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In this edition, Host & audio engineer Ashea is joined by platinum-selling engineer, producer and Moorcroft Studios owner Tom Fox to talk about the day-to-day reality of running a commercial recording studio. Tom has spent around 25 years behind the desk, and he shares the workflow, psychology and practical tricks he has developed while running his Yorkshire based studio. The conversation covers how to prepare artists before they arrive, how to put nervous first-timers at ease, and how to judge a great take. They also discuss tuning with Melodyne, comping in Cubase, and why a good vocal engineer is part producer, part coach and part therapist. This episode is essential listening for any engineer, producer or studio owner who wants to get the best performance out of every artist. In This Episode: Tom Fox's Journey: From Metal Bands to Rap and Bassline: How a bedroom recording setup and a degree in sound technology led to Moorcroft Studios in West YorkshireSpecialising in Vocal Production: Why focusing on vocals rather than doing a bit of everything sharpened Tom's skills and reputationA Week in the Life of a Commercial Studio: Working half days, juggling multiple artists and moving between acoustic sessions and heavy drillThe Bassline Scene: The West Yorkshire genre, its mainstream moment and the studio as a social meeting hubRemote Mixing vs. Start-to-Finish Projects: Why Tom prefers creative involvement from the first take to the final mixPre-Session Preparation: Asking artists for voice notes or rough guides to fix wording, phrasing and breathing before the sessionWarming Up Artists and Recording Guide Takes: Using early takes when artists don't feel like they're being recorded, especially with first-timersPutting Artists at Ease: Reading the room, building trust and being part producer, part agony auntWhat Makes a Good Take: Emotional conviction, believability and tuning, and the fine line between polishing and overworking a performanceTuning Philosophy: Melodyne and Natural Vocals: Repairing a great performance rather than settling for a flat one, and avoiding the over-tuned soundRecording in Shorter Sections: How working in small chunks keeps energy up, makes corrections easier to remember and strengthens the vocalComping Workflow in Cubase: Colour-coding takes so you can comp as you go and review with the artistVocal Coaching and Mic Technique: Why reading lyrics off a phone pulls artists off-axis, and how that hurts consistency when compingThe Visual Aid Trick: A duplicate screen facing the booth so artists can see drop-ins and weaker sectionsNavigating Different Personalities: Working with shy artists, perfectionists and those who want feedback straight awayManaging Expectations Around the Process: Explaining EQ, compression, comping and tuning so indie artists don't judge their raw takes too harshlyUsing Melodyne to Reassure Artists: Quickly tuning a passage to show it's fine so they can move onAbout Our Guest: Tom Fox: Platinum-selling recording engineer, producer and owner of Moorcroft Studios in West Yorkshire. Tom began recording as a teenager in his bedroom, went on to earn a degree in sound technology, and has run Moorcroft Studios ever since. He started out working with metal bands nearly 20 years ago and now specialises in vocal production and engineering, primarily for rap and bassline artists. www.moorcroftstudios.co.uk  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. https://asheamusicofficial.com

In this edition, Host & audio engineer Ashea is joined by Production Expert Founders Mike Thornton and Russ Hughes & post-production audio engineer Paul Maunder, to address one of the most significant regulatory changes affecting the audio and music production industry: the new EU AI Act. With implementation now in force, this episode cuts through the hype and confusion to explain exactly what the law requires, how it applies to audio professionals, and what both individuals and platforms must do to comply. The conversation covers the practical implications for anyone using AI voice generation (like 11 Labs), AI-assisted editing tools, or working with platforms like Spotify and YouTube. The team breaks down machine-readable marking requirements, disclosure obligations, audio watermarking technology, platform accountability, and what the experience with GDPR implementation can teach us about enforcement. This episode is essential for every audio professional seeking clarity on regulatory compliance and industry integrity in the AI era. In This Episode: EU AI Act Overview: GDPR for AI — How the EU AI Act functions as 'GDPR for artificial intelligence,' applying to any content played in the European Union regardless of where it was createdDeepfakes Defined: Beyond Celebrity Videos — The law's broad definition of 'deepfakes' as anything that could be misconceived as human-made but is AI-generated, including voice synthesis, video, and imagesMachine-Readable Marking Requirements — How AI system providers must embed technical metadata into AI-generated content so it can be automatically detected by machines and platformsDisclosure Requirements for Deployers — Content creators and distributors must explicitly disclose to audiences when content contains AI-generated or manipulated audio/videoThe Disclosure Chain: Creators to Audience — How disclosure cascades through the value chain: if you use 11 Labs for voiceover, you tell your client, who tells their audienceAI Cleanup Tools Exemption — The law doesn't apply to AI-assisted editing or enhancement tools unless the regenerated content becomes the primary focusPro Tools Generative Features Impact — Real-world example: if you use generative AI to regenerate missing words in a voiceover dropout, you must disclose thisSpotify's Rapid Implementation — Within days of the EU Act coming into force, Spotify implemented labeling showing listeners when content uses AIYouTube's Platform Immunity Defense — YouTube's claim that they're merely a platform; how this misinterprets the law and shifts burden inappropriatelyPlatform Responsibility vs. Creator Responsibility — Why YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram should be held accountable as publishers of content, not just neutral platformsClaude's Watermarking Response — How Claude added digital watermarking to AI text within days, demonstrating rapid compliance by major AI providersMachine-Readable vs. Human-Perceptible Disclosure — The distinction between technical watermarking (for machine detection) and human-friendly disclosure (text/audio announcements)Audio Watermarking Technology: Silent Cypher — Sony's deep audio watermarking technology that embeds imperceptible marks in audio frequency rangesAudio Brain for Mac: Emerging Audio Watermarking — New tools providing audio watermarking specifically for Mac OS, representing rapid tool development for complianceComplex Mixes and Watermarking Challenges — How tracking individual AI-generated elements within massive film mixes presents technical detection challengesGDPR as Enforcement Precedent — Since 2018, GDPR fines total ~€7 billion; this historical data proves regulatory enforcement intentionBig Players vs. Small Businesses — Enforcement targets Spotify, YouTube, Facebook—not individual creators; the law aims to bring major platforms into complianceCopyright Protection Gaps — The EU Act and US No Fakes Act don't adequately address copyright of training data and content protectionUS Copyright Office Stance: Prompt-Driven AI — US Copyright Office denies copyright to purely prompt-driven AI output; Invoke AI's successful appeal shows lines are still being drawnCreative Use of AI vs. Deceptive Use — Distinguishing between legitimate transparent creative use (like T-Pain's autotune) vs. deceptive undisclosed useProfessional Responsibility: Setting Standards — How professionals in audio should embrace the law and set standards themselves rather than waiting for enforcementWhy Imperfect Laws Still Matter — No law is perfect, but laws represent our best effort at improvement and societal standardsRace to the Bottom Without Standards — How lack of regulatory enforcement creates industry pressure to adopt AI, lower rates, and compromise qualityHypocrisy in Industry: The MPSE Poster Incident — Example of major audio professionals organization using generative AI while advocating against AI job displacementYouTube's Selective Compliance — How YouTube selectively enforces responsibility when reported violations occur, claiming external responsibilityAbout Our Guests: Mike Thornton: Co-founder of Production Expert and host of the Production Expert Podcast. Mike serves as industry commentator and facilitator of important conversations between technology companies and the professional audio community. In this episode, Mike moderates discussions on AI regulation and compliance. Russ Hughes: Co-founder of Production Expert. Russ provides deep technical and regulatory expertise on the EU AI Act, explaining how it differs from GDPR and what the law actually requires of audio professionals and platforms. Russ has researched the act thoroughly for audience guidance. Paul Maunder: Longstanding team member at Production Expert and post-production audio engineer. Paul contributes practical experience on how the new law applies in real-world audio workflows, including examples of Pro Tools, audio watermarking solutions, and the realities of tracking AI-generated elements within complex mixes. 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. Her commitment to discussing both the creative and business sides of audio production, including regulatory and compliance issues affecting the industry, makes her an ideal facilitator for important professional conversations.

In this special "Watercooler Podcast" edition, host Ashea is joined by producers and mixers Dom Morley, Matt Lawrence, and Adrian Hall—for a candid conversation about the isolation of solo audio professionals and the critical importance of peer support and collaboration. Dom, Matt, and Adrian have maintained a monthly "water cooler chat" since working together at Metropolis Studios. This episode explores how this simple monthly ritual became essential to their careers and mental health, discussing rates, client management, creative practice, and why building trusted peer groups creates space for radical honesty impossible in larger organizations. In This Episode: The Isolation Paradox — How modern technology enables solo work while creating profound isolation and mental health challengesThe Water Cooler Concept — Forced community structure for distributed solo entrepreneurs; monthly peer gatherings inspired by business literature30 Years Experience: Age & Creativity — How experience builds confidence while youth brings innovation; the myth that creativity declines with ageTrust & Peer Equality — Why working with peers at similar levels enables radical honesty impossible in hierarchiesKnowing Each Other Deeply — How decades of shared history allow direct feedback without offense or egoBusiness Conversations — Discussing rates, pricing strategies, client negotiations, margin protection in trusted circlesArtist Management Challenges — Navigating changing expectations, revision limits, sign-off procedures, scope creepProtecting Industry Standards — Responsibility to maintain rates and distinguish between discounts and day ratesAbundance Mindset vs. Competition — Approaching work from 'enough for everyone' perspective; collaborative vs. protective attitudesSharing Knowledge Across Specializations — Cross-disciplinary learning: live broadcast, Atmos, mastering, specialized toolsSocial Media & Curated Reality — Everyone posts only best work; false impressions of constant high-profile projectsBig Names Doing Smaller Work — Industry secret: established professionals work on smaller projects but don't publicize itRates as Fluid Not Fixed — Why publishing single rates creates problems; complexity of varying work types and discountsTeaching as Professional Practice — How education bookends isolation with human connection and communityProfessional Jealousy — Acknowledging competitive feelings while managing them constructivelyTransition from In-House to Freelance — How Metropolis experience shaped expectations differently than freelance workClient Respect & Communication — File delivery, respecting artist bandwidth, maintaining boundaries without being difficultAbout Our Guests: Dom Morley: Grammy-winning producer and engineer (Amy Winehouse "Rehab"). Founder of Mix Consultancy and multiband.io session organization tool. Previously taught at Leeds Conservatoire. Initiated the monthly peer collaboration concept discussed in this episode. Matt Lawrence: Grammy-winning producer, mixer, and engineer (Mumford & Sons "Babel"). Specializes in live sound, mixing major festivals for BBC broadcasts. Extensive experience with 5.1 and Atmos formats. Combines high-pressure broadcast environments with meticulous studio production. Adrian Hall: Accomplished mixer, engineer, and producer. Grammy-nominated. Brings extensive mixing expertise and band production experience. Contributes perspective on professional growth, confidence building, and collaborative practice. 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 to the Production Expert Podcast, discussing both creative and business sides of audio production.

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 trackingTracking Conservative, Mixing Creative — Capturing intentional raw material for successful mixingTeaching Audio Production: Learning from Students — Educators staying current with trends while maintaining principlesThe Role of Recording Engineers in Modern Production — Why understanding mixing makes tracking engineers more effectiveAbout 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. Stream Todd Urban's Music Here: https://open.spotify.com/album/3JWFSrFxOdt4KdVKfd3AXp?si=ZvcmY6u2QiS_hzC_S-PSlA 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.

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 2024Addressing 'Abandonment' Concerns from Audio Professionals — Krotos is expanding markets, not abandoning professionalsThe Core Mission: Making Sound Important Earlier — Bringing sound into creative workflows as an equal partner rather than afterthoughtAI is Not Generative: The Truth About Krotos Technology — All sounds are professionally recorded; AI is assistive, not generativeAI as Automation, Not Replacement — Automating tedious tasks like auditioning thousands of sounds, not replacing human creativityEvolution from Specialised Tools to Krotos Studio Platform — Journey from Dehumanizer, Reformer, Weaponizer to unified Krotos StudioMisconceptions About Social Media Posts and Credits — Addressing posts implying Krotos involvement in Jurassic World, House of the Dragon, and Nolan filmsSound Redesign vs. Official Production Credits — Distinguishing creative sound redesign exercises from official product involvement claimsSocial Media Clarity and Labelling Issues — Acknowledging unclear messaging in fast-scrolling social feeds, committing to better labellingIndustry-Wide Social Media Challenges — Platforms encouraging content reuse without explicit permission creates attribution confusionMarketplace and Collaboration Possibilities — Vision for professionals to contribute assets and create ecosystem marketplaceIndustry Change with New Technology — Technological disruption requires community to work as united front, not adversariallyCommunication Missteps on Product Roadmap — Acknowledgement of moving too quickly without explaining technical constraints and timeline to communityAbout 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.

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 leadershipThe 'Rock and Roll Scientists' Philosophy — Combining musical edge with scientific rigor for innovation and challengeConsole One: Redefining Mixing in the Box — 2014 breakthrough introducing hardware control for digital channel stripsFlow Studio: From Zero to 80% Mixes — Facilitating flow state and creative momentum through intelligent designFlows and Presets as Creative Tools — Pre-configured signal chains enabling quick professional-sounding starting pointsThe Omni Knob: Macro Control Design — Five knobs with main macro control addressing real workflow needsHybrid Workflow Philosophy — Balancing hardware summing and analogue gear with in-the-box mixingDecision Fatigue vs. Creative Exploration — When to commit during tracking versus maintaining flexibility during mixingPre-Production Planning and Intention — Establishing emotional objectives and sonic goals before trackingTracking Conservative, Mixing Creative — Capturing intentional raw material for successful mixingTeaching Audio Production: Learning from Students — Educators staying current with trends while maintaining principlesThe Role of Recording Engineers in Modern Production — Why understanding mixing makes tracking engineers more effectiveAbout 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.

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 pandemicThe SR1 Headphones Development — The creative journey from a joke about building a studio in a headphone to a functioning solutionNon-Binaural Immersive Monitoring — How the SR1 achieves 3D soundscape representation without relying purely on HRTFsRemote Mixing for Broadcast — Mark's experience using the headphones while working on tournament broadcastsChallenges in Getting Started with Immersive Audio — Infrastructure requirements, learning curve, and barriers for engineersBinaural Monitoring Limitations — Why traditional binaural platforms struggle with height representationRoom Simulation & Personalization — Head width parameter optimization, EQ customization, and virtual room simulationThe Chicken-and-Egg Problem of Adoption — Why immersive audio adoption is slow and the role of content availabilityImmersive Audio in Mainstream Media — Dolby Atmos prevalence in streaming, TV, and filmThe Future of Spatial Audio — Wearable and augmented reality applicationsAbout 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 roomTomorrowland — Festival featuring immersive audio experiencesDolby Atmos — Immersive audio format for streaming and broadcastVirtuoso — Binaural monitoring softwareGenelec UNIO — genelec.com/unioSponsorship 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.

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!

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 audioThe 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 involvementWorking 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 skillsDescript'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 nuancesAI 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 solutionsThe Impact of Time Constraints and Budgets - How production timelines have expanded while budgets remain static, forcing producers to take shortcuts that compromise quality and craftBuilding 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 identityAdvice 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 Churnside: Tony Churnside 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.comAdobe Enhance - AI audio enhancement tool from AdobeDescript Studio Sound - AI audio processing feature within DescriptPro Tools - Digital audio workstation used by both producersAltiverb - Convolution reverb plugin by Audio EaseZoom H4N - Portable audio recorder for field recordingSony D100 - Portable audio recorderNaked Productions - Award-winning sound design and audio production company. Visit: nakedproductions.co.ukGenelec 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 PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeAll 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.

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 methodsLocation 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 recordingSound 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 dramaNaked 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 producesThe 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 processActor 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 qualityPro 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 automationDay 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.ukThe Skewer - BBC Radio 4 satirical comedy series. Available on BBC SoundsBBC Radio Dramas - Putin, Lockerbie, and BBC Scotland productionsPro Tools - Digital audio workstation used by both producersAltiverb - Convolution reverb plugin by Audio EaseSpeakerphone - Dialogue processing pluginGenelec 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 PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeAll 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.

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.

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 producerWork 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 productionThe 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 labelsThe 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 invaluableArtists Navigating the Current Landscape - The challenges and opportunities for musicians and artists in 2026, from recording and production to promotion and distributionRecord 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 professionalsTechnology and Production Innovation - Advancements in recording technology, production tools, and mixing techniques that have emerged over Matt's 20-year careerProfessional 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 engineerGenelec 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 PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeAll major podcast platformsFollow 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.

"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 microphonesThe 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 practiceAnalog vs. digital: the tape machine, commitment, and why limitations can raise the stakes for performanceManaging expectations: why clients listening on car stereos ask for mixes that don't exist, and how to set boundariesDemocratizing music production: why tools like Drumopolis matter beyond the studioWorking 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.comToontrack Drumopolis SDX: toontrack.comBrixton Hill Studios: brixtonrecording.comGenelec UNIO Monitoring: genelec.com/unioSource Elements Suite: sourceelem

The number of women working as audio engineers and music producers is falling, not rising. Ashea is joined by British-Ghanaian producer, rapper and author Nana Ayebi-Kwakye to discuss why the gap is widening, where the signs of hope are, and the thinking behind her children's book Delasi On A Mission, written to show young girls that the studio is a place they belong. Women In Audio: Why The Numbers Are Falling, With Nana Ayebi-Kwakye The proportion of women working as professional audio engineers and music producers has been moving in the wrong direction for years. The data is uncomfortable, the reasons are tangled, and the industry's response has been inconsistent at best. In this conversation, Ashea sits down with producer, rapper and author Nana Ayebi-Kwakye to talk honestly about what's happening, what's working, and why representation in children's books might matter more than another panel discussion at a trade show. In this episode: Why the percentage of women working in professional audio production is declining rather than growing, and what the available data actually showsThe signs of hope: the initiatives, mentorship structures and visible role models that are starting to shift the picture for the next generationThe principle Nana keeps coming back to: if you can't see it, you can't be it, and what that means in practical terms for studios, schools and parentsThe story behind Delasi On A Mission, the children's book Nana wrote to put a young girl behind the desk rather than in front of the micThe barriers that show up before anyone gets near a studio: perception, language, who appears in the photos, who teaches the classesWhat working professionals can actually do, beyond awareness, to change the numbers in their own corner of the industryAbout Our Guest: Nana Ayebi-Kwakye: Nana Ayebi-Kwakye is a British-Ghanaian music producer, rapper and author. Her debut children's book, Delasi On A Mission, tells the story of a young girl discovering music production and learning to navigate the obstacles that come with it, aimed at readers aged six and up. She is also involved in initiatives including The Leading Vibe and her own Sounds You Make project, both focused on widening access to music production for young people. About Our Host:  Ashea is a platinum selling songwriter, music producer & audio engineer from the UK. 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).

Description In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Arnd Kaiser, Product Designer Strategist at Fender Musical Instruments, and Tony Carridi, Global Revenue and Go-To-Market Executive at Fender PreSonus. Together they discuss the strategic rebrand of Fender Studio, exploring what this evolution means for music producers, audio engineers, and musicians using Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software. This conversation goes beyond the surface-level rebrand to explore the vision driving Fender's entry into the DAW market, the future of music production software, and what producers should expect from Fender Studio going forward. Whether you're a guitarist, music producer, audio engineer, or just curious about the future of music production tools, this episode provides insider insights into one of the music industry's most iconic brands' strategic move into professional music production software. Discover why this rebrand matters, what innovations are coming, and why Fender Studio is positioning itself as a game-changer in the competitive DAW landscape. In This Episode: The Fender Studio Rebrand Strategy - Understanding the vision behind Fender's rebrand and repositioning of their DAW product, and what strategic decisions led to this major announcementProduct Design & User Experience Focus - How Fender approaches product design strategy to create intuitive, professional-grade music production software that serves both beginners and experienced producersExpanding Beyond Guitarists - Why Fender Studio is positioning itself as a tool for all music creators, not just guitarists, and how this broadens the addressable market for the productThe Future of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) - Industry perspective on where DAW technology is headed, emerging features, and competitive dynamics in the music production software marketGo-To-Market Strategy & Industry Positioning - Insights into how Fender is launching and marketing Fender Studio to different segments of the music production communityInnovation in Music Production Tools - The technological innovations and features that make Fender Studio a compelling option in a crowded DAW marketplaceCollaboration Between Fender & PreSonus - How the partnership between Fender Musical Instruments and PreSonus creates synergies and advantages for Fender Studio usersWhat Inspires Professional Audio Engineers - Personal insights from industry executives about what drives their passion for music production and innovation in the field About Our Guests: Arnd Kaiser: Arnd Kaiser is a Product Designer Strategist at Fender Musical Instruments, responsible for shaping the vision and strategic direction of Fender's product offerings in the music production software space. With expertise in product design and strategic planning, Kaiser brings deep understanding of how to create tools that resonate with musicians and producers across different skill levels and genres. Tony Carridi: Tony Carridi is a Global Revenue and Go-To-Market Executive at Fender PreSonus, overseeing the commercial strategy and market positioning of Fender Studio. With extensive experience in revenue growth and market strategy, Carridi brings insights into how Fender is approaching the competitive music production software market and building a sustainable business around innovative music tools. 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 Fender Studio - Fender's professional music production DAW software. Visit: fender.com/studioPreSonus - Digital audio workstation and music production technology company. Visit: presonus.comFender Musical Instruments - Iconic manufacturer of guitars and music production equipment. Visit: fender.comGenelec 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 PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeAll major podcast platformsFollow 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.