Products of Music

Hosted by Adam Wakeling

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Get the full story on what makes a great music technology product, with 1-1 conversations from leading voices and founders. Hosted by Adam Wakeling, Product Manager.

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35 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 41 hr 3 min

From Cornford to Victory Amps: Martin Kidd's Story

Welcome to Products of Music, a podcast sharing inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode:Host Adam Wakeling speaks with Martin Kidd, Chief Designer and Co-Founder of Victory Amplification. We discuss his founder journey, perspective on Cornford Amps ceasing trading, the birth of Victory Amps and his approach to product development. We also have some quick-fire questions and community questions.Chapters:00:00 Preview01:13 Intro02:20 Martin's musical beginnings03:30 Modding Marshalls05:10 How Martin learned amp design09:06 Building the first amp12:00 The Cornford story 13:45 Cornford ceases trading18:00 Chase Bliss Big Time Event19:15 Martin as Chief Designer, not CEO22:15 Approach to product development28:10 Product development early process29:15 Martin's unique designs31:58 Standing out in the amp market34:52 Victory MKX and originality38:25 Market concerns42:06 Hybrid analog and digital45:36 Victory PowerValve and digital products47:55 Quick-fire questions52:13 Advice to aspiring founders55:10 Most difficult amp to design56:13 Addressing the Lee Anderton 'drama'58:54 The braille amps story01:02:40 Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

May 5, 2026Episode 357 min

How Old Blood Noise Endeavors is Evolving to Survive

Welcome to Products of Music, a podcast sharing Inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode:Host Adam Wakeling speaks with Brady Smith, co-founder of Old Blood Noise Endeavors (OBNE), about his career and founder journey, the approach to product development at Old Blood, as well as how he is reshaping business processes and operations to survive the challenges of running a small business in a niche industry.To learn more about the company, visit: https://oldbloodnoise.com/Chapters:00:00 Preview01:14 Intro02:20 Brady's founder story07:16 Keeley Electronics job09:00 Birth of Walrus Audio11:30 Quitting Walrus, founding OBNE14:40 The OBNE way of product development18:07 Chase Bliss sponsor section18:57 Product development process23:07 Brady's role at OBNE24:26 EOS business model26:30 Split with Seth McCarroll29:40 Thoughts on the future effects market31:35 Empress Bass compressor love36:25 Future pedal opportunities42:45 Friendship with Joel Korte46:20 Quick-fire questions49:55 Community questions56:40: Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

March 3, 2026Episode 259 min

How Neural DSP Became a Leader in Digital Modeling

Welcome to Products of Music, a podcast sharing Inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode:Host Adam Wakeling speaks with Francisco Cresp, co-founder and CPO at Neural DSP, about his founder journey, how the company approaches product development and inside stories from one of the leading names in digital modeling for guitar and other instruments.Chapters:00:00 Preview01:15 Intro02:36 Francisco's founder story09:00 Working with Doug Castro11:00 Neural DSP's product development16:03 Chase Bliss sponsor section16:47 User feedback mechanisms19:05 John Mayer X development23:02 Plugin compatibility challenges26:10 How Neural DSP prioritises27:42 Why a vocal plugin?31:30 Quad Cortex for vocals33:10 Analog versus digital debate34:48 Tom Morello JCM800 differences37:40 Love of analog synths38:52 Synth in the Quad Cortex39:08 Neural DSP as a target40:36 Latest research projects41:21 Gen AI in the Quad Cortex?42:50 Challenges of capturing fuzz46:06 Noise floors in capture tech47:33 Quick-fire questions51:30 FX captures?53:52 When PCOM for Petrucci?55:22 Interface gain at 0?58:24 Software for Nano Cortex?59:04 Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

February 3, 2026Episode 11 hr 1 min

Analog Man: The Last Years of a Pedal Legend (and What Comes Next)

In this episode, host Adam Wakeling speaks with Analog Mike Piera, founder of Analog.man, about his approach to product development, the infamous waitlist for the King of Tone, the state of the guitar and pedal market and what the future looks like for the company.To learn more, visit: https://www.analogman.com/Many thanks to this episode's sponsor Chase Bliss.Check out Chase Bliss effects pedals here: https://www.chasebliss.com?utm_source=productsofmusicChapters:00:00 Preview01:02 Intro02:00 Mike's founder story03:57 Approach to product dev10:50 Analog Man marketing12:53 Sponsor section13:38 Art versus science in design15:01 Testing rigs17:10 FX loop challenges18:50 Pedal gain versus amp gain20:49 Analog Man Rat pedal?21:24 King of Tone wait list24:25 Analog Man without Mike?25:31 Teaching knowledge27:06 Thoughts on digital modelers31:04 What not to add on pedals34:47 Chase Bliss Brothers AM36:42 Mike's current concerns40:32 Challenge of limited supply42:39 What keeps Mike motivated44:57 How the customer has changed50:07 Mike's advice to founders52:52 Quick-fire questions56:38 Community questions01:00:30 Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

December 9, 2025Episode 91 hr 6 min

How Abasi Concepts is Redefining Guitar Design (CEO Tosin Abasi & COO Ivan Chopik)

In this episode, host Adam Wakeling speaks with Tosin Abasi (CEO and Founder of Abasi Concepts), as well as Ivan Chopik (Founder of Guitar Messenger and COO of Abasi Concepts) about their journeys; the state of the guitar and pedal market; and their approach to product development and innovation.To learn more about Abasi Concepts, visit: https://abasiconcepts.com/Many thanks to this episode's sponsor Chase Bliss.Check out Chase Bliss effects pedals here: https://www.chasebliss.com?utm_source=productsofmusicChapters:00:00 Preview01:35 Intro02:41 Abasi Concepts Origin Story10:16 The First 7/8 Strings17:00 Chase Bliss Sponsor Section18:15 Compromises in Guitar Design20:32 Abasi Concepts Product Development25:16 Ideation to Production31:30 Why Tosin Loves Analog Gear34:40 Digital and the Young Generation35:26 Where Abasi is Looking Next38:32 Gibson Neck Heel Issues39:37 Abasi Concepts Bass Guitars40:00 Abasi Nylon String Guitars42:05 Solving Problems for Guitarists45:30 Leveraging Industry Collaborations47:36 Guitar Market Concerns50:00 Abasi Guitar Quality Issues54:39 Entrepreneurial and Musician Advice58:54 Quick Fire Questions01:01:54 Reddit Community Questions🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

November 14, 2025Episode 81 hr 0 min

How EarthQuaker Devices Changed the World of Effects Pedals (Jamie Stillman, Founder)

Welcome to Products of Music, where you will hear inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode:In this episode host Adam Wakeling speaks with Jamie Stillman, Founder of EarthQuaker Devices about the impact of tariffs on small US businesses; why Jamie is not concerned about the current generation of digital modelers like the Quad Cortex and Helix, as well as how EarthQuaker Devices approaches product development at the company.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_O3xHoxGFwTo learn more about EarthQuaker Devices, visit: https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/Many thanks to this episode's sponsor Chase Bliss. To learn more about Chase Bliss, visit: https://www.chasebliss.com?utm_source=productsofmusic Chapters:00:00 Preview01:15 Intro02:17 EarthQuaker origin story05:00 Catalyst for scaling05:53 Julie's impact06:58 Product development approach09:24 Data-driven development10:48 Trends in the market14:31 Chase Bliss Sponsor15:34 Analog versus digital18:36 Guiding product principles22:50 Every pedal has a song in it24:03 Inspiration for pedal ideas27:39 Ideas thought process29:25 More complex EarthQuaker pedals32:50 Hedgehog concept in business35:19 What EarthQuaker is best at41:45 Getting pedals to be ready47:12 Jamie's concerns for the future49:28 Quick-fire questions52:55 How fans can support55:30 Customisation capabilities56:51 Pedals close to being scrapped59:08 Bright pedal LEDs01:00:03 Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

October 14, 2025Episode 71 hr 7 min

The Chase Bliss Way: Emotion, Design and the Future of Pedals (Joel Korte, Founder)

Welcome to Products of Music, where you will hear inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode:Host Adam Wakeling speaks with Joel Korte, founder of Chase Bliss, about his founder journey, the 'chase bliss way' of product development, as well as his successes, failures and market insights.Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTKX8kSsQswTo learn more about Chase Bliss, visit: https://www.chasebliss.com00:00 Preview01:50 Intro03:05 Joel's founder journey09:00 Meaning of 'Follow Your Bliss'12:25 EOS business tools15:00 Chase Bliss way of product dev18:30 Definition of 'best'20:42 Biggest success story25:36 Pedal release timing28:36 Why Joel discontinues pedals33:25 What makes a pedal last?37:45 Analog versus Digital42:52 Future innovation45:37 Chase Bliss midi controller?47:24 Enamel pins48:30 Habit design50:09 New form factor?50:44 State of the market57:35 Chase Bliss budget pedals58:30 Most painful pedal implementation01:00:01 'Quick fire' questions🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

September 11, 2025Episode 657 min

The Future of Guitar Amps Looks a Lot Like the Past (Dave Friedman, Friedman Amplification)

Welcome to Products of Music, a podcast sharing inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode, host Adam Wakeling speaks with Dave Friedman, founder of Friedman Amplification, about his approach to product development at the company; the analog versus digital debate; and what the future of boutique amps looks like.View on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSmHFXvpvXwTo learn more about Friedman Amplification, visit: https://friedmanamplification.com/ 00:00 Preview01:24 Intro02:25 Dave's founder journey06:15 Developing amp building skills08:20 The key to creating a company13:10 Option paralysis in digital modeling15:13 The lack of unique guitar tones today20:23 How Dave finds new product ideas23:16 Unsuccessful product releases24:25 Biggest Friedman product success29:10 The difficulty with US tariffs33:35 Early lessons learned38:10 Digital detoxing/experience of analog41:45 How buyer expectations have changed44:10 When to expand the product range45:50 Some insights for entrepreneurs48:40 A few quick-fire questions51:15 Why the amp naming convention?54:14 Friedman takes on other amps?55:05 New Vox-style Friedman amp56:00 How Dave adds his unique touch to vintage amps56:55 Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

August 14, 2025Episode 51 hr 4 min

Adapt or Fade: How Wampler Pedals is Navigating the Digital Storm

Welcome to Products of Music, a podcast sharing inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode host Adam Wakeling speaks with Brian Wampler, Founder of Wampler Pedals.From the humble beginnings of modding pedals in his garage to producing some of the most sought-after boutique pedals in the industry, Brian Wampler’s journey is one of passion, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of the perfect guitar tone.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C4sYXrSJY8Y To learn more about Wampler Pedals, visit: https://www.wamplerpedals.com/Guitar Pedal Courses: https://www.guitarpedalcourse.com/ Chapters:00:00 Preview01:03 Intro02:07 Brian’s founder journey05:44 Importance of networking08:40 The Wampler product development process12:39 Getting feedback and external data15:40 Brian’s approach to hiring20:10 When to release new products24:14 The expectation of digital products28:50 Wampler’s audience and expectations30:38 The different USPs in guitar pedals37:13 Diversification of revenue streams40:27 Threat of digital modeling48:00 Asking Reddit’s most upvoted questions56:30 Quick-fire questions01:03:30 Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X

June 19, 2025Episode 454 min

How Universal Audio Designs the Gear Trusted by the Pros

Welcome to Products of Music, a podcast sharing Inside stories and expert insights on product innovation in music technology.In this episode:Host Adam Wakeling speaks with Rodrigo J. Ibieta, Director of Product Management, Hardware Products, at Universal Audio.What to expect:🟠 Product strategy insights for developing music hardware🟠 Inside stories from Fender and Universal Audio🟠 Tips on progressing in Product Management Chapters:00:00 Preview01:00 Intro and background06:47 Fender Acoustasonic stories12:00 How Fender segments its customers15:22 Product Strategy at Universal Audio19:59 Importance of speaking with customers20:50 Creating a product ecosystem24:10 Ensuring product alignment28:39 Talking Customer Lifetime Value31:30 Defining a few terms34:02 Process for New Business Cases37:32 Competitor landscapes39:30 Product feasibility process43:03 Lessons from product disappointments46:20 Advice to Product Managers49:46 A few quick-fire questions53:57 Outro🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack: https://www.productsofmusic.com🎥 Subscribe to Adam Wakeling's personal YouTube channel: @adamwakeling🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/products-of-music/id1683097403🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07d7lJpIRYIZ0rr31xUa5X🌐 Subscribe for free on Substack🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Follow the host on LinkedIn🌐 Follow the host on X