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4 years (📷 Guy Kokken)

4 years (📷 Guy Kokken)

New and expensive mics just aren't worth it when you're starting out, a few cheap and unique mics will serve you much better in the long run.

Monte Vallier explains why cheap mics will add more character to your recordings: https://masteryourmix.com/podcastep293montevallier/ #musicstudio #homestudio #mixing #mastering #studiolife #musicproducer #recordingstudio #producer #audio #audioengineer #musiclife #musicproduction #studiosetups #studiogear #studioequipment #inthestudio #masteryourmix #recordingsession #mixingengineer #recordingstudios #musicians #producing #gearismydrug #audioengineering #microphones #homerecording #mixingtips #mixingmusic #makingmusic #homestudiosetup

If you want your records to stand out, you need to stop copying what others are doing.

Monte Vallier encourages you to get out of the routine and mix it up with your recording process: https://masteryourmix.com/podcastep293montevallier/ #musicstudio #homestudio #mixing #mastering #studiolife #musicproducer #recordingstudio #producer #audio #audioengineer #musiclife #musicproduction #studiosetups #studiogear #studioequipment #inthestudio #masteryourmix #recordingsession #mixingengineer #recordingstudios #musicians #producing #gearismydrug #audioengineering #microphones #homerecording #mixingtips #mixingmusic #makingmusic #homestudiosetup

Monte Vallier is a San Francisco–based producer, mixer, and audio engineer known for his adventurous approach to sound and his ability to bring out the character and identity of the artists he works with. His career began as a bassist in the early post-punk/indie scene, first touring with his band Half Church before joining the acclaimed 1990s group Swell. After years of recording and performing internationally, Vallier shifted his focus behind the console, developing a reputation for creative recording techniques, unconventional mic placements, and a deep commitment to capturing emotion and uniqueness in every project.
Today, Vallier operates Ruminator Audio, where he continues to collaborate with an eclectic range of artists, including Wax Idols, Weekend, The Soft Moon, Tommy Guerrero, Los Days, and Oxbow. His work spans production, recording, mixing, and mastering—reflecting a holistic understanding of the craft shaped by decades of experience both onstage and in the studio. Known for blending experimentation with meticulous sonic detail, Vallier is recognized as a versatile, artist-focused collaborator whose mixes and productions consistently elevate the musical vision at hand.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

- Running a studio on your own terms vs working for someone else
- Using commercial work to cover the bills so you can afford to work with smaller bands
- The impact of AI in music licensing
- How to differentiate yourself from AI
- Embracing imperfections/uniqueness
- Using reamping as a creative tool
- Creating ambience in a mix
- Using contrast to evoke a 3D feel to a mix
- Creative ways to experiment with a track

Check out the episode here: https://masteryourmix.com/podcastep293montevallier/

Our new LP “In the Red Earth” is officially out Tuesday, March 10 on @hidden_shoal. We’re delighted to host our release show at @makeoutroomsf on Saturday, March 14, and excited to have Monte @ruminatorsf joining us and to be sharing the stage with @sundayartist_band & @ghostplay_band. Doors at 6:30 and we’re on at 7:00 sharp.

Our new LP “In the Red Earth” is officially out Tuesday, March 10 on @hidden_shoal. We’re delighted to host our release show at @makeoutroomsf on Saturday, March 14, and excited to have Monte @ruminatorsf joining us and to be sharing the stage with @sundayartist_band & @ghostplay_band. Doors at 6:30 and we’re on at 7:00 sharp.

Our new LP “In the Red Earth” is officially out Tuesday, March 10 on @hidden_shoal. We’re delighted to host our release show at @makeoutroomsf on Saturday, March 14, and excited to have Monte @ruminatorsf joining us and to be sharing the stage with @sundayartist_band & @ghostplay_band. Doors at 6:30 and we’re on at 7:00 sharp.

Our new LP “In the Red Earth” is officially out Tuesday, March 10 on @hidden_shoal. We’re delighted to host our release show at @makeoutroomsf on Saturday, March 14, and excited to have Monte @ruminatorsf joining us and to be sharing the stage with @sundayartist_band & @ghostplay_band. Doors at 6:30 and we’re on at 7:00 sharp.

Thank you Bay Area friends for coming out to support us at our pre-release event for “In the Red Earth” @audiumsf and our in-store show @originalsvinyl. Big thanks to Monte @ruminatorsf, @sabtress, @hidden_shoal, and Matt at Originals for your ongoing collaborations and generosity.

We have launched a KickStarter campaign to raise funds for completing our custom lathe design and get it online as soon as we can. Check our bio for the link or search Super Specific Vinyl on the KickStarter site. #vinylondemand #vinylrecord #vinylrecordcollector #kickstarter #kickstartercampaign #lathecutrecords #lathecutvinyl

Yi-Wo is a film by @thomascampbellart being premiered in many cities all over the world this month. Thomas and I did a lot of sessions at Ruminator Audio studios honing music for the soundtrack. We had great collaborators and guest musicians. If you are near one of the cities where this film is being shown, I implore you to attend. Maybe see you in SF on September 20th at the Balboa Theater…….@umyeaharts @tommyguerrero @damonway @joshlippi @marccapellemusic @calebgnomes @r.barbee @potion1er_es_la_boom_@gennaro_porcaro @amberwavessf and few more..

Yi-Wo is a film by @thomascampbellart being premiered in many cities all over the world this month. Thomas and I did a lot of sessions at Ruminator Audio studios honing music for the soundtrack. We had great collaborators and guest musicians. If you are near one of the cities where this film is being shown, I implore you to attend. Maybe see you in SF on September 20th at the Balboa Theater…….@umyeaharts @tommyguerrero @damonway @joshlippi @marccapellemusic @calebgnomes @r.barbee @potion1er_es_la_boom_@gennaro_porcaro @amberwavessf and few more..

Today Too Many Days Without Thinking is being reissued by Beggars Banquet for #recordstoreday in the UK/EU. It is being rereleased in the US on April 18th. Remastered, updated artwork, new liner notes, and on colored vinyl. Support your local record store!
Today also marks the 3rd anniversary of David Freel’s passing.
The memories of the original release in 1997 and the subsequent tour are flooding back. It was an intense, long campaign, and we survived somehow. The songs still hold up. Give it a spin and hoist one for David today.
@beggars_arkive @swell_41 @elder_skatesman @instagabo65 @niko.wenner @theliebeskind @seankirkpatrickart

Today Too Many Days Without Thinking is being reissued by Beggars Banquet for #recordstoreday in the UK/EU. It is being rereleased in the US on April 18th. Remastered, updated artwork, new liner notes, and on colored vinyl. Support your local record store!
Today also marks the 3rd anniversary of David Freel’s passing.
The memories of the original release in 1997 and the subsequent tour are flooding back. It was an intense, long campaign, and we survived somehow. The songs still hold up. Give it a spin and hoist one for David today.
@beggars_arkive @swell_41 @elder_skatesman @instagabo65 @niko.wenner @theliebeskind @seankirkpatrickart

Today Too Many Days Without Thinking is being reissued by Beggars Banquet for #recordstoreday in the UK/EU. It is being rereleased in the US on April 18th. Remastered, updated artwork, new liner notes, and on colored vinyl. Support your local record store!
Today also marks the 3rd anniversary of David Freel’s passing.
The memories of the original release in 1997 and the subsequent tour are flooding back. It was an intense, long campaign, and we survived somehow. The songs still hold up. Give it a spin and hoist one for David today.
@beggars_arkive @swell_41 @elder_skatesman @instagabo65 @niko.wenner @theliebeskind @seankirkpatrickart

Today Too Many Days Without Thinking is being reissued by Beggars Banquet for #recordstoreday in the UK/EU. It is being rereleased in the US on April 18th. Remastered, updated artwork, new liner notes, and on colored vinyl. Support your local record store!
Today also marks the 3rd anniversary of David Freel’s passing.
The memories of the original release in 1997 and the subsequent tour are flooding back. It was an intense, long campaign, and we survived somehow. The songs still hold up. Give it a spin and hoist one for David today.
@beggars_arkive @swell_41 @elder_skatesman @instagabo65 @niko.wenner @theliebeskind @seankirkpatrickart

Today Too Many Days Without Thinking is being reissued by Beggars Banquet for #recordstoreday in the UK/EU. It is being rereleased in the US on April 18th. Remastered, updated artwork, new liner notes, and on colored vinyl. Support your local record store!
Today also marks the 3rd anniversary of David Freel’s passing.
The memories of the original release in 1997 and the subsequent tour are flooding back. It was an intense, long campaign, and we survived somehow. The songs still hold up. Give it a spin and hoist one for David today.
@beggars_arkive @swell_41 @elder_skatesman @instagabo65 @niko.wenner @theliebeskind @seankirkpatrickart

Studio door bell. The buzzer has only ruined one take in nearly 25 years

Me and @lowend99 went to this show 45 years ago tonight. The Old Waldorf for some shows at the time had long tables that ran perpendicular to the stage and you had to sit for the show and crane your neck sideways to watch the show. Me and Ron got sore necks watching @pearlharbourmusic careening back and forth on the stage. Huge crush…hung out after the show to try to get an autograph on the Drivin’ 7”…I still have the Pearl Harbor Day ‘79 badge they gave away too…hope you’re doing alright, Pearl….maybe you remember a couple kids in spray paint stenciled clash and surf punks t-shirts in front…#pearlharborday

Repost from @mrsleep3
•
Who makes my vocals, like the ones on the new BUNUEL record, (and the new Mangene record) sound so friggin’ crispy? The master Monte Vallier. He of Swell (and earlier than that Jet Black Crayon…earlier than THAT? Half Church) and head of Ruminator Audio. So yeah….now you KNOW!

- thanks Eugene