Hanging Out With Chops
From studio sessions to breakfast rituals, from label life to life on the road—this is the real story behind the music. Join a Grammy-winning mix engineer as he shares raw experiences from years inside a major record label, unforgettable tour stories, daily routines, and lessons learned in and out of the studio. Whether you're an artist, audio head, or just love a good story, this podcast keeps it honest, soulful, and grounded in the creative grind.
Episodes
In this episode of Hanging Out with Chops, we dive into ten unforgettable films where music isn’t just in the background—it’s the heartbeat of the story. From cult classics like That Thing You Do! and The Blues Brothers to powerful documentaries like Standing in the Shadows of Motown and Searching for Sugar Man, these films show how music can drive narrative, shape identity, and even change lives.
We’ll revisit standou...
In this episode of Hanging Out with Chops, I share a recent session that reminded me how much pride and detail can transform the recording process. I received a session from another studio where every track was clearly labeled, every section laid out with care, and the engineer’s touch was impossible to miss. It didn’t just make my job easier—it inspired me.
We’ll talk about why it’s not enough to just be good—why goin...
What happens when everything is recorded—every word, every note, every moment of your life?
In this episode, we jump 100 years into the future—to the year 2125. Recording studios are relics of the past, because the world itself has become an unbroken archive. Music isn’t made for audiences anymore—it’s generated on demand for the taste of one person.
I explore the rise of hyper-personal entertainment, the end of shared ...
In 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1 and Voyager 2—two spacecraft carrying the famous Golden Records, designed to tell the story of Earth to anyone—or anything—that might find them drifting through interstellar space.
But what if there were a Voyager 3?
In this episode, I look back at the original Voyager missions, their ambitious goals, and the sounds and music they carried beyond our solar system. Then I imagine what a th...
🎙️ Episode 5: “Outboard vs. Plugins – EQs, reverbs, delays, compressors, limiters, and gates”
In this episode, we dive headfirst into the world of gear—outboard and digital. I break down the why and what of essential tools like EQs, reverbs, delays, compressors, limiters, and gates. Whether you’re in a full-blown studio or just getting started at home, understanding these pieces is key to better sound.
I also share aud...
Episode 4: Building a Home Studio – What You Really Need
This one’s for anyone asking the #1 question I get: “What do I need to start a home studio?” In this episode, I break it all down—from the absolute basics to the high-end gear. We talk computers, interfaces, software, mics (from budget to baller), cables, stands, and everything in between.
I run through popular brands and setups—Pro Tools, Ableton, Shure, Ne...
Episode 3: From Tape to Tour – Stories Behind the Sound
In this episode, we finally dig into the music—where it started for me, and how much it’s evolved. I talk about my first job working reel-to-reel tape, cutting and splicing audio with a grease pencil and actual tape glue. From there, it was early computers, underpowered CPUs, and recording on everything from Apple to Windows… even Lexus.
I walk through what r...
Episode 1: Let’s Just Start
In this first episode, I hit record and dive right in—no script, no filter. I talk about life in the recording studio, how things shifted during COVID, and what it's like being a dog dad through it all. I share my thoughts on AI music creation, play two wild examples made with Suno, and laugh through some ridiculous songs I made just for fun. Between the music and memories, I get ...
Episode 2: Breakfast, Burps, and a Better Morning
This one took a turn. I started out planning to talk about music—but one burp later, I was deep into breakfast. In this episode, I walk you through my unfiltered morning routine: making breakfast for myself, my wife, and Walter (our Chiweenie with strong opinions). I talk about daily walks along the water, clearing my head, and getting Walter’s business handled. F...
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