Episode 67

Show Notes

Live with Matt Rad - Episode 67
September 28, 2021
w/ Jon Castelli - Week 58

Show notes by: Bradley Will

What to do when your computer fails

Matt:
Ten days ago my computer stopped working. Now I need another solution.

• Everything is backed up and in the cloud, thankfully.

• In retrospect I should have a bootable SSD clone of my computer’s drive that I can plug into a new computer.
  

Jon:
I’ve got a bootable backup ready to go at all times.

If you can afford it, it’s best to have a backup computer that you can switch over to if need be.

Jon’s mix for Lil Nas X - Lost in the Citadel

Jon:
It was actually the third song I’ve done for Lil Nas X. The other two didn’t make the record.

• One of the mixes I did was sent to Manny to mix, which I didn’t hear about until it was released.

• The lack of communication from the client was a little disappointing.
  

John Cunningham produced the track.

• One move that made the mix come together was to pitch the bass down by an octave. It made the whole record come together for me. This was easier than trying to boost 60Hz on something that’s too high.
  

I don’t always feel that I need to have a conversation with the artist/producer about what they want from the mix if their intent is already very obvious.


Matt:
I got connected to an A+R a couple of weeks ago who was looking for help to finish production.

• I gave it a listen and my conclusion was that it wasn’t a production issue. It was a songwriting issue that would need to be sorted out.
  

Jon:
I’ve built a reputation as someone who never compresses their mixes. I did in fact use a buss compressor on the mix, which is rare.

• I used the Ozone 9 vintage compressor very subtly.

Q: Any advice about trying to be a mix engineer with tinnitus?

Jon:
I couldn’t comment on that because I don’t have it.

• I empathize for anyone who has it.

• I have several friends or relatives with tinnitus.
  

I have molded, earplugs with a -25dB attenuation. I keep them in my pocket for every show, or loud events.

I’m very sensitive to loud noises. My earliest memory is covering my ears from a loud fire truck siren.


Matt:
Protecting your hearing is such an important part of anybody’s life.

• I am constantly wearing earplugs. On long car rides, airplanes, or subway rides
  

I have a case full of disposable earplugs. I keep a pair of plugs stashed everywhere in my jacket pockets, suitcase, etc so that I always have them available.

Q: How do you assess your heart pulling you one way, but your career is pulling you in another?

Matt:
I think about this question all of the time.
The great hope is that those two things can be aligned.
The ultimate goal of selfish creative people is that we make things from our hearts that we would gladly do for free, with the hope that it will become our career.


Jon:
I probably wouldn’t live in LA anymore if it wasn’t for the music industry. I would probably try to do this in NYC.

• Ideally I would like to live in Paris for half of the year and spend time enjoying my life.
  

Now I have to sustain a certain lifestyle that I’ve built for myself.

Be mindful of your happiness, but don’t always be chasing the dopamine hits.


Matt:
Everyone should google and understand the term “lifestyle inflation”.

The world is set up such that the things you are encouraged to pursue are not always the things which will make you happy.

Overt success can be fleeting.

• The feeling elation that came after my first breakthrough single with One Direction only lasted for about 36 hours.

• These large signpost moments are ultimately not what is going to make you happy.
  

In the long run, you’d better be going after the heart stuff as long as you can meet your immediate needs.


Jon:
I like validation. We all do. But we can’t make the mistake of getting hung up on that and having it be the reason why we do what we do.

You can make records for yourself that nobody hears, but still find happiness doing that. That’s not me, but some people can do that.

You have to discover for yourself what is healthy and what is not through your friends, family, and therapists.


Matt:
As always I will recommend the Neil Gaiman commencement speech entitled ‘Make Good Art’.

Q: Airy/Lush reverb?

Jon:
Yes. The Sunset chamber preset in the Seventh Heaven plugin.


Matt:
Valhalla Delay at 5% and feeding it into the Sunset preset so that it has more warbly-ness. Also remove a little low end.

Valhalla Shimmer

• It’s pretty unruly and unwieldy but does very cool stuff.