Master Your Mix Podcast

Dave McNair is a mastering engineer, producer, and recording engineer with over four decades in the music industry and more than 900 credits spanning rock, blues, country, pop, and world music. Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, he came up through the working-studio world of New York City, including a stint at The Hit Factory, before spending years producing and engineering in Los Angeles and Austin. He's now based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he operates Dave McNair Mastering from a studio in his own home, monitored on a high-end audiophile playback system.
What sets McNair apart is the breadth of his pre-mastering career. He toured as a drummer with indie/alt-country band The Silos, engineered and mixed landmark sessions with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Cyndi Lauper, and produced artists like Buddy Guy and Kelly Willis in the Austin music scene. That lived-in understanding of how records are made from the ground up, tracking, arranging, mixing, deeply informs his mastering philosophy. His approach emphasizes what he calls "mastering with mixing in mind," treating the bass and vocals as the true anchors of any record.
McNair's audiophile background is equally distinctive. He spent time working the sales floor at high-end audio retailers Innovative Audio and Sound By Singer in NYC, and that world of critical listening hardware never left him, he credits it with transforming his approach to monitoring and sound judgment. His 2024 Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) for Bokanté's History represents recent recognition, but his catalog, which includes David Bowie's The Next Day, Shovels & Rope's Little Seeds, and mixed credits on SRV's In Step, reflects decades of work at the highest level.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
The moment he realized a mentor's "amazing room sound" was actually a tiny dead room and a heavily compressed mic
Why losing head-to-head comparisons to another engineer became one of his biggest learning tools
What changed in his approach after sitting in on a session with one of the most respected mixers in the business
The exact moment Dave knew he needed to change direction, and what tipped him off
Why he didn't tell any of his old clients he was getting into mastering until he felt ready
How 20 years of sitting in on other people's mastering sessions became the foundation for his new career
Why he says the chasing and reinventing never really stops, even now

To learn more about Dave McNair, visit: https://www.davemcnairmastering.com/

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Get the latest plugins from Carve Audio:
Smashburger Compressor: https://carveaudio.com/smashburger/
Busboy: https://carveaudio.com/busboy/
Slapshot: https://carveaudio.com/slapshot/
Gas Can Amp: https://carveaudio.com/gas-can-amp/

ALL PODCAST LISTENERS GET 25% OFF. USE PROMO CODE: PODCAST25

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Greg hails from Detroit’s vibrant rock scene. He’s lived in New York and Los Angeles. In 2015, he relocated to Pittsburgh, producing and mixing at his Wood Hollow studio, and recording and exploring ATMOS mixing at The Vault studios.
Greg Gordon has produced, engineered, and mixed a wide spectrum of classic ‘big beat’ groups and artists of every genre. His discography reads like a three-decade history of cutting-edge music. Embracing all types of passionate sonic expression, Greg thrives on using his knowledge of music and recording techniques to build a foundation of traditional integrity and cross-pollinate elements to introduce unexpected, ear-opening events.
Greg’s #1 piece of advice to any new engineer/mixer - “Listen for the record - it’s easy to get caught up with the technology and possibilities, and lose sight of the song… The record will reveal itself if you’re listening for it. There will be a moment when you forget that you’re working on a track, and you’re just listening to a favorite record … PRINT!!!!!!”

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Jumping into opportunities even when you're scared
How the old-school mixing approach as a performance changes the way your mixes feel
How Jimi Hendrix treated the studio as an instrument, not a documentation tool
What it actually means to "capture the moment of discovery" when tracking
Why Greg avoids click tracks and how that affects the energy of a performance
How stepping away and returning to a mix creates the objectivity you can't get from staring at it for hours
Why producers weren't allowed in the room for Motown sessions
How your headphone mix affects whether a singer nails the pitch or misses it
The automation trick that makes mixes feel like live performances instead of static playback

To learn more about Greg Gordon, visit: http://www.gregordon.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Get the latest plugins from Carve Audio:
Smashburger Compressor: https://carveaudio.com/smashburger/
Busboy: https://carveaudio.com/busboy/
Slapshot: https://carveaudio.com/slapshot/
Gas Can Amp: https://carveaudio.com/gas-can-amp/

ALL PODCAST LISTENERS GET 25% OFF. USE PROMO CODE: PODCAST25

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Austin Seltzer is a multi-platinum mixing and mastering engineer whose work bridges the gap between modern pop polish and emotionally impactful, dynamic sound. After getting his start in electronic ghost production, Austin refined his craft through formal studio training at The Blackbird Academy in Nashville. During his time there, he learned from renowned engineers and producers who appeared as guest mentors, including Andrew Scheps, Jacquire King, Vance Powell, and Dave Pensado. After graduating, he expanded into cinematic music, further developing the sense of depth, scale, and emotion that now defines his mixing style.
Now based in Oklahoma, he has built a reputation for creating mixes that feel simultaneously expansive, powerful, and deeply musical. Austin’s profile rose significantly after mixing and mastering Dasha’s global breakout hit “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’),” one of the defining crossover records of 2024. In addition to his work with Dasha, he has collaborated with artists including LE SSERAFIM, Maggie Lindemann, Natalie Jane, BloodPop, A.G. Cook, and Hudson Mohawke.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- Why he starts every mix with the loudest section
- Why he intentionally clips his mixes six dB over zero during the entire mixdown
- How to balance your low end while intentionally clipping the output
- Why most limiters destroy the punch in your kick and snare
- How to create cinematic width without using the LCR method
- Why treating people well matters more than your technical skills
- How he completes professional mixes in 90 minutes or less
- Why he only listens to the full mix once during the mixing process
- The next-morning routine that catches problems before sending to clients
- How he uses multiband stereo width to create cinematic depth
- How hitting compressors 10-20 dB actually makes vocals sound better
- Why he moved from LA to Oklahoma, and his work increased

Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Get the latest plugins from Carve Audio:
Smashburger Compressor: https://carveaudio.com/smashburger/
Busboy: https://carveaudio.com/busboy/
Slapshot: https://carveaudio.com/slapshot/
Gas Can Amp: https://carveaudio.com/gas-can-amp/

ALL PODCAST LISTENERS GET 25% OFF. USE PROMO CODE: PODCAST25

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Chris Athens is a mastering engineer with over 30 years in the industry. Formerly working at Sony Music Studios and Sterling Sound, he has founded his own studio, Chris Athens Masters in Austin Texas. Chris has mastered for some of the biggest names in hip-hop such as DJ Khaled, Drake, and Mac Miller as well as some rock artists including Coheed & Cambria, Architects, and Of Mice and Men.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:
Taking chances, even when you don’t feel prepared
Learning from mistakes
Surrounding yourself with the right people
Work/life balance
Working to the point of burnout
Why you need to get good at networking and marketing
Inheriting clients vs. creating clients
Finding people to partner with for your studio business
Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses
The advantages of working quickly
How to preserve your objectivity
Broad-stroke vs. surgical EQ
Getting big clear low end

To learn more about Chris Athens, visit: https://chrisathensmasters.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!

Jason Perry is a UK-based record producer, mixer, and songwriter known for shaping the sound of modern rock and alternative music. He first made his mark as the frontman of the band A, before transitioning behind the scenes to build a highly successful production career.
Over the years, Jason has worked with a wide range of artists including Don Broco, You Me At Six, Trash Boat, McFly, and Mallory Knox, helping them craft records that balance raw energy with a polished, contemporary edge. His productions are known for their punchy drums, tight arrangements, and powerful, radio-ready vocals.
Bringing an artist’s perspective into the studio, Jason is especially respected for his collaborative approach and his ability to push bands to deliver their strongest performances—both creatively and technically. His work has played a key role in defining the sound of the current UK rock scene.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Why Jason never uses vocal booths or talkback mics when tracking singers
How not knowing how to play an instrument can be a superpower as a producer
The first-listen method he uses to find every weak point in a song
Why most bands overcomplicate their bridge sections (and what causes it
How he produces himself on his own records without losing objectivity
Why he starts recording vocals on day two instead of waiting for the band to finish tracking
The pep talk he gives every band before starting a session
Why placing limits on yourself forces better creative decisions
What actually makes a great song when you strip away all the technique

To learn more about Jason Perry, visit: https://www.jasonperry.london/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/

Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out our Sponsors:
Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K

Subscribe to the show:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMix

Have questions you’d like answered on the show?
Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com

Please leave a rating and review:
https://masteryourmix.com/review/

Thanks for listening!