Al recounts his days as the lead singer of Aberdeen, a pop-rock band from the Toronto, Ontario region. Recording in Hamilton, sleeping on floors, touring the East Coast, recording in Baltimore, meeting the Jonas Brothers & Demi Lovato, flying o

89 – The New Skynet Album is Fire

Feb 23rd, 2023 45m 26s

The guys discuss advances in A.I. technology and whether or not robots will take over the music industry. Share, Subscribe and Review if you would like to help out the show! Or check out our Patreon page. Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitt

88 – Mix Templates!

Feb 9th, 2023 46m 49s

The guys discuss the many benefits of using Templates when mixing and how to make your own! Al does a deep dive on his own Template. Share, Subscribe and Review if you would like to help out the show! Or check out our Patreon page. Like us on F

87 – Effective Music FX

Jan 30th, 2023 59m 31s

The guys discuss the most common music effects, how to recognize them, and how to use them effectively! Boost, Overdrive, Distortion, Fuzz, Compression, Reverb, Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, Vibrato, Ring Modulation, Wah, Autofilter,

86 – Vocal Production Tips

Jan 24th, 2023 36m 56s

The guys discuss some tips to improve the sound of your vocal recordings! If you’re a vocalist, someone who records vocalists, or record your own vocals, this episode is for you! Share, Subscribe and Review if you would like to help out the sho

85 – Competition in the Music Industry

Jan 17th, 2023 36m 19s

Our thoughts on the competitive nature of the Music Business and how to engage with it in a healthy and positive way! If you would like to give back to the show, please consider visiting our Patreon page. Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitt

84 – Building a Show With Direct-In Guitar

Jan 7th, 2023 41m 22s

The guys discuss using Direct Guitar systems like the NeuralDSP Quad Cortex and Line6 Helix to program a show from start to finish! If you would like to give back to the show, please consider visiting our Patreon page. Like us on Facebook! Foll

83 – Don’t Get Lost in the Weeds!

Dec 20th, 2022 52m 47s

The guys discuss effective practice strategies for different types of gigs. Make the best use of your time for the best results on show day! Featuring music from Vijay Radul! Stream “O.C.I.” here: https://open.spotify.com/track/2rCxWbYe71llNSrD

82 – Mixing “Rules” I Need to Follow!

Dec 10th, 2022 48m 55s

The guys break down some “Rules” that help them stay “on track” when “mixing”. If you would like to give back to the show, please consider visiting our Patreon page. Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Send your questions and suggestions

81 – Treat Your Room With Some Respect!

Nov 27th, 2022 47m 24s

Mike and Al discuss Room Treatment and how to improve the sound of your listening and recording space! If you would like to give back to the show, please consider visiting our Patreon page. Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Send your q

80 – The Only 12 Plugins You’ll Ever Need

Nov 18th, 2022 44m 50s

Stop spending money on Plugins you don’t need! The guys go over the plugins they use most often, many of which are cheap or free. Get all the plugins you’ll ever need for a little over a hundred bucks! Software Discussed: Like us on Facebook! F

79 – Does the Cream Rise to the Top?

Nov 11th, 2022 39m 41s

We’re back! Were we ever gone? Mike examines the concept of the most talented musicians becoming the most successful. Does this always happen? When might it not happen? And why? The answers to these questions and MORE on this week’s episode! If

78 – 2021 Year in Review

Jan 2nd, 2022 1h 4m

Mike and Al take a look back at the year that was! Our picks for Best & Worst Songs of 2021 Favourite memories Proudest moments Best Music Guy Podcast Episode of 2021 And more! Thank YOU all for listening and being on this journey with us. Look

77 – The Value of Vintage Gear

Dec 7th, 2021 1h 13m

What is Vintage Gear? Why is it so expensive? Why or when is it worth buying? Alternatives to Vintage and more! If you would like to give back to the show, please consider visiting our Patreon page. Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Se

76 – Tension & Release!

Nov 26th, 2021 58m 27s

The guys discuss how literally everything in Music is just Tension & Release. We look at: Scales Chords progressions Songwriting Lyrics Dynamics Production Arrangement and more! If you would like to give back to the show, please consider visiti

75 – John Mayer Guitar Solo Breakdown

Nov 1st, 2021 1h 9m

A deep dive into the solo from “I Don’t Trust Myself” by John Mayer How to play it note-by-note Playing with your fingers instead of a pick Making simple licks sound awesome! Using arpeggios Motivic playing Microtonal bends And more! If you wou

74 – Dealing With Anxiety in the Return to Work

Oct 14th, 2021

Mike’s Cruise Ship Adventure! Transitioning back to playing live gigs Al’s personal battle with Anxiety and Panic Attacks Al loves Therapy Avoiding burnout What our work looks like going forward If you would like to give back to the show, pleas

73 – Autotune Controversy

Jul 28th, 2021 1h 20m

Musicians/Non-musicians have many things to say about Autotune and Melodyne. In my experience a decent chunk of these people don’t fully understand what these tools can and cant do. Can they make a bad singer good? No.Can they fix minor tuning

72 – In Ear Monitors/Hearing Protection

Jun 29th, 2021 58m 20s

Dont be a bozo and protect them ears. Long gone are the days of rockstars stricken with tinnitus and other hearing based ailments! In ear monitors and custom ear plugs can save your hearing, let you hear things better onstage and if you’re a si

71 – Facing Burnout as A Musician

Jun 16th, 2021 1h 19m

Burning the candle at both ends anybody? Al and Mike talk about this new term “Burnout Syndrome.” Exhaustion, Negative career thoughts and Reduced effectiveness in said career are all symptoms of the burnout. According the World Health organiza

70 – Kris Barclay

Jun 4th, 2021 1h 45m

Kris Barclay (Country Artist/Songwriter/Great Guy to Have A Beer With) joins Al to talk about his experience building his business from the ground up as an original artist. Both Al and Mike have played with him for years and he’s an absolute be

69 – Intern to Studio Owner with Adam Fair

May 10th, 2021 1h 13m

Adam Fair engineer/mixer/owner of Villa Sound (villasound.ca) joins us to talk about his path through the Music Industry! Adam has worked with Juno and Grammy Award Nominated Artists including Valley, Ollie Wride, Shawnee, Kate Todd, Joey Landr

68 – Michael Hebbes, World Traveler

May 1st, 2021 47m 24s

Mike’s Cruise Ship experience thus far Preparation for the gig Traveling during COVID The ship’s COVID protocol Al’s update: Soundbetter.com and Incorporation! Song of the Week: “Feel” by The Mother Down If you would like to give back to the sh

67 – Survival Guide for the Middle-Class Musician

Apr 2nd, 2021 1h 5m

Mike’s going into isolation! John Tavares & The New York Islanders, and how that somehow relates to us Be SCRAPPY Making sacrifices Managing money Side jobs The work is the reward Why you shouldn’t have a plan And more! If you would like to giv

66 – The Demise of the Middle-Class Musician

Mar 26th, 2021 59m 31s

COVID Check-In How art is getting us through the pandemic Justice at Spotify movement Minimum Wage for Musicians End of the “Venue Ladder” New ways to approach the Music Industry And more! If you would like to give back to the show, please cons