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Artwork for Working Class Audio

Working Class Audio

Working Class Audio
Music Production
Audio Engineering
Dolby Atmos
Music Industry
Audio Production
Live Sound
Independent Music
Distrokid
Immersive Audio
Mastering
Los Angeles
Grammy Awards
Recording Techniques
Networking
Atmos Mixing
Punk Music
Audio Recording
25th Street Recording
David Rideau
Chicago Music Scene

Peel back the glamour of the professional recording world. Guests from the world of audio for music, film, games, restoration, and more share their insights on how they made their journey, how they survive, their advice on the real things including wins, losses, working with other people, money, and career advice. Hosted by audio engineer Matt Boudreau. The Working Class Audio Podcast - Navigating... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes614Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsBusinessEntrepreneurshipMusic

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Artwork for Working Class Audio

Latest Episodes

For episode 615, Matt concludes his two-part conversation with Michael Frondelli, picking up in Los Angeles where Keith Forsey and Richie Zito brought him west. Michael landed at Giorgio Moroder’s Oasis Studios, where he worked on the Breakfast Club ... more

For episode 614, Matt talks with Michael Frondelli, producer, engineer, and former Vice President of Capitol Records Studios, where he ran the facility for eleven years before going independent in 2001. Michael grew up in Astoria, Queens. Tony Bennet... more

For episode 613, Matt talks with Ben Mellott — recording engineer, mixer, and owner of Nothing but Noise studio in Northern Virginia. Ben has been freelance since 2014, balances studio work with live production at churches, farms, and local venues, a... more

For episode 612, Matt talks with Brian Starley recording and mixing engineer based in North Hollywood, California, and owner of Bergatron Music Studio. Brian grew up in Salt Lake City with a dad who transferred vinyl to cassette for the car, chased a... more

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Recent Guests

Michael Frondelli
Producer, engineer, former vice president of Capitol Records Studios
Capitol Records (former)
Episode: WCA #615 with Michael Frondelli, Part 2: Los Angeles, Capitol Records, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and the Long View on Audio
Ben Mellott
Audio engineer focused on live sound and church venues
Nothing But Noise (Northern Virginia)
Episode: WCA #613 with Ben Mellott – Northern Virginia, Church Sound, Farm Festivals, and Profit First
Brian Starley
Recording and mixing engineer
Independent studio engineer, North Hollywood
Episode: WCA #612 with Brian Starley – Utah, Cartage, Building a Studio in LA, and Relationships Before Gear
Scott McDowell
Producer, engineer, mixer, and part-time sound designer
Independent studio owner in San Francisco
Episode: WCA #611 with Scott McDowell – Berklee, California vs New York, Getting Fired, Becoming a Studio Partner, and Getting Hit by a Car
Stephen Shirk
Audio engineer, producer, and owner of Shirk Studios in Chicago
Shirk Studios
Episode: WCA #610 with Stephen Shirk – Bloomington, New York, Chicago, and Twenty Years of SHIRK Studios
Eric Michael Lichter
Music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and founder of Dirt Floor Recording
Dirt Floor Recording
Episode: WCA #609 with Eric M Lichter – Martha's Vineyard, New York, Connecticut, and the Beauty Marks That Make a Record
Julian Kindred
Grammy-nominated producer, engineer, songwriter
Canada/UK based
Episode: WCA #608 with Julian Kindred – Canada, America, England, and Thirty-Five Years of Making Records
Dana Nielsen
Grammy-nominated producer, mixer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist
Episode: WCA #607 with Dana Nielsen – Jazz School, System of a Down, SZA, and the Money Side of a Long Career
Neil Rogers
Recording engineer, studio owner
Half-ton Studios
Episode: WCA #606 with Neil Rogers – Eighteen Years of Half-ton Studios, Bootstrapping in Cambridge, and Writing for Sound on Sound

Host

Matt Boudreau
Host of the show, audio engineer by trade, focused on working-class perspectives in recording and audio production.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 402 ratings
  • Episode 600

    Congratulations Matt on episode 600 of working class audio. I don’t know how many hundreds I’ve listened to, but I have learned a ton and really appreciate what you do. Anyone who is a recording engineer or even has home studio like me should listen to all 600. What a milestone and what an awesome host. For incredible guests, you are!

    Nial Connolly

    In Santa Fe

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yantraimages
    United States4 months ago
  • Like

    Jade is a welcome addition to our community of music people. However, I was only able to get through 30 minutes of the interview. Her non stop use of the word “like” was too distracting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fivepointfivesix
    United States7 months ago
  • Rich Chycki talk

    Open relaxed talk between passionate pros, looking very forward to P. 2!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ixyo
    United States7 months ago
  • All The Advice I Wish I Had Growing Up

    This is such a great podcast for anyone involved in music/audio production and engineering. A wealth of information pertaining to this whacky business. Everything from Life/Work Balance (because life comes before work), finances, health, and more I didn’t know that I didn’t know in the 35 years of being an audio professional.

    Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Soundork
    United States2 years ago
  • Matt is awesome

    The podcast is full of gems, each episode is so helpful and Matt is re

    Ally a nice guy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ericx lee
    Mexico2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are consistently described as insightful and experienced, offering practical, non-gear-focused guidance.
The show is valued for its broad range of industry perspectives and focus on real-world career advice, money, and workflow.
Listeners praise the host's grounded, conversational interview style that keeps guests' stories front and center.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

WCA #615 with Michael Frondelli, Part 2: Los Angeles, Capitol Records, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and the Long View on Audio
Q: If you were starting today knowing what you know, what business advice would you give to someone who wants to continue mixing or recording records?
Invest in building a real, physical network; demonstrate your value through hands-on work and pre-production; understand marketing and management since budgets often hinge on marketing spend as much as recording costs; and focus on mastering the art of capturing live performances and creating a distinctive sonic identity.
WCA #615 with Michael Frondelli, Part 2: Los Angeles, Capitol Records, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and the Long View on Audio
Q: Not everybody can do it. What are your thoughts on the state of the audio professional today?
The field requires a strong personality that can nurture the creative process while communicating effectively; there are many pathways within audio beyond music, and success hinges on mentorship, a network, and the ability to bring people together to create a cohesive sound.
WCA #611 with Scott McDowell – Berklee, California vs New York, Getting Fired, Becoming a Studio Partner, and Getting Hit by a Car
Q: What happened during the accident, and how did it affect your career and life afterward?
Scott describes being hit by a car in Northridge, the coma-like 10-day period, extensive injuries, and how the incident reshaped his perspective on cognition, mobility, and the importance of a safety net for freelancers.
WCA #611 with Scott McDowell – Berklee, California vs New York, Getting Fired, Becoming a Studio Partner, and Getting Hit by a Car
Q: How did you end up choosing San Francisco and your path away from moving to New York?
He explains a pivotal AES moment and mentor advice steering him away from New York to build a scene where he could grow. He settled in San Francisco after considering multiple cities and ultimately embracing the Bay Area's music community.
WCA #611 with Scott McDowell – Berklee, California vs New York, Getting Fired, Becoming a Studio Partner, and Getting Hit by a Car
Q: Talk about when record production first peaked your interest and when you started to ask the questions like, how is this made? What am I hearing?
Scott recalls his early ska bands, an internship in Novato, and a gradual shift from trumpet performance to recording engineering, culminating in a decision to pursue music technology at Berkeley rather than pure tech, and eventually moving into professional studio work.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Working Class Audio

What is Working Class Audio about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on real-world paths through audio production, mastering, and immersive sound, featuring engineers, producers, studio owners, and sound designers who share how they got started, built sustainable careers, and navigated the business side of creativity. Episodes emphasize long-term career resilience, collaboration, mentorship, and practical money-management over gear talk, with many guests describing independent studios, hybrid work, and community-building as keys to staying relevant. A standout thread across conversations is the commitment to a service mindset, storytelling of non-linear career journeys, and the balance between artistic integrity and financial viability, making it valuable for listeners who want actionable ad... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Working Class Audio?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Working Class Audio:

1. Recording Studio Rockstars
2. Master Your Mix Podcast
3. hanging out with audiophiles
4. Production Expert Podcast
5. Tape Notes

How many episodes of Working Class Audio are there?

Working Class Audio launched 12 years ago and published 614 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Working Class Audio?

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What guests have appeared on Working Class Audio?

Recent guests on Working Class Audio include:

1. Michael Frondelli
2. Ben Mellott
3. Brian Starley
4. Scott McDowell
5. Stephen Shirk
6. Eric Michael Lichter
7. Julian Kindred
8. Dana Nielsen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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