UNSUNG - the Audiomovers Podcast

The latest episode of UNSUNG welcomes acclaimed producer and engineer, Luke Wooten who joins hosts @mirek.stiles and @mattsoczywko for an in-depth conversation about building hit records in Nashville and the creative process behind some of country music's biggest artists.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Luke shares stories from working with Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, William Shatner, and many more, offering a rare insight into life inside Nashville's recording scene.
Together they discuss finding an artist's unique sound, the importance of choosing the right musicians, producing without ego, and why preparation is the key to capturing unforgettable performances.
The conversation also explores Brad Paisley's signature recording setup, Station West Studios, Nashville's world-renowned session musicians, the evolution from tape to Pro Tools, Dolby Atmos, studio acoustics, analogue versus digital workflows, and why great records are ultimately built on great songs, great players and great collaboration.
➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – https://audiomovers.com
UNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers exploring the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love.
#LukeWooten #BradPaisley #MusicProduction #RecordProducer #AudioEngineering #RecordingStudio #MixEngineer #Nashville #Audiomovers #UNSUNGPodcast
Timecode:
00:00 Why the musicians are Nashville’s greatest asset.
02:26 Working with Brad Paisley and his elaborate studio setup.
05:48 The ""Tackle Box"" Project: Recording 16 tracks in two days.
08:47 Stepping back from the console: Why producers stop mixing.
11:23 Capturing the artist's vision instead of your own.
13:05 The Station West origin story: Finding a ""hidden"" studio.
16:24 Taking the ultimate financial risk on a dream.
18:13 Why I converted to a standing desk for long sessions.
20:45 Creating a creative sanctuary in Costa Rica.
23:46 Watching Berry Hill transform into a world-class music hub.
25:42 Why I’m optimistic about the rising tide of streaming.
27:53 Post Malone’s deep respect for the Nashville community.
31:38 The incredible depth of talent in local session players.
34:09 Collaboration over ego in the control room.
35:42 Mixing for Brad Paisley: When the guitar is as loud as the vocal.
40:13 Why I finally transitioned to mixing entirely in the box.
44:22 The adrenaline and magic of a live tracking session.
46:08 Studio disasters: When the lights dim and the gear shorts out.
48:08 My biggest rookie mistake: The accidental feedback loop.
49:19 The importance of good diffusion and room tuning.
52:30 Quickfire: the Lewitt 1040 and the Dr. Z DB4 Amp.
56:08 Why the best guitar tones often use zero pedals.
58:08 My favorite 1961 Les Paul Jr. and the Martin D-35.
59:22 Closing thoughts and how to find Station West.

The latest episode of UNSUNG welcomes acclaimed mix engineer Sean D, who joins Audiomovers and hosts Jocelin, Matt Soczywko for an insightful conversation about building one of the UK's most respected mixing careers.

From humble beginnings to mixing chart-topping records for artists including Central Cee, Headie One, M Huncho, D-Block Europe and more, Sean shares the journey behind his success and the lessons learned along the way.

Together they discuss the importance of relationships in the music industry, transitioning from recording to full-time mixing, developing Signature Studios, and why business skills are just as important as technical ability.The conversation also explores Sean's mixing philosophy, working on landmark UK drill records, staying current through reference tracks, Dolby Atmos, analogue summing, simplifying workflows, and why making music feel great will always matter more than chasing technical perfection.

➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – https://audiomovers.com

UNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers exploring the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love.

#SeanD #MixEngineer #AudioEngineering #MusicProduction #RecordingStudio #Mixing #CentralCee #UKDrill #Audiomovers #UNSUNGPodcast

00:00 Why mixing is about feeling over technology
00:37 How I got my start in audio engineering
06:27 Building a sustainable career and giving back to the community
08:42 How to balance multiple creative roles in the music industry
12:03 The right way to build lasting relationships in the game
14:57 Turning points: major career milestones and moving into mixing
17:47 Why I chose to transition away from recording to focus on mixing
19:35 Behind the scenes of The Plug project and executive producing
22:44 Staying ahead of evolving trends in modern music production
26:20 Adapting classic mixing styles to fit modern trends
26:55 Tailoring your mix to match an artist's specific identity
29:31 Technical insights on monitors, rooms, and acoustic translation
33:07 The golden rule of mixing: keeping it simple and trusting intuition
34:34 My honest thoughts on Dolby Atmos and spatial audio
36:45 Breaking down my favorite plugins and daily mixing workflow
40:40 Dream collaborations and looking toward future artistic goals
42:32 Balancing the creative side with business: advice for aspiring engineers
46:20 Studio stories and finding technical workarounds under pressure
49:06 Overcoming the biggest challenges in mixing and mastering
50:54 Where to find Signature Studios and our educational resources
51:12 Wrapping up the session and closing thoughts

Season 2 of UNSUNG continues with acclaimed mastering engineer Piper Payne, who joins hosts Mirek Stiles and Matt Soczywko for a fascinating conversation about mastering, vinyl, and the craft of making great records.Based in Nashville, Piper has mastered albums for independent artists and major labels alike, while also founding Physical Music Products, one of the industry's most innovative vinyl pressing plants. Together they discuss mastering philosophy, the resurgence of vinyl, building a pressing plant during the pandemic, and why physical media has become a vital lifeline for independent artists.The conversation also explores analogue vs digital workflows, communication between artists and engineers, preserving specialist knowledge, and why mastering is as much about serving the music as it is technical precision.➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – https://audiomovers.comUNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers exploring the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love.#PiperPayne #MasteringEngineer #Vinyl #VinylRecords #AudioEngineering #MusicProduction #RecordingStudio #Mastering #Audiomovers #UNSUNGPodcastTimecode00:00 The art and economics of vinyl records.00:48 Building a record plant in the middle of a pandemic.03:29 Why I left Electrical Engineering for Audio Mastering.06:55 Fixing the deficit in vinyl quality control.08:59 Helping Independent Artists recoup their studio costs.13:58 Why it used to take two years to press a record.15:11 Debunking the myth of heavyweight vinyl.17:27 Why colored and clear vinyl actually sound different.20:22 The "dark arts" and magic of a well-pressed record.23:07 Active vs. passive listening: The ritual of the LP.24:41 Finding the "old guys" to save a dying craft.29:41 From jazz drumming to the mastering chair.31:00 The moment I realized mastering was my future.32:35 Learning from icons like Mandy Parnell and Darcy Proper.35:32 Why cutting a record is a handshake with the artist.39:26 Passing on 10,000 hours of knowledge to the next generation.42:07 Moving from the Bay Area to Nashville.44:03 Navigating studio ego and the game of "telephone".47:44 The pros and cons of remote vs. attended sessions.50:16 My hybrid gear chain: From Api to Rupert Neve.51:57 Why modern mixes are "kissing the top" too hard.55:08 The "poop joke" guide to cleaning up your low end.56:49 A litmus test for mix engineers.59:41 Using your ears instead of watching a waterfall.1:02:01 Why I prefer watching meters dance to looking at an RTA.1:03:53 Falling into Reaper after a Sonic Studio breakdown.1:07:50 Quickfire: Cheeseburgers and PMC Monitors1:08:43 My wife’s collection of 14 tape machines.1:09:26 Mastering on the road with Audeze Headphones.1:10:31 Being a night owl in an early-morning town.

Season 2 of UNSUNG continues with acclaimed mixer, engineer, producer, and entrepreneur F. Reid Shippen, who joins hosts Mirek Stiles and Matt Soczywko for a wide-ranging conversation about mixing, studio culture, artist development, and what really makes a career in music last.

Known for his work across country, rock, pop, Americana, and film projects, Reid has spent decades behind the console working with some of the biggest artists, producers, and songwriters in the industry. In this episode, he shares the lessons he's learned from a lifetime in recording studios — from major-label sessions and Nashville's music scene to modern mixing workflows and the realities of creative collaboration.
The conversation also explores demoitis, mix revisions, artist psychology, sample replacement, Atmos mixing, and the changing role of the modern engineer. Along the way, Reid shares stories from Nashville sessions, discusses the challenges facing independent artists today, and offers practical advice for anyone trying to build a sustainable career in music.

From studio etiquette and creative confidence to failure, persistence, and finding your own voice, this episode is packed with insights for musicians, producers, engineers, and anyone interested in how great records actually get made.

➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – https://audiomovers.com
UNSUNG is a podcast from Audiomovers that explores the untold stories and creative processes behind the music we love. Each episode features producers, engineers, mixers, composers, and artists shaping records and soundtracks across genres and industries.

#FReidshippen #MixingEngineer #Podcast #Audiomovers #MusicProduction #AudioEngineering #Mixing #Nashville #RecordingStudio #Producer #Atmos #MusicIndustry

Timecode
00:00 Why vibe is the most important tool in music production
01:37 Lessons from The Beatles on capturing authentic moments
04:33 Current studio projects and the evolution of the Nashville scene
08:10 Tapping into the unique musical spirit of Nashville
09:49 Navigating economic challenges when building a studio
10:35 My personal journey into the world of mixing and production
14:34 Breaking in: early career shifts and the move to engineering
17:11 Teaching the real-world skills that actually matter in the studio
20:33 The art of problem-solving and managing studio dynamics
22:00 Late-night mixing sessions and taking control of your creative agency
27:53 Surviving the long road to success in a creative industry
29:06 Inside the room: Taylor Swift's early career and production insights
30:30 Exploring the influence and art of modern music production
34:00 How to communicate with artists during the mixing process
35:42 Navigating artist references without losing the original vision
37:34 Finding the emotional connection in a raw mix
38:58 The "demo-itis" struggle: when an artist can't let go of the rough draft
44:06 Understanding why artists fall in love with their demos
45:11 A philosophy on the biggest challenges in modern mixing
49:21 Technical tips for session prep and plug-in management
51:43 The "dark art" of mixing drums and using samples
53:05 Pro techniques and tools for drum triggering
55:15 The balancing act: maintaining quality at high speed
58:38 My personal recording and mixing gear preferences
1:00:54 A deep dive into specific audio techniques and signal paths
1:02:58 Is it the future? exploring Immersive Audio and the Atmos format
1:07:04 Empowering indie musicians through the Once platform
1:10:10 A final look at essential mixing tools and creative techniques
1:13:03 Closing thoughts and acknowledgments

In this episode of UNSUNG Season 2, hosts @mixedbyjocelin and @mattsoczywko are joined by GRAMMY-winning mastering engineer Pete Lyman for a conversation about mastering, vinyl, artist intent, and the role of the mastering engineer in bringing a record across the finish line. 

Known for his work with artists including Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Amanda Shires, Halsey, and many others, Pete shares insights from a career spanning punk rock, country, pop, and independent music, explaining why understanding an artist's vision is often more important than chasing technical perfection.

The conversation explores the resurgence of vinyl and what makes the format such a unique listening experience. Pete discusses album sequencing, music discovery, and why listening to a record from start to finish can reveal a deeper artistic narrative than simply skipping between tracks. Matt and Jocelin also dive into the technical side of vinyl mastering, covering topics including low-end management, phase relationships, side length limitations, loudness, and the challenges of ensuring a mix translates across every listening environment, from high-end immersive systems to everyday headphones.

Alongside the technical discussion, Pete reflects on his journey from playing in punk bands to becoming one of the industry's most respected mastering engineers. The episode touches on immersive audio, modern mastering workflows, working with artists and producers, mentorship, studio culture, and the lessons he's learned from decades spent helping shape records across every genre. Whether you're an engineer, producer, musician, or passionate music fan, this episode offers a rare insight into the craft, philosophy, and responsibility of mastering music for generations of listeners.

➡️ Learn more about Audiomovers – Audiomovers.com
➡️ Listen to this episode on Spotify

#PeteLyman #UNSUNGPodcast #MasteringEngineer #VinylMastering #AudioEngineering #MusicProduction #MixingEngineer #MusicIndustry #AtmosMixing #Audiomovers
Timecode
00:00:00 Introduction: Meeting Pete Lyman of Infrasonic Mastering
00:01:05 'Immersive' Mixing and Mastering, and different formats
00:03:32 The Early Days: From Punk Rock to Professional Mastering
00:05:46 Breaking down 'The Process'. Listening is key!
00:10:35 Punk Rock Shaped Everything I Do.
00:11:58 Why vinyl is important to Pete Lyman. Streaming vs. playing an album.
00:15:22 How Pete mixes for Vinyl
00:19:54 Dub Plates to Dance Music - cutting vinyl.
00:26:33 Making your music future proof and mixing for all formats.
00:28:38 Watching Billy Strings. Unbelievable!
00:31:13 Working with Chris Stapleton. All live!
00:35:01 Collaboration: Communicating with Mix Engineers and Artists
00:40:42 Breaking down the studio journey. Moving to Nashville.
00:45:00 What still motivates me. My obsession.
00:46:12 The technical tour and studio setup, in the studio and at home.
00:52:43 QuickFire question round.
01:05:15 Closing Thoughts & The Future of Audio Engineering. Advice for beginners.