Producer Points

• Roundtable: Analog vs. Digital with The Mixers Behind Death Cab, NOFX & David Kushner

  In this roundtable edition of Producer Points, host Justin Gammella sits down with three seasoned producers and mixers to unpack one big question: Does analog gear still matter in 2025?As digital tools continue to evolve, the role of analog gear is less about necessity—and more about taste, process, and emotion. From workflow to sonics to studio philosophy, this episode explores the creative and practical reasons some of the best in the game still turn to hardware.🎙 Featuring:🔹 Martin Cooke – Mixer/producer for Death Cab for Cutie, Pearl Jam, Biffy Clyro🔹 Jon Graber – Producer/engineer with credits including NOFX, MxPx, and Capitol Records sessions🔹 Yianni AP – LA-based mixer/producer known for Jeremy Zucker, David Kushner, Alexander 23🎛 Topics include:The real reasons to still use analog gear in a digital worldHow analog shapes mindset, speed, and decision-makingBudget gear worth investing in (and what to skip)Their favorite chains, racks, and plugin equivalentsWhether analog is about sound… or just vibeWhether you're a hardware junkie or totally in the box, this episode is packed with insight from pros who've built careers blending both worlds.🎶 Check out the Producer Points Spotify Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2oqD4l6js2moC7r1DxqAR9

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• Roundtable: How To Level Up - From Bedroom Beats to Hits for Khalid, LP & David Kushner

  From cracked DAWs to Billboard credits — this roundtable is all about what it really takes to grow.On this episode of Producer Points, host Justin Gammella is joined by three powerhouse producers to talk about leveling up — creatively, professionally, and technically — without losing the magic that got you started.🔹 Sarcastic Sounds – Artist/producer known for his signature lo-fi meets pop sound and co-writer/producer of “Daylight” by David Kushner.🔹 Mike Del Rio – Artist/producer and one half of Rio Kosta, with credits including LP, X Ambassadors, and Kylie Minogue.🔹 Denis Kosiak – Grammy-winning mixer/producer known for his work with Khalid, Normani, and more.🎛 In this episode:What gear is actually worth upgrading — and what’s notFile organization, studio vibe, and hosting like a proMindset shifts from casual creativity to professional consistencyHow to collaborate on bigger projects without losing your identityWhy scrappiness and instinct still matter as you growWhether you're scaling up your gear, your space, or your mindset — this episode is packed with practical insights and real talk.🎶 Check out the Producer Points Playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2oqD4l6js2moC7r1DxqAR9

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• Delayed, Devalued, Disrespected: Why Aren’t We Getting Paid?

  🎙 Delayed, Devalued, Disrespected: Why Aren’t We Getting Paid?In this special solo episode of Producer Points, host Justin Gammella opens up about one of the music industry’s most frustrating and under-discussed realities: not getting paid on time—or at all.From indie artists to major-label collaborators, this episode dives into the broken system that delays payments for months (or even years), erodes trust, and pushes creators to the brink. Justin shares personal stories, behind-the-scenes experiences, and messages from other creators who’ve had enough.🎵 Topics covered:The song that went viral—but still hasn’t been paid outWhy it takes 6 to 12 months (or more) to see a checkThe emotional and financial toll of being ignored by labels and publishersVoice messages from real producers and writers sharing their storiesWhy this isn’t just about money—it’s about respect, equity, and survivalIf you’re a songwriter, producer, artist, or anyone in the music world, this one’s for you.🎧 Listen. Share. And if you’ve been through this too—reach out.🎶 Playlist: Producer Points Spotify Playlist

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• Roundtable: Letting Go of Perfectionism in Music Production

  🎙 Letting Go of Perfectionism in Music ProductionOn this roundtable episode of Producer Points, we’re getting real about one of the most universal—and paralyzing—challenges for music producers: perfectionism. Host Justin Gammella is joined by three dynamic producers with unique workflows, candid stories, and practical wisdom on how to stop overthinking and start finishing music.🔹 Joe Pepe – LA-based producer/songwriter with credits including MGK, Travis Barker, and Kiana Ledé. Joe’s relaxed, intuitive approach blends rawness with polish.🔹 Stephen Conley – Songwriter, producer, and mixer known for his work with GAYLE. Stephen brings a thoughtful balance of technical precision and emotional instinct.🔹 Matt Parad – Alt-pop producer and composer for Tinashe and Olivia O’Brien. Matt thrives in minimalist, emotionally driven production environments.In this episode, we dig into:🎛️ The difference between refining and over-editing—and how perfectionism often hides as “just one more tweak”🎛️ The vocal comping trap: when endless takes kill the vibe🎛️ Building trust in your taste, and why your first idea is usually the right one🎛️ How to know when a song is done (hint: it’s usually a feeling, not a checklist)🎛️ Why committing to sounds, using templates, and simplifying your toolkit leads to better records🎛️ The high cost of mixing fatigue—and strategies for resetting your ears🎛️ The underrated magic of “imperfections” that make a record feel human🎛️ What letting go really means for both technical mixers and emotionally-driven artistsPlus:🎧 Listener Q&A covering vocal tracking limits, artistic perfectionism, mixing with crickets (literally), and whether AI tools are helping—or hurting—the creative process.🔥 Our unfiltered take on plugins like God Particle, Tonal Balance Control, and the surprisingly useful $30 Maserati Waves plugin.Whether you’re battling vocal takes, struggling to call a mix finished, or trying to break free from the loop of endless tweaks, this episode offers perspective, humor, and actionable tools to help you move forward.🎧 Listen now and give yourself permission to stop chasing perfect.🎶 Check out the Producer Points playlist featuring songs discussed in this episode: Producer Points Playlist

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• Roundtable: How the Producers Behind Powfu, Tinashe & Ella Mai Built Lasting Careers

  🎙 Building a Sustainable Career in Music ProductionOn this roundtable episode of Producer Points, we’re tackling one of the most important—and rarely talked about—topics in the industry: what it really takes to build a sustainable, long-term career in music production. Host Justin Gammella is joined by two powerhouse producers who’ve each carved out their own paths, offering hard-earned wisdom, unfiltered stories, and actionable advice:🔹 Midi Jones – A versatile producer whose catalog spans pop, R&B, and hip-hop. Known for his adaptability, consistency, and technical mastery, Midi has quietly built a career rooted in relationships, creative integrity, and staying ahead of the curve.🔹 Sarcastic Sounds (Jeremy) – A producer and artist with a signature lo-fi-meets-indie aesthetic. From self-released viral hits to major label deals and publishing breakthroughs, Jeremy has built a diverse, multi-faceted career that bridges both the artist and producer worlds.In this episode, we break down:🎵 What “sustainability” actually means in the modern music industry—beyond just placements and plaques🎵 Balancing passion projects with paid work (and why you shouldn't be ashamed of doing both)🎵 How to organize your sessions, back up files, and avoid losing your hard work🎵 Why so many producers never see their master royalties—and how to navigate label deal realities🎵 Monetizing your skills in a crowded market: syncs, indie artists, content creation, and more🎵 Adapting to a changing industry: plugins like Serum 2, the rise of producer content, and staying creatively fulfilled🎵 Mental health, burnout, and how to stay inspired for the long haulPlus:🎧 Listener questions about finding artists, starting late, and the myth of the “Nepo Baby advantage”🔥 Our unfiltered take on Serum 2 and how it stacks up in 2025’s synth landscapeWhether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this episode is full of real talk, practical insight, and a ton of perspective on what longevity in music production really looks like.🎧 Listen now and invest in your long game.🎶 Check out the Producer Points playlist featuring songs discussed in this episode: Producer Points Playlist

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