
Kat Raio Rende: what
JP Rende: it.
Kat Raio Rende: kind
JP Rende: Depend,
Kat Raio Rende: of a song
JP Rende: depending
Kat Raio Rende: it is
JP Rende: on sometimes,
Kat Raio Rende: and how
JP Rende: you
Kat Raio Rende: big
JP Rende: know,
Kat Raio Rende: it
JP Rende: we've,
Kat Raio Rende: is.
JP Rende: we've been known to be the, the team that gets called on the ninth hour where
Kat Raio Rende: Thanks for watching.
JP Rende: they've gone through so many different like rounds and they're like, okay, JP and Kat, sadly, you have two days. Can you
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
JP Rende: do it? And we're always like, yes, yes. And, and that kind of like. puts a little pep in our step, because we're like, all right, let's get down to business. But generally, for television, it's usually about a week, sometimes two. That's with songs. Now with underscore, because we also do a lot of that, how that goes is we will get a animatic. which is basically like a storyboard and it'll be a couple scenes. Sometimes it's a whole episode and that's nuts, but most likely it's a few scenes, so there'll be like a real action scene, a kind of sentimental scene, maybe a comedic scene, and they're not gonna spot you. You're just gonna go for what you think is best for that. Now that's a... also a very, very tough ask because usually when we're spotting, when we're working on a show, the director is spotting us. So what that means is music spotting for those who don't know, we will watch the show or movie together and they'll say, okay, at time code. whatever, I need something, I need a hit here. So he's gonna open a door and slam it, so within the music I need to hear that. And then what I want you to do right after that, there's gonna be something lurking around the corner in a few seconds, so I want you to start giving me something that's a little bit foreboding, you know. And that's
Kat Raio Rende: Thanks for watching.
JP Rende: beautiful because they're telling you what they want. But then where the art comes in is like foreboding can mean a lot of different things. And depending on the project that you're working on, especially if you're doing animation, it can't sound like, you know, the inception soundtrack.
Kat Raio Rende: Hehehehe
JP Rende: It can't be the most like wildly dark thing. I don't care if there's a monster coming out. The
Brian Funk: Alright.
JP Rende: monster is gonna look like a silly little nothing. You can't have like real, or sometimes you can, but in my experience, they'll say things like foreboding or peril, but you gotta kind of read the room, as they say, like it's for children,
Brian Funk: Right?
JP Rende: a lot of times.
Kat Raio Rende: That's interesting about the underscoring is like you're giving, you're kind of giving children the, when it comes to doing for children, you're giving them the emotion that's not being said, especially if it's one that's a little bit like higher level than they know. Like a lot of times we'll write, we'll write, there have been episodes of like Tab Time on YouTube where she gets into serious, Tab Time has Tab at the Brown. and she gets into serious concepts like death and separation
JP Rende: Yeah.
Kat Raio Rende: and when, and Sesame Street too, and when you write underscore or music for them, you're empathizing with the feelings that they can't put into words yet just developmentally. And it's nice because if you can't say it because it's just something that they just don't get it. you're still giving them something musically that they can feel. And that really helps, I think.
JP Rende: Definitely.
Brian Funk: Right, guiding them through the feelings.
JP Rende: Yeah, and it's really nice to, as our company grows earworm, to be able to wear the different hats. I mean, we love writing songs. Like we started as song people and I think we'll always be song people first. But as the years progressed and we started doing more underscoring and sound design and it's just, that's a fun, fun job
Brian Funk: Hmm.
JP Rende: because
Kat Raio Rende: Mm.
JP Rende: you, like, You are building the tone of the whole show.
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
JP Rende: And like one of our really good friends and collaborators, P.T. Walkley, who is the main music guy for Gabby's Dollhouse and also Blue's Clues and You, his sound is just so amazing. And you can always tell when it's a P.T. cue or song and he created that sound for that show. And whenever we're lucky enough to be involved, what we're doing is bringing our sensibilities, but knowing that it's PT's world. So we have to be in that world. So that's a big responsibility on both parties, whether you're additional composer, which is what we are for Gabby's, or main composer, because it's, again, it's your world that you're creating. And... That's the most fun part when you're working on a show from the ground up, is that you're really helping shape the sound of the show.
Kat Raio Rende: Mm.
Brian Funk: Right, right. Yeah, very delicate thing. There's a video on YouTube I show my sampling class. Mrs. Doubtfire recast as a horror film,
JP Rende: Oh
Brian Funk: recut
JP Rende: my
Brian Funk: as
JP Rende: god,
Brian Funk: a horror film
JP Rende: I
Brian Funk: as
JP Rende: love
Brian Funk: a trailer.
JP Rende: it.
Kat Raio Rende: Oh yeah!
JP Rende: I love it.
Brian Funk: It's
JP Rende: I
Brian Funk: hysterical
JP Rende: love that.
Brian Funk: because Mrs. Doubtfire, fun loving family film, you change the music a little bit and it gets stalker, creepy vibes, you know, and it real
JP Rende: 100%.
Brian Funk: fast becomes...
Kat Raio Rende: That's
JP Rende: 100%,
Kat Raio Rende: like a perfect
JP Rende: and I love that.
Kat Raio Rende: example.
JP Rende: I love that because, you know, now that we're in a new time, I don't know if Mrs. Doubtfire would play well in this. It is a bit creepy, you
Kat Raio Rende: Totally
JP Rende: know,
Kat Raio Rende: creepy.
JP Rende: like a dad dressing up like an old woman just to see his kids because his wife doesn't want him. Like, it could be a horror movie.
Brian Funk: Yeah, it's delicate.
JP Rende: Actually, I think it would be a fucking amazing horror movie.
Kat Raio Rende: Hehehehe
JP Rende: Heh heh heh.
Brian Funk: Yeah, it doesn't take much to change that. So it's a great example of how important the vibe and tone is.
Kat Raio Rende: Definitely.
Brian Funk: And
JP Rende: Definitely.
Brian Funk: I can only imagine, especially working with films and TV shows for kids, that's so important.
JP Rende: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I would say, you know... B. The, I guess, kids and family kind of space that we find ourselves in most of the time, not all the time, but most of the time, it kind of has a really wide spectrum of stuff, and I love it. I really do love it, because we can be as silly sometimes and as serious, just like Cat was saying with Tab Time. We did just do an episode on death. where there is a song that we didn't write, but we had to produce and then do the underscore. And it's a real heartfelt song about missing somebody and it's important. So it's like, just because it lands in the kids and family space, doesn't mean that there isn't a depth there as well. So I think it's a great space to be in.
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah, I think the depth comes from honoring what you're talking about. And that goes with like, not only the concepts, but like. like if we're doing like a celebrity song, also honoring their own their own styles. Like I think people would I think when you have a celebrity on a show and you're writing something that's not really that their style of song, it's it just doesn't come off even to the kids as authentic because they're like I listen to you know Cardi B or I listen to the Jones Brothers and that's not their style. So like. like when we did a song for Cardi B on Baby Shark's big show called Seaweed Sway, like it was a big task to write for her, first of all, on the show at all, like her being who she is, and like her being like on a bash, like I'm gonna say what I want, I'm gonna do what I want, and having like the hair history of like WAP and all that, it's like that stuff, to put her in this space could be just like a big. a big flop because if you wrote something that was childish for her or in the wrong genre but we had to make sure and same thing with Billy Porter. We had to make sure that the production that we did that was not by her producers or Billy Porter's producers, the production that we did for her or him was their style of production and even embodying and trying to empathize with their own writing style or their own... Lyric style or their own melodies is a big deal like you have to be authentic for kids in every single way like even there was a we did like a we did like a Hanukkah song once and a lot of the song like we my stepfather's Jewish and We've celebrated Hanukkah number of times, especially when our kids were born But like a lot of times the Hanukkah songs are like, we are celebrating Hanukkah and we're gonna put a mammonora. And like everything is so like, like you're talking at kids instead of coming from like a place of empathy. And so we wrote this really fun song. What was the name of the song?
JP Rende: uh... a fish devil of lights
Kat Raio Rende: Okay,
JP Rende: because
Kat Raio Rende: the
JP Rende: of
Kat Raio Rende: title,
JP Rende: the
Brian Funk: Hehehe
Kat Raio Rende: the title notwithstanding, the song had to be like a
JP Rende: I
Kat Raio Rende: hey.
JP Rende: don't think we wrote, I actually think that when we were assigned that song, they wanted it to be called that. I don't think we came up with that
Kat Raio Rende: Oh yeah,
JP Rende: title.
Kat Raio Rende: we did not.
JP Rende: No. I don't
Kat Raio Rende: We
JP Rende: think
Kat Raio Rende: did not.
JP Rende: we wrote that song.
Kat Raio Rende: But, um, but, um, the song was from like a, hey, we've all been celebrating this and you can learn from us, but we're gonna tell you what it's, you know, we're not gonna tell you as a person who doesn't know anything about it, because if you celebrate Hanukkah, like, you know all that stuff. And
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
Kat Raio Rende: you learn, a lot of times I think that at least our kids like learn more not by talking at them, but talking about it in conversation, like, oh, this is what we're doing. And they pick up better when they feel like you're talking about something in a connected way versus like talking at them.
JP Rende: Yeah, and actually, just to jump in, do you remember how when we first started Friends with a Penguin? This is a cool story. So we did our normal, like, hey, Billy Porter, cool. And with Sesame Street, we don't write the lyrics, we just write the music. So we got these lyrics, and again, on face value, it's like, what the hell is this? You know, but then you start to read into them and then you read the scripts and you're like, oh, okay, I get it. And I remember I was like, I got this, Cat. So I went into the studio and I started writing something and it was good, but it was not Billy Porter's, like it was not his sound at all. And I was like, yeah, but he could sing this and it would sound good doing it. Cat's like, yeah, that's true, but like Billy Porter is like larger than life.
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
JP Rende: So then she was like, all right, now I got this. So then I was like, okay, you're the boss. She took it and started adding the strings and the real fun things, and then that kind of inspired me. And we kind of went, it was a real cool collaborative effort, but if Cat didn't stop me from, I think it sounded, I think it started to sound like an Andy Grammer song, which is fine, like, and. Definitely Billy Porter's such a wonderful singer. He could do it, but is that Billy Porter? Absolutely not. And then when the video and he was wearing that awesome gown, it was just so cool. And that was Kat telling me to like, whoa, steady boy. You got it. You.
Brian Funk: I think it's awesome that you guys do that. It must be such a fun creative challenge as well.
Kat Raio Rende: It's definitely better than other jobs we could have had. Huh.
Brian Funk: Right.
JP Rende: Yeah, I always joke that like when, you know, I might have, you know, I would have to learn how to make a really cool cup of coffee at Starbucks, you know, if anything happened with this, because, you know, we just love it so much and we've just devoted so much of our time and energy into it and don't want to do anything else.
Brian Funk: It's fantastic. You guys have had so much success with it. Great. Follow your dreams story, you know? And
JP Rende: Definitely,
Brian Funk: it's
JP Rende: definitely.
Brian Funk: really...
JP Rende: And again, we're always learning and we're always trying to get better. By no means do I think that we are finished products. I think that we are work in progress. And, you know, like right now, it's a slow time for us with the rider strike and the sag strike and networks kind of cutting back. So... what we're doing is we're utilizing this time to kind of hone in our craft and always stay relevant. And just, it's a great time to kind of check where you're at and kind of project where you wanna be. And that's kind of part of the reason that like my Emmy I gave to my parents, cause I don't wanna look at that every day and just
Kat Raio Rende: Hehehe
JP Rende: be like, see, look what I accomplished, you know? It was a great accomplishment and I'm very proud of that, but I'm also looking to the future on the other wonderful projects that we will be involved in.
Kat Raio Rende: And we are involved with. We have a number of projects. I don't know, can we talk about the, no, thank you. I was like,
JP Rende: No, no, unfortunately we can't because,
Kat Raio Rende: I just get to like, how do
JP Rende: yeah.
Kat Raio Rende: I do this?
JP Rende: I mean, yeah, I'll tell, I can tell you, Brian, just don't put this in. We're gonna do the Baby Shark live show. We're gonna, we were hired to do the music for a live stage performance, but I don't know
Brian Funk: Oh
JP Rende: if
Brian Funk: cool.
JP Rende: it's been, I don't know if it's been announced or anything, so yeah.
Kat Raio Rende: I was talking about the other
JP Rende: What
Kat Raio Rende: project.
JP Rende: Barbie?
Kat Raio Rende: No, 80.
JP Rende: Oh, you know what? Actually, I wanna come back on your show, dude.
Kat Raio Rende: haha
JP Rende: I think this is
Brian Funk: Yeah.
JP Rende: awesome. We will talk about some of these other projects as well as they come out. This one is one that we're developing on our own. But no, it's not ready to be discussed yet.
Brian Funk: Okay. Well, cool. We'll do a little wrap up then and then I'll trim this to fit nice. You guys have such a cool partnership both musically and as far as life goes. Earwormny.com is the website. Is there anywhere else you'd like to send people to check out your work?
JP Rende: I believe my Insta is, my Instagram is also EarwormNY.
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
JP Rende: Is that correct, Kat? All
Kat Raio Rende: Yep, AeroWorm
JP Rende: right,
Kat Raio Rende: NY.
JP Rende: cool. EarwormNY.
Brian Funk: Nice.
JP Rende: I did have a TikTok for a minute
Brian Funk: Thank you.
JP Rende: and I was doing not music. I thought that I was gonna be the new Dave Portnoy of Serial, because
Kat Raio Rende: I'm
JP Rende: I love Serial. So
Kat Raio Rende: sorry.
JP Rende: I called myself the Serial Slayer. I think I stopped, I did a few things. So like, I would buy these like, junk cereals and I would be like, wow, cereal, and I would taste them and I would review them. But I haven't done that in a long time. And
Kat Raio Rende: No, but you're very serious about cereal.
JP Rende: I'm very serious about cereal. I love cereal. But I remember Kat, you know, this is part of our personal life. She's like, you know, maybe you should, you know, lay off on doing those reviews, you know?
Kat Raio Rende: Okay,
JP Rende: And I'm like.
Kat Raio Rende: wait, no, my thing about it was not that part. It was the fact that we were opening a full box of cereal every, like every day, and it was always like junk cereal, but also like that we were wasting like the milk in the cereal because you can't eat that much cereal.
JP Rende: Oh yeah, that was the whole stick. It was like, how
Kat Raio Rende: Do you know
JP Rende: fun
Kat Raio Rende: how big his bowl was?
JP Rende: would, it wouldn't be fun to just pour regular, so I would, I took a salad bowl, poured the entire box in,
Kat Raio Rende: I'm gonna
JP Rende: took
Kat Raio Rende: go.
JP Rende: all the milk, because
Brian Funk: Right.
JP Rende: it was the visual, like, you know, but
Brian Funk: Yeah.
JP Rende: yeah, turns out that having a successful YouTube channel or TikTok account or any sort of food review, it's very difficult. It's not as easy as it looks, as obviously you know with your show.
Brian Funk: Well, maybe it's like a song title you can bank for later. Serious about cereal.
JP Rende: Serious About Cereal,
Brian Funk: All
JP Rende: I
Brian Funk: right,
JP Rende: love
Brian Funk: come
JP Rende: that.
Brian Funk: up.
JP Rende: That's actually really good. That would
Brian Funk: Yeah.
JP Rende: be like a really fun, like just kids song. Cause like we write a lot of songs around the house with our kids all the time.
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
Brian Funk: Yeah.
JP Rende: And I don't even want to call it writing because it's just stream of consciousness and it's just so much fun. And sometimes, actually we were going upstate this weekend, just Kat and I, and we were talking about that. I would really love to be part of a project where we could just come up with stream of consciousness songs and not have to worry about like production value or anything, it could just be like, just silly, silly stuff that just, you know, kind of makes you giggle. Like, I don't know who wrote, there was a show on Nickelodeon many years ago called Sanjay and Craig. I've never really
Brian Funk: Yeah.
JP Rende: watched the show, but I remember hearing the theme song and it was just like, Sanjay and Craig. They're in the best friends hall of fame. Sanjay, hey Craig. There is no best friends hall of fame. They lied, we made it up or something.
Kat Raio Rende: I'm gonna go.
JP Rende: And it was just the
Brian Funk: Thanks for watching.
JP Rende: most absurd thing. And again, the song itself is very catchy. I'm still singing it, but I don't remember it having to like, it wasn't like super slick production. It was just funny. So like
Brian Funk: Right.
JP Rende: out there, anybody wants really silly songs that just have. stream of consciousness, things, we are your people.
Brian Funk: I love it.
Kat Raio Rende: Sounds like a TikTok channel, Jade. Just saying.
JP Rende: No, can't do it, can't do it.
Brian Funk: Too much cereal in a bowl.
JP Rende: too much cereal in a bowl.
Brian Funk: You gotta make your choices. But hey, I know we're running late here, so we'll wrap it up. It was really awesome talking to you guys. JP Rendy and KatReyo Rendy. Check out EarwormNY.com. So much fun music on there. And congratulations on the Emmy.
JP Rende: Thank you.
Brian Funk: And I wish you all the best of luck, and hopefully we'll get to chat again soon.
JP Rende: Definitely.
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
JP Rende: And next time, if you're ever playing live, we'd love to come and see you.
Kat Raio Rende: Yeah.
Brian Funk: Yeah, same. Yeah, we're not too far apart. So that'd
Kat Raio Rende: Thanks.
Brian Funk: be cool.
Kat Raio Rende: Where are you?
Brian Funk: Long Island.
Kat Raio Rende: Wow, that's not
Brian Funk: Yeah,
Kat Raio Rende: far at all. Cool.
Brian Funk: no, not at all. Cool.
JP Rende: Awesome.
Brian Funk: Thank you guys and thank you,
JP Rende: Thanks man.
Brian Funk: everyone, for listening.
JP Rende: Be good.
Kat Raio Rende: Thank you.
Sarah Belle Reid is a performer and composer. She plays trumpet, modular synthesizers, and a wide array of electronic gadgets. Sarah holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the California Institute of the Arts. She teaches music technology and modular synthesis at universities and her own online programs.
Sarah spoke about how she combines her classical training with electronic music production and sound design. She explains how she keeps curiosity and joy central to her work. Sarah and I discussed the importance of mindset and perspective in the creative arts.
Sarah's Learning Sound and Synthesis Course opens again in August 2023!
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Transcript:
Brian Funk: Hello everybody. Welcome to the music production podcast. I'm your host, Brian Funk. On today's show I have Sarah Bell-Reed and Sarah is a performer, composer, trumpetist, modular, synthesis, that's hard to say. She makes a lot of really wide ranging music and one of the descriptions I really enjoyed was that it's graceful, danceful, silk falling through space and a pit full of centipedes. Which describes just how it goes from so many different extremes from more traditional classical sounds all the way to far out stretching the definition of music with noise and a lot of the electronic stuff that goes into it. She's a doctorate of music arts at California Institute of the Arts, teaches music tech and modular synthesis online. I've been watching the introduction to modular synth course, which is cool. Sarah, it's great to have you here. Thanks for taking the time.
Sarah Belle Reid: Thank you for having me. I'm happy to be here.
Brian Funk: You have a very impressive resume of stuff you do and it's so wide ranging. I think it's really cool that you have this, it's like the nice place music is going, especially music education, where people are starting to take the traditional stuff and bring in some more new stuff, some of the more cutting edge stuff that's happening out there. And it's such a nice thing to see that you're bringing that to your performances, your music, and also your teaching.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, yeah, well, thank you.
Brian Funk: Heh.
Sarah Belle Reid: I think for me, you know, I have a very traditional background in my musical training. But I always had this feeling, even though I didn't quite know how to describe it or what it meant, but I always had this feeling that there was something more that I wanted to be able to explore in my music making. And so when I found and was introduced to these more experimental aspects of making music, like improvisation and just experimental electronics and all of that, it really felt like. all of the puzzle pieces were coming together. It wasn't a replacing of everything I had developed as a traditional or classically trained trumpet player. It was just like, oh, now this story makes sense. Now my
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: voice feels more complete. You know what I mean? So it's like it all came together.
Brian Funk: Yeah, I've found that for myself too, just over time, the different things in your life that feel so separate from each other. Sometimes they start coming together into this one path and you need a little time to see that happen. At least I definitely did.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah. Yeah, for sure.
Brian Funk: And it's nice too because sometimes the music education departments are very steeped in tradition and kind of resist this stuff. They see it as something that they, you know, almost like a challenge to it, maybe. I'm not sure, but I've run into that myself occasionally with trying to bring in just I teach high school English as a day job and trying to bring in like music production, Ableton Live stuff
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: into it. Not everyone is interested. Some people in the music departments were really excited and other people were kind of like, that's not music. I kind
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh.
Brian Funk: of got that feeling. Do you encounter that ever, some of those different challenges and how people see it?
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh, of course.
Brian Funk: haha
Sarah Belle Reid: Absolutely. Yes. Both in, you know, in educational spaces and just in the world, you know. with people having different musical experiences, different backgrounds, different perspectives, different things that they like. Sometimes the music that I'm really interested in and that I make is challenging to listen to. Sometimes it doesn't have a traditional obvious hook or even a repeatable rhythm that you can snap along to. Sometimes it's just very... kind of amorphous and more like... sound design. You know, a lot of the time people, some people will say, oh, your music is more almost like experimental sound design than it is quote unquote music. To me, in my opinion, it's all music. Like all sound is music. But yeah, people sometimes express all kinds of opinions. And I've definitely, I've had some challenging conversations with people who don't get it and don't want to get it. But I've also had some really exciting deep conversations that are more based in curiosity. People who don't get it and are like, okay, what is happening? You know, I don't know what I'm hearing. What am I hearing? Can
Brian Funk: Right?
Sarah Belle Reid: you tell me how to begin to listen to this? And I love those kinds of conversations. You don't have to get it right from the beginning. You know what I mean? In fact, I feel like that mentality of, you know, you have to get it when it comes to music actually can really perpetuate that siloed. way of thinking that you can find in some educational systems, like what I believe you were talking about, where it's like, this is classical music, this is jazz, this is pop music.
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: I feel like if we could give everyone a little more permission to not understand things and have that be okay, we would be
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: able to maybe blend a little bit more freely between all of these different modes of making music.
Brian Funk: Right, yeah, that's cool you
Sarah Belle Reid: It's
Brian Funk: say
Sarah Belle Reid: just
Brian Funk: that.
Sarah Belle Reid: a thought. It's just something I've been thinking about.
Brian Funk: Well, I guess you probably get a lot of the, sorry you play your trumpet so nice, but these buttons and knobs.
Sarah Belle Reid: Well, I even get, believe it or not, it depends on the concert and the audience, but I've even had people come up to me afterwards and say, do you, after a long performance on trumpet, be like, well, do you ever play a nice melody on that thing, on that horn, you know? Yes, in fact, I do. Thank you for asking. It's just a mix. You know, everyone has different backgrounds and perspectives that they're coming from, so.
Brian Funk: Well, art, you know, especially when it's new, always challenges people and
Sarah Belle Reid: Exactly.
Brian Funk: it divides people. And that's part of what's nice.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: And there's people, I don't know who it's credited to, but just kind of, it's better to have people love it and people hate it than just to have people, okay, I've heard
Sarah Belle Reid: Right?
Brian Funk: this before. It's
Sarah Belle Reid: Have
Brian Funk: more
Sarah Belle Reid: people
Brian Funk: of that
Sarah Belle Reid: forget
Brian Funk: again.
Sarah Belle Reid: about it.
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, I once had a mentor tell me that early on and I'm so grateful that they shared that with me because it's really stuck with me. If you move someone with your music, even if you're moving them in a way that maybe feels slightly negative or they don't like it or they don't get it, you're still stirring something up within them.
Brian Funk: Mm.
Sarah Belle Reid: You're expanding their life in that moment. Your music changed them in some way. It made them question how they think about music. It made them hear new things. That's actually incredible.
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: And so from my perspective, it's not that I gave up, but I let go of the priority of trying to have everyone like my music many, many years ago, and now I'm focused on sharing really meaningful listening experiences with people as one of my primary goals in making music.
Brian Funk: I imagine trumpet came first.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yep, actually, well, piano way back and then trumpet and then electronics. Yeah.
Brian Funk: How did you get introduced into that electronic world? What was it that, was it like somebody, a friend or?
Sarah Belle Reid: I was in grad school in California, so it was pretty, you know, relatively late. I had been playing trumpeted music for many years at that point, but I had never even seen a synthesizer. I had no idea about this world at all. And for some reason, I decided to join a class called interface design, which is a class where you actually design and build your own. musical interfaces or interfaces for musical expression. So it could be something that has buttons and knobs on it, like an Ableton push, something that maybe is a MIDI controller, or it could be, you know. anything you could imagine that you might want to use to control sound. So people were building wearable sensor-based things that they would then give to dancers and the dancers would move around and that would give them data to turn into a synthesized sound or to control lighting. And I really wanted to build a gestural interface to go on my trumpet. That was kind of where it started. So I had never used Ableton. I had never used a synthesizer. I had never even used like an effects pedal, but I
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: was like, okay, I wanna do this because this sounds really cool. How can I turn my trumpet into some kind of controller for electronics and visual? At the time I was really interested in like coded visuals and stuff like that. I don't do a ton of that anymore. But so I started there. And then once that thing was built, I realized. you can't make electronic music without understanding how electronic instruments work. So then I started to work with modular synths and more in Ableton and different programs on my computer to kind of pull it all together.
Brian Funk: Right, right, so that
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: pulled you right into that world.
Sarah Belle Reid: exactly. It's kind of a strange introduction into the world of electronic music, but I'm grateful for it. So.
Brian Funk: It's something that I really was interested in when I first started getting into computer-based music. I started on guitar, playing in rock bands, not trained or anything like you, but more grimy punk rock angle. Once I started finding out about MIDI controllers and that you can put them together and map them how you want, it really made me think about just instrument design in general.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: Just how amazing it is that certain things like a trumpet or like a guitar or piano have stuck around for so long
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: and still seem almost like these unsolved puzzles that have so much left to give. And now... there's all these new kind of ways of looking at music. And it's a really fun time. There's always something new coming
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: out. That's a totally exciting new way to create music that
Sarah Belle Reid: Yep.
Brian Funk: sometimes relies on skills you have already. And sometimes it enables people that have no musical training at all to
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: create really interesting music. You have, um, can you describe what you did to your trumpet a little bit?
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, I
Brian Funk: I've
Sarah Belle Reid: can...
Brian Funk: seen some pictures and like, it's, it's kind of, it's like space age almost.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, so basically what it is, it's a little collection. So basically it's run with a microcontroller, an Arduino, which is a little tiny microcontroller that you can get for, I think, 20 or 30 bucks. And it allows you to attach different sensors to it and read the data from the sensors. And so I built this little enclosure that goes onto the trumpet and it detects the motion of the valves, so the pistons that you use to change to play different notes, and also the amount of pressure that you have, that your left hand has on the trumpet as you're holding it, and also the tilt. There's an accelerometer in it as well, so as you move the horn up and down or side to side, it will detect that as well. And then that Arduino, like I said, it just reads the data and allows you to transmit that data onto a computer. And from there, you have to get creative and figure out what you want to do with it. If you want to use it as MIDI to control a MIDI synth, or if you want to convert it to some other data format, which you can do and send it to another program and so on and so forth. But the real music making starts at the computer end of things.
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: And the device, which I call MIGSI, which is Minimally Invasive Gesture Sensing Interface, remember folks, I did this in grad school. It was very much my thesis, so it's super nerdy. I apologize.
Brian Funk: That's cool though.
Sarah Belle Reid: But yeah, that part is really just about sensor data capture, like gestural
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: data capture, yeah.
Brian Funk: Right. And you have to then, like you're building the instrument, you're building this thing, and then you have to decide what all of that stuff does, which
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: can change for, I'm sure every performance.
Sarah Belle Reid: Exactly. And that's the most challenging and also the most rewarding part. I co-designed Migsie with someone named Ryan Gaston, who I was in school with at the time. And we, I remember we got to the point where all of the sensors were working. The data was flowing to the computer and we were just looked at each other and we're like, what the heck do we do now? Like, what do you do with seven streams of numbers? How do you turn that into music? It's a big challenge. But, um, you know, you just go to go piece by piece and you, you can, basically you can think, well, maybe this when this number goes up that means there's more reverb applied onto this sound or maybe when this number goes down maybe we divide this string of numbers into like three sections and we use each section to trigger a different sound and you start you start small like that and then the ideas start to kind of click as you go
Brian Funk: Right, that's
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah
Brian Funk: pretty much the same advice I give people with Ableton Live and programming your MIDI controllers.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: I do a class for Berklee Online, it's a sampling with Ableton Live, and there's a live performance portion, and I explain to the class, like, look, I'm not expecting something ready for prime time at Madison Square Garden or something like that. It's just build it small. Start with one little thing you wanna do.
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: and try that out because it's different than picking up any other instrument because you have to build the instrument and then you have to decide what it does and then you have to make music and perform
Sarah Belle Reid: Exactly.
Brian Funk: it.
Sarah Belle Reid: And often what I've learned over and over and over again is that simpler is better when it comes to mapping things like mini controllers or anything. In my experience anyway, you often think, well, I have 10 fingers and I've got 34 buttons, like, let's use them all. But, and, you know, some people are really great at that kind of thing. For me, I've really realized that Less is more. Sometimes just three or five really meaningful controls can be more than enough to make an expressive piece of music. Because it's not all about triggering a sound, and then that's it. It's triggering a sound. Maybe it's loud this time and softer this time or different pitches and all of the different things you can do to the sound once you trigger it. I hope that makes sense. I feel
Brian Funk: Definitely.
Sarah Belle Reid: like I kind of went on a little. But less is more is the moral of the story.
Brian Funk: It's the same thing I've done with my live performance set in Ableton. Um, it's the same set I created almost 15 years ago
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: and it just gets save as save as, and you just change something. And it kind of started like slowly. It went up and I added things and then
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: it kind of got a little over complicated
Sarah Belle Reid: Yup.
Brian Funk: where I have these buttons might
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: as well make them do something. And my performances, when I listened back to them, sounded like somebody that was afraid the audience might think I'm only checking my email on my computer. So
Sarah Belle Reid: I'm
Brian Funk: I'm
Sarah Belle Reid: sorry.
Brian Funk: like overcompensating, doing way more. It didn't serve the song or the music, but it looked cool. You
Sarah Belle Reid: Right,
Brian Funk: know,
Sarah Belle Reid: you were busy. You had your hands
Brian Funk: I was
Sarah Belle Reid: full.
Brian Funk: busy. And by now it's tapered off a lot. It's
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: nowhere near as complicated as it was at one point. Because, yeah, it's just... I agree with you a lot, the simple stuff is where it's at, used effectively. That's fun. You've done some really cool stuff recently. I wanted to talk to you about, it was one of the big things that got me to reach out to you with the creative, um, the create with courage
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: for 30 days or 30, maybe it's 31 days
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: you did just a post on Facebook is where I was seeing them. And just offering some wisdom information, some experiences from your past.
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: What, what inspired you to start doing that?
Sarah Belle Reid: Well, I was thinking a lot about... why I make music. It's a big question that I actually ask myself fairly often. I think it's just helpful to check in. And for the record, I don't think that there's any right or wrong answer for a person to have. I just think it's a nice exercise of self-reflection to be like, why am I doing this? What's meaningful about this to me? Because it will change as we grow as artists and go through life, I think. I was thinking a lot about this. A couple of the really big driving forces behind why I am an artist and why I dedicate my life to making music has to do with creating and sharing connections with people through sound, as I mentioned a little earlier on, and also joy. It's a really simple thing, but just being joyful and doing what I love and sharing that with other people. And in the last couple of years, as I've been doing more online teaching, I've also come to really, really value the pursuit of courage and creative courage. And in particular, one of the reasons why I teach is because I want to be able to help people make more music that they absolutely love with joy and courage. I want to help people make the kind of music that they will listen back to and be like, Yeah, like, heck yeah. Like, I did that
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: thing and that feels like a true expression of myself. And I am so excited to share that with the world. You know, like, I went for it. I didn't compromise along the way because I was nervous about what someone would think, which is something that I used to do a lot. And I'm sure many people can relate to. You know, I didn't, like, dim it down for fear that it wouldn't be accepted. I just did my thing. Loud
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: and... And so those were the values. It was this idea of connection, joy, and then courage. And I was just sort of chewing on it and thinking it over. And yeah, the idea of... walking the walk a little bit and just seeing, okay, well, what would it look like if every day I shared something that required me to be courageous
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: and myself and to be vulnerable and just open about what I've learned in life and what I've gone through that's helped me get to where I am today. Maybe that could help people bring a little bit more of that into their lives. And as an added bonus, I can connect with people along the way. you know, through the discussions in the comments and everything on the posts.
Brian Funk: Mm.
Sarah Belle Reid: So that's sort of how it came up. And, uh, it was an amazing experience. It was 30 days. And every single day I shared some kind of lesson, um, you know, or experience that I've had in life that has had, that is somehow related to being a musician or being a creative person. And, you know, going through sometimes very challenging times, sometimes really awesome times, and just everything that you learn from it, and how you grow with it.
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: Yeah, there was definitely a lot of vulnerability shared,
Sarah Belle Reid: Yes.
Brian Funk: which I thought was really nice. Especially coming from someone with your background, you have a doctorate in music, right? So like, it's very, it's the kind of thing that I think a lot of people would feel like your past, right? Like you've, you've received the credentials, you're playing the festivals, you're doing all these things that... It's nice, it's refreshing. It's something I've
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: gotten doing this podcast as well is that I haven't had anyone tell me it's easy or that, yeah, I just make music, you know, just comes
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: out of me. Like anything, masterpiece after masterpiece, nobody says that. Even
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: people like you would have thought that really had it figured out, still have these struggles and vulnerabilities.
Sarah Belle Reid: Well, and I think that's part of, that's another really big reason why I wanted to do this is because usually, it sounds like your podcast is an exception to that, which is great, but a lot of the time online, you see the perfect finished product, right? You see the album after months or years of work. You see the perfectly curated social media feed. You see everything going super well. And it can be baffling. Like it can be like, how are they doing this? What is wrong with me?
Brian Funk: Right?
Sarah Belle Reid: get that perfect schedule in my studio or make a track a week or whatever you're seeing someone else do. And I think that such a big part of the growth that I've been able to have over the years as a musician has come from being able to see into other people's real lives and see them working through... mindset struggles or insecurities or life being full of surprises or like, hey, I suck at this and like, I've got to go and practice really hard. And like getting to see that happen, like see people just go from really not having that skill to like a month later, really having that skill because they put three hours a day in the practice room and made it happen, you know. So I guess what I realized is that a lot of the time online, that's missing. You don't see that process-based aspect.
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: Yeah, you kind of get the flashy
Sarah Belle Reid: You
Brian Funk: finished
Sarah Belle Reid: just get
Brian Funk: product.
Sarah Belle Reid: the,
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah, and then it really, and then it's easy for someone to be like, wow, I'm never gonna be there. Like,
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: I guess I'm not cut out for this. That's the sentence I hate hearing the most is, and it's something I once used to say to myself, I guess they have something I don't have, like some secret ability.
Brian Funk: Right,
Sarah Belle Reid: So I
Brian Funk: like
Sarah Belle Reid: kind of
Brian Funk: some
Sarah Belle Reid: felt
Brian Funk: gifts.
Sarah Belle Reid: like some gift, you know, and of course people have, we all have our own unique little gifts. All of us do. And, and anything is learnable and figure out a bowl and it just takes some grit and perseverance and, and courage, and you got to take action and do the thing, you know?
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: So I really wanted to share that with others and, be honest about how I got to where I am and also what I'm in every day still.
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: Very much.
Brian Funk: That's an important gift really, because you mentioned the joy of it, but this is the very thing that brings so much people so much frustration and
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: self-doubt. And I mean, it's funny when you mentioned also like, why do I make music? Like sometimes I get these feelings too. I'm like, what am I making these silly songs for? I'm like a grown-up now. You know, like, let's do something important with my time. Right. And...
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: I think about that and when it's not coming together, when it's not working out, then that's when I'm really vulnerable for that kind
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: of feeling. And there's no joy in that.
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: And at least, and you said there's no right or wrong reason, which I think is so true too because I have a lot of friends that just have an acoustic guitar that they strum after work in the backyard.
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: It's not to record anything. It's not to write a song. It's... maybe learning a riff or just because they like to hear the sound under
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: their fingers.
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah.
Brian Funk: And sometimes we lose that in this quest to whatever
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: it is, whether it's to make songs, finish things or get releases out. It is a real fast way to lose the joy of it. And
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: I think with something like music where, especially if you're trying to make a career There's, there's so many safer bets for like careers that at least if you're going to do music, you should be having fun. You should be enjoying
Sarah Belle Reid: It's
Brian Funk: it.
Sarah Belle Reid: so
Brian Funk: Cause that's,
Sarah Belle Reid: important.
Brian Funk: that's
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: the reason you would ever be crazy enough to do this.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, it's so important and yeah, it's something over the years that I have lost and found and lost and found again and what I've realized for myself is that... Joy is something I can come back to on purpose. I just have to be aware of it. I have to remember. I have to remember to be like, "'Okay, Sarah, how can this be fun?' It sounds like such a silly question, but when you're in the studio and things aren't working and you're like, ah, this sucks, ah, I suck. And then all of the stuff comes in, all of the thoughts and the, oh,
Brian Funk: Damn opens,
Sarah Belle Reid: no one's
Brian Funk: yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: gonna
Brian Funk: Heh.
Sarah Belle Reid: listen anyway, and blah, which I call mind trash. That's what all of that is. It's like in that moment, it's not easy, but the most valuable thing you can do is just be like, okay, breaks. And then how can I make this fun right now?
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: And maybe the answer is pick up some random instrument that you haven't played in a while. Or maybe the answer is take your battery-powered synth out and sit in the backyard or whatever it is that just feels... fun and just come back to that joy and that reason why you're doing it. For me, a lot of the time it's like, I'm not going to do this right now. I'm just going to improvise. I'm just going to play because for me
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: that is fun. And when I start doing that, basically a hundred percent of the time. maybe 90% of the time, it just gets me out of my head. I'm gonna be real. And I reconnect to the sound and my breath and my body and my music and something clicks, you know?
Brian Funk: Hmm. That's a great question to ask. What would this look like if it were fun? How could I make this into something fun?
Sarah Belle Reid: How can this be more fun? Yeah. I also love the question, how could this be easy? That's a little bit of a side note, slightly different
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: question, but that's a bonus power move right there because we are so
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: good at over-complicating things. So I
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: love asking myself that one too. It's like, I've got a big project, I've got to get it done today or this week. How can this be easy?
Brian Funk: Yeah, I had a really funny and silly one of those moments just like a week or two ago with this podcast where with the art, I finally have somebody helping me do some editing with the podcast. Animus, shout out to him, his help has been so great and tremendous. But sometimes I stick in episodes that are just me talking
Sarah Belle Reid: Uh huh.
Brian Funk: and I was getting really stressed out. I was like, oh, the art. is going to get all messed up because it's going to say like this number of episode and then mine's going to come. I'm like, oh, what am I? And I was like, why do I need the number on there?
Sarah Belle Reid: How
Brian Funk: And
Sarah Belle Reid: can
Brian Funk: I was
Sarah Belle Reid: this
Brian Funk: like,
Sarah Belle Reid: be easy?
Brian Funk: oh my God, this is a problem I don't need to have. But it just, it was the kind of feeling that made me like look at everything in my life and be like, what else am I doing this to?
Sarah Belle Reid: Yes.
Brian Funk: Where else am I trying to put
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh,
Brian Funk: numbers where they don't need to
Sarah Belle Reid: right.
Brian Funk: be?
Sarah Belle Reid: That is some deep wisdom. That's good.
Brian Funk: I'm sorry.
Sarah Belle Reid: That's a funny example, but it's so true. If you're anything like me, if you hadn't noticed that, you could have agonized over that for like
Brian Funk: I did. Oh,
Sarah Belle Reid: some
Brian Funk: I did.
Sarah Belle Reid: time.
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: There was like months, like two months. I was like stressing me out.
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh, well I'm really glad you came to that
Brian Funk: Yeah,
Sarah Belle Reid: realization.
Brian Funk: simple thing.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: But it's such a good question. It reminds me, I don't know where I heard this because I would love to attribute this to somebody, but it was like, we say like, this brings me joy, this brings me joy. And then the person just turned around is like, no, you're taking joy in it. Take joy in it. So it makes that feeling of like having fun and like enjoying
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: something for what it is. more of an action than something that happens to you.
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: And that again has been really helpful for me in
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: certain situations where I'm thinking like, music isn't bringing me any joy. I was like, well, I have to take joy in it. Like,
Sarah Belle Reid: Uh-huh.
Brian Funk: what is it about it that makes it fun? I guess it's another way to look at it. So.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, yeah, it's valuable. The I don't sorry, I don't know if you want to change topics, but one other thing that popped into my mind is just that it gets to be fun. Like you have
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: permission, permission granted, even the most quote unquote, serious, professional, legitimate insert, whatever qualifying word you want musician. is allowed to have fun,
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: right? And like somehow I feel anyway, maybe I'm just speaking from my own, or I'm certainly speaking from my own experience, but. it almost felt, when I was in school at times, it almost felt like fun was a waste of time. Like fun was not focus, fun was
Brian Funk: Mm.
Sarah Belle Reid: not the discipline that was needed. Fun was goofing around, you know, it wasn't valued
Brian Funk: Kid
Sarah Belle Reid: in
Brian Funk: stuff.
Sarah Belle Reid: the same way. Yeah, yeah, like you said a minute ago,
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: like why am I, I'm an adult, why am I making
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: these funny songs or whatever? And I just think that, For me, realizing and embracing that when I have more fun, I make better music. It does
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: not mean all my music sounds cartoonish and goofy and like, ha ha, some of it does, but that's not the end result. It just means that I am more embodied in the process. I'm more present, I'm more joyful, and as a result, everything works better, right?
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: Because I'm moving in flow with myself. I'm not fighting against myself.
Brian Funk: Yeah, the play aspect, play music, you know,
Sarah Belle Reid: play. Yeah.
Brian Funk: play music. It's so important. We were saying we, having trouble remembering things on the spur of the moment, and I'm trying to think of a book now, but it was all about improvisation and it
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm.
Brian Funk: talked a lot about play. Oh, the art of is, the art of is, is what the book is called. I think, now I'm not sure.
Sarah Belle Reid: Hahaha
Brian Funk: I'll write it down, put it in the show notes, but it... It just struck me like that's where so much fun happens. And when you're, when you are a kid, suppose you're on like a playground or something, you're just making up rules. You're coming up with things on the fly. You're not trying to decide if it's acceptable or if it's, you know, smart enough or intelligent
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: enough, which is something I struggle with a lot with my music. I always feel like I'm not being clever enough.
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: It's
Sarah Belle Reid: You're
Brian Funk: just.
Sarah Belle Reid: not alone.
Brian Funk: which spirals me out of
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: the joy of doing it. But that, when I get playful though, then I'll do something weird that I wouldn't normally do. That would be maybe a little unorthodox that might sound clever later on, right? But it was just because I was kinda being silly or just
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: letting go of things.
Sarah Belle Reid: letting go. Exactly. You take risks when you're in a playful
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: state. You're curious. Curious is the magic word for me personally. When I'm playful, when I'm having fun, I get curious. I ask myself, what if? What, not in a bad way, not what if no one likes it, but what would happen if I did that? Ooh, what if
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: I put those sounds together? Ooh, what if I map my controller in this way? Ooh, what if I do it all backwards? And that curiosity is, in my opinion, is where like... innovation comes from. It's the people who are like, oh, I wonder if I connect this and this way instead of that way. Oh, look, I just stumbled across this cool new technique that people will use for the next 40 years, you
Brian Funk: Right?
Sarah Belle Reid: know what I mean?
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: And so I love that. And for me, that is like the magic mindset space. If I can get into a playful, curious space, I know I'll be okay. Yeah.
Brian Funk: Yeah, it's helpful with other people too, especially
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: people you get along with that you're comfortable with. Sometimes that can help you get there
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh
Brian Funk: a
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah,
Brian Funk: bit.
Sarah Belle Reid: for sure. Yeah.
Brian Funk: In watching some of your videos, I came across one that I thought was really, I mean, there were a lot, but the one that stuck out to me was when you were playing with mixers to create
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: feedback. So it was like, I forget what you title it, but basically you're plugging the outputs of the mixer back into the inputs and creating all these. stuff you're not supposed to do. Like you're not allowed to do that,
Sarah Belle Reid: I'm
Brian Funk: right?
Sarah Belle Reid: sorry.
Brian Funk: If you went into a studio and started doing that, they'd throw you out. What are you doing? You're going to break something. It's going to, but you were taking that noise really, feedback and just interesting, well, things people wouldn't think is interesting that would normally think was wrong, but that was something you were using then to create something interesting.
Sarah Belle Reid: I'm right.
Brian Funk: And
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: that's a playful thing. That's the kind of thing you might If you let a kid that didn't know what they were doing, just start connecting things they would
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: come up with. But a trained professional would never think to do that.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, that's true. Yeah, the technique that you're referring to is called no input mixing. And yeah, exactly. It's a feedback based technique where you patch the outputs of a device back into its own inputs. And by doing that. you are creating a feedback loop and it will start to self-oscillate, which means it will start to produce its own tones. And they are inherently super chaotic and unpredictable. And something that's so fascinating about working with feedback is, in my opinion, is that you, because of the chaotic nature of the feedback loop that you've created, you're trying to do. So for example on a mixer, you know some mixers have the three band EQ like high, mid, low EQ knobs for example. You could turn the mids up and you'd expect the mids to be boosted but it might actually cause the sound to go from a steady tone to like a choppy, sputtery sound. Or you could turn the volume knob up and instead of it getting louder the pitch will go down strange nonlinear interactions because of the way that you have it self-patched. And I love that. I find it delightful and super intriguing because it it's like an invitation to listen in a really deep way. Again a really curious way because you don't know what's gonna happen. And this instrument, this object that is like usually has a very specific role in your on your desk all of a duo partner and
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: it's like jamming with you. You know and you can do this kind of feedback patching with synthesizers too. It's one of my favorite techniques to use on a modular or any kind of synth. It's not just mixers that you can do it with if anyone's curious.
Brian Funk: So you would just patch those outputs. That was a famous thing people did with the Minimoog. They would put the, I think it was like the headphones back into the external
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah!
Brian Funk: input.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, the only thing just for anyone who's trying for the first time, um, it's just really important that you have your main outputs should, should always have a volume control attached
Brian Funk: All right,
Sarah Belle Reid: to them. Don't
Brian Funk: maybe
Sarah Belle Reid: use those
Brian Funk: a limiter.
Sarah Belle Reid: in the feedback loop. And, and I recommend never using headphones if it's your very first time doing feedback based patching, because the volume is very unpredictable. So
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: just make sure you've got some kind of master volume control. And I've been doing this now, feedback patching for, you know, well over a decade. and I have not broken anything, and a signal is a signal, and it's all gonna be okay inside the instrument. The main thing you have to worry about potentially damaging are your ears and your speakers. So just keep your volume low. Use a limiter, it's a great idea, and you'll be fine. Everything will be groovy, and you'll make some cool sounds. Yeah.
Brian Funk: Yeah, yeah, I can definitely agree with that advice. I've had that situation where maybe I'm trying to record the band and somewhere along the way, I routed something the wrong way and everyone's headphones just starts squealing.
Sarah Belle Reid: He, oh no.
Brian Funk: People falling out of their chairs. It can
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: be horrifying and scary when it happens.
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh yeah, when you're not expecting it for sure.
Brian Funk: But it's that unpredictability. It's almost like a collaborator
Sarah Belle Reid: That's right.
Brian Funk: when you get that kind of stuff. My first exposure to feedback was with electric guitars and turning up the distortion, putting them in front of the amp. And you get these overtones. And you can almost get melodies depending on what guitar you have. You get different things screeching out of it.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: And it becomes an art in how
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: to.
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah, and it's beautiful. I mean, there's so much music throughout history that, you know, it's a short, relatively short history of electronic music so far, but so many people exploring feedback in such beautiful ways. And it's not always crazy. you know, blasting noise. Like you said, sometimes it's delicate, ghostly tones and
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: little chirps. Like it can be very beautiful and tender even. It's just all about how you kind of dial it in, you know, which just comes down to making small movements, turning knobs slowly
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: and listening.
Brian Funk: I've sampled feedback a long time ago off my guitar and I was gonna make an instrument out of it inside a sampler in Ableton Live. And I was really surprised at how soft it came out because it's not that way when you're doing it live, especially through a guitar amp.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: I'm sure you probably have family members that are very understanding of strange noises coming out of wherever
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh yeah,
Brian Funk: you're
Sarah Belle Reid: well...
Brian Funk: working. I have the same thing and my wife is... totally cool about me making any kind of noise. But a year or two ago, I was recording an album and I decided I wanted all these guitar feedback tracks going on, so I had this little amp and just cranked it up. And I was just sampling it, because I was like, I'm going to also make a collection of these so I can have
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: them. And that was the one time she came down. She's
Sarah Belle Reid: I'm sorry.
Brian Funk: like, what's going on in here? Because to just be squealing and squeaking away, she probably thought like
Sarah Belle Reid: That's
Brian Funk: I
Sarah Belle Reid: so
Brian Funk: blew
Sarah Belle Reid: funny.
Brian Funk: up or something.
Sarah Belle Reid: that. Yeah. Yeah, my family's put up with a lot.
Brian Funk: I think anybody that's making music, even if you're just in a traditional thing without experiments you're looping the same thing over and over and over and over just to tweak things so people around you get used to you just incessantly. It's a really nice way to think though with that sound and useful sound for music can kind of just come from anywhere. There's really nothing that's off limits after a while when you start thinking in that way.
Sarah Belle Reid: Totally. I'm working on a piece right now and we... I just spent, this was a couple of weeks ago, but I spent the day at an old, abandoned sawmill, like a cedar sawmill, sampling the big, they have these incredible big saw blades, huge, like six feet wide, and when you hit them, strike them with different things, they just sound incredible, and they ring for like, some of them 15 seconds, like a long decay ring. Just gorgeous. cedar logs that hadn't been cut into boards yet. And they're all different thicknesses and different lengths. And so if you whack them with like a stick, they're like, like different, they're like giant woodblocks, but like low, like base
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: woodblocks. And they all have different pitches. It's beautiful. And so I've been using all of those types of sounds as like percussion for this piece, as opposed to using, you know, real drums. It's all
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: just clanging metal from, you know, from the sawmill and pots and pans are my favorite. I mean, your kitchen is the ultimate sample playground. I'm sure you've told people that a million times, but like open up the cupboards, get the pots
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: and pans. Yeah.
Brian Funk: And the kitchens usually have a cool reverb to them. Maybe they're like, it's not like carpeting usually in kitchens,
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: so they kind of have like this room sound. We do an assignment with the Berkeley class where you just go through your day and just find sounds. Your normal routine, but like listen, pay attention. And so many people never get past breakfast,
Sarah Belle Reid: I'm sorry.
Brian Funk: you know, because the kitchen is just loaded with appliances
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh yeah,
Brian Funk: and different
Sarah Belle Reid: I love
Brian Funk: pots
Sarah Belle Reid: that.
Brian Funk: and pans and jugs. It's really cool. And everyone's is different. You would think after a while that everyone's song would sound the same, or everyone's just sampling their kitchen. But every, that's like what I think is some of the beauty of it too, is that just everyone's atmosphere is unique, especially when you start adding up all the individual pieces. Maybe
Sarah Belle Reid: course.
Brian Funk: we have a pot and pan that sounds similar, but once we start opening cabinets and drawers and then we got a whole new palette.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah. And also how you, you know, what you do to those samples, right? Like, do
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: you use the slam of the cabinet door as like a little percussive hit or do you time stretch it or do you, you know, speed it up so it's this like really high little piccolo sound, you know? That's where it gets really... really individualistic. Some people, some person might hear a melody in the way that the doors close and make a whole piece about that and someone else might not hear that and instead they might hear like a really awesome rhythm and they might run with that. So I think yeah music is everywhere. Anything is an instrument. It all comes back to curiosity to me. It's just a big loop. It's
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: a big feedback loop. Yeah.
Brian Funk: Positive feedback loop. Do you use any particular gear to do this? Do you have like some giant rig with furry microphone windscreens?
Sarah Belle Reid: Honestly, it depends if I'm in my, so when I can, I bring things into my studio just so that I can record in a more acoustically dampened space, but often if I'm out and about, I'm just using a simple Zoom field recorder, nothing fancy. It does, it could certainly be a fancier setup, but I. I haven't upgraded anything yet and it's actually been years and it works well.
Brian Funk: Mm.
Sarah Belle Reid: Most important thing to get, which I didn't get early on, is like a good wind sock of some kind or windscreen, because that's the
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: one thing that will really rain on your parade when you're trying to record outside is the KRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Brian Funk: Yeah, just that low rumble of the wind. Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: It's more, in my opinion, it's more important to get the sounds and like, be creative with them than it is to get the most perfect,
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: high quality, pristine recording. Um,
Brian Funk: I say the same exact thing.
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah.
Brian Funk: You're better off to have it. And you have a
Sarah Belle Reid: I,
Brian Funk: phone probably
Sarah Belle Reid: that's what
Brian Funk: on
Sarah Belle Reid: I was
Brian Funk: you.
Sarah Belle Reid: just about to say is I've even, I've even recorded samples on my phone. I don't do that anymore because I have this zoom recorder, which is great, but that's how I started was just using my computer mic, like a built-in mic and my phone and just voice memo and everything.
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: And. It's fine. It's a place to start.
Brian Funk: I was doing a class a week ago with Berkeley. And I was like, oh, I'm going to do this. I was trying to sample my voice through this microphone, but for whatever reason, my interface wasn't connecting with my
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm.
Brian Funk: computer. So I had those Apple AirPod, not
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: these ones, but the ones with the wire. So they were old ones when they still had the eighth inch jack. So however long
Sarah Belle Reid: Hmm.
Brian Funk: ago that was. And I just sampled my voice through it to make an instrument that I could put inside a sampler. And I loved the quality of that cheap mic. In some ways, I almost like the bad mic better. Because once you start stretching it, repitching
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: it, weird things happen that aren't in the clean recording
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: that you can get,
Sarah Belle Reid: totally. Yeah, I think it's
Brian Funk: it's
Sarah Belle Reid: all
Brian Funk: important
Sarah Belle Reid: just.
Brian Funk: to just
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: get it.
Sarah Belle Reid: exactly. It's just get it make start making things you can always upgrade like your gear later if you want to but start making stuff now. And you never know like you're to your point, you might end up liking it even better. You're not the first person I've heard you say who says that it's like, there's just some kind of magical quality about that. You know, kind of quote unquote crappy quality, bad recording. It's like actually
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: got some life to it, you know?
Brian Funk: I find sometimes in the context of a recording, that quality helps the sound kind of stick out
Sarah Belle Reid: Mm-hmm.
Brian Funk: where it doesn't get lost in all the other really nice recordings. It's got its own little texture, its own little
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: space in the mix that you can really dial in.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: So you've got a course that's about to start up, you said,
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: learning sound and synthesis.
Sarah Belle Reid: that's right.
Brian Funk: So that sounds like fun after we've been talking a little bit about some of
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: your philosophies in there, I'm sure.
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh yeah. Yeah. That is, it's a, so it's next round is starting in late August and it opens every year, twice a year. But it's, as the name suggests, learning sound and synthesis. It's a class that's all about sound design and making music with modular synths and You know, that could be to do sound design for video games, or you could, you know, take the class to make your own music, your own electronic music, dance music, experimental music. A lot of folks are in the class with a focus on film scoring. Basically, what I teach is a very, very comprehensive how-to and synthesis technique. course that focuses on universal synthesis concepts rather than specific instruments because I'm really interested in giving people you know, the technique and the knowledge that they need to use any instrument they want, whether it's a virtual synth that runs on their computer or the synth inside of Ableton or some Moog desktop synth or a keyboard synth or whatever. And I don't want to, you know, lock people out of the class by saying, sorry, if you don't have this one particular Euro Rack, you can't come and learn. So I teach using VCV Rack, which is a really amazing free modular synth. program that runs on your computer. And I really, really love it. And yeah, we start there and people go a million directions
Brian Funk: Mm.
Sarah Belle Reid: from, excuse me, from there.
Brian Funk: Well, that's
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: cool because so much of it is based off these building blocks.
Sarah Belle Reid: Exactly.
Brian Funk: And that's something I didn't know when I first tried to play a synthesizer. I didn't understand that there were these commonalities
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: between all of them. They all looked like different spaceships to me.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: And I felt like I had to learn every single one, but soon you start to see the pieces and how they
Sarah Belle Reid: That's
Brian Funk: come together.
Sarah Belle Reid: exactly, that's the thing that all of my students say and it's so exciting when they get to that point. Usually a month or a month and a half into the class, people start saying. oh wow, like I just realized how this instrument that I've had over here collecting dust on my desk works. Like I get it now because, you know, we basically, the philosophy behind the class is kind of like the under the hood approach to learning synthesis. So instead of learning how the... you know, the Moog Matriarch works or how any of those instruments work on the top level, you're learning how each individual component works, like really deeply what's up with oscillators. Not just, yeah, we know they drone, but like, did you know that you can, you know, use oscillators for 50, 100 different things, and then they can be chaotic and noisy and, and droney and all of this and like what's up with LFOs and how can we use as them as sound sources and how can we use them as control sources and all of that. So by the time you go through that, you not only know how VCV rack works and how modular synths work, but you go back to your various other instruments that you have and it all starts to click because you're like, wait a second. I get it.
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: it's an oscillator, it's an LFO, I know how those things work, that's a filter, and you're able to make more music with them than you were able to before, which is really exciting.
Brian Funk: Hmm. Yeah, you just start to see the
Sarah Belle Reid: You
Brian Funk: kind
Sarah Belle Reid: start
Brian Funk: of main
Sarah Belle Reid: to see
Brian Funk: idea.
Sarah Belle Reid: all the connections, yeah.
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: Right. Do you have a favorite synthesizer? I mean,
Sarah Belle Reid: Ooh,
Brian Funk: I would say you'd probably
Sarah Belle Reid: I don't
Brian Funk: go
Sarah Belle Reid: know.
Brian Funk: modular stuff, but I don't
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: know.
Sarah Belle Reid: I am a big fan of modular and in particular, I mean the reason why I love modular is because of the flexibility. I also love, you know, I have a Hydra synth, which is a keyboard based poly synth, I love it. But the reason why I love it is because of all of the flexibility that I learned on my modular that I can bring into how I patch it and how I customize
Brian Funk: Right,
Sarah Belle Reid: the sounds
Brian Funk: gotcha.
Sarah Belle Reid: on the HydroSynth because it's very flexible. These days, what I've been really enjoying are very small modular synths. I, you know, very limited. I've put together, I don't know the exact size, but just a tiny little case, two rows, fits in a backpack. And I'm just living with it as though it is a fixed. signal path synth, or not fixed signal path, but like those are the modules. They're not swappable.
Brian Funk: of the component.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: Right,
Sarah Belle Reid: and
Brian Funk: right.
Sarah Belle Reid: you do, of course, make your own patches within them, but I'm not changing them out every couple weeks, which is something that some folks do a lot of in the
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: modular world. And I've really enjoyed that because it feels more like my trumpet or like a keyboard where it's an instrument that I can really get to know on a really deep level that's not constantly changing. And I like the smallness of it because it forces me to be really creative and limitations, you know, are my best friend in the studio is just reduce the limitations, again, less is more. And I find that by, you know, giving yourself fewer options, you have to make better creative decisions and you try things that you probably wouldn't try otherwise.
Brian Funk: Yeah, I think that is what creativity is. It's
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: making do with what you have.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, yeah,
Brian Funk: And
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah.
Brian Funk: you're in this box. Not necessarily in the module, but
Sarah Belle Reid: That's the trouble
Brian Funk: I don't
Sarah Belle Reid: with
Brian Funk: f-
Sarah Belle Reid: modular synths, though, is that you can always grab another one, right? So
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: I always try to encourage people to keep it small and just see what you can get out of that, because there's always something you haven't tried before. Guaranteed.
Brian Funk: Yeah, I don't feel particularly creative when I'm scrolling through 9,000 kick drum samples, trying to find the one I'm going to use in my song. And I can imagine what modular it's, I've not gone too far down that road, mostly out of fear of getting carried away.
Sarah Belle Reid: Um, yeah.
Brian Funk: Because I've been in front of walls of them.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, yeah,
Brian Funk: And
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah.
Brian Funk: it kind of like, what? And then to just know that you can always get a new one and swap it out. It's, I don't know. I think I'd go bankrupt real fast.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, that's why I mean in like, I totally hear you and you're not alone.
Brian Funk: Hehehe
Sarah Belle Reid: But that is a big reason why like the class that I teach and the community around it, the learning sound synthesis community is it's really, we're really focused on like making music first
Brian Funk: Mm.
Sarah Belle Reid: and foremost. It's not so much about the gear. Of course, the gear is a big part of the discussion because we're learning how it all works and, and people need advice on what, Music is always the number one goal, and I think that really helps. For one, it feels more inclusive. It feels more welcoming. It's like you don't need the big sprawling synth in order to make awesome music with modular synths. You can open up your phone and get like a modular synth app and like, that's fantastic. Start with that. It's perfect. VCV Rack's free. I love it. It sounds really great. There's actually a ton of VCV Rack modules that are direct emulations of digital modules that you can get in Euro Rack format. And they run the same code. and they
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: sound fantastic. So it's a perfect place to start and for many people it's not just a starting point, it's the perfect setup for them, you know, for years. I use VCVRC all the time, especially when I'm on the road. I
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: just don't want to travel with like a massive, you know, rig.
Brian Funk: Yeah, that's a big consideration when you're playing out and touring especially.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: Like what are you carrying around with you? I know for myself, like a lot of times I'm going alone too. And if I'm going into like New York city and Brooklyn, I want to be able to carry everything in one trip
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: because I'm lucky if I park a half a mile away from the club. And I don't want to leave half my gear in the club and
Sarah Belle Reid: No.
Brian Funk: half in the car. So I've made it that that's been a really helpful limitation for me. Like what can I fit on this table and what can I carry?
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: Because for a little while I was getting interested in it was wasn't modular, but it was modular ask with MIDI controllers because you're kind of.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, lots of pieces.
Brian Funk: You got all your little pieces together, so you keep adding to that next thing you know, like you're out of control real fast.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, I understand.
Brian Funk: Yeah, I'm sure it's so I'm guessing having that kind of limited space is practical as well as great for creativity.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, exactly. I honestly think it's a win-win. I mean, some of the best shows I've ever played have been the ones that I've been forced to. really, really re rethink things because I'm like, okay, I'm flying. It needs to fit in the overhead. I also have a trumpet, so I'm really limited, right? It's like my trumpet case has to come on the plane. So then I'm like, what can I slide into that carry on,
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: you know, or into my backpack or something like that? But again, it just. It gets you thinking in a creative way. It gets you looking for sound everywhere in a more resourceful way. And I've found it really liberating.
Brian Funk: Yeah, I agree. I've gone to almost no guitar pedals. You know, just really a tuner and a little bit of a noise gate. And it's just so nice. I used to rely on the delay pedal and the reverb and all these other things to make my parts interesting, but taking that away forces you to really pay attention to what you're playing
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: and the music much
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: more than... pressing buttons.
Sarah Belle Reid: We like pressing buttons too though, it's okay.
Brian Funk: It's fun.
Sarah Belle Reid: Ha ha
Brian Funk: There it
Sarah Belle Reid: ha.
Brian Funk: is. It's, there's nothing like it, but it, it's such a slippery slope. I think for myself, um, I avoid the like pain of trying to create by adding gear and then complicating things, you know, maybe pain's not the right word, but like, kind of like the fear of.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: I don't know if I'm going to make anything good. So if I can kind of just fiddle with stuff,
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: I'm a little off the hook.
Sarah Belle Reid: I can relate to that for sure. You can make something great though.
Brian Funk: I will
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: try.
Sarah Belle Reid: you got it.
Brian Funk: Yeah. So where can people sign up for the course? You also have a free one we should mention too.
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh yeah!
Brian Funk: That was really cool. I've been watching a little bit of that. You have great energy too. I think that's a nice, you know, reason why people should come to you is that you're excited about it. And you transmit that really well over the videos. Just, hey, this is really cool everyone. You should check it out.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, well, I teach because I am genuinely passionate about teaching and about this topic. Like, I am all fully in and in love with what I teach. And so, yeah, I'm happy to hear that comes through. Yeah, I really do it. I do it because I love it. I'm also really passionate about helping people get started in electronic music and not only get started, but go deep into electronic music and make awesome music. Who... who for whatever reason feel like they're not cut out for it. That's a big kind of personal mission. If you, for whatever reason, just feel like you're not smart enough, or you feel like, oh, I'm the least techie person in the room. I've heard that so many times. Or they've got it and I don't have it. Maybe you believe in yourself, but you're just. intimidated, super normal, super common. And modular synthesis is an intimidating thing to get into because there are a million options and it can just be daunting, right? Like where do
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: I start? What do I need first? But at the same time, it's so fun and so creatively rewarding when you are in it and you're making the kind of music that you're dreaming of making. So my goal is just to kind of help. bridge that gap for people and help bring people together so that they can have a community, right? I mentioned one of the reasons why I make music is that connection aspect. It's a huge aspect of the course as well. We have, in my opinion, one of the most vibrant and like supportive and deeply insanely creative communities on the internet, all focused on modular synthesis and making music with synths. Um, A lot of courses have the lifetime access, like you can come back and once you're in, you're in. And that's how this class works too. But what makes it really special and it gets better every single cohort is that the alumni are in there. The alumni
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: from cohort number one, which was years
Brian Funk: Nice.
Sarah Belle Reid: ago, they are there and they are like offering feedback and they're sharing their new releases and they're collaborating with one another and everyone comes to open mics and we do hangouts and we do live Zoom calls. Just such a vibe. Like
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: such a good vibe. I know that I'm obviously biased because it's the community that I've been building, but it just like fills my heart with so much happiness. So you asked how people can sign up. I will tell you that. The easiest way is just soundandsynthesis.com. Soundandsynthesis.com.
Brian Funk: Cool. I have that up here.
Sarah Belle Reid: That's for the main course. The free course is got a slightly longer URL that maybe we could drop in the show notes.
Brian Funk: Yeah, I'll put them all in there as well. Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, and the free course is great for people who maybe aren't sure if this modular synthesis is something that you want to do but you're curious. It's a completely free class. You use VCV Rack, which is free to download too, so you don't need to buy anything. And it walks you through what modular synthesis is about, how it works, how to make your first couple of patches. And the whole thing takes less than a couple of hours. So it's a good thing to do
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: on a weekend.
Brian Funk: Yeah,
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: I agree. That's really cool. The community is so huge. Those are the best semesters I have at Berkeley when people are interacting,
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: when I have a Discord when we get that going and people are moving. But what I love about what you just said is it's really cool that the people from the first cohort, all the cohorts are still there.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: That's one thing I would, at Berkeley, it's just whoever's there at the moment.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, it's a big deal. It's such a, you know, it's something that I started on day one, this kind of open door, like once you're in the LSS community, you're in. And I was hoping it would work this way, but I wasn't sure, because you can't, obviously
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: you can't force people to come back around, but they really do. And the other reason why it's valuable is because it allows, it allows people to really go at their own pace and take some of the urgency and the pressure off of like, you, you know, needing to get it all done right now, such a big part of life as a musician. You've talked about this already. There's so much pressure, so much urgency, like especially in school, right? You have one semester
Brian Funk: Sure.
Sarah Belle Reid: and if you don't learn it all, and it's too bad, but this whole class is really designed so that there is a cohort, like you do go through with a group, but at the same time. It's OK if you don't get it all in four months, because you have access to it continually into the future. And you can go back through the next round. And lots of people do that. And what I've found, just from an education point of view, what I've found is that when people can relax a little bit, they get deeper into it. And they'll go through the first two or three chapters. They'll get inspired. And then they'll say, you know what? I'm going to make an album. Even though I
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: still don't know what are or how they work. I haven't gotten there yet. I'm so inspired with what I have right now. I'm going to compose for three months. That's great. Like,
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: that's fantastic. And then they get to a point where they think, OK, I've done that. I'm full. Now I want to go learn about sequencers. Or now I'm ready for MIDI or whatever they're ready for in their next step. And the class is there. And they go back in, do their next chunk,
Brian Funk: Hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: rinse and repeat.
Brian Funk: That's great. Cause that's
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: one of the biggest problems with education.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: Honestly, is that it's so make believe a lot of times and you're not doing real work, you're doing like work for your teacher and you don't get to do the thing you want to do until you do the thing you have to do,
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: but why are you learning modular since probably you want to make music.
Sarah Belle Reid: You
Brian Funk: So
Sarah Belle Reid: want to make
Brian Funk: if you
Sarah Belle Reid: music?
Brian Funk: get inspired along the way, make it.
Sarah Belle Reid: Make it.
Brian Funk: Do
Sarah Belle Reid: I
Brian Funk: it.
Sarah Belle Reid: know. There's
Brian Funk: That's
Sarah Belle Reid: a
Brian Funk: great.
Sarah Belle Reid: funny kind of a meme that some of my students. made of every, almost after every video, certainly at the end of every module, I have this little thing that I say that turned into an accidental catchphrase where I'm like, okay, now go and put all of this into action in your own practice and like make music with it and try it out. And if you need anything, I'm here to help, you know. And I'm wishing you happy patching adventures ahead. And I basically say it after every video, just because I so earnestly believe Learn this stuff is to do it, you know learn the concepts
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: learn the theory and then make your own music with it and That will reveal to you The gap in your knowledge or the gap in your setup Right if we link it back to the beginning of the conversation when you were talking about mapping your MIDI controller If you start with one thing and you do that It will reveal to you what's needed You'll be like, oh, that's cool, but I'd really be great if I could do that too. There's your next step. Easy. Take, then you take that next step and you just build from there. Like you don't need to have it all figured out before you start making music.
Brian Funk: Oh, that was the big revelation for me with playing live using a computer was I'll just, I'll just play and then I'll decide, Oh, I wish I had a filter here. Okay.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: Let's
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah, yeah.
Brian Funk: add it.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: And then I'll play more and then I'll say, Oh, what if I could do that? And
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: it builds naturally. Cause I think
Sarah Belle Reid: Exactly.
Brian Funk: at first I was trying to plan it out too much and
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, that's normal.
Brian Funk: it just never happened.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: But. It's all stuff that you're never gonna master really anyway. There's a lifelong learning pursuits synthesis. Like
Sarah Belle Reid: If we, if we're
Brian Funk: you've
Sarah Belle Reid: lucky,
Brian Funk: learned that forever.
Sarah Belle Reid: that's what I hope, right? I hope that I will always be, you know, learning new things every time I pick up my instruments, discovering new things every time I sit down at my synth. That's my dream. I don't ever want to get to a point where I'm like, cool, I know it all. I know that's never gonna happen.
Brian Funk: I saw Keith Richards talking about his guitar once, and he's been playing his guitar for hundreds of years now, I think. And he says, it's a puzzle, man. And he's like, every time I pick it up, I find a new piece.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, I
Brian Funk: And
Sarah Belle Reid: love that.
Brian Funk: it was just so cool to see how he's still, you know, enamored with the mystery of it and learning new things.
Sarah Belle Reid: And you see how that personality or that approach is so open to receiving the new pieces, right? Oh, it's a puzzle. Every time I pick it up, I learn a new piece. That is so powerful. As opposed to something that's like, oh man, it's so hard. I should know it all by now. Right? Which is like, why don't I know it all then? I've been playing for 200 years or whatever. Right. It's like, you see that it's the same
Brian Funk: Oh yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: situation, but the one is like, every time I pick this up, I get something new out of it.
Brian Funk: Mm-hmm.
Sarah Belle Reid: That's like a state of like, bring it on, you know,
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: as
Brian Funk: Oh, that's
Sarah Belle Reid: opposed
Brian Funk: a mindset
Sarah Belle Reid: to it's
Brian Funk: thing.
Sarah Belle Reid: a mindset thing for sure. Yeah.
Brian Funk: Yeah, it's same problem. Or same
Sarah Belle Reid: Same circumstance,
Brian Funk: opportunity.
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah, same circumstance, completely different kind
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: of approach.
Brian Funk: Yeah, and I think that having that sort of like, I can learn any, I can keep learning forever is really a great way to approach it. Because otherwise, yeah, either you get frustrated that you haven't learned it all yet, or you get close minded and thinking that you did. And
Sarah Belle Reid: Right.
Brian Funk: then you stop learning and probably lose interest.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah. Yeah, The Beginner's Mind. There's a, that's a book. Let's see if I can remember. Shinru Suzuki, I think is the name. But it's called Zen Mind Beginner's Mind. Good read.
Brian Funk: Okay.
Sarah Belle Reid: Small, short, quick read. But.
Brian Funk: lot of words I
Sarah Belle Reid: It's
Brian Funk: like
Sarah Belle Reid: something
Brian Funk: in there.
Sarah Belle Reid: that I bring into the beginning, first day of any class that I ever teach, is this idea of the beginner's mind. And I'm going to paraphrase loosely because I can't remember the exact text, but the idea is in the beginner's mind, possibilities are endless, but in the expert's mind, they are very few. And it's just
Brian Funk: Mm.
Sarah Belle Reid: what you said, right? It's like coming into things with this perspective of... always learning. Oh, I don't know that yet, but I can't wait to learn every time I pick up my insta and I discover something new. Yeah.
Brian Funk: Yeah. Well, that is really a gift if you just change the thinking that this thing has another surprise around the corner
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: as opposed to, oh no, I don't know all the surprises yet.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, yeah, oh, what's coming next?
Brian Funk: Right.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, totally.
Brian Funk: That's good stuff. I think that's a really great message to be giving people. Because especially as we get older, we are less and less comfortable being beginners and new at things. And we don't do as many new things in our lives as we get older compared to when we're kids and you'll try anything.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: It's such a good thing to have.
Sarah Belle Reid: yeah, exactly. And joining a class, the reason why I bring this into all of my classes is because signing up for a class takes courage. It's not easy to do that, to be like, hey, I don't know this, or I'm going to be the least. skillful person in the room on purpose. Like I'm going to
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: do that to myself. Like that takes courage, especially
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: when it's when we're out of school and maybe have been out of school for decades and you're electing to go back and learn something. Like all of my classes obviously are not. in university settings anymore, they're online. So there's people of all ages. Some folks have been out of formal learning environments for 50 years. And it's an amazing thing what happens when you put all those people into the same space. This person's like, oh, I'm so new to this, but I have 40 years of experience with this. And this person's like, oh, I've never seen this before, but I'm really great at this. And then you
Brian Funk: Mm.
Sarah Belle Reid: get those people talking You know, it's a beautiful, beautiful thing.
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah.
Brian Funk: Well, I would gather from talking to you that you also do quite a lot of learning in these classes as well.
Sarah Belle Reid: Oh my gosh. Yeah. I always say that teaching is my favorite way to learn. And
Brian Funk: No, I said the same thing.
Sarah Belle Reid: I mean
Brian Funk: Yeah.
Sarah Belle Reid: it. Oh, yeah. I mean, I learn so much from everybody. Like I said, we have Zoom calls, open coaching calls, basically, where we listen to each other's music and give feedback. And we talk about ideas that go way beyond the technical aspect of synthesis but are more about being a musician. And we get into sometimes mindset-related like what you and I have been talking about that have to do with performance anxiety or time management or like just being a creative person. I always learn from everyone because, you know, I have my experience from my own practice and from my past students that I can offer, but when there's, you know, dozens and dozens and collectively hundreds of people in a space all sharing their perspectives. it's impossible to not learn from them as well.
Brian Funk: Well, it's possible if you take that, I'm the teacher here
Sarah Belle Reid: Well...
Brian Funk: and this is my class, like that'll shut it down real fast.
Sarah Belle Reid: would shut it down, but for me I find it really enriching.
Brian Funk: That's great. I'm very happy to hear that for you and for your students.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah, yeah, it's a fun time. We have fun.
Brian Funk: Yeah. Good. Right. We're playing music.
Sarah Belle Reid: We are playing music.
Brian Funk: Well, great. Um, we'll definitely put all that stuff in the show notes. Is there anything else you want to mention, bring up or tie together before we go?
Sarah Belle Reid: I don't...no,
Brian Funk: patched
Sarah Belle Reid: I don't
Brian Funk: together,
Sarah Belle Reid: patch
Brian Funk: I should
Sarah Belle Reid: together...I
Brian Funk: say.
Sarah Belle Reid: don't think so.
Brian Funk: Very nice. Well,
Sarah Belle Reid: I'm
Brian Funk: I
Sarah Belle Reid: gonna
Brian Funk: thank
Sarah Belle Reid: go.
Brian Funk: you for taking the time to talk and share all that with us. Really awesome work you're doing. I find
Sarah Belle Reid: Thank
Brian Funk: it really
Sarah Belle Reid: you.
Brian Funk: inspiring, too. I've learned a lot. And that energy is always really nice to tap into. So I know I can get that enthusiasm from you in one of your videos. So thank you for that.
Sarah Belle Reid: Yeah,
Brian Funk: And
Sarah Belle Reid: I mean, it's my pleasure. And honestly, you know, thank you. Thanks to you for saying that and to everyone, everyone listening, everyone who tunes into the videos that I share and sends messages and stuff because those kind words that I receive in various forms make it so even more exciting and rewarding to keep doing what I'm doing. So I really appreciate all the little nuggets that come in. Thank you for sending them in.
Brian Funk: Very good. Well, thank you and thank you to everyone that listened. Have a great day.
Sarah Belle Reid: Bye for now.
James Patrick is a music producer, educator, and author of the new book Sound Design for Electronic Music. James is one of the first Ableton Certified Trainers and he co-founded the electronic music school Slam Academy.
James and I spoke about his work as an educator, the history and philosophy behind Slam Academy, and his new book Sound Design for Electronic Music. James shared how everything in music can be boiled down to relationships in vibrations.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Dave Gebroe is the host and creator of the show Discograffiti, a music podcast that delivers the objective truth about the entire discography of every single artist and band that ever existed. He has written, produced, and filmed two feature films, The Homeboy and Zombie Honeymoon.
Dave and I spoke about his show Discograffiti and the depths he goes to ensure that he and his guests leave no stone unturned in their exploration of the artist in question's life and career. We spoke about some of our favorite albums and producers, as well as the cost and benefits of devoting our lives to our passions.
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Show Notes:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ross Lara is a music producer, film composer, and the CEO and founder of Archipelago Entertainment. His studio is the highest-altitude Dolby Atmos installation in the world. His music is inspired by nature and he has worked for brands like Red Bull, Meta, and Epic Games.
Ross and I spoke about the importance of bringing emotional impact into our music. Ross went into depth about how he builds worlds in his music through nature and natural sounds. He also gave an in-depth explanation of Dolby Atmos and his experience with immersive audio.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Brandon Reed is the creator of the 12 Hour Sound Machine (No Loops or Fades!) Podcast. The show provides listeners with 12 hours of soothing sound to help people relax and sleep. Episodes feature 12 hour stretches of white, pink, and brown noise, as well as environmental sounds like babbling brooks and forests at night, and even more unusual sounds like popcorn popping and diesel engines. To date the show has been downloaded over 95 million times.
Brandon spoke about some of the technical aspects of how he produces 12 hours of non-looping audio, as well as the differences (with sound examples) between types of noise. We also discussed the emotional impact noise and ambient sounds have on us and how we can use noise to enhance the mood of our music.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
EmmoLei Sankofa is a composer, producer, musician, and artist. Credits include Emmy award-winning “Watch Out For the Big Grrrls,” the Lizzo documentary series, STARZ’s “Step Up”, and newly released, “Three Ways,” which recently premiered on Hulu.
EmmoLei and I had a wide-ranging conversation about her career and creative process. We wound up exploring some deep philosophical and evolutionary aspects of music, art, and simply living. EmmoLei's deep insights about the power of music and human compassion left me feeling inspired and uplifted.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
How come we get so good at creating one short section of music only to get stuck when it's time to create the next section? If a song is a collection of different sections, why is it so hard to string a few sections together to make a song?
In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, we explore a big mistake that all but prevents us from finishing songs.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ameya is a prog rock musician living in Philadelphia by way of India. He has a master's degree in biomedical engineering. Ameya shares his process and songwriting techniques on his Instagram and YouTube. His new EP is due to be released towards the end of this summer.
Ameya and I had a great conversation about his work, the prog rock genre, guitar playing, and his love of learning new things with steep learning curves. He shared some of the breakthroughs he's experienced as a guitarist and songwriter, as well as the challenges that helped him grow as an artist.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Will Doggett is a musician, sound designer, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He runs the popular YouTube Channel From Studio to Stage where he teaches musicians how to use Ableton Live in their live performances. He discusses all aspects of live performance on his podcast Behind the Spacebar.
I had a great conversation with Will about his work as a playback engineer. Will has tons of insight on what makes a great live show using Ableton Live. We discussed everything from redundant backup machines, the technical features he uses in Ableton Live, and how to perform with backing tracks without cheating.
There are two sides to every story! Watch Will and me on his podcast Behind The Spacebar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4rU1fvVRfQ
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Zach Robinson and Leo Birenberg are film score composers whose credits include Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, Cobra Kai, Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin, and Florida Man.
Zach, Leo, and I had a great conversation about their work with the Weird Al biopic and scoring Cobra Kai. Both shared their thoughts about bringing films to life, working together and with others, and how they seek to challenge themselves and bring their best to every project.
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Show Notes:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Even though I spend most of my days wishing I had more time to make music, when that time arrives, I find myself avoiding the task.
Why do we Procrastinate? What can we do to end procrastination and get to work?
In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, I share 3 techniques that have worked for me over the years.
Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/XYhsBdo__80
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Zack Zarrillo is co-founder of Alternate Side, a full-service music company that represents over 30 artists in the alternative/rock/pop/electronic/metal genres. He also co-founded Bad Timing Records, and he began writing his popular music blog "PropertyOfZack" when he was just 16 years old. In addition to helping artists build their careers, Zack is co-owner of Hello Donuts + Coffee in Philadelphia, PA.
Zack spoke about the ways the music industry has evolved over the last 15 years and the strategies his artists have used to grow their careers. We covered everything from Tik Tok to Spotify and Patreon. Zack also drew parallels between building a community of fans with artists to building a real-world community at his Philadelphia donut shop.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Making Music is hard. Even when we have attained all of the skills and knowledge to create music, it's still extremely difficult to finish music. Along the way, there are thousands of tiny decisions that need to be made. At each decision lies the risk of running into self-doubt and a crippling inner critic.
In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, we explore the importance of almost recklessly making decisions and committing to them.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Amadeus360 started his career as a DJ and came up under the mentorship of the legendary Kid Capri. He's also produced records for Rap legends like Kool G Rap, Busta Rhymes, Paul Wall, Sheek Louch of The LOX, etc. His new album The MPC Jedi releases on May 12
Amadeus and I spoke about his work as a boom bap hip hop producer. He shared his experiences collaborating with a wide range of artists and how his work ethic and dedication to quality and authenticity have served him during his impressive career.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Paul Laski is a music producer, sound designer, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He designs sounds in the factory preset bank of XFER Records Serum and sample and preset packs for Sample Magic, Splice, and Sonic Academy. Paul teaches computer music production, sound design, and live performance with ICON Collective in Los Angeles.
I had a great conversation with Paul about how he has carved out a career in music via producing, teaching, and sound design. Paul went into detail about the challenges of work-life balance, especially as a new father. We went deep into the philosophy around creativity and productivity, and how we can find satisfaction and fulfillment in our work and the unexpected paths that present themselves along the way.
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Show Notes:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ariane Paras helps artists define their vision, build confidence, and find the strength to reach their goals. She runs Olympia Coaching and has 15 years of experience in the music industry and has been coaching artists along their journey for 8 years.
In our second conversation on the podcast, Ariane and I spoke about fears and struggles artists face. Ariane shared how we can pay close attention to our mindset and thoughts to reframe challenges and criticisms into learning and growth experiences. She offered valuable tips and techniques for creating art and how to keep our careers moving even when we feel stagnant.
Sign up for Ariane's May 2nd and 9th, 2023 FREE 2-part workshop: Just do it! Stop Procrastinating And Build Consistency In Your Music Career. You’ll discover why you procrastinate, get practical tools to overcome this and get the motivation and accountability you need to follow through with something that will move your music career forward. You’ll walk away feeling accomplished and one step closer to where you want to be. Find out the details and register here: https://mailchi.mp/c2d30631a626/just-do-it-workshop
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Keppie Coutts and Benny Romalis are professional songwriters who run the website and YouTube Channel How to Write Songs. Both have released numerous albums, written songs for many artists, and teach songwriting. Their YouTube channel is one of my personal favorites and their courses have helped thousands of songwriters.
Keppie, Benny, and I had a great discussion about writing music and their new course on Udemy: The 5 Most Powerful Songwriting Exercises... Revealed. Keppie and Bennie generously shared 2 of those exercises, complete with music demonstrations and performances.
Edit: Keppie mentioned "The River" by Bruce Springsteen but she said afterwards that she meant "Devils and Dust."
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Matthew Patrei is a music producer and teacher who releases music under the name Yasei Mare, which means "Wild Ocean." Matt just released his new album, EP Two. He teaches music at the Steeple Street Music Academy in Massachusetts.
Matt and I had a great conversation about the creation of his new Yasei Mare album, EP Two. We discussed his songwriting methods, vocal production, and sound design. Matt shared how he manages to overcome creative challenges in himself and his students.
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Show Notes:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Rob Kovacs is a classical trained pianist, singer/songwriter, and composer. He recently released the soundtrack for the game Straylight. Rob performs classic video game soundtracks on piano as 88-Bit, and he also writes and records indie rock music under his own name.
I met Rob at the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo last summer where he performed as 88-Bit, playing piano renditions of classic video game soundtracks. On this episode, we had a great conversation about his work as 88-bit, his indie rock music, and his new soundtrack for the game Straylight. Rob spoke about composing for video games and how the limitations of the early sound chips resulted in inventive and creative approaches to composition.
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Show Notes:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ben Burnes is a musician, producer, and game developer. Every week for years, and nearly 400 times, Ben has live streamed his production of a new song in two hours. He is a prolific creator and also has a large collection of sample packs to help fellow producers create their music.
This is my fourth conversation with Ben on the podcast! We covered a wide range of topics, including how to finish songs, creating a discipline around music production, and how to find a artistic balance that is right for you.
Be part of Ben's next Two Hour Album Challenge, April 12-16, 2023! Go to Two Hour Album Challenge for more information.
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Show Notes:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Matthew Dicks is a best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction, including two books I immediately started reading again when I finished them, Storyworthy and Someday is Today. He is the 56-time Moth Story Slam Champion and 9-time Grand Slam Champion. He also wrote a rock opera.
Matthew Dicks is a master storyteller and discussed how good story-telling can help make us better songwriters and conversationalists. He shared specific techniques and practices that will help artists of all kinds become more productive and express themselves more effectively.
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Show Notes:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Cameron of Venus Theory is a musician, sound designer, and YouTuber. He works for many companies producing music, presets, and videos. Cameron shares his musical adventures and artistic philosophy on his YouTube channel, where he inspires fellow artists to "create something awesome."
Cameron and I discussed his work and how he has forged a career as an independent artist. He explains how staying true to his beliefs and curiosities is at the core of his success.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
John Matthias and Jay Auborn are a British duo that takes their experiments with sound to new levels, catapulting their work into unexplored territories of human-robotic collaboration. John is a violinist and composer, Jay is a musician, producer, and sound artist. Their new album Ghost Notes utilizes their unique combination of skills to create mini electronic symphonies.
John and Jay spoke about their forthcoming album, Ghost Notes, and their work on the video game soundtrack for The Kraken Wakes. The pair discussed their inventive recording techniques and their work together. They detailed how they lean on each other's strengths to form a healthy and fruitful collaboration.
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Show Notes:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Kevin Breuner is the SVP of Artist Engagement & Education at CD Baby. He and his team produce educational content to help independent artists move their careers forward in a rapidly changing industry. Kevin plays guitar in Smalltown Poets, who recently released their 10th album NWxSE.
Kevin and I spoke about the changes happening in the music industry. Whether it's AI, social media, or changing trends, Kevin looks for ways to help independent artists navigate their careers.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Evan Price is the CEO of Artist collective where he coaches musicians helping them generate revenue to have the financial freedom they need to pursue the lives they’ve always wanted. Evan is a lifelong musician who hopes to help artists with the business side of the music business.
Evan and I spoke about how artists can build their careers. We discussed some of the new technological developments that artists face and how they can brace themselves to succeed in everchanging music climate.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ebonie Smith is an award-winning music producer, audio engineer, and singer-songwriter. She is a 10-year in-house engineer at Atlantic Records, and the founder and President of Gender Amplified Inc., a camp experience that supports women and gender non-binary in music production and audio engineering. Smith has received numerous awards and worked with artists like Charlie Puth, Ms. Lauryn Hill, The Roots, Kodak Black, Zoe Kravitz, and many more.
Ebonie spoke about her work and experience. She shared how she meticulously recreates hit songs in order to understand what makes them work. Ebonie explained how the most successful artists see every aspect, from songwriting to album release, as a chance for artistic expression.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Alex Walker is a musician, producer, and YouTuber, who creates under the name Human Synthetics. Alex has created numerous videos for Isotonik Studios and is known for his live streams. During the streams, Alex shares all parts of the creative process, including the less glamorous struggles, in order to share an accurate depiction of the process.
Alex and I had a great talk about his work and the creative process in general. Alex spoke about how live streaming has focused his work and helped him build a daily discipline.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Tommy Zee runs Tommy Zee and Co., a music production company that makes music for some of the world's largest brands, such as Nike, Adidas, Google, Sony, and more. He created the site Making Music for Brands that teaches producers how to get in the business of producing music for companies.
This is the third time Tommy and I have done a podcast. You don't do three podcasts unless you enjoy it and find lots of value in it. I look forward to our fourth.
Tommy shared a ton of wisdom from his experience. He spoke about his recent daily email writings, which we the catalyst for this conversation. Tommy has a way of finding what is important in his work and life that is truly inspiring.
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Show Notes:
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
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Brian Funk
Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that we are not qualified or good enough to do something and that someone will expose us as a fraud.
In this episode, I speak about Imposter Syndrome, what we can do about it, and an embarrassing mistake I made that is proof that I am complete fraud in everything I do!
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Roger Neill is an accomplished film and television composer who worked on the new Hulu film Darby and the Dead, the award-winning Sam Now, and all 13 seasons of King of the Hill. He has arranged and orchestrated concerts for artists such as Beck, John Legend, and Air. Roger's work has received numerous awards, including an Emmy for King of the Hill, and he holds a PhD in music from Harvard.
Roger and I discussed his work on the film Darby and the Dead, including how they needed to rethink and rework the project to find the film's sound. Roger shared how deadlines and limitations help him finish work. He offered valuable insight from his experience on how to get work and capture the feeling of a film.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
This is the Some Good Evil Vinyl Listening Party!
Some Good Evil is my 3-piece rock band. I play guitar and sing. Alex Oliveira sings background vocals and plays bass. Chris P. Cauley plays drums and sings background vocals.
In this episode, the band gets together at Chris' house to listen to our newly arrived vinyl records. We discuss some of the stories behind the songs, the writing process, and the creative and philosophical approaches we took as a band to complete the album.
You'll hear each track from our new album, recorded directly from the vinyl record!
Enjoy,
Brian
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Brian Funk
Brendan Becker is a chiptune musician and video game composer. He produces music using a variety of vintage video game systems under the name Inverse Phase. Brendan runs the Bloop Museum in Maryland, USA, where classic video game consoles and vintage electronics are on display and ready for interaction.
Brendan shared his deep knowledge of classic video game sound chips as well as how he creates music with them. He details how such systems and chips produce sound with minimal computing power. Brendan explains the drastic limitations and challenges of creating chiptune music.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Jason Donnelly, aka DJ Puzzle, is a musician and sound designer, as well as co-founder of Soundtrack Loops. Soundtrack Loops provides producers with royalty-free samples and loops. Jason and Soundtrack Loops create sounds for many of the industry's biggest companies including Acid, Roland, Antares, and more. In January 2023, Jason and Soundtrack Loops co-founder Matt Yost are launching their first plug-in, Double Scoop, under the brand Array Sounds. Jason's music has been placed in many films, television shows, and video games.
Jason and I had a great conversation about his background and work. We discussed how it's important to maintain a future-focused mindset to prepare for unexpected technological developments. Jason shared many valuable insights from his years working in a variety of branches of the music industry.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
It's time for Jamuary 2023! Jamuary is a challenge to make and share a piece of music each day during January. The point isn't to create masterpieces, it is simply to show up and do some work.
In this episode, I share some thoughts that have helped me throughout the years during Jamuary. You'll hear about 3 books that have inspired me and helped me be more productive this year. I'll also explain my personal Jamuary motto: Don't Lose Twice.
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Brian Funk
I wrote a book!
The 5-Minute Music Producer contains 365 music-making activities to help you improve your songwriting and music production.
If you've ever had a lack of inspiration or struggled with writer's block, this book will help you develop techniques and workflows to power through!
5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book
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Brian Funk
Johannes Ringen is a film composer and music producer from Norway. He has worked on a variety of feature films including Avengers: Age of Ultron, Fate of the Furious, and Furious 7. His latest work was for the wildly successful Netflix film, Troll.
Johannes and I spoke about his work in film composition. We discovered plenty of similarities between film composition and other forms of music-making, including playing in rock bands. Johannes shared wisdom about how he approaches a project, works with large teams, and uses deadlines to get his work finished.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Matt Jones is a musician, producer, and songwriter. I got to know Matt while he was taking my Ableton Live Sampling class at Berklee Online. Late this summer, he organized and participated in the Monterey Songwriting and Production Retreat. Several musicians of various backgrounds (and strangers to each other) gathered at his home to write and produce music together. In this episode, I speak with Matt about the songwriting retreat, how he helped foster a creative spirit, and the lessons he learned along the way.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Blake Murray and Marty Gray host the Tune Shed Podcast. Their show covers similar ground to this show, music making, creativity, philosophy, theory, and gear. Blake and Marty are childhood friends that have reconnected over their discussions about music.
Blake and Marty came on the show to talk about their work on the podcast. We had a great conversation about the challenges of making music and how we've found ways to overcome them. They share their musical backgrounds and how they've learned from each other and their guests.
This is part one of a two-part series. The other half can be found on the Tune Shed Podcast. In that episode, I breakdown one of my band, Some Good Evil's tracks "Being with You." Head over to the Tune Shed Podcast to hear the second half!
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Brian Funk
Julian Fulco Perron is a musician and filmmaker from Denver, Colorado. His music and art harken back to the late 60s and early 70s psychedelic rock. Julian goes to great lengths to capture the feeling of the era by using many of the same tools of the time. He films his videos on Super 8 and experiments with various mediums to achieve a sound full of character and unique charm.
Julian and I spoke about the challenges presented by using vintage workflows and how those obstacles have enhanced his creativity. Julian explains his process for creating his work and how the adventurous spirit of artists such as The Beatles and The Beach Boys influences how he produces his art.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Sam Gribben is the CEO of Melodics, a music education platform helping users master electronic drums, MIDI keyboards, and pad controllers. Melodics has just released a new feature called Songs which allows users to learn by playing popular songs.
Sam and I spoke about the development and evolution of Melodics, and how they've managed to maintain a useful and intuitive educational experience over the years. Sam shared wisdom about education and how we best learn.
Melodics is offering listeners of this podcast some free bonus content, including 30 lessons for keys, pads, or drums: MUSICPODCAST-MELODICS
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Brian Funk
Mike Gallagher and Anthony Vanchure are, respectively, the sound designer and supervising sound editor for the new bio pic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. The duo have worked together on many projects, including Netflix's Song Exploder and Amazon's Lucy and Desi. Both have been nominated for Emmy awards.
Mike and Anthony spoke about their work on the Weird Al biopic. They went into great detail about how sound can be used to tell a story and set a mood. We discussed the choices they made to support the film's tone and how feedback from the directors and Weird Al himself helped guide their work.
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Brian Funk
Greg Meadows is an acoustic singer-songwriter who plays music as The Low End. He started the project to escape the frustration of complicated computer-based setups and overly processed music. Greg wanted to embrace performance and humanity in his recordings, so he turned to his trusty Tascam 4-track tape recorder. His music emphasizes emotion and performance over production and perfection.
I learned about Greg's work while watching his video about a Tascam mixer. I was blown away by his music and spent the rest of the night devouring everything he has created. Greg and I spoke about his work and the philosophy behind it. He spoke about how reducing his setup helped him learn the subtleties of recording and production.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Single Sonic Seven is an album created in collaboration with musicians on all seven continents. The two year-long project’s roots are found in quarantine-era Berlin, while its final path was deeply shaped by a personal connection to the war in Ukraine. I spoke with Single Sonic Seven producer Ethan Miska about the project. Ethan shared some wisdom and insight about collaborating with so many people on a single project. We even spoke about how his new hobby of making his own peanut butter made him a better producer and how a little (but not too much) chaos can help our creativity.
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Show Notes:
Single Sonic Seven on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/singlesonicseven
Single Sonic Seven on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/singlesonicseven
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Brian Funk
When our computer operating systems get updated there’s the promise of new features that will improve our workflow and make our lives a little easier. But should we update our music-making computers with the new OS?
Not right away!
In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, I discuss a few practical reasons you don’t want to update right away and some more philosophical reasons why waiting is a good idea. When new things come out, it can wreak havoc on our mindset, which could jeopardize our ability to make music. I have a few thoughts on how we can protect ourselves from potentially dangerous ways of thinking!
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Brian Funk
Bottler is Brooklyn-based electronic duo of best friends, Pat Butler and Phil Shore. Their music is designed to capture the playfulness of kids making music in their garage. Bottler released their first album, Journey Work, on infine in May.
Pat, Phil, and I had a great conversation about collaborating and live performance. The duo shared how they were able to maintain a lifelong partnership, as well as how they adapt their music to stage.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Nick Culbertson is a musician and app developer who runs Moby Pixel, a mobile app creation studio. He designs game and music apps for iOS, and also produces a wide range of educational and entertaining YouTube videos. He has just released Overdrive Synth for iOS, which combines classic synthesizers with guitar overdrive and distortion pedals.
Nick goes in depth about his app development process. His new app, Overdrive Synth, combines his experience as guitarist, budding synthesist, and app developer. We had a great conversation about his work and how building interesting sounds helps us create music with personality and character.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Cobaine Ivory is a multi-instrumentalist and Grammy-Nominated producer. He has worked with Dr. Dre, H.E.R., and Anderson Paak. Cobaine has composed music for Disney, SONY Pictures, and Ubisoft. Cobaine and I spoke in depth about his work and overall creative philosophies.
It was a lot of fun talking with Cobaine, I really appreciate his values and beliefs. How he lives his life informs how he makes music. Cobaine has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I learned a lot talking with him!
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Brian Funk
It's pretty simple. Life is distracting enough. You don't need help getting pulled out of the moment. Turn off your notifications. Get more done.
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Brian Funk
Doug Hoyer is a Canadian singer/songwriter who has garnered 1 million Spotify streams and licensed music for television. Doug's work has received critical acclaim and he works by day as a hearing aid practitioner.
I had a great conversation with Doug about his work and techniques for writing and completing music. Doug shared a ton of insights and strategies he regularly uses. He showcased his homemade telephone microphone during the show, and I may have asked him a few too many questions about ear care and hearing health.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Laura Ferreiro is a writer, storytelling coach, and brand strategist. She has written for Rolling Stone, LA Times, Yahoo, and more, interviewing some of music's biggest names. Laura runs Story Harmony where she helps artists craft their stories to form emotional connections with their fans.
Laura and I spoke about the importance of creating a clear message of identity for our audiences. She shared tips and techniques that can help musicians craft bios and make important decisions about image and branding.
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Brian Funk
Gordon Raphael is a highly sought-after musician and producer. He produced Is This It and Room on Fire by The Strokes and Soviet Kitsch by Regina Spektor, amongst countless others. His new book, The World is Going to Love This, documents his work and the exciting stories from the Seattle scene of the 90s through his work with The Strokes, Regina Spektor, and The Libertines.
As the producer for some of my favorite albums of this century, speaking with Gordon was a real treat. He shared studio stories and techniques used with The Strokes. Gordon emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind to new possibilities and unconventional ways of working to create timeless and emotionally impactful sounds.
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Brian Funk
Is your music too complicated? Are you making your job harder than it needs to be? Is it fear that we are hiding behind by complicating our music?
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Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
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Brian Funk
Sam Wale is a musician and producer, who writes music for TV, film, and games. Sam is the VP of Production for Alibi Music, a provider of licensed music and sound FX for all types of multimedia.
Sam and I spoke about his role at Alibi Music and how producing music for licensing is different than producing music as an artist. Sam shared his story and experience which is helpful for any producer looking to get into licensing their music.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
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Brian Funk
Peter Gregson is a renowned Composer, Cellist, and Deutsche Grammophon recording artist. His latest album, Patina, combines strings and analog electronic instruments in an effort to capture the humanity and life in each instrument for emotional impact. Peter composes for television, film, and games, including placements in the film Blackbird and HBO's The New Pope.
Peter and I spoke about his work as a composer and producer. We focused quite a bit on capturing life in recordings. Peter shared some interesting thoughts about the way microphone placement can bring out the "grit" in the cello, and how he uses techniques like this to give his music a "lived-in" feeling, not unlike a favorite pair of jeans.
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Brian Funk
Ed Rollo is a musician, educator, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He creates straight-talking, no nonsense videos for his YouTube channel that help musicians see past the empty promises of hacks and shortcuts. Ed runs the online education community mredrollo+.
As a fan of his video content and overall philosophical approach to music making, I was very excited to talk with Ed. He did not disappoint. Ed shared wisdom about his background and career. He pointed out truths about music making and offered some helpful approaches to growing as an artist.
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Brian Funk
Ariane Paras helps artists define their vision, build confidence, and find the strength to reach their goals. She runs Olympia Coaching and has 15 years of experience coaching artists along their journey.
Ariane and I had a great conversation where we explore the challenges and fears artists have. She shares advice about overcoming procrastination (which is mostly fear) and how having a clearly defined purpose and goal will help us deal with both internal and external criticisms. There's a wealth of valuable information that will help us all in our creative journeys.
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Brian Funk
Robert Webster has been producing music and DJing since 1993, as RobJamWeb. Robert hit it big with a track called "Everybody" in 1999 and has since been releasing music and sharing his knowledge on his YouTube channel.
Robert spoke about his work and the troubles he encountered with success when one of his tracks hit the charts and MTV. He discussed openly how his freedom from success has allowed him to find and pursue his musical passions.
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Brian Funk
Nathan Ruyle is a sound designer for film, who has designed and mixed for over 70 feature-length films. He is the founder of This is Sound Design, a full-service post sound facility in Burbank, California. Nathan has credits working for Universal, HBO, Netflix, and Amazon. His most recent project is the film Joyland, the winner of the 2022 Jury Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Nathan spoke with me from his incredible new sound stage studio. We discussed sound design for film and the work he has done. He goes into detail about his state-of-the-art facility, which is Dobly-Certified for the latest in immersive audio.
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Brian Funk
Jack Miele founded Jack Miele Productions, a world-famous, production company that has worked on Grammy-winning music. Their clients include artists such as Zac Brown Band, Rod Stewart, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ani DiFranco, and many more. They have done scores for shows such as Family Guy and American Horror Story.
Jack and I spoke in-depth about his company and his production philosophies. Jack shared helpful wisdom about workflow, choosing the right great, and the importance of nailing deadlines.
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Brian Funk
Robot Koch is an award-winning artist, producer, and composer who recently released his new album The Next Billion Years, which gives sound to the distant future. He has worked on numerous TV shows and films, including NBC's The Blacklist, ABC's How to Get Away with Murder, MTV's Teen Wolf, and Netflix's Dark. Robot is the winner of the German Music Composers Award and has amassed over 75 million streams and half a million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.
Robot and I spoke in depth about his work both on his new album, The Next Billion Years, and his various TV placements and scores. He shared how he tries to create worlds within his music that are full of emotional impact. Robot explains how he stretches his abilities to find new musical ground.
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Brian Funk
Kal Lavelle is a singer/songwriter based out of Dublin and London. She is signed with Sony on a writing/publishing deal, and has a writing credit on Ed Sheeran's number 1, multi-platinum single "Shivers."
Kal and I had a great conversation about her songwriting process. She explained how she interacts with her collaborators to find inspiration. Kal's passion and enthusiasm for songwriting come through clearly in our conversation, and I learned a lot talking with her.
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Brian Funk
Francis Preve is a sound designer, journalist, and educator. He teaches synthesis and sound design at Austin Community College. Francis is one of the most in-demand synthesizer programmers in the world. He makes factory presets for companies like Roland, Sequential, Korg, and Ableton, just to name a few. His company, Symplesound, provides some of the finest sound libraries available. Francis' latest work is a collaboration of Serum presets with sound designer Tom Wolfe.
For our third conversation on the podcast, Francis and I covered quite a range of topics, including his many projects during the pandemic, memories of Dave Smith, and why you shouldn't listen to your tracks until they are finished. As usual, it was an honor to speak with Francis and learn from one of the masters of the field.
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-Brian Funk
Martin Stimming is a musician and electronic music producer from Germany, known for bringing his original sound to house music. He recently partnered with DOCtron to create the IMC or "Instant Mastering Chain." The IMC is a small, powerful analog box used for high-end mastering, especially for live performance.
This is the second time I've had the pleasure to speak with Martin. He shared the process of creating and marketing the DOCtron IMC. Martin has a lot of great insight about instrument and interface design. He also let us into the gear he is currently using in his live performances.
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Brian Funk
Canton Becker is a musician, programmer, and web designer. Recently he has turned his focus to algorithmic and generative music. His site, Pi Songs, used the number pi to create a musical piece 114 years long. Canton has been pushing the limits of technology and creativity for decades. He was a fundamental part of the Res Rocket Surfer project, which enabled for real time musical collaboration in the early days of the internet.
Canton spoke to me about algorithmic music and how he created Pi Songs in collaboration with visual artist Jeffrey Ventrella. His thoughts on the future of music and technology was both inspiring and a bit frightening! Canton gave a fascinating demonstration of his how his algorithmic music making works in real time.
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This episode is sponsored by Phenyx Pro. We love our PTM-10 Wireless In-Ear Monitors!
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Brian Funk
Jesse Mac Cormack is a musician and producer who just released his new album, SOLO, on Secret City Records. Mac Cormack summons a sonic world that’s razor-edged and intimate, influenced by the textured electronics of James Blake, Little Dragon, Caribou, and SUUNS.
Jesse and I spoke about how he created his album in isolation during the pandemic with limited gear and equipment. We explored how these limitations helped his creativity, and contrasted that with his return to collaboration with others.
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Brian Funk
Matt Wallace and Will Kennedy are Grammy-winning producers who have worked with the biggest names in music, including Faith No More, U2, Sheryl Crow, and more. Recently, they launched their new immersive music-ready studio, Studio Delux Immersive. Matt and Will specialize in Dolby Atmos, Sony 360RA, and Spatial Audio, and have already created immersive mixes for Jason Mraz, Faith No More, The B-52s, and Kid Rock.
Matt and Will spoke to me about their experiences mixing in these new 3D audio formats, and the challenges they present. They spoke in detail about their latest immersive project, Faith No More's The Real Thing, which is scheduled for release on June 17, 2022. Will and Matt also touched on some of the aspects that make them such a great collaborative team.
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Brian Funk
Kevin Allen, aka Khordmaster, is a music producer, classically trained pianist, and YouTuber. He runs the Khordmaster Keys Podcast, where he and guests discuss music-making, technology, and lifestyle design.
Kevin and I had a great conversation on a variety of topics from carving your own artistic path to the role social media plays in aiding and detracting from our missions. Kevin shared wisdom from his experience as an artist and how his unique background has led him to where he is now.
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Brian Funk
Emile stopped by to talk about his new book, Play It Like You Mean It, which helps musicians apply their techniques to reach listeners on an emotional level. We had a great discussion about creating an emotional impact with music and how to embrace your own unique character in your music.
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Brian Funk
Jeff Leisawitz is an award-winning musician/producer, college songwriting professor, life coach, and author of the book Not F*ing Around. Jeff is dedicated to helping artists get their creative dreams off the ground.
I had a great talk with Jeff about the creative process and overcoming the fear of sharing our creative works with the world. Jeff shared some excellent stories and techniques that have helped his clients and students reach their artistic potential.
This episode is sponsored by LALAL.AI: https://www.lalal.ai/?fp_ref=brian
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Brian Funk Links:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
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Brian Funk
GPU Audio is a Digital Sound Processing platform that unlocks a standard Graphics Processing Unit to handle audio production with next-gen performance capabilities. GPU Audio dramatically enhances performance by offloading processing from a computer's CPU to its GPU.
I spoke with Jonathan and Sasha of GPU Audio as they shared the potential of GPU Audio. We spoke about the capabilities of their new system and how it could revolutionize the way we make music.
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Brian Funk
Jim Hustwit is a music producer who creates bespoke music compositions for film, television, and advertising through his company LARP Music. He has worked for companies like BBC, Universal, and Apple. Jim is the host of the Sync Music Matters Podcast. I had a great talk with Jim about his work producing music for sync licensing. Jim spoke about the emotional power of music and how it affects listeners on a subconscious level.
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Brian Funk
Jeff Cooper is a music and audio software developer. For the past few years, he has worked for AudioKit Pro, producing musical apps and building block tools that other developers can use to make their own apps.
Jeff and I spoke about the release of AudioKit's VHS Synth iOS synthesizer app. VHS Synth uses samples of synthesizers recorded to VCR to create a warm and nostalgic sound. I supplied the samples for the app, and Jeff and the team at AudioKit built and designed the app.
Jeff shared stories about his background in music and how he came to coding. He shared thoughts on instrument design and how the choices made by designers influence the way the gear is used.
VHS Synths is available on the iOS App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vhs-synth-80s-synthwave/id1615208667
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Brian Funk
Keppie Coutts has one of my favorite YouTube channels, "How to Write Songs." Keppie studied and taught at Berklee College of Music. Her latest work is on a new audiobook/album Mothertongues. Keppie was commissioned to write songs and music around the theme of motherhood for the audiobook.
Keppie and I spoke about her songwriting process and the challenges songwriters face. We explored what it means to turn nothing into something, as well as some of the common misconceptions around the craft of songwriting that hold people back.
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Keppie's Music Site - https://www.keppiecouttsmusic.com
How to Write Songs (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHX6_NG_L7OitIAgcS56zpw/videos
How to Write Songs (Blog) - https://kcsongstudio.com
John Mayer on Songwriting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7W8E1tp97A
Brian Funk Links:
Website - https://brianfunk.com
Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
Ableton Live Pack Archive - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ableton-live-pack-archive
Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
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Brian Funk
Watch the Music Production Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4jo7_Rx2-2mjUoTXTL4u0iUH5_XqBYi
Pip and I discussed what NFTs are and how artists can use them to advance their careers. Pip shared details about his success with NFTs and how he believes NFTs will shape the future of music.
This episode is sponsored by Koji, the most fully-featured Link-in-Bio service available -https://koji.to/musicproductionpodcast
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Brian Funk
Jeremy Bongiorno has been a musician for over 15 years. From touring the country in a 5-piece band to producing his own sounds at home, he’s seen all sides of the industry. On his site Studio Frequencies, he strives to help independent producers navigate the complicated worlds of music production, studio equipment, and even music marketing. Jeremy and I spoke in great depth about microphones. He explained the different types of microphones and their usages, their polar patterns, and their frequency responses.
This episode is sponsored by Koji, the most fully-featured Link-in-Bio service available -https://koji.to/musicproductionpodcast
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Brian Funk
Elisa Di Napoli is a hypnotherapist, songwriter, and best-selling author of Dare to Be Seen. She helps performing artists command the stage and magnify their presence so they can share their gifts with their audience and shine their light on the world.
Elisa and I spoke about the causes of stage fright and performance anxiety, as well as how to train yourself to overcome them.
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Brian Funk
Julie and I spoke about her new music, live performance, and sound design. We discussed her performance style and handling unexpected problems during a performance. Julie also shared some behind-the-scenes information about her new album, Lost World.
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Brian Funk
Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Gabriel Fortuna is a musician, producer, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He is the director of the music production school Beat Drop. Gab makes genre-bending electronic-infused rock music as Fortuna.
Gabriel and I had a wide-ranging conversation about education, creative challenges, and MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE). I really enjoyed his insights on the future of more expressive electronic instruments.
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This episode is sponsored by Koji, the most fully-featured Link-in-Bio service available - https://koji.to/musicproductionpodcast
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Sean Giovanni is a Producer, Engineer, and Owner of The Record Shop recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee. Sean moved to Nashville to pursue his career in music at age 20. He has since worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including John Legend, Meatloaf, Tim McGraw, and The Wallflowers.
Sean spoke about the importance of having a guiding vision to his work and how that can help in both music and life.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
MemoryBug is a musician and producer from London. He used Jamuary 2022, which is a challenge to make music every day during the month of January, to hone his music-making techniques. John spoke about how he found creative inspiration in his world and applied that to his music.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Tine Schenck is a composer and trained vocalist. Along with Andrew Magee, Clément Panchout, and Trevor Hamer, she hosts Music Weeklies Challenge, which gives a community of musicians creative projects each week. Along with a community of musicians around the world, known as Faraway Handshake, Tine released "Pushing Forward," an optimistic song to help bring musicians together during pandemic lockdowns.
Tine and I spoke about the Music Weeklies community and how she managed the Faraway Handshake project. She shared some insights about keeping music personal and intimate while avoiding trends towards the "plastic fantastic."
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Show Notes:
Music Weeklies Challenges - Official Site for the challenges.
Music Weeklies Twitter - The main action for Music Weeklies Challenges happens via Twitter.
Tine's Website - Keep up with Tine's work.
Tine on Twitter - Follow her!
Andrew Magee - Music Weeklies Challenges team member.
Clément Panchout - Music Weeklies Challenges founder and team member.
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
We completed another Jamuary challenge to make music each day during the month of January. There are a lot of important lessons about making music that I've learned along the way. This episode highlights one of the biggest!
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Liina Turtonen is a musician, producer, and educator, who runs the LNA Does Audio Stuff YouTube channel. Liina is an Ableton Certified Trainer who focuses on making music production more accessible for all people while teaching confidence and workflow strategies for overcoming the challenges of making music.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Showing up is literally the most important part. Here are some thoughts on the importance of being consistent with your music-making, as well as a pep talk for #jamuary2022.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
The Pleasure Principle is a psychological phenomenon that likely plays a role in how we make music. In this episode, we explore how we can use the Pleasure Principle to our advantage and avoid allowing it to negatively impact our music-making.
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Show Notes:
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Brian Funk
Keppie Coutts teaches songwriting and runs the YouTube channel "How to Write Songs." Keppie studied and taught at Berklee College of Music. Her credits range from genres diverse as folk, pop, and heavy metal. Her latest work is on a new audiobook/album Mothertongues.
Keppie and I spoke about her songwriting process and the challenges songwriters face. We explored what it means to turn nothing into something, as well as some of the common misconceptions around the craft of songwriting that hold people back.
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Brian Funk Links:
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Brian Funk
Francisco Dean is a trained jazz musician and music educator at the University of Chicago Lab School. Francisco composed a piece for his school's electronic music ensemble for the Jewish Student Association's Holocaust Remembrance event. Every sound was created with samples from Holocaust artifacts from the Illinois Holocaust Museum.
In my opinion, this is one of the finest examples of using modern electronic music production techniques in an educational setting. Dean's students became deeply connected to the victims and events of the Holocaust, on a level rarely reached in traditional education.
Francisco shared the depth of thought that went into the project, the obstacles faced along the way, and his creative strategies to translate Holocaust artifacts into music.
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Show Notes:
Explore all exhibit posters (photos of the artifacts and usage in the piece), the full score of the piece, a "Making of" video (Behind the scenes featurette), video of the live performance of the piece, and complete notes giving a background of the composition: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14qF6QdSwIToU8VXKnA5geUx9gcXCnS6f?usp=sharing
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Bill Small is a musician, songwriter, and founder of Artist Mind Inc. He has lots of experience in just about all aspects of the music business. Bill applies what he has learned over the years as a personal coach for people from all walks of life, including artists, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs.
Bill shared many of his techniques and strategies for helping people define success in their lives and creating clear goals for the future. We discussed how we get in our own way and often have trouble realizing we are doing so. Bill has a lot of wisdom that applies to just about all aspects of life.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Tyler Campbell is the founder of Alder Audio. He hand makes high-quality ribbon microphones in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Coming from a background in chemistry, music, and working for his father's business, Tyler combines his skills to create his own unique microphones.
Tyler and I spoke about ribbon microphones and how he started creating them. Like so many things in life, the path was not planned. We discussed the challenges of creating both physical objects and music, and how Tyler's "low barrier to entry" mentality is the key to his success. So many of the lessons he's learned in crafting microphones apply directly to music-making.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
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Brian Funk
I recently read Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont, a book of advice for writers. Although it is intended for writers, there are some really nice lessons for us music producers. This episode of the podcast is all about those lessons and how we can apply them to our music making.
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Show Notes:
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont - https://amzn.to/3nJfdaZ
On Writing by Stephen King - https://amzn.to/2ZgHNqK
War of Art by Steven Pressfield - https://amzn.to/3r1Oubp
Seth Godin on Writer's Block - https://seths.blog/2020/06/the-simple-cure-for-writers-block/
Make Bad Music Music Production Podcast #2 - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2017/3/5/2-make-bad-music
"Highway Patrolman" by Bruce Springsteen - https://youtu.be/o7v1YwubWw8
Brian Funk Links:
Website - https://brianfunk.com
Ableton Live Pack Archive - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ableton-live-pack-archive
Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Watch the Music Production Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4jo7_Rx2-2mjUoTXTL4u0iUH5_XqBYi
Serik Slobodskoy is a music producer and founder of the Hyperbits music school. Serik began his musical career in bands, then became a DJ and music producer. After an exciting period of touring, he found his true calling in teaching music production.
Serik and I had a great conversation about his career and the surprising, and sometimes upsetting, twists and turns along the way. We spent a lot of time discussing the mental challenges of making music and how knowing our definition of success can help us find our path.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Valery Vermeulen is a Belgian mathematician, lecturer, data analyst, and electronic musician. His new album, Mikromedas, was made using data from black holes.
Valery and I had a great conversation about his new album and finding creative ways to create music. We spend some time discussing the nature of the universe and black holes, and it all relates back to making music. This is a deep and sometimes dense conversation that left me feeling fascinated and inspired.
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Show Notes:
Valery Vermeulen Website and Socials:Valery would like to credit:
The scientific aspect of Mikromedas AdS/CFT 001 was realized in collaboration with several academic partners including the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Alabama University (US), the Alabama Holography Research Group (US), the Institute for Theoretical Physics of KU Leuven (BE), the Centre for Mathematical Plasma Astrophysics of KULeuven (BE), the Department of Mathematics of the University of Antwerp (BE), quantum cosmologist Prof. Dr. Thomas Hertog, Prof. Dr. Matthias Kaminski, Dr. Casey Cartwright, Dr. Ileyk El Mellah, Dr. Bart Ripperda, Dr. Fabio Bacchini and Prof. Dr. David Eelbode. The realization of Mikromedas AdS/CFT 001 was made possible via a co-production with Concertgebouw Brugge (BE) and Baltan Laboratories (NL). References with respect to data used for the realisation of the Mikromedas AdS/CFT 001: https://arxiv.org/abs/1610.00986 Montreal White Dwarf Data base https://arxiv.org/abs/1904.04831 SXS Gravitational Waveform Database https://arxiv.org/abs/1904.11507 Cartwright, C., Kaminski, M. Correlations far from equilibrium in charged strongly coupled fluids subjected to a strong magnetic field. J. High Energ. Phys. 2019, 72 (2019)Brian Funk Links:
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Brian Funk
Making music is a challenging mental game. Every session involves puzzles and obstacles.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a psychological phenomenon we humans experience while learning new things. It causes us to overestimate our abilities in the beginning and question them as we advance.
Understanding how the Dunning-Kruger Effect impacts us can help us reach new levels in our music production.
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Show Notes:
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And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Kristopher Ragnstam is the creative force behind The Owe Us, a rock/alternative/electronic band from Sweden. Kris recently released the band's new album, Kram, to much critical acclaim.
Kris and I sat down for our second talk on the podcast. We discussed how he manages to balance the raw energy of musical performance while maintaining a certain level of polish. We cover philosophical approaches to gear choice, including his healthy "headache" mixing console and his 2006 computer. Kris also talks about collaborating with others and the importance of keeping a healthy relationship with bandmates.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Adam McHeffey is Director of Marketing at Artiphon. Artiphon is using cutting-edge technology to create intuitive musical instruments anyone can play. Their latest instrument, the Orba, resembles a sliced-in-half grapefruit that musical newcomers will be making music with within minutes while giving seasoned musicians new levels of expression and flexibility.
Adam and I spoke about making music more accessible and demystifying it for new musicians. He shared the philosophies and principles Artiphon brings to their instruments. We discussed the possibilities new tech like Orba brings to musicians.
Listeners of this podcast can save 10% at Artiphon.com with the code: musicproduction
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Brian Funk
So much of music production is in our mindset. Is yours working for you or against you?
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Support the Podcast on Patreon and get exclusive mini-episodes - https://www.patreon.com/brianfunk
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
John Bobo and Felix Nieto are The Slang, a rock band that is releasing their new album, Divide, on 9/24/21. John, a singer-songwriter, and Felix, a producer and engineer, collaborate out of Washington DC to create their blend of alternative, rock, and power pop music.
John and Felix talked in-depth about their process of collaborating with each other. Generally, John assumes the role of songwriter, while Felix produces and records the music. Each explain their role in the band and how they come together to create music that is greater than the sum of its parts.
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Support the Podcast on Patreon and get exclusive mini-episodes - https://www.patreon.com/brianfunk
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Alarke (Mary Alouette) is an award-winning Los Angeles-based electronic pop singer, songwriter, music producer, and artist coach. Alarke helps artists find their unique voice through personal and artistic exploration. She recently released her new single "Future Self."
Alarke and I spoke about her music and work as an artistic coach. She shared how life experiences define us and shape us as artists. Alarke shared some of her own personal experiences and how she helps artists find their own unique voice.
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Support the Podcast on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/brianfunk
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Frank Demilt is the author of The Blueprint: The Bible for Becoming a Successful Performing Artist in the Digital Age. Frank is the Head of Artist Development and A&R at Water Music Publishing. Frank helped create Sloppy Vinyl, a premier artist development and entertainment company in New Jersey.
Frank and I spoke about his new book, The Blueprint, which takes artists from the very first steps of making music all the way to signing their record deal and sustaining a career. Frank shared some insights and tips about some of the different paths musicians may choose to find the career that is right for them.
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Support the Podcast on Patreon and get exclusive mini-episodes - https://www.patreon.com/brianfunk
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Calvin West is a musician and producer who specializes in music lyric videos. Calvin creates lyric videos for artists and labels that capture the artistic vision of the music. He also offers music mastering services.
Calvin and I had a great conversation about the evolution of album art and how there are new digital extensions available to musicians. We got into how musicians can give their fans more material to delve deeper into "the world" of their release. Calvin and I also explored the challenges around music production in general.
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Support the Podcast on Patreon and get exclusive mini-episodes - https://www.patreon.com/brianfunk
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Carter Lee is a producer, composer, and educator. He hosts the Themes and Variations Podcast, where musicians discuss music related to particular themes. Carter is the head of community at Soundfly, a site for online music education. Carter holds degrees in musical performance from MacEwan University and Berklee College.
Carter and I had a great conversation about musical performance and production. He shared great tips on streamlining our live performances. We also discussed his podcast Themes and Variations. I will be on the show on September 22, 2021, discussing songs you can recognize in 5 seconds or less.
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Support the Podcast on Patreon and get exclusive mini-episodes - https://www.patreon.com/brianfunk
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Matt Ramsey teaches singing lessons using mixed voice technique. Matt founded Ramsey Voice Studio in 2012 and is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and YouTuber. His YouTube channel has amassed a huge following and helped singers all over the world.
Matt and I had a great conversation about vocal technique. We discussed things singers can do to help improve their voice and vocal range. Matt shared some of his favorite tips and approaches to singing. There's lots of helpful information for both singers and producers who are working with singers.
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Support the Podcast on Patreon and get exclusive mini-episodes - https://www.patreon.com/brianfunk
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Pietro Weber makes synthwave music under the name Bitapart. Bitapart's new album, Telecommander, is inspired by 80's action movies.
Pietro and I had a great conversation about music production and his techniques to create his signature sound. He discusses the use of Teenage Engineering's OP-1, Ableton Live, and analog gear. Pietro shared some great tips on staying inspired and productive.
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Support the Podcast on Patreon and get exclusive mini-episodes - https://www.patreon.com/brianfunk
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Chris Stallone makes synth-heavy music as 80's Stallone. His work embodies the sound of 1980's action movie montages and is perfect for your next workout or party.
Chris and I spoke about his process and artistic vision. Chris shared how he likes to approach making music. It was an inspiring conversation with an artist whose music I really enjoy!
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ben Burnes is a producer, live streamer, and game programmer. He releases unique sample packs and is very active in the music production community. Ben participates in a 2 Hour Track Challenge every week. He is currently readying his new album Hey for release.
It was great to speak with Ben again; he was the very first guest on this podcast! Ben shared how he keeps himself disciplined with his 2 Hour Track Challenge and monthly sample packs. He reveals how his discipline has made him a better producer yet he still experiences challenges and setbacks. I find his approach inspiring and am happy to learn from his ways!
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Stimming is a music producer from Hamburg, who recently released his new album, Ludwig. Stimming creates reviews for the latest in electronic music instruments. His video series "Beats on a Budget" helps aspiring musicians to get started in music production without breaking the bank.
Stimming and I spoke about his new album and some of the techniques he used to get such unique and interesting sounds. We spoke of creative approaches and how perfect feels wrong. Stimming shared some fun ways to ensure our music has just the right amount of flaws to feel good.
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Show Notes:
Stimming Web Site - https://stimming.org
Stimming's New Album Ludwig - https://stimming.bandcamp.com/album/ludwig
Stimming on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/MStimming
Stimming on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stimming_official/
Stimming's Gear Reviews - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRjONbKorJx5vwivrllUfdhdFsor-i9e-
Valhalla Plug-ins - https://valhalladsp.com
Cherry Audio Plug-ins - https://cherryaudio.com
Brian Funk Links:
Website - https://brianfunk.com
Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bit
Ableton Live Pack Archive - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ableton-live-pack-archive
Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Watch the Music Production Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4jo7_Rx2-2mjUoTXTL4u0iUH5_XqBYi
Django Flaherty is a musician, producer, and hybrid DJ from Cape Town, South Africa. Django makes music as DjangoZa. He runs audio for radio programs using Ableton Live. Django released his debut EP, Transmission Control, in February 2021.
Django and I discussed his creative approach and philosophies that help him create his music. Django shared how he uses his Ableton Live Project for radio (this is worth watching the video on YouTube for!). It was a great talk that spanned quite a range of interesting topics!
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Vianney is one third of BLEASS, a company that makes exciting and intuitive plug-ins for iOS and desktop music producers.
Vianney and I had a great conversation about the work that goes into plug-in design and creation. He shared the creative process and some of the important considerations, such as how much control should a user have over certain parameters of a plug-in. It was great getting some insight into how the tools we use are made.
*BLEASS is offering all members of my Music Production Club their Delay plug-in for free from July 9-19, 2021. Join the Music Production Club to get your free download! https://brianfunk.com/mpc
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Heymun is a Malaysian-born, Sydney-based music composer, producer, and musician. She combines voice, found sounds, and her favorite pieces of gear in her music. She is an official Teenage Engineering Mentor, and shares her passion for music-making and gear.
Heymun spoke about her unexpected and sudden musical career that was born out of a background in film studies. She details how she trusted her gut and went against the advice of so many by passing up powerful music opportunities because they weren't in line with her own artistic vision. Today she credits that courage for her success.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Watch the Music Production Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4jo7_Rx2-2mjUoTXTL4u0iUH5_XqBYi
Alberto Chapa is a musician and Ableton Certified Trainer in Austin, Texas. Alberto has helped countless students learn music production and build live performances.
Alberto and I had a wide-ranging conversation about music production, teaching, and creativity. He discussed how he was able to turn the most challenging periods of his life into powerful growing experiences. Alberto also shared how his study of improvisational comedy has helped him become a better producer and a more natural teacher.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Sterling Styles is a musician and producer who recorded his latest album using mostly mobile setups. Sterling took advantage of exciting recording locations, such as a cruise ship and a barbershop, to give his new album its own character.
Sterling and I spoke about the benefits and challenges of recording with mobile setups. Sterling shared his thoughts on some of his favorite gear and how we can benefit from minimalistic recording setups.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Bobby Huff is a musician, producer, engineer, and songwriter who hosts the YouTube Channel Music Surgery with Dr. Bob. Bobby's unique blend of expert knowledge, experience, and humor has made his YouTube channel one of my favorites for learning new production techniques.
Bobby and I had a great conversation covering a wide range of topics. We spoke about songwriting, producing, and some of our favorite producers. Bobby shared what he thinks it takes to be successful in this competitive business. It is a great episode with tons of practical and philosophic advice and wisdom.
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Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
We are creatures of habit. Even the most difficult routines become our normal routine after some time. This is why we must pay close attention to the types of habits we are building. Are you working on being a more lazy person? Are you practicing always doing your best at whatever it is you are doing?
In this episode, we talk about how we can become better musicians and producers while doing the most mundane tasks by focusing on core values and a solid work ethic.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Recommended Reading:
Getting Things Done by David Allen - https://amzn.to/35yAYQP
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield - https://amzn.to/35zG1k8
Brian Funk Links:
Website - https://brianfunk.com
Ableton Live Pack Archive - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ableton-live-pack-archive
Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/store
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Watch the Music Production Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4jo7_Rx2-2mjUoTXTL4u0iUH5_XqBYi
Rob Parton is a musician and producer who is actively building communities for fellow music producers. Rob hosts open jams through Plugged, a community for artists, educators, and young people interested in making music.
Along with MixMash Studios, Rob and Plugged bring you Make Music Day on June 21st, 2021. It's a 24-hour track-making challenge with community-supplied samples. Sign up to be a part of it and/or contribute samples to the challenge.
Rob and I spoke about Make Music Day and the challenge of finishing tracks quickly. Rob shared some of his own production techniques and offered wisdom on collaboration, improvisation, and working with tight deadlines.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Rob's Music:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Connor Frost is a musician and songwriter who coaches musicians through the various steps of writing, recording, and releasing their own original music. Connor is a prolific musician, releasing numerous albums and touring with his band Dizzy Bats.
Connor and I had a great conversation about productivity, creativity, and completing goals. Connor shared some of his techniques and approaches that have helped his students realize their musical goals.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Today there are more distractions than ever. Our phones, apps, and favorite websites are constantly trying to claim our attention. In order to be productive musically, we need to be hyper-aware and protective of our attention.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Jake Lizzio is a guitar teacher and YouTuber, who has a knack for explaining and demonstrating complex music theory concepts in a practical and easy-to-understand fashion.
It was really fun to talk with Jake about guitar, music theory, and the growth of his YouTube channel. Jake's enthusiasm was in-line with the energy he brings to his teachings, and he shared some really profound insights about creativity, songwriting, and building skills.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
Brian Funk
If you've spent any time making music, at some point, you've probably felt like you have Writer's Block. It's the feeling that we just can't come up with anything; we are out of good ideas; we've lost our touch. I don't think it's real and I don't think you have it. In this episode, we use some mental jiu-jitsu to work our way out of this paralyzing feeling and get back to making music.
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Show Notes:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
In this episode of the podcast, we talk about whether to place an EQ before or after the Compressor. The answer is: it depends on the situation. Learn a bit about how each device works and how their order depends on your goals.
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Show Notes:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Here's a short bit of wisdom I learned from a dog trainer that has helped me become a better music producer. Enjoy!
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Show Notes:
Website - https://brianfunk.com
Ableton Live Pack Archive - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ableton-live-pack-archive
Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Watch the Music Production Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4jo7_Rx2-2mjUoTXTL4u0iUH5_XqBYi
Caspar Bock is the founder of Baby Audio, makers of creative plug-ins for music producers. Baby Audio is beloved by producers worldwide for their unique and character-filled devices.
Caspar and I spoke about his work for Baby Audio and the various devices they have created. I really enjoyed learning about how they approach their work to bring producers tools that will help them express themselves through their art.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Watch the Music Production Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4jo7_Rx2-2mjUoTXTL4u0iUH5_XqBYi
Adam Rokhsar is a musician, programmer, animator, and educator. He is known for some of his Max for Live video devices, such as RokVid and GlitchGif. He creates psychedelic animations as Aesthetic Candy. Adam teaches music production at New York University.
Adam and I had a great time reconnecting and discussing his latest work. His new album Computer Queer is available April 2nd and features all kinds of interesting programming and sound design techniques, which Adam shares in this episode.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Adam Rokhsar Links:
Official Site: http://www.adamrokhsar.com
Aesthetic Candy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aesthetic_candy/
Adam's Amazing Max for Live Devices: https://twitter.com/rokhsar/status/1367898272292089859
RashKor "Computer Queer": https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/rashkor/computer-queer
Cycling '74 Interview: https://cycling74.com/articles/an-interview-with-adam-rokhsar
RokVid: https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/rokvid/
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/aesthetic_candy
Patreon: https://patreon.com/aesthetic_candy
Ruwa: https://ruwatheband.bandcamp.com/music
Show Notes:
My Tutorial on Adam's GlitchGif Device: https://youtu.be/Z3yjCGozKzs
Open AI Jukebox: https://openai.com/blog/jukebox/
Open AI Jukebox Tutorial: https://marconan.medium.com/openai-jukebox-and-google-colab-tutorial-54871a139d3a
Andrew Huang "Sparkle Mountain": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c72UIIYMWs8
Making Music by Dennis DeSantis: https://makingmusic.ableton.com
Catatonic Youths: https://www.instagram.com/catatonicyouth/?hl=en
Meldy: https://melody.ml
Auburn Graillon Live Voice Changer: https://www.auburnsounds.com/products/Graillon.html
Brian Funk Links:
Website - https://brianfunk.com
Ableton Live Pack Archive - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ableton-live-pack-archive
Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
John Bartmann is a musician, producer, and the host of How I Make Music Podcast. John writes music for video, film, and podcasts. His podcast, How I Make Music, centers on audio drama podcast music composers. Each episode dives into a different composer's work and process.
John generously shared some audio samples to help clarify his work. As an homage to him, I worked in a little audio drama to the transitions. John shared how his process and philosophies help him carve out a career doing what he loves.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
John Bartmann Music:
How I Make Music podcast:
Pravda:
Django Flaherty (DjangoZa)
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Henny Tha Bizness and Kennard Garrett are both accomplished musicians, producers, songwriters, and educators. They've worked with artists such as Drake, Sting, Shaggy, Lil Wayne, and Jay Z. Both teach at the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Henny and Kennard have just released their first iOS app, House Mark I, a stunning recreation of classic Fender Rhodes electric pianos.
Henny and Kennard shared their story in the music industry and working together. They discuss how they used the creation of House Mark I to give their students a real, hands-on education while helping to fund Morehouse College's Ray Charles Center for the Performance Arts. Henny and Kennard offer wisdom and insight on what it takes to be successful in the music industry.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ned Rush is a musician, producer, and YouTube personality. Ned's tutorials and Max for Live devices have long been some of my favorite on the internet. His work combines deep explorations of sound and production with a healthy, dry sense of humor. His new album Mode II, released under the name RUDENHS, brings together breakbeats and electric guitars, all delightfully treated with Ned's characteristic glitchy touch.
It was great to have Ned back on the show. During his first appearance less than a year ago, Ned shared the concept for the album he was about to begin. On this episode, he has just completed the album and discusses it at length. Ned even opens Ableton Live to demonstrate his clever techniques for manipulating guitar and drums, which he used generously throughout the new album, Mode II.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Ned Rush Links:
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Kiana Corley is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Her latest single, "Lukewarm," is about a love that has lost its spark, and it captures her soulful pop sound. Kiana is releasing her EP, Take It or Leave It, in late April.
Kiana and I spoke about her songwriting process and her collaborations with other musicians. She shared some of her philosophy behind her social media presence and how artists can use various platforms to create meaningful connections with their fans.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Guest Links:
Offical Site: https://www.kianacorley.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kianacorleymusic/
"Lukewarm" Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3ByIgJNimI
Show Notes:
Music Production Club: https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Baby Audio: https://babyaud.io
PerforModule: https://performodule.com
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Watch the Music Production Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4jo7_Rx2-2mjUoTXTL4u0iUH5_XqBYi
Jordan Rudess is a composer, music technologist, and keyboardist for progressive metal group Dream Theater. Jordan was voted "the best keyboardist of all-time" by Music Radar. He founded Wizdom Music to push the boundaries of music technology. Their newest release is GeoShred 5, a highly expressive, MPE instrument for iOS and soon desktop. Jordan also plays in the prog-metal super-group Liquid Tension Experiment, who are releasing their new album on March 26th, 2021.
Jordan and I sat down to talk about his work in Dream Theater and Wizdom Music. Jordan shared his outlook on the future of expressive digital instruments, highlighting both the advantages and challenges these new devices provide musicians.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Jordan Rudess Links:
Show Notes:
Brian Funk Links:
This episode is sponsored by Vareschi Mastering: https://www.vareschimastering.com/home
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Improvisational comedians always follow the rule "Yes! And..." It's used to move the scenario forward and foster a positive creative energy in the moment, as the material is being created. This rule can be applied to our music production. During the Jamuary2021 challenge, I used this approach to develop ideas even before I knew if I liked the idea. It's a great approach that can help prevent writer's block.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Today's episode of the show covers another lesson learned during Jamuary 2021. Inspiration is rare and precious, and you have to act on it immediately. Here are some ideas about capturing and making the most of it when it strikes.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. And thanks to Big C for the photography.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Watch the Music Production Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk4jo7_Rx2-2mjUoTXTL4u0iUH5_XqBYi
Let's use the month of February to finish and release some of our music. After Jamuary, I'm sure you have lots of interesting musical ideas. Even if you didn't do Jamuary, you probably have plenty! During February, we are going to challenge ourselves to finish tracks and share them with the world!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Derek Sivers on Ideas - https://sive.rs/multiply
Derek Sivers on the Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2020/1/23/derek-sivers-on-the-creative-process-and-making-music-music-production-podcast-149
Finish February Organization Spreadsheet - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pE5L_iD6gZPSX-c3tuUhbkqwM0CRmWRuglSbzeKufnM/edit?usp=sharing
My Finish February Spreadsheet from 2020 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/15hBV7Ua2m3xAx9Vsl3ZPRQDDCVonr6be/view?usp=sharing
A Journey Inward (EP I made last February) - https://soundcloud.com/brianfunk/sets/a-journey-inward
Last Year's Podcast about Finish February - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2020/2/3/finish-february-release-music-this-month-music-production-podcast-150
Episode #151: What is Your Listener Doing - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2020/2/6/what-is-your-listener-doing-and-13-musical-emotions-music-production-podcast-151
Episode #152 - How Do You Know When a Song is Finished - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2020/2/9/how-do-you-know-when-a-song-is-finished-music-production-podcast-152
Episode #156 - The Story is the Key to Finishing Music - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2020/3/8/the-story-is-the-key-to-finishing-music-music-production-podcast-156
War of Art by Steven Pressfield - https://amzn.to/3tiLyWE
My Website - https://brianfunk.com
Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
You'll learn a lot trying to create a new piece of music every day for a month. Some of the lessons, are reminders of things you already know. But this year, something new occurred to me. It just a simple mindset flip, but it has really changed how I see music production.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Derek VanScoten is a guitarist, producer, and Ableton Certified Trainer, who makes music as Cloudchord. An Emmy-winning musician, Cloudchord is producing psychedelic chill-hop music, and sharing his process in unique and inventive music production tutorials.
On this episode, Cloudchord busts out his guitar and demonstrates his live looping technique and sound design work that can be found on his new EP CloudCovers. Every sound on the EP was generate from his guitars. It's exciting to hear Derek effortless turn quick guitar loops into beautiful pieces of music, all in real time on the podcast!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Cloudchord Links:
Official Site - https://www.cloudchord.net
CloudCovers EP - https://www.cloudchord.net/music
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTEKxa5JsIMO6cmwqNmAsw
SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/cloudchord
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cloudchord/
One Loop per Chord Tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-jTQ2AQ6-Y
Show Notes:
Making Music by Dennis DeSantis - https://makingmusic.ableton.com
The Silent Room - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/earths-quietest-place-will-drive-you-crazy-in-45-minutes-180948160/
Bonobo - https://bonobomusic.com
Brian Funk Links:
Website - https://brianfunk.com
Ableton Live Pack Archive - https://brianfunk.com/blog/ableton-live-pack-archive
Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Music Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcast
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ableton Certified Trainer and host of the Ableton Live Music Producer Podcast, Dan Giffin, joins the show to talk about Ableton Live 11. Dan shares his screen as we go through some of our favorite new features and workflows in the beta version of Live 11.
Be sure to catch Dan's Ableton Live Music Producer Podcast, where he talks about all things Ableton Live with a variety of knowledgeable guests.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
On the 200th episode of the Music Production Podcast, we talk about setting goals that are more likely to be accomplished. They say that 75% of people that set out on a new year resolution give up by the end of January. It's not because they are lazy, it's because the goals are not well-crafted. We will talk about how to set achievable goals, as well as the importance of just starting.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
It's just over halfway through #Jamuary2021. In this episode, I share some of the lessons I've learned and the musical experiments I've embarked on. Along the way, I musical examples from my jams to illustrate. Enjoy!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Will Darling runs the web site EDMTips, where he teaches electronic music production. EDMTips covers a wide range of music genres and techniques, and has tons of helpful materials for producers.
Will and I had a great conversation about his work, building his brand and YouTube channel, and his teaching. Will discusses some practical solutions to common problems producers face.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
#Jamuary2021 is a challenge to create a little bit of music every day during the month of January, and share it online. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece or a completely finished product. The point isn't the quality of the music; it's to set up a disciplined routine of making some music every day.
In this episode, I discuss Jamuary in depth and explore ways you can make the most of it and have fun doing so.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc - Get new downloads and sounds directly to your inbox, and participate in the #Jamuary2021 Discord Channel.
Are You Up to the Challenge - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2019/12/31/are-you-up-to-the-jamuary-challenge - More information about Jamuary.
Produce Music Like Jerry Seinfeld - https://brianfunk.com/blog/seinfeld - How Seinfeld's technique for joke writing works for music production.
The Story is the Key to Finishing Music - https://brianfunk.com/blog/2020/3/8/the-story-is-the-key-to-finishing-music-music-production-podcast-156 - How last year's Jamuary challenge led to my ambient ep, A Journey Inward.
Jerry Seinfeld on the Tim Ferriss Show - https://tim.blog/2020/12/08/jerry-seinfeld/ - Seinfeld discusses his creative process in depth.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Tobias Karlehag is a musician from Sweden, who is releasing his ambient album Process in January 2021. Tobias has an extensive musical training from a diverse set of teachers across the globe.
Tobias and I had a great conversation about his musical background and how that has led him to his new ambient release Process. We spend a lot of time discussing various parts of the music making process, in a nice well rounded conversation.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Federico Chiesa is an Italian musician, composer, and synth enthusiast, based in Brooklyn, NY, who makes music as OORA. Federico's work is based on strict limitations and deep exploration of his gear. Daily discipline and consistency has made him a prolific creator who is steadily growing his audience.
Federico and I had a wide ranging conversation about his work and the gear he uses. He told how he has overcome gear lust and designed a workflow that involves strict limitations and disciplined effort. Federico shares how his creative philosophies has helped him grow as an artist.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Todd Reynolds is a violinist, educator, and music technologist. He's worked with Steve Reich, Yo-Yo Ma, Bruce Springsteen, and many more household names. His album Outerborough was Amazon Music's classical album of the year. Todd teaches at the Manhattan School of Music. He is pushing the boundaries of music technology, and recently, he has begun teaching artists how to create an online presence.
Todd and I had a long-overdue, excellent conversation about topics like live streaming, performance anxiety, and imposter syndrome. We discussed the pressures of classical music studies, and some general philosophies about creativity. We cover a lot of ground and Todd's pleasant and warm personality shines through it all.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
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Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Knowing how to write effective emails could be the key to your success as a musician. It is likely you will be reaching out to a variety of people for help with your music career.
As a high school English teacher, I wanted to share a few tips and techniques to help you get the most out your emails.
Members of my Music Production Club will get access to an email template, complete with notes and explanations, as well as a slide show detailing some important best practices for your next email correspondence.
Join the Music Production Club: https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Karen Emanuel is the CEO of Key Production, a company that specializes producing and manufacturing physical packaging for albums. She runs a luxury eco-lodge on a lake in Nicaragua. In 2018, Karen won the prestigious NatWest Everywoman prize, celebrating her accomplishments as a female entrepreneur.
Karen shared her experience in the music industry, beginning in the late 1980's, and how loyalty and relationships have been a key part of her philosophy and success. Her insights into the state of albums and physical music products are based in years of experience and challenges in an ever changing industry.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Key Production - https://www.keyproduction.co.uk
Jicaro Eco Lodge - https://www.jicarolodge.com
Join the Music Production Club and get Imaginando's K7D during November 2020: https://brianfunk.com/mpc
Imaginando - https://www.imaginando.pt
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Miguel Rios is a singer-songwriter living in Australia. His new album Slaughter House Road was recorded with strict boundaries and creative restrictions. This approach allowed him to capture emotional and organic performances.
I spoke with Miguel about his songwriting process and the methods he used to record his new album. He explained how his vision for the album came together naturally, and how embracing the challenges and obstacles along the way allowed him to capture the essence of his songs.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Check out my One Thing video on Ableton's website: https://youtu.be/I9mJ6UdhEik
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Vasja Veber is a co-founder of Viberate, a platform that gives artists important analytics to help grow their careers. Vasja is also the manager of techno artist UMEK and has a long career in the music industry.
Vasja and I spoke about Viberate and how it can help artists, venues, and labels make important business decisions. Vasja shares how some outside of the box thinking helped him and his company grow.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Viberate - https://www.viberate.com - Analytics tools to advance your musical career. Use the discount code BRIAN20 to save on your membership!
Music Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc - A great way to support the podcast and get new music making tools in your inbox each month.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening.
Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider.
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Rick Seibold is a songwriter and recording artist living in Los Angeles. Rick produces music for television and film, including shows like Grey's Anatomy, American Idol, and Bates Motel. He has won two GMA Dove Awards, and has composed for four Billboard #1 albums.
Rick and I spoke about his work in the television music industry. Rick shared his techniques for collaborative songwriting, and how he likes to approach writing songs. In this episode, we learn about his creative philosophies and how he has succeeded as a songwriter.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Official Site - The home of Rick's work online.
Six Figure Music - Rick's course on writing music for television and film. Save 50% with the code: Funk50.
Rick's Studio - Photos of Rick's beautiful home studio.
How Music Works by David Byrne
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Tommy Zee runs Tommy Zee and Co., a music production company that makes music for some of the world's largest brands, such as Nike, Adidas, Google, Sony, and more. He created the site Making Music for Brands that teaches producers how to get in the business of producing music for companies.
It's always great to catch up with Tommy Zee and get a healthy dose of his positive energy. Tommy and I talked about his Making Music for Brands masterclass, and how he's found meaning and fulfillment in teaching. Towards the second half of the show we get into more of the philosophy Tommy uses in all aspects of his life.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Join the Music Production Club and get a steady stream of unique downloads for your music. October 2020's download includes the 16 Bit Ableton Live Pack, the Super 8-Bit Ableton Live Pack, and COIN OP 8-Bit Ableton Live Template.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Tobi Hunke is a professional drummer and music producer. He is an educator and Max for live programmer who releases his work on the website Ableton Drummer. Tobi teaches drumming and music production to classes, as well as in one on one sessions.
I had a great conversation with Tobi. We discussed his work and experience, as well as live performance and developing tools for drummers to use with Ableton Live.
Tobi is offering a special discount on his Melodic Trigger Max for Live device to all members of my Music Production Club during the month of October.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Music Production Club - Join the MPC to get a steady flow of music production tools in your inbox.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Niraj Naik is an ex-pharmacist turned influential spiritual teacher, professional musician and holistic health expert. Niraj runs SOMA Breath, which uses music, breathing, and meditation for healing. Niraj produces music in a variety of genres, and created the music for the Wim Hof Method.
Niraj and I had a nice conversation about his work and how he harnesses the power of music, breath, and meditation for healing.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Free Ableton Live Pack #200: Birds of Prey - Ableton Live Instruments made from Eagle, Hawk, and Owl samples.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Rivita is musician, producer, and author of Composer Cave Challenge. Born in India and living in Los Angeles, Rivita studied music in a variety colleges, while traveling the world learning about different musical cultures. She is releasing a new book of music making prompts and exercises called Composer Cave Challenge.
I had a great and wide ranging conversation with Rivita about her music, education, and new book. Rivita shared an exercise from the book and discussed how limitations and guidelines helps her write.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - Ableton Live Instruments made from the Sega Genesis sound chip.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Colin O'Donohoe is a composer and musician known as World Maestro. Colin has traveled the world seeking musicians from all genres and cultures for the Pangean Orchestra, which seeks to celebrate and preserve musical cultures while joining them with other traditions. He does work for television and film, and recently released "The Prayer Garden," a meditative piece that combines Native American Flute and Tibetan prayer bowls.
Colin spoke about his musical background and education, and how that led him to his work today. I appreciated his deep respect for diverse musical cultures and his efforts to preserve them. Colin shared practical information about composing and producing music.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - Ableton Live Instruments made from samples of the Sega Genesis YM2612 sound chip.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Elina Segall is a musician and producer from Stockholm living in Los Angeles. Elina won the Warner Music Talent contest and earned a record deal... which she ultimately turned down. She has gone on to pursue her own artistic vision and define her own path in the music industry.
Elina and I had a great conversation covering her musical background and why she turned down the record deal she won. We discussed her decision to start a new life in Los Angeles to follow her artistic identity.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Music Production Club - Join the Music Production Club to get new downloads every month, live online classes, special offers, and more!
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Matthew Boerum is the CEO and founder of Audible Reality, a new app that allows you to listen to music in 3D audio. The app lets users to choose specific "vibes" for a customized listening experience. Matt is is an award-winning audio engineer, musician, educator and PhD candidate in Sound Recording, with plenty of background in 3D audio production for music and virtual reality.
Matt and I spoke about Audible Reality and the potential for 3D, immersive audio in music listening and production. We discussed the concepts behind 3D audio and its difference from surround sound, as well as how listeners may become more active participants in the sound they play back.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Rob Wreglesworth and Jack Edwards are long-time friends who have decided to write, record, and release an album from scratch within one year. They are documenting the entire process on their podcast, Tunelighting.
Rob, Jack, and I had a great conversation about their mission to create an album in one year and document the process. We spoke about their progress so far and the challenges they face. The talk was filled with practical ideas about making and finishing music.
This is the first part of a 2-part conversation. The other half is found on the Tunelighting Podcast: https://tunelighting.podbean.com/e/chat-with-brian-funk-of-the-music-production-podcast/
This episode is sponsored by CoreSound: Download CoreSound for free & analyze sound in a smart way.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
One of the biggest problems we music producers face is too many options. We get stuck because we can''t decide. This episode of the podcast is all about purposely limiting yourself so you can find creative solutions to your problems.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Music Production Club - Monthly subscription for tools and inspiration to make music.
Borrowed Arrangements - Technique for structuring songs.
Commit to Commit - Music Production Podcast about making decisions and never looking back.
Budget Your Time Like Money - Figure out how much time you really have.
Ben Burnes - Ben's second appearance on the show.
Blackout Poetry - Tool for making your own blackout poems.
Pomodoro - pATCHES Max for Live timer.
Making Music - Must read by Dennis DeSantis.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Stephen (Stephen Swartz) is an indie-electronic music artist, from Virginia, living in Los Angeles. In 2015, his hit single “Crossfire” amassed over 100 million streams. It led to him releasing his 2016 debut LP Sincerely that garnered fan and critical praise. Stephen is about to release his new album Akrasia on August 21st.
Stephen and I talked about his career and work. We explored how his deep philosophical approach and life experience has helped him create music. Stephen shared how staying true to his artistic calling helped him from getting stuck chasing success, and allowed him to fully express himself with his art.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Anton Zytnik is a producer and musician from Australia, living in Berlin, who makes music as Orphan Train Project. He has been producing music for the last 30 years and has maintained a quite prolific output.
Anton and I had a great conversation about our strikingly similar musical backgrounds and surrounding philosophies. Anton shared some very practical tips and approaches that allow him to stay focused and consistently finish music. It was a lot of fun getting to know Anton and learning from his experience.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
I wrote a book! It's called What Bob Ross Teaches Us About Music Production. I take the wisdom Bob Ross shared on his show The Joy of Painting and apply those lessons to music production.
In this episode of the podcast, I discuss the new book, share a few of its lessons, and discuss the larger theme of acceptance as a big takeaway from the process of writing it.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Sean Giovanni is a Producer, Engineer and the Owner of The Record Shop recording studio. Sean moved to Nashville to pursue his career in music at age 20. He has since worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including John Legend, Meatloaf, Tim McGraw, and The Wallflowers. Following his passion to help artists realize their creative potential, Sean co-founded Mind Map.
Sean shared his thoughts on developing a clear artistic vision, finding inspiration in tough times, and developing routines to progress in his career. There's a lot of helpful and practical tips here. I left the conversation feeling inspired to make music!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
The Record Shop - Giovanni's Nashville Recording Studio.
Mind Map - Program co-founded by Giovanni to support artists as they navigate the music industry.
For Everyone - Poetic inspiration by Jason Reynolds.
Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill's 1937 classic entrepreneurship book.
Why Music is Important - Music Production Podcast episode about finding meaning in music during difficult times.
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Get FrostBite 2 by AudioThing - FrostBite 2 is the July 2020 download for the Music Production Club.
Dream Keys Ableton Live Pack - Sounds used for the melody in the intro music.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Los Angeles's Joseph Holiday makes dark, moody, end-of-the-world modular music as Snakes of Russia. He masterfully weaves together his modular rig with samples and real world instrumentation.
Joseph shares his music making process for his own music and the music he makes for film. We discuss how imposing limitations can build opportunities to be creative. It was a great talk that left me feeling inspired and excited to make music!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
At Home Alone with Lions - New music from Snakes of Russia.
Instagram - Joseph shares his modular jams here.
Noise Engineering - A breakdown of the Snakes of Russia song "Heart Caves In."
"Dead Already" - Modular synth performance.
"Jenny Rock Horror" - Snakes of Russia music video.
Song Exploder "Closing Time" - The story behind the 1998.
Huston Music Podcast - Huston Singletary's excellent podcast series featuring Joseph Holiday and an in-depth breakdown of some of his tracks.
Huston Singletary - Huston's appearance on this podcast.
Colin Benders - "Modular Mayhem" live performance.
--
Music Production Club - Get AudioThing's Frostbite 2 plug-in when you join the Music Production Club during July 2020.
Frostbite 2 - AudioThing's amazing spectral freezing plug-in.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
When the problems of the world loom so large, it can make the act of music production seem unimportant. But during these times, music is more important than ever by helping us connect and empathize with each other.
Over the last month or so, I've found it extremely difficult to find meaning in my musical work. In the face of enormous world challenges, twiddling around with sound has felt insignificant and purposeless. But after some reflection, I believe it is actually extremely important to continue to create. In this episode, I take you through my own struggles and how I am working to get passed them.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye's classic album that has offered some insight and perspective.
Alicia Keys Tiny Desk Concert - I didn't mention this in the episode, but watching it reminded me of the joy and unity music can create.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ned Rush is a musician, YouTuber, and Max for Live device maker. His work for Isotonik Studios includes the World Collection, which allows you to incorporate video into your Ableton Live Performances.
Ned and I sat down for a conversation about his work, musician production, and creativity in general.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Jerry Seinfeld is a master stand-up comedian, and we can learn a thing or two about making music from him. According to legend, one of the techniques he used to hone his craft is called "The Chain Method."
In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, we explore how Jerry Seinfeld's "Chain Method" can help us become better music producers.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
AIR ORGAN Ableton Live Pack - 24 Ableton Live Instruments made from samples of a vintage General Electric Air Organ.
Music Production Club - subscription service that gets you new music production tools each month.
Wall Calendar - a one page, one year calendar I am using for the "Chain Method."
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
This episode is a guided meditation by Jörgen Kjellgren that I created the music for. Sit back, relax, and drift into your mind.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Jörgen's BandCamp - Listen to Jörgen's music.
Jörgen on the Music Production Podcast - Jörgen and I had a great conversation on the Music Production Podcast.
VCR WAVE Ableton Live Pack - All music in the meditation was made with instruments from this Pack.
Free Ableton Live Pack #198 - Try 3 free instruments made in the style of VCR WAVE.
Tommy Zee Webinar - Tommy Zee, founder of Making Music for Brands breaks down one of his commercial projects.
Tommy Zee on the Music Production Podcast - Tommy and I have a conversation about making music for companies.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Maddy Kong is a music producer, engineer, music technologist and live performer from Perth, Australia. Currently based in Brooklyn, New York, and winning multiple production spots, she understands the sonic nuances of various genres and has proven to harnesses positive responses across her work. Maddy makes music under the name Sesamii.
Maddy and I spoke about her work combining her classically trained background with electronic music. She discusses taking a leap of faith traveling halfway across the world to pursue her dream of making music.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Tine Schenck is a composer and trained vocalist. Along with Andrew Magee and Clément Panchout, she hosts Music Weeklies Challenge, which gives a community of musicians creative projects each week. Tine also creates soundtracks for video games.
Tine spoke about Music Weeklies Challenge and how it helps artists breakthrough creative blocks and learn how to finish music more efficiently. She discussed her work composing music for video games. Tine explores how consistently working on Music Weeklies Challenges allowed her to find herself as an artist.
Special Note: I will be collaborative with Music Weeklies Challenge for the May 15, 2020 challenge! Check their Twitter or my website on Friday May 15th at 2PM EST.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Stephanie Merchak is a composer, sound designer, improviser and performer from Lebanon. Stephanie has a deep academic background in music and loves to explore and experiment with sound.
Stephanie and I had a great conversation about her willingness to take chances and try new things with her art. She isn't afraid of experiments that might not work, and this attitude and philosophy has helped her break new grounds musically.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Music Production Club - Monthly subscription service where I send you Ableton Live tools and tutorials. We have a Discord chat and now hold live online webinars.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Hainbach is a composer, sound designer, and YouTuber based in Berlin, Germany. He is well-known for his work with tape machines, test equipment, and modular synthesizers. His childlike wonder and endless curiosity about sounds has brought him tens of thousands of viewers on his YouTube channel.
I've been a fan of Hainbach's for a while and it was great to get a chance to speak to him about his work and his approach towards music in general. Hainbach spoke about how he likes to explore gear, his creative process, and some more philosophical ideas about art and inspiration.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Laura Escudé is the founder of Electronic Creatives, who run playback for some of the largest touring acts in the world, including Kanye West, Arianna Grande, American Idol, Bon Iver, Harry Styles, and so many more. She's a classically trained violinist and one of the first Ableton Certified Trainers. Laura has created a collection of educational workshops for musicians, creatives, and business people alike.
Laura and I had a great talk about some of the steps she's taking to help performing artists and creatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also discusses how she's learned to how to maintain a balance between health and work.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Darren Cowley runs Isotonik Studios, a site that offers products for Ableton Live, Max for Live, Novation Circuit, and more. Isotonik Studios has grown into a small army of developers releasing exciting products to producers.
Darren and I have been trying to coordinate a podcast for years. It was worth the wait. We spoke about his beginnings as a DJ, how he developed and shared his DJ template, and how an artist's donation for his DJing template helped him begin Isotonik Studios.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Isotonik is offering free "stay at home" products. The offerings change on a regular basis so be sure to check them often.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Animus Invidious is a music producer who runs the site PerforModule for audio production tips and Ableton Live resources.
Animus recently put together the Super Awesome Sounds Ableton Live Pack made with the Casio SA-20 synthesizer. We discuss the process behind making sound packs, staying organized, and much more.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Matt Sharp is the creative force behind The Rentals and is the original bass player for Weezer. He is currently releasing the Rentals new double-album, Q36, one song every two weeks.
It was a pleasure to sit down with one of my own musical super heroes. His work in The Rentals and Weezer was instrumental in my own musical growth. Matt spoke about his creative process and collaborations with different artists. We discussed the way music and art can be healing in difficult times. Matt explained the unique and collaborative way he has been releasing his new album.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Dan Policar, aka DanTheBand, is a Grammy nominated, international touring musician, songwriter, and producer. Dan has toured the world playing in Sean Paul's band, the "BaddaBanz." He has done production work and songwriting for artists such as Fabolous, Sean Paul, Raekwon, Andra Day, Faith Evans, and Mystikal. Dan also produces music for video games.
Dan and I spoke about his work as a touring musician and the effect of the coronavirus pandemic. He shares some excellent tips on songwriting and finishing music. We also get into his work writing music for video games.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Rob Barbato is a creative director at Squeak E Clean Productions, a composer for Film and Television, a producer and engineer of records, and a multi-instrumentalist. Rob has produced music for brands like Lexus, Nike, and Apple. He recently produced the new Vivian Girls album, Memory.
Rob spoke about translating marketing briefings into music and emotion. He explains some of his techniques for getting interesting and unique sounds, while maintaining a childlike sense of exploration with his music. Rob explains how he managed a polished yet raw sound on the new Vivian Girls record.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Peder Losnegård, aka Lido, is a producer, singer, songwriter in LA from Norway. He has worked for an impressive list of artists such as Chance the Rapper, Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, A$AP Ferg, and many more. He started as a pop star in Norway as a teen but gave it up to pursue his artistic vision in the United States.
Lido and I had a great conversation about his work as a producer and musician. We talked about the importance of having a vision for your work and how he used this approach on his upcoming album Peder.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
We are living through unprecedented times. It is our duty to stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus. In an effort to maintain positivity and make the most of our time at home, this episode runs through some ideas you can use to be productive.
Stay healthy!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Live Performance in Ableton Live - My video course is free when you use the code: STAYHOME
Music Production Club - Monthly subscription for a steady flow of music production tools to your inbox.
Klevgrand - Makers of Kleverb and other great audio plug-ins.
Korg iKaossilator - Amazing app that is currently free.
Moog Model D App - Beautiful iPhone recreation of the classic synth.
Isolation Loops - Hainbach's free loops for your time home.
Quasimidi Sirius Samples - Legowelt is sharing some nice samples of a cool synth.
Expanding Sound - Lots of free Ableton Live Packs.
Sonic Bloom - Excellent Ableton Live Packs and Tutorials.
Gumroad - Sell something!
Sahil Lavinglia - Gumroad CEO on the Music Production Podcast.
Listen to Music - LA Times article on deep listening.
Thinking In Bets - by Annie Duke.
The Paradox of Choice - by Barry Schwartz.
You're It! - Collected speakings of Alan Watts.
Live Producer's Online - Dan Giffin's Ableton Live Podcast.
Hanging Out with Audiophiles - Jamie Lidell's Podcast.
Huston Music - Huston Singletary's Podcast.
Art + Music + Technology - Darwin Grosse's Podcast.
Mr. Bill's Podcast - Mr. Bill's Podcast.
Song Exploder - Podcast about song creation.
ELPHNT - Tom from ELPHNT on the Music Production Podcast.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Thomas Glendinning is an Ableton Certified Trainer and the man behind the popular site ELPHNT, where he helps producers "make better music."
Tom and I sat down to speak for the second time on the podcast about his recent work (including the amazing FRZN GRAINS Ableton Live Pack), finishing music, and crafting a business out of a passion.
Thanks to Tom for creating the beautiful artwork for this episode!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
This episode marks the beginning of the 4th year of the Music Production Podcast! I never imagined I'd be a podcaster, but I think I've done it long enough to earn the title. And that's what this episode is about: if you want to be a thing, act like the thing. Do the things that person would do!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
I've just released my new EP, "A Journey Inward," and the secret to finishing it was in the story. I find that by having the story of your music clearly defined, making music because much easier and more enjoyable.
In this episode we talk about how I used story to complete my latest EP. The episode ends with a listening to the EP itself.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Music Production Club - While my very limited supplies last, you can get Klevgrand's Kleverb when you join the Club!
Kleverb - Klevgrand's excellent algorithmic reverb plug-in.
A Journey Inward - My new EP available on Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play, SoundCloud, etc.
Social Story Songs - Music my friend, Chris P Cauley, and I wrote to teach acceptable social behavior.
Chris P Cauley - One of my musical brothers.
Leave Stones Unturned - An insightful blog by Seth Godin.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Graham Cochrane is the founder of The Recording Revolution, whose YouTube channel has over 500,000 subscribers. For over ten years, Graham's tutorials have shown musicians how to record great music at home with affordable gear. Graham also helps entrepreneurs build their online businesses.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Staying organized will keep your music making experience fun. You will have the tools you need when you need them. In this episode, I talk about some things that have helped me stay organized. I also talk about the most impactful book I read last year, Getting Things Done by David Allen.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
FRZN GRAINS - ELPHNT's granular Ableton Live Pack
Music Production Club - Join the club to get a steady flow of sounds for you music making.
Workflowy - Simple and powerful web-based app I use for keeping lists.
Getting Things Done - David Allen's incredible system for keeping track of ideas, staying organized, and getting work done.
David Allen - Listen to David Allen on the Tim Ferriss Show.
#103 and #51: Music Production Podcast episodes with Eshan Khadaroo, aka Push4Life.
Audio and MIDI in the Basement - My chart for keeping track of where everything in my studio is connected.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Mixing is an art. Mixing is technical. A mix can be objectively good or bad. A mix can be subjectively good or bad. This episode of the Music Production Podcast contains some of the general guidelines that have helped me find the sound I'm looking for and improve the technical quality of my mixes.
Thanks for listening and please pardon the clickbait title; I'm running some experiments in naming.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Space Journey Kit - Free Ableton Live Pack used for the opening music.
Music Production Club - Get access to a constantly updated collection of music production tools.
10 Time-Saving Music Production Hacks - An experiment in click-bait titling. Currently my second most downloaded episode. Go figure!
10 Things To Do When You Are Uninspired - An experiment in click-bait titling. Currently my fifth most downloaded episode.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
As you work and toil over your music, there comes a point when a song is finished. But how do you KNOW your track is finished? You can always add or change things. You can try new sounds or alter the arrangement. But how do you know where to stop?
In this episode, we explore the topic from both a philosophical and practical position. We ask questions about what makes a song complete and then go through specific techniques and approaches you can use to finish your music.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Music Production Club - Subscribe to my Club to get a steady flow of tools and inspiration to your inbox.
FRZN GRAINS - ELPHNT's beautiful granular-instrument Ableton Live Pack.
Twilight Zone "Escape Clause" - A great episode about what happens when risk and danger are removed from life.
What is Your Audience Doing? - Music Production Podcast about what your listeners are doing while listening to your music.
Make Bad Music - Just finish your tracks, even if they are bad! Music Production Podcast episode #2.
Some Thoughts on Finishing Songs - Music Production Podcast with practical ideas on finishing music.
John Lennon - John's sometimes harsh critiques of songs by The Beatles.
Gumroad Founder on the Music Production Podcast - Sahil Lavingia has some powerful thoughts on finishing art sooner rather than working on it too long.
Derek Sivers - Derek on the EDM Prodcast (great show) talking about releasing art.
More Derek Sivers - Derek on the Music Production Podcast. Pay attention to "deep and shallow happy."
EDMProd Guidebooks - The makers of EDM Prodcast have a lot of helpful PDFs for music production.
A Simple Mistake That Will Ruin Your Mixdown - Make sure your tracks end smoothly, 2 Minute Ableton Live Tip.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
As you are making music, it can help to consider what your listeners will be doing as they listen. You can also think about the 13 musical emotions and which ones you want to evoke with your music.
All of this can help us finish and release an album, EP, or single this month, during the Finish February Challenge!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
FRZN GRAINS - ELPHNT's collection of Ableton Live instruments made from analog sources run through granular effects.
Music Production Club - Get a steady flow of music production tools in your inbox.
Finish February 2020 - Music Production Podcast about the Finish February Challenge to release some music this month.
13 Musical Emotions - Studies have shown there are 13 musical emotions.
Inner Circle Podcast - Bobby Owsinski's excellent music industry podcast.
Jamuary Spreadsheet - A spreadsheet you can use to organize and categorize your Jamuary Jams and decide which ones to finish in February.
My 2018 Spreadsheet - See how I used the spreadsheet to categorize my work in 2018.
My YouTube Channel - I will be live streaming my Finish February process.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Jamuary is over! And if you participated, you probably have lots of ideas to work off of. Even if you didn't participate, I'm sure you have a lot of unfinished ideas anyway. Finish February is a challenge to finish some of that music and release it. It can be a single, EP, or full album. The point is to finish some music and get it out to the world!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
FRZN GRAINS - ELPHNT's collection of Ableton Live instruments made from analog sources run through granular effects.
Thomas Glendinning - The man behind ELPHNT made an appearance on episode 26 of the Music Production Podcast.
Let's Start Finish February - Episode 48 introduced the idea of Finish February.
Jamuary Spreadsheet - A spreadsheet you can use to organize and categorize your Jamuary Jams and decide which ones to finish in February.
My 2018 Spreadsheet - See how I used the spreadsheet to categorize my work in 2018.
How to Upload Your Music to Major Streaming Services - A post I did about releasing your music with DistroKid.
7% Off at DistroKid - Save a little money when releasing your music with this link.
Music Production Club - Get a steady flow of music production tools in your inbox.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Derek Sivers is a musician, writer, and entrepreneur. He started CDBaby in 1998, offering independent musicians (including me!) a way to sell their music online. 10 years later, he sold it, donating most of the money to music education. Derek wrote "Anything You Want" explaining lessons he learned from the adventure.
Derek is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, and in this episode he shares some of his insight about making music and the creative process. It was a great conversation that makes meaningful connections between life, business, and creativity.
Be on the look out for his new books "Your Music and People" and "Hell Yeah or No."
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
By participating in the #Jamuary2020 challenge to make and share a new piece of music each day, it's become extremely clear how important it is to find ways to focus while working.
In this episode, I talk about some important lessons I'm learning during Jamuary and offer some practical ways you can find focus while working on your music.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
You will inevitably come across days that you just don't feel like making music. The thing that differentiates a professional from an amateur is the amateur does it when he/she feels like it; the professional does it no matter what. If you can make music on the days you are tired, uninspired, and lacking motivation, you can do it any time!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Costco Cash Register Free Ableton Live Pack
Music Production Club - Get a steady flow of music making tools in your inbox.
My Jamuary2020 SoundCloud Playlist - Listen to my (nearly) daily musical output during the Jamuary2020 challenge.
Jamuary Live Stream - I've been streaming the entire process of each of my jams on YouTube.
War of Art - Steven Pressfield's manifesto, which I reference when speaking about Resistance.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Roger Linn is a Grammy award winning electronic musical instrument designer, whose instruments have had a major influence on the music industry. He designed the first drum machine with samples. His MPC60 revolutionized the sampling and hip hop community. Today, his LinnStrument is ushering in a new generation of expressive electronic musicianship.
It was an honor to speak with the legendary Roger Linn. I could immediately sense his passion for his work. Roger shared a lot about his background and what motivates him to continue his work. Despite his deep work in the technological aspect of the craft, Roger maintains a firm grasp on the love of music that continues to inspire his work today.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Happy New Year! It's the start of a new decade and a perfect time to do a little self-reflection. In this episode, we talk about some big picture stuff and how it relates to our music making.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Death of a Salesman - Film version starring Dustin Hoffman.
Music Production Club - Get a steady flow of new music production tools in your inbox.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Jamuary is a challenge to make a piece of music every day for the month of January, and to share it online.
In this episode, I talk about the Jamuary Challenge, what it takes to participate (not much), and what the benefits will be.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Cuckoo on the Music Production Podcast
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Producing music is essentially a series of making decisions. It's important to make commitments to our decisions in order to move forward.
In this episode, I argue that in order to move forward with your music, you must commit early and often. Looking back and questioning our decisions is sure to lead to dissatisfaction in our music.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz
The Music Production Club - join before the end of 2019 to get an incredible amount of music production tools!
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
John Ivers is a composer, sound designer, and works as head of sound design for BandLab. BandLab is a free social music creation platform.
John and I had a great conversation covering a range of topics. We discuss his role at BandLad and how the platform can bring in first time producers and offer helpful services to more experienced users. John talks in detail about sound design and how interface design changes how we perceive the product.
Show Notes:
BandLab - All-in-one social music creation platform.
BandLab for Education - BandLab for schools.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Join the Music Production Club to get sound packs to help you make music directly in your inbox.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Like it or not, artificial intelligence and machine learning is changing the music industry. It could threaten jobs and eliminate the need for humans in the music making process. So what can we do? Double down on our humanity. After a few episode with people using AI and machine learning in the music industry, I have some thoughts on what we can do to avoid becoming obsolete in a changing world.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Now AI Takes on Writing Death Metal, Country Music Hits, More - CDM article about music written with artificial intelligence.
Hazel Savage on the Music Production Podcast - Hazel talks about how her company Musiio is intelligently categorizing music.
Paul Zgordan on the Music Production Podcast - Paul discusses Mubert, which is creating AI generated music from samples.
Jonathan Bailey on the Music Production Podcast - Jonathan explains how Izotope is using AI to help us make music.
GLITCH DRUMS - Ableton Live and Sample Pack featured in the intro music to this episode.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Happy Thanksgiving! Today's show is all about gratitude. We talk about how being thankful for what we have and feeling satisfied in decisions we make can help us make better music and live better lives. The conversation is based on a few books and mediations I've come across recently, as well as some real life experiences that have affected the way I see things. We talk about how those experiences can help us with our music making. But in truth, maybe the music making is just a metaphor for our lives in general.
Thank you for listening!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Jonathan Bailey is Izotope's Chief Technology Officer. Izotope is known for their high quality audio plug-ins that make use of cutting edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and plug-in that communicate.
Jonathan and I had a great conversation about the technology behind Izotope's plug-ins, as well as the company's overall vision and philosophy. Jonathan goes into what the future of music production might look like and how technologies like artificial intelligence are changing the way we work.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
GLITCH DRUMS - Ableton Live Pack and Sample Pack.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Kristoffer Lislegaard is an electronic musician, producer, and sound artist from Norway, and one half of the duo, Sgrow. Sgrow's music contains beautiful soundscapes, beats, and vocals. They've just released a new album called Circumstance II.
It was great to talk with Kristoffer again. He has some really helpful ideas on completing music, working within limitations, and live performance. Kristoffer surprised me with a little demonstration of his live performance setup. His way of working is inspiring and the new music is excellent.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Get the new Sgrow album:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/33lsY2i Apple: https://apple.co/2IHvvft Tidal: http://bit.ly/35lUDSE Soundcloud: http://bit.ly/2OBwfXeSave 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Paul Zgordan works for Mubert, a company that develops tools for making music created by artificial intelligence. Mubert creates algorithmically generated music using samples uploaded by users. Mubert's generative music is targeted towards businesses that need music for their products (apps, spas, video games).
Paul and I discuss Mubert in detail, from its technology and how it is being used. We explore whether artificial intelligence will endanger the jobs of musicians. Paul also shares ideas on how musicians can use AI to further their artistic vision.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Mubert - AI Music Solution
Mubert Beta - join and participate in Mubert's #I-am-the-world project to create the never ending collaborative generative music stream in A Minor.
Walkthrough Video- Short video on uploading samples to Mubert.
Google Magenta - AI Max for Live devices.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Hazel Savage is the CEO and co-founder of Musiio, a company that uses artificial intelligence to automatically analyze and tag music to make it more discoverable. Hazel is a life-long musician and music technologist, working for companies like Shazaam, Pandora, and Universal.
Hazel and I talked at length about Musiio and its potential to influence the music industry. We also get into what makes music human and why she isn't afraid that artificial intelligence will replace artists. The conversation goes into a lot of big questions that new technologies will ultimately raise for everyone in the music industry.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Musiio - Hazel's company that helps make great music more discoverable.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
David Marston and Phil Celeste are musicians, producers, and long-time collaborators who just finished a new track called "Airwaves." Phil (aka Life on Planets) and David have managed to make their partnership work over barriers of time and distance, and have had successful releases both together and separately.
Phil, David, and I had a nice conversation about music production and collaboration. We talked about how they both help guide each other in the studio, and how they also know when to work on certain aspects of a project separately. We also talk about releasing albums on labels and independently, as well as a ton of other related topics.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Julie Covello, aka DJ Shakey, is a DJ, producer, performer, and founder of Warper Party. It's hard to overstate how important Julie's role in the shaping of live electronic music has been. Warper Party is a monthly live electronic music event that has been running since 2005. So much of what modern live electronic music has become has roots in the community Julie has helped build.
In this episode of the podcast, Julie talks about the early days of Warper Party and how community has helped her and the scene in general grow and develop. We learn about the days of modding MIDI controllers into creative live performance tools and how the live electronic music scene has changed over the years.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
William Kage is a video game programmer and music producer, who produces music in the style of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System sound card. William built SixEngine, a web-based 16-bit video game engine. William releases music in the style of the SNES and is working on a new 16-bit RPG called Otosan.
William and I had a great conversation about his work and the challenges of writing within restrictions of the Super Nintendo's sound card. We discuss how game composers were able to find creative solutions to the limitations using some clever sampling techniques. William also gives some nice sound examples to help explain how this type of composing works.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
It's very exciting when a new update comes out for your computer. There are new features and tools that may make things much easier, smoother, and faster. However, if you rely on your computer to make music, an update can break that system. Instead of enjoying new features and workflows, you will be stuck trying to figure out why nothing works.
And if you are on a working machine, ask yourself why you need to update. Is it really Resistance? Are you avoiding work? Don't get stuck with a machine that doesn't work. Stick with what does and wait for things to iron out!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ben Burnes is a producer, live streamer, and game programmer. He releases unique sample packs and is very active in the music production community. Ben is known for not only sharing his work and projects, but also creating projects and collaborating with the community to make them come to life.
Note! In the episode we mention Ben's Two Hour Album Challenge. At the time of our talk, we didn't expect the show to go live before then, but we pulled some strings and made it happen! If you want to be a part of the Two Hour Album Challenge, it starts Friday October 11, 2019 at 6PM GMT and ends Sunday October 13, 2019 at 6PM GMT. Go to Two Hour Album Challenge for more details. And if you miss this one, there is another one planned in January.
Ben Burnes was my first guest on the Music Production Podcast. It was great to reconnect with him. Ben shared wisdom and lessons he's learned from completing nearly 200 2-hour track challenges. He spends a lot of time discussing the growth he's undergone by making himself vulnerable by live streaming as he attempts to write a song in 2 hours. Lots of great insights!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Drew Vespers is a musician, producer, and founder of Warp Academy, an Ableton Certified Trainer Center in Canada. Warp Academy is one of the leading producers of high quality online music production education. His tutorials have helped thousands of musicians (including myself!) grow and develop into successful artists. Drew's music combines elements of rock, jazz, hip hop, and electronic bass music, and been released on a variety of record labels.
I really enjoyed talking with Drew about his work, Warp Academy, and how he manages to stay so productive and focused. This conversation covers a lot. We cover advanced mixing techniques, which has become a passion of Drews. There's also quite a lot along the lines of getting and staying productive. Drew shares practical tips on health and mindfulness, as well as many resources and books that have helped him keep his attention on his work.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Warp Academy - Ableton Certified Trainer center Drew founded.
Vespers - Drew's personal work as an artist and teacher.
YouTube - Subscribe to Warp Academy for tons of tutorials.
Nexus - Facebook Group for producers to share knowledge and ideas.
The Mod Method - Drew's video course designed to give the tools and inspiration to create music you can be proud of.
Ableton Push 2 Jumpstart - Ableton Push 2 video course I made with Warp Academy.
5 Focus and Productivity Hacks - Drew shares some tips on getting work done.
Book Recommendations:
Optimum Nutrition for the Mind
App Recommendations:
Freedom - Block the internet and apps for focus.
Self Control - free alternative to Freedom that I'm experimenting with.
Vitamin R - Productivity app.
Free Downloads:
Mixing Template - Drew's Mix Template for Ableton Live
Song Structure and Energy Heat Maps - Derived from the MOD Method video course.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Jörgen Kjellgren is a prolific ambient producer from Sweden. Since May 2018, Jörgen has release 9 EPs. He has developed a working method that uses restrictions to encourage creativity.
In this episode, Jörgen shares how discipline and restrictions has allowed him to become a prolific producer. Jörgen shares his thoughts on progressing ideas into finished piece of music and how the Japanese concept of "Wabi-Sabi" has allowed him to silent the internal critic.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider.
And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Enjoy!
Brian
I recently had a hard drive fail and I have lost years of music, photos, and other stuff. It might be gone forever.
This episode is a public service announcement and reminder to back up your files and back up your back ups! Your digital work is irreplaceable. Today, I share a few ideas on how to back up your work, and also think about how to handle this loss on a psychological level.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Guitar Chords - My new Sample Pack that I used to create the intro music.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Emre Yilmaz is a guitarist and singer songwriter from Istanbul Turkey, living in New York. He's done work for film and commercials. Emre is an avid meditator and yoga practitioner, and often produces music for those environments.
I had an excellent and wide ranging conversation with Emre. We explored the idea of self and the artist. We discussed how the mind works and how that affects our music production. Emre shared his wisdom from years of yoga and meditation, and showed how that can be applied to not only our music production but our everyday life.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Emre Yilmaz - Official Site.
YouTube - Check out some of his live performances.
Instagram - Keep track of Emre's work.
Gumroad - Emre and I met at a dinner hosted by Gumroad.
Sahil Lavingia - Gumroad founder on the Music Production Podcast.
Slate Digital - Plugins and Tutorials.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Remute is a techno artist who is bringing new meaning to "minimalism." Revolting against our maximalist culture, Denis Karimani (aka Remute) programmed and released his latest album on the Sega MegDrive 16-bit video game system of the 1990's (known as "Sega Genesis" in the USA).
On this episode of the Music Production Podcast, Denis Karimani (aka Remute) discusses his work as an artist and how he started his own record label to pursue his artistic vision. Remute talks about how he built his album "Limited" on a 3.5 floppy disc, and how he released his latest album as a Sega MegaDrive cartridge.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Dani DiCiaccio produces experimental electronic music with a hint of pop as KYOSi. She just released a new EP Negative Space. Dani has produced music for film, theatre, and podcasts.
In this episode, Dani shares her thoughts on experimental music and live performance. We talked about how saying yes to a variety of different projects can help expand one's artistic horizon.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
KYOSi - Official Site
SoundCloud - Keep up with Dani's new music.
SoHo Shakes - Dani did music for their adaptation of Macbeth, The Sisters.
Tommy Zee - Music Production Podcast about making music for brands.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
David Abravanel has worked with some of the most important companies in music production. He has done marketing work for Ableton, Eventide, and Sensel. He writes for Ableton's blog, Create Digital Music, and many more. He always seems to be right in the middle of the action.
On this episode, David shares his experience working for various music production companies. As a confessed plug-in hoarder, he shares some of his favorite plug-ins. David shares his knowledge about live performance with a DAW and/or modular synthesizers.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Official Site - The home of David's work.
Bandcamp - Listen to some of David's music.
Instagram - Keep track of David's work and musical jams.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Drew Mayhills is a musician, producer, and Ableton Certified Trainer in Australia. He releases music as Mayhills. Drew creates visceral and emotive music, ranging from energetic and angry to soft and soothing. His work moves people on the dance floor and in yoga and meditation studios. Drew has committed himself to a new release every month.
Drew and I talked about staying disciplined and focused around making music. Drew shared his wisdom as both a prolific producer and as an educational coach.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Mayhills - Official Page of Drew's work.
Mayhills "In Shadows" - Music video for a recent Mayhills track.
Instagram - Keep up with Drew on the Gram.
Produce Music Like a Chef - Music Production Podcast #104
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Tommy Zee runs Tommy Zee and Co., a music production company that makes music for some of the world's largest brands, such as Nike, Adidas, Google, Sony, and more. He aims to move people emotionally with his music. Tommy began as a banker by day and DJ by night before quitting his job and starting his company.
In this episode, Tommy Zee talks about creating music and sound for brands. Tommy discusses his path and what it took for him to take a leap of faith and make music his full time career. We had a great discussion about being productive, making connections with people, and working fast in order to be successful as a commercial craftsman.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Tommy Zee and Co. - Tommy's music production company for brands.
Making Music For Brands - Learn how to break into the world of commercial music production and download the free PDF "7 Ways to Make Money with Music For Brands."
Tony Schwartz - author of The Responsive Chord.
Jim Guthrie - Composer of Sword & Sorcery soundtrack and collaborator with Tommy.
Game Meets Album - CDM piece on Guthrie's work.
CasiOP-1 Ice Caves - Free Ableton Live Pack made with Casio SK-1 and Ice Cave samples.
Be PROlific - Music Production Podcast #120 on the importance of quantity.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
I've been accumulating some field recordings over the last few months, and on today's episode we do something with them.
I used recordings of the checkout line at Costco, my dogs eating ice cubes, and crickets in the rain. After about 30 minutes of experimentation, I wound up with a textured synth pad, a beepy pluck instrument, some interesting transitional noises and risers, and a Drum Rack of my dogs eating ice cubes.
This episode was recorded live as a YouTube streaming video, and the instruments are available as a free download.
Watch the video and download the free Ableton Live Pack.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Quality comes from quantity, so make as much music as you can. The more you do anything the better you get at it.
In this episode, I talk about a few things that have inspired me lately, and they all have to do with being prolific.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Abid Hussain is an electronic and alternative rock music producer, Ableton Certified Trainer, and licensed attorney. Abid gave a helpful speech on sampling and copyrights at last year's Loop conference. He produces music under the name Nebulae.
In this episode, Abid gives some unofficial legal advice on sampling and copyrighting your music. We also discuss dealing with and overcoming creative blocks.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
They Owe Us is an electronic, rock, alternative (my words, not theirs) duo from Sweden. They have an affinity towards vintage analog gear and homemade drum kits. They've just released their debut album Broken English and Sad Serenades.
I got to speak with Rane and Kris about their creative process, the new album, and live performance. They shared their approach to writing and recording, which they described as a little backwards. We also get into the imperfections that make music special.
The opening music is the title track of their new album.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
We all have the same 24 hour days. No one is more successful than you because they have more time. The most productive people make time. In today's episode of the Music Production Podcast, we discuss 10 things you can do to make the most of your time and get more done.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Ableton Live 10.1 Keyboard Shortcuts - printable PDF of useful editing shortcuts.
2 Minute Ableton Live Tip #46 - Quickly Map Root Notes in Sampler
JUNO-106 Ableton Live Pack - 81 Ableton Live Instrument Racks made from samples of the Roland Juno-106.
Foundational Drum Beats Sample Pack - 275 basic acoustic drum beats for starting new tracks.
Workflowy - Make simple to do lists. This has helped me tremendously!
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Ben Mendoza is the founder of Beatchain, a powerful new data science and digital marketing platform that helps artists connect with and grow their fanbase. Beatchain allows musicians to target new and existing fans by collecting data and using machine learning. Artists can use this information to learn what posts are most effective, target people in specific geographical locations with specific interests, and learn what campaigns are being engaged with the most.
In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, Beatchain founder Ben Mendoza explains how Beatchain could help artists advance their career and intelligently focus their promotional efforts. Ben opened my eyes about how an understanding of important data about an audience can help an artist understand what content is likely to make the most meaningful connections.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Beatchain - Sign up for access to the beta program for free. MusicTech Magazine - A nice in-depth explanation of Beatchain on MusicTech.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
URSA is a new music streaming service that allows artists to share bios, album liner notes, pictures, lyrics, photos, videos, and more with their fans. It promises to make deeper and more meaningful connections between artists, fans, and the music.
In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, I sit down to talk with URSA's founders Christopher Jones and Chad Royce. Chris and Chad are artists themselves and felt they could create a streaming service that allows fans and artists to connect on a deeper level. We talk about their vision for URSA, what the platform is capable of, and the challenges they face building a new platform that could change the way we consume music.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
URSA Music Extreaming - Learn more about URSA and apply to participate in the beta program.
-Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet;" -Shakespeare
I've decided to drop the name AfroDJMac and move forward using my actual name, Brian Funk. I've wrestled with artist names for a while and decided to just drop it. The result has been surprisingly liberating.
In this episode, we talk about artist names, why we have, and if we even need them. I'll go over why I adopted one in the first place and why I've now let it go. I have some ideas about what makes a good artist name (none of which I have actually followed myself) and question the whole concept of even having artist names.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
BrianFunk.com - My newly revised website, that makes finding my work much easier.
Mark Cawley - Author of Song Journey on the Music Production Podcast. He talks about the potential confines of being an artist over being a song writer.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Matty Harris is a mixing and mastering engineer who has worked with Kelly Clarkson, Sammy Adams, Lil Yachty, A$AP Rocky, Cousin Stizz, Cam Meekins, and many more. He runs the online mixing and mastering site MixandMasterMySong.com.
Matty and I had a great conversation about some best practices in mixing and mastering. Matty shared some of his favorite tools and offered some practical advice that can help producers of all levels. I enjoyed how open Matty was with sharing his knowledge and walked away with quite a few tips and techniques I'm excited to try in my next mix.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the My Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
Musicians and artists are often thought of as creatives. We build, construct, and create out of thin air. In this episode, I explore the benefits of changing our thinking as that of a creator to that of an observer. By becoming an observer, we are noticing and curating the art and music. It can take the pressure out of the creative process and teach us to be more openminded.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the AfroDJMac Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
It’s impossible to live in a constant state of inspiration. Truth is, inspiration is quite rare. And when it comes, it is hard to hold on to. So what can we do when we don’t feel like getting to work or we don’t have any ideas? This is a struggle I am currently feeling, so I made a list of things I can do to regain some inspiration and find new ideas. This episode of the podcast is really a pep talk to myself. I hope it can help you next time you are struggling to find ideas and inspiration.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Music Production Club- Get new Ableton Live downloads in your inbox every month!
Fact TV Against The Clock - Watch producers make a track in 10 minutes.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the AfroDJMac Store with the code: PODCAST
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the AfroDJMac Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
David Frangioni is a drummer, music technologist, studio designer, and author of the book Crash, which is an illustrative chronicle of rock and roll's legendary drum kits. He has worked with a who's who of rock legends like Aerosmith, Sting, Ozzy Osbourne, Ringo Starr, and KISS. His company, Audio One, builds and installs the most high-end luxury studios. David just released the book Crash! The World's Greatest Drum Kits.
In this episode of the podcast, David Frangioni shares his experience working with some of rock and roll's greatest. He details his unpredictable path in the music industry and emphasizes the importance of hard work, consistency, and commitment.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Official Web Site - The hub of all of David' work.
Crash! - David's beautiful, illustrated new book on the most legendary drum kits in rock history.
Audio One - David's industry leading company for luxury A/V installations.
Frangioni Foundation - non-profit charitable organization that enriches lives through the power of music, technology, faith and charity.
Books and Resources - David's books and music production resources.
Instagram - Follow David on Instagram.
Steve Jobs - Incredibly inspiring 2005 commencement speech for Stanford University.
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VHS DRUMS Ableton Live Pack - 600 drum samples recorded to VCR tapes and built into 30 Ableton Live Drum Racks.
Micro Cassette Ableton Live Pack - 30 Ableton Live Instrument Racks built from samples of classic synthesizers and instruments recorded with a micro cassette recorder.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the AfroDJMac Store with the code: PODCAST
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Intro Music provided by Nick Lovell aka Trash Picnic and creator of MyBackroomBeats.
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Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Mark Cawley is a hit songwriter, with credits to his name for artists like Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Joe Cocker, and many more. His new book, Song Journey: A Hit Songwriter’s Guide Through the Process, the Perils, and the Payoff of Writing Songs for a Living, offers practical steps and advice for songwriters. It's currently the #1 new release in the Music Composition category on Amazon. Mark also offers one on one coaching to songwriters at his website IDoCoach.com.
It was great to talk with Mark. His perspective on songwriting goes deep on the craft and the workmanship, but still hangs on to a sense of childlike wonderment. He shares plenty of tools and techniques to build a disciplined craft of songwriting, while emphasizing the importance of having fun, staying openminded, and maintaining enthusiasm. Just as his book is easy to read, Mark was easy to talk to and extremely generous with his knowledge and experiences.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Song Journey - Mark's new book on how to become successful songwriter.
IDoCoach - Mark's website where he offers coaching for songwriters.
IDoCoach Blog - Mark's blog with helpful articles about songwriting.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the AfroDJMac Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
If one thing is for sure, you will run into problems while producing music. Maybe it's a technical issue, a creative issue, or a personal issue, either way, you are sure to have them. So what do you do?
In this episode, I offer some ways of rethinking problems from something bad to something good and productive.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
REEL SYNTHS V2: MOOG MG-1 Ableton Live Pack - the intro music was composed using this new Ableton Live Pack
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the AfroDJMac Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
GARDNSOUND is the work of Gardner Beson, a musician, producer, and YouTuber known for his helpful tutorials. Gardner generously shares his production techniques and skills with his audience. He runs Gardnsound Studios, which caters to artists that excel at breaking through the barriers that contain conventional EDM.
I had an interesting and wide-ranging conversation with Gardner. The first five minutes center around his pet parrot Lyla, who was present for the conversation. Then we move on to studio production techniques and some synthesizer talk. We even get to topics of ethics and personal online legacy. This is a great example of a conversation that covers all kinds of seemingly unrelated topics, which all come together under the spirit of making music. Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the AfroDJMac Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
As I've been working on my live performance set, I've found two simple things helping quite a lot: to-do lists and done lists. In this episode, I share how I am using simple lists to help with my productivity and motivation.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
REEL SYNTHS V1: PROPHET 6 - Ableton Live Pack made with sounds of the Prophet 6 analog synthesizer, sampled to reel to reel tapes.
Workflowy - Great tool for making to-do lists.
Eshan Khadaroo - Push4Life on the Music Production Podcast.
Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at the AfroDJMac Store with the code: PODCAST
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Jason Timothy Ward runs the site MusicSoftwareTraining.com, where he teaches you how to produce music by not just showing you the tools, but also addressing the mental side. What I love about Jason's work is his ability to deal with the philosophical side of his art. Jason has tremendous insight on how our mind often gets in the way of our work, and offers practical solutions we can all use.
In our second conversation, Jason and I pick up where we left off, talking workflow, best practices, and the philosophy of making music. I found it extremely valuable and inspiring. I hope you do too!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
WASHED Ableton Live Pack- A collection of analog synth sounds bathed in dense effects and built into Ableton Live Instruments.
Minor Thoughts by Divorce Court - Track by Divorce Court that uses WASHED Ableton Live Pack
Lynden Williams on the Music Production Podcast - Divorce Court appears on the podcast.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
The kitchen of a restaurant can be one of the more hectic workplaces. In order to make delicious dinners in all of the chaos, chefs need to be extremely disciplined.
As music producers, we can learn a lot about our craft by observing how chefs manage to complete their art in the "heat" of the moment (couldn't resist the pun :).
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes: Micro Cassette Ableton Live Pack - all sounds in the intro music were made with this collection of instruments built from sounds recorded to a handheld micro cassette recorder.
Organizing Like a Chef Makes for Good Habits - NPR broadcast from August 2014 (not 2005 as I mistakenly said in the show) that inspired this episode.
Seconds Pro - Interval Timer app for your phone.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Eshan Khadaroo has performed with Grammy award winning artists such as Cirque Du Soleil, Blue Man Group, Imogen Heap, and many more. In recent years, Eshan has been releasing some of the finest tutorials and video courses for Ableton Push under the name Push4Life. Eshan just released a new video course called Getting to Know (and love) Chromatic Mode on Ableton Push 2.
Eshan is offering listeners of this podcast access to the first set of tutorials in the new course for free at: http://push4life.eu/afrodjmac
I had a great conversation with Eshan. We discussed his new course, the state of electronic musical instruments, and finding balance as an artist and working musician. Eshan's work is backed by philosophic thinking that guides him from project to project, and he shares those perspectives with us in this episode.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Nate Beaudry makes music as Chef Elf. He is an incredible example of discipline and hard work. Nate has released a new track every day since January 1, 2018; that's over 400 tracks!
Nate and I had a great conversation about making music, staying productive, and finding ways to show up every day and get to work. Nate shares some tips he has discovered over the last year that has helped him keep working. The conversation covers lots of topics and even takes some unexpected turns to a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Tom Frampton is the creator of Mastering the Mix, a site dedicated to teaching producers how to get the best mixes of their music possible. He recently released a new service called Bounce Boss that simplifies and streamlines the collaboration process. Tom also has a host of plug-ins that can help you create the best mix possible.
This is the second time I've had a chance to talk with Tom. We discussed his new project, Bounce Boss, and got into the truth of what is happening when you load plug-ins into your mixes. Tom is an experienced producer and mastering engineer, and he kindly shares his wisdom in this episode.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
It's episode 100! I felt a lot of pressure to make episode 100 something special. Soon the anticipation grew into anxiety and worry. It's very common for us to build things up so big in our minds that they seem insurmountable. In this episode, I retreat back to the same approach that got this podcast started in the first place and discuss how we can apply that to making music.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play or Spotify; watch on YouTube
Show Notes:
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Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Mark Mosher is a Synthesist, Composer, Performer, Founder of the Rocky Mountain Synthesizer Meetup, and hosts the Sonic Encounters Podcast. He has run his music production blog, Modulate This! (now merged with his MarkMosherMusic.com website) for about 15 years. Mark plays in a number of ensembles and has produced music and visuals for the stage, planetariums, and picture.
Mark and I had an excellent conversation about his work as a synthesist, composer, and live performer. We discussed his musical workflows and use of visuals in his performances. Mark also deconstructs and takes us behind the creative process of his newest single "Disconnected." This episode is loaded with both practical and philosophical wisdom from Mark's diverse and extensive experience as an artist.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Francis Preve is a sound designer, journalist, and educator. He teaches synthesis and sound design at Austin Community College. His writings on synthesis, sound design and gear can be found in top publications such as Keyboard magazine, Computer Music Magazine, and CDM. Francis has contributed synthesizer presets to just about every major manufacturer of hardware and software synths. It is quite likely you have some of his sounds in your collection.
This is the second time Francis has taken time to be on the podcast; he is our first repeat guest! Francis discusses his teaching and some of the projects he has been involved in over the past year. It was a wide ranging conversation with plenty of interesting tangents, as well as lots of useful and practical information about sound design, synthesis, and even #vanlife. Enjoy!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Official Site - The main hub for Francis's work.
Instagram - Follow Francis's journeys in sound design and #vanlife.
SympleSound - Francis's store for his sound and preset packs.
Scapes - Synthesized recreations of natural environments.
Francis' Apple News Channel - a great way to keep up with Francis's work.
Serum Toolkit 3 - The 3rd installment of Francis's critically-acclaimed Serum presets.
Austin Community College - Where Francis teaches. Look for big growth here in the arts and music departments.
Free Serum Winter Pack - A collection of Serum sounds made by Francis's Synthesis 2 students.
Synthwave for System 8 - Francis teamed up with Carma Studios to produce this collection of retro synth sounds for the Roland System 8.
Korg Volca Modular Review - Francis's thoughts on the new Volca from Korg.
Music Production Podcast #38 - My first podcast with Francis.
And some topics that came up after we stopped recording...
Sound Waves Levitate Small Objects
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
It's time for another NAMM show! This weekend, manufacturers from around the world will gather in Los Angeles to showcase their latest gear. It's one of the most exciting times of the year for music makers. Perhaps there will be the announcement of that magic piece of gear that will finally enable you to release all that music locked up inside you...
The truth is, you probably already have everything you need to make that music. And further more, much of what you have likely sits in your studio gathering dust, never having reached its full potential. Unfortunately, us artists are extremely vulnerable to and new advances in technology and the clever marketing that accompanies it.
In this episode, I try to offer some ideas and thoughts on how we can fight the inevitable gear lust NAMM brings us. Stay strong and fight off the NAMM gear lust!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
NAMM - National Association of Music Merchants website.
Music Radar - Music Radar's wall to wall coverage of NAMM.
Moog Sub Phatty PLUCKS - a FREE Ableton Live Pack to quench the thirst for new gear.
PLUCKS - my latest premium collection of instruments for Ableton Live and Logic Pro X. (Sorry, I know putting that link here is a bit hypocritical!)
EchoMelt - Psychic Modulation's beautiful VST/AU audio effect machine.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Zaak Kerstetter is an Ableton Certified Trainer, producer and performer. He makes music as Zenotope, combining elements of glitch, ambient, downtempo, and bass with doses of classical and sci-fi. Zaak has worked at many different music production schools and is currently working and teaching at KMGLife.
I met Zaak at Ableton Loop in November, and we hit it off immediately. We talked about making music, production tips, and education philosophy. So I was excited to pick up our conversation in a more focused setting. With a background in punk rock and experimental music, Zaak has some unique insights about producing electronic music and building a community of music makers.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Zenotope - Keep up with Zaak’s music.
KMG Academy - Zaak heads up the Ableton Music Production Program.
Boulder Ableton User Group - Zaak organizes the Boulder, Colorado Ableton Live User Group.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Sahil Lavingia is a designer, writer, painter, and creator of Gumroad. Gumroad is a platform designed for artists to sell and share their work; it’s what I use to distribute all of my own products. While still a teenager, Sahil was the first designer for Pinterest.
Sahil and I had an awesome conversation about art, music, and the creative process. We discussed simplicity and productivity. I was immediately struck by the depth of his focus and his ability to see connections between so many seemingly different areas of life. This conversation transcends any one form of art and applies to just about any activity one might partake in.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Gumroad - The platform Sahil creator for artists to share their work with the world.
Twitter - Follow Sahil on Twitter.
Instagram - Keep up with Sahil’s artwork.
Across the Border - A charming and engaging short story by Sahil.
AfroDJMac Music Production Club - Get the January 2019 download, PLUCKS for Ableton Live and Logic Pro X.
PLUCKS Ableton Live and Logic Pro Pack
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Cuckoo is well-known for his playful personality, fun music, and deep music-gear tutorials with the little circular mirror. Music Radar just voted him the best music tech personality in the world. I first came across Cuckoo in 2011 when he started producing some of the best OP-1 tutorials, which showed me creative ways to use the OP-1. Since then, he has consistently stepped up his game, providing ever more useful tutorials, sound packs, and inspiring jams.
After months of discussion, Cuckoo and I finally found a time to talk that fit our 6-hour timezone separation. Cuckoo generously shared some of his tips at staying productive and completing big projects. But he also opened up about the challenges of creation that we all face. It was comforting to know that someone like Cuckoo, with near superhuman output, still struggles to overcome these very human challenges. He offered some of his techniques he uses to persevere. It was a great candid and relaxing conversation that I’ve been excited to have for some time now. Enjoy!
Show Notes:
Official Site - Connect to all things Cuckoo.
Instagram - Check out Cuckoo’s jams and explorations of his musical toys.
YouTube - Plenty of long-form tutorials on the latest gear.
Patreon - Cuckoo’s work involves a lot of time, energy, and experience, if you like it, help him out!
Samples and Packs - Lots of unique and Cuckoo-styled sound packs.
BandCamp - Listen to Cuckoo’s music.
Music Radar - Music Radar just named Cuckoo the best music tech personality in the world!
Tindra’s Light - Cuckoo’s animated short film.
Cuckoo Clothing - Get your Cuckoo shirts, hoodies, and tank tops.
VDMX - Live visuals software.
Do Ink - iPad animation software.
Yea Yea Yea - Short cartoon music video I made some years ago.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Margaret Harmer is a trained percussionist and electronic music producer. She runs a professional recording and production studio called Shifting Waves. Margaret just finished work on Voices From Eris, a collaborative album featuring female electronic artists from around the world. Voices From Eris brings together women of all different backgrounds, and is made up of all different styles of electronic music.
I first met Margaret through my work with Berklee Online, while facilitating the Ableton Live sampling course. Maraget’s music and her dedication to growth and exploration stood out immediately. In this episode of the podcast, Margaret discusses her work, background, and the tremendous effort which went into Voices From Eris.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Official Site - The main place for Margaret’s work.
Voices From Eris - Foundraiser site.
Voices From Eris - SoundCloud site.
Voices From Eris - BandCamp site.
The store of Voices From Eris - Margaret writes about the process of producing the album.
YouTube - Margaret’s performances and experiments.
Shifting Waves - Margaret’s recording studio and label.
The artists featured in the episode:
Meri Nikula / Ode To The Women Who Were Silenced
Sweden
Jude Casseday aka dejacusse / Song of Sirens
Durham, North Carolina, USA
https://soundcloud.com/dejacusse
Rosa Latva / Merenneito
Finland
Peggy Nelson / Sagitta
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
https://soundcloud.com/otolythe
Sissel Berntsen / Black stone gong
Norway
https://soundcloud.com/sissle/wldpool2017
Sofy Yuditskaya / Persephone’s song
New York, USA
Margaret Harmer / There is a way
Geneva, Switzerland
https://www.youtube.com/user/MargaretHarmer
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Huston Singletary is the lead sound designer for preset creation at Ableton. He heads a team of sound designers that create the “sound” of Live. Over the years, Huston has done sound design and preset creation for numerous instruments, including Omnisphere, Novation Peak, Prophet X, and so many more. He documents a lot of his work and experiments on his Instagram page. Today, Ableton has released a free gift created by Huston called Singularities. Singularities is a collection of 40 Instrument Racks Huston built from samples of classic synthesizers.
In this episode, Huston discusses his role at Ableton and the team of talented sound designers he has assembled to create the beautiful palette of sounds featured in Ableton Live. He discusses his brand new free pack, Singularities, which is available on Ableton’s site for all versions of Ableton Live 10. Huston generously shares some of his wisdom on designing sounds, programming synths, and working with a well-rounded team of talented sound designers. This one is a real treat for the synth-nerds out there! Enjoy.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Singularities - 40 free Ableton Live Instruments from Ableton, created by Huston.
Instagram - Huston has been posting great jams and performances on IG.
Bandcamp - Listen to Huston’s music on Bandcamp.
Art + Music + Technology - Listen to Huston on Darwin Grosse’s excellent podcast.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Claire Marie Lim is a music technologist, interdisciplinary artist, and live performance designer. A recent graduate of Berklee College of Music, Claire is a multi-instrumentalist who produces music as dolltr!ck. Claire has played an important role in planning and developing Berklee’s new Electronic Digital Instrument program, which welcomes modern technologies such as drum pads, MIDI controllers, and laptops as instruments of study. Claire’s work is paving the way for the future of music education.
In this episode, Claire discusses her work at Berklee and in the school’s revolutionary Electronic Digital Instrument program. We examine where traditional musical instruments and performances meet modern technologies and genres. Many interesting questions are raised in how new music technologies and tools can find a home in the structure of traditional educational programs, as well as how these technologies challenge the fundamental structure of the programs.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Official Site - The main hub for Claire’s professional work.
dolltrick - Claire’s work as the artist dolltr!ck
Own Devices - Pieces for motion and electronics
Eventuate - Claire’s EDI friend who performs and makes music with his modular rig, Monome grid + arc, and electric guitar
BeatMask - instrument that converts beatboxing to drum samples in real-time
Shawn Wasabi clip that is often shared by Berklee faculty
Toss of a Dice - choreography by Jiri Kylian
Jesper Nordin - Creator of Gestrument on the Music Production Podcast
Jacob Haq - iOS YouTuber on the Music Production Podcast
Let’s Get Physical - Music Production Podcast about the importance of movement while making music.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.comfor music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Evan Chandler produces music as Slynk. He’s known for his unique blend of funk and EDM, and has an amazing collection of YouTube tutorials that dive deep into music production. Evan’s work has a unique character and originality that has brought him much success as an artist.
Evan and I had a pretty wide ranging conversation. I was excited to learn how he makes his music move with so much groove; he shared some great tips. We spoke about his work and touring, as well as how teaching can often be the best way to learn. I found Evan’s overall attitude and approach to work really inspiring. There’s a lot of great info in this episode. Enjoy!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Slynk’s Official Site - the hub of all things Slynk.
YouTube - Slynk has a ton of useful and deep music production tutorials.
SoundCloud - Listen to Slynk’s music. Put it on at a party. Watch everyone have fun.
Chop That Wood by Milez Benjamin - Great example of that drunken loose swing.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Dan Giffin is a musician, producer, and engineer, who runs the site Live Producers Online, which is a social membership site for learning Ableton Live. Dan’s podcast, Ableton Live Music Producers Podcast, centers around learning Ableton Live, and features many exciting guests who share their own personal stories and experience. Philia is the name of Dan’s musical project, and he just released a new album, Miracles Happen All The Time Vol. 1.
I’ve been a fan of Dan’s podcast for a while now, and after meeting at Ableton Loop, we finally connected and had the chance to talk. Dan talks about how he arrived where he is today, recording, producing, and engineering at The Lodge Recording Studios. He discusses his music and his teaching of Ableton Live. Dan shared lots of interesting stories we can all learn from.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Live Producers Online - a social learning web site for Ableton Live, run by Dan.
Ableton Live Music Producer Podcast - Dan’s podcast. Catch me on the Audio Effects Tips and Tricks Episode.
Philia - Dan’s musical project.
Miracles Happen Vol. 1 - Dan’s new album.
DanGiffin.com - Dan’s official web site.
The Artisan’s Soul by Erwin Raphael McManus
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
ince Cimo is the creator of DataLooper, a hardware guitar-pedal-style controller, that makes live looping with Ableton Live quick and easy. We were joined by Vir McCoy, who was jamming with Vince to discover ways he could incorporate DataLooper into his workflow. DataLooper was created to simplify live looping, and Vince is actively seeking suggestions from his user base to make DataLooper the ultimate device for live looping.
It was exciting to speak with Vince and Vir. We spoke about the creation of DataLooper, the potential for finding inspiration in Eastern music scales, and so much more. They both shared their background as musicians who are curious to find new sounds and new ways to express their creativity.
Vince also created two Ableton Live Projects, featuring an assortment of AfroDJMac Ableton Live instruments, to demonstrate how easy it is to live loop with DataLooper. Download the sessions for free in the show notes below.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
DataLooper - Vince’s creation to make live looping a breeze.
YouTube - Vince’s work as a musician and the developer of DataLooper.
Mannequins by Day - Vince’s band.
House of Hamsa -Vir McCoy’s band.
Vir McCoy YouTube - Check out Vir’s performances.
Bass Station 2.5 Update - Novation Bass Station’s new firmware features microtuning features.
DataLooper in Action - Free Ableton Live Pack #177 - Download Vince’s Ableton Live Sessions using an assortment of AfroDJMac Ableton Live Instruments and DataLooper.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Neil “Nail” Alexander is a multi-genre, multi-instrumentalist from the Hudson Valley in New York. Neil’s work spans just about every genre from jazz and classical to modern EDM and ambient. He is an avid live performer who incorporates both acoustic and electronic elements into his performances, and combines jazz sensibilities to electronic composition. Neil runs the Hudson Valley Ableton Live user group.
I spoke with Neil about his wide range of work and how he manages to wear multiple musical hats. Neil had some important wisdom on live performance and improvisation. It was great to finally sit down and talk with Neil after years of online interactions and finally meeting face to face at Ableton Loop.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
YouTube - Keep up with Neil’s work and performances.
Nail Jung - Soft Invaders - Live Performance on WPRB
The X Ensemble - Neil’s Contemporary Chamber Music Ensemble
Mr. Gone - Psychedelic Electric Jazz
Thunderhead Organ Trio - Hi Octane Jet Fuel Groove
Decora - Hip Hop artist Neil works with.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
I went to Ableton Loop in Los Angeles and it was an incredibly valuable experience. There were excellent panels, discussions, meet ups, and performances. But aside from the scheduled events, some of the best moments were the moments between events. I had the chance to meet and talk to so many interesting people. I finally got to meet 3-D, real life versions of tons of people I’ve followed and interacted with through the computer screen. The spirit of the event was welcoming and inspiring.
Besides loads of inspiration, I took home some important lessons. In this episode, I share some of those with you. They are lessons from the panels and workshops, as well as wisdom I picked up during the many conversations I had with other attendees. I’ve already began to apply some of the concepts to my own work and life, and I hope they can help you too!
Show Notes:
Ableton Loop - Official website
Making Music - Dennis DeSantis’s extremely helpful book.
Ethan Hein on the Music Production Podcast
Madeleine Bloom on the Music Production Podcast
Underbelly on the Music Production Podcast
Isaac Cotec on the Music Production Podcast
Josh Spoon on the Music Production Podcast
Laura Escude on the Music Production Podcast
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Ableton’s Loop is a summit for music makers. It’s an incredible get together for people in the music production community to meet and share ideas. The schedule of events is amazing, and there are opportunities to talk, face to face, with so many brilliant people.
I was hanging around the Maker Zone, when Angelica from Ableton asked if I’d like to do a short presentation. Since I have a thing or two to say about making sounds, I gladly accepted.
This episode is the audio of that talk. I recorded it on my Roland R-07 field recorder, and did my best to clean it up for this show. It was quite an honor to give this talk in front of so many people I admire, including Francis Preve, Slynk, Elisabeth and James from Synthtopia, Josh Spoon, and many more. My hope is that the talk fills you with a sense of empowerment to go and find your own sounds to create your own sound.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Ableton Loop - A summit for music makers.
100 Year Old Piano Free Ableton Live Pack
Instruments from a Snapple Can Free Ableton Live Pack
Synthtopia - Thanks for providing the picture :)
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
We carefully budget our money, so why aren’t we as careful with our time? In this episode, we Reflect on and Apply words of wisdom from the very first guest on this podcast, Ben Burnes. Ben advocates budgeting your music production time carefully for maximum productivity. By carefully scheduling your time, you can get more important work done and avoid wasting time on insignificant tasks. You can also download a free Music Production Schedule I made to help us all be more efficient with our time.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Ben Burnes - Ben on the Music Production Podcast… my first guest!
Music Production Schedule - Budget your time like money using this Google Spreadsheet. (Go to File-Add to My Drive to save).
100 Year Old Piano - Free Ableton Live and Logic Pro Instrument Pack.
Ben Burnes on YouTube - Check out Ben’s prolific output of videos and downloads.
Seconds Pro - High Intensity Interval Training, great for budgeting music production tasks.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Jakob Haq is a mobile musician from Sweden. He all of his music using either iOS or other portable devices, no computer! On his YouTube channel, haQ attaQ, Jakob shares his accumulated knowledge from over 25 years of music making. Jakob specializes in what he calls “Docu-torials” on new iOS apps and portable music making gear.
After crossing paths for years, I finally got a chance to speak with Jakob on the podcast. Jakob shares some tips on how he stays productive and avoids procrastination. He was very candid about his thoughts on the current state of mobile music making, Apple, and YouTube. Jakob addresses and raises some very important concerns about the direction of music making and the avenues we as creators have for reaching our audiences.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
haQ attaQ - Jakob’s official YouTube page.
Patreon - A great way to support the great work Jakob does.
Bandcamp - Listen to Jakob’s music.
SoundCloud - Listen to more of Jakob’s music.
Facebook - Jakob on Facebook, where he is sometimes streaming live.
Twitter - Connect with Jakob on Twitter.
Instagram - Some nice photos and videos…
Moog Minimoog vs. Model D - a great comparison of the app and the hardware.
My Best Work Yet? - A beautiful piece of music by Jakob.
Apple Loves Your Money - Entertaining criticism of the world’s first trillion dollar company.
Discchord - All things iOS music making.
Tim Webb on the Music Production Podcast - Discchord’s creator on the podcast.
Cocoscope - New alternative video hosting site.
LumaFusion - Video Editing iOS app.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
This episode is the beginning of a new type of episode on the Music Production Podcast, “Reflect and Apply.” Each episode will reflect on a lesson we learned from a guest on the show, and discuss ways to apply that lesson to our work.
Today’s lesson is about the importance of involving the body in our music production work. DiViNCi spoke about this idea in episode #33, and today we look at ways to incorporate a little more physicality into our music.
Show Notes:
Episode #33 with DiViNCi - The episode that inspired this discussion.
LATE 80’s DIGITAL - Ableton Live and Logic Pro pack, the sounds of yesterday’s tomorrow.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Diego Stocco is a sound designer, instrument builder, and explorer of sounds. Diego is a master at finding music in places ordinary people do not hear it. As an imaginative craftsman, Diego has created a collection of instruments made from natural and found objects, and instrument parts. He uses his otherworldly creations to score films and trailers, design sounds for Spectrasonics, and create his own unique music. His work proves that there is still so much sound to explore in our world.
I’ve wanted to chat with Diego for a long time now. In the world of sound designers, he is a superhero. What became immediately clear in our conversation was his passion for his work. Diego makes you want to find new sounds in new places. I’m amazed at how such a well-trained musician can see past what he calls “problems of preconceptions” and explore sound as if it was the first time he ever encountered it. Diego generously shared so much wisdom and insight about his work and sound in general.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Official website - Check out Diego’s body of work.
BeHance - Explore more of Diego’s musical and sound design work.
Albums - Some of Diego’s music, using his handmade instruments and natural sounds.
Made of Sound - The latest audio/visual work, featuring music made with 17 custom instruments.
Custom Built Orchestra - Diego’s orchestra of unusually unique instruments.
Spectrasonics - Diego is one of the principal sound designer, working on Omnisphere and Stylus RMX.
Ennio Morricone - The legendary composer.
3-D Ambisonic Microphones - CDM’s piece on the future of microphones.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Johan Sundhage is a developer at Klevgrand. For the last few years, Klevgrand has been making a huge impression on producers with their plug-ins for DAWs and iOS. Klevgrand combines a somewhat outside-the-box approach to their devices, centered around design and usability. Many of their devices manage to take complex audio concepts and present them in beautifully intuitive interfaces.
I had the chance to speak to Johan about the creation process at Klevgrand. Johan reveals how he and a small team of developers manage to take each other’s ideas and turn them into reality. It was great to learn about the collaborative process and the philosophical framework that underlies Klevgrand’s work. This episode is an exciting look into the workings of a company producing unique and inspiring tools.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Klevgrand - Makers of exciting plug-ins for DAWs and iOS devices.
Klevgrand Products - Check out the extensive collection of interesting audio devices.
Brusfri - Noise reduction plug-in that I frequently use on this podcast.
Projects - Check out some of the video work Klevgrand does.
Web Cassette - Klevgrand’s Cassette plug-in that runs in your web browser.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Jesper Nordin is a leading Swedish composer who has garnered considerable international acclaim in recent years. Jesper Nordin has also had huge success with his iOS app Gestrument that is based on his own composition technique.
I sat down with Jesper to talk about his new app Gestrument Pro, which sits somewhere between composition and instrument. It’s a beautiful app that makes excellent use of the touch screen interface. Jesper talked about his work as a composer, pushing boundaries of electro-acoustic music, and how he tricks himself to write music he didn’t know he likes. It was a fascinating conversation that gave me some new perspectives on creating music.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Jesper Nordin - Official web site.
Gestrument - Powerful gesture-based instrument for iOS.
Gestrument on the App Store - Buy Gestrument!
Gestrument in Concert - A look at the groundbreaking performances for Gestrument, orchestra, and clarinet.
Euronews - Coverage of clarinetist and conductor, Martin Fröst, using Gestrument.
Polar Talks - Jesper’s presentation on Gestrument and how it is integrated with the orchestra.
Emerging from Currents and Waves - Behind the scenes about Jesper’s latest work “Emerging from Currents and Waves,” featuring Gestrument, orchestra, and clarinet.
Tim Webb Explores Gestrument - Tim from Discchord takes us through a detailed exploration of Gestrument.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian Funk
AfroDJMac
Lynden Williams is a producer from Salt Lake City, Utah, who makes music as Divorce Court. Divorce Court is a chill wave, lo-fi project electronic project inspired by Lynden’s memories of youth and old home movies. I appreciate the consistent theme of faded memories and emotions, which the lo-fi nature of the music and his live visuals of old home videos bring to life.
Lynden and I spoke quite a lot about producing music, arrangements, and live performance. We spoke about the challenge we all face in believing in a musical project long enough to bring it into existence. We covered a range of topics that left me feeling inspired and better equipped to make music.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
This episode is sponsored by Splice. Splice is the creative hub for modern musicians. Head over to splice.com/afrodjmac-create and use the code: AFRODJMAC to get a free month of Splice Sounds.
Show Notes:
Divorce Court - Official Site.
Spotify - Listen to Divorce Court tracks
SoundCloud - Divorce Court on SoundCloud
Bandcamp - Divorce Court Bandcamp
Instagram - Divorce Court on Instagram
Lately.fm - a playlist of Divorce Court-approved artists
Lately.fm Playlist - September 2018 playlist.
Writer’s Block - A playlist Lynden created to combat writer’s block. Great idea!
Subaqueous - the work of Ableton Certified Trainer, Isaac Cotec.
Subaqueous on the Music Production Podcast.
ELPHNT - the work of Ableton Certified Trainer, Tom Glendinning
ELPHNT on the Music Production Podcast.
Samples From Mars - Great place for samples for your projects.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian
I just finished reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and The Practicing Mind by Thomas Sterner. Both books contain wisdom and insight that can help us with music production.
In this episode, I discuss some of the important lessons I learned from the books, such as hard work surpasses talent and genius, we need to reframe the way we look at goals, and no one makes it alone.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
The Practicing Mind by Thomas Sterner
Revisionist’s History - Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast
Synth Brass Ableton Live Pack - 32 Ableton Live Instruments made from synthesized brass sounds programmed and sampled from the Prophet 6 analog synthesizer.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian
Anthony Clint Jr., or just Clint, is seasoned producer and musician, creating hip hop, jazz, pop, and neo-soul. He's found quite a bit of success in music licensing. His work has been placed in film and on TV networks like MTV, VH-1, NBC, Fox Sports and more. Clint has been generously sharing his knowledge and experience with fellow producers on his site Clint Productions.
Clint and I had a nice conversation spanning many different topics relevant to making music. He has some great thoughts on maintaining positive work relationships with other artists, staying creative and productive in the studio, and of course on music licensing. Clint has learned how to stay focused and productive, and he has graciously shared many of those ideas with us. Enjoy!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
This episode is sponsored by Splice. Splice is the creative hub for modern musicians. Head over to splice.com/afrodjmac and use the code: AFRODJMAC to get a free month of Splice Sounds.
Show Notes:
Clint Productions - Check out Clint's website, with tutorials, blogs, webinars, and free guides.
How to Get TV and Film Placements - Clint's free webinar that will help you get started with music licensing.
How to Produce Music Faster - Great video on getting things done in the studio.
Make Mistakes in the Studio - Nice piece on getting in the right mindset for doing work, featuring some serious guitar shredding.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian
Mikas is the creator of We Make Dance Music, a site where producers can release and purchase DAW templates, sounds, and stems. He is an audio engineer and producer who founded the label Progressive Groove Records. Mikas has over 20 years of DJing and producing experience under his belt.
I enjoyed speaking with Mikas very much. He exudes a motivation and drive for making music and the community around We Make Dance Music. In the episode, we discuss how he started his business, why he rarely uses 3rd party plugins, and how he has manages to finish nearly all of the music he starts.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
This episode is sponsored by Splice. Splice is the creative hub for modern musicians. Head over to splice.com/afrodjmac-create and use the code: AFRODJMAC to get a free month of Splice Sounds.
Show Notes:
We Make Dance Music - Mikas's site for producers to upload and purchase templates, sounds, and stems. Mikas is generously offering listeners of the podcast 20% off their purchase if they use the code: WMDMM20
Progressive Groove Records - The label Mikas founded.
We Make Dance Music Blog - Helpful articles about making music.
Progressive Groove Records SoundCloud - Listen to the label's work.
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Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.comfor music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian
Sometimes we learn our biggest lessons when things don't go right. Failure can be our best teacher, and we grow when we take risks.
Last week, I performed at the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo. It's a huge event where people gather to celebrate and play their favorite retro video games. I performed on Saturday night. This episode of the podcast is all about the lessons I learned, some of them the hard way.
I decided to write all new music and design a new performance setup for the show. Unfortunately, I waited way too long to get started and, as a result, was very underprepared for the performance. Luckily, it went a lot better than I thought it did and I learned some important lessons that I share with you. At the end of the episode, you can hear my entire, unedited performance, and judge it for yourself. Enjoy!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
This episode is sponsored by Splice. Splice is the creative hub for modern musicians. Head over to splice.com/afrodjmac-music and use the code: AFRODJMAC to get a free month of Splice Sounds.
Show Notes:
Long Island Retro Gaming Expo - A old school video game fan's dream come true.
Consoul - Incredible big band video game music.
Super Thrash Bros. - Heavy metal video game music.
VGM Collective - A jazzy take on video game music.
Destryur - Synthwave, horror movie music.
LSDJ - Little Sound DJ for Gameboy
Super 8-Bit Ableton Live Pack - 150 Ableton Live Instruments made from samples of NES and Gameboy.
COIN-OP - 8-Bit Chip Sounds Ableton Live Template.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian
Ari Herstand is a musician, blogger, and author. In December 2016, he released How to Make It in the New Music Business. The book is currently high on the Amazon charts for music business books and is used in university classrooms. Ari takes his experiences, successes, and failures and turned them into one of the most informative books you can get on creating a career in today's music business.
I had a great conversation with Ari, who was full of energy and enthusiasm. Ari dispels some common myths about the music industry and delivers an often much-needed wake-up call to artists of any genre. I love Ari's tone and delivery. His book and blog, as well as this conversation, are a straight-forward, occasionally harsh, but always-inspiring kick in the pants. He makes points that we all need to hear, and he does it with the purest of intentions. Enjoy!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
This episode is sponsored by Splice. Splice is the creative hub for modern musicians. Head over to splice.com/afrodjmac and use the code: AFRODJMAC to get a free month of Splice Sounds.
Show Notes:
Official Site - Ari's official web site and main hub to all of his work.
Ari's Take - A wide variety of advice for musicians, producers, and performers straight from Ari's own experience.
How to Make It in the New Music Business - Indispensable and essential book for anyone looking to make a career with music. I recommend the audio book version, read by Ari himself.
Brassroots District - Ari's new musical project, a throwback soul-funk band. Definitely take a look to see the clear and intentional "artistic message" of the project.
Digital Distribution - Ari's extensive breakdown of the various ways to digitally release your music.
How to Get Hired or Fired - Important read if you want the job.
How to Negotiate - This is an important skill to learn for your career.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian
Madeleine Bloom runs the site Sonic Bloom for "all things Ableton Live, Push, and Max for Live," and the site is truly a treasure trove for tutorials, downloads, and more. The site grew out of her experience as Ableton tech support, and makes for an interesting story of the unpredictable path life often gives us. Madeleine's music is a beautiful combination of the organic and the electronic. It's interesting in both emotional and technical perspectives.
I had a great and very wide ranging conversation with Madeleine. The show actually starts off with an extensive discussion about health and fitness, often one of the first things we let go of as workloads grow. From there, we get into making music, workflow, and more.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
This episode is sponsored by Splice. Splice is the creative hub for modern musicians. Head over to splice.com/afrodjmac-music and use the code: AFRODJMAC to get a free month of Splice Sounds.
Show Notes:
Sonic Bloom - Madeleine's web site for "All Things Ableton Live, Push & Max for Live."
Official Site - Learn about Madeleine's music and read her blog.
Bandcamp - Check out Madeleine's releases.
Patchwork - Madeleine's 2012 album EP.
Max for Cats - Powerful and unique Max for Live devices.
Ableton Live Skins - Madeleine will give your Ableton Live a complete makeover.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick - Joe Rogan interviews Dr. Rhonda Patrick, expert on nutritional health.
Nutrition Facts - Madeleine asked me to post this link as an alternative perspective in response to the Dr. Rhonda Patrick link above, who Madeleine disagrees with.
Matthew Walker - Joe Rogan interviews Matthew Walker, sleep expert.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian
Peter Nyboer works for Sensel, a company that produces the Morph, a multi-touch, pressure sensitive USB and Bluetooth controller. The Morph is used for music producers, artists, gamers, and developers. It features easily swappable overlays for those many different applications. Peter also worked for Livid Instruments, makers of custom MIDI controllers and instruments.
Peter and I discussed the Morph and his experience with Sensel, Livid, and various music-focused tech companies. Peter lays out the challenges of developing hardware in a rapidly technological world. It was great talking with him, enjoy!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Sensel - Makers of Morph, multi-touch, pressure sensitive, USB and Bluetooth controller.
Morph - Details about the Morph controller.
Ableton Live Control Surface Script - Use this to make Ableton Live immediate recognize and understand Morph.
Livid Instruments - seriously awesome music products for live performance, electronic production, and DJs.
Mod Devices - Makers of MOD Duo audio effects, instruments, and more device.
Sensel Morph Kit - Free Ableton Live Pack I made for the Sensel Morph (works with or without any controller though).
Factory Instruments and Percussion - Two Free Ableton Live Packs I made with samples from the Livid Instruments factory.
SoundCloud - Check out Peter's music, under the name Slambassador.
Redactive Audio - Big thanks to Scott of Redactive Audio, who has helped me clean up some audio files for the podcast.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian
Cristofer Odqvist is an audio engineer, sound designer, and the author of Making Sound: Creative Music Production Tips and Philosophies. Making Sound is a valuable resource for producers because it gives actual techniques you can put to work in your projects. Behind each technique are philosophical ideas and guidelines which will further guide your work in the future.
In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, Cristofer talks about his beginnings as an engineer and how he learned to improve his craft. We talk about his book and some of the techniques and philosophies it uncovers. It was a great conversation with many valuable lessons that will certainly help in the music making process.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Making Sound - Cristofer's book of Creative Music Production Tips and Philosophies.
Twitter - Cristofer's Twitter feed is loaded with quick tips and inspiring ideas for producers.
The Pro Audio Files - A collection of tutorials Cristofer has written.
Thank you for listening. Please consider giving the Music Production Podcast a review on your favorite podcast provider. And don’t forget to visit my site AfroDJMac.com for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian
Alessio Santini is the founder and lead developer of K-Devices. K-Devices specializes in music creation devices for Max for Live and iOS. Their slogan is "colorize your sound" and they focus on devices that have smart user interfaces, are easy to use, and have light CPU usage. Recently K-Device released their second batch of OOG, or Out of Grid, Max for Live devices. This series specializes in adding some variety and fluidity to your music and exploring rhythms that deviate from the musical time grid that so much music is bound to.
On this episode of the Music Production Podcast, Alessio talked to me about the philosophy behind his programming, how the design and limitations of our instruments influence the music we make, and his background as a doom-metal guitarist.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
K-Devices - Max for Live and iOS devices created by Alessio and his team.
Shaper - K-Devices first iOS app for audio effects.
OOG Series - OOG stands for Out Of Grid. A collection of sequencers and tools for interesting timings.
Blog - Keep up with news on K-Devices
Kenter - Alessio's new EP. Love the guitar and drum work here!
Elli - Alessio's record label.
Thank you for listening. Please visit my site AfroDJMac for music production tutorials, videos, and Ableton Live devices.
Brian
Tim Webb has gone to great lengths to bring us the latest and greatest in iOS music making news. His site Discchord.com covers all the latest releases, updates, and relevant YouTube walkthroughs, jams, and reviews of music making software for iPhone and iPad. In a refreshing blast of honesty, Tim is not afraid to tell you what apps suck and are not worth your time. He has been a faithful supporter of developers and app users worldwide for the better part of the last decade.
Tim was kind enough to sit down with me for a in-depth discussion about his work, developing apps, and creating and maintaining a one person business. He offers important lessons on discipline and sincerity that are applicable to all kinds of pursuits. Tim has been extremely supportive of my own work and the work of many creatives who put themselves and their art on the web. It was a pleasure to finally speak with him and learn some important lessons and viewpoints on running a successful music-based business.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Discchord - Tim's website, dedicated to covering all things iOS music making. Buy your apps through his affiliate links to help support Tim's work, at no cost to you.
YouTube - Check out Tim's videos on iOS apps and music production tutorials.
Twitter - Follow Tim's work on Twitter.
Patreon - Support Tim on Patreon.
Everyone Can Play Music - A great video series, and the one that helped me learn my Korg MS-20. Thanks Tim!
Let's Play with Apps - Tim explores a variety of iOS music apps.
API Hack - Tim's own app for doing things I don't understand!
Cassini - One of Tim's favorite synth apps.
Foodman - We spoke about this article on Ableton.com about Foodman's unique approach to music making.
Expanding Sound - Music production tutorials, sound packs, and music from my good friend, Mike Longo.
Thanks for listening! Be sure to head over to AfroDJMac.com to follow my work.
If you’ve enjoyed the show, please consider leaving a review where you get your podcasts!
Thanks, Brian
Christopher Postill runs the web site Sounds Like an Earful, where he offers music for podcasters, video makers, and anyone that needs professional quality music for their creative projects. Christopher runs a podcast editing business and works as a graphic and web designer.
Christopher's work interests me because he is taking his passion for music making and sound editing and turned it into a successful business. In this episode, Christopher discusses his work and balancing it with a day job. He talks about staying focused and disciplined, while avoiding burn out. I especially enjoyed his perspective on setting clear and attainable goals, which he can use as personal landmarks for his success.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Sounds Like An Earful - Christopher's site where he licenses his music for creative projects.
The Community Roadmap - Christopher is very open and clear about his goals for his work, and he shares those parameters here. Twitter - Connect with Christopher on Twitter.
Sleep With Me Podcast - Bedtime stories to help adults fall asleep.
Thanks for listening! Please visit AfroDJMac.com for more podcasts, music production tutorials, sound packs etc…
Matthew Fecher is a music software developer and part of the AudioKit Pro team. AudioKit Pro provides free and open-source audio software for developers to use in their apps and software. He and an enormous team of developers and collaborators just released Synth One, a free and open-source iOS synthesizer.
I had a chance to talk with Matthew about the release of Synth One and the entire AudioKit Pro project. Matthew discussed working on a long term project and dealing with difficult setbacks. He explains how sharing ideas and working with others can lead to tremendous growth for an entire community of people. Matthew's enthusiasm and ability to think big is truly contagious, and the lessons he has learned can be applied to all types of projects.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
AudioKit Pro - Free and open-source audio development toolkit, powering millions of app installs.
Synth One - The powerful and beautiful sounding Free and open-source iOS synthesizer app.
FM Player - Free and open-source iOS sample player, featuring sounds of classic DX FM synthesizers.
Matthew's Website - follow Matthew's work here.
AutoPad - iOS for playing background pads, made with AudioKit Pro.
AudioBus Forum - A great community for developers of music apps.
Ego is the Enemy - Ryan Holiday's book about the enemy within.
How do we take an 8 bar loop and turn it into a finished song? It's probably the question people ask me most. As my students at Berklee are putting the finishing touches on their final project, it has been a major point of discussion. Then I received an email from a listener named Ed, who was seeking some advice on how to finish tracks.
In this episode, I discuss the issues we all face in finishing songs. This is definitely not an end all be all - there's certainly room for a part 2 and 3 and 53 - but this episode answers attempts to answer the particular problems that have come up in the last few days.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
DREAM KEYS Ableton Live Pack - a collection of bedtime, mellow synth-keys instruments for Ableton Live. Check out the free DREAM KEYS Lite Pack.
Making Music - Dennis DeSantis's absolute must-read book of 74 creative strategies for electronic music producers.
A Simple Mistake That Will Ruin Your Mixdown - A 2 minute Ableton Live Tip that shows how to end your tracks smoothly.
How to Make Music Like Marshmello - Using one song as a guide can be a powerful education experience.
Do you really need that new piece of gear? The truth is, probably not. Our modern day smart phones have more music making power than state of the art studios from just a few decades ago.
In this episode, we talk about gear lust and how it gets in the way of our creative process. Plus I offer a few challenges you can give yourself to overcome the urge to buy new gear, accomplish goals, and perhaps reward yourself with a new toy when appropriate.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
AfroDJMac Music Production Club - My monthly subscription service that gets you a download every month, as well as LOTS of other cool stuff when you join.
You Already Have Everything You Need to Make Music - My article for Berklee Online's Take Note Blog.
Peaceful Synths - Ableton Live Pack of softer, mellow synth sounds. Use this link (or input the code: podcast) to get it for half price.
SUBS - A collection of sub bass synthesizers or Ableton Live.
Take Note - Berklee Online's Blog. Lots of great information, tutorials, and interviews about making music.
Take Note Podcast - Berklee's podcast. This is the episode with Marlon Williams.
Waterfalls - My 150th Free Ableton Live Pack, made from samples of the waterfalls of Norway's Fjords.
Vincent Musolino is a physicist and the author of How Audio Works. In the book, Vincent gives important information about how sound originates from the instrument, is recorded by the microphone, converted to digital in the DAW, and then back to analog when it leaves the speakers. It's a very musician friendly guide to a very technical subject. It's a great book for anyone interested in understanding the physics behind sound.
In this episode, Vincent gives a detailed explanation of the journey sound takes and the nearly miraculous result that is music. We discuss the odd juxtaposition of the mathematical and emotional, the creative and the technical, that makes sound music. Enjoy this episode as there are powerful lessons that can dramatically enhance our musical productions.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
How Audio Works - Vincent's book about the journey sound takes from the instrument to the computer and out the speaker.
Fletcher-Munson Curve - How humans hear different frequencies.
Jon Hopkins on Song Exploder - Listen to Jon Hopkins break down a track from his new album.
Adam Neely at Loop - Adam Neely shows how everything is a rhythm.
Dan Carr runs the site ReverbMachine, which is one my favorite new discoveries. On the site, Dan dissects and recreates the synthesizer patches used on popular songs by artists such as Tame Impala, Kanye West, Beach House, Nine Inch Nails, and more. At the end of each post you can download the presets and project files he creates. It's a powerful tool for learning how to program synthesizers and apply effects to achieve popular sounds. Like me, Dan also began his journey into music by playing guitar. I find his approach to sound design reflects the mentality of guitar players with their pedals and amplifiers. Those techniques translate to synthesizer sound design in exciting ways.
I sat down for a conversation with Dan about his work and music production in general. Dan shared his process for dissecting the sounds from his favorite artists. It was a really fun conversation with a person doing some really exciting work for the music production community.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
ReverbMachine - Dan's Site where he dissects songs, recreates synth patches, and explores how artists make their music.
Recreating Frank Ocean Tracks - Dan's piece for Reverb.com all about the sounds of Frank Ocean.
Recreating Gone Girl - Another Reverb.com piece where Dan rebuilds Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' soundtrack for the film Gone Girl.
Synth Patches - Dan's collections of presets for popular synth plugins.
Ableton Sessions - Take a look under the hood as Dan recreates tracks by a wide range of artists.
Moog Prodigy - Vintage Synth Explorer review of a classic synth.
Soundtoys - We spoke a bit about their great plugins.
Tame Impala - A favorite artist for both me and Dan.
Tal Juno Chorus Plugin - It's free and sounds awesome.
Isaac Cotec is a musician, producer, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He makes music as Subaqueous and runs a website and YouTube channel about all things music production and Ableton Live. This summer he will run his 3rd Audio Grove Music Retreat.
I first met Isaac in 2013 when we were going for our Ableton certification. Since then, I've followed his work closely and collaborated with him on a few Ableton Live Packs.
This conversation with Isaac covers a lot of topics, including his Audio Grove Music Retreats, how he likes to batch his work together to be more productive, and his own workflow for the album writing process. It was a lot of fun catching up with Isaac and learning some of his tips and tricks to stay productive and inspired.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Official Site - Subaqueousmusic.com is where you will find all of Isaac's tutorials, music, and downloads.
Music - Check out Isaac's music on SoundCloud.
YouTube - Learn from Isaac and get some free downloads.
Silk Drop - Isaac's collaboration with Heather Christie.
Audio Grove Music Retreat - A peaceful getaway for music making.
Ableton - Isaac's bio on Ableton's web site.
Wavetable Course - Isaac created an in-depth course for Ableton's Wavetable Synthesizer.
The Round Wavetable - 32 free Wavetable Instruments that Isaac contributed to.
Wavetable Preset Tutorials - Learn to make Wavetable presets with Isaac.
Ice Caves Free Ableton Live Pack #99 - This is a really cool collection of Casio SK-1 instruments I made, combined with Ice Cave samples Isaac made.
Free Dubstep Beat Builder - Isaac is kind enough to offer his Dubstep Beat Builder for free to all AfroDJMac Music Production Club members!
You might not think that telling people they suck at producing is a good way to win over fans, but Underbelly has managed to take that approach and build a community of eager producers around it. His YouTube channel, You Suck at Producing, is growing at a hyper pace thanks to his powerful lessons and hilarious sense of humor. Underbelly packages important lessons in concise videos laced with a lighthearted attitude and dry humor.
As a fan of his work, I had a great time talking with Underbelly. He's a classically trained pianist and an adept producer. During our conversation, Underbelly discusses his approach to his work as a teacher and a musician. He highlights the importance of not taking ourselves so seriously as artists, but being serious about discipline and producing quality music. I found him especially nice to talk to because he has a balance of deep knowledge and skill, but is open and honest about his own struggles as a musician. Enjoy!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
You Suck at Producing - Underbelly's official page.
Underbelly's Youtube - A seriously hilarious and helpful channel for music production.
Music - Check out Underbelly's music on Soundcloud.
Private Lessons - Get some one-on-one time with Underbelly.
Live Looping Tutorial - A nice live looping tutorial Underbelly did for DJ TechTools.
Pyramind - Learn in the classroom with Underbelly.
Discord - Join in the conversation and perhaps your song will be roasted on Underbelly's live stream.
FKJ - Live looping guitarist.
StickK - Punish yourself for not accomplishing your goals by helping causes you don't like.
Recently, Dan from pATCHES asked me write a musical manifesto for his site. I was just finishing Samuel Adoquei's Origin of Inspiration: Seven Short Essays for Creative People. The book had struck me in a powerful way, so I wrote my manifesto based on 3 lessons I took from the book. This episode is my reading of that manifesto over some ambient music made from my Wind Chimes instruments and Isotonik Studios' Arcade Series Returns.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Origin of Inspiration - Samuel Adoquei's amazing book of "Seven Short Essays for Creative People."
My Manifesto on pATCHES - This is the original post on pATCHES of my essay on Origin of Inspiration.
Manifestos on pATCHES - Words of wisdom from some great minds in the music world.
pATCHES on the Music Production Podcast - A great talk with the men behind pATCHES.zone.
Ethan Hein on the Music Production Podcast - Ethan Hein drops some powerful knowledge.
Free Flutes for Ableton Live - Rozalind MacPhail supplied me with some great flute samples, which I turned into 7 free Ableton Live instruments.
Rozalind MacPhail on the Music Production Podcast - Rozalind speaks about her work.
Wind Chimes Ableton Live Pack - I used two of the instruments from this collection for the background music.
Isotonik Studios Arcade Series Returns - I used the Arkanoid to sequence the notes in the background music.
Mark Towers on the Music Production Podcast - Mark Towers is the creator of the Arcade Series.
This podcast was inspired by a student question. He asked "How do I get inspired to make music?" It's a great question, but I think it contains some underlying beliefs that need to be addressed. In this episode I encourage you to hunt for inspiration. To make yourself inspired. If you wait for inspiration, you'll never get anything done.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
The AfroDJMac Music Production Club - Get new production tools in your inbox every month.
The War of Art - Steven Pressfield's life changing book on making great art.
DiViNCi - Some powerful lessons on creativity and productivity from DiViNCi's talk on the Music Production Podcast.
No Such Thing As Writer's Block - I meant to mention this in the episode but forgot :( Great take on a common excuse!
Emilio Guarino is a bassist, music producer, and author of Make It: A Guide For Recent Music Graduates. His music ranges from orchestral to jazz and electronic. In his book, Make It, Emilio picks up where music school left off and offers practical tactics and insights one can use to begin a career as a musician.
It was really nice talking to Emilio about his experiences in the academic music world and how he has managed to bridge that world with the day to day life of a working musician. In this conversation, we talked about what it means to "make it," and the practices and philosophies one must embrace to find success in music.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Official Website - The hub for Emilio's work.
Make It - This book is not only covers the philosophical and practical path to finding success as a musician, but it just as easily serves as a metaphor for any creative endeavor.
Chromatic Endpin - An angled endpin Emilio designed for upright bassists.
Instagram - Follow Emilio visually.
You've Never Hear Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" - An NPR review of the classic album.
Akimbo - Seth Godin's new podcast.
Visit the Music Production Podcast webpage!
If you enjoy the show, please leave a review!
Ethan Hein teaches music technology NYU and Montclair State University. His blog covers all kinds of related topics on music theory and technology. Ethan's work is a must for anyone looking to go deep into studying music and the culture surrounding it.
Ethan and I had a great conversation about creating music, overcoming obstacles, and finding meaning in one's work. I really enjoy how Ethan is able to tie together concepts and illuminate new ways of understanding what music means and how it impacts us and reflects the state of our world.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Ethan Hein Blog- Tons of great writings on all things making music.
NYC Ableton Live User Group- Full video of an advanced user group meeting, featuring Ethan Hein, Ben Casey, Thomas Piper, and AfroDJMac.
Disquiet- The work of Mark Weindenbaum, where you can find the weekly Junto Project Ethan spoke about.
33 1/3- A series of books about albums.
Music Technology Syllabus- Ethan's syllabus for his Music Tech course at New York University.
John Holt runs The Audio Journey, which teaches music production, especially for beginners. Though he covers some of the most basic concepts in entering music production, he also covers some more complex ideas and problems most producers face when it comes to advancing and finishing tracks.
It's pretty obvious that John and I read a lot of the same books, listen to the same podcasts, and subscribe to a lot of the same philosophies. There's a lot of "yes! I love that book too!" moments. The result is a pretty extensive set of show notes to go along with this episode. We had a really nice conversation exploring some of the common problems producers of all levels face, and shared our different solutions with each other.
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
The Audio Journey YouTube Channel
Gary Vaynerchuk - for regular and swift motivational kicks in the @$$.
Keith Mills - Ableton Certified Trainer and founder of Quantize Courses.
Growth vs. Fixed Mindset - a great article about Carol Dweck's work on Brain Pickings.
Impact Theory - Videos on unlocking human potential.
Calm - an app for meditation.
10% Happier - Meditation without the "woo-woo" by Dan Harris.
Man's Search for Meaning - a powerful work by Viktor Frankl
Ryan Holiday - Author of The Obstacle is the Way and Ego is the Enemy.
Tim Ferriss - Author of the Four Hour Work Week and host of the Tim Ferriss Show
Stop Trying to Make Money Online - "The first step in making money online is to stop trying to make money online."
Tom Frampton is a producer, mixing and mastering engineer, author, and plugin designer. Never Get Stuck Again is his new book that gives producers a road map of the production process and practical and technical tips and techniques to navigate that map. His website Mastering the Mix, has great production tips and is where he offers his extremely helpful plugins.
Tom and I had a great conversation about problems in the production process and how to overcome them, as well as his own plugins and book. Lots of great insights in here!
Tom is graciously offering listeners of this podcast a free 15-day trial of all of his plugins, plus a free chapter of Never Get Stuck Again. Click here to get it!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
Mastering the Mix - Tom's web page, featuring a helpful blog, his book, and some great plugins.
Levels - A plugin that is taking track analysis to the next level!
Expose - A plugin that will show potential problems within your mix.
Reference - A plugin that allows you to compare you track to other tracks, and highlight the differences between yours and the reference.
Never Get Stuck Again - Tom's new book, packed with practical and technical help to finish music.
Decoding the Mix - Tom analyzes the top streaming song of 2017
19 Time Savers - A great list of ways to save time and energy in the studio.
Special Offer - Get a free trial of all three of Tom's plugins, plus a free chapter of Never Get Stuck Again.
It has been one year since this podcast began. Happy Birthday, Music Production Podcast! In this episode, we discuss where we would be in a year if we started something new today. Whether it is a couple of small steps or something dramatic, add it up over the course of 365 days and the effects will likely be huge. We also talk about building the habit of always doing your best. It applies to life and to music making. Thanks for listening and inspiring me to keep making episodes!
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Show Notes:
AfroDJMac Music Production Club - a new download every month to help you make music.
12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson - lots of great, practical life advice, that applies to making music.
Rozalind MacPhail is a flutist and producer who blends effected flute, electronics, voice, omnichord and silent film. MacPhail creates music for film and live performance and has released several albums of original work. She explores new ways to combine image and sound, in works that speak honestly of place, person and the human experience. Rozalind recently took home an East Coast Music Award for Electronic Recording of the Year and MusicNL’s Female Artist of the Year. MacPhail is sponsored by Gemeinhardt Musical Instruments
I had a great conversation with Rozalind about her work as a flutist and electronic musician. We discussed everything from the technology, philosophy, and technical approach Rozalind uses in her music.
Show Notes:
Official Website: The hub for Rozalind's work.
Bandcamp - Rozalind's releases.
SoundCloud - More of Rozalind's music.
YouTube - See some of Rozalind's Audio/Visual work.
The RPM Challenge - Make an album during February.
Robert Dick - World Renowned Flutist
Eshan Khadaroo is a professional session drummer, producer, and educator. He producers tutorials and online music production courses on his site Push4Life. By applying his deep understanding of drumming, Eshan offers musicians and producers a unique approach to finger drumming and electronic music production.
My conversation with Eshan ranged from all kinds of interesting topics. We explored his background and the wisdom he gained touring with Cirque du Soleil and a variety of touring bands. Many philosophical topics that apply to making music and beyond came up. It was a diverse and stimulating conversation that I think will provide us all with a deeper understanding of the pursuit of creative endeavors.
Show Notes:
Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play
Special Offers! Expires March 8, 2018! Eshan is generously offering a 20% discount to listeners of the Music Production Podcast on two of his course: Ableton Push 2 Composition Course and Finger Drumming Bootcamp Just use the code: AFRO at checkout.
About Eshan - Eshan assembled a nice YouTube playlist about his work
Push4Life - Stay up to date with Eshan's work
Instagram - Eshan's Instagram photos
Facebook - Connect with Eshan on FB
YouTube - a wealth of tutorials and videos by Eshan
Music Sound and Silence - Eshan's new podcast
Session Drumming - Eshan's work as a session drummer
Melodics Course - Check out Eshan's finger drumming course on Melodics
Let's continue our #FinishFebruary2018 work! In today's episode, we talk about a couple of techniques we can use to move forward with our tracks. I'd still characterize these steps as the planning phase, but I think taking these extra steps will focus our work in the future, which will ultimately save us time. It's very easy to get lost in making music without any direction; these two steps will help focus our work.
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Show Notes:
Warp 10 - A full and free video course on all of the updates in Ableton Live 10.
Google Spreadsheet: Use this spreadsheet to categorize your jams and organize your thoughts on each one.
My Spreadsheet - Here's what I did with my spreadsheet. I still want to add a few tracks from the previous year that will fit in with some of the jams from #Jamuary2018.
My Jamuary 2018 Tracks - YouTube playlist of all 31 jams.
Making Music - A guide to beginning, progressing, and finishing tracks, by Dennis DeSantis. About 1/3 of the book is available here for free.
Freytag's Pyramid - Plot diagram.
Laura Escudé is a producer, performer, and live show designer. She performs electronic music as Alluxe, creating music that borrows from the classical and modern world. Her company, Electronic Creatives, is the brains behind some of music's largest live performance acts. Clients include, Kanye West, The Weeknd, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Herbie Hancock. She recently just ran a successive retreat for live musical performance and physical wellness.
After her trip to the Grammys supervising Logic's performance, Laura sat down to have conversation about live performance, touring, and taking the time to take care of yourself.
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Show Notes:
LauraEscude.com: Laura's official website.
Alluxe: Laura's music
Electronic Creatives: Laura's company, providing state of the art music performance services.
Transmute Retreat: Music performance and wellness retreat.
January 2018 was spent creating a small piece of music every single day for the #Jamuary2018 challenge. It was a lot of fun and pretty challenging. Lots of people participated and there were a ton of really cool jams. Now we are going to do something with them!
It's time to begin #FinishFebruary2018 !!
The first thing I think we are all entitled to is a short break. Take a step back from your music making and assess what you have. It's probably pretty likely you've forgotten about some of those jams.
After a couple days of rest, let's look at the situation. I've built a spreadsheet on Google Sheets to help categorize your jams. There are eight columns to fill out for each day.
Jam Name: Give your jam a name to help identify it (this can change).
Notes: List anything that might be relevant. Instruments used, style, groove, feel... anything that will help you identify the track. What still needs to be done?
BPM: List the BPM of your jam.
Key: What key is your jam in?
Mood-Theme-Genre: What is the emotion of the track? Any interesting theme? The Musical Genre.
Group: Label these with letters. If a jam is similar in some way to another jam, give it the same letter. It is ok to have multiple letters on a single jam if it has something in common with multiple jams.
% Complete: Estimate how close this jam is to completion.
Rating 1-4: How likely are you to use this jam. 1-Not likely, 2-Maybe, 3-Probably, 4-Definitely.
Feel free to add your own columns. If you do, let me know what you added!
You may notice that I added ten addition spots for jams after day 31 (A-J). I'm going to use this to add some unfinished ideas I've had over the last year that I think might fit in with some of the other jams. I encourage you to go back and pick 10 of your favorite unfinished ideas from the past year and keep them in mind as we go through the month.
If you did not participate in Jamuary, that doesn't mean you can't do Finish February! Look through your unfinished ideas and pick your favorites and list them in the spreadsheet!
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Support the Podcast on Patreon
Show Notes:
Google Spreadsheet: Use this spreadsheet to categorize your jams and organize your thoughts on each one.
Fact TV Against the Clock: Producers get 10 minutes to make a track. Very inspiring!
My Instagram: Find my jams and thoughts for Finish February.
Jamuary2018: Check out the work of everyone involved in Jamuary 2018!
FinishFebruary2018: Here's a hashtag to follow on Instagram.
My #Jamuary2018 Jams. These are the full-length videos, in reverse chronological order. Enjoy :)
Merlyn Silva is a musician, sound artist, and educator from Denmark. His work spans many different genres, with a focus on electronics and glitch. A background in drama helps Merlyn shape both his music and teachings.
I had a great conversation with Merlyn, spanning a wide range of topics. He's got some great thoughts on being productive. I especially liked his "hats" method. In this talk, Merlyn shares his thoughts on making music, teaching, and his musical collaboration with a cup of coffee. Merlyn's enthusiasm is infectious. Enjoy this talk!
*A little disclaimer... Unfortunately, there were some errors on my end of the audio. I believe it was merely a bad microphone cable that caused some bothersome clicks and pops. I actually found that adding a layer of vinyl record crackling helped to mask the glitches and make the listening experience more enjoyable. Although it's certainly not ideal, I don't think that it takes away from the valuable wisdom Merlyn shared with me. Thanks for your understanding!*
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Show Notes:
YouTube - Merlyn's channel with some great performances and tutorials.
Twitter - Merlyn's Twitter.
SoundCloud - Listen to Merlyn's music.
Warp Academy - Great tutorial by Merlyn on creating interesting vocal chops.
I am ten days into #Jamuary2018, and productivity is at a high. Jamuary is a challenge to create a piece of music every day. It doesn't have to be great; it can be a jam, loop, idea, performance... it doesn't matter. The point is to just make music.
I've learned some valuable lessons in these first ten days. I've managed to create and put out a jam every day. It's become extremely empowering to know that it can be done. It's led to some important insights and discoveries. In this episode, I will tell you the story behind the experience and some of the specific things I've discovered, as well as some of the improvements to my workflow that have happened as a result of the Jamuary discipline. Plus I will let you hear some of the music.
If you aren't involved in #Jamuary2018, it's not too late. Join in now! Start making little jams each day for the rest of January. You will be amazed at how much it will help! Enjoy!
Support the Podcast on Patreon
Show Notes:
AfroDJMac Instagram - I'm posting all of my #Jamuary2018 jams here.
COIN OP Ableton Live Template - Ready to go 8-Bit music Ableton Live Project.
Gibson Ebow Ableton Live Instrument - This is the 2nd free Ableton Live Pack I ever made!
World Collection - Isotonik Studios Music Reactive Visuals.
Samsara - Customized Granular Looping
Plogue Chip Speech - Incredible Singing Robot Plug in.
Izotope Nectar - Vocal Suite Plug in.
Fugue Machine - iOS MIDI Sequencer.
Patterning - iOS Drum Machine.
Figure - iOS Beat Maker.
Samplr - iOS Sampler
Audiobus - iOS Audio Router.
During the month of January 2018, I will be participating in #Jamuary2018, and I encourage you to do the same. The challenge is to create and share a piece of music every day. It doesn't matter how good or complete it is, the point is to create music each day during the month of January. Feel free to share ideas, grooves, jams, musical explorations, full songs... whatever you come up with for the day. You can share your jam however you like, but it seems like Instagram, using #Jamuary2018, is the most popular place to do it.
In this episode, I explain what #Jamuary2018 is, what the goals are, and how my participation in #Jamuary2017 helped me grow as an artist. Embedded in the episode are thoughts on how #Jamuary2018 will help you with discipline, separating left and right brain tasks, and exploring and experimentation. I will be posting my jams each day on Instagram and this podcast. Each day I will share the music I make, how I made it, and what I learned. Today, we get ourselves ready for a busy and productive #Jamuary2018! I hope you join me in the challenge!
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Show Notes:
Cuckoo's Thoughts on #Jamuary2018
How to be More Creative - a post I wrote about the early stages of the creative process.
Maximum Productivity from Proper Use of Left and Right Brain - Jason Timothy's Ableton Forum post about making music.
Jason Timothy on the Music Production Podcast
Against the Clock - Fact Magazine challenges producers to make a track in 10 minutes.
#Jamuary2018 on Instagram - Follow this thread and share your jams.
Dustin Ragland is a musician, educator, and engineer. He teaches at the Academy of Contemporary Music at UCO in Oklahoma City. Dustin creates music under the name Young Weather and is an Ableton Certified Trainer. He owns and operates Mir Studio in Oklahoma City.
In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, Dustin and I discuss a wide range of topics related to making music. Dustin shares his thoughts on how to work well with other musicians, his role at the Academy of Contemporary Music, and the importance of preserving curiosity.
Show Notes:
Young Weather - The musical project of Dustin Ragland
Bandcamp - Young Weather on Bandcamp
iTunes - Young Weather on iTunes
Pyramind - A wealth of video tutorials by Dustin
Instagram - Dustin's Instagram
Max for Live - Dustin's free Max for Live creations
Mir Studio - Dustin's recording studio in Oklahoma City.
AMC@UCO - The Academy of Contemporary Music at University of Central Oklahoma.
Josh Spoon is a musician, producer, and Ableton Certified Trainer living in Los Angeles. His music pulls inspiration from hip hop and alternative rock. Think Dr. Dre meets the Flaming Lips. Josh runs the site Producerskitchen.com, where he shares his deep knowledge of music production and live performance.
In this episode, Josh and I talk about staying creative, losing yourself in the moment, and how to stay in that creative moment.
Show Notes:
Josh Spoon.com - Josh's site for his music and teaching
The Producer's Kitchen - Tutorials on music production
Bandcamp - Listen to and get Josh's music
SAMPLEnHOLD - Performance collective of "electronic weirdos"
Reverb.com - How to Make Your Drums Sound Like Ringo Starr
Sam Gribben is the founder and CEO of Melodics, as well as the former CEO of Serato. Melodics teaches people how to play MIDI pad controllers, electronic drum kits, and now keyboards. What makes Melodics unique is that it uses aspects of video gaming to teach the discipline of practice. Melodics makes practicing fun and productive in a few minutes a day. I've been using it for finger drumming for over a year and my skills have grown tremendously.
Sam was kind enough to spend some time with me to discuss the newest version of Melodics, the importance of discipline, and how to make learning both fun and productive.
Download Melodics and use the promo code: MusicProduction-Podcast to unlock extra lessons for free.
Support the Podcast on Patreon
Show Notes:
Melodics - Learn finger drumming, electronic drumming, and keys. Unlock extra lessons for free with the special promo code: MusicProduction-Podcast
Jane McGonigal - Game designer and author
Kristoffer Lislegaard is an electronic musician, producer, and sound artist from Norway. He is one half of the duo, Sgrow. Sgrow combines influences from pop, ambient, and club music. They've just released their new album, Circumstance.
I wanted to speak with Kristoffer after hearing the new album because I was intrigued by the interesting palette of sounds made from a combination of real world instruments, field recordings, and synthesizers. Kristoffer has some really inspiring takes on sound design and manipulating samples. Our conversation covers various topics from unusual sound design techniques, some of his favorite gear, and learning how to leave the ego behind to have successful collaborations.
Show Notes:
Sgrow - Kristoffer's electronic duo with Vilde Nupen
Check out my website AfroDJMac.com for more music production materials.
What is the most important lesson? If my students remember just one thing, what would it be?
Check out AfroDJMac.com/podcast for the full show notes, featuring some very useful videos and links.
Support this podcast on Patreon and by shopping the AfroDJMac Store!
Ableton has just announced Live 10, the latest development of the popular DAW. It’s currently becoming available to beta testers now and will be released in early 2018. I’ve had access to Live 10 for the last few months and have quite a lot to say about it. In this episode, I discuss some of my favorite features and devices. There are some sound examples to help demonstrate my points, as well as some thoughts on how Live 10 has improved my music making experience. Basically, an Ableton Live nerd reveling in his new toys. Enjoy!
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Show Notes:
Free Ableton Live Pack 162: Mitchell's Harpsichord
New in Ableton Live 10 - My YouTube Playlist with in-depth tutorials and walkthroughs of some of my favorite new features
Francis Preve is a synthesist, journalist, and educator, amongst other things. He is one of the industry's most in-demand sound designers. In fact, it seems like every time I investigate the names behind some of my favorite synths, apps, and plug-ins, I find Francis Preve. His writing can be found in popular magazines such as Keyboard, Computer Music (UK), Future Music, EQ, and Music & Computers. Francis is a college professor in Austin, Texas. He also creates some of the finest sound packs on the market for Ableton Live via his company SympleSound.
I've admired and learned quite a lot from Francis' work over the years. He's even been kind enough to allow me to use some of his samples to build Ableton Live Packs. It was a real pleasure talking with him. His depth of understanding of sound design is incredibly impressive and a joy to explore. As this conversation will show, it is all fueled by an undying curiosity and love for sound and music. Enjoy!
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Show Notes:
Francois Benner producers music as the artist Roisner. He recently released his latest album Rhombes Timber 25000 BC. For this project, Roisner sampled hundreds of instruments that date all the way back to prehistory. He then reached out to me to create Ableton Live Instruments so he could use them and his samples to create his newest album.
In this episode, Roisner and I discuss the production of his latest album. We talk about our collaboration on the Ableton Live Pack, ANCIENT, which we've been working on over the last year and a half. It was a great talk about finding new avenues to realize an artistic vision. Enjoy!
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Show Notes:
ANCIENT Ableton Live Pack
ANCIENT is a collection of 104 Ableton Live Instrument and Drum Racks all made from samples of instruments that date back to prehistoric times. Journey back to the roots of human music-making with the instruments and sounds of ANCIENT.
Buy Now*ANCIENT is the October 2017 download for the AfroDJMac Music Production Club*
Requires Ableton Live Standard 9.7 and Above
Chris "MAYDAY" Rucks doesn't want you to make the same mistakes he made. He wants to save you time and prepare you for the journey. Most producers make the same mistakes as producers before them. To help combat this, Chris Rucks has written Don't Make Beats Like Me - 24 Powerful Laws to Guide You Towards Success As a Music Producer. The book breaks down a host of challenges most producers will face and explains how to handle them. It's a bit like a warning sign, a shoulder to cry on, and a slap in the face all at the same time. Chris dishes the sometimes harsh realities of what it really means to be a successful music producer.
I had a great chat with Chris. He is full of deep insights and wisdom, as well as some obvious truths that are easy to underestimate. I've been able to preview a few chapters of his book and it left me feeling inspired and prepared. The issues he raises can be enough to stop producers in their tracks, but Chris has a way of making you feel as if you can make it through the journey, without ever sugar-coating it or pulling his punches.
Enjoy this talk and be sure to pick up his book!
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Show Notes:
Essential recommended reading by Chris Rucks:
Cooper Anderson is a mixing engineer and producer with a pretty impressive resume. Undoubtedly, you've heard some of his work. Cooper's credits include work for artists like Fun, Kanye West, Ghost Killah, and John Legend.
Cooper and I had a chance to speak about his work and experience. I found Cooper to have some nice insights into what it takes to find success in the music industry. Enjoy!
An afterthought from Cooper: "I’ve been thinking about the desert island golden piece of gear….I said Antelope cause that’s what I was thinking about at the time, but now I’m thinking maybe my monitors….Adam A7x. That would probably be my one indispensable item."
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Show Notes:
Mark Towers is a fellow Ableton Certified Trainer from the UK. He is the creator of the Arcade Series, a collection of retro video game inspired Max for Live sequencers. Mark teaches music technology at Leicester College.
I've been a huge fan of Mark's work for quite some time. Being a fan of old school video games, the Arcade Series is one of my favorite collections for Max for Live. In this episode, we talk about the creation of the Arcade Series, finding ways to fill gaps in our own abilities, and the importance of doing work that is meaningful to oneself. Mark was a pleasure to talk to, and he left me inspired to make more music!
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Show Notes:
DiViNCi is a producer, composer, and educator from Orlando, FL. He is known for his high energy, mind-blowing finger drumming skills, his group Solillaquists of Sound, and his work for Lauryn Hill. He travels the world performing and giving music production workshops.
I had a chance to attend one of DiViNCi's workshops at the Ableton User Group in Brooklyn at The Brooklyn Home of Music. Just as dazzling as his performance was his philosophical view point on creating music and finding balance in one's life. DiViNCi's teachings are immediately applicable to making music, but that's just the surface of what he does. The real power is in how he connects his views on life and self-awareness to everything a person does.
DiViNCi and I had a great conversation about finding flow, trusting your intuition, and how his experience in the martial arts has shaped the way he approaches life and music. There are a lot of valuable lessons in here, so get a pen and paper and be ready to take some notes!
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Show Notes:
Here's a nice introduction to what DiViNCi does:
I just released my newest EP, Country Punkin. It's a collection of 4 to-the-point no-nonsense rock songs, inspired lyrically by country music and musically by punk rock. There are no intros, outros, interludes, solos, or instrumentals. Every song begins right away with only the core meat-and-potatoes parts of the song.
Recorded entirely on the Teenage Engineering OP-1's four track, using a Shure SM57 plugged straight into it. Instrumentation is Drums, Guitar, Bass, Vocals.
This was the studio for "Country Punkin"
In this episode, I talk about the creation of the EP. We go over it's philosophy, the goals, inspiration, process, recording, instrumentation, lyrics, and themes. I play you some isolated tracks, as well as each song. I hope it inspires you to finish your next project!
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Show Notes:
Country Punkin is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and wherever else you stream your music!
LoopLabs is a cloud based music studio that allows you to compose music using its huge selection of loops. Everything gets tempo and key matched, so it always sounds good. It's a great place for beginners or for experimenting with ideas.
Craig and I sat down for a nice conversation about his vision for Looplabs, the music industry, and the role future generations will play in music making.
Definitely check out Looplabs.com. I'm very excited about how this could open the door to music production for a whole new generation of people. I've even contributed some loops to the library of loops available to use. Maybe sit down with your younger sibling, nephew, or child and have fun making music without worrying about theory or technicalities. It's a great way to share the joy of making music. Regardless of your experience, Looplabs could be a perfect introduction to music creation or a springboard for your next composition.
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Show Notes:
Here's a video I made, using Looplabs and some of the loops I provided to the collection:
It is a wonderful day and age in which we can create, write, and record music all by ourselves. We have the technology to do every step of the process on our own. While this can afford us plenty of freedom and releases us from the struggle of coordinating schedules and ideals with others, if we never work with other people, we are really missing out.
Collaboration is one of the best ways to learn, grow, develop, and discover new ideas. I personally believe that a good collaboration can bring you wisdom that could take you years to develop on your own and new ideas that you might not ever discover otherwise.
This show is about the power of collaboration. I discuss how collaboration has benefitted me and highlight my recent experience creating the Ableton Live Whistle Pack with pATCHES. I then go on to create a piece of music using some of those sounds.
You Have Homework!Need an excuse to make music or some direction to help get you going? Well I have a homework assignment for you! Collaborate with someone else to make some music. How you collaborate is entirely up to you. Do it in person or over the internet. Find a musician to play a part or ask someone for an idea or direction. Sample someone singing, talking, washing the dishes... Send someone a half-finished track to work on. It really doesn't matter. Post your results on the Music Production Podcast Facebook Page. Maybe even find someone on that page to collaborate with! Just create some music with the help of another person.
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Show Notes:
The Ableton Live Whistle Pack - My collaboration with pATCHES and You to create 20 free Ableton Live Whistling Instruments.
Podcast with pATCHES - I had a great conversation with pATCHES on this podcast. Give it a listen!
pATCHES - Tutorials, sample packs, wisdom...
We all strive for the best gear, highest quality samples... but lets not forget that you can make beautiful music from unexpected places. This episode is all about challenging yourself to create music from sources you wouldn't normally think you could.
You have a homework assignment! Create some music from a source or sound that you wouldn't normally use. Maybe it's a terrible preset, an old toy, a piece of wood that vibrates in a funny way... it doesn't matter. Just challenge yourself to make music from an unusual sound source.
Post your results at the Music Production Podcast Facebook page. My piece is there too.
I hope you enjoy this talk and it gives you inspiration to make music in new ways!
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Show Notes:
Music Production Podcast Facebook Page - Give it a like and post your homework assignment!
Americanas Vinyl Synth Ableton Live Pack - Ableton Live Instrument Racks made from samples of old vinyl records of the music of North and South America.
Pacific Vinyl Synths Ableton Live Pack - Ableton Live Instrument Racks made from samples of old vinyl records of music from the Pacific Islands.
AfroDJMac Music Production Club - Get a new Ableton Live Download every month, as well as a bunch of other goodies when you join.
Free Ableton Live Pack #44: Justin Bieber Super Fun Pack - A Justin Bieber toy guitar actually turned into some cool sounding instruments.
Free Ableton Live Pack #41: Steel Water Bottle Synth - A non musical object turned into a music making synth.
Erin Barra is a musician, songwriter, teacher, and performer specializing in the convergence of music and technology. She has created music curriculum for students of all ages, including Beatz for Girlz, which specializes in bringing music production to young women and Berklee College of Music. She's worked with Grammy-winning artists and is a powerful voice in the world of music technology and education.
Erin and I had a great conversation about a wide range of topics including education, creativity, and some of our favorite creative tools.
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Show Notes:
Thomas Piper is an accomplished musician, producer, performer, and video artist from New York. Over the years, our paths have crossed many times at various shows, workshops, and Ableton User Groups. It seems like wherever the action is, so is Thomas! Recently, Thomas' work was featured in a documentary by Ableton.
We had a great conversation about live performance, overcoming creative blocks, and building community. I love his positivity. Thomas is an example to all of us about productivity and hard work. This episode is loaded with great insights and powerful knowledge from a man who is doing the work!
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Show Notes:
Thomas Glendinning is an Ableton Certified Trainer, formerly from Cape Town, South Africa, but now living in London. Tom creates music under the name ELPHNT, which is pronounced "Elephant." There he creates sample packs, Ableton Live Packs, and tutorials. We sat down for a conversation about making music, sharing your work, and building communities. Enjoy!
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Show Notes:
Andrew Whiteman is a musician and songwriter out of Toronto. He plays guitar in Broken Social Scene and has a number of other projects including Sonic Poetry and AroarA. Andrew is about to embark on a tour with Broken Social Scene, as they release a new album on July 7th. We spoke about creativity, change, and performing on Stephen Colbert's late night show.
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Show Notes:
Sonic Poetry:
Broken Social Scene performing on David Letterman's show:
AroarA, Andrew's collaboration with his wife, Ariel:
Most of the things I regret in life are the things I did not do, and not the things I did do. With the exception of being mean or vindictive, in most cases taking action resulted in a positive experience in one way or another... even if it was by learning from failure.
In this episode of the podcast, I discuss this idea and how it applies to music production. I share a story of a live performance I nearly backed out of but ultimately went through with. In the end, it turned out to be the right decision by a long shot. For the first time on the Music Production Podcast, you'll actually hear some music. It's the iPhone recording of that very live performance that almost never happened. The experience left me in a better place than if I had taken the easy way out and bailed on it. I hope you enjoy this episode and it inspires you to take action!
Tomislav Zlatic is the creator and editor in chief of Bedroom Producers Blog, a website dedicated to sharing music making tips, software, and gear for music making enthusiasts and professionals alike. Over the years, BPB has been extremely supportive of my work, and we have even collaborated on a few projects.
I had a chance to chat with Tomislav about writing, staying consistent, and our mutual love of old school video game chip music.
Bonus Free Ableton Live Pack: Yamaha DD-8 Drums and Synths - These Free Ableton Live Instruments were made from some of the free samples over at Bedroom Producers Blog. Enjoy!
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Show Notes:
Michael Harren is a composer and performer from Brooklyn, New York. He combines classical and electronic components, plays piano for Sandra Bernhard, and produced a one-man theater piece called "The Animal Show." Michael recently returned from Moogfest and sat down with me for a conversation about making music.
Bonus: Get a free Ableton Live Pack created from a Skype glitch during our conversation!
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Show Notes:
Tom Filepp makes music as Cars and Trains. He describes his sound as "electronic-folk toy-instrument live-looping craziness." I was originally drawn to Tom's music because of its combination of electronic and acoustic parts. In this episode, we discuss the creative process, some gear, and finding music in unlikely objects like cardboard boxes.
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Show Notes:
Cars and Trains - electronic-folk toy-instrument live-looping craziness by Tom Filepp
Subscribe to Cars and Trains - Bandcamp subscription that keeps you in the loop of Tom's work
True Deceiver - Tom's other, heavier music project
Bastl Micro Granny - Exciting little granular synthesizer
Ableton is the Engine - Ableton's feature on Cars and Trains
AudioMulch - Tom's dessert island software
Soulsby Atmegatron - Arduino based digital 8-bit synthesizer
This is a little case study about how doing things that may seem counterintuitive can actually be productive. Sometimes we can win even if we lose or are cheated.
Having a money-back guarantee on digital products leaves me open to the possibility that people could be buying my products and asking for their money back even if there is no problem. It's an easy scam. But in truth, I think the potential for this is much smaller than the benefits.
In this episode I discuss how we can think outside the box a bit with our music.
Enjoy!
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It's all about community. People connecting, sharing ideas, collaborating and supporting each other. This is something Jesse Brede, founder of Gravitas Recordings, understands.
I think we can all picture that stereotypical record label, with the stack of demos on a desk that just get shoveled into the trash without ever being heard. Gravitas Recordings is different. They want to hear new music and are looking for new artists all the time. They've found a unique way to reach the community of producers through their new site, Gravitas Create.
In this episode, I got to speak with Jesse about being a part of the music community, finding and encouraging new artists, and educating young people and involving them in the music making process.
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Show Notes:
Gravitas Create Facebook Group
Lion's Share Digital - Jesse's web agency
Music from Gravitas Artist CloZee
Team Supreme "Strength in Numbers"
High School Sounds- Free Ableton Live Pack 144
Noverture Percussion - Free Ableton Live Pack 142
I spoke with Eban Crawford, who makes music as Senator Jaiz. Eban is bringing his workshop, "No Permission Needed," to Moogfest for the second year in a row. He has an awesome "grown up" music job at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. In this episode, we discuss a plethora of topics like his sound design work for the museum, which involved creating music to the flight data of an egret; his popular workshop for Moogfest; and creating imperfections in digital music. It was inspiring and fascinating; just look at those show notes! Enjoy!
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Show Notes:
Nuno Santos is the creative force behind Imaginando, a company that makes applications for creating and controlling music. The latest project is DRC, a virtual analog synthesizer for mobile and desktop platforms. It allows you to create and edit sounds on any platform and access them from all other platforms. Imaginando also released a powerful Ableton Live controller called LK.
In this episode, Nuno and I have a great conversation about building an app, how to create something featured packed yet intuitive to use, and all kinds of topics related to making music.
SPECIAL OFFER: Nuno is offering 50% off the desktop version of DRC. Head over to Imaginando and use the code: AFRODJMAC to get this fantastic virtual analog synthesizer for half price . The sale is good April 24- May 1, 2017.
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Dan Hilse and Pierce Porterfield are the creative forces behind pATCHES.zone, a website full of useful tutorials, sample packs, and Ableton Live Packs. What sets their site apart is the practicality of the information and the beautiful presentation. Every page has characteristic GIF images to help explain the concepts and ideas within the post.
I had a chance to talk with Dan and Pierce about their work, making music, and how they approach delivering complex material in a world of ever-shrinking attention spans.
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Utilities - Including those Radiohead Groove files!
Manifestos - Philosophical pieces on making music (including my own!)
Ludicrous CGI Abs
Jai Paul stolen album
Figure iOS app
Roger Linn on Art + Music + Technology
99% Invisible - Nick Drake
Are you looking at fellow musicians, bands, dj, and producers as your competition? Stop! You'll get much further fighting the war with an army than as just one soldier. Think more about building community. In this episode, I talk about building community and adding value to others in order to grow.
This episode was a bit of an experiment; it was recorded in my car during a commute. The audio quality is a little lower than I'd like, but I hope it doesn't distract from the important message!
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Jason Timothy in that awesome The Jesus and Mary Chain t-shirt!
Open up your minds, because Jason Timothy is about to fill it with gold. Jason is a professional music producer, DJ, Ableton Live coach, and author. He also runs the site MusicSoftwareTraining.com. What I like about Jason's work is that it's more than just tutorials on compressing kick drums, it is rooted in a philosophical stance on creativity and productivity. You could easily read his blog about music production and apply it to any artistic or creativity endeavor. This conversation proves that Jason is the real deal. It was a lot of fun for me and gave me lots to think about!
There's so much in here and we barely scratched the surface of some of Jason's work. Be sure to check the show notes below for some incredibly helpful resources.
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I had a chance to talk with Animus Invidious of PerforModule for the podcast. Animus and I have collaborated on a few Ableton Live Packs in the past. His work on PerforModule is both unique and extremely useful. On the show we had a chance to discuss digital hoarding, the importance of organization, and how to make use of the tools we have. Animus is generously providing a download and explanation of his intricate Elemental Mixing Spreadsheet that ensures he makes use of all the tools in his plug-ins folder.
As a special bonus, Animus provides a free download of his new Dynamic Panning Audio Effect Rack. I've also built a Stereo Rhythmic Gating device that I'm packaging together with his device for the 151st Free Ableton Live Pack. Download it here.
The conversation runs deep and through a lot of different topics. Listen and enjoy!
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Some Music from Animus Invidious:
8.1 Bit (version 8.1.1) by Animus Invidious & St. BernardUri Nachmias is the creator of Sonic Logic, an iPad app that allows you to build your own custom MIDI controller. We had a great discussion about creating apps, balancing features and simplicity, and the lost art of getting to know a piece of gear.
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One of the great podcasts for songwriters and producers is Composer Quest. The show tackles making music from all different angles and takes wisdom from the host, Charlie McCarron, and a wide array of guests. Recently the show finished its final episode with a 12-city world tour.
I had the pleasure to speak with Charlie about music, his work, and the community of musicians he met while hosting Composer Quest.
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Episode 10 is a special episode because it's the first conversation!
I had the privilege to speak with Ben Burnes about creativity, chip music, growing as an artist and more. Ben is a composer and active YouTuber with some very interesting ideas on making music and the creative process. I first heard of Ben on the late, great Composer Quest podcast. It was a real treat chatting with Ben. He is no joke. Ben is putting out tons of useful content every week. Listen in to his words of wisdom and be sure to click on some of his links in the show notes.
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Show Notes:
Some Related Videos:
Music Made with Famitracker
Ben's Two Hour Track Challenge
Creative Explorations with Ben Burnes
Andrew Huang - Making Music with Electromagnetic Fields
WindChime Ambience by AfroDJMac
More about the Wind Chimes Ableton Live Pack
When we come up with something new and unique, it's tempting to hide it away and keep it for ourselves. But I think that if we give away our secret tricks it can actually help us grow as artists. Also, it's a great way to help other artists grow. And who knows, something you share could very well come back to you in a new form and ultimately inspire you again!
What is your definition of success as a musician? Are your goals undermining your ability to find success? In this episode, we talk about what kinds of goals can help you find success and what kinds of goals may be dooming you to failure. It's all about a change in mindset and how a few words from Steve Martin could make all the difference!
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Let's play devil's advocate to our last episode on streamlining and maximizing our music production time. Today I want to go against a lot of important productivity tips, such as creating templates, routines, and patterns, in order to find new inspiration. Breaking a routine and changing patterns can allow us to climb out of a rut and see things with new perspective.
For today's episode, let's ditch the template and break the routine!
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Last time we spoke about creating time for music making. On this episode we will discuss how you can make the most of that time once you have it.
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How do you find time to make music? We all live busy lives. Producing music is so time-consuming! Here are some tips, techniques, and tricks you can use to find and maximize your time for making music.
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Your Turn To Hold Me Accountable - LifeHacker
Do you want to make a living making music? Yea? Really? Are you sure?
What does it mean to "go pro?" What are the positive and negative consequences of success? Here are some thoughts on what it means to become a professional, as well as a surprisingly relevant reading of Shakespeare's "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy in Hamlet.
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This episode focuses on the importance of maintaining a learning mindset. It's all about keeping the mind open for opportunities to grow, even from the most unlikely of sources.
Are you having trouble moving tracks forward and finishing them? Perhaps you need to make bad music. Here are some words of encouragement to see your projects, even if they are not your best, to the end.
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Show Notes: Links to things mentioned in the episode.
Social Story Songs with Brian and Chris
Cuckoo (for his #Jamuary2017 challenge)
My #Jamuary2017 Tracks:
Welcome to the Music Production Podcast! This podcast is an informal and unrehearsed exploration of topics related to music production, recording, songwriting, and creativity.
The first episode deals with some important lessons I learned along the way. I hope you enjoy it. Please leave your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions in the comments below.
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.