Producer

Gloria Kaba is a Ghanaian-American engineer, producer, mixer, and writer with over 14 years of experience in the studio. She's best known for her work with A Tribe Called Quest and Solange, but has built an impressive list of credits that include Madonna, Beyoncé, André 3000, Kanye West, Anderson Paak, Dirty Projectors, Frank Ocean, and more. We recently spoke with Gloria for our ongoing 20 Questions series. The conversation started with a bit about her background in the industry before turning to her favorite microphones, why she prefers working in-the-box, and her secret weapon for capturing reverb at the Power Station. Continue reading →

Mario Luciano is a world-class producer with a passion for analog recordings. Over the last few years, Mario has quickly made a name for himself by creating authentic analog instrumentals for producers and beatmakers to sample in their productions. Offering more than 200 original compositions available through his website, Polyphonic Music Library, he seamlessly blends elements of soul, gospel, jazz, and trap in his work. So far, his productions have been used by groundbreaking artists like H.E.R., YG, and Wale, just to name a few. Continue reading →

In our new series, Five Sounds With..., we talk with world-renowned engineers and producers about how they got five sounds from your favorite records. Johnny K is a Grammy Award-nominated producer and mixing engineer based out of Chicago, Illinois. Best known for his work in the hard rock and heavy metal scene, Johnny K has a long list of impressive credits under his belt, including Disturbed, 3 Doors Down, Staind, Finger 11, Plain White T’s, Sevendust, Megadeth and more. We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Johnny K for our Five Sounds With... series. Read on to learn more about how he crafted some of the heaviest guitar tones, made one of his favorite records in a barn, and gets DIY making his own gobos. Continue reading →

For over 20 years, Justin Meldal-Johnsen has been performing as a bassist for artists like Beck, Air, and Nine Inch Nails both on the road and in the studio. But around 2005, Justin began to assume the role of producer. Since then, Justin has produced highly-acclaimed albums from a wide range of artists such as M83, Wolf Alice, Paramore, Young the Giant, Metric and more. When we recently caught up with Justin for our Five Sounds With... series, we continued chatting afterward and ended up with a 20 Questions interview on our hands. Read on to learn more about Justin’s go-to vocal chain, his love of pedals during all stages of recording, and his advice for aspiring producers and engineers. Continue reading →

In our new series, Five Sound With…, we talk with world-renowned engineers and producers about how they got some of the sounds on your favorite records. Vance Powell is a six-time Grammy Award-winning record producer, engineer, and mixer, whose impressive list of credits include everyone from rockers like Jack White to country crooners like Chris Stapleton to pop icons like Alicia Keys. Known for his creative and experimentative approach to engineering and producing, Vance currently works out of Sputnik Sound studio in Nashville. We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Vance about five records that he's worked on during his illustrious career. Check out our conversation below to learn more about his approach to tracking the first Dead Weather record, moonlighting for Radiohead while tracking Sturgill Simpson, and what it was like recording Chris Stapleton on the front lawn of the studio. Continue reading →

In our new series, Five Sound With..., we talk with world-renowned engineers and producers about how they got five sounds from your favorite records Justin Meldal-Johnsen got his start as a bassist playing for artists like Beck, Nine Inch Nails, and more. Since he started his producing career around 2005, Justin has assembled an astounding catalog of visceral, immersive records, including a number of critically acclaimed and career-defining albums with artists like M83, Neon Trees, Metric, Young The Giant, Jimmy Eat World, Paramore, Tegan and Sara, Ken Andrews and more. We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Justin for our Five Sounds With... series. Check out our conversation below to learn more about how he created a signature sound for M83’s Junk, orchestrated an epic live performance piece with Jimmy Eat World, and recorded the loudest sound he’s ever heard with Paramore. Continue reading →

Nick Breton is a world-class recording engineer, mixer, and producer who also happens to own Truth Studios. For over decade, Nick has been busy building his studio space and racking up credits with chart-topping artists such as SZA, Joey Bada$$, Dom Kennedy, Noname and many more. We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Nick for our ongoing 20 Questions series. Read on to learn about his go-to vocal chain, his most prized pieces of studio gear, and how he has cultivated a hip-hop scene out of his Los Angeles studio. Continue reading →

Elton “L10MixedIt” Chueng is a Grammy® Award-winning mixing engineer, best known for his work with Chance the Rapper, Smino, Saba, and Noname. Chueng got his start as an intern at Classick Studios in Chicago, where he now works full time. We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Chueng for our ongoing 20 Questions series. Read on to learn about Chueng’s passion for changing lives through music, tips on how to make your 808s slap, and where to get the best chicken wings in Chicago. Continue reading →

Producer/engineer Lenise Bent has been working in the entertainment industry since she was just eight years old. She began her career as a member of the Screen Children’s Guild, which lead to studying film and TV production in college. That is until she stepped foot into a recording studio for the first time. After dropping out of college to join the Sound Masters Recording Institute (one of the only audio schools in Los Angeles at the time), she was hired as an assistant engineer at The Village Studios in Los Angeles. There where she would build an incredible resume working on iconic records like Aja by Steely Dan, Breakfast in America by Supertramp, and Tusk by Fleetwood Mac. Lenise quickly graduated from assistant to chief engineer for producer Mike Chapman, with whom she recorded the platinum-selling record Autoamerican for Blondie, as well as songs for The Knack, Suzi Quatro, and many more. Continue reading →

Jennifer Decilveo is a Grammy Award-nominated and Brit-nominated songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles. Best known for her work with Anne-Marie, Melanie Martinez, and Andra Day, Decilveo brings soulful sounds and vintage textures to every production. We recently sat down for an interview with Jennifer for our ongoing 20 Questions series. Read on to learn more about her approach to songwriting and producing, her love for the LA-2A, and how her favorite plug-in is based on a garden hose in a box. Continue reading →