Working Class Audio

Episodet

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  WCA #606 with Neil Rogers – Eighteen Years of Half-ton Studios, Bootstrapping in Cambridge, and Writing for Sound on Sound 28.07.2026 1h 7min

  For episode 606, Matt talks with Neil Rogers — recording engineer, owner of Half-ton Studios in Cambridge, and longtime reviewer for Sound on Sound. After a decade of gigging as a drummer with no payoff, Neil found a music tech degree at 26 that rebuilt his confidence, then answered a group email about a ramshackle unit next to a brewery and built a studio there on about £7,000 and favors. Eighteen years on, they talk about the accidental great-sounding drum room, rebuilding bigger during COVID, pricing, being honest with young people about studio careers, and the joy of recording bands live on the floor.In This Episode, We Discuss:Meeting Matt Over a Pint in CambridgeEighteen Years of Half-ton StudiosWriting for Sound on SoundLearning Drums When School Friends Started a BandWhy So Many Engineers Are DrummersA Decade of Gigging Without a PayoffA Music Tech Degree at 26Discovering He Could WriteThe Group Email and the Unit Next to a BreweryStarting With £7,000 and FavorsThe Accidental Great-Sounding Drum RoomFirst Gear: a £700 Soundtracs DeskMySpace, Flyers, and Rehearsal IncomeRebuilding Bigger During COVIDWorking With an AcousticianHow the New Room Draws Bands From LondonPricing and the Independent Band RateHonest Advice for Young EngineersWorkshops and Taster SessionsWhy He Limits Mixing WorkRecording Bands Live on the FloorMatt’s RANT!: CLUTTER!Links and Show Notes:Half-ton StudiosNeil Rogers at Sound on SoundHalf-ton recording & mixing workshopsCredits:Guest: Neil RogersHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #605 with Chris Mara – Building Welcome to 1979, Restoring Tape Machines, and Saying Yes to Everything 20.07.2026 1h 3min

  Chris Mara owns Welcome to 1979, one of the larger recording studios in Nashville, along with his wife Yoli. He joins Matt for episode 605 to talk about moving to Nashville at 20, building Mara Machines and a vinyl mastering department alongside the studio, and running it for 18 years with no partners and almost no borrowed money.In This Episode, We Discuss:Growing Up in an 800-Person Wisconsin Town With No Internet and No RoadmapCommunity College Recording and Moving to Nashville at 20"I Am Working Class": No Safety Net, No Umbilical CordThe Unpaid Internship and the Downtown Bellman Job That Funded ItTrading Every Favor to Pull Studio ShiftsKeys and Alarm Codes to Ten StudiosSeeing the Same Gear Used a Million Different WaysWorking Across Every Format: 2-Inch, RADAR, DAT, and Early Pro ToolsThe Nashville Number System and Country-Session EfficiencyBringing in Rock Bands and Running Them Like Pro Country DatesJustifying Your Existence When the Guitarist Has Pro Tools at HomeComing Up With Welcome to 1979 (and the Runner-Up: "Simulated Wood Grain")Pitching a Studio to His Pregnant Wife for $1,100 a Month"You Can Break Even As Long As You Want"Yoli Quitting Her Job to Run the Business SideHow Mara Machines Was Born From a Side HustleMultiple Income Streams and Why They Carry the WeightWatching Your Overhead Before It Sinks YouIs That Gear Going to Make You Money, or Just Sit There?Renting Rooms Instead of Buying ThemSaying Yes to Everything and Learning on Someone Else's Dime18 Years, No Partners, Almost No Borrowed Money, Still MarriedThe Recording Summit, Tape Camps, and Vinyl CampsMatt's RANT!: A Brain DumpLinks and Show Notes:Welcome to 1979: https://www.welcometo1979.com/Mara Machines: https://www.maramachines.com/Recording Summit: https://welcometo1979.com/events/#recordingsummitTape Camp: https://welcometo1979.com/events/#tapecampVinyl Camp: https://welcometo1979.com/events/#vinylcampLij Shaw / Recording Studio Rockstars: https://recordingstudiorockstars.com/Credits:Guest: Chris MaraHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #604 with Alec Ness – Mastering in Minneapolis, Resisting Homogenization, and Putting the Art First 12.07.2026 1h 4min

  For episode 604, Matt talks with Alec Ness, a mastering engineer in Minneapolis and the owner of Ness Mastering. Alec joins to tell an unusual origin story: born with partially amputated fingers, he was steered from guitar to drums, caught the recording bug on Cakewalk in a Dakotas high school, and chased music through a now-defunct college (McNally Smith), the San Francisco and LA beat scenes as an Ableton Certified Trainer, and years touring as a producer and artist — before pivoting fully into mastering as the pandemic hit. He learned the craft by badgering his way into Greg Reierson's Rare Form Mastering and trading questions with Mandy Parnell, then sold his entire modular synth rig to buy the speakers for his own room. They get into the "Should everything sound the same?" note on his desk, resisting the loudness game, controlling your space, putting the art before the money, and the health toll of going too hard.In This Episode, We Discuss:- Growing Up in the Dakotas and “Flyover” Music Culture- A Coffee Shop, a Venue, and Touring Bands Passing Through- Born With Half His Fingers: From Guitar to Drums- Catching the Recording Bug on Cakewalk in High School- The Guitar Shop That Introduced Him to Ableton- McNally Smith, Composition, and Dropping Out- San Francisco, the LA Beat Scene, and Becoming an Ableton Certified Trainer- From Producer and Artist to Mixing and Mastering- A Studio in the Back of a South Dakota Guitar Shop- Old Tools, Limitations, and Learning Phase and Mics the Hard Way- The Dua Saleh Remix Album That Tipped Him Into Mastering- Backing Off Touring Right as the Pandemic Hit- Learning From Greg Reierson at Rare Form Mastering- Badgering Mandy Parnell for Lessons- "Should Everything Sound the Same?" Resisting Homogenization- Why He Won’t Master to the Loudness of a Reference- Controlling Your Space and Reducing Variables- Selling His Modular Synths to Buy His Speakers- Empathy, the Artist’s Vision, and Serving the Music- Art First, Money Second, and Time as the Real Currency- Health, Overwork, and Backing Off Before It Broke HimLinks and Show Notes:Alec Ness / Ness MasteringRare Form Mastering (Greg Reierson)WCA #599 with Alex NewportMandy Parnell Michael Beinhorn on WCA Credits:- Guest: Alec Ness- Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau- WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell- The Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #603 with Lorenzo Wolff – Building a Brooklyn Studio, Session Bass to Taylor Swift, and Working for Ms. Lauryn Hill 05.07.2026 1h 1min

  For episode 603, Matt talks with Lorenzo Wolff — a Grammy-winning engineer, producer, musician, and owner of Restoration Sound in Brooklyn. Lorenzo joins on a Saturday from New York to trace a path from a hip-hop-obsessed kid in Nyack, chasing the basslines on Fugees and Wyclef records, to a session bassist, to interning under engineer Scott Lehrer at Second Story Sound, to building one of Brooklyn's most community-minded studios over eleven years. Along the way his string session with violinist Bobby Hawk turned out to be a Taylor Swift record, which led to Ye's Donda, which led to his ongoing work with Ms. Lauryn Hill. They get into the two tiers of gigs (community vs. famous), funding a studio build with a patron's retainer, why he treats generosity and conflict de-escalation as business strategy, and the honesty it takes to work with visionary artists. Enjoy!In This Episode, We Discuss:- Growing Up in Nyack, New York, in an Integrated Music Town- From Hip-Hop and Turntables to Hunting Down the Bass- The Fugees, Wyclef, Jerry Wonda, and Outkast as a Way In- Becoming a Session Bass Player to Live in Studios- Interning at Second Story Sound Under Scott Lehrer- Being Sent to the Library to Read the Dry Theory First- Why He Left to Start His Own Shops and Chase Creativity- Building a Brooklyn Studio Over Eleven Years- Winning Over Landlords: "Your Success Is Our Success" (and Cookies)- The Patron Who Funded a Studio by Commissioning a Musical- Survival Economics: Production Suites That Pay the Rent- Community as a Business Model- The Two Tiers of Gigs: Community vs. Famous- The Bobby Hawk String Session That Became a Taylor Swift Record- One Credit Leading to the Next: Folklore to Donda- Working for Ms. Lauryn Hill- Telling the Truth in the Room With Visionary Artists- What "He's Gonna Be Okay" Really Means at That Level- Why High-Profile Credits Do (and Don’t) Create More Work- Generosity and De-escalation as Studio Strategy- Why He Struggles With InternsLinks and Show Notes:- Restoration Sound- Lorenzo Wolff (Instagram)Credits:- Guest: Lorenzo Wolff- Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau- WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell- The Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #602 with Luke Burgoyne – Seven Years Assisting a Top UK Mixer, Mix Prep, and Going Solo in London 28.06.2026 1h 4min

  For episode 602, Matt talks with London mix engineer Luke Burgoyne, who joins from his room at Pony Studios in East London. Luke grew up in Winchester with two violinist parents, fell for the studio side of music at sixteen, and studied performance and recording at the University of West London before spending the last seven years assisting one of the UK's busiest mixers, Dan Grech-Marguerat (Lana Del Rey, The Killers, Liam Gallagher, George Ezra). Now he's transitioning into his own career as a mixer and producer. They get into the realities of high-level mix prep, what seven years of assisting actually teaches you, why UK managers tend to bring in work in a way American managers often don't, sharing expensive London rooms, his skeptical take on Atmos, and the differences between the UK and US recording ecosystems.In This Episode, We Discuss:Growing Up in Winchester With Two Violinist ParentsFrom the Beatles and Guitar to the Pull of the StudioWhy It Was Always About the Music, Not the TechnologyStudying Performance and Recording at the University of West LondonRealizing He'd Rather Record Great Players Than Compete With ThemCold-Emailing Abbey Road, RAK, and Getting No RepliesLanding the Assistant Job With Dan Grech-Marguerat (on the Second Try)Seven Years Assisting One of the UK's Busiest MixersThe Soft Skills: Managing Clients, Files, and Spinning PlatesMixing in the Box: Pro Tools, Recall, and Multiple MachinesDeep Mix Prep: Rebuilding Logic and Ableton Sessions in Pro ToolsLearning a Mixer's Quirks So They Never Leave the Creative SpaceTransitioning From Assistant to Mixer and ProducerGetting Management and Why UK Managers Bring in WorkHow UK and US Managers DifferBuilding a Network While Assisting Five or Six Days a WeekStudio Identity: Staff Engineer vs. Independent FreelancerThe London Studio Ecosystem: Abbey Road, AIR, RAK, and MetropolisRenting a Room at Pony Studios and Sharing Space in Expensive LondonNeumanns, Genelec 1031s, and Working on HeadphonesHis Take on Atmos: Right for "Dark Side of the Moon," Wrong for AC/DCCamaraderie Over Competition in LondonMatt's RANT!: Technology PricesLinks and Show Notes:Luke BurgoyneDan Grech-MargueratWCA #600 with Andrew SchepsWCA #102 with Frank McDonoughCredits:Guest: Luke BurgoyneHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #601 with Gert Keunen – Immersive Audio, "Stereo Was a Nice Try," a Dozen Careers, and Brewing His Own Beer 21.06.2026 1h 18min

  For episode 601, Matt sits down with Belgian musician, mastering engineer, and sociologist of music Gert Keunen — recommended to the show by past guest John Greenham. Gert has spent 35 years saying yes to nearly everything music: seven albums of his own, the nu-jazz project Briskey, a PhD in the sociology of music, four books on pop history, stints as a record-label staffer and newspaper critic, teaching at conservatories in Ghent, and most recently a deep dive into immersive audio that produced his book STEREO – Was a Nice Try. He joins from the Flemish countryside — where he also runs a 200-liter brewery and grows his own hops — to talk about how he manages time across all of it, why he learns best by teaching, how ADHD and dyslexia shaped an offline, notebook-driven discipline, and why he believes the future of immersive music is composing in 3D from the very first note rather than up mixing stereo.In This Episode, We Discuss:Living a Passion-Driven Life Across Music, Academia, and BeerManaging Time When You Do a Dozen Things (and Cycling to Clear the Mind)Growing Up in Flanders: Flute, Pink Floyd, and a Cracked Cubase on an AtariWhy He'd Rather Create Music Than Perform ItA PhD in the Sociology of Music and Four Books on Pop HistoryTeaching Music History, Sociology, and Production in GhentGoing All-In on Mastering for a Year with Friedemann Tischmeyer and Ian ShepherdHow ADHD and Dyslexia Shaped His Offline, Notebook-Driven LearningWhy Teaching Is How He Actually LearnsDiscovering Immersive Audio Through Apple Spatial Audio on EarbudsWhy a Good Immersive Mix Makes the Headphone Experience BetterWriting STEREO – Was a Nice Try Because No Good Handbook Existed"13 Reasons Why Dolby Atmos Sucks" — and His RebuttalsCreating Immersive From the Ground Up vs. Upmixing StereoA Format-Agnostic Workflow: Object, Channel, and Scene-Based, Then Choose Atmos or Auro-3D LaterTeaching Immersive at a Conservatory With a Dolby Atmos RoomTranslating Student Tracks to a Live Immersive System at Ghent's Winter CircusPricing Mastering, Student Discounts, and Treating Gear as the Real PaymentGear Acquisition, Buy-and-Return, and "a Hobby That Pays for Itself"Finding Community Online Through Chris Salim's MCCRunning a 200-Liter Brewery, Growing His Own Hops, and Why Beer Is Like Making MusicMatt's RANT!: TimeLinks and Show Notes:Gert KeunenSTEREO – Was a Nice Try (book)Briskey Ian Shepherd on WCAFriedemann Tischmeyer / Mastering Academy Nuendo (Steinberg) Chris Selim on WCACredits:Guest: Gert KeunenHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #600 with Andrew Scheps – Atmos, Imposter Syndrome, Coding Plugins with AI, Climbing Walls, and 600 Episodes 14.06.2026 1h 19min

  Matt celebrates episode 600 of Working Class Audio with a guest who's been there since the beginning — mixer and producer Andrew Scheps, who first appeared back on episodes 009 300 & 477. Andrew joins from his home in rural England to talk about winning MPG Atmos Mixer of the Year for his work on Low Roar, how he approaches Dolby Atmos delivery and client approval, why he switched from Sony headphones to the Audeze LCD-MX4, and what he's learned about training your brain to externalize binaural audio. The conversation also covers writing his own plugins with Claude and the JUCE framework, why he quit drinking four years ago and found rock climbing instead, breaking his foot, the realities of working with a manager, what "retirement" even means when no one tells you you're done, and why — 600 episodes in — Working Class Audio still matters in a way that's different from everything else.In This Episode, We Discuss:600 Episodes In — Andrew's Long History with the ShowWinning MPG Atmos Mixer of the Year for the Low Roar CatalogThe MPG vs. a US Equivalent: Advocacy, VAT, and Saving StudiosBeing an American Honored Inside a UK OrganizationWhy the Low Roar "House in the Woods" Atmos Mix May Be His Best WorkThe Pressure of Paid Work vs. Unpaid Passion ProjectsStill Battling Imposter Syndrome After Decades at the TopWhy He Hates Sending Mixes OutAtmos Delivery Workflow: Binaural, MP4, ADM, and the Two-Page PDFTraining Your Brain to Externalize Binaural AudioWhy He Starts Atmos Mixes in Headphones, Not SpeakersSwitching from Sony Headphones to the Audeze LCD-MX4Steven Wilson and Staying True to the Music in AtmosDiscovering Rock Climbing as Moving MeditationBreaking His Foot — and Five Weeks on the SidelinesAlex Honnold, Free Solo, and the Idea of Minimizing RiskQuitting Drinking Four Years Ago and Stepping Away from Pub CultureIs There a Calculation Behind a Career? Building Extra Income StreamsThe Retirement Question: "They'll Just Stop Hiring Us"Writing Plugins with Claude and the JUCE FrameworkWhy You Need an Idea — Not Just AI — to Build a PluginAI as a "Knowledgeable but Completely Blinkered Friend"AAX, PACE Code Signing, and the Nightmare of Plugin UIBoard Games, Astronomy, and Life in Rural EnglandWhy He Can't Imagine Living in LA AnymoreWorking with Manager Frank McDonough — and What a Manager Actually DoesThe Reality of Getting Paid by Major Labels (180-Day Cycles)Matt's RANT!: 600 Episodes!Links and Show Notes:Andrew Scheps Low Roar WCA interview with manager Frank McDonoughJUCE frameworkAudio Developer ConferenceAudeze LCD-MX4Free Solo (Alex Honnold)Bounce Factory Credits:Guest: Andrew SchepsHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #599 with Alex Newport – Three Decades of Production, a Studio in the Desert, Engineering at Tiny Telephone, and Why Unique Always Beats Good 07.06.2026 1h 31min

  Matt welcomes producer, engineer, and mixer Alex Newport for his first appearance on Working Class Audio. Alex grew up in the UK Midlands with few music resources, and found his way into production after his band got signed to a UK label with an upstream deal to Columbia, and ended up recording at Sawmills, a legendary residential studio on a tidal island at the tip of Cornwall. Working there with producer Colin Richardson changed everything. From there Alex spent decades moving between LA, San Francisco, and New York — engineering at Tiny Telephone, producing records for At the Drive-In, City and Colour, and many more — before eventually building his own residential studio in Joshua Tree, designed from the ground up to let bands show up and make records without distraction. The conversation covers production philosophy, surviving as a freelancer across three decades, why he intentionally avoids getting pigeonholed, and what really matters when designing a studio space.In This Episode, We Discuss:Growing Up in the UK Midlands With Few Music ResourcesThe Band That Got Signed: Upstream Deal to Columbia RecordsRecording at Sawmills — The Tidal Island Studio in CornwallColin Richardson as a Life-Changing ProducerThe Difference Between a Producer Who Listens and One Who Doesn'tWhy Alex Was Initially Resistant to Having a ProducerWhat Colin Taught Him That He Still Uses Today — and What He HatedThe Shift From Being a Musician to Wanting to Be in the StudioMoving to the US: From Arizona to LA to San Francisco to New YorkFirst Impressions of LA — Where's the City Centre?The Culture Shock of Going From the UK to CaliforniaWhy Alex Prefers San Francisco Over LATiny Telephone and John Vanderslice — Engineering as EducationLearning to Mic Instruments He'd Never Encountered BeforeThe Moment Budgets Started Collapsing Around 2004Building a Studio in LA, Then New York, Then Realising It Was MadnessNew York vs LA: Brutally Honest vs Relaxed and OpenSurviving as a Freelance Producer: The Feast or Famine RealityWhy He Intentionally Avoids Getting Pigeonholed as a ProducerMoving to Joshua Tree and Building a Residential Studio From ScratchDesigning the Studio From a Musician's Perspective, Not an Engineer'sThe Vintage Trailer as Accommodation: Glamping, Not a Holiday InnHigh Ceilings That Cost an Extra $35,000Good Coffee Is More Important Than the Gear in the RackThe Sawmills Influence on the Joshua Tree Studio ConceptPhilip Broussard, Daniel Lanois, and the Kingsway/Teatro PhilosophyWhat Alex Brings to the Table as a Producer: Objectivity and People SkillsThe Sliding Scale Rate Philosophy: Money Follows Good WorkOn Relationships, Touring, and Finding a Partner Who Gets ItDual UK/US Citizenship and Thoughts on Moving Back to EnglandMatt's RANT!: AI and Its Uses Links and Show Notes:Alex Newport Tiny Creatures StudioWCA with John Greenham WCA with Philip Broussard Credits:Guest: Alex NewportHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #598 with Dante Fumo – Harmonic Content, Independent Film Sound, DIY Publishing, and Making a Living on Your Own Terms 01.06.2026 1h 5min

  In this return visit to Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back Dante Fumo — freelance sound designer, writer, and the creator behind Harmonic Content, a screen-printed audio zine now in its seventh issue. Dante talks about building a sustainable freelance life that spans independent film post-production, writing for Vintage King and Pro Sound Effects, and self-publishing a physical zine inspired by the Tape Op compilations he read as a college writing tutor. The conversation covers the realities of DIY publishing — screen printing, saddle-stitching zines at home, and the economics of Patreon — alongside the craft of mixing short films in Dolby Atmos, delivery specs for the festival circuit, building a sound library, and why low cost of living might be the most underrated career decision a freelancer can make.In This Episode, We Discuss:The Origin of Harmonic Content ZineHow Tape Op Inspired the Whole ThingThe Economics of Self-Publishing a Physical ZineScreen Printing and DIY Production WorkflowWhy Ink Cartridges Are a Scam (and What Dante Uses Instead)Building a Sustainable Patreon as a Small Independent CreatorBalancing Freelance Writing, Sound Design, and PublishingWriting for Vintage King and Pro Sound EffectsHow Dante Gets Independent Film Clients — All Word of MouthThe Life Cycle of an Indie Short Film: Festivals to YouTubeMixing Everything in Atmos Even for Non-Atmos DeliverablesNetflix Home Entertainment Spec as a Loudness BaselineLoudness for Short Films vs. Feature Films vs. MusicCalibrating Your Monitors With Pink NoiseOverhead Fold-Down Settings When Bouncing Atmos to StereoSound Design vs. Mixing: What Dante Loves MostField Recording for Ambiences vs. Buying LibrariesSoundCue — A Free Sound Effects Organizing Tool from Pro Sound EffectsGDC Free Sound Library and Other Ways to Build a Collection for FreeGeorge Vlad and Watson Wu — Field Recording HeroesTonebenders Podcast as the WCA of Post-Production SoundWhy Dante Stepped Back From Recording Everything HimselfThe Case for Not Having All Your Eggs in One BasketADHD and Freelancing: Finding Work You Can Actually Stay Engaged WithLow Cost of Living as a Freelance StrategyAES Nashville and the Press Pass QuestionWhat the Next Five Years Look LikeMatt's RANT!: SchoolDiscount Codes:WCA25OFF — 25% off a zine at harmoniccontentzine.comLinks and Show Notes:Harmonic Content ZineDante Fumo — Supernatural Sound DesignHarmonic Content on PatreonWCA #346 with Dante FumoWCA #596 with Will KennedyTape Op MagazineTonebenders PodcastPro Sound Effects / SoundCueCredits:Guest: Dante FumoHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #597 with Tchad Blake, Dr. Will Sedley, Jack Rubinacci & Hazel Goedhart – Tinnitus Quest: Breaking the Silence on the Music Industry's Most Common Occupational Condition 25.05.2026 1h 48min

  In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes a panel of four guests united by a common cause: Tinnitus Quest, a patient-driven nonprofit pushing to fund and accelerate tinnitus research. Tchad Blake — 7-time Grammy Award-winning producer, mixer, and engineer with credits including Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney, and Pearl Jam — opens up about living with tinnitus since age eight or nine, the result of childhood exposure to rifle fire, and how he has mixed some of the most acclaimed records of the past four decades with significant hearing loss in one ear. Neuroscientist and consultant neurologist Dr. Will Sedley of Newcastle University breaks down what the brain is actually doing when tinnitus occurs, from central gain theory to predictive coding, gating mechanisms, and why the brain's compensation strategies can misfire. Hazel Goedhart, co-founder and Executive Board Member at Tinnitus Quest, shares her own tinnitus journey and how it led her to leave a career in financial services and fundraise her own salary to work for the cause full-time. And Jack Rubinacci, musician, songwriter, and Head of PR at Tinnitus Quest, explains how the organization is working to change the narrative around tinnitus the same way the mental health conversation shifted over the past generation — because that narrative shift is what unlocks funding, and funding is what drives research.In This Episode, We Discuss:What Tinnitus Quest Is and Why It Was FoundedThe Scale of the Problem: 750 Million People, Almost No Research FundingTchad's Tinnitus Since Age Eight or Nine: Childhood Rifle FireMixing Iconic Records With Significant Hearing LossTinnitus as a Potential Creative SuperpowerHow the Brain Compensates for Hearing Loss and Generates Phantom SoundCentral Gain Theory and Neural Noise AmplificationSynchrony: How Neurons Fire Together and Make Tinnitus LouderGating Mechanisms and Why Some People's Brains Filter Tinnitus OutThe Predictive Coding Model: Why Tinnitus Embeds Itself in the BrainHair Cell Damage vs. Synaptopathy: Two Different Types of Noise TraumaRecruitment: A Frequency-Specific Amplification PhenomenonWhy Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Don't Always CorrelateWhy Some People With Hearing Loss Never Get TinnitusSudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Medical EmergencyTinnitus Spikes: What Causes Them and What the Evidence Says About SteroidsTinnitus as a Canary in the Coal Mine for Stress and OverexposureFleeting Tinnitus: The Brief Episodes Most People ExperienceLow-Frequency Tinnitus and "The Hum"Musical Tinnitus and Musical HallucinationsWho to See: ENT vs. Audiologist vs. NeurologistCBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness for TinnitusTchad's Personal Coping Strategies, Including Exposure Therapy and Harmonizing With the RingingThe Role of Psilocybin and Psychedelics in Potential Tinnitus TreatmentNeural Plasticity, Synaptogenesis, and Why Psychedelics May HelpStem Cell and Cochlear Regeneration ResearchIs Tinnitus a Modern Problem? Pre- vs. Post-Industrial Noise ExposureThe Stigma Around Tinnitus in the Music IndustryHow Bella Bathurst Connected Jack and TchadTQ's First Oxford Research Grant: Transcranial Ultrasound StimulationWhy Patient-Driven Funding Moves Faster Than Institutional FundingThe Catch-22 of "Learn to Live With It" and How It Suppresses ResearchMatt's RANT!: Hearing ProtectionLinks and Show Notes:Tinnitus QuestWCA #334 with Jack RubinacciWCA #200 with Tchad BlakeBella Bathurst – Sound: Stories of Hearing Lost and Found Newcastle University – Translational and Clinical Research InstituteCredits:Guests: Tchad Blake, Dr. Will Sedley, Jack Rubinacci, Hazel GoedhartHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #596 with Will Kennedy – Dolby Atmos Focus, Selling Recording Gear, Hidden Coffee Shops, and Mixing Rock in Surround 18.05.2026 1h 14min

  In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer, mixer, and engineer Will Kennedy. Will shares an update on his journey since his last appearance, focusing on his partnership with Matt Wallace and their deep dive into immersive and Dolby Atmos mixing from their Los Angeles studio. They discuss the strategic decision to sell off their traditional recording gear, the evolution of the immersive audio market, and the amusing discovery of a hidden Starbucks inside a Jaguar dealership. The conversation also explores the unique, ongoing challenges of adapting rock and roll production techniques for the Atmos format.In This Episode, We Discuss:Biking With Brad WoodHuman Powered VehiclesPartnership With Matt WallaceDolby Atmos Mixing FocusLos Angeles Studio LocationHorseless Carriage DinerJaguar Dealership StarbucksSelling Traditional Recording GearKeeping Essential Overdub SetupOffloading Full Band TrackingEarly Adopter Atmos StrategyBecoming Premium Immersive MixersDolby Atmos Market CorrectionNavigating Cheap Atmos MixesAtmos In Modern CarsMixing Rock In SurroundStereo Versus Immersive TechniquesDeveloping New Tracking MethodsMatt's RANT!: Think BiggerLinks and Show Notes:WCA #388 with Will KennedyMatt Wallace on WCABrad Wood on WCACredits:Guest: Will KennedyHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck SmithVideo Interview
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  WCA #595 with Steve Kitch – Classical Roots, Sound On Sound, Supermarket Shifts, and Online Mastering Success 11.05.2026 58min

  In this episode, Matt welcomes mastering engineer Steve Kitch. Steve shares his journey from early music programming on home keyboards and classical piano training to building a worldwide mastering practice from his studio in Devon, UK. They discuss the transition from transferring DAT tapes to CDs, being an early adopter of online file delivery, and the evolution of a professional audio career through self-taught exploration and technical curiosity.In This Episode, We Discuss:Full Time MasteringDevon Studio LocationClassical Piano TrainingEarly Keyboard SequencersHiFi Technical UpbringingSound On SoundSelf Taught EducationDAT Tape TransfersOnline Mastering PioneerGoogle AdWords StrategiesSupermarket Shift WorkWebsite Design SoftwareGlobal Client ReachDigital Audio EvolutionMatt's RANT!: The Small ThingsLinks and Show Notes:Steve Kitch’s Site: AudiomasterRelated Episode: WCA #593 with Katie Marie RichardsCredits:Guest: Steve KitchHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #594 with Amar Lal – Experimental Roots, Corporate Transitions, Mastering Room Acoustics, and Macro Sound 04.05.2026 1h 13min

  In this episode, Matt welcomes mastering engineer and artist Amar Lal of Oakland’s Macro Sound. Amar shares his journey from the New York DIY scene and touring with Big Ups to a corporate role at Sennheiser and his eventual return to independent studio ownership. They discuss the benefits of an all-digital mastering workflow, the "Active Listening Club" philosophy, and how Amar maintains career longevity through work-life balance and photography.In This Episode, We Discuss:Mastering Engineer RolesOakland Studio LocationShared Building BenefitsEarly Childhood CanadaChildhood Piano LessonsExperimental Music SceneCircuit Bending GearHigh School RecordingNew York EducationTouring Big UpsFacing Career BurnoutCorporate Sennheiser ExperienceLaunching Macro SoundHome Studio LogisticsOakland Artistic CommunityAll Digital MasteringActive Listening ClubBalancing Personal LifePassion For PhotographyArtistic Practice PhilosophyMastering Room AcousticsLocal Community TiesRemote Working ModelsStudio Business LogisticsAuditory Sensitivity IssuesLinks and Show Notes:Amar Lal’s Site: Macro SoundBand Reference: Big UpsSennheiserActive Listening ClubMatt's RANT: Doing Try OutsCredits:Guest: Amar LalHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #593 with Katie Marie Richards – Self-taught Foundations, Four-track Experiments, Blue Rock, and The Human Experience 27.04.2026 1h 15min

  In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist Katie Marie for a deep dive into her 30-year career journey, moving from a rural UK trailer to world-class studios. They discuss the transition from solo artistry to a supportive production role, the philosophy of professional growth, and maintaining a healthy mindset around the business of music.In This Episode, We Discuss:Producer And Multi-instrumentalist BackgroundLeaving School At FifteenSelf-taught Musical FoundationsEarly Four-track Recording ExperimentsTransitioning From Solo ArtistManaging Performance AnxietyRelocating From Devon To AustinMentorship At Blue Rock StudioSharing Process Via Live StreamsTransitioning To North CarolinaMorning And Afternoon Life StagesGrowing Wider Rather Than TallerCollaborating With Christie LenéeOvercoming A Poverty MindsetCharging Based On ValueSelling The Human ExperiencePrioritizing Songs Over GearAdapting To New EnvironmentsLinks and Show Notes:Katie Marie’s SiteBlue Rock StudioBook Reference: You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen SinceroMatt's Rant: What IS possibleCredits:Guest: Katie Marie RichardsHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #592 with Ronan Chris Murphy – Falling Trees, World Travel, Anchor Points, and Being a Respectful Human 20.04.2026 1h 13min

  In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer, engineer, mixer Ronan Chris Murphy (King Crimson, Steve Morse, Terry Bozzio, Tony Levin) to talk about being a pro audio nomad, falling trees, and and anchor points.In This Episode, We Discuss:World TravelFalling TreesLanguageBeing a Respectful HumanAnchor POintsDebtLinks and Show Notes:Ronan's SiteMatt's Rant: Passion for AudioCredits:Guest: Ronan Chris MurphyHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #591 with Tyrone "Cross Bone T" Harris – Curiosity and Learning, Building a Client Base, Health Challenges, Overcoming Obstacles, and The Importance of Small Wins 13.04.2026 1h 2min

  In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes mixing and mastering engineer Tyrone "Cross Bone T" Harris who shares his journey from a young music enthusiast in London to a professional mixing and mastering engineer.In This Episode, We Discuss:Musical Roots and Early InfluencesThe Journey into Music ProductionCuriosity and Learning in MusicEarly Experiences with TechnologyFirst Steps in Radio and EducationNavigating Challenges in Music EducationTransitioning to Professional EnvironmentsLive Sound Experiences and GrowthThe Art of Live Sound EngineeringNavigating the Music Industry as a Young ProfessionalHealth Challenges and Career AdaptationTransitioning to Home Studio WorkBuilding a Client Base in a Niche MarketPhilosophy on Life and Overcoming ObstaclesThe Importance of Small Wins and MotivationLinks and Show Notes:CBT's SiteMatt's Rant: Sonic CitizensCredits:Guest: Tyrone "Cross Bone T" HarrisHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #590 with Phillip Broussard –Gulf Coast, Kingsway, Teatro, Rick Rubin, and Prioritizing Vibe 06.04.2026 1h 18min

  In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer/engineer/mixer and archivist, Phillip Broussard who has worked with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slipknot, System of a Down, and many moreIn This Episode, We Discuss:Texas upbringingJobs in Gulf Coast refineriesFirst studio internships in AustinHouston and AustinKingsway Studio in New OrleansPrioritizing vibe over gearRelocating to Los AngelesManaging Teatro in OxnardCollaboration with Rick RubinHandling limited recording budgetsSkills in reading the roomBalancing career and family lifeNegotiating rates and invoicingAudio archiving and session restorationNetworking to find new musicLinks and Show Notes:Phillip's SiteTrina Shoemaker on WCADave Schiffman on WCAMatt's Rant: Inspiration and ImaginationCredits:Guest: Phillip BroussardHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #589 with Mitch Easter – R.E.M., Drive-In Studio, Don Dixon, North Carolina, and Fidelatorium Recordings 30.03.2026 1h 22min

  In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcome musician/songwriter/producer/engineer Mitch Easter known for his work on the early R.E.M. records as well as his work with the db's, Game Theory, and Marshal Crenshaw as well as his own band Let's Active.In This Episode, We Discuss:Background and UpbringingEarly Interest in RecordingDrive-In StudioFidelatorium RecordingsBalancing Multiple RolesCollaboration with Don DixonThe Music Industry and the Indie EcosystemInfluences and InspirationsViews on RetirementLinks and Show Notes:YouTube versionMitch's SiteMatt's Rant: Creating OpportunityCredits:Guest: Mitch EasterHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #588 with Joe Costa– Ordering Lunch with William Shatner, Berklee School of Music, Mixing from Home, and Reading the Room 23.03.2026 1h 3min

  In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes engineer/mixer Joe Costa who has worked with Ben Folds. Sara Bareilles, William Shatner and many more.In This Episode, We Discuss:Ordering Lunch with William (Bill) ShatnerWorking with Ben FoldsMixing from HomeMoving to NashvilleBerklee School of MusicReading the RoomLinks and Show Notes:Joe On Instagram @costa71Watch the Interview on YouTubeMatt's Rant: Know Your ValueCredits:Guest: Joe CostaHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith
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  WCA #587 with Willie Green – The Green House, Physical Media, Business Strategy, Daily Patterns, and Innovation 16.03.2026 1h 17min

  Producer, engineer, artist, and professor Willie Green returns to WCA to chat with Matt about about his new studio adventure and much more! Willie has worked with renowned artists such as Armand Hammer, The Roots, The Alchemist, and Wiz Khalifa.In This Episode, We Discuss: The Green House Expands! Physical Media Marketing Strategies for Creative Spaces Daily Patterns and Balancing Responsibilities Adapting to Client Needs and Studio Management Business Strategy InnovationLinks and Show Notes:Willie Green’s WebsiteMatt's Rant: Which music industry do you work in?Credits:Guest: Willie GreenHost/Engineer/Producer: Matt BoudreauWCA Theme Music: Cliff TruesdellThe Voice: Chuck Smith