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Explore every episode of the podcast Music Production Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for Music Production Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Tom Cosm - Telepathic Instruments Co-Founder and Ableton Certified Trainer02 Nov 202501:11:56

Tom Cosm is an electronic musician, Ableton Certified Trainer, and the technical co-founder of Telepathic Instruments. Widely known for his early Ableton Live tutorials and inventive use of hacked gear, Tom has built a reputation as a true audio mad scientist—transforming data, brainwaves, and even bugs into expressive sound.

In this conversation, Tom shares his journey from early YouTube educator to the co-creator of Orchid, a new instrument, dreamt up by Tame Impala's Kevin Parker, built to spark musical ideas with immediacy and joy. We explore the evolution of his creative philosophy, how tools can invite spontaneity, and what he's learned about music (and life) by building instruments from scratch. 

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Takeaways:

  • From YouTube to Orchid - Tom's journey started with early Ableton tutorials on YouTube and led to co-creating Orchid—a creative "ideas machine" that helps musicians quickly generate complex chord progressions.
  • Music in Everything - Whether converting brainwaves, weather data, or the movement of a spider into sound, Tom finds musicality in everyday patterns and natural systems.
  • Designing for Play - Tom emphasizes having fun while making music. Orchid was intentionally built without a screen to encourage tactile exploration and playful interactions.
  • Community-Driven Development - Community has been a constant factor in Tom's work and continues through community-feedback on Orchid.
  • Making Time for Music Again - After years focused on building hardware, Tom is excited to return to making music—starting with 80 unfinished tracks and a fresh wave of curiosity.

Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 

Plug-in Development and Live Performance with Soap Audio's Tom Carpenter14 Oct 202501:33:11

Tom Carpenter is a musician, producer, and plug-in developer. He is currently on tour with his 3-piece indie electronic band, Moon Tower. Tom is a co-founder of Soap Audio, who recently released Soap Voice Cleaner, a plug-in designed to easily clean up spoke word audio. I spoke with Tom about his tour, Moon Tower, and Soap Voice Cleaner. Tom shared his thoughts on creativity and collaboration in both a band setting and as a programmer. We also explored how Tom has found multiple avenues to build a career in the music industry.

This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio and their new plug-in Tekno!
Save 15% with the code: MPP15 - https://babyaud.io/tekno 

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Links:

*Edit - in the show I mistakenly mentioned Sony's involvement in Audacity. I was confusing Audacity with Acid, which was at one time owned by Sony. 

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 

 

Six Missing – Flow States, Ego Drops, and the Art of Letting Go04 Jun 202500:59:29

Today I welcome back TJ Dumser, who makes ambient meditative soundscapes under the name Six Missing. TJ is in the process of releasing his new album Without Mind in 3 sections. We spoke shortly after the first section Identify was released.

TJ and I picked up where we left off, discussing his work and the vision he has for this album. Things pretty quickly got philosophical and introspective. We shared techniques for dealing with self-doubt and the inner critic. We also explored where we stand as artists in the face of Artificial Intelligence and constantly expanding technology.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Takeaways:

  1. Trilogy Structure for Deeper Listening – TJ's Without Mind album is being released in three parts to encourage intentional listening and build a larger sonic narrative.

  2. Music Beyond the Background – Unlike passive ambient music, Without Mind is designed to hold your attention and reshape your experience in the moment.

  3. Revisiting Old Work with Fresh Ears – After sitting unreleased for years, the project regained personal relevance when revisited in a new headspace and physical space.

  4. Letting Go of Listener Expectations – TJ challenges the idea that ambient music has to be "nice and polite," embracing sudden changes, rhythm, and experimentation.

  5. Meditation as Creative Foundation – The concept of Without Mind stems from mindfulness: the ability to step back from thoughts and ego to access true presence.

  6. Fighting the Algorithm with Art – Releasing in parts is not only practical for listeners, but also a way to subvert algorithm-driven consumption and reclaim artistic delivery.

  7. Creative Identity Isn't Fixed – Making something outside your norm is a valid and necessary part of your evolution as an artist.

  8. Protect Your Flow State – Comparing distractions to carrying a hammer around all day, TJ emphasizes the need to carve out nonjudgmental, focused space to create.

  9. From Critic to Collaborator – Brian and TJ reflect on treating the inner critic not as a judge, but as a collaborator—someone to notice, not obey.

  10. Art as a Portal to Awareness – Both hosts agree: making music is not just about the product—it's about attention, presence, joy, and being human.

Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 

#312: Collaborating with Humans and Computers with John Matthias and Jay Auborn08 Mar 202301:39:00

John Matthias and Jay Auborn are a British duo that takes their experiments with sound to new levels, catapulting their work into unexplored territories of human-robotic collaboration. John is a violinist and composer, Jay is a musician, producer, and sound artist. Their new album Ghost Notes utilizes their unique combination of skills to create mini electronic symphonies.

John and Jay spoke about their forthcoming album, Ghost Notes, and their work on the video game soundtrack for The Kraken Wakes. The pair discussed their inventive recording techniques and their work together. They detailed how they lean on each other's strengths to form a healthy and fruitful collaboration.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#311: Finding Your Way in a Changing Music Industry with Kevin Breuner27 Feb 202300:41:35

Kevin Breuner is the SVP of Artist Engagement & Education at CD Baby. He and his team produce educational content to help independent artists move their careers forward in a rapidly changing industry. Kevin plays guitar in Smalltown Poets, who recently released their 10th album NWxSE.

Kevin and I spoke about the changes happening in the music industry. Whether it's AI, social media, or changing trends, Kevin looks for ways to help independent artists navigate their careers.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 

#310: Becoming an Artistpreneur with Evan Price22 Feb 202301:01:11

Evan Price is the CEO of Artist collective where he coaches musicians helping them generate revenue to have the financial freedom they need to pursue the lives they've always wanted. Evan is a lifelong musician who hopes to help artists with the business side of the music business.

Evan and I spoke about how artists can build their careers. We discussed some of the new technological developments that artists face and how they can brace themselves to succeed in everchanging music climate.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#309: It's All Art with Ebonie Smith15 Feb 202301:03:12

Ebonie Smith is an award-winning music producer, audio engineer, and singer-songwriter. She is a 10-year in-house engineer at Atlantic Records, and the founder and President of Gender Amplified Inc., a camp experience that supports women and gender non-binary in music production and audio engineering. Smith has received numerous awards and worked with artists like Charlie Puth, Ms. Lauryn Hill, The Roots, Kodak Black, Zoe Kravitz, and many more. 

Ebonie spoke about her work and experience. She shared how she meticulously recreates hit songs in order to understand what makes them work. Ebonie explained how the most successful artists see every aspect, from songwriting to album release, as a chance for artistic expression.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 

#308: Make Music Every Day with Alex Walker - Human Synthetics07 Feb 202301:34:45

Alex Walker is a musician, producer, and YouTuber, who creates under the name Human Synthetics. Alex has created numerous videos for Isotonik Studios and is known for his live streams. During the streams, Alex shares all parts of the creative process, including the less glamorous struggles, in order to share an accurate depiction of the process.

Alex and I had a great talk about his work and the creative process in general. Alex spoke about how live streaming has focused his work and helped him build a daily discipline.  

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#307: Eat Lunch Alone and More Wisdom from Tommy Zee02 Feb 202301:56:57

Tommy Zee runs Tommy Zee and Co., a music production company that makes music for some of the world's largest brands, such as Nike, Adidas, Google, Sony, and more. He created the site Making Music for Brands that teaches producers how to get in the business of producing music for companies.

This is the third time Tommy and I have done a podcast. You don't do three podcasts unless you enjoy it and find lots of value in it. I look forward to our fourth. 

Tommy shared a ton of wisdom from his experience. He spoke about his recent daily email writings, which we the catalyst for this conversation. Tommy has a way of finding what is important in his work and life that is truly inspiring.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#306: Imposter Syndrome30 Jan 202300:28:34

Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that we are not qualified or good enough to do something and that someone will expose us as a fraud.

In this episode, I speak about Imposter Syndrome, what we can do about it, and an embarrassing mistake I made that is proof that I am complete fraud in everything I do!

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#305 - Composing Darby and the Dead, King of the Hill with Roger Neill24 Jan 202301:24:32

Roger Neill is an accomplished film and television composer who worked on the new Hulu film Darby and the Dead, the award-winning Sam Now, and all 13 seasons of King of the Hill. He has arranged and orchestrated concerts for artists such as Beck, John Legend, and Air. Roger's work has received numerous awards, including an Emmy for King of the Hill, and he holds a PhD in music from Harvard.

Roger and I discussed his work on the film Darby and the Dead, including how they needed to rethink and rework the project to find the film's sound. Roger shared how deadlines and limitations help him finish work. He offered valuable insight from his experience on how to get work and capture the feeling of a film.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#304: Some Good Evil Vinyl Listening Party16 Jan 202302:25:41

This is the Some Good Evil Vinyl Listening Party!

Some Good Evil is my 3-piece rock band. I play guitar and sing. Alex Oliveira sings background vocals and plays bass. Chris P. Cauley plays drums and sings background vocals. 

In this episode, the band gets together at Chris' house to listen to our newly arrived vinyl records. We discuss some of the stories behind the songs, the writing process, and the creative and philosophical approaches we took as a band to complete the album. 

You'll hear each track from our new album, recorded directly from the vinyl record!

Enjoy,

Brian

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#303: Chiptune Music with Brendan Becker aka Inverse Phase11 Jan 202301:44:52

Brendan Becker is a chiptune musician and video game composer. He produces music using a variety of vintage video game systems under the name Inverse Phase. Brendan runs the Bloop Museum in Maryland, USA, where classic video game consoles and vintage electronics are on display and ready for interaction.

Brendan shared his deep knowledge of classic video game sound chips as well as how he creates music with them. He details how such systems and chips produce sound with minimal computing power. Brendan explains the drastic limitations and challenges of creating chiptune music.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Jxmie Blake on Rule-Breaking, Risk-Taking, and Decision-Making20 May 202501:45:39

Jxmie Blake is a genre-blending artist, producer, and educator whose work fuses jazz, soul, hip hop, pop, and electronic music into a bold and expressive signature sound. Known for his innovative approach to Ableton Push as a chromatic instrument, Jxmie is a multi-talented creator with a deep background in audio engineering, songwriting, and sound design. With degrees from Berklee College of Music and a client list including Ableton, Red Bull, and Ludacris, he's quickly becoming a leading voice in modern music education and performance.

In this conversation, Jxmie and I dive into the creative mindset—how breaking the rules, following sparks of inspiration, and simplifying your workflow can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. We explore the power of limitations, the importance of finishing ideas (even imperfect ones), and how developing a strong relationship with your tools—like Push—can unlock musical freedom. It's an honest look at the balance between discipline and play, structure and spontaneity, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop overthinking and just make something.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Takeaways:

  1. Push as a Chromatic Instrument – Jxmie breaks down how Push can function like a guitar fretboard, opening up intuitive, expressive playing that bridges the gap between traditional instruments and digital music-making.

  2. Creative Freedom Through Limitations – Embracing limited gear or working with only stock tools can actually foster more creativity and deeper exploration.

  3. Breaking the Rules Is the Point – Jxmie encourages musicians to intentionally break conventions—whether it's stacking effects, pushing gear beyond intended use, or warping samples into unrecognizable textures.

  4. Music as Self-Expression – The ultimate goal isn't perfection, but expressing what's inside you—your mood, your perspective, your story.

  5. Reckless Experimentation Leads to Inspiration – Playing without a specific goal, just to see what happens, often leads to surprising and exciting results.

  6. Gear Doesn't Make the Artist – Even basic tools like GarageBand or stock Ableton devices can be powerful when fully understood and creatively applied.

  7. Teaching as Empowerment – Through his work at 1500 Sound Academy and his online courses, Jxmie focuses on empowering students to unlock their own creative voices, regardless of background or skill level.

  8. Creative Blocks Are Often Internal – As we gain technical skills, creative challenges become more mental and emotional—expectations, self-judgment, and overthinking can block our flow.

  9. Start with Play, Not Pressure – Some of the best creative moments happen when you approach music playfully, without the weight of needing to make something great.

  10. The Process Is the Product – Whether it's creating sounds, building devices, or finishing songs, the act of exploring, tweaking, and iterating is as valuable as the final result.

Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 

#302: Jason Donnelly aka DJ Puzzle; Soundtrack Loops Co-Founder05 Jan 202301:37:49

Jason Donnelly, aka DJ Puzzle, is a musician and sound designer, as well as co-founder of Soundtrack Loops. Soundtrack Loops provides producers with royalty-free samples and loops. Jason and Soundtrack Loops create sounds for many of the industry's biggest companies including Acid, Roland, Antares, and more. In January 2023, Jason and Soundtrack Loops co-founder Matt Yost are launching their first plug-in, Double Scoop, under the brand Array Sounds. Jason's music has been placed in many films, television shows, and video games.

Jason and I had a great conversation about his background and work. We discussed how it's important to maintain a future-focused mindset to prepare for unexpected technological developments. Jason shared many valuable insights from his years working in a variety of branches of the music industry.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#301: Don't Lose Twice; 3 Book Recommendations; Jamuary 202331 Dec 202200:17:16

It's time for Jamuary 2023! Jamuary is a challenge to make and share a piece of music each day during January. The point isn't to create masterpieces, it is simply to show up and do some work. 

In this episode, I share some thoughts that have helped me throughout the years during Jamuary. You'll hear about 3 books that have inspired me and helped me be more productive this year. I'll also explain my personal Jamuary motto: Don't Lose Twice.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#300 - The 5-Minute Music Producer and 3 Lessons29 Dec 202200:09:18

I wrote a book!

The 5-Minute Music Producer contains 365 music-making activities to help you improve your songwriting and music production.

If you've ever had a lack of inspiration or struggled with writer's block, this book will help you develop techniques and workflows to power through!

5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/book

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#299: Composing for Film with Troll Composer Johannes Ringen21 Dec 202201:15:16

Johannes Ringen is a film composer and music producer from Norway. He has worked on a variety of feature films including Avengers: Age of Ultron, Fate of the Furious, and Furious 7. His latest work was for the wildly successful Netflix film, Troll.

Johannes and I spoke about his work in film composition. We discovered plenty of similarities between film composition and other forms of music-making, including playing in rock bands. Johannes shared wisdom about how he approaches a project, works with large teams, and uses deadlines to get his work finished.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#298: Songwriting and Production Retreat with Matt Jones13 Dec 202202:11:15

Matt Jones is a musician, producer, and songwriter. I got to know Matt while he was taking my Ableton Live Sampling class at Berklee Online. Late this summer, he organized and participated in the Monterey Songwriting and Production Retreat. Several musicians of various backgrounds (and strangers to each other) gathered at his home to write and produce music together. In this episode, I speak with Matt about the songwriting retreat, how he helped foster a creative spirit, and the lessons he learned along the way.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#297: Tune Shed Podcast Hosts Blake Murray and Marty Gray04 Dec 202201:16:18

Blake Murray and Marty Gray host the Tune Shed Podcast. Their show covers similar ground to this show, music making, creativity, philosophy, theory, and gear. Blake and Marty are childhood friends that have reconnected over their discussions about music.

Blake and Marty came on the show to talk about their work on the podcast. We had a great conversation about the challenges of making music and how we've found ways to overcome them. They share their musical backgrounds and how they've learned from each other and their guests.

This is part one of a two-part series. The other half can be found on the Tune Shed Podcast. In that episode, I breakdown one of my band, Some Good Evil's tracks "Being with You." Head over to the Tune Shed Podcast to hear the second half!

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#296: Embracing Vintage Workflows with Julian Fulco Perron28 Nov 202201:36:49

Julian Fulco Perron is a musician and filmmaker from Denver, Colorado. His music and art harken back to the late 60s and early 70s psychedelic rock. Julian goes to great lengths to capture the feeling of the era by using many of the same tools of the time. He films his videos on Super 8 and experiments with various mediums to achieve a sound full of character and unique charm.

Julian and I spoke about the challenges presented by using vintage workflows and how those obstacles have enhanced his creativity. Julian explains his process for creating his work and how the adventurous spirit of artists such as The Beatles and The Beach Boys influences how he produces his art.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#295: Learning Music with Melodics CEO Sam Gribben22 Nov 202201:00:52

Sam Gribben is the CEO of Melodics, a music education platform helping users master electronic drums, MIDI keyboards, and pad controllers. Melodics has just released a new feature called Songs which allows users to learn by playing popular songs.

Sam and I spoke about the development and evolution of Melodics, and how they've managed to maintain a useful and intuitive educational experience over the years. Sam shared wisdom about education and how we best learn.

Melodics is offering listeners of this podcast some free bonus content, including 30 lessons for keys, pads, or drums: MUSICPODCAST-MELODICS

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#294: Sound Designing Weird Al with Mike Gallagher and Anthony Vanchure15 Nov 202201:00:56

Mike Gallagher and Anthony Vanchure are, respectively, the sound designer and supervising sound editor for the new bio pic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. The duo have worked together on many projects, including Netflix's Song Exploder and Amazon's Lucy and Desi. Both have been nominated for Emmy awards. 

Mike and Anthony spoke about their work on the Weird Al biopic. They went into great detail about how sound can be used to tell a story and set a mood. We discussed the choices they made to support the film's tone and how feedback from the directors and Weird Al himself helped guide their work.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#293: Simplicity Inspires Creativity with Greg Meads of The Low End08 Nov 202202:07:42

Greg Meadows is an acoustic singer-songwriter who plays music as The Low End. He started the project to escape the frustration of complicated computer-based setups and overly processed music. Greg wanted to embrace performance and humanity in his recordings, so he turned to his trusty Tascam 4-track tape recorder. His music emphasizes emotion and performance over production and perfection.

I learned about Greg's work while watching his video about a Tascam mixer. I was blown away by his music and spent the rest of the night devouring everything he has created. Greg and I spoke about his work and the philosophy behind it. He spoke about how reducing his setup helped him learn the subtleties of recording and production.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Creative Confidence and Music Production with LNA08 May 202501:31:07

Liina Turtonen, aka LNA, is a musician, producer, and educator, who runs the LNA Does Audio Stuff YouTube Channel. Liina is an Ableton Certified Trainer and just released her book Creative Confidence and Music Production: Overcome Your Insecurities. 

LNA and I discussed her new book and the inspiration behind writing it. She shared insights that have helped her and her students get past creative blocks and insecurities. 

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Takeaways:

  • LNA's journey to authorship was unexpected due to her dyslexia.
  • Creative confidence is essential for artists to overcome insecurities.
  • Art is often undervalued despite its significant role in society.
  • Vulnerability is necessary for authentic creative expression.
  • Insecurities often stem from past experiences and external judgments.
  • Recognizing negative thought patterns is the first step to overcoming them.
  • Acceptance of emotions is crucial in the creative process.
  • It's important to create without the fear of judgment from others.
  • Life is short; take risks and pursue your passions.
  • Embrace the mindset of 'why not?' to unlock creativity.
  • Consistency in your efforts is more important than perfection.
  • Being comfortable in your mediocrity can be liberating.
  • Curiosity keeps life interesting and fulfilling.
  • You never know who you might inspire by pursuing your passions.
  • The journey of creativity is often more valuable than the end result.

Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 

#292: 7 Continent Collaboration w/ Single Sonic Seven02 Nov 202201:46:20

Single Sonic Seven is an album created in collaboration with musicians on all seven continents. The two year-long project's roots are found in quarantine-era Berlin, while its final path was deeply shaped by a personal connection to the war in Ukraine.

I spoke with Single Sonic Seven producer Ethan Miska about the project. Ethan shared some wisdom and insight about collaborating with so many people on a single project. We even spoke about how his new hobby of making his own peanut butter made him a better producer and how a little (but not too much) chaos can help our creativity.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#291: Should You Upgrade to Mac OS Ventura?29 Oct 202200:12:44

When our computer operating systems get updated there's the promise of new features that will improve our workflow and make our lives a little easier. But should we update our music-making computers with the new OS? 

Not right away! 

In this episode of the Music Production Podcast, I discuss a few practical reasons you don't want to update right away and some more philosophical reasons why waiting is a good idea. When new things come out, it can wreak havoc on our mindset, which could jeopardize our ability to make music. I have a few thoughts on how we can protect ourselves from potentially dangerous ways of thinking!

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#290: Collaborating and Live Performance with Bottler25 Oct 202201:17:56

Bottler is Brooklyn-based electronic duo of best friends, Pat Butler and Phil Shore. Their music is designed to capture the playfulness of kids making music in their garage. Bottler released their first album, Journey Work, on infine in May.

Pat, Phil, and I had a great conversation about collaborating and live performance. The duo shared how they were able to maintain a lifelong partnership, as well as how they adapt their music to stage. 

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or watch on YouTube

Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#289: Building Apps and Learning Synthesis with Nick Culbertson18 Oct 202201:33:53

Nick Culbertson is a musician and app developer who runs Moby Pixel, a mobile app creation studio. He designs game and music apps for iOS, and also produces a wide range of educational and entertaining YouTube videos. He has just released Overdrive Synth for iOS, which combines classic synthesizers with guitar overdrive and distortion pedals.

Nick goes in depth about his app development process. His new app, Overdrive Synth, combines his experience as guitarist, budding synthesist, and app developer. We had a great conversation about his work and how building interesting sounds helps us create music with personality and character.

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Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#288: Trusting Your Intuition with Cobaine Ivory12 Oct 202201:24:01

Cobaine Ivory is a multi-instrumentalist and Grammy-Nominated producer. He has worked with Dr. Dre, H.E.R., and Anderson Paak. Cobaine has composed music for Disney, SONY Pictures, and Ubisoft.  Cobaine and I spoke in depth about his work and overall creative philosophies. 

It was a lot of fun talking with Cobaine, I really appreciate his values and beliefs. How he lives his life informs how he makes music. Cobaine has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I learned a lot talking with him!

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Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#287: The Thing Preventing You From Making Music05 Oct 202200:07:56

It's pretty simple. Life is distracting enough. You don't need help getting pulled out of the moment. Turn off your notifications. Get more done.

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Show Notes:

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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#286: Songwriting, Creative Process, and Ear Health with Doug Hoyer29 Sep 202202:09:16

Doug Hoyer is a Canadian singer/songwriter who has garnered 1 million Spotify streams and licensed music for television. Doug's work has received critical acclaim and he works by day as a hearing aid practitioner. 

I had a great conversation with Doug about his work and techniques for writing and completing music. Doug shared a ton of insights and strategies he regularly uses. He showcased his homemade telephone microphone during the show, and I may have asked him a few too many questions about ear care and hearing health. 

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Show Notes:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#285: Telling Your Artist Story with Laura Ferreiro22 Sep 202201:10:56

Laura Ferreiro is a writer, storytelling coach, and brand strategist. She has written for Rolling Stone, LA Times, Yahoo, and more, interviewing some of music's biggest names. Laura runs Story Harmony where she helps artists craft their stories to form emotional connections with their fans.

Laura and I spoke about the importance of creating a clear message of identity for our audiences. She shared tips and techniques that can help musicians craft bios and make important decisions about image and branding. 

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Show Notes:

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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#284: Producing the Strokes and Crafting a Sound with Gordon Raphael17 Sep 202201:22:44

Gordon Raphael is a highly sought-after musician and producer. He produced Is This It and Room on Fire by The Strokes and Soviet Kitsch by Regina Spektor, amongst countless others. His new book, The World is Going to Love This, documents his work and the exciting stories from the Seattle scene of the 90s through his work with The Strokes, Regina Spektor, and The Libertines.

As the producer for some of my favorite albums of this century, speaking with Gordon was a real treat. He shared studio stories and techniques used with The Strokes. Gordon emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind to new possibilities and unconventional ways of working to create timeless and emotionally impactful sounds.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

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And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#282: Writing Music for TV, Film, and Games with Sam Wale05 Sep 202201:36:06

Sam Wale is a musician and producer, who writes music for TV, film, and games. Sam is the VP of Production for Alibi Music, a provider of licensed music and sound FX for all types of multimedia.

Sam and I spoke about his role at Alibi Music and how producing music for licensing is different than producing music as an artist. Sam shared his story and experience which is helpful for any producer looking to get into licensing their music.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

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Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

Rich Shivener - Living Digital Media22 Apr 202501:43:02

Rich Shivener is a musician, producer, and professor. His book Living Digital Media explores how creators producer works. He documents the emotional journey creators go through and the behind the scenes experiences that shape their work. 

Rich and I are reconnecting after meeting and working together at my Finish February workshop at Ableton's headquarters. Rich shares his experiences writing his book, creating music, and live streaming. 

Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube

Takeaways:

  • Collaboration can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
  • Vulnerability in sharing creative work fosters connection.
  • Creating in public can alleviate pressure and inspire creativity.
  • Accountability in a group setting enhances productivity.
  • The story behind music is becoming increasingly important.
  • Free content can help reach a wider audience.
  • Unique sounds create memorable experiences in music.
  • Templates can streamline the creative process.
  • Exploring sound design can lead to unexpected discoveries.
  • Embracing human errors can lead to more authentic music.
  • Finding a balance between perfection and completion is crucial.
  • Community plays a significant role in the creative process.
  • Constraints can lead to innovative solutions in music production.
  • It's important to recognize when a project is done and share it with the world.

Links:

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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 

#281: Capturing Life in Recordings with Peter Gregson29 Aug 202201:02:51

Peter Gregson is a renowned Composer, Cellist, and Deutsche Grammophon recording artist. His latest album, Patina, combines strings and analog electronic instruments in an effort to capture the humanity and life in each instrument for emotional impact. Peter composes for television, film, and games, including placements in the film Blackbird and HBO's The New Pope.

Peter and I spoke about his work as a composer and producer. We focused quite a bit on capturing life in recordings. Peter shared some interesting thoughts about the way microphone placement can bring out the "grit" in the cello, and how he uses techniques like this to give his music a "lived-in" feeling, not unlike a favorite pair of jeans.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#280: Keep Creating with Mr Ed Rollo23 Aug 202201:52:24

Ed Rollo is a musician, educator, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He creates straight-talking, no nonsense videos for his YouTube channel that help musicians see past the empty promises of hacks and shortcuts. Ed runs the online education community mredrollo+.

As a fan of his video content and overall philosophical approach to music making, I was very excited to talk with Ed. He did not disappoint. Ed shared wisdom about his background and career. He pointed out truths about music making and offered some helpful approaches to growing as an artist. 

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#279: Building Confidence and Conquering Imposter Syndrome with Ariane Paras11 Aug 202201:17:27

Ariane Paras helps artists define their vision, build confidence, and find the strength to reach their goals. She runs Olympia Coaching and has 15 years of experience coaching artists along their journey. 

Ariane and I had a great conversation where we explore the challenges and fears artists have. She shares advice about overcoming procrastination (which is mostly fear) and how having a clearly defined purpose and goal will help us deal with both internal and external criticisms. There's a wealth of valuable information that will help us all in our creative journeys.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#278: What Do You Really Want with Robert Webster05 Aug 202201:29:24

Robert Webster has been producing music and DJing since 1993, as RobJamWeb. Robert hit it big with a track called "Everybody" in 1999 and has since been releasing music and sharing his knowledge on his YouTube channel.

Robert spoke about his work and the troubles he encountered with success when one of his tracks hit the charts and MTV. He discussed openly how his freedom from success has allowed him to find and pursue his musical passions.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#277: This is Sound Design for Film with Nathan Ruyle27 Jul 202202:03:18

Nathan Ruyle is a sound designer for film, who has designed and mixed for over 70 feature-length films. He is the founder of This is Sound Design, a full-service post sound facility in Burbank, California. Nathan has credits working for Universal, HBO, Netflix, and Amazon. His most recent project is the film Joyland, the winner of the 2022 Jury Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Nathan spoke with me from his incredible new sound stage studio. We discussed sound design for film and the work he has done. He goes into detail about his state-of-the-art facility, which is Dobly-Certified for the latest in immersive audio.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#276: The Right Gear, Using Your Ears, and Hitting Deadlines with Jack Miele23 Jul 202201:04:34

Jack Miele founded Jack Miele Productions, a world-famous, production company that has worked on Grammy-winning music. Their clients include artists such as Zac Brown Band, Rod Stewart, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ani DiFranco, and many more. They have done scores for shows such as Family Guy and American Horror Story.

Jack and I spoke in-depth about his company and his production philosophies. Jack shared helpful wisdom about workflow, choosing the right great, and the importance of nailing deadlines. 

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#275: Creating Worlds and Atmospheres with Robot Koch18 Jul 202200:48:08

Robot Koch is an award-winning artist, producer, and composer who recently released his new album The Next Billion Years, which gives sound to the distant future. He has worked on numerous TV shows and films, including NBC's The Blacklist, ABC's How to Get Away with Murder, MTV's Teen Wolf, and Netflix's Dark. Robot is the winner of the German Music Composers Award and has amassed over 75 million streams and half a million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

Robot and I spoke in depth about his work both on his new album, The Next Billion Years, and his various TV placements and scores. He shared how he tries to create worlds within his music that are full of emotional impact. Robot explains how he stretches his abilities to find new musical ground.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#274: Writing Songs with Strangers and Ed Sheeran - Kal Lavelle14 Jul 202201:26:12

Kal Lavelle is a singer/songwriter based out of Dublin and London. She is signed with Sony on a writing/publishing deal, and has a writing credit on Ed Sheeran's number 1, multi-platinum single "Shivers." 

Kal and I had a great conversation about her songwriting process. She explained how she interacts with her collaborators to find inspiration. Kal's passion and enthusiasm for songwriting come through clearly in our conversation, and I learned a lot talking with her.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#273: Programming Synths and Chewing Gum with Francis Preve11 Jul 202201:56:49

Francis Preve is a sound designer, journalist, and educator. He teaches synthesis and sound design at Austin Community College. Francis is one of the most in-demand synthesizer programmers in the world. He makes factory presets for companies like Roland, Sequential, Korg, and Ableton, just to name a few. His company, Symplesound, provides some of the finest sound libraries available. Francis' latest work is a collaboration of Serum presets with sound designer Tom Wolfe.

For our third conversation on the podcast, Francis and I covered quite a range of topics, including his many projects during the pandemic, memories of Dave Smith, and why you shouldn't listen to your tracks until they are finished. As usual, it was an honor to speak with Francis and learn from one of the masters of the field. 

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

-Brian Funk

#272: Instant Mastering Chain with Martin Stimming04 Jul 202201:16:04

Martin Stimming is a musician and electronic music producer from Germany, known for bringing his original sound to house music. He recently partnered with DOCtron to create the IMC or "Instant Mastering Chain." The IMC is a small, powerful analog box used for high-end mastering, especially for live performance.

This is the second time I've had the pleasure to speak with Martin. He shared the process of creating and marketing the DOCtron IMC. Martin has a lot of great insight about instrument and interface design. He also let us into the gear he is currently using in his live performances.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#398: At Home Songwriting with Chad Shank09 Apr 202502:00:43

Chad Shank is a songwriting teacher and music producer. Chad teaches songwriting at Berklee Online and runs At Home Songwriting, where he helps students learn how to write songs in their own authentic style and voice. Chad's YouTube channel, At Home Songwriting, is filled with songwriting tips and exercises.

Chad and I spoke in-depth about songwriting, lyric writing, and overcoming creative blocks. Chad shared techniques and strategies he uses in his music and teaches his students. 

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Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

 

#271: Algorithmic and Generative Music with Canton Becker26 Jun 202201:35:20

Canton Becker is a musician, programmer, and web designer. Recently he has turned his focus to algorithmic and generative music. His site, Pi Songs, used the number pi to create a musical piece 114 years long. Canton has been pushing the limits of technology and creativity for decades. He was a fundamental part of the Res Rocket Surfer project, which enabled for real time musical collaboration in the early days of the internet.

Canton spoke to me about algorithmic music and how he created Pi Songs in collaboration with visual artist Jeffrey Ventrella. His thoughts on the future of music and technology was both inspiring and a bit frightening! Canton gave a fascinating demonstration of his how his algorithmic music making works in real time.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#270: Collaboration vs. Isolation with Jesse Mac Cormack17 Jun 202200:50:37

Jesse Mac Cormack is a musician and producer who just released his new album, SOLO, on Secret City Records. Mac Cormack summons a sonic world that's razor-edged and intimate, influenced by the textured electronics of James Blake, Little Dragon, Caribou, and SUUNS. 

Jesse and I spoke about how he created his album in isolation during the pandemic with limited gear and equipment. We explored how these limitations helped his creativity, and contrasted that with his return to collaboration with others.

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Show Notes:

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Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

#269: Immersive Audio with Matt Wallace and Will Kennedy09 Jun 202201:57:34

Matt Wallace and Will Kennedy are Grammy-winning producers who have worked with the biggest names in music, including Faith No More, U2, Sheryl Crow, and more. Recently, they launched their new immersive music-ready studio, Studio Delux Immersive. Matt and Will specialize in Dolby Atmos, Sony 360RA, and Spatial Audio, and have already created immersive mixes for Jason Mraz, Faith No More, The B-52s, and Kid Rock.

Matt and Will spoke to me about their experiences mixing in these new 3D audio formats, and the challenges they present. They spoke in detail about their latest immersive project, Faith No More's The Real Thing, which is scheduled for release on June 17, 2022. Will and Matt also touched on some of the aspects that make them such a great collaborative team.

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Show Notes:

Brian Funk Links:

Thank you for listening. 

Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider!

And don't forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs.

Brian Funk

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