WCA #567 with Gena Johnson – Listening to Artists, Keeping Overhead Low, Career Champions, and Glitter Walls

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy Winning producer/engineer/mixer Gena Johnson who has worked with Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, and John Prine. In This Episode, We Discuss:Leave your ego at the doorMake people feel comfortableListen to the artistLabels are business partnersWord of mouth workFeminine energy in productionWomen in the industryClassical voice training for 12 yearsInternship at Welcome 1979Learned tape machines and solderingAssisting at Nashville studiosFirst number one recordWorking at RCA Studio ARewiring Studio A intensivelyMentor Michael Wagner's influenceChampions Vance Powell and Daryl ThorpWalls painted with glitterKeep overhead lowGood attorney and manager combinationLinks and Show Notes:Gena's WebsiteGena on InstagramVance Powell on WCAMatt Ross-Spang on WCADarrel Thorpe on WCAMatt's Rant: Sonic Intrusion RevisitedCredits:Guest: Gena JohnsonHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back engineer/producer electrician, Mike Blodgett to discuss electricity and pro audio!In This Episode, We Discuss:Isolated GroundsIsolation TransformersGround RodsPower ConditionersApartment PowerHome Studio PowerElectrical SafetyLinks and Show Notes:Mike on WCA #348Matt's Rant: How You ListenCredits:Guest: Mike BlodgettHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back engineer/producer and 3D audio geek, Hans-Martin Buff to discuss mixing Peter Gabriel's I/O as well as his own project Tearjerkers. In This Episode, We Discuss:TearjerkersPeter GabrielReal Word StudiosBinaural MixingATMOSFormat HatersLinks and Show Notes:Pure Audio Streaming:Immersive Audio Album:Link tree Album:Youtube Siren Video:Audiomovers Apple: Illusonics Neumann RimeVirtuoso: Waves NX: Matt's Rant: Focused DiscussionCredits:Guest: Hans-Martin BuffHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer, Producer, Mixer Steve Dierkens. In this conversation, Steve shares his journey from as a succesful enginer working in film in California to a professional audio engineer and producer living in Canada. He discusses his early influences, the transition to a professional career, and the lifestyle changes that came with moving to Canada. Steve reflects on the challenges of building a studio, the importance of family, and the reevaluation of his career goals. He emphasizes the need for joy in music production and offers insights into financial perspectives in the audio profession. The conversation also touches on remote collaborations, social media challenges, and the definition of success and happiness in the industry.In This Episode, We Discuss:Career path shiftFamily-driven choicesMoved to CanadaStudio-building challengesJoy in workFinancial balanceValued client relationshipsGlobal collaborationsSocial media pressureRedefining successLinks and Show Notes:Steve and Chris Selim's PodcastMatt's Rant: More on Streaming vs Physical MediaCredits:Guest: Steve DierkensHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy winning Mixer, Producer, & Mastering Engineer Jon Rezin who has worked with Natalia Jimenez, One Direction, Andy Grammer, BoA, and Santana.In This Episode, We Discuss:Working Remotely in OhioMixingSaving TimeSkillsNetworkBuilding RelationshipsThe Masked SingerAmerican IdolLinks and Show Notes:Jon's SiteJon on InstagramMatt's Rant: Streaming vs Physical MediaCredits:Guest: Jon RezinHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Recording and Mixing Engineer Steve Genewick. Steve gives us the full behind the scenes look into the making of the new Spinal Tap record "The End Continues". From the initial phone call to the release of the record and movie we get into the details. In This Episode, We Discuss:Initial Phone CallWhere to RecordSetupMics, Preamps, etc..MixingMixing in ATMOSWIG Day!In The BoxCracking UpLinks and Show Notes:The time code softwareDownload the Input List!Steve's site Link to the record on Apple MusicWCA #070 with Al Schmitt & Steve GenewickWCA #324 with Steve GenewickWCA Live from NAMM 2024Matt's Rant: PerfectionCredits:Guest: Steve GenewickHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Jordan Lonn, Head Audio Engineer at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, California. The venue hosts a wide range of performances, including musical acts such as Joss Stone, Joan Osborne, and the Count Basie Orchestra, as well as musical theater and stand-up comedy.In This Episode, We Discuss:Guitar CenterDropping Out Of CollegePaying DuesSustained EnergyFailing Kidney'sHealth EpiphanyHome Town GigFOHGallo CenterLinks and Show Notes:Gallo Center for The ArtsMatt's Rant: Acting TerritorialCredits:Guest: Jordan LonnHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Grammy Nominated producer, engineer, and mixer Travis Ference as well as multi-instrumentalist, sound designer and audio engineer Kerry Rose to talk all about backing up and archiving audio. In This Episode, We Discuss:3-2-1 SystemBest Practices & ConsiderationsInsurance & LiabilityPersonal Experiences Travis's Altadena Fire ExperienceKerry's Nevada City Fire ScareScorched EarthRemote/Cloud StorageChallenges with CloudOffsite NASMethodology Over ToolsLinks and Show Notes:Watch Duty App GMRS RadiosDocumentary on ParadiseBackblazeSync.comNeofinderSynology NASOWCTravis onlineMatt's Rant: The Many Hats We WearCredits:Guest: Travis Ference and Kerry RoseHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes engineer and producer Moses Schneider. The Berliner is responsible for some of the most successful records of recent years. The Beatsteaks achieved their breakthrough in the German charts under his direction. His other productions include Tocotronic, Fehlfarben, Dendemann, Kreator and others. In 2008, Schneider was nominated for the German music award Echo for his work on "Kapitulation" by Tocotronic and "Limbo Messiah" by the Beatsteaks. In 2018 and 2022 he was nominated for the German music Award "Preis für Popkultur" as "favorite Producer". In This Episode, We Discuss:Hansa StudiosThe PixiesGil NortonGordon RaphaelNew YorkBerlinDisco PowderGentrificationObscuring AudioLinks and Show Notes:Moses on InstagramMoses websiteMatt's Rant: Walking.....yes walkingCredits:Guest: Moses SchneiderHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Ady Parzentny. Adrian Parzentny is a German‒Polish music producer, audio engineer, and creative adventurer. With over 13 years of travel and music production experience, Adrian has recorded traditional musicians across Morocco, the Sahara Desert, and beyond — often in remote villages, mountain ranges, and DIY setups built inside vans and hotel rooms.In This Episode, We Discuss:Barcelona moveAudio Nomad bookStudio connectionsModelingFreelance audioTravel recordingGear philosophyArtist supportMusic mediumsAuthentic livingIntuition guidesLinks and Show Notes:Get the book! Listen to Ady on WCA #468Matt's Rant: More DisciplineCredits:Guest: Ady ParzentnyHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith