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Published by Stu Watts
Want to know what it's like to be an engineer or producer in the Australian music scene? Join Stu Watts as he interviews some of the best talent to come out of Australia. You'll learn about mindset, sessions, plugins and gear, and actionable advice from some of the best that Down Under has to offer.
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Get 20% off The Home Studio Drum Recording Masterclass: https://buy.stripe.com/cNidR86Un8SUcAYeqkbZe03?prefilled_promo_code=WTS20 Stu Watts chats with Joel Farland who is the music director and composer trusted to deliver stadium scale with orchestral precision for many of the world’s biggest artists, brands and events. Founder of Far Land Creative, Joel is equally at home with Parkway Drive as he is on a luxury runway. His expertise stems from a conservatoire education – First Class Honours from the Royal College of Music, London – tempered by tour smarts from years on the road. He has music directed for 50 Cent, Charli XCX and Rita Ora, co-produced with Tones and I on her feature in Aquaman 2, led the music on ABC New Year's Eve since 2020 and built the TikTok Awards performance segments four years running. His ceremony work spans the Australian of the Year, Global Citizen Nights, Cartier's Inter-Regional High Jewellery Gala, the First Nations concert First and Forever, and the 2026 Asian Women's Cup where he was ceremonies music director and composer of the tournament anthem. As a producer, he has recently made records with Tones and I, Peach PRC, Matt Corby, Kita Alexander and Midnight til Morning, and is currently producing Parkway Drive's live symphonic album and concert film, Home. How you can support the podcast: Sign up to our monthly newsletter Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate to the podcast What's That Sound? on Instagram Stu Watts on Instagram Joel Farland on Instagram Stu's Website Joel's Website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Joel's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Darius Papak, who is a Melbourne-based recording/mix engineer, and music producer specialising in Indie-Pop Rock, Rock and Pop-Folk. Working out of his inspirational, sunlit Mudbrick Studio in Lower Plenty, he creates warm, organic, and thoughtfully crafted productions that prioritise artistic vision and sonic exploration.With over 20 years of experience writing and recording music and having worked with various producers and engineers, he has honed his approach towards production to ensure the artist knows he cares about their vision and their music.Darius draws inspiration from producers renowned for their innovative soundscapes and artist-empowering approaches, including Sylvia Massy, Dan Nigro, Catherine Marks, and Shawn Everett. His process emphasises patience and openness, ensuring he's never satisfied until the artist is. How you can support the podcast: Sign up to our monthly newsletter Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate to the podcast What's That Sound? on Instagram Stu Watts on Instagram Darius Papak on Instagram Stu's Website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Craig Kemp, who is a Melbourne-based producer, mixing engineer, and songwriter who brings over a decade of music industry experience and a foundational background as a guitar teacher to his deeply collaborative studio process. Infusing his work with a mentor’s patience and insight, he helps artists articulate their vision and uncover the truest, most powerful versions of their songs while ensuring the creative environment is built on trust and inspiration. Craig's production and compositions have achieved broad commercial reach, featured across advertising campaigns, independent short films, and the major streaming platform Stan. Ultimately free of ego, Craig’s core mission remains steadfast whether scoring for the screen or shaping a record: to craft authentic, connected final mixes that enhance a project's emotional narrative and allow the music to speak honestly to the artist’s intent. How you can support the podcast: Sign up to our monthly newsletter Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate What's That Sound? on Instagram Stu Watts on Instagram Craig Kemp on Instagram Stu's Website Craig's Website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Craig's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Malcolm Besley. With gold and platinum records, an ARIA nomination and four triple j feature album’s; Malcolm’s work is recognised world-wide. Based out of his own studio in Melbourne, Malcolm has produced and mixed for artists such as Northeast Party House, Slowly Slowly, Partiboi69, City Calm Down, Client Liaison, Shouse and many more. His approach to production is one of nurturing integrity, fidelity and character. How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate What's That Sound? on Instagram Stu Watts on Instagram Malcolm on Instagram Stu's Website Malcolm's Website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Malcolm's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Miggy, who is a Sydney-based producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist working across R&B, hip-hop and pop.His credits span a range of established and emerging artists including Day1, Amanda Reifer, Sam Fischer, QUIN and Keiynan Lonsdale, alongside a plethora of works that have connected with major publishing and label systems.With a track record across artist releases and sync placements, including projects with Warner Chappell Music, Sony Music, BMG, UMPG and Netflix, Miggy operates at the intersection of culture and commercial viability.Currently further scaling his reach into international territories, Miggy’s work remains defined by a sonic signature of collaborative chemistry, emotionally resonant, genre-fluid production with a strong crossover appeal designed to stick. How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate What's That Sound? on Instagram Stu Watts on Instagram Miggy on Instagram Stu Watts Website Miggy Website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Miggy's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Sophie Edwards. The past few years for Sophie have been a whirlwind of music and creativity. After being the first Australian to study a Masters of Songwriting and Production at the Berklee College of Music in New York City, Sophie returned back to Australia to begin an unstoppable trajectory in her home country. Her first release post-homecoming “4kInMyBrain” received airplay on Triple J and across the independent radio network, and her follow up single “4 Walls and A Telephone” secured her a performance at Spilt Milk as the Triple J Unearthed winner. She has also performed at BIGSOUND, Stonefest, and Groovin The Moo.Sophie represented Australia as a songwriter and producer at the Martin Garrix Academy, travelling to Amsterdam thanks to sponsorship by JBL Audio. She was chosen to be a producer at APRA AMCOS SongHubs Looped, and in 2025, was invited to perform at Spilt Milk as a local artist. Sophie loves working with emerging Australian artists, and bringing her sonic signature and fun energy to writing rooms across the globe. She is a nominee for “Breakthrough Producer of the Year” at the MPEG Awards for 2026. As a producer and a co-writer, Sophie has worked with artists such as Kimbra, Jerry Barnes (bassist for Nile Rodgers), Jared Benjamin, Lara Buchanan, and Jade Alice, and regularly collaborates on projects for brands such as JBL, APRA AMCOS, ANU, Casio, and Ableton.Sophie is currently hard at work on her debut self-produced album “Bouquet”, with releases slated throughout 2026. How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate What's That Sound? Instagram Stu Watts Instagram Sophie Edwards Instagram Stu Watts Website Sophie Edwards Website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Sophie's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Alice Ivy, who is a three‑time ARIA‑nominated artist, songwriter, and producer from Melbourne, Australia, with over 100 million streams and three studio albums to her name. Her 2020 record Don’t Sleep received nominations for “Best Dance Release” and “Engineer of the Year” at the ARIA Awards, the triple j Award for “Australian Album of the Year,” and was shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize. Its single In My Mind featuring Ecca Vandal reached #1 on the U.S. Shazam Discovery Chart after being featured in an Apple “Shot on iPhone” campaign.Her 2024 album Do What Makes You Happy—featuring collaborations with Mayer Hawthorne, Mallrat, and Josh Teskey—debuted at #1 on the ARIA Australian Dance Albums Chart and earned her three 2025 AIR Awards, including “Independent Producer of the Year.” Alice has toured globally with artists such as Billie Eilish, Foster the People, and Oh Wonder, and performed at major festivals including Splendour in the Grass and Electric Forest. Beyond her own work, she has co‑written and produced for artists like Mallrat, Boo Seeka, and Beckah Amani, and delivered official remixes for Death From Above 1979, PNAU, and The Rubens. How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate What's That Sound? Instagram Stu Watts Instagram Alice Ivy Instagram Stu Watts Website Alice Ivy Website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Alice Ivy's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Will Conway, who is an Australian producer, session musician, and musical director with a steadily growing run of releases across pop, indie, and alternative music.In 2025, his production work included releases for Hassall, Sophie Kelly, Jaron Jay, YARA, and Daezy. Alongside his studio work, Will is an active Musical Director and touring musician. He currently works as MD for Lewis Love, Hassall, Jaron Jay, and Sophie Kelly. He has performed on most major Australian stages including Margaret Court Arena, Hordern Pavilion, Riverstage, Enmore Theatre, and The Forum, and has supported artists including Zac Brown Band, Lawrence, The Temper Trap, Killing Heidi, and Kita Alexander.Currently, Will is based out of Kakadu Studios in Brunswick when not on the road with his MD and session work. His focus as both a live performer and producer is on building a body of work that reflects his varied skill set, fosters creative trust with those around him, and continues to chase a sound that feels distinctly his own. How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate What's That Sound? Instagram Stu Watts Instagram Will Conway Instagram Stu Watts Website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Will's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Fletcher Matthews, who is based in Sydney, Australia. His journey through the industry has seen him amass an array of achievements — from charting successes, to commercial and sporting syncs, to critical acclaim. With over 60 million streams across songs he’s produced and written, Fletcher's musical prowess shines brightly, elevating artist projects to new heights. Whether it's crafting anthemic tracks or weaving intricate sonic tapestries, his fingerprints can be found on a myriad of successful singles and albums for Australian artists. Among his notable achievements, Fletcher's collaboration with STUMPS on the single 'Mt. Pleasant' soundtracked Australia’s exclusive broadcast of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony. It went on to theme the channel’s coverage of the Paralympics for the event’s remaining weeks. Additionally, his work on The Buoys track 'I Want You' served as the electrifying anthem for Fox Sports' largest NRLW season campaign to date.From triple j's Hottest 100 countdowns to the ARIA album charts, Fletcher's contributions have consistently resonated with audiences and critics alike. Whether it's co-writing Adam Newling's early success ‘Singing Blackbird’, or producing Trophy Eyes’ fourth studio album ‘Suicide & Sunshine’, which peaked at #8 in ARIA’s official album charts, Fletcher has an incredible ability to capture the essence of an artist's vision whilst keeping an audience in mind.In a field where accolades are often reserved for industry veterans, Fletcher Matthews stands as a beacon of fresh talent, ready to carve out his own path in the ever-evolving landscape of songwriting and music production.. How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate What's That Sound? Instagram Stu Watts Instagram Fletcher Matthews Instagram Stu Watts Website Fletcher Matthews Website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Fletcher's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Jack Prest, who is a leading audio engineer and producer in Australia’s independent and alternative music scene, specialising in forward-thinking electronic, jazz, and experimental music. His credits include prominent Australian and international artists such as Sampa The Great, Godtet, Jonti, Tasman Keith, Omar Musa, Urthboy, Kelly Lee Owens, and labels like Stones Throw, Kitsune, and Future Classic. Jack’s approach is rooted in collaboration, ensuring the finished product reflects the artist’s unique vision.Jack cut his teeth as an in-house engineer at Studios 301, Australia’s oldest and most prestigious studio, where he’s worked with global icons like Skrillex, Flume, Brockhampton, ASAP Rocky, Billy Joel, and Bruce Springsteen. Jack operates out of Golden Retriever in Marrickville, Sydney. How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate Follow on Instagram: What's That Sound? Stu Watts Jack Prest Stu Watts website Jack Prest website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Jack's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
This episode is a discussion on how AI is impacting the music industry, hosted by Stu Watts and features guests Joe Carra (Grammy nominated mastering engineer) and Simon Moro (producer/engineer/mixer). Joe Carra is the chief mastering engineer and owner of Crystal Mastering. With over 3 decades of experience, Joe has mastered for cassette, vinyl, CD, and in recent times, embraced the immersive audio of Dolby Atmos. In 2020 Joe received a Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Album, for the Teskey Brothers ‘Run Home Slow’ album. Joe has mastered various ARIA award winning albums and in 2023, was recognised with a nomination in the MPEG Awards for 'Mastering Engineer of the Year’. Joe’s credits include Pond, The Slingers, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Courtney Barnett, Amyl & The Sniffers, Genesis Owusu, The Murlocs, San Cisco, Babe Rainbow, Bliss N Eso, The Waifs and many more. Simon Moro is a music producer, sound engineer, mixer and co-owner of The Avenue Recording Studio and has over 25 years of experience. His unique ability to empathetically connect with an artist and understand their vision was born out of training under Michael Brauer (Coldplay, The Kooks, Grizzly Bear) which taught him that capturing the essence of the artist is paramount to creating the best mix. Having worked with labels such as Sony and Mushroom, artists such as Anthony Callea and Allday, mixed and produced ARIA nominated albums, live albums, and television shows, he knows that no project is too bold and ambitious, and no detail is too minute to matter. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:25 Joe's Client's AI-Generated Album 07:10 The Evolution of AI Music Generation 12:59 AI's Role in Music Production 20:43 Why Human Mastering Still Thrives Against AI 33:35 The Risk of Homogenised Music vs. Authentic Human Art 40:53 The Fight for Fair Credits and Royalties in AI Music 49:04 Using AI Tools Without Losing Creative Human Skills 01:01:15 Final Thoughts: AI, Copyright, and the Value of Human Effort How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate Follow on Instagram: What's That Sound? Stu Watts Joe Carra Simon Moro Stu Watts website Crystal Mastering website Simon Moro website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Joe's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Mickey Nox (aka Stephan Nardella) who burst on to the Melbourne club scene in 2007 and soon had a reputation for playing the harder styles of dance music. This soon led to starting his own productions as a producer, and eventually full DJ sets of only original music in a time where if you wanted to hear the music, you’d simply have to go and watch him play. By doing this Mickey Nox amassed quite the following. This continued with years of DJ'ing several weekly residencies, headlining around Australia and then touring Europe & Asia multiple times.2019 was the start of his studio career as an engineer. 6 Years later his studio is growing from strength to strength and Mickey is mixing and mastering for many artist and labels around the globe.A real music lover, husband, father and hopeless guitarist. Mickey Nox is just getting started in his studio career. How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate Follow on Instagram: What's That Sound? Stu Watts Mickey Nox Stu Watts website Mickey Nox website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Mickey's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Josh Simons, who is the CEO of Australia’s only ASX-listed music company, Vinyl Group (ASX:VNL), and Founder of Vampr. Described as a visionary entrepreneur, Simons has raised $35M historically for his technology startups from various sources including venture capital, institutional, HNW, family office and angel groups. These ventures have seen him reside in Los Angeles, London, Sydney and Melbourne.Formerly known as Jaxsta, Vinyl Group launched in 2023 as a parent company encompassing its foundational brands—Jaxsta, Vampr, and Vinyl.com. Under his leadership, the company has acquired The Brag Media—publisher of Rolling Stone Australia and Variety Australia—as well as Mediaweek and Concrete Playground, combining them to form Vinyl Media, now one of the most influential youth publishing and cultural networks in the southern hemisphere. He has also led the acquisitions of Funkified Entertainment and Serenade.Simons is also the co-founder of Vampr, the world’s largest social-professional network for musicians and creatives, often dubbed the “LinkedIn for creatives.”Before transitioning to tech, Simons ran a record label, publishing arm, and film production company, and was the lead singer of indie rock band Buchanan. As a songwriter and producer, he has shared credits with Travis Scott, Troye Sivan, and Kanye West, and as a performer, has toured with Coldplay, Keith Urban, and Carrie Underwood.In recognition of his contributions to music and innovation, Simons was named to The Music Network’s 30 Under 30 in 2020, winning Reader’s Choice, and in 2024, received Young Entrepreneur of the Year honours from Business News Australia. How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate Follow on Instagram: What's That Sound? Stu Watts Josh Simons Stu Watts website Josh Simons website Vinyl Group website Listen to Josh's work on Spotify Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Tim Maxwell, who is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, producer and mix engineer based in Melbourne, Australia. He first made his mark as the producer and frontman of the band Loser. Their debut album, Mindless Joy, was nominated for an Australian Music Prize in 2020, marking the start of Tim’s career as a producer. The follow-up album, All The Rage, achieved over 1 million Spotify streams, with two singles added to national radio rotation. The album was also nominated for Best Punk Release at the 2022 AIR Awards.In January 2021, Tim founded Restless Noise, his own studio and business. Through Restless Noise, he has worked with a diverse range of local and emerging artists, helping them shape their sound and reach their creative potential. Driven by a desire to collaborate with larger artists, Tim expanded his experience by working with Wrangler Studios, where he continues to refine his skills and position himself for high-profile projects.Tim’s growing reputation as a producer has led to opportunities with interstate bands, including Towns, Fangz, and Molly Rocket. Whether working in his own studio or collaborating with other artists, Tim remains committed to pushing creative boundaries and elevating the Australian music scene. Chapters: 00:00 Intro/About Tim Maxwell02:21 What has changed over the past 3 years03:47 Working with interstate bands06:25 Rebranding and rebuilding Wrangler Studios07:30 Does the gear really matter?12:22 Make things sound good in the room13:21 Turning point moments16:12 Workflow improvements21:31 Don't compare yourself to others25:52 Does the mix translate everywhere?32:12 Inspiration/new habits34:42 What have you learnt about the music industry?38:23 Focus on enjoyment39:39 Advice to yourself from 3 years ago42:00 What continues to excite you?46:38 What Tim is focusing on in the near future47:34 Best bits of advice for producers/engineers and artists48:36 Conclusion/Outro How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate Follow on Instagram: What's That Sound? Stu Watts Tim Maxwell Stu Watts website Listen to Tim's work on Spotify Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Myles Mumford, who has been making music and making records professionally since the late 90s. Starting trombone with his Dad, Monte Mumford, he completed a Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music) with trombone and composition before moving to Melbourne in 2002 to study at the VCA. After completing a Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Art (sound) Myles took over the operation of the VCA recording studio and hasn't looked back. Since then he has worked extensively across all spheres of music and audio creation including record production, music and effects for film, music and effects for theatre, location recording, concert production and more. He is well known for his musical and collaborative approach to recording, and his ability to create a sense of presence and space. Myles’ productions can be heard across all forms of media and regularly receives critical acclaim in the form of featured singles, featured albums, or album of the week. He's had a few albums nominated for ARIAs, several Bell Award winning productions, many Age and Music Victoria awards, a Green Room award, APRA awards and various others along the way. In 2012 - 2013 Myles volunteered for 12 months in Swaziland for Lusweti - Institute For Health Communication and Development through Australian Volunteers International. During this time Myles produced two weekly one hour radio shows on the National broadcaster SBIS, worked with local builders to design and build a recording studio, developed radio content, trained local staff, collaborated with the Swazi Community Radio Initiative, produced several albums of local artists and his productions featured in the Swazi Top 20 every week for more than a year. In 2014 he spearheaded the formation of Rolling Stock Recording Rooms in Collingwood which has quickly become an incredibly active hub of music making across all genres of Melbourne music with hundreds of projects in the ensuing 10 years and in 2025 was named as the MPEG Studio of the Year. In addition to producing and engineering, Myles is a multi-award-winning composer and performer. He has composed for concerts, theatre, and contemporary dance, with his work being performed across Australia and internationally. Chapters: 00:00 Intro02:17 About Myles Mumford03:09 Early experiences with music10:04 Appreciating a broad range of music genres11:16 The technical side of making records13:40 Moving into production15:17 What is "good music"?19:28 Early days producing and engineering21:49 How his approach has changed23:47 Coaching an artist through a recording session28:29 About Rolling Stock Recording Rooms34:02 The wealth of talented producers and engineers in Melbourne (and the rest of Australia)36:31 The lack of support from our government and governing bodies43:39 The difficulties of being a producer/engineer50:00 Dealing with FOMO52:34 Respect and sacrifice1:00:47 What's Myles looking forward to1:04:55 Best bits of advice for producers/engineers and artists1:10:07 Conclusion/Outro How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate Follow on Instagram: What's That Sound? Stu Watts Myles Mumford Rolling Stock Recording Rooms Myles Mumford website Rolling Stock website Stu Watts website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Louis Montgomery, who is a Melbourne based music producer, mix engineer, recording engineer, composer, and musician; working mostly between Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney. Louis graduated from the ANU with a Bachelor of Music - First Class Honours. In this, Louis specialised in Creative Recording and was awarded the prestigious Bernard Neumann Memorial Prize, The Peter and Lena Karmel Anniversary Award, and The Friends of the School of Music Transition Award. During his studies, he also partook in a number of recording studio internships around Australia, including: Studios 301, Sydney; Sing Sing Studios, Melbourne; Infidel Studios, Canberra; work experience with ABC Classic FM, and assisted Magoo (Dr Lachlan Goold), Brisbane. Over his career his work has amassed 160+ million streams. His work with Callum Henshaw resulted in an Album of the Week on Classic FM; his work with SAFIA resulted in an Album of the Week on Triple J, 5 songs in the Hottest 100, and in 2016 saw the band nominated for an ARIA Award. He has been awarded multiple Gold and Platinum singles, as well as a Gold Certified album. He has worked at Abbey Road Studios, London; Studios 301, Sydney; Sing Sing Studios, Melbourne; Golden Retriever, Sydney; Rolling on the River, Tasmania; and Supersize Recording Studio, Budapest. In 2018 he was part of a team that won Best Sound for Interactive Media at the Australian Screen Sound Guild Awards. In 2022 Louis was nominated for Industry Legend of the Year at the Music ACT Music Awards, in 2024 he produced the Music ACT Music Awards Release of the Year (Flik - Stormchaser), in 2025 he was nominated for MPEG Breakthrough Producer of the Year. Chapters:00:00 Intro02:11 About Louis Montgomery02:32 Early experiences with music08:25 Discussing the education system10:36 Early experiences of sound engineering14:20 Interning and assisting22:39 The importance of extensive demoing25:52 How to navigate when things aren't going right29:22 What is a "great mix"?32:57 A discussion about mix notes37:14 There's no answer for how to create the "perfect" piece of art39:02 What Louis has learnt about business over the years42:45 Networking and relationships45:15 Recording live and to tape52:10 What's coming up for Louis55:01 Best bits of advice for producers/engineers and artists56:41 Conclusion/Outro How you can support the podcast: Subscribe on YouTube Buy some merch Donate Follow on Instagram: What's That Sound? Stu Watts Louis Montgomery Louis Montgomery website Stu Watts website Listen to Louis' work on Spotify Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Nick Franklin, who is a mastering engineer, (sometimes) recording and mixing engineer and the owner of electronic gadget company Franklin Audio.Nick grew up in a small coastal town on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, playing in bands and recording music with friends. His parents were incredibly supportive—soundproofing the garage, helping him buy his first recording equipment, and ultimately encouraging him to pursue his dream of moving to the city to study audio engineering.Shortly after completing his studies, a chance encounter with legendary mastering engineer Rick O’Neil led to a position as an assistant engineer at Turtlerock Mastering, then the largest mastering studio in Australia. The role proved to be an intense crash course in mastering and client work, laying a strong foundation for the rest of his music career. Like many studios, however, the Turtlerock building was eventually demolished to make way for apartments, leaving Nick jobless and uncertain about the next step.In search of steady work while figuring out his next move, Nick accepted a lecturing role at JMC Academy, teaching Pro Tools, electronics, and music production. It wasn’t long before he became fully immersed in the world of education, eventually taking on the role of full-time studio manager. In that position, he oversaw the campus’s relocation to Ultimo and the commissioning of four large-format consoles. During a studio tour for local producers, he connected with a studio owner in need of a new house engineer—an opportunity that brought him back into the professional audio world.Over the next five years, Nick recorded hundreds of artists and bands at Linear Recording, refining the craft of capturing live instruments. During this time, he also built his own studio just a block away—poetically located in the newly established Turtlerock Mastering building.Alongside his music career, Nick had been nurturing an electronics business, which he officially launched in 2021. That same year, he was once again forced to demolish his studio to make way for development. This time, he chose not to rebuild, instead committing full-time to Franklin Audio. Since then, the company has grown into a six-person team with customers around the world. Chapters:00:00:00 Intro00:03:35 About Nick Franklin00:04:15 Early experiences with music00:09:11 Learning audio at JMC00:13:27 After college and Rick O'Neil's mentorship00:18:40 Key learns from his early mastering experiences00:22:35 The next stage of Nick's journey as a lecturer00:28:35 Meeting Chris from Linear Recording00:31:02 Reflections on the higher education system00:35:11 How Franklin Audio got started00:41:52 How Nick's previous experiences help with running a business00:45:36 How Franklin Audio approaches social media00:54:14 What can a producer/engineer learn from a business owner?00:57:17 What is still surprising/exciting about being around music?00:59:46 What's coming up this year01:00:51 Best bits of advice for producers/engineers, artists and business owners01:06:02 Conclusion/Outro How you can support the podcast: SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE BUY SOME MERCH DONATE Follow on Instagram: @whatsthatsoundpodcast Stu Watts: @stu.watts.audio Nick Franklin: @fricknanklin Franklin Audio: @franklin_audio Stu Watts website Nick Franklin website Franklin Audio website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Nick's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Hayden Lauersen, who is a mix engineer and record producer based in Melbourne, Australia. With a background in songwriting and production of original works, he offers a premium service tailored to the artist experience, highlighting emotional expression with compelling sonics. Studio credits include Kate Ceberano, Clare Bowditch, Haiku Hands, Tentendo, ISHAN, Kee’ahn, Sophiya, Woodes, RARIA, Blush’ko, AKOSIA and Shannen James, along with Future Classic, Universal Music, Island Records, Spinning Top Music, Ivy League Records, Sidekick Music and many more. His work has been hand picked by Zane Lowe, played on BBC Radio 1, KCRW, Triple J, Fox FM and Nova, accumulating over 60 million Spotify streams. Chapters:00:00:00 Intro00:03:08 About Hayden Lauersen00:07:20 Early experiences with music00:13:16 How Powderfinger and Silverchair changed Hayden's life00:20:10 High school and beyond00:25:38 First experience in a studio with Dylan Nash00:29:35 Getting into mixing00:31:15 Beginning to charge clients00:34:14 Touring with Woodes00:36:38 Being surrounded by other successful artists00:39:16 Working in a commercial studio00:46:28 Hayden's mixing process00:50:16 Benchmark to aim for in a mix/referencing other mixes00:53:33 Sample replacement when mixing00:56:15 Focus on user experience when delivering mixes01:02:28 What Hayden is excited about for this year01:06:16 Best bits of advice for producers/engineers and artists01:13:25 Conclusion/Outro How you can support the podcast: SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE BUY SOME MERCH DONATE Follow on Instagram: @whatsthatsoundpodcast Stu Watts: @stu.watts.audio Hayden Lauersen: @haydenlauersen Stu Watts website Hayden Lauersen website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Hayden's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats with Stefan Du Randt, who is one of the select few engineers who work exclusively from Studios 301 and has capitalised on that by building a reputation as a prolific producer, mixing and recording engineer. His credits are highlighted by his work on Mac Millers‘ posthumous album “Circles“, and include many exciting Australian and international artists such as Coldplay, Zedd, Katy Perry, Thelma Plum, Guy Sebastian, Elton John, Vera Blue, Asap Ferg, YG, The Script, Delta Goodrem, Wolfmother, Peking Duk, Daniel Johns and many more. Stefan’s road to joining the Studios 301 team in 2015 included relocating from South Africa where he worked as principal engineer for Grammy-winning producer Darryl Torr (Soweto Gospel Choir). To add to his engineering and production work, Stefan is one of the lead facilitators and practical mentors for the 301 Academy where he takes up-coming engineers through the process of making a record, all the way from the demo stage through to the finished product. Stefan also holds a degree in music production from Berklee College of Music. Chapters: 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:08 About Stefan Du Randt 00:03:08 Early experiences with music 00:06:57 Falling in love with technology 00:08:18 Beginning formal education and opening a studio 00:18:45 Obtaining better opportunities 00:21:22 How Stefan's time is divided 00:22:24 The rest of Stefan's journey 00:25:25 What made Stefan level up 00:27:45 Commonalities between professional artists 00:29:36 Collaboration 00:34:21 How to get in a creative mode 00:37:46 Working with high profile artists 00:41:39 Feeling out of your depth 00:43:07 Working in Dolby Atmos 00:46:12 Stefan's mixing process 00:49:13 Utilising the rough mix 00:51:34 Challenges of being a mixer 00:55:48 What's coming up in 2025 00:56:26 Best bits of advice for producers/engineers and artists 01:01:04 Conclusion/Outro How you can support the podcast: SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE BUY SOME MERCH DONATE Follow on Instagram: @whatsthatsoundpodcast Stu Watts: @stu.watts.audio Stefan Du Randt: @mixedbystef Stu Watts website Stefan Du Randt website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Stefan's work on Spotify Enquiries and suggestions: podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com
Stu Watts chats Lewis Mitchell, who is a Sydney-based music producer and engineer known for his exceptional craftsmanship and versatility across multiple genres and roles. With over a decade of experience, he’s built a reputation for helping artists reach new creative heights while fostering strong, lasting relationships. Over the course of his career, Lewis has worked in-house at Sony Music and Universal Music and collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, The Kid LAROI, Gang of Youths, d4vd, Travis Scott, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, Egoism, Jerome Farah, JOY., Stan Walker, Mitch James, 6lack, Col3trane, A.B. Original, The Veronicas, and Ziggy Ramo to name a few. His recent work on Ziggy Ramo’s album HUMAN? has been met with critical reception, including #1 on the Australian Independent Records charts, #4 on the ARIA Australian Hip Hop charts and #20 on the ARIA Australian Album charts. Lewis was also behind Ziggy’s Sugar Coated Lies album, which won Record of the Year at the 2023 FBI SMAC Awards. Lewis received nominations for Producer of the Year, Recording Engineer of the Year, and Mix Engineer of the Year at the 2024 MPEG Awards. Lewis is dedicated to his craft, consistently delivering high-quality work at every stage of the music production process. Chapters: 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:03 About Lewis Mitchell 00:04:23 Early experiences with music 00:10:12 Education and being mentored 00:12:50 Comparing early sessions to now 00:14:46 What do you focus on in a production? 00:17:51 What do you look for when referencing? 00:20:05 Remote productions 00:24:34 Working with high profile artists 00:29:22 Favourite software and hardware 00:35:09 Any turning point moments? 00:38:05 What are the hardest things about your job? 00:40:08 Tips to eliminate difficult conversations 00:49:12 What continues to excite you? 00:51:25 What's coming up next year? 00:53:12 Best bits of advice for producers/engineers and artists 00:55:10 Conclusion/Outro How you can support the podcast: SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE BUY SOME MERCH DONATE Follow on Instagram: @whatsthatsoundpodcast Stu Watts: @stu.watts.audio Lewis Mitchell: @lew_mitchell_ Stu Watts website Lewis Mitchell website Listen to Stu's work on Spotify Listen to Lewis' work on Spotify Email podcast.whatsthatsound@gmail.com for any enquiries.
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed November 3, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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