urmadmin, Author at Unstoppable Recording Machine

KRIS CRUMMETT: Pristine Vocal Production, Layering DGD’s Guitars, and Studio Construction

Producer Kris Crummett is the mastermind behind some of the most influential and intricate records in modern post-hardcore and metalcore. From his Interlace Audio studio, he has shaped the sound of seminal albums for bands like Dance Gavin Dance, Issues, A Lot Like Birds, Tilian, and Sworn In. Known for his pristine vocal production and the ability to create clarity in dense, technical arrangements, Kris has become a go-to producer for bands that push the boundaries of their genre.

In This Episode

Kris Crummett takes over the guest host chair for an in-depth Q&A session, tackling a huge range of production questions submitted by listeners. He kicks things off by breaking down his vocal chain and his techniques for achieving the lush, sparkly vocal sounds heard on records by Tilian and Tyler Carter. Kris gets into the weeds on practical tracking issues, like managing guitar intonation on riffs that span the neck and his famous “pencil trick” for taming plosives. He also shares his philosophy on producing, his process for layering Dance Gavin Dance’s complex guitar parts, and the gear behind the punishing tones on the Sworn In record. For anyone building their own space, Kris offers some hard-won wisdom on studio construction, from budgeting and soundproofing realities to the critical importance of ceiling height for killer drum sounds.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[1:35] Achieving lush vocal production and a sparkly high end
[2:22] Kris’s standard vocal chain for EQ, compression, and de-essing
[3:08] Using reverbs and delays to create space around vocals
[4:31] Typical EQ moves when using a Telefunken 251 vocal mic
[5:10] The “pencil trick” for reducing plosives while tracking vocals
[5:39] How to handle guitar tuning and intonation issues during tracking
[7:08] The process of tuning individual notes within a chord
[7:44] When to get involved in the songwriting process as a producer

* [9:56] Why Kris runs outboard gear live until printing the final mix

[11:27] The guitar and bass tones on the Sworn In album
[13:24] How to approach mixing busy, technical arrangements like A Lot Like Birds
[15:19] The workflow and benefits of working with a second engineer
[17:50] The thought process behind selecting drum tones for a record
[20:29] The critical importance of using high-quality cymbals
[22:06] The real story behind the drum samples on Issues’ *Headspace*
[24:26] Tracking and layering guitars for Dance Gavin Dance
[26:04] Layering vocals for Jon Mess’s screams and Tilian’s cleans
[27:01] Do’s and don’ts for building your own recording studio
[28:50] The reality of soundproofing (and why you can’t just put foam on the walls)
[30:05] Why ceiling height is one of the most important factors for great drum sounds

RICK KING: Building a studio, imposter syndrome, the “act like a rockstar” mentality

Rick King is a producer and mixer who has worked with bands like Hit The Lights, Northbound, Daisy Head, and Forever Came Calling. After spontaneously quitting his day job at a big-box electronics store, he and his wife took a leap of faith and built their own recording studio from the ground up, embodying a “if you build it, they will come” philosophy.

In This Episode

Producer Rick King joins Beau Burchell for a super honest chat about what it’s really like to build a recording career from scratch. Rick shares his wild origin story of quitting a soul-crushing retail job to open a studio, the crushing defeat of losing that first space, and how rebuilding gave him the clarity to only work on music he truly believes in. They get into the nitty-gritty of the job that goes beyond the gear, like being a band therapist, navigating creative disagreements, and dealing with the constant feeling of imposter syndrome. Rick also breaks down his “act like a rockstar” mentality for getting ahead when you don’t have an established name or network. It’s a real-world look at the hustle, the mindset, and the sacrifices it takes to survive and thrive as a modern producer, packed with relatable stories and practical advice.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[1:49] Rick’s philosophy: None of us really know what we’re doing
[6:29] The day Rick and his wife spontaneously quit their retail jobs
[9:37] Starting a studio with the “if we built it, they would come” mentality
[12:25] The producer as a psychologist and managing band dynamics
[16:16] Playing “cat and mouse” to get bands to think your idea was theirs
[20:36] How losing his first studio became a blessing in disguise
[22:10] The importance of only working on music you truly believe in
[25:26] The pros and cons of doing free “test mixes” for bands
[28:30] The frustration of hearing “we’re going with a producer with a name”
[34:37] Using the “act like a rockstar” approach to build a production career
[40:18] Why a music career is like an unhealthy, abusive relationship
[44:25] The challenge of finding an intern you can trust to do things right
[48:07] Using “buddy deals” to build your portfolio and discography
[53:39] How a technically “worse” guitar tone can sometimes sit better in the mix
[1:01:27] Making a Kemper profile pack to stay relevant during downtime
[1:08:28] Rick’s key piece of gear: The Neve Master Bus Processor
[1:13:35] Beau’s philosophy of eliminating options to increase mixing speed
[1:20:09] The value of committing to sounds with hardware on the way in
[1:22:41] How a great headphone mix inspires a better vocal performance
[1:30:26] Using a Tune-Bot to get consistent, reliable drum sounds

FINN MCKENTY: The Punk Rock MBA, passive income, and why you shouldn’t quit your day job

This episode’s guest host is Finn McKenty, a marketing and media pro who offers a business-focused perspective on the music industry. You might know him from his time starting the music and audio channel on Creative Live, where he worked with producers like Joey Sturgis, Steve Evetts, and Nolly. He currently does freelance digital marketing for bands like Periphery and A Day To Remember, as well as companies like GetGood Drums and Horizon Devices, and also runs the website The Punk Rock MBA, which explores career lessons from DIY culture.

In This Episode

In this special “Dear Finn” Q&A, guest host Finn McKenty tackles the business and personal development side of a creative career. He gives some real talk on the pros and cons of quitting a stable day job for your passion, stressing the importance of monetizing your side hustle first. For those looking to make the leap, he covers how to market yourself from a home studio, why collaboration is non-negotiable even for introverts, and how to manage the social anxiety that plagues so many producers. Finn also dives into advanced topics like building passive income streams and explains why you need a unique, focused identity to stand out in a saturated market. This is a killer episode for anyone looking to level up their career strategy and mindset.

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Timestamps

[4:49] Quitting a stable engineering job for a creative one
[7:11] Why turning your passion into a job can make it less fun
[11:54] The “safest” way to make music a full-time career
[15:00] How debt (mortgages, student loans) limits your career options
[17:35] Why you need to focus on ONE path, not five different ones
[19:40] Challenging the idea that there are “no big bucks” in music
[22:00] How to market yourself from a bedroom studio
[23:37] The power of projecting confidence to your clients
[28:40] Why it’s riskier to dabble in everything than to master one thing
[30:25] When is the right time to go from a 9-to-5 to self-employed?
[33:15] The fear of being taken advantage of when helping others
[37:09] How helping a friend for free led to a job with GetGood Drums
[39:16] Balancing a family with the dream of a creative career
[42:59] The responsibility of putting your kids’ well-being before your creative passions
[46:21] Why you absolutely must learn to collaborate with other people
[54:55] Dealing with social anxiety as a producer
[57:41] Using a “systems approach” to manage difficult social interactions
[1:01:54] Controlling your emotions vs. letting them control you
[1:04:20] Passive income strategies for musicians and engineers
[1:19:00] How to stand out when the market for home studios is saturated

Jeremy SH Griffith: From Artist to Producer, Mixing Metal and Worship, and Hybrid Workflow

Jeremy SH Griffith is a producer and mixer who got his start as the frontman for the band Moments in Grace. He has since worked with a diverse range of artists, from heavy bands like Norma Jean (producing and mixing their album Meridional) and Underøath to becoming a go-to mixer for some of the biggest names in the worship music scene. His work is known for its depth and creative approach, regardless of genre.

In This Episode

Jeremy SH Griffith sits down for a chill conversation about his journey from artist to producer. He shares the story of how his old band, Moments in Grace, was discovered by producer Brian McTernan and details the intense studio experience that taught him valuable lessons on how not to treat artists—lessons that now define his own positive and collaborative approach. Jeremy also gets into the nitty-gritty of his career evolution, discussing his transition from the heavy scene with bands like Norma Jean and Underøath to mixing massive-budget worship records. For all the gearheads, he breaks down his hybrid mixing workflow, his strategy for handling recalls, and why getting properly prepped sessions is a game-changer. He also offers a killer pro-tip for anyone who produces and mixes their own work: create a separate “mix prep” session to mentally reset and approach the mix with fresh ears.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[0:01:31] How Jeremy first met host Beau Burchell
[0:03:40] Starting out as a death metal drummer in Florida
[0:06:55] Working at the Perkins School for the Blind after playing college football
[0:09:54] How his band Moments in Grace got discovered by producer Brian McTernan
[0:15:16] Learning how not to treat artists from his experience as a musician
[0:18:51] Transitioning from being a full-time musician to a producer
[0:21:20] How recording the band City of Ships led to him working with Norma Jean
[0:26:13] The challenge of moving from the heavy music scene to large-scale worship records
[0:34:25] The creative mindset: people hire you for “your thing”
[0:35:21] Does your location impact your career? Working from a small town vs. a major city
[0:37:25] Why establishing trust is the hardest part of building a career
[0:39:37] Using a hybrid mixing setup (console and in-the-box)
[0:42:19] His professional and polite strategy for handling mix revisions
[0:44:21] The importance of getting well-prepped files from a producer
[0:48:03] Using “create new track” presets instead of a rigid, full-session template
[0:51:26] Does being well-versed in all genres give you an edge?
[0:55:04] Different approaches to drum sounds in modern metal
[0:59:46] The disadvantage of mixing a record you also tracked
[1:00:19] His process for creating mental separation when producing and mixing the same album

Ty Acord: Networking Without Being a Punisher, Music Theory, and Building a Production Career

Ty Acord is a producer, writer, and DJ, best known for his role as the turntablist and keyboardist in the genre-bending metalcore band Issues. He was a key creative force behind their self-titled debut and the critically acclaimed album Headspace, blending heavy grooves with legitimate pop and R&B sensibilities. Since leaving the band, he has transitioned into a full-time production and writing career, working with artists like Matt Coma and Gallant.

In This Episode

Ty Acord stops by to talk about his journey from Issues to becoming a go-to producer and writer. He gets real about the pros and cons of music school, explaining how to use theory as a tool without letting it kill the vibe. He also drops some serious wisdom on networking the right way—hint: it’s about building genuine relationships over time, not being a “punisher” at NAMM. Ty discusses the importance of knowing your strengths and collaborating with people who are better than you at certain things, and why the modern producer often has to be a jack-of-all-trades. He shares his personal strategies for staying creative, avoiding burnout, and knowing when to grind versus when to step away. For anyone trying to build a career in production, this episode is packed with practical advice on developing your skills, finding your unique voice, and navigating the industry without losing your mind.

Products Mentioned

Timestamps

[2:23] The debate over needing formal music education
[3:52] Using theory as a tool vs. a creative crutch
[5:45] Why technically proficient musicians can sometimes make the worst music
[8:33] How to network without being a “punisher”
[11:05] Why being a “chill dude” gets you further than being desperate
[13:16] The necessity of moving to where the work is
[15:26] At the highest level, your skills are assumed; your personality is what matters
[17:00] Collaborating with other producers and knowing your strengths
[20:26] Learning from people who are better than you instead of getting threatened
[23:12] The modern producer’s need to do everything (writing, mixing, engineering)
[25:39] How to stay creative and avoid getting stale
[28:35] Knowing when your creative energy is tapped out for the day
[31:18] The value of the “12-16 hours a day” grind when you’re young
[37:42] Advice for starting a production career in a saturated market
[43:45] The production process on Issues’ “Headspace” and knowing when enough is enough
[49:50] Ty’s top three plugins
[53:27] The importance of finding your own sound instead of cloning other bands