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Working Class Audio

The Working Class Audio Podcast pulls back the curtain on the professional recording world. Host and audio engineer Matt Boudreau talks with guests from music, film, games, restoration, and beyond—diving into their real-world journeys. No fluff, just honest conversations about the wins, losses, money, collaboration, and survival strategies that define a career in audio. It's recording life from a working class perspective.

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer, engineer, and musician Assaad Lakkis, the creative force behind Bull Funk Zoo and owner of Bull Funk Studios in Dubai. Assad’s career blends boundary-pushing rock, funk, and experimental sounds with his work producing and recording artists from around the world, making him a central figure in the Middle Eastern music scene.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

 The Bullfunk Identity

 Time in the US

 Bullfunk Studios

 Learning and Mentorship

 First Studio Challenges

 Job Market in Dubai

 Current Home Studio

 Financial Realities

 Client Acquisition 

 Diversified Income

 Continuous Learning

 Perseverance

 Mental Health

Matt's Rant: Self-employed discipline

Links and Show Notes:

 Bull Funk Zoo: https://www.bullfunkzoo.com/

 Bull Funk Studios: https://bullfunkstudios.com/

 Bull Fuunk Zoo on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BullFunkZoo/videos

Credits:

 
Guest: Assaad Lakkis

 
Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau

 
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

 
The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #557 with Assaad Lakkis– Bullfunk Studios, Financial Realities, Continuous Learning, Perseverance, and Mental Health

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer, engineer, mixer, Toby Lloyd who runs Tiny Triumph Recordings in Wellington, New Zealand. Toby's career spans working in film (The Hobbit Trilogy, Avatar, Mortal Engines) as well as music by playing a central role in the New Zealand Music world. 

In This Episode, We Discuss:

 Producing And Mixing Music

 Rooftop Recording Studio

 Meditation And Cold Plunge

 Punk Rock Beginnings

 110 Studio Rejections

 Sound Recordist On The Hobbit

 Learning In Collaboration

 Eight Years In Film

 University Studio Engineer

 Full-Time Music Producer

 Intimate Studio Design

 New Studio Lease

 Parenting Five Children

 Artist Relationship Building

 Financial Discipline Strategy

 Wellington Music Challenges

 Safe Space For Artists

 Staying In New Zealand

 Stories Of Perseverance

Links and Show Notes:

 Toby's Studio

Matt's Rant: A Brainstorm

Credits:

 
Guest: Toby Lloyd

 
Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau

 
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

 
The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #556 with Toby Lloyd– Working in Film, Returning to Music, New Zealand Scene, Being a Good Dad, and The Morning Cold Plunge

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer/engineer/musician Pierre de Reeder. Pierre owns and runs 64 Sound and is a member of the band Rilo Kiley. 

In This Episode, We Discuss:

 Rilo Kiley

 LA Survival

 64 Sound

 Dave Trumfio

 Recording on 8 Track Cassette

 New Studio Business Model

 Bonding with the Landlord

 The Hunt

Links and Show Notes:

 64 Sound

 Rilo Kiley

 King Size Sound Labs

 Rob Schnapf on WCA

 Profit First Book

 You Are a Bad Ass at Making Money Book

 The Psychology of Money

Matt's Rant: Money Talk

Credits:

 
Guest: Pierre de Reeder

 
Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau

 
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

 
The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #555 with Pierre de Reeder – Rilo Kiley, LA Survival, 64 Sound, and A New Studio Business Model

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes engineer and producer Mark Pistel. His extensive credits include influential work with Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and Consolidated, as well as notable collaborations with artists such as Meat Beat Manifesto, Grace Jones, Hercules and Love Affair, Chuck Prophet, Rykarda Parasol, Machines of Loving Grace, Holly Herndon, Los Mocosos, and many others.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

 Growing up in Duluth

 Vibrant San Francisco Scene

 Sampler Revolution

 Disposable Heroes Album Production

 Jack Dangers

 Adapting to Industry Changes

 Union Work

Links and Show Notes:

 https://www.markpistel.com

Matt's Rant: Differences

Credits:

 
Guest: Mark Pistel

 
Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau

 
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

 
The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #554 with Mark Pistel – Sampler Revolution, Disposable Heroes, Consolidated, Union Work, and Adapting to Industry Changes

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer & Producer Stefan Bock. His credits include productions for Peter Maffay, Herbert Grönemeyer, Sarah Brightman, Yello, 2L, Berliner Philharmoniker and Deutsche Grammophon.

Due to his expertise in the field of immersive audio, Stefan Bock is a renown speaker at international congresses, including those of the Audio Engineering Society and the Association of German Sound Engineers. He is also a regular lecturer at the ARD.ZDF Medienakademie.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

 Being Too Early

 Inventions

 Immersive Audio

 Pure Audio Streaming

 MSM Studios

 The Beauty of Niche

 Good Acoustics

Links and Show Notes:

 Pure Audio Streaming

 MSM Studios

Matt's Rant: Nerd Groups

Credits:

 
Guest: Stefan Bock

 
Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau

 
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

 
The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #553 with Stefan Bock – Being Too Early, Inventions, Immersive Audio, Pure Audio Streaming, and the Value of Good Acoustics Spaces.

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back producer, mixer, composer and songwriter Daniel Holter. Daniel first appeared in 2018 on WCA Episode #179. Over the years, Daniel has mixed music by artists such as Nick Lowe, Field Report, Over The Rhine, Amos Lee, Blitzen Trapper, Collections of Colonies of Bees, Phil Keaggy, Crowded House, Dead Horses, WebsterX, and Ryan Higa. He’s also composed and/or produced thousands of cues currently being used by such varied clients as Apple, Nike, Google, Microsoft, GM & Gatorade, virtually all of the top shows on HBO, ESPN, CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, and all across the globe in tv, radio, advertisements, video games and film.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

 Studio Aesthetics

 Hospitality

 Making Artists Feel at Home

 THUD Studios

 Relationships

 Cashflow

 Seattle

 Family Business

 Candles

Links and Show Notes:

 Daniel on WCA #179

 
The Candles! (discount Applied on Checkout)

 THUD Studio

Matt's Rant: The Curse

Credits:

 
Guest: Daniel Holter

 
Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau

 
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

 
The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #552 with Daniel Holter – Studio Aesthetics, Hospitality, Presentation, Relationships, and Cashflow

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Engineer and Composer Dane Giordano who has engineered artists for Warner, Sony and Universal Music Group. Dane has composed music for Film, Video Games, Television and more! He is also one of the House Engineers at Young Avenue Sound & Sun Studio.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

 First Studio Experience

 Touring Survival Methods

 Bad Engineer Experiences

 Positive Studio Experiences

 Flat Rates

 Engineering Transition 

 Sun Studio 

 Electrical Audio Internship

 Steve Albini's Kindness

 Professional Studio Habits

 Embrace Beginner Mindset

 Clients By Word-Of-Mouth

 Financial Discipline 

 Diversifying Services

Links and Show Notes:

 Dane's Site

Matt's Rant: Session Documentation in the 21st Century

Credits:

 
Guest: Dane Giordano

 
Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau

 
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

 
The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #551 with Dane Giordano – Sun Studio, Steve Albini's Kindness, Financial Discipline, and Diversifying Services

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes Grammy Winning Producer/engineer/mixer, Justin Francis who has worked alongside artists like Sheryl Crow, Kacey Musgraves, Tyler Childers, Lake Street Dive, Justin Timberlake, Madison Cunningham, Gary Clark Jr, Sarah Jarosz and Lauren Daigle.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

 Early Music Passion

 Audio Production Path

 Studio Immersion

 Formal Audio Training

 Nashville Career Growth

 Efficient Studio Culture

 Navigating Payment Ethics

 Community Client Insights

 Nashville's "Clicky" Nature

 Remote Studio Benefits

 Beyond Music Row

Links and Show Notes:

 Justin's Site

Matt's Rant: Simplification

Credits:

 Guest: Justin Francis

 Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau

 WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #550 with Justin Francis – Remote Studio Benefits, Nashville Efficiency, Beyond Music Row, and Navigating Payment Ethics

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes back mastering engineer and host of The Mastering Show, Ian Shepherd. They dive into the current state of mastering, AI’s growing role, work/life balance, and in-the-box vs. out-of-the-box mastering.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

 Companion podcast episode

 Advances in mastering technology

 The rise of AI mastering

 Shift toward releasing singles

 Impact of social media

 Mastering now democratized

 Lower barrier to entry

 AI lacks human context

 AI results often bland/generic

 Humans provide taste and nuance

 Networking challenges in rural areas

 Technology removes many practical limits

 Career hasn’t suffered despite changes

 Facing an empty nest soon

 Focus on intentional, joyful work

 Known as the "loudness guy"

Links and Show Notes:

 Ian's 100th episode

 Ian on WCA #132

Matt's Rant: Building Things

Credits:

 
Guest: Ian Shepherd

 
Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau

 
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

 
The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #549 with Ian Shepherd – Mastering Democratized, AI, Physical or Virtual Gear, and Empty Nests

In this episode of Working Class Audio, Matt welcomes producer and mixer Dan Malsch to discuss his journey from guitarist to studio owner, working with bands like Ghost and Avenged Sevenfold, building studios with his own hands, and maintaining a no-ego approach to recording at the highest level.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

Dan Malsch’s Journey From Guitarist to Music Producer

Explore how Dan transitioned from touring with his metal band Wicked Mariah to becoming a full-time producer and mix engineer.

Building and Running a Professional Recording Studio

Learn how Dan used his construction background to build a world-class recording studio in the Poconos from the ground up.

Working With Major Artists Like Ghost and Avenged Sevenfold

Dan shares behind-the-scenes stories of working with chart-topping rock and metal bands including Ghost, Avenged Sevenfold, and Gojira.

Mixing in Dolby Atmos

Get insight into how Dan created an Atmos mix room in two weeks and how he mixed Ghost's Impera and Skeletor albums in Dolby Atmos.

Collaborating With Legendary Mixer Andy Wallace

Hear how a chance meeting led to a close working relationship with Andy Wallace and how that partnership elevated Dan’s career.

Running a Successful Studio in a Secondary Market

Discover how Dan attracts big-name clients to his Pennsylvania studio without being based in LA, Nashville, or New York.

How to Maintain Long-Term Clients as a Music Producer

Dan discusses how professionalism, personal communication, and trust help him retain high-profile clients year after year.

Balancing Studio Life and Family Life

Hear how Dan prioritized being present for his family while running a busy studio and raising two kids.

Links and Show Notes:

 Dan's Studio

 IMSRV Studio In Stockholm

 Advice from Robert Diniro video

Matt's Rant: Persistence

Credits:

 
Guest: Dan Malsch

 
Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau

 
WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell

 
The Voice: Chuck Smith

WCA #548 with Dan Malsch – Touring Guitarist to Full-Time Engineer, Building a Studio Career, Mixing Ghost, Working with Andy Wallace, and Running a Successful Studio Outside the Big Cities

My guest today is Engineer/Mixer James "Fluff" Harley, who has worked with KoRn, Prince, and Yumi Matsutoya. 

In this episode, we discuss

The Origin of Fluff

Hockeytown USA

Car Accident

Recording School

Fear of the Unknown

Craving Knowledge

Crazy Synchronizing

Operating at a Top Level

Tough Skin

Being a Facilitator

Magic in The Booth

Taking a Year Off

Moving to LA

Audio Test Kitchen

Los Angeles

Surviving the Prince Bootcamp

Making a Living

The Stress of the Music Biz

Getting up at 5 AM

Figuring Out What to be Paid

Working with Korn

Matt's Rant: Making Lists!

Links and Show Notes

James on Instagram

Bryan Cook Episode

Alex Oana Episode

Chuck Zwicky Episode #1

Chuck Zwicky Episode #2

Chris Collier Episode

Nick Raskulinecz Episode

Dan Korneff Plugins

Credits

Guest: James "Fluff" Harley

Host: Matt Boudreau

Engineer: Matt Boudreau

Producer: Matt Boudreau

Editing: Anne-Marie Pleau 

WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell 

Announcer: Chuck Smith

Matt Boudreau

WCA #411 with James "Fluff" Harley - The Origin of Fluff, Hockeytown USA, Fear of the Unknown, Operating at a Top Level, and Surviving the Prince Bootcamp

WCA #411 with James "Fluff" Harley - The Origin of Fluff, Hockeytown USA, Fear of the Unknown, Operating at a Top Level, and Surviving the Prince Bootcamp

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