Recording & Mixing

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Oct 2026

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Welcome to the Sound On Sound Recording and Mixing podcast channel where you’ll find shows packed with Hints & Tips about getting the most out of the recording, mixing and mastering process. More information and content can be found at www.soundonsound.com/podcasts | Facebook, X and Instagram - @soundonsoundmag | YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/soundonsoundvideo

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60 recent

October 15, 202642 min

Speaker Design - What's Important And Why

Phil Ward talks to Julian Rodgers about the fundamental challenges of loudspeaker design, from cabinet construction and bass response, to impedance, directivity and point-source designs. They explore how cost, materials, DSP and advances in driver technology determine the compromises involved in creating accurate studio monitors. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:03 - Why Speakers Sound Different 03:19 - The Impedance Of Air 04:19 - How Cost Determines Outcome 09:19 - Bass Response Challenges 12:03 - The Benefits Of Porting 14:52 - Different Cabinet Designs 17:22 - Point Source 22:29 - Research And Design Changes 28:02 - Development Time 33:55 - Digital Technologies 39:47 - Favourite Speaker #MordauntShort #Genelec #PMC #Amphion #AsciLab #PURIFI #ATC #LAcoustics #AdamAudio #KiiAudio #DutchAndDutch #HOLOPLOT #PSIAudio Phil Ward Biog Phil Ward is a bassist, loudspeaker designer, technical writer and journalist who has worked in the consumer and professional audio industries for more than three decades. He began his career at Mordaunt-Short before going on to work in design and project management roles at Canon and Naim Audio, and has worked as a freelance consultant and writer since 2001. Phil is best known to Sound On Sound readers for his monitor reviews, and has also written extensively for hi-fi, professional audio, music and design publications. He is also a recording engineer and producer, working from his home studio near Brighton. https://musicandmiscellany.com/ Julian Rodgers Biog Julian Rodgers is a freelance writer and audio engineer with a background in live sound. After many years working in education introducing new users to Pro Tools, he now lives by the sea in West Cornwall, where he plays keyboards in a couple of bands. He also plays bass and guitar equally badly, and remains an enthusiastic collector of microphones and opinions about all things audio. https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-rodgers-04621926 Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

September 15, 202641 min

Field Recording - Marcus Leadley

Marcus Leadley talks to Suzie Cross about his new book, Field Recording: A Practical Guide, exploring the techniques, equipment and creative approaches to capturing sound in the field. From microphones and denoising to electromagnetic and underwater recording, Marcus shares practical insights from more than 40 years of experience. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:47 - Reasons For Writing The Book 03:04 - A Background In Field Recording 05:36 - Commonly Used Microphones 07:05 - Discovering Hidden Sounds 08:38 - Different Microphone Use Cases 13:04 - Digital Denoising Tools 14:25 - Using The Sounds In Compositions 16:03 - Making Creative Decisions While Recording 19:25 - Electromagnetic Detectors 25:04 - Underwater Recording With Hydrophones 29:18 - Managing Unpredictability 30:52 - Allowing For The Unexpected 32:36 - Analogue Pitch Shift And Time Stretch 36:19 - Contact Microphones 40:27 - Where To Hear Marcus' Work Marcus Leadley Biog Marcus Leadley is a field recordist, sound artist, composer, curator and academic specialising in field recording, soundscape composition and environmental sound. He is Head of the Electronic Music Studios at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he teaches experimental sound and Sonic Arts. His research interests include phonography, soundscape composition, acoustic ecology and ecoacoustics, and his artistic practice includes field recordings, soundscape compositions, installations and collaborative projects. Marcus has been creating work based on field recordings since 1997 and also teaches field recording and soundscape composition through online courses and practical field trips. Before moving into academia, he worked as an engineer, producer and music technology journalist, managed commercial studios in Australia and edited Guitar & Bass magazine. He holds an MMus in Studio-Based Composition and a PhD in Sonic Arts. https://www.marcusleadley.com/ https://www.crowood.com/book/field-recording/ https://www.facebook.com/marcus.leadley Suzie Cross Biog Suzie Cross is an award-winning creative producer and multidisciplinary artist whose work explores connections between people, places and the natural world. Her practice spans sonic art, eco-acoustics, immersive installations, film, projection, poetry and electroacoustic composition. Her film Newland: New Vision for a Wilder Future, made with Dave Lynch, won Best Climate Film at the 2021 Research in Film Awards and led to an invitation to speak at COP26. A Clore Fellow, Suzie was awarded the Cultural Leadership Fellowship for Global Environmental Impact in 2018. She is Artistic Director of the Land Lines research project at the University of Leeds, Sound Artist in Residence at Manchester’s Mayfield development, and helps run SynthFest UK for Sound On Sound. She is also a member of the Frozen Music Collective, exploring neurodiversity and the relationship between the human brain and technology. https://suziecross.wordpress.com/ https://www.instagram.com/suzieloves432/ https://x.com/TheSuzieCross Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

August 21, 202642 min

Guerilla Recording - Performance-First Techniques

Lincoln Grounds joins Julian Rodgers to discuss guerrilla recording techniques, exploring how a focus on authentic performances, unconventional spaces and adaptability can matter more than technology and complex setups when creating compelling recordings. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:09 - Definition Of Guerilla Recording 05:59 - Not Over-Indulging In Tech 11:14 - Getting A Good Performance Quickly 16:18 - Recording Bands In Their Own Element 19:50 - Working With Spill 30:18 - Headphones And Clicks Where Needed 33:10 - Post Production Techniques #BozDigital #ProTools #FabFilter #NoiseWorks #iZotope #Waves Lincoln Grounds Biog Lincoln Grounds is a composer, producer, recording engineer and owner of Maverick Music. His work spans production music for TV, film and advertising, alongside live performance and recording projects with artists including Sister Sledge, Cockney Rebel and Kid Creole. He has worked in a wide variety of recording environments, from improvised setups to world-renowned studios including Abbey Road and Blackbird Studio in Nashville. https://x.com/lincolngrounds Julian Rodgers Biog Julian Rodgers is a freelance writer and audio engineer with a background in live sound. After many years working in education introducing new users to Pro Tools, he now lives by the sea in West Cornwall, where he plays keyboards in a couple of bands. He also plays bass and guitar equally badly, and remains an enthusiastic collector of microphones and opinions about all things audio. https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-rodgers-04621926 Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

July 29, 202631 min

Advanced Effects

Eddie Bazil explores a range of advanced effects techniques, using practical audio examples to demonstrate how creative combinations of delays, reverbs, harmonisers, flangers and phasers can add depth, movement and texture to your productions. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:43 - Example 1: Multi-Tap Delay 05:43 - Example 2: Granular Resynthesis 08:10 - Example 3: Wrapping Reverbs 12:21 - Example 4: Adding Frequencies With A Harmoniser 16:10 - Example 5: Flangers For 3D Motion 20:43 - Example 6: Flanger, Phaser and Reverb #EventideUltraTap #SoundtoysCrystallizer #IKMultimediaCSRPlateReverb #AcusticaAudioRICE #EventideH949Harmonizer #BlueCatFlanger #InitialAudio808Studio2 #SoundtoysPhaseMistress #GForceM-tronProIV #EventideBlackhole Eddie Bazil Biog Eddie Bazil launched his music industry career at the age of 17 as a synth programmer for a range of Electro / New Wave bands, including Art Of Noise, Spandau Ballet, Pet Shop Boys, Bobin, Paul Dee, DJ Krush, DJ Shadow, Jets Orchestra, and many more. By his 20s, he was working as a sound designer for Akai, Roland, Emu/Ensoniq, eventually signing on exclusively with the latter. Later, due to a growing demand for software instruments and libraries, Eddie began developing libraries for various software manufacturers, including Native Instruments, Kiesel, Sound Effects Library, Rob Papen, Arturia, and Propellerheads. During this time, he trained in music production. He soon gained several prominent contracts working with some notable artistes such as Busta Rhymes, Greensleeves, 9 Bar, SFP, Sleeveless, Chris Campbell and Gam Productions. He contracted to Island Records and Chrysalis as a producer and remixer, and was commissioned to write the score for Macbeth that ran at 2 Way Mirror at Alexander Palace for the Cambridge Shakespeare Company. This led to him offering educational workshops and classes, and becoming a contributing creator and Forum moderator for Sound On Sound. Recently, he was invited by the Recording Academy to become a professional member, approved educator, and mentor for their member base. Eddie now concentrates on providing private sound design and mixing/production tuition, and creating content for Sound On Sound magazine. https://eddiebazil.co.uk/ Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

May 19, 202625 min

Advanced EQ Tips

In this episode, Eddie Bazil breaks down the different types of EQ, explains their most common uses in mixing and production, and demonstrates how they shape and enhance sound with practical audio examples. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:48 - What EQ Is And Different Types 01:33 - Active And Passive 02:45 - Linear Phase And Minimum Phase 03:46 - High-Pass and Low-Pass Filters 04:36 - Example 1: Using Synth Filters 06:47 - Common Functions Of EQ 07:27 - Example 2: Shaping A Kick Drum 10:31 - Example 3: Rebalancing An Acoustic Guitar 13:48 - Selecting The Right EQ Shape 15:55 - Managing Redundant Frequencies 18:15 - Example 4: Rebalancing A Mix #PultecEQP-1 #XferSerum #BozDigitalTransgressor2 #EventideSplitEQ #SonibleEntropyEQ+ #SSLNativeXSaturator #SSLValveComp #TokyoDawnTDRArbiter Track Credits Example 2: from 'Puppet' by John Walden. Example 3: from James Perret . Example 4: from 'Another Way' by forester. Written, performed and produced by René Schneeberger. https://foresterdnb.bandcamp.com/music https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/2BtzZiEDaReXLveskYtYkm https://soundcloud.com/foresterdnb https://cambridge-mt.com/ Eddie Bazil Biog Eddie Bazil launched his music industry career at the age of 17 as a synth programmer for a range of Electro / New Wave bands, including Art Of Noise, Spandau Ballet, Pet Shop Boys, Bobin, Paul Dee, DJ Krush, DJ Shadow, Jets Orchestra, and many more. By his 20s, he was working as a sound designer for Akai, Roland, Emu/Ensoniq, eventually signing on exclusively with the latter. Later, due to a growing demand for software instruments and libraries, Eddie began developing libraries for various software manufacturers, including Native Instruments, Kiesel, Sound Effects Library, Rob Papen, Arturia, and Propellerheads. During this time, he trained in music production. He soon gained several prominent contracts working with some notable artistes such as Busta Rhymes, Greensleeves, 9 Bar, SFP, Sleeveless, Chris Campbell and Gam Productions. He contracted to Island Records and Chrysalis as a producer and remixer, and was commissioned to write the score for Macbeth that ran at 2 Way Mirror at Alexander Palace for the Cambridge Shakespeare Company. This led to him offering educational workshops and classes, and becoming a contributing creator and Forum moderator for Sound On Sound. Recently, he was invited by the Recording Academy to become a professional member, approved educator, and mentor for their member base. Eddie now concentrates on providing private sound design and mixing/production tuition, and creating content for Sound On Sound magazine. https://eddiebazil.co.uk/ Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

March 17, 202644 min

Hardware in a Modern Hybrid Studio

Professional producers Chevy One and Gareth Young talk to Julian Rodgers about the advantages of a hybrid hardware and digital studio setup and how combining the two can streamline workflow and speed up modern music production. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:07 - Hardware In A Modern Hybrid Studio 03:47 - What Does Hybrid Currently Mean 07:31 - Benefits Of Having A Console 08:43 - Using Control Surfaces 14:54 - Matching Tools To Tasks 23:24 - On The Way In And The Way Out 31:46 - Recallable And Software-Integrated Hardware 37:16 - Hardware Vs Software Workflow #LA2A #Console1 #Audient #SSL Chevy One Biog Award-winning producer and composer Chevy has built a two-decade career across records, global brands and music technology. Operating a modern hybrid studio, he balances analogue commitment with digital flexibility. Recent work includes IKEA’s latest National Swedish campaign and product leadership at All Our Minds. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseluismontoro https://audiocentralstudio.co.uk Gareth Young Biog Gareth is the owner of Cube recording studios a residential studio in Cornwall where he has worked with clients such as The XX, Tom Misch and Sam Ryder. Gareth has recently co-written and produced Tom Meighan's top twenty debut solo album, ‘The Reckoning ‘ and as a writer/producer he has co-written and produced hits for the Sugababes, Appleton, Dannii Minogue, Ronan Keating and All Saints to name a few. http://garethyoung.com https://www.facebook.com/cuberecordingcornwall https://x.com/cuberecording https://www.instagram.com/cube_recording Julian Rodgers Biog Julian Rodgers is a freelance writer and audio engineer with a background in live sound. After many years working in education introducing new users to Pro Tools, he now lives by the sea in West Cornwall, where he plays keyboards in a couple of bands. He also plays bass and guitar equally badly, and remains an enthusiastic collector of microphones and opinions about all things audio. https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-rodgers-04621926 Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

February 12, 202619 min

Advanced DAW Automation

Eddie Bazil demonstrates creative uses of advanced automation as a musical tool in the DAW, showing how automation can add movement, expression and musical detail. The episode covers shaping arpeggiated parts, using MIDI CC for dynamic control, modulating vocal tracks and applying MIDI note expression to enhance performance. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:49 - Setting Up Automation Lanes 02:30 - Example 1: Adding ARP Movement 04:51 - Example 2: Using MIDI CC For Velocity 07:41 - Example 3: Modulating A Vocal Track 14:52 - Example 4: MIDI Note Expression In A DAW #gforce #imposcar3 #cubase #deviousmachines #infiltrator2 #cableguys #shaperbox #ovoxvocoder #eventide #blackhole See Also: https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/using-phaser-effects-podcast Eddie Bazil Biog Eddie Bazil launched his music industry career at the age of 17 as a synth programmer for a range of Electro / New Wave bands, including Art Of Noise, Spandau Ballet, Pet Shop Boys, Bobin, Paul Dee, DJ Krush, DJ Shadow, Jets Orchestra, and many more. By his 20s, he was working as a sound designer for Akai, Roland, Emu/Ensoniq, eventually signing on exclusively with the latter. Later, due to a growing demand for software instruments and libraries, Eddie began developing libraries for various software manufacturers, including Native Instruments, Kiesel, Sound Effects Library, Rob Papen, Arturia, and Propellerheads. During this time, he trained in music production. He soon gained several prominent contracts working with some notable artistes such as Busta Rhymes, Greensleeves, 9 Bar, SFP, Sleeveless, Chris Campbell and Gam Productions. He contracted to Island Records and Chrysalis as a producer and remixer, and was commissioned to write the score for Macbeth that ran at 2 Way Mirror at Alexander Palace for the Cambridge Shakespeare Company. This led to him offering educational workshops and classes, and becoming a contributing creator and Forum moderator for Sound On Sound. Recently, he was invited by the Recording Academy to become a professional member, approved educator, and mentor for their member base. Eddie now concentrates on providing private sound design and mixing/production tuition, and creating content for Sound On Sound magazine. https://eddiebazil.co.uk/ Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

January 22, 202643 min

AI and Music Tech in 2026 - Sonarworks Survey

Helmuts Bems, Co-Founder and CEO of Sonarworks, joins Sam Inglis to discuss the findings of their recent AI survey. The conversation explores differing industry perspectives on generative versus assistive AI and provides insight into the extent to which professional musicians are already adopting these emerging technologies. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:33 - A Data-Driven Audio Company 04:56 - Assistive Vs Generative AI 07:36 - New Categories Of Tools 08:27 - Early Adoption Of AI Tools 12:50 - Negative Or Neutral Tensions 18:37 - Tackling Ethical Issues 21:25 - Where Music Production Is Heading 26:33 - The Impact Across Industries And Musical Genres 33:05 - Changes In Music Consumption 37:08 - How Technology Has Shaped Music 42:41 - AI As A Huge Industry Disruption For more insights and data read the related article: www.soundonsound.com/music-business/ai-music-tech-2026 Full Report (PDF): https://blog-uploads.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/2026/01/ai-music-production-skills-report-2026-sonarworks.pdf Sonarworks Blog (Short Version): www.sonarworks.com/blog/research/future-music-production-human-producer-survey-2026 Sonarworks Biog Sonarworks is an award-winning audio technology company specialising in sound calibration and audio personalisation. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Riga, Latvia, the company develops patented calibration and AI-driven technologies that enable consistent, reference-grade audio across a wide range of listening environments and professional workflows. Sonarworks’ solutions are trusted by more than 300,000 studios worldwide and are widely used by audio engineers, producers and content creators. In addition to its professional studio tools, Sonarworks has expanded into consumer audio through its SoundID personalisation technology, which adapts sound to individual hearing profiles and preferences. The company licenses its technology to global audio and consumer electronics partners and continues to be recognised internationally for its innovation in precision audio and sound optimisation. https://www.sonarworks.com/blog/research Helmuts Bems (Co-founder, CEO) Biog Helmuts Bems is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sonarworks, a leading audio technology company based in Riga, Latvia. He co-founded the company in 2012 and has overseen its strategic growth into a global innovator in sound calibration and personalised audio solutions, securing multiple financing rounds and international partnerships to expand its technologies across professional and consumer markets. Bems holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga. Under his leadership, Sonarworks has been recognised for advancing precision audio technologies used by engineers and studios worldwide and has achieved notable industry accolades and commercial milestones. Driven by complex challenges, Bems combines strategic planning and team leadership with a commitment to advancing deep-tech innovation, and maintains personal interests in endurance sports and outdoor pursuits. Sam Inglis Biog Editor In Chief Sam Inglis has been with Sound On Sound for more than 20 years. He is a recording engineer, producer, songwriter and folk musician who studies the traditional songs of England and Scotland, and the author of Neil Young's Harvest (Bloomsbury, 2003) and Teach Yourself Songwriting (Hodder, 2006). https://www.soundonsound.com Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

November 21, 202522 min

Gear Of The Year 2025

Paul White and Hugh Robjohns pick their software and hardware highlights from the gear they've reviewed in the last 12 months. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:14 - Cranborne Audio Brick Lane Compressor 03:56 - Soundtoys SpaceBlender 05:40 - Braingasm Ocula 08:18 - Sub51 And Soundtrax Drop Pad 09:16 - Red Panda Radius Ring Modulator 10:40 - Source Audio Encounter Delay+Reverb 11:45 - Electro-Harmonix Oceans Abyss 13:05 - Sound Devices Astral ARX16 Receiver 15:23 - Sound Devices Astral HH Transmitter 16:31 - Sound Devices Astral TX Transmitter 17:17 - RME ADI-2/4 Pro Converter 18:34 - Newfangled Audio Articulate Audio ADSR 19:54 - Overloud THU v2 Guitar Amp Simulator 20:37 - Grace Design m701 Audio Interface Gear4Music (affiliate link UK/EU only) Red Panda Radius EHX Oceans Abyss Sweetwater (affiliate link North America only) Cranborne Brick Lane 500 Red Panda Radius Source Audio Encounter EHX Oceans Abyss Sound Devices Astral ARX16 Sound Devices Astral HH Sound Devices Astral TX RME ADI-2-4 Pro SE Grace Design m701 #cranborneaudio #soundtoys #braingasm #sub51 #soundtrax #redpanda #sourceaudio #electroharmonix #sounddevices #rme #newfangledaudio #overloud #gracedesign Paul White Biog Paul White initially trained in electronics at The Royal Radar Establishment in Malvern then went on to work with Malvern Instruments, a company specialising in laser analysis equipment, before moving into technical writing. He joined the Sound On Sound team in 1991 where he became Editor In Chief, a position he held for many years before recently becoming Executive Editor. Paul has written more than 20 recording and music technology textbooks, the latest being The Producer’s Manual. Having established his own multitrack home studio in the 1980s he’s worked with many notable names including Bert Jansch and Gordon Giltrap. He’s played in various bands over the years and currently collaborates with Malvern musician Mark Soden, under the name of Cydonia Collective. Paul still performs live claiming that as he has suffered for his music he doesn’t see why everyone else shouldn’t too! http://www.cydoniacollective.co.uk/ Hugh Robjohns Biog Hugh Robjohns has been Sound On Sound´s Technical Editor since 1997. Prior to that he worked in a variety of (mostly) sound-related roles in BBC Television, ending up as a Sound Operations Lecturer at the BBC´s technical training centre. He continues to provide audio consultancy and bespoke broadcast audio training services all over the world, lectures at professional and public conventions, and occasionally records and masters acoustic and classical music too! Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

October 10, 202522 min

Tips For Home Studio Users

In this episode, Paul White and Hugh Robjohns address some of the most frequently-asked questions about home studio recording and production. They share practical, experience-based advice to help you get the best results from your setup, whatever your budget or space. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:14 - Improving Your Room Acoustics 02:29 - Working On Headphones 04:13 - Dampening With A Duvet 05:50 - Choosing The Right Speakers 06:50 - Mics And Preamps 09:02 - Cables And Connectors 11:28 - Hardware Vs Plug-ins 14:09 - When To Add A Patchbay 16:18 - Preparing Music For Streaming 18:59 - Bass Drivers And Room Size #IsoAcoustics #AKGC414 #NeumannU87 #AudioTechnica2020 #ShureSM57 #ShureSM58 #Neutrik #Cannon Paul White Biog Paul White initially trained in electronics at The Royal Radar Establishment in Malvern then went on to work with Malvern Instruments, a company specialising in laser analysis equipment, before moving into technical writing. He joined the Sound On Sound team in 1991 where he became Editor In Chief, a position he held for many years before recently becoming Executive Editor. Paul has written more than 20 recording and music technology textbooks, the latest being The Producer’s Manual. Having established his own multitrack home studio in the 1980s he’s worked with many notable names including Bert Jansch and Gordon Giltrap. He’s played in various bands over the years and currently collaborates with Malvern musician Mark Soden, under the name of Cydonia Collective. Paul still performs live claiming that as he has suffered for his music he doesn’t see why everyone else shouldn’t too! http://www.cydoniacollective.co.uk/ Hugh Robjohns Biog Hugh Robjohns has been Sound On Sound´s Technical Editor since 1997. Prior to that he worked in a variety of (mostly) sound-related roles in BBC Television, ending up as a Sound Operations Lecturer at the BBC´s technical training centre. He continues to provide audio consultancy and bespoke broadcast audio training services all over the world, lectures at professional and public conventions, and occasionally records and masters acoustic and classical music too! Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts