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Production Expert

Practical advice for working audio professionals - mix engineers, music producers, post-production specialists and studio owners. Every episode covers real workflow decisions, craft technique, industry analysis and the tools that actually matter in professional sessions. Hosted by the Production Expert team, with guests including credited engineers, producers and industry specialists. Topics include mixing, music production, post-production, immersive audio, Atmos, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Studio One, DAW workflow, compression, EQ, session management, and the business of professional audio.

Production Expert Podcast

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Todd Urban, General Manager at Softube, educator at Passaic County Community College, and creator of the Urban Sound Studio YouTube channel. With over 30 years of experience in audio production, Todd discusses Softube's philosophy of being "rock and roll scientists," the evolution from Console One to the groundbreaking Flow Studio hardware, and how creative workflow and intentional pre-production can transform recording and mixing practices.

Todd shares insights into Flow Studio's design philosophy of facilitating "flow state" rather than perfectionism, the importance of committing to decisions in tracking, the balance between hardware and software in hybrid workflows, and how understanding mixing principles makes tracking engineers more effective.

In This Episode:

Pre-Production Planning and Intention • — Establishing emotional objectives and sonic goals before tracking
Tracking Conservative, Mixing Creative • — Capturing intentional raw material for successful mixing
Teaching Audio Production: Learning from Students • — Educators staying current with trends while maintaining principles
The Role of Recording Engineers in Modern Production • — Why understanding mixing makes tracking engineers more effective

About Our Guest:

Todd Urban:

Todd Urban is the General Manager at Softube with 10+ years at the company across product education, development, management, and marketing. With over 30 years of professional audio experience, Todd holds degrees in orchestral arranging, music education, jazz performance, music management, and a production master's from UC Berkeley. He is the creator of the Urban Sound Studio YouTube channel and teaches at Passaic County Community College in New Jersey.

About Our Host:

Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast.

Rock and Roll Scientists: Flow Studio,Pre-Production Planning, Modern Music Production, AI & Education. (Part 2)

In this Production Expert Podcast Special Edition, Mike Thornton, co-founder of Production Expert invites Orfeas Boteas, founder and CEO of Krotos, and Matthew Collins, head of product, to address significant community concerns following the release of Video to Sound integration for Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve.

This candid conversation tackles difficult questions about the company's strategic direction, the role of AI in sound design, misleading social media practices, and Krotos' commitment to the professional audio community. Orfeas and Matthew respond directly to concerns from industry professionals and clarify misconceptions about generative AI, product positioning, and future roadmap.

In This Episode:

 • Why Video to Sound Released for Adobe Premiere Before DAWs — Technical constraints preventing DAW video track access, with integrations coming later in 2024
 • Addressing 'Abandonment' Concerns from Audio Professionals — Krotos is expanding markets, not abandoning professionals
 • The Core Mission: Making Sound Important Earlier — Bringing sound into creative workflows as an equal partner rather than afterthought
 • AI is Not Generative: The Truth About Krotos Technology — All sounds are professionally recorded; AI is assistive, not generative
 • AI as Automation, Not Replacement — Automating tedious tasks like auditioning thousands of sounds, not replacing human creativity
 • Evolution from Specialised Tools to Krotos Studio Platform — Journey from Dehumanizer, Reformer, Weaponizer to unified Krotos Studio
 • Misconceptions About Social Media Posts and Credits — Addressing posts implying Krotos involvement in Jurassic World, House of the Dragon, and Nolan films
 • Sound Redesign vs. Official Production Credits — Distinguishing creative sound redesign exercises from official product involvement claims
 • Social Media Clarity and Labelling Issues — Acknowledging unclear messaging in fast-scrolling social feeds, committing to better labelling
 • Industry-Wide Social Media Challenges — Platforms encouraging content reuse without explicit permission creates attribution confusion
 • Marketplace and Collaboration Possibilities — Vision for professionals to contribute assets and create ecosystem marketplace
 • Industry Change with New Technology — Technological disruption requires community to work as united front, not adversarially
 • Communication Missteps on Product Roadmap — Acknowledgement of moving too quickly without explaining technical constraints and timeline to community

About Our Guests:

Orfeas Boteas:

Founder and CEO of Krotos, leading sound design software company. Founded Krotos with a passion for sound, guiding the company through evolution from specialised tools to the broader Krotos Studio platform. Deeply committed to understanding and supporting the audio production community.

Matthew Collins:

Head of product at Krotos, responsible for product development and strategy. Works with both the professional audio community and content creators to develop streamlined sound design tools. Actively communicates technical roadmap and product philosophy to industry stakeholders.

About Our Host:

Mike Thornton has been involved in the broadcast audio industry for all his working life, some 45 years. Mike has worked with Pro Tools since the mid-1990s, recording, editing, and mixing documentaries, comedy, and drama for both radio and TV, as well as doing the occasional music project. He was the co-founder of Pro Tools Expert and has now retired, taking up the role of Chairman of Production Expert Ltd., bridging innovative companies and the professional audio industry.

Krotos CEO Orfeas Boteas Addresses Community Backlash: Why Video to Sound Released for Adobe, Not DAWs, Misleading Marketing, Social Media Backlash & How the Company Plans to Support Audio Professionals in 2026

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Todd Urban, General Manager at Softube, educator at Passaic County Community College, and creator of the Urban Sound Studio YouTube channel. With over 30 years of experience in audio production, Todd discusses Softube's philosophy of being "rock and roll scientists," the evolution from Console One to the groundbreaking Flow Studio hardware, and how creative workflow and intentional pre-production can transform recording and mixing practices.

Todd shares insights into Flow Studio's design philosophy of facilitating "flow state" rather than perfectionism, the importance of committing to decisions in tracking, the balance between hardware and software in hybrid workflows, and how understanding mixing principles makes tracking engineers more effective.

In This Episode:

30+ Years in Audio: From DIY to Industry Leadership • — Journey from musician with minimal resources through education to industry leadership
The 'Rock and Roll Scientists' Philosophy • — Combining musical edge with scientific rigor for innovation and challenge
Console One: Redefining Mixing in the Box • — 2014 breakthrough introducing hardware control for digital channel strips
Flow Studio: From Zero to 80% Mixes • — Facilitating flow state and creative momentum through intelligent design
Flows and Presets as Creative Tools • — Pre-configured signal chains enabling quick professional-sounding starting points
The Omni Knob: Macro Control Design • — Five knobs with main macro control addressing real workflow needs
Hybrid Workflow Philosophy • — Balancing hardware summing and analogue gear with in-the-box mixing
Decision Fatigue vs. Creative Exploration • — When to commit during tracking versus maintaining flexibility during mixing
Pre-Production Planning and Intention • — Establishing emotional objectives and sonic goals before tracking
Tracking Conservative, Mixing Creative • — Capturing intentional raw material for successful mixing
Teaching Audio Production: Learning from Students • — Educators staying current with trends while maintaining principles
The Role of Recording Engineers in Modern Production • — Why understanding mixing makes tracking engineers more effective

About Our Guest:

Todd Urban:

Todd Urban is the General Manager at Softube with 10+ years at the company across product education, development, management, and marketing. With over 30 years of professional audio experience, Todd holds degrees in orchestral arranging, music education, jazz performance, music management, and a production master's from UC Berkeley. He is the creator of the Urban Sound Studio YouTube channel and teaches at Passaic County Community College in New Jersey.

About Our Host:

Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast.

Rock and Roll Scientists: Softube's Todd Urban on Pre-Production Intention, Philosophy & Facilitated Creative Momentum for Tracking and Mixing (Part 1).

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Mark Gittins, immersive audio engineer and owner of SenSound studios, currently working on broadcast for a major international football tournament, and Pieter Doms, co-founder of AREAL Technologies from Belgium. Together they discuss the invention and development of immersive audio monitoring technology, the AREAL SR1 headphones, and how spatial audio is transforming professional audio production.

Pieter shares the fascinating origin story of how AREAL Technologies was born during the pandemic, starting as a Tomorrowland festival request to convert stereo music to immersive audio in real time. Mark discusses his experience using the headphones for remote mixing during high-pressure broadcast work, and both explore the challenges and opportunities in immersive audio adoption.

In This Episode:

The Origin of AREAL Technologies • — How Pieter Doms and his team created an upmix algorithm during the pandemic
The SR1 Headphones Development • — The creative journey from a joke about building a studio in a headphone to a functioning solution
Non-Binaural Immersive Monitoring • — How the SR1 achieves 3D soundscape representation without relying purely on HRTFs
Remote Mixing for Broadcast • — Mark's experience using the headphones while working on tournament broadcasts
Challenges in Getting Started with Immersive Audio • — Infrastructure requirements, learning curve, and barriers for engineers
Binaural Monitoring Limitations • — Why traditional binaural platforms struggle with height representation
Room Simulation & Personalization • — Head width parameter optimization, EQ customization, and virtual room simulation
The Chicken-and-Egg Problem of Adoption • — Why immersive audio adoption is slow and the role of content availability
Immersive Audio in Mainstream Media • — Dolby Atmos prevalence in streaming, TV, and film
The Future of Spatial Audio • — Wearable and augmented reality applications

About Our Guests:

Mark Gittins:

Immersive audio engineer and owner of Sensound, a professional mixing studio specialising in immersive projects. Originally from Birmingham, England.

Pieter Doms:

Co-founder of AREAL Technologies from Belgium, with over 20 years of professional sound engineering experience. As a live sound engineer for major events including Tomorrowland, his technical expertise in algorithm design led to the creation of AREAL Technologies during the pandemic.

About Our Host:

Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Instagram: @iamashea

Resources & Links

AREAL Technologies • — https://areal.world/
SenSound Studios • — https://www.sensoundaudio.com/
Megatone Studios • — Birmingham-based tracking and control room
Tomorrowland • — Festival featuring immersive audio experiences
Dolby Atmos • — Immersive audio format for streaming and broadcast
Virtuoso • — Binaural monitoring software
Genelec UNIO • — genelec.com/unio

Sponsorship

This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UNIO monitoring ecosystem. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.

From Tomorrowland to Broadcast: Pieter Doms & Mark Gittins on Building the AREAL SR1 Headphones, Upmix Algorithms & Why Binaural HRTFs Are Limiting

Quiz Time! In this podcast episode, immersive audio engineer Mark Gittins joins Ashea from Kansas City to go head-to-head with AREAL co-founder and audio engineer Pieter Doms for our World Cup Music Quiz.

England vs Belgium just took on a new, immersive meaning!

QUIZ TIME: How Well Do You Know Your World Cup Music?

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Eloise Whitmore and Tony Churnside, award-winning sound designers and co-founders of Naked Productions, for a frank discussion on how AI tools like Descript are fundamentally changing audio production—and not always for the better. Eloise and Tony address the critical issue of how AI-assisted editing is eroding the art of natural dialogue pacing, how younger generations of producers are losing foundational skills, and what audio professionals must do to preserve the human artistry in sound design.

This conversation tackles the uncomfortable truth about AI tools in professional audio production: while tools like Descript and Adobe Enhance can be lifesavers in certain situations, their overuse is removing the nuance, emotion, and natural rhythm that makes dialogue compelling. For audio engineers, music producers, podcast creators, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and craft, this episode provides critical perspective on maintaining quality and authenticity in an increasingly automated creative landscape.

In This Episode:

 • Descript and AI Transcription Tools - How Descript revolutionized transcription and some aspects of production workflow, but also introduced new challenges by allowing producers to work with text instead of raw audio
 • The Loss of Natural Pacing in Audio - Why younger producers and sound designers lack the ability to recognize and preserve natural human pacing, leading to robotic, emotionless dialogue that immediately signals AI involvement
 • Working with Words vs. Raw Audio - The fundamental difference between editing based on text transcripts versus listening to and editing raw audio, and why working with raw audio teaches critical production skills
 • Descript's Limitations - What Descript cannot do: it cannot pace dialogue naturally, it removes meaningful silences and hesitations that convey emotion and authenticity, and it simplifies complex storytelling nuances
 • AI Audio Enhancement Tools (Adobe Enhance, Studio Sound) - How tools like Adobe Enhance sterilize vocals by removing the characteristics that make voices unique, and why these should be backups rather than primary solutions
 • The Impact of Time Constraints and Budgets - How production timelines have expanded while budgets remain static, forcing producers to take shortcuts that compromise quality and craft
 • Building a Sound Library - Why aspiring sound designers should create personal sound libraries instead of relying on free or YouTube-sourced sounds, and how this develops a distinctive sonic identity
 • Advice for Emerging Producers - The importance of learning to listen, understanding speech pacing, recording raw interviews and mixing them properly, and not relying on automation to replace human judgment

About Our Guests:

Eloise Whitmore: Eloise Whitmore is an award-winning radio producer and sound designer with 20 years of experience in professional audio production. She won the Radio Sound Designer and Producer of the Year award in 2013, and co-founded Naked Productions with Tony Chernside. Her experience spans BBC dramas, documentaries, features, and international projects, giving her deep insight into how production workflows have evolved and the critical importance of preserving craft in an age of automation.

Tony Chernside: Tony Chernside is a multi-award-winning sound designer and technical producer with a PhD in audio production. His background in acoustics combined with decades of practical production experience makes him uniquely positioned to understand both the technical capabilities and limitations of AI tools. As co-producer of the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 satire The Skewer, Tony understands the demands of professional audio production under pressure.

About Our Host:

Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden).

Resources & Links Mentioned

 • Descript - AI-powered transcription and editing software. Visit: descript.com
 • Adobe Enhance - AI audio enhancement tool from Adobe
 • Descript Studio Sound - AI audio processing feature within Descript
 • Pro Tools - Digital audio workstation used by both producers
 • Altiverb - Convolution reverb plugin by Audio Ease
 • Zoom H4N - Portable audio recorder for field recording
 • Sony D100 - Portable audio recorder
 • Naked Productions - Award-winning sound design and audio production company. Visit: nakedproductions.co.uk
 • Genelec UNI-O Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio

Subscribe & Follow

Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on:

 • Apple Podcasts
 • Spotify
 • YouTube
 • All major podcast platforms

Follow us:

Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast]

Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com]

Sponsorship

This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UNI-O monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UNI-O allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.

How AI is Ruining Dialogue Production: Award-Winning Producers on Descript, Pacing Loss & Preserving Audio Craft

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Eloise Whitmore and Tony Chernside, co-founders of Naked Productions, an award-winning sound design and audio production company specializing in BBC radio dramas and acclaimed audio content. Eloise won the Radio Sound Designer and Producer of the Year award in 2013, and Tony is a multi-award-winning sound designer and technical producer behind the acclaimed satirical BBC Radio 4 comedy series The Skewer.

Together, Eloise and Tony discuss the evolution of radio drama production in 2026, innovative location recording techniques for achieving authentic sound, the craft of sound design and storytelling, and the contrasting workflows between long-form drama and fast-turnaround satire productions. Whether you're interested in audio drama, sound design, radio production, podcasting, or understanding how award-winning audio content is created, this conversation provides insider insights into professional audio production, creative collaboration, and the technical approaches that define modern radio and audio storytelling.

In This Episode:

 • Radio Drama Production Techniques and Evolution - How radio drama production has changed over 20 years, the shift from traditional studio recording to innovative location-based approaches, and the impact of lockdown on production methods
 • Location Recording for Authentic Sound - Documentary-style recording techniques that capture real actor movement and ambient sound, using handheld microphones to follow action like a camera, and achieving authenticity through immersive recording
 • Sound Design and Storytelling - The philosophy of "painting sound worlds" and "telling stories with sound," creating immersive audio experiences, and the importance of sound design in radio drama
 • Naked Productions: From Concept to Broadcast - Overview of award-winning projects including BBC dramas like Putin and Lockerbie, sound installations, and the diverse range of audio content the company produces
 • The Skewer: Fast-Turnaround Satire Production - How The Skewer is produced on an extremely tight deadline, the concept of a "river of sound," building flexible structures for last-minute changes, and the collaborative creative process
 • Actor Performance and Immersive Recording - Why actors deliver better performances when physically engaged in their scenes, the advantages of recording with movement versus traditional studio recording, and how modern techniques benefit acting quality
 • Pro Tools Workflow and Audio Engineering - Shared session structures, favorite plugins (Altiverb, speakerphone, Avid Pro Limiter), automation techniques, and the evolution from baked-in mixing to real-time automation
 • Day in the Life of Radio Producers - Comparing the workflows of long-form drama production versus fast-turnaround satire, time allocation between recording and mixing, and the demands of professional audio production

About Our Guests:

Eloise Whitmore: Eloise Whitmore is an award-winning radio producer and sound designer with 20 years of experience in radio production. She won the Radio Sound Designer and Producer of the Year award in 2013, recognition of her innovative approach to audio production and storytelling. As co-founder of Naked Productions, Eloise leads the creative vision for the company's diverse projects, from BBC radio dramas to audio installations, bringing expertise in location recording, sound design, and the technical and creative demands of professional audio production.

Tony Churnside: Tony Chernside is a multi-award-winning sound designer and technical producer with a background in acoustics and audio production. He holds a PhD in audio production and has expertise in object-based audio formats and audience consumption. As co-founder of Naked Productions and the technical producer behind the critically acclaimed BBC Radio 4 satire The Skewer, Tony brings both deep technical knowledge and creative production expertise to professional audio projects.

About Our Host:

Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden).

Resources & Links Mentioned

 • Naked Productions - Award-winning sound design and audio production company. Visit: nakedproductions.co.uk
 • The Skewer - BBC Radio 4 satirical comedy series. Available on BBC Sounds
 • BBC Radio Dramas - Putin, Lockerbie, and BBC Scotland productions
 • Pro Tools - Digital audio workstation used by both producers
 • Altiverb - Convolution reverb plugin by Audio Ease
 • Speakerphone - Dialogue processing plugin
 • Genelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio

Subscribe & Follow

Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on:

 • Apple Podcasts
 • Spotify
 • YouTube
 • All major podcast platforms

Follow us:

Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast]

Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com]

Sponsorship

This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UniO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UniO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.

Radio Drama Production & Sound Design: Award-Winning Producers Eloise Whitmore & Tony Churnside on Location Recording, BBC Dramas & The Skewer

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Matt Lawrence, a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer who has worked on some of the most influential records of the past 20 years. In this first part of a two-part conversation, Matt discusses his journey into the audio industry, his perspective on the current state of the music industry in 2026, and how the landscape has changed for studios, artists, and record labels over his career.

Matt brings invaluable insights from two decades of working at the highest levels of music production, having mixed and produced records that have shaped contemporary music across multiple genres. Whether you're an aspiring audio engineer, a music producer, an artist navigating the modern music industry, or a label executive seeking perspective on industry dynamics, this conversation provides honest, experienced insights into how the music business is evolving and what it takes to build a sustainable career in professional audio production. This is Part 2 of a two-part episode exploring the past, present, and future of the music industry.

No More Labels. Grammy Winning Mixer & Producer Matt Lawrence On The Music Industry For Studios, Artists & Labels In 2026 Part 2

In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Matt Lawrence, a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer who has worked on some of the most influential records of the past 20 years. In this first part of a two-part conversation, Matt discusses his journey into the audio industry, his perspective on the current state of the music industry in 2026, and how the landscape has changed for studios, artists, and record labels over his career.

Matt brings invaluable insights from two decades of working at the highest levels of music production, having mixed and produced records that have shaped contemporary music across multiple genres. Whether you're an aspiring audio engineer, a music producer, an artist navigating the modern music industry, or a label executive seeking perspective on industry dynamics, this conversation provides honest, experienced insights into how the music business is evolving and what it takes to build a sustainable career in professional audio production. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode exploring the past, present, and future of the music industry.

In This Episode:

Career Journey into Audio Production • - How Matt Lawrence got started in the audio industry, the path that led to Grammy recognition, and the formative experiences that shaped his career as a mixer and producer
Work on Influential Records • - Overview of Matt's extensive discography and the iconic projects he's contributed to over the past 20 years in mixing and production
The Evolution of the Music Industry (2006-2026) • - How the music industry has transformed over the past two decades, changes in recording technology, distribution, and the business model for artists and labels
The Role of Studios in Modern Music Production • - What studios look like in 2026, how the role of physical recording spaces has changed, and why certain aspects of professional studios remain invaluable
Artists Navigating the Current Landscape • - The challenges and opportunities for musicians and artists in 2026, from recording and production to promotion and distribution
Record Labels and Industry Structure • - How record labels are adapting to the modern music ecosystem, their changing role, and what sustainable relationships look like between labels, artists, and production professionals
Technology and Production Innovation • - Advancements in recording technology, production tools, and mixing techniques that have emerged over Matt's 20-year career
Professional Insights from Industry Veterans • - Lessons learned, perspectives on what it takes to succeed in professional audio, and honest assessment of the current state of music production

About Our Guest:

Matt Lawrence:
 Matt Lawrence is a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer with an extensive career spanning over two decades in professional music production. His work has touched some of the most influential records released over the past 20 years, earning him recognition and respect throughout the music industry. With deep experience working across multiple genres and with diverse artists and labels, Lawrence brings authentic perspective on how the music industry operates and the evolution of music production in the modern era.

About Our Host:

Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden).

Resources & Links Mentioned

Matt Lawrence • - Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer
Genelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem • - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: 
genelec.com/unio

Subscribe & Follow

Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on:

 • Apple Podcasts
 • Spotify
 • YouTube
 • All major podcast platforms

Follow us:

 • Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast]
 • Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com]

Sponsorship

This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If you've ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelec's UniO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UniO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.

Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part episode with Matt Lawrence exploring the music industry landscape of 2026 and his insights on studios, artists, and labels.

No More Labels. Grammy Winning Mixer & Producer Matt Lawrence On The Music Industry For Studios, Artists & Labels In 2026

"Behind some of the world's greatest hits lies a great question: does constraint breed genius? In this Podcast Edition, Drummer Steven Gilchrist (Graham Coxon, The Damned, and Boney M) and Grammy winning engineer Liam Nolan (Rihanna, Stormzy, the Black Eyed Peas) sit down with our Host Ashea to reveal the behind-the-scenes of Adele's 'Hello,' the meticulous process behind the legendary Drumopolis project with Tony Visconti, and what it really takes to engineer records that resonate globally.

In This Episode:

 • Inside the Adele 'Hello' sessions: 
 • The mic chain that captured one of the biggest vocal performances of the decade (U47, Neve 1081, 1176)
 • How Tony Visconti designed Drumopolis: capturing '70s legend with modern flexibility across 29 microphones
 • The Decca tree, room mics, and why a tea towel on the snare matters (vintage tone with intention)
 • Why recording vibe, comfort, and 'reading the room' is non-negotiable—and what that looks like in practice
 • Analog vs. digital: the tape machine, commitment, and why limitations can raise the stakes for performance
 • Managing expectations: why clients listening on car stereos ask for mixes that don't exist, and how to set boundaries
 • Democratizing music production: why tools like Drumopolis matter beyond the studio
 • Working with Rihanna, Stormzy, the Black Eyed Peas & will.i.am: lessons from sessions with global superstars

About Our Guests

Liam Nolan

Liam Nolan is a recording and mix engineer who has recently transitioned to freelance work after years at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick. Over his career, he's engineered sessions with some of the world's biggest artists, including Adele, Stormzy, Rihanna, AJ Tracey, the Black Eyed Peas, and will.i.am. He was the engineer on Adele's Grammy-winning 'Hello,' credited for his work in a writing session that became chart history. His approach prioritizes artist comfort, technical precision, and understanding the unique sonic demands of each session. He specializes in capturing vocal performances and crafting the sonic identity of records at one of the world's most legendary facilities.

Instagram: @liamjnolan | Website: mixedbyliamnolan.com

Steven Gilchrist

Steven Gilchrist is an accomplished drummer, percussionist, producer, and engineer. He's performed with legendary artists including Graham Coxon, The Damned, and Boney M. As the owner and operator of Brixton Hill Studios, he works as a session drummer, producer, and engineer. Under his name Stephen Evens, he's currently working on his fifth record, all of which (except the first) have been recorded to tape. He collaborated with Tony Visconti on the Drumopolis project for Toontrack, providing his Ludwig drum kit and his mother's Premier snare for the sound design. Steven is a strong advocate for analog recording, commitment in the studio, and the philosophy that limitation breeds creativity.

Instagram: @thestephenevens | Brixton Hill Studios: brixtonhillstudios.com

About Our Host

Ashea

Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. Her production and mixing credits include work with Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, and SVT1 (Sweden). Through the Production Expert Podcast, she brings industry insiders together to explore the craft, process, and philosophy behind the world's greatest records.

Website: asheamusicofficial.com Instagram: @iamashea

Featured In This Podcast: 

 • Metropolis Studios: metropolisstudios.com
 • Toontrack Drumopolis SDX: toontrack.com
 • Brixton Hill Studios: brixtonrecording.com
 • Genelec UNIO Monitoring: genelec.com/unio
 • Source Elements Suite: sourceelem

Smash Hit- Recording Adele's 'Hello' & Tony Visconti/Toontrack's 'Drumopolis' at Metropolis.

In this week’s podcast, Julian is joined by mastering engineers Katie Tavini and Mike Thorne to discuss mastering. In a time when everyone has access to tools similar to those used by mastering engineers, what can a mastering engineer bring to a project?

Mastering Round Table - Episode 469

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