urmadmin, Author at Unstoppable Recording Machine

PHIL SGROSSO: As I Lay Dying’s Studio Secrets, The “Trim the Fat” Philosophy, Tour Managing Animals As Leaders

Phil Sgrosso is a guitarist and songwriter known for his foundational role in the metalcore scene. He has been a primary creative force in bands like As I Lay Dying, Wovenwar, and the hardcore-crossover project Poison Headache. Beyond his own bands, he’s a versatile player who has also toured with Nails and filled in on guitar for Saosin, showcasing a wide range of styles and skills.

In This Episode

Phil Sgrosso sits down for a chill but super insightful chat about his career making records at the highest level of metal. He gets into the nitty-gritty of working with iconic producers like Adam D and Bill Stevenson, sharing how their different approaches helped shape the As I Lay Dying sound—from Adam’s “trim the fat” songwriting philosophy to Bill’s “less is more” vibe. Phil breaks down their studio process, emphasizing the importance of thorough pre-production and explaining why they trusted mixers like Andy Sneap and Colin Richardson to re-amp their guitars. He also touches on cool production tricks like layering “thunder chugs” to make heavy parts hit harder. Beyond the AILD days, Phil talks about the creative shift required for Wovenwar, his passion project Poison Headache, and how his experience as a musician gives him an edge in his new role as a tour manager for bands like Animals As Leaders. It’s a great look into the mindset and practical techniques behind some of modern metal’s biggest albums.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[0:01:42] Joining As I Lay Dying after “Frail Words Collapse”
[0:04:57] Phil’s relationship with gear vs. songwriting
[0:06:22] Why great production is the essential foundation for a great mix
[0:08:52] The power of detailed pre-production before hitting the studio
[0:10:11] How producer Adam D’s “trim the fat” approach shaped their songwriting
[0:11:57] Working with Bill Stevenson to explore a “less is more” approach
[0:14:45] The excitement of getting the first mix back and making 1-2 dB tweaks
[0:18:16] Why legendary mixers like Andy Sneap and Colin Richardson re-amped their guitars
[0:20:43] Starting over with Wovenwar and writing for a new vocal style
[0:25:15] The Poison Headache project: exploring hardcore and crust punk influences
[0:27:58] Transitioning into tour management for bands like Animals As Leaders
[0:35:12] Phil’s philosophy on writing memorable, catchy riffs
[0:38:20] The guitar setup for “An Ocean Between Us” (Les Paul Studio with an EMG 81)
[0:43:12] Phil’s unconventional approach to warming up (or not warming up)
[0:46:21] What it was really like being tracked by Adam D
[0:51:08] Using “thunder chugs” to thicken up heavy parts
[0:52:30] Phil’s musical background, from classical lessons to learning Weezer songs
[1:00:02] How listening to punk rock developed his right-hand stamina for metal

MATT BROWN: Mastering the click track, recording drums in bad rooms, and working with legends

Matt Brown is a versatile drummer, sought-after drum tech, and seasoned engineer who has carved out a unique career in the Orlando music scene. Growing up in a musical family with early exposure to the studio world via Full Sail, he developed parallel passions for both performance and the technical side of recording. He spent years as a first-call session drummer for rock, pop, and country artists and honed his legendary timing by playing to complex click tracks for live shows at Disney World. He’s also worked as an engineer and tech for an incredible roster of classic rock royalty, including members of The Beach Boys and Iron Butterfly.

In This Episode

Drum tech and engineer Matt Brown stops by for a killer conversation about all things drums. He shares how he got his start by dissecting drum kits and learning Pro Tools in its infancy, and explains why playing to a click is one of the most critical—and often overlooked—skills for any modern drummer. Matt dives deep into practical, real-world advice for producers, breaking down his approach to getting the best sounds in any situation. He covers how to work with the strengths of a bad-sounding room, creative ways to capture or fake room sounds when you don’t have an ideal space, and knowing when to embrace a dry, close-mic’d tone. He also gives some fascinating insight into the major differences between producing a young, up-and-coming band versus engineering for legendary, seasoned artists who nail their takes on the first try.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[3:40] Matt’s origin story: how he got into drumming and engineering
[9:36] The insane cost of early Pro Tools rigs in the ’90s
[12:20] How dissecting drums taught him to get the best sounds
[15:25] Why the player matters so much, even for hitting simple drum samples
[17:10] The crucial skills learned from playing drums at Disney World
[18:48] Why playing to a click is a drummer’s most vital (and overlooked) skill
[21:10] How perfectly quantized records affect new drummers’ sense of time
[26:33] His first step when teching for another producer
[30:01] Getting usable drum sounds with a cheap kit in a bad room
[31:53] Using a room’s sonic flaws to your advantage
[33:46] Knowing when to give up and use triggers and samples
[36:46] Creative tricks for capturing room sounds in unconventional spaces
[37:49] Using reverb directly on an insert to create a fake room ambience
[42:12] Why some genres (and mixes) don’t need room mics at all
[44:35] Why big rooms can be a disadvantage for tracking fast metal
[53:22] The difference between recording new bands and seasoned classic rock legends
[57:19] Matt’s key advice for young artists and engineers

Brian Slagel: Founding Metal Blade, Discovering Metallica, and The Business of Metal

Brian Slagel is the founder and CEO of Metal Blade Records, one of the most important and enduring labels in heavy music. Since launching the label with the now-famous Metal Massacre compilation in 1982, he’s been instrumental in the careers of countless genre-defining artists, including Metallica, Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, and As I Lay Dying. His influence extends beyond his own roster, having also played a role in the rise of bands like Lamb of God and Faith No More.

In This Episode

Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel hangs out to share some incredible stories and wisdom from his decades-long career. He breaks down the early days of running the label out of his mom’s garage, driven purely by a passion for the music, not a business plan. Brian gets into the mindset required to stick it out, explaining how he handled bands leaving for major labels with a “don’t hate, congratulate” attitude that focused on growing the whole scene. He discusses the smart business pivots that kept Metal Blade relevant, like starting the Death Records imprint for punk acts and doing promotion for the ’90s grunge scene. For producers, he drops some serious knowledge on what he looks for in a record (hint: it’s not about being perfectly polished), the modern role of a record label, and why every successful band needs one member who understands the business.

Timestamps

[3:21] The early days of Metal Blade: being driven by love for the music, not money
[6:13] Running the label from his mom’s non-air-conditioned garage for three years
[8:01] Why the “paying your dues” mentality is crucial for bands
[10:16] What sets a modern breakthrough band like Ghost apart
[12:52] Why he was happy to see bands like Armored Saint leave for major labels
[14:59] “Don’t hate, congratulate”: Why a successful band is a win for the entire scene
[17:11] Pivoting to partner with major distributors after losing too many artists
[19:29] Starting Death Records to sign punk bands like D.R.I. that couldn’t be on a “metal” label
[21:40] Doing promotion for grunge-era bands like Mother Love Bone and Faith No More
[25:12] What producers can do to build a good relationship with a record label
[26:44] What makes a record stand out: capturing the band’s true sound, not just being polished
[28:19] The problem with so many modern productions sounding the same
[31:10] The benefits of a record label in the modern, DIY era
[33:44] The “four wheels on a car” analogy for a band’s success
[37:51] The story of signing the Goo Goo Dolls
[40:33] Why a band’s first record deal is like an “entry-level” job
[46:31] Why every successful band has one member running the business side
[51:24] Why you don’t need to be a social butterfly to make it in the metal scene

KURT BALLOU: Iconic HM-2 Tones, Aggressive Drum Sounds, His Hybrid Mixing Workflow

Kurt Ballou is the guitarist for the influential band Converge and a highly respected producer at his God City Studio. He has a massive discography that includes his own band as well as heavy hitters like Every Time I Die, The Armed, Gatecreeper, Russian Circles, Kvelertak, and Black Breath. Known for his raw, aggressive, and impactful production style, he’s a go-to for bands wanting to capture a powerful and organic sound.

In This Episode

This episode is a “Dear Kurt” Q&A special, where Kurt Ballou dives deep into a ton of questions submitted by the URM community. This is a super technical one, perfect for anyone looking for the nitty-gritty details. He breaks down his entire philosophy on giving creative input to bands, detailing everything from gear choices to song structure. Kurt pulls back the curtain on some of his most sought-after tones, giving a full signal chain breakdown for the iconic HM-2 guitar sound on Black Breath’s “Slaves Beyond Death” and explaining how he gets his signature, explosive drum room sound. He also walks through his hybrid mixing setup in insane detail, covering his drum, guitar, and vocal bus processing, his full mix bus chain, and his philosophy on why a dedicated mastering engineer is non-negotiable. It’s a masterclass in his unique approach to making records.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[5:43] When to give a band creative input
[7:47] The gear choices he most often gives input on (drums)
[10:14] The guitar and bass rig on Black Breath’s “Slaves Beyond Death”
[12:09] The secret to gating a Boss HM-2 pedal
[13:08] Gain staging an HM-2 for the perfect tone
[17:20] Should bands be direct with their political messages?
[19:25] How to switch between “engineer” and “guitar player” hats when recording your own band
[21:25] Gating individual drum mics to minimize phase issues and increase punch
[24:00] How Kurt gets his signature aggressive drum room sound
[29:26] Essential gear Kurt can’t live without
[30:22] The importance of a great monitoring environment
[31:47] Using the Manley Massive Passive’s bandwidth control for shaping sounds
[32:58] Making decisions on the way in vs. leaving them for the mix
[37:37] A complete breakdown of Kurt’s hybrid mixing workflow
[38:24] How he sets up his drum busses (close, ambient, electronic)
[42:06] His guitar bus processing chain
[44:37] His vocal bus processing chain
[45:51] Kurt’s stereo mix bus chain
[49:34] Why you should always use a dedicated mastering engineer
[51:31] Getting the sludgy but tight tone on Every Time I Die’s “From Parts Unknown”

JOSH NEWELL: Why Money Can’t Buy a Career, Studio Etiquette, and Assistant Horror Stories

Josh Newell is a Los Angeles-based producer, engineer, and editor. A long-time member of the Linkin Park production team, he’s also worked with artists like John Brion and came up in the iconic NRG Recording Studios. Known for his deep Pro Tools expertise and real-world perspective, Josh shares insights from his extensive experience working within the demanding LA studio scene.

In This Episode

For the podcast’s one-year anniversary, original guest Josh Newell returns for a killer hang about what it *really* takes to make it in the music industry. He busts the myth that money can buy you a career, sharing insane stories from LA studios about “vanity projects” and assistants who couldn’t tell a mic from a power jack. This conversation is all about the crucial, non-technical skills you need: the art of being a “good hang,” knowing how to deal with difficult artists, and having the relentless drive to push through the grind. It’s a deep dive into why your attitude, work ethic, and ability to learn on the fly are way more valuable than a trust fund or a fancy console. If you want a reality check on studio etiquette, career longevity, and the mindset required to build a sustainable career, this one’s for you.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[3:31] Why hearing success stories from pros helps make a career feel possible
[6:47] The big question: Can you buy your way into the music industry?
[8:06] Josh discusses the phenomenon of “vanity studios” in LA
[10:23] Assistant horror story #1: Arguing with the engineer about a broken channel
[12:05] Why a “silver spoon” advantage rarely translates to a long-term career
[14:49] Your available gear doesn’t matter nearly as much as the time you put in
[17:30] How one producer made millions using the $150 program Fruity Loops
[19:52] The critical importance of being a “good hang” in the studio
[20:43] Why a good assistant knows how to “jump on the grenade” and distract talkative band members
[25:09] Assistant horror story #2: The kid who tried to plug a mic pre into its own power jack
[28:20] Dealing with an assistant who has no desire to learn or improve
[31:11] The simple solution: Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions if you don’t know something
[36:33] Don’t just copy what top engineers do—ask them *why* they do it
[40:34] Joel’s hilarious and practical reason for always using the Waves L1 plugin
[44:05] Is Pro Tools actually the best DAW, or just the industry standard?
[46:56] The rumor that Universal Audio’s programmers could fix and improve Pro Tools
[57:14] Josh Wilbur’s advice: If you have to ask if you’ll make it, you probably won’t
[1:03:24] The unfiltered reality of working with major label bands vs. local artists