Master Your Mix Podcast

Ryan Ellery is a recording and mixing engineer based in Oakland, California, known for her work in the emo, punk, indie, and hardcore scenes. With over a decade of experience and credits on well over 100 releases, Ryan has worked with artists such as Mom Jeans, Self Defense Family, Graduating Life, Snooze, and many others. She operates primarily out of Sharkbite Studios, where she combines classic analog tools—like a Daking MKII Console—with modern digital workflows to capture performances that feel energetic, honest, and emotionally direct.
Ryan’s approach centers on collaboration and communication, adapting her recording and mixing methods to serve each artist’s vision rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all sound. Whether tracking bands live to preserve raw energy or taking a more detailed, layered approach, her goal is to balance clarity with character—especially in genres where authenticity and feel matter more than polish. As both an engineer and a musician, Ryan brings a performer’s perspective into the studio, helping artists translate their ideas into recordings that connect with listeners while still standing up sonically.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
You don’t know what you don’t know
Working with Sam Pura
Figuring out our personal workflow
Working on genres you aren’t familiar with
Adjusting your tracking approach to get the best out of an artist
Questions to ask clients before entering the studio so that everyone is on the same page
Capturing a live feel in recordings
Knowing when/when not to use drum samples
Working on multiple songs inside a single session
Mixing fast and not sweating the small stuff

To learn more about Ryan Ellery, visit: https://www.ryanellery.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/
Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio:

Dan Malsch is a highly respected mixer and audio engineer with over two decades of experience helping artists bring their creative vision to life. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and deep musical sensibility, he has worked with everyone from emerging indie bands to internationally recognized acts.
With a strong foundation in both the technical and artistic sides of audio production, Malsch has built a reputation for clean, powerful mixes that preserve the emotion and authenticity of the performance, particularly in rock and metal. His work spans mixing, mastering, sound design, and immersive audio, where he continues to push his craft forward.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with renowned producers and mixers, including Andy Wallace, David Bendeth, Toby Wright, Jim Morris, Ross Hogarth, and many others. In addition to his studio work, Malsch is a mentor to aspiring engineers, sharing his knowledge through workshops and educational programs.
His projects have received both critical and commercial acclaim, including two Grammy nominations for his work with Ghost, solidifying his reputation as a go-to engineer in modern music production.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Overcoming self-doubt
Investing in your craft/skills
How to network properly
Lessons learned from working with Andy Wallace
Co-mixing
Why he doesn’t use drum busses
His master bus chain
Being consistent with the gear you use
Why it’s smart not to use extreme panning all the time
Creating movement and excitement with automation
The strategic ways he uses mono and stereo busses
Being mindful of noise in plugins
The importance of getting your hearing checked
Why gear doesn’t matter
The challenges of working with artists who don’t commit to their tones

To learn more about Dan Malsch, visit: https://www.danmalschmusic.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/
Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:

Ryan Ordway is a multifaceted artist, songwriter, producer, and audio engineer with over two decades of experience in recording, mixing, music licensing, session playing, and commercial studio management. Having recorded and produced nearly 1,000 songs across various genres, he has worked with internationally recognized artists and designed, built, and operated multiple recording studios. In 2020, he partnered with The Studio Portland in Portland, ME, overseeing an ambitious remodel completed in 2024. Under his direction, The Studio became home to 98.9 WCLZ’s Studio Z series, hosting artists such as Noah Kahan, Grace Potter, Lake Street Dive, Joy Oladokun, and Gregory Alan Isakov.
Ordway’s songwriting talents led him to record at the renowned Blackbird Studios in Nashville with legendary producer Ken Scott (The Beatles, Elton John, David Bowie). His song Easy Street was featured in Getting Started with Music Production (Hal Leonard, 2015). His work has been nominated for Producer of the Year at the New England Music Awards (2023) and Song of the Year for Back Again (2022).
Beyond the studio, Ordway’s music has been licensed in over 13 countries and featured on major platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Hulu, as well as in TV shows such as The Office, Happy Endings, and Raising Hope.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Studying a producer/engineer’s entire workflows, rather than in bite-sized pieces
Getting into music publishing
What kinds of mixes you need to submit if you want your music to be licensed
Why you should start your own music publishing company
Songwriting splits: how to deal with them fairly
Writing music for possible sync deals
Embracing a “less is more” approach to songwriting and engineering
Finding the right people to get into sync work
Making fans by shaking hands
Building your team for success

To learn more about Ryan Ordway, visit: https://theordways.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/
Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The...

Duncan Ferguson is a Nashville-based mastering engineer and educator, best known as the founder of The Voltage Exchange, a mastering studio specializing in high-quality masters for digital, CD, and vinyl releases. With a Master’s degree in Sound Recording from McGill University, Duncan combines deep technical knowledge with refined critical listening, helping artists translate their mixes into competitive, release-ready records without sacrificing musical intent. His work spans a wide range of genres, and he’s known for a thoughtful, communicative approach that helps mixers and producers understand why their music sounds the way it does at the final stage.
In addition to his mastering work, Duncan teaches audio and mastering at SAE Institute Nashville, where he helps the next generation of engineers develop reliable listening skills, technical confidence, and a strong decision-making mindset. His dual role as a working mastering engineer and educator gives him a unique perspective on the most common mix issues, how small changes upstream can dramatically improve masters, and how home-studio producers can get closer to professional results before the mastering stage even begins.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Continuing to learn new skills
The future of mastering
Immersive mastering
New technologies that are making vinyl cutting more affordable/accessible
Not letting perfection stop you
Collaborating on the vision of a project
Prepping for mastering by using Izotope RX
When to use analog vs digital
Solid state vs tube gear
Duncan’s go-to tools for controlling low end

To learn more about Duncan Ferguson, visit: https://thevoltageexchange.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/
Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

Check out...

Pete Lyman is a GRAMMY-nominated mastering engineer, and owner of Infrasonic. Pete’s digital and vinyl mastering career spans thousands of titles over the last two decades. He has mastered Grammy-award winning and Grammy-nominated albums for Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Halsey, Sturgill Simpson, John Prine, Weezer, Panic! At the Disco and more.
In 2005 Lyman opened Infrasonic West, a custom-built mastering facility in Echo Park, CA. Pete, and his 1956 Neumann AM32B Cutting Lathe, moved to Nashville, TN in 2018 and opened Infrasonic East. In 2022, Infrasonic West found its new home in Highland Park, CA. Since then, Pete has curated the Infrasonic roster to include engineers spanning everything from mixing to mastering to vinyl cutting to immersive and so much more.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
Why not committing to your mix is doing more harm than good
The biggest problem people make with their editing
Using room correction tools/software
Why the level of your mix doesn’t matter as much as you think it does
Why stem-mastering is stupid and you should avoid it
Passive vs. active listening
Preserving the character of a mix in mastering
Knowing when to do nothing as part of your job as a mixing and mastering engineer
How to let go of your personal tastes when working on something that doesn’t connect with you
Understanding the needs of various genres

To learn more about Pete Lyman, visit: https://infrasonicsound.com/
Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?
Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:
https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/

Want additional help with your music productions?
For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/
Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/
Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:
The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com
The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/

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