Eyal Levi, Author at Unstoppable Recording Machine

NOLLY & ERMIN: Audio Stalkers, Building a Gear Company, Escaping Echo Chambers

Adam ‘Nolly‘ Getgood is a mixer, software entrepreneur, and the former bassist for Periphery, while Ermin Hamidovic is a highly-regarded mastering engineer, author, and the founder of Submission Audio. Together, they’ve worked on acclaimed albums for bands like Haken and Bleed From Within. Nolly’s GetGood Drums and Ermin’s virtual bass instruments have become staples for modern metal producers, representing the duo’s transition from seeking killer tones to creating the tools that provide them.

In This Episode

Nolly and Ermin return for a wide-ranging conversation that goes way beyond gear. They start by exploring the strange psychological territory of online fame, from dealing with obsessive “audio stalkers” to the false sense of intimacy created by social media. This leads to a broader discussion on navigating the modern world’s echo chambers, the difficulty of finding trustworthy information, and the importance of focusing on what you can actually control in your own life and career. They also get into how creating their own products has not only honed their engineering skills but provided the freedom to be more selective with clients. They share their perspective on the evolution from being kids on forums chasing tones to becoming the guys who create the tools for the next generation, and offer a candid look at their unique, trust-based workflow for mixing and mastering.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[6:12] The concept of an “audio stalker”
[14:46] How social media creates a false sense of intimacy with creators
[18:01] Why approaching an artist as a fan will never lead to a friendship
[33:16] How the “cult of celebrity” is an age-old phenomenon
[38:54] The evolutionary purpose of gossip in society
[55:00] The danger of social media algorithms and echo chambers
[1:09:28] Why focusing on what you can control is more effective than activism
[1:17:27] The burnout that comes from geeking out too much on gear
[1:37:55] How the post-pandemic world might change education and careers
[1:50:52] How product development supercharges your engineering skills
[1:52:27] The story of Colin Richardson taking three weeks to get a kick drum tone
[1:59:19] Nolly’s ideal workflow and being selective with mixing clients
[2:04:56] How the art of tracking and committing to sounds is being lost
[2:10:33] The risk of homogeneity vs. the benefit of empowering creators with modern tools
[2:25:57] The magic of finding the right Mesa cab with the right era of V30s
[2:30:54] Nolly and Ermin’s (lack of) communication during the mix/master process
[2:40:10] Using analyzers vs. ears for balancing the low end
[2:43:06] Nolly explains how and why he got into modifying his own amps

MAX MORTON: The Sound of Jinjer, From Ringtones to Metal, and Character vs. Perfection

Max Morton is a Ukrainian producer and mixer best known for his long-term collaboration with the metal powerhouse Jinjer. He’s been the driving force behind their sound across multiple albums, including their critically acclaimed record Macro. His work has been instrumental in the band’s journey from a local Ukrainian act to an international force.

In This Episode

Max Morton joins the podcast to share his incredible journey from programming MIDI for Korean ringtone companies to becoming an internationally recognized metal producer. He gets real about the grit it takes to build a career in a tough market like Ukraine, stressing the importance of a global mindset, learning to spot opportunities, and having the patience for a long-term game. Max dives deep into his relationship with Jinjer, explaining how they grew together and why he was willing to invest in them when they had nothing. He also drops some serious knowledge on production philosophy, discussing the balance between character and technical perfection, and shares some behind-the-scenes stories on the unique tones from Jinjer’s Macro, including their unconventional guitar rig and that now-famous snare sound. This is a must-listen for anyone who needs a dose of real-world inspiration and practical advice on navigating a production career.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[3:48] Why a global mindset is crucial for producers in small markets
[8:29] Max’s first music job: Programming MIDI for Korean ringtone and karaoke companies
[12:12] How that first job paid for his first pro recording setup
[22:15] Why you should compare yourself to the best in the world, not your local scene
[26:33] The challenge of balancing a career as a producer and a musician
[31:35] His experience working as an interpreter for Judas Priest
[36:32] Why you have to learn to spot opportunities (and use them)
[43:29] How his working relationship with Jinjer began
[50:30] Building a new studio and being booked for a year before it’s even finished
[1:13:36] The hardships Jinjer faced early on that forged their work ethic
[1:14:56] Why Max gave Jinjer a huge discount and paid for studio time himself
[1:17:15] The three pillars of a producer’s career: Money, reputation, and experience
[1:23:32] The strategy behind raising your rates as a producer
[1:25:47] Why you should never sell yourself cheap
[1:30:21] How he learned to mix through trial and error before online tutorials existed
[1:47:46] Character vs. technical perfection: Why “wrong” can sound right
[1:50:09] The unconventional guitar rig used on Jinjer’s Macro
[1:51:33] The story behind that polarizing snare sound on Macro
[1:55:23] Why making the vocalist feel like a rockstar in their headphones is crucial

Ryan “Fluff” Bruce: Rebranding to Dragged Under, sparking a label bidding war, and balancing YouTube with touring

Ryan “Fluff” Bruce is a guitarist, producer, and the creative force behind the popular YouTube channel Riffs, Beards, and Gear. As a long-time member of the URM community and a Nail The Mix instructor, he’s known for his deep knowledge of guitar gear and production. He’s also the guitarist for the band Dragged Under, which recently signed to Mascot Records after emerging from the ashes of his previous project, Rest, Repose.

In This Episode

Fluff gets real about the journey from his previous project to his current band, Dragged Under, breaking down the strategic decision to rebrand and start fresh. He shares the inside story of how the band’s killer songs and live show organically sparked a label bidding war, emphasizing why it’s always better when they come to you. This episode is packed with legit industry insights on building the right team (manager, agent, label), the realities of record deals, and why professionalism is non-negotiable today. Fluff also dives deep into the grind of balancing a full-time YouTube channel with a demanding tour schedule, offering killer advice on productivity, mindset, staying healthy on the road, and the benefits of a modern, efficient live rig. It’s a masterclass in hustle and navigating the modern music business.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[2:46] The strategic decision to change the band’s name
[6:08] How Bert from The Used convinced them to start fresh
[7:30] Getting out from under Jared Dines’ shadow
[10:23] The “damaged goods” phenomenon in the music industry
[13:25] Why being an older musician is no longer a career-killer
[16:31] Why you can’t fuck up in the modern music industry
[22:26] The story of how Post Malone’s A&R guy scaled a fence to sign him
[28:44] How Dragged Under ended up in a label bidding war
[36:01] Building the right team: manager, label, lawyer, and booking agent
[39:28] Why finding a good booking agent is the hardest struggle
[46:56] Fluff’s #1 piece of advice for bands: get rid of the assholes
[52:09] Dispelling the myth that connections get you a record deal
[57:25] Balancing a YouTube channel with a grueling tour schedule
[1:06:40] The critical importance of diet on the road
[1:10:31] Shifting from “YouTuber with a band” to “band guy with a YouTube channel”
[1:13:11] The necessity and challenge of delegating work
[1:18:08] Switching mindsets between creator mode and “on-stage animal” mode
[1:26:24] The difference between warming up and being “tour conditioned”
[1:34:29] Dragged Under’s super-efficient, all-direct, in-ear live rig

EP 265 | John Browne

John Browne plays guitar in Monuments, Flux Conduct and is a co-founder of Riff Hard, a revolutionary online school focused on rhythm guitar, riffing, and sick tone.

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ON THIS EPISODE:

6:53 – Why rhythm guitar is important

16:45 – The relationship between Dillinger Escape Plan and Mr. Bungle

23:49 – What bands are pushing the envelope?

36:21 – Rhythm and phrasing

55:45 – How to get better at guitar

1:12:37 – What are the features of Riff Hard?

1:19:58 – Deleting riffs – should you or should you not?

1:29:38 – Why you should analyze “Freak on a Leash” by Korn

1:40:52 – Tone is in the hands, but for real

Thanks for listening! Please leave us a 5-star review on iTunes!

Nail The Mix is our online mixing school that gives you REAL multi-tracks from REAL bands, plus a mixing class from the producer who recorded it. Past guests include Periphery, Meshuggah, Gojira, Machine Head, and State Champs. Join now for instant access!

Leave any questions, comments, or feedback in the comment section below.

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Chris Baseford: Producer Psychology, Navigating Studio Egos, Surviving the Napster Era

Chris Baseford is a producer, engineer, and mixer who has worked with some of the biggest names in rock, including Nickelback, Mötley Crüe, Shinedown, and Rob Zombie. With a deep discography that spans multiple genres, he’s known for his versatile but consistently powerful production style and his ability to navigate high-stakes studio sessions with A-list artists. He is also a Nail The Mix instructor.

In This Episode

Chris Baseford joins the podcast for a super deep discussion on the philosophy and psychology of being a modern producer. He gets into the fine art of knowing when to grind through a problem versus when to back off and reassess—a crucial skill both in the studio and in life. Chris shares his perspective on managing different personalities, navigating the egos and agendas that are part of any creative collaboration, and why a project’s success often comes down to the people involved. He also touches on the evolution of the music industry from the inside of a major label during the Napster era, the mindset required for remote collaboration, and the surprising ways that visual and tactile elements of our tools can create mental blocks or breakthroughs. This conversation is all about cutting through the bullshit, staying objective, and understanding the deeper creative currents that guide a production from start to finish.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[5:05] Deciphering the difference between pushing through a problem and backing off
[10:12] Why projects with difficult people rarely work out
[14:31] Learning people skills vs. natural personality traits in the studio
[21:26] Debunking myths about Chad Kroeger and “contrived” pop music
[29:33] The satisfaction of helping a band become more accessible
[31:38] Basing decisions on what serves the song, not on being contrarian
[34:59] How your listening habits shape your production taste
[40:36] Witnessing the music industry crumble from inside a major label
[53:58] Tools and workflows for remote collaboration
[58:44] The double-edged sword of every musician having a home recording rig
[1:02:09] The importance of just sending clean, “not fucked up” tracks
[1:07:03] Tracking with a vision vs. “we’ll figure it out in the mix”
[1:10:04] Committing to sounds vs. keeping options open
[1:14:26] The value of going down the wrong road to find the right one
[1:19:07] A simple exercise: Limit your plugin choices to improve your mixes
[1:26:29] Why 10% planning and 90% execution is the key to progress
[1:36:03] Dealing with the reality that “pro tracks” are rarely perfect
[1:50:41] How visual and tactile feel can create mental barriers to mixing in the box
[2:06:46] The inspirational value of new gear, even if it doesn’t sound “better”
[2:13:33] The danger of over-producing a song before it’s even written