2025: What the Hardest Year of My Career Taught Me

Travis discusses how the loss of his studio reframed everything he thinks matters to having a successful career in music.

Michael J. Morgan is a career coach for mix engineers who has guided numerous Grammy-winning and nominated professionals, including Jon Castelli, Eric Dubowski, and Rauiri O'Flaherty.In this episode, you'll learn about:Why talented engineers stay stuck (hint: it's not about talent)The internal narratives sabotaging your career without you knowingThe role of a coach for a mixer and producerThe unsexy systems that separate pros from everyone elseWhy calendars matter more than connectionsHow to climb out when you've hit rock bottom*** CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:🌐 Website: https://mjm.earth/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelj.morgan CONNECT:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotify

Ari Herstand is a Los Angeles–based musician, author of the best‑selling "How to Make It in the New Music Business", and host of the Webby‑award winning podcast "The New Music Business," where he empowers artists to build successful DIY careers in the modern music industry. Recognized by Forbes as “the poster child of DIY music,” he also founded the artist‑advocacy education platform Ari’s Take.In this episode, you'll learn about:- The history of streaming platforms- How streaming has changed music consumption- "Owned" vs "Borrowed" audiences- How to lay the ground work for a long successful career as an artist- The potential implications of AI generated music*** CONNECT WITH ARI:🌐 Website: https://aristake.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aristake_/🎵TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aris.take📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArisTakeCONNECT:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotify

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Howard Benson is a Grammy winning rock producer who has made records with My Chemical Romance, Three Days Grace, Daughtry, All American Rejects, POD, and Hoobastank.In this episode, you'll learn about:Why having hits is a "numbers game"How producer royalties have changed over the past three decadesHow DAWs are hurting artistsDisguising pop music as rock musicThe Howard Benson vocal chainHow to find harmony parts, even if you don't singCowriting in RockAI's role in modern songwriting and productionConnect with Howard Benson:🌐 Website: https://judgeandjuryrecords.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howardbenson/⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotify📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!Credits:Guest: Howard BensonHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Mat Leffler-Schulman is a mastering engineer who's worked with artists such as Jon Batiste, Blondie, Mary J Blige, Beach House, and many more.In this episode, you'll learn about:The Value of Working with a Human Mastering EngineerThe Ethics of Using Stem Splitting to Alter a Mix in MasteringThe Various Roles AI Could Play for Music Production ProsHow to Address "Width" in a MasterThe Business Side of a Mastering StudioAn Analog One Stop Shop Mastering UnitHow to Setup a Project for Success with CommunicationStaking Multiple Limiters for Louder, Cleaner MastersLearning to Work with SynesthesiaEnjoyed this Episode? Dig deeper on mastering with my interview with Sam FischmannConnect with🌐 Website: https://matlefflerschulman.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matlefflerschulman/⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotify📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!Credits:Guest: Host: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Travis shares how mixing and recording knowledge is shared today versus when he started and explains why the abundance of information can be both empowering and limiting.⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotify📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!Credits:Guest: N/AHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Andrew Scheps is a Grammy winning engineer and mixer who has worked with Adele, Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, and many more. We chat about the future of audio recording, the implications of AI, the mindsets you need to succeed, and the skills every engineer must have.In this episode, you'll learn about:How AI Will Integrate into Mixing and RecordingWhat Engineering and Mixing Will Look Like in 5 YearsAtmos Lovers vs Atmos HatersNavigating the Ebbs and Flows of a Career in AudioParallel Compression TipsLearning the Fundamentals So You Can Break the RulesLimiting Beliefs that Hold Your Career BackEnjoyed this one? Check out my interview with Tony HofferConnect with Andrew🌐 Website: https://www.bouncefactory.net/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ascheps⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotify📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!Credits:Guest: Andrew SchepsHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference

Following the announcement of Spike AI, Travis discusses his thoughts on the inevitability of the us of AI in mixing and how it might affect the careers of future generations of engineers and mixers.⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotify📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!Credits:Guest: N/AHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Travis FerenceTheme Music: inter.ference

Brendan Dekora is an engineer and mixer with credits with artists such as Trent Reznor, Foo Fighters, Steven Wilson, and Muse.In this episode, you'll learn about:What You Need to Know as a Freelance Engineer to Align with your ClientsWhy “Vibe” is More Important than SkillsHow Authentic Content can be One of Your Best ToolsTips for Remote Mixing and CollaborationHow to Navigate Moving into the Co-Production RoleDrum Tuning and How to Get Great Drum SoundsHow Being in a Major Music City Can Shape Your CareerConnect with🌐 Website: https://www.brendandekora.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendandekora/⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotify📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!Credits:Guest: Brendan DekoraHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference