Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Podcast

Is your music really yours in the age of AI?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle, Marc Gray, CEO of SonicOrigin, dives into the future of audio verification. From watermarking that survives TikTok filters to tracking AI-generated content, Marc shares why authentication is becoming essential in today’s music and media industries. If you’re a creator, label, engineer or just curious about where music tech is heading, this episode will open your eyes to the tools that may soon become standard.KEY TAKEAWAYS• Why people no longer trust what they see or hear online• What makes content “copyrightable” when using AI tools• How SonicOrigin’s watermarking survives pitch, speed, and format changes• Why mastering engineers are ideal for embedding watermark tech• How new California laws will impact AI content labeling• Differences between watermarking, signal injection, and fingerprinting• How multiple payloads allow metadata to be private or public• The role of distributed ledgers in proving content provenance• Why industry-wide buy-in is essential for adoption• How watermarking could extend into advertising, podcasts, and deepfake detectionBEST MOMENTS00:02:23. “We have created the most resilient watermarking technology ever created.”00:03:03. “It survives pitch changes, speed adjustments, stem separations.”00:03:55. “Most AI-generated content will soon be required to carry a watermark.”00:04:49. “The minute one artist hears one artifact, you’ve lost all credibility.”00:08:47. “You cannot escape the underlying code.”00:10:15. “Only works if there are maybe one or two watermarks, not 85.”00:12:22. “Nobody trusts what they see on the Internet anymore.”00:14:04. “The commercial aspect is stopping piracy. The other is deepfake detection.”Ad link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

What happens when a teenage house party promoter takes on one of the biggest forces in live music?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle, Bobby sits down with Tommy Dorfman, a veteran club promoter and founder of Juice Entertainment. Tommy shares how he built a powerhouse promotion empire from scratch, packed out venues across New Jersey and New York, pioneered the East Coast house music scene, and went head-to-head with Live Nation. His story dives deep into the grind of promotion, the mafia encounters, and a David-versus-Goliath lawsuit that could reshape the live music industry. If you've ever wondered how the live music machine really works, this one is unmissable.Key Takeaways:• How Tommy started promoting events at age 15 to pay his own rent• Why house parties were the gateway to building a nightlife empire• The moment Tommy packed 1,500 people into a club on a Wednesday night• Inside the gritty hustle of street-level promotion before social media• How Tommy ran Myspace’s live events division on the East Coast• A firsthand account of mafia threats and how he stood his ground• How Live Nation allegedly forced him out of a major festival deal• The 15-year legal fight against Live Nation and what’s at stake• Why ticket prices are skyrocketing—and who’s really to blame• What Tommy hopes to change for fans, artists, and independent promotersBest Moments:00:00:07. “I started off throwing parties because of a necessity. We lived in houses of my own. At 15 or 16 years old.”00:01:02. “People were like, yeah, this is awesome, man. You just get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to chill with celebrities and drink champagne. Nah. You work your ass off for it.”00:02:52. “I do my first successful solo party in New Jersey, like in 1997. Packed it out with over 1,500 people. On a Wednesday night.”00:03:35. “Then I started on a Thursday party packing that was one of the most successful parties in New Jersey history.”00:04:14. “We started promotingExplore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

What makes a brand partnership truly authentic in music today?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, Bobby sits down with Katie Nowak, VP of Marketing and Partnerships at TBA Agency, to explore how meaningful collaborations are redefining success for artists. Katie shares behind-the-scenes stories about building the “Here and There” festival with Courtney Barnett, partnering with brands like Microsoft and Levi’s, and using creative strategy to connect niche artists with deeply engaged audiences.Whether you're an artist, marketer, or industry insider, this episode reveals the power of authenticity, community, and strategy in today’s evolving music business.KEY TAKEAWAYS: • The origin and mission of the “Here and There” festival with Courtney Barnett • How TBA Agency built brand partnerships with Microsoft, Levi’s, and more • The role of AI in enhancing, not replacing, artistic expression • Why niche artists can offer deeper engagement than mainstream acts • How to pitch brand partnerships around authenticity and connection • Insights into building private and corporate event activations for artists • Katie’s personal journey through major industry roles and companies • The evolution of her role from tour marketing to strategic leadership • Why social media and PR require constant experimentation and community input • How being nice and staying true to yourself drives long-term career successBEST MOMENTS: 00:02:49. “Levi’s created custom denim jackets for all of the artists that participated in the festival.” 00:03:42. “We uploaded all of Courtney’s drawings into Microsoft’s AI tools... it was a love letter to each city.” 00:05:12. “This was a way to show that humans using AI can still make something creative with human hands.” 00:06:51. “Microsoft was very open to any and all ideas... they trust your creative mind.” 00:08:06. “These are niche artists... they bring a certain edginess that makes the brand feel cool.” 00:10:15. “I grew up doing musical theater and performing… I’ve always been in the arts.” 00:14:32. “Being at TBA and building it from the ground up has allowed me to grow into the best version of myself.” 00:19:01. “The things that do best on social are new signings, big press looks, and artist mAd link: Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

Is high-end studio gear still worth it today?For this milestone 600th episode, Bobby welcomes back fan-favorite Dennis Moody, a world-renowned studio and live mixer who’s appeared on every 100th episode since the podcast’s launch. In this revealing conversation, Dennis opens up about the biggest shifts he’s seen over the last decade in music production, gear, touring, and what truly matters when it comes to crafting a great sound. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just gear-curious, this episode will change how you think about tools, tone, and tech.KEY TAKEAWAYS• Vintage mics aren’t essential anymore• Knockoff gear quality has drastically improved• MP3s still don’t match WAV file quality• Touring travel strategies for pros• Studio vs live mixing philosophies• Managing loudness requests from artists• Smart tech choices can rival big-budget gear• Why stage volume is lower than ever• The power of mixing through preamp adjustments• Why Dennis is choosing creativity over moneyBEST MOMENTS00:02:26. “Yes. Because I wanted to be, but... hoping to be even a little more level up, which seems to be now.”00:03:16. “I'm seeing a lot of really, call them knock off companies, like, my favorite warm audio.”00:07:26. “That's amazing. The difference. But people, that's just the way it is now.”00:10:18. “Thing's been around, circumnavigated the globe at least 12, 14 times.”00:15:29. “Once the show started, it just was the most fun ever.”00:21:25. “It turned out perfect. There were 8500 people there, and it was just absolutely amazing.”00:27:31. “I would have done more of that for me. More for my stuff, you know.”00:33:50. “If you want to have an interesting life, you have to make it interesting.”Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/

What can a nightclub DJ teach you about running a business?In this episode of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, we sit down with DJ, author, professor, and speaker Amani Roberts - also known as DJ AMRo - to unpack how his pivot from corporate America to the turntables led to a purpose-driven creative career. Amani shares insights from his book DJ’s Mean Business, his work teaching music business at Cal State Fullerton, and what DJing can reveal about reading a room, adapting under pressure, and staying relevant in the age of AI. This conversation is packed with wisdom for artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about the modern music industry.KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Why R&B groups disappeared from the mainstream• The connection between DJ sets and business growth• What every artist should know about music publishing• The biggest misconceptions about gear and DJing• How AI fails to match human connection on the dance floor• Why the imperfections in music are what make it timeless• The reality of teaching Gen Z students post-pandemic• How to protect your business and brand as a creative• Essential advice for aspiring music industry professionals• The #1 mindset shift that helps creatives actually finish thingsBEST MOMENTS:00:04:01. “It was my thesis in grad school. I was deciding between this and why there are no longer any saxophone solos.”00:05:01. “There was a week in July 1997 where 14 out of 20 songs on Billboard’s Top 20 were R&B groups.”00:08:23. “You gotta figure out how you’re going to market yourself. Grow your email list. Learn the business.”00:12:36. “Each 15 minutes of a DJ set relates to growing a business.”00:14:27. “Reading a crowd is only acquired through being in person and being around people.”00:18:32. “They said I might have 12 students. First class? 34. We've been running like that ever since.”00:24:36. “AI will never know heartbreak. That’s why it can’t replace artists.”00:31:02. “Done is better than perfecExplore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrLThis edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro. Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv🎧 Discover more mixing and production courses:https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/📲 Follow Bobby for more tips, insights, and updates:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbyOwsinskiBiz/• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbyo/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbyowsinski/• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bobbyowsinski.bsky.social🎙️ New episodes release every Tuesday at 9AM Pacific on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Music. Business. Creativity. Straight from the Inner Circle.Produced by APodcastGeekhttps://apodcastgeek.com/