Master Your Mix Podcast

Brian Howes is a Canadian producer, songwriter, and former recording artist known for crafting commercially successful rock and pop records with a strong emphasis on melody, structure, and radio appeal. After beginning his career as a frontman in bands like DDT and Closure, he transitioned into production and quickly made a name for himself with breakthrough projects such as Hinder’s Extreme Behavior and Hedley’s self-titled debut. His work is characterized by hook-driven songwriting, polished arrangements, and a seamless blend of rock energy with pop sensibility.
Over the course of his career, Howes has collaborated with a wide range of major artists, including Skillet, Daughtry, Nickelback, Simple Plan, and Boys Like Girls, earning multiple JUNO Awards for Producer of the Year along with Grammy and Dove Award recognition. Based in Vancouver, he operates largely from his own studio, where he combines songwriting and production into a single, integrated process. Known for his analytical approach to hit-making—often described as studying the “math of songwriting”—Howes continues to be a sought-after collaborator for artists aiming to achieve a polished, radio-ready sound.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
How “Swedish math" is responsible for shaping hit songs
The three-hook chorus structure Brian uses on radio records
Why melody should drive the arrangement, not the other way around
How to map tempo and BPM to vocal cadence
The most common songwriting mistakes producers need to fix
Knowing when to get out of the way
How Brian approaches pre-production with bands who are married to their demos
Why Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel” broke all the rules and still became a massive hit
Making the switch from being an artist to producer
How to give "punk rock energy" in soccer-mom music
Working on Airbourne's new record

To learn more about Brian Howes, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Howes
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to [email protected]

Please leave a rating and review:
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Dave Trumfio doesn’t just make records, he builds the rooms where records come alive. A Los Angeles–based producer, mixer, engineer, and musician, Trumfio has quietly shaped decades of indie and alternative music, with a sonic fingerprint that runs through artists like Wilco, Built to Spill, OK Go, and Sia.
He first broke through in the 90s as co-founder of The Pulsars, a cult synth-pop duo with his brother Harry that earned a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of greatest one-album wonders. At the same time, he embedded himself in the underground as bassist and co-songwriter for the long-running post-punk collective The Mekons, adding grit to an already unruly legacy.
Behind the console, Trumfio became a go-to architect for artists chasing character over polish, with credits spanning My Morning Jacket, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Dogstar. But his biggest innovation might be the spaces themselves. As founder of Kingsize Soundlabs, he pioneered a modern “producer-driven” studio model, later expanding that vision through partnerships with Gold-Diggers and 64 Sound, blending hospitality, community, and high-end recording into a new creative ecosystem.
Outside the studio, he channels his restless energy into Damaged Disco, a label and LA event series steeped in post-punk and darkwave, while continuing to release music as Nervous Boy and perform electronic sets as DAT68.
Trumfio’s career is less a straight line and more a feedback loop, artist, engineer, entrepreneur, repeat. The common thread: a lifelong obsession with sound, and the instinct to build the culture around it, not just capture it.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Should you start your own studio or use existing studios?
Why he sold a $300K+ Neve console and what he replaced it with
The 5-year industry cycle that dictates which studios survive
Why the "if you build it, they will come" mentality kills most studios
The real reason big studios are disappearing (and what's replacing them)
Why "greatest hits" gear beats boutique esoteric pieces every time
How AI is pushing everything toward perfection will create demand for raw, human recordings
The one thing you need to invest in if you're starting a studio today
Future-proofing your studio

To learn more about David Trumfio, visit: https://www.kingsizesoundlabs.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to [email protected]

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Mike Schuppan is a Los Angeles–based mix engineer, recording engineer, and producer with over 20 years of experience working across alternative, pop, electronic, and experimental music. Originally from Nashville, he developed his career through hands-on studio work and long-term collaborations with producer and multi-instrumentalist Justin Meldal-Johnsen, contributing to both recording sessions and live touring environments.
Over the years, Schuppan has built a diverse and high-level discography, working with artists such as Paramore, M83, Lady Gaga, Poppy, Jimmy Eat World, and Ziggy Marley. His credits span major-label releases, Grammy-winning projects, and records that have achieved gold and platinum status. His work on Paramore’s self-titled album and After Laughter, along with M83’s Fantasy, highlights his ability to navigate sonically dense, emotionally driven productions while maintaining clarity and musicality.
Schuppan is known for a mix style that emphasizes feel, depth, and translation—balancing modern polish with the integrity of the original performance. Whether working on layered pop productions or more organic alternative records, he focuses on preserving emotional intent while ensuring mixes translate across streaming platforms and playback systems.
In addition to music releases, he has also contributed to film and television projects as a score mixer and engineer, reflecting a broader technical range that extends beyond traditional record production. His career represents a hybrid of classic studio engineering and modern mixing workflows, making him especially relevant to today’s generation of producers working across both analog and in-the-box environments.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Why Mike records way more microphones than he'll ever use (and how it saves his mixes later)
The exact session layout he borrowed that he still uses on every project
How he decides when to go minimal vs. using complex setups
Why thinking about the mix during tracking is the only way to avoid "fix it later" disasters
His approach to creating space and depth without losing clarity in dense productions
Finding problematic, masking frequencies
How he knows when a mix is actually done
Why his goal is to never be "the best" at anything
The one frequency range he's obsessed with on bass
His go-to bass micing setup
Working with artists like Paramore, Ziggy Marley, and M83
Incorporating feedback into your process

To learn more about Mike Schuppan, visit: https://www.mikeschuppan.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to [email protected]

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

As a producer, engineer, and mixer, Sonny DiPerri has worked alongside artists such as Nothing, She’s Green, Julie, Narrowhead, Wisp, DIIV, Animal Collective, Late Night Drive Home, These New Puritans, Deradoorian, Protomartyr, Emma Ruth Rundle, Portugal. The Man, Lord Huron, The Drums, Dirty Projectors, and many more.
A third-generation drummer, DiPerri started playing in bands and studying music at an early age. He quickly discovered he was fascinated by the studio, leaving band life behind and pursuing a career as an engineer. He moved from Boston to LA, quickly landing an apprenticeship for legendary British record producer Flood, working with 30 Seconds to Mars. Excited by the experience and atmosphere of the studio, he took Flood up on the offer of an assistant position, moving to London, where he assisted both Flood and Alan Moulder.
Upon his return to Los Angeles, Sonny worked as an engineer for Trent Reznor, My Bloody Valentine, M83, Dave Sardy, and David Longstreth of Dirty Projectors, among others. Sonny now splits his time between producing and mixing.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
How Sonny went from zero studio experience to apprenticing under Flood on a 30 Seconds to Mars record as his first ever credit.
The session prep approach he's used for nearly two decades
Why he never dials in a sound in solo
Why he spends more time in pre-production than he does actually making the album — and how that makes tracking faster and more focused
What the "inversions" process with Animal Collective actually looked like in practice
How he handled working alongside Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Alessandro Cortini — running a room with multiple synchronized computers
The "overnight mix" technique
Why he thinks every engineer should make at least one record under serious limitations — and what that teaches you about commitment
Why you should always "mix like you're already getting fired"

To learn more about Sonny Diperri, visit: https://www.sonnyrecordsthings.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to [email protected]

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Justin Gray is a Canadian born/ LA based Songwriter, Producer & Composer. The breadth of credits & accolades during his 20+ year career has him considered among an elite group of creators in the music and entertainment landscape.
Accumulating 8+ billion global streams from his artist collaborations & development projects, Gray has found success with some of the world's biggest stars such as Mariah Carey, John Legend, Avril Lavigne & even Glen Campbell. Justin’s work has appeared on countless influential playlists, had multiple viral hits, Top 10 Shazamed songs, and dozens of global number ones with artists like New Zealand’s Six60, K-pop superstars NCT 127 and SuperM, as well as China’s Chris Lee and Roy Wong. Justin is also well-known as an early collaborator of Amy Winehouse and Joss Stone.
Beyond his frontline success, he has earned a reputation as a true developer of talent, as well as being one of the most sought-after songwriters and producers for Film and TV in the world.
His extensive reach in Sync licensing has landed 100’s of placements in Film, TV, Ads, and Video Games. Justin’s music and productions have appeared in trailers and in-picture on scores of projects, including Toy Story 4, Lego Movie: Ninjago, Hocus Pocus 2, Grey’s Anatomy, Bull, and The L Word; with key partners such as Netflix, Paramount, Hulu, Starz, and Disney. Some of the brands having used Justin’s music include Target, AT&T, Nissan, and NordicTrack.
2022 was a pivotal year, as Justin co-composed the score and wrote original music for the film, ‘Spinning Gold’ (a biopic of Casablanca Records Founder, Neil Bogart: only in theaters March 31, 2023), where he also serves as a co-producer on the film. He also wrote and performed the theme for Netflix Jr’s “Big Tree City Rescue.”
2023 finds Justin writing, producing, and composing the full original motion picture soundtrack and score with long-time creative collaborator Evan Bogart (and other half of Bogart & Gray) for the film “Verona” (currently in production), where again, he is not only an executive music producer, but also a co-producer of the film.
Being a successful creator is only part of this professional entrepreneur. Justin is also the Founder and CEO of a music tech start-up, SonifyMusic.ai, as well as Co-Founder of the music publishing & talent management venture, Anti Gravity Entertainment.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Why writing “bad” songs is actually the fastest way to improve
How to get into songwriting rooms (even if you’re not a great writer yet)
The importance of building a broad skillset—and how it makes you more valuable
How to figure out whether you should write for yourself or for others
Why community matters more than talent in the long run
How to start songwriting sessions without wasting hours
The hidden “hierarchy” in the room—and how to navigate it
When to push for your idea… and when to let it go

To learn more about Justin Gray, visit: https://www.iamjustingray.com/ and https://www.sonifymusic.ai/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to [email protected]

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!