Author: Finn McKenty

Producer and mixer Dave Otero is the man behind the modern yet natural sound of some of extreme metal’s most respected acts. Based out of his Flatline Audio studio in Colorado, he’s helmed landmark albums for bands like Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, Shadow of Intent, and Khemmis, showcasing a versatile style that’s as crushing as it is clear. His extensive discography also includes killer records for Aborted, Despised Icon, Vitriol, and The Zenith Passage.

In This Episode

Dave Otero gets real about the long game of building a career in metal production. He discusses his 20-year journey, from just scraping by to finally feeling a sense of security, and why sticking with your passion is a smarter move than chasing more commercial genres. Dave explains why developing good taste is a producer’s most important, unteachable skill, and how it guides everything from creative decisions to recognizing a band’s “it factor.” For all the producers out there, he gets deep into the psychology of handling mix feedback—how to push past the initial sting, see things from the artist’s perspective, and use their notes to grow. He also shares a crucial story about the one time he was fired from a mix and the valuable communication lesson he learned about involving the entire band early and often.

Timestamps

• [1:54] Dave on his profile rising significantly in the last few years
• [4:23] How long he’s been making a living in audio (since age 18)
• [9:49] The 20-year journey to feeling financially secure as a producer
• [12:21] Why you’ll do better sticking with what you’re passionate about vs. chasing trends
• [15:43] The importance of taste and why you can’t learn it from a book
• [16:20] Learning to recognize the “it factor” in a band
• [17:41] The rewarding experience of watching a band like Leprous grow
• [22:44] Why making “honest” art is more fulfilling than chasing commercial success
• [26:50] The creative freedom that comes from working with confident artists
• [28:55] How musicians have become more serious and professional over the decades
• [30:05] Forcing yourself to experiment when you have an established workflow
• [31:37] Why getting good at taking feedback is crucial for growth
• [35:25] Knowing when to swallow your pride as a mixer
• [36:54] The immediate bad feeling of getting a long list of mix notes
• [40:18] How communication changes when you’re mixing vs. doing a full production
• [43:31] The one time he got fired from a mix and the lesson he learned
• [46:56] Why older, more established bands can be trickier to mix
• [51:59] Reliability and hitting deadlines is a key to success
• [53:28] Why never being fully satisfied with your work is a creative superpower

Phil Pluskota of Sonic Assault Studios is a producer and reamping specialist known for his deep expertise in crafting guitar tones. He’s built an impressive collection of boutique and classic amps, which he uses to provide remote reamping services for bands and producers looking for unique sounds that go beyond amp sims. He recently provided the crushing guitar tones for Dååth’s cover of Slipknot’s “Surfacing.”

In This Episode

Guitar tone specialist Phil Pluskota returns to the podcast to nerd out on all things amps, cabs, and mics. He gets right into the real amps vs. amp sims debate, arguing they’re different tools for different jobs, not a competition. Phil breaks down his reamping workflow, from dialing in tones for a project he’s not mixing to the exact signal chain he used for Dååth. He also shares some killer practical advice, including his go-to mic techniques for beginners, how to salvage a crappy DI before it even hits the amp, and his approach for dealing with super low tunings. He and the guys also get into the importance of a player’s hands, the controversial topic of using reverb on rhythm guitars, and why you should just trust your ears instead of arguing online. This one is a goldmine for anyone obsessed with getting the perfect heavy guitar sound.

Products Mentioned

• Omega Granophyre
• MLC Vogg Signature Amp
• Rude Audio King in Yellow
• Boss HM-2
• Bogner Ecstasy
• Shure SM57
• Sennheiser MD 421
• Royer R-121
• Peavey 5150
• Fishman Fluence Pickups
• Chandler Limited TG2 Mic Preamp

Timestamps

• [0:52] Real amps vs. amp sims: The low-end difference
• [6:22] Phil’s process for getting in the right headspace to reamp for a new project
• [8:26] The specific amp and pedal chain used for the Dååth Slipknot cover
• [12:24] How many amps does Phil own? (And his top 3)
• [17:13] Phil’s go-to mics and cabinets for reamping
• [19:04] Mic placement advice for beginners who want a solid starting point
• [21:03] Using room mics on guitars for big, ambient chords
• [22:01] The great debate: Using reverb on rhythm guitars
• [26:34] Why he doesn’t ask about pickups and just listens to the DI
• [31:05] How to salvage a terrible-sounding DI track before it even hits the amp
• [33:02] The importance of picking technique and how it was corrected live at a URM Summit
• [36:20] The overlap between a player’s hands and the gear they use
• [39:46] A practice regimen for getting better at dialing in tones
• [43:12] How modern amps and pickups help deal with super low tunings
• [47:51] Rapid Fire: A non-conventional mic placement trick for a darker tone
• [48:17] Rapid Fire: The most underrated high-gain amp on the market
• [49:41] Rapid Fire: A controversial guitar mixing tip
• [49:59] Rapid Fire: The best mic preamp for recording heavy guitars
• [51:11] A deeper explanation of why you should boost guitars from 4-6k

Maor Appelbaum is a highly respected mastering engineer known for his work across a wide spectrum of rock and metal. His extensive discography includes projects for iconic artists like Faith No More, Yes, Voivod, Sepultura, Sabaton, and Meatloaf, making him a go-to choice for artists seeking a powerful and polished final sound.

In This Episode

Mastering engineer Maor Appelbaum joins the podcast for a deep conversation that’s all about leveling up your craft and career. Maor shares his perspective on the art of critical listening, explaining how to train your ears to hear the subtle changes that separate good work from great work. He gets into the different mindsets of a mixing engineer versus a mastering engineer, and why it’s so hard to be objective when you’re doing both jobs on a project. The guys also discuss the power of collaboration and building a team of specialists to elevate your final product. Maor drops some serious knowledge for mixers at every level, from beginners who are chasing the sounds of their heroes to established pros looking for that final 1% that will make them elite. They also get into the nitty-gritty of the business side, covering everything from the great converter debate to setting payment policies that protect you from getting burned. This is a must-listen for anyone serious about the technical, artistic, and business realities of being a modern producer.

Products Mentioned

• Lavry Gold Converters
• MOTU Audio Interfaces
• RME Audio Interfaces
• Audient Audio Interfaces
• Apogee Audio Interfaces
• Black Lion Audio
• Burl Audio Converters

Timestamps

• [0:49] The art of listening and how to hear subtle changes
• [3:01] How your monitoring environment affects what you can hear
• [4:11] The different listening perspectives of a mixer vs. a mastering engineer
• [9:37] The difference between mastering as a mixer vs. as a dedicated mastering engineer
• [18:31] The power of a team: Why you need specialists to compete at a high level
• [21:46] How collaboration and “sharing the wealth” keeps the industry alive
• [29:44] A common mistake beginners make: trying to sound like a specific famous mixer
• [33:25] Why developing your own sound is a long-term process
• [41:00] Advice for early-career mixers: Quantity over quality to gain experience
• [46:20] How pros can become great: Focusing on tiny, incremental improvements
• [51:27] The “baby steps” of leveling up your skills when you’re already good
• [56:13] The great debate: Why converters do matter (and when you can hear it)
• [1:05:42] How investing in gear can unlock creativity and make mixing more fun
• [1:10:11] The “red pill/blue pill” moment of switching to an analog workflow
• [1:18:19] Setting your rates: Factoring in your overhead, lifestyle, and responsibilities
• [1:23:36] The reality of payment terms when working with indie vs. major labels
• [1:28:04] Why you must state your policies (revisions, costs) clearly upfront
• [1:31:52] The surprising power of a simple phone call in a world of emails
• [1:34:21] How a mastering engineer can offer valuable creative feedback (like track sequencing)

Curt Martin is a fast-rising producer, songwriter, and engineer making waves in the rock world and beyond. He’s known for crafting bangers with artists like Echo, Fix, Call Me Charisma, and Catch Your Breath. Getting his start in metal bands while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he eventually pivoted to production, learning from mentors like Kyle O’Dell and Kevin and Kane Churko. He’s also got a wild story about engineering a session for the Backstreet Boys on their DNA album early in his career.

In This Episode

This one is for anybody on the grind. Curt Martin gets real about his journey from starting a metal band in the Marine Corps to becoming a go-to producer in LA. He talks about how the discipline from the military translated directly to the focus needed for a career in audio and why it took years of perseverance before things started to click. Curt breaks down why a great song isn’t enough in 2024 and how artists like Echo succeed through relentless self-marketing. He also dives deep into his evolution as a songwriter, explaining why he intentionally stopped listening to metal and immersed himself in pop to write better rock hooks. Plus, you absolutely have to hear the story of him lying about knowing Pro Tools right before walking into a session with the Backstreet Boys—a masterclass in “fake it ’til you make it.”

Products Mentioned

• Line 6 POD
• Propellerhead Reason
• Avid Pro Tools
• Steinberg Cubase
• Sony C-800G Microphone
• Golden Age Project GA-251 MkII
• Neve 1073 Preamp
• Empirical Labs Distressor

Timestamps

• [1:24] Getting his start in an all-Marine metal band
• [3:32] Recording demos on a Navy ship with a Line 6 POD
• [5:03] His first encounter with Drew Fulk and Kyle O’Dell
• [8:28] How military discipline translated to his production career
• [11:02] The decision to leave the military to pursue music
• [14:20] Why the most successful bands are the ones that just keep at it
• [15:50] The steady, 10-year grind of artists like Echo
• [17:40] Why a good song isn’t enough to make it anymore
• [22:29] Defining his role as a songwriter-producer
• [27:05] Learning songwriting out of pure spite
• [28:50] Why he stopped listening to metal to get better at writing hooks
• [31:31] The secret behind huge rock hits: they’re basically pop songs
• [33:15] Why rock engineers can do pop, but pop producers struggle with rock
• [36:59] The story of how he ended up engineering for the Backstreet Boys
• [38:31] Lying about knowing Pro Tools to land the gig
• [42:16] Why you have to put yourself in uncomfortable positions to grow
• [50:20] Curt’s number one songwriting tip
• [53:49] His go-to vocal chain for getting killer takes