Eyal Levi, Author at Unstoppable Recording Machine

Thomas “Plec” Johansson: A relentless work ethic, applying pop principles to metal, and the art of commitment

Thomas “Plec” Johansson is a Swedish producer, mixer, and mastering engineer who owns and operates The Panic Room Studios. He’s known for his extensive work across the metal spectrum with bands like Soilwork, Scar Symmetry, Watain, and Mayhem. His diverse discography also includes forays into the pop world, most notably with the massive European song contest, Eurovision.

In This Episode

Plec dives into the mindset required to thrive in the demanding world of music production. He and Eyal discuss the “if you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward” philosophy and why a relentless work ethic is non-negotiable. Plec explains his unique career path, starting with mastering and working his way “backward” to production, and how it shaped his core philosophy of “keeping the speakers happy.” He breaks down how modern metal production has adopted principles from electronic music to achieve clarity and power, and why artists with a true vision are so rare and valuable. He also shares insights from his chaotic but creative recording process with Soilwork and stresses the crucial, often overlooked, skill of making decisive commitments in the studio.

Timestamps

[5:10] If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backwards
[7:41] The small pond of contenders in heavy music production
[11:51] The essential combination of talent and a powerful work ethic
[14:14] Plec’s “backwards” career path, starting with mastering
[16:47] Why a great mix makes mastering super simple
[22:32] The philosophy of “keeping the speakers happy”
[24:20] How modern metal has become more like electronic music
[29:26] How the average quality of home recordings has improved
[36:27] Working in the “Nashville of Sweden” and producing pop/Eurovision
[39:55] Applying pop and electronic production concepts to metal
[45:07] Why people are afraid to make decisions and commit to sounds
[50:39] The importance of committing, even when working in the box
[57:05] Why artistic “vision” isn’t something you can force
[1:02:03] How you end up working with artists who are at your own level
[1:09:23] Plec’s “uncomfortable” and chaotic recording process with Soilwork
[1:11:12] Using a different rhythm guitar tone for every single song
[1:18:32] Why you need to be good at everything before you can delegate
[1:26:14] Why vocal editing is more nuanced and difficult than editing drums

JOSH NEWELL: Life After Linkin Park, Surviving the Music Industry, and Pivoting to Broadcast

Josh Newell is a producer, engineer, and mixer who has been a part of major records for artists like Linkin Park, Avril Lavigne, Cynic, and In This Moment. His extensive work, particularly the long album cycles with Linkin Park, has given him a unique perspective on the highest levels of the music industry. Following a major career shift, he now also applies his formidable engineering knowledge as an engineer for the public broadcasting titan, NPR.

In This Episode

Josh gets real about the major turning point in his career following the death of Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington. He opens up about confronting the mental health challenges and toxic lifestyle that often come with being a freelance audio pro, which led him to redefine success and branch out from music into broadcast audio with NPR. Josh breaks down how he leveraged his network and core engineering skills to navigate this massive shift, proving that a sustainable career in audio doesn’t have to be limited to just making records. He shares some killer insights on the importance of being versatile, developing people skills, and why learning to salvage a less-than-perfect recording is a crucial real-world skill that never stops being relevant, even at the highest levels. This is a must-listen for anyone thinking about long-term stability and sanity in the audio game.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[7:38] How Chester Bennington’s death led to a career re-evaluation
[8:31] Confronting mental health and anxiety in the music industry
[11:29] The instability of freelance work and dealing with late payments
[13:06] The toxic lifestyle promoted by the studio environment
[16:37] How Josh started exploring other audio fields outside of music
[19:12] Taking NPR’s challenging hour-long audio proficiency test
[20:34] Why the audio market isn’t as saturated as you think
[25:39] How therapy helped him prioritize his health and navigate a tough time
[27:41] The challenge and satisfaction of working in a top-tier broadcast environment
[31:12] Why a career in audio doesn’t have to come exclusively from music
[35:18] Realizing the music he loves isn’t financially viable for the life he wants
[44:15] How to tell when a gig is a challenge versus truly out of your depth
[52:18] Why you should learn to fix shitty recordings instead of just sending them back
[58:56] The subjective nature of mixing and developing your own taste
[1:09:24] Why personality is often more important for engineers than musicians
[1:15:27] Why a vocal producer’s “vibe” can be more important than technical perfection
[1:32:38] Bad musicians and difficult situations never go away, they just get more expensive
[1:40:10] Having a healthy mindset about competition and not getting a gig

SAM GUAIANA & AARON MARSHALL: Producing Circadian, Treating Guitar as Vocals, Imposter Syndrome

Producer Sam Guaiana, known for his work with bands like Silverstein, joins forces with Aaron Marshall, the guitarist and mastermind behind the instrumental prog-metal band Intervals. Together, they break down their collaboration on the latest Intervals album, *Circadian*, a record that pushed both of them into new creative territory.

In This Episode

Sam Guaiana and Aaron Marshall drop in for a deep-dive conversation about the making of the latest Intervals record, *Circadian*. Aaron explains why he took a “leap of faith” by choosing Sam, a producer known more for post-hardcore than instrumental prog, and what qualities he looks for in a collaborator. Sam shares his perspective on tackling an unfamiliar genre, revealing the simple but powerful mindset shift—treating the lead guitar as the vocal—that unlocked the entire production. They get into the nitty-gritty of their streamlined workflow, using a limited palette of guitars and Neural DSP amp sims to craft a huge variety of tones while maximizing creative flow. The guys also get real about the mental side of a music career, discussing Aaron’s obsession with learning synths, the constant battle with imposter syndrome, and how they manage the intense stress of their jobs without letting it destroy their personal relationships.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[27:39] Why Aaron chose a producer outside of his typical genre
[32:03] How Sam won Aaron over during their initial test track session
[36:21] Sam’s production breakthrough: treating the lead guitar as a vocal
[41:33] Crafting distinct tones for different parts with a limited palette of amp sims
[42:45] The specific Neural DSP plugins used on the record
[46:45] How a modern, efficient workflow can yield better results than using tons of gear
[49:22] The advantage of having the producer also mix the record
[53:05] Aaron’s deep dive into the world of analog synthesizers
[59:33] The power of total obsession when learning a new skill
[1:05:35] The moment Aaron knew he had to buy a Moog Sub 37
[1:08:29] How Sam approaches synth production as a drummer
[1:15:02] Why you never stop learning, no matter what level you’re at
[1:22:40] Dealing with the fear that you’ve suddenly forgotten how to mix
[1:23:23] The reality of crippling imposter syndrome
[1:33:30] How to manage the intense stress of a creative career without wrecking your relationships
[1:42:42] Sam gets candid about work taking a toll on his marriage and the importance of therapy
[1:57:39] The problem with selling presets: the tone is in your hands, not the gear
[2:05:15] Did they use high oversampling on the Neural DSP plugins?
[2:08:18] Why Aaron doesn’t track his own final guitar parts

MIKE EXETER: Producing Black Sabbath, the psychology of production, turning down Cradle of Filth

Mike Exeter is a Grammy-winning producer and engineer from the UK. He’s widely recognized for his long-standing relationship with Tony Iommi, which led to engineering Black Sabbath’s reunion album 13 and the Heaven & Hell record The Devil You Know. His extensive discography also includes multiple albums with Judas Priest (Firepower, Redeemer of Souls) and early work with Cradle of Filth (Dusk… and Her Embrace, Cruelty and the Beast).

In This Episode

Mike Exeter gets into the real-deal psychology of being a producer. He shares how learning to navigate band dynamics and communicate effectively became way more important than any technical skill. He tells the wild story of how turning down a production gig for Cradle of Filth was the career move that unexpectedly led him to work with Tony Iommi. Mike also reflects on his experience working on Black Sabbath’s 13 alongside Rick Rubin, offering a unique look at how even seasoned pros deal with imposter syndrome and creative pressure. Throughout the chat, he emphasizes why chasing gear is a dead end and how rediscovering the simple joy of capturing a great performance was a major turning point. He also touches on his new podcast, which tackles the crucial but often overlooked topic of mental health in the music industry, sharing why it’s so important to be open about the struggles that come with a creative life.

Timestamps

[8:38] When it’s better to manage your own career instead of hiring a manager
[11:07] Why communication skills are more important than technical skills
[13:52] Navigating bad vibes and band drama during a session
[16:00] The psychology of production is the biggest part of the job
[19:27] The mental transition from being a studio engineer to a project producer
[22:29] The story of turning down a production gig with Cradle of Filth
[24:49] How turning down Cradle of Filth led to working with Tony Iommi
[25:51] How to mentally connect with music that isn’t your personal taste
[30:40] Organizing vocal sessions for maximum efficiency and performance
[35:35] Observing the “end of a classic lineup”
[38:43] Becoming the band’s confidant and therapist
[42:07] Why imposter syndrome can actually be a good thing
[47:08] The importance of networking and meeting people in person
[52:18] Working on Black Sabbath’s “13” with Rick Rubin
[57:15] Rick Rubin’s role in forming Audioslave and pairing Run-DMC with Aerosmith
[1:04:04] Why you shouldn’t push too hard for a gig you want
[1:12:27] Standing by your creative convictions without being an asshole
[1:16:18] A “wake up call” moment realizing performance and energy matter more than gear
[1:26:37] Starting his “Across The Board” podcast to discuss mental health in the industry
[1:33:41] The rampant, unchecked mental illness in the music industry

MATT HALPERN: Extreme Discipline, Touring & Relationships, and The ‘No Excuses’ Mindset

Matt Halpern is the drummer for the influential progressive metal band Periphery. Beyond his work behind the kit, he’s a dedicated entrepreneur involved in various ventures within the music and business worlds, known for his disciplined approach to both his craft and his personal life.

In This Episode

Matt Halpern is back for a wide-ranging chat that goes way beyond the drums. He and Eyal get into the realities of relationships and friendships as a touring musician, discussing how priorities shift as you get older and how to maintain meaningful connections. The bulk of the conversation is a deep dive into the mindset of self-improvement and extreme discipline. Matt breaks down his daily health and fitness regimen—from ice baths and saunas to breathwork—and explains how he optimizes his routine for maximum efficiency without sacrificing his personal relationships. They explore the importance of finding your ‘why,’ the necessity of pushing through daily discomfort, and how building resilience in your personal life translates to every other challenge you’ll face. It’s a candid look at the intense, non-negotiable dedication required to operate at your peak, whether that’s in the studio, on stage, or just in life.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[0:01:45] The daily struggles of dog ownership
[0:09:54] Why have a pet that serves no purpose?
[0:11:49] How Matt learned to love his wife’s cats (despite allergies)
[0:18:27] The realities of long-distance relationships for a touring musician
[0:23:48] How dedication to health and fitness can impact relationships
[0:29:10] Evolving from an extrovert to an introvert
[0:30:56] The different classifications of friendship as you get older
[0:32:41] Does opportunity equal infidelity for successful musicians?
[0:42:50] The changing purpose of friends as an adult
[0:49:18] How long-term band relationships are like family
[1:00:40] Why you shouldn’t neglect relationships to pursue your goals
[1:05:36] Building your life around your non-negotiable self-improvement goals
[1:11:14] Using data from trackers like Whoop to optimize training and recovery
[1:22:43] The trap of trying to do too many things at once
[1:26:20] Finding your personal “why” to stay motivated
[1:35:34] Why self-improvement is hard every single day
[1:41:42] Streamlining your routine for maximum efficiency
[1:57:05] The reality that self-improvement is a long, slow process with lots of failures
[2:01:14] The realization that “nobody else is coming to save you”
[2:12:39] There are no excuses, only the ones you give yourself