
In Episode 128 of The SOUND Project, Gavin sits down with audio engineer John Spicer at his studio, Broken Soul in Maryland.
John shares his journey from church sound engineer to building a basement studio designed for both personal growth and professional projects. We dive into:
- The challenges of isolation in a small footprint.
-Turning a personal creative space into a professional hub for artists.
- How Covid reshaped his work with livestream mixes.
- The balance between art, responsibility, and burnout.
- Why “perfect is the enemy of great” in studio design.
Whether you’re a musician, producer, or audio enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights about making the most of your space, staying creative, and building a studio that truly inspires.
Guest Links:
Broken Soul Audio - https://www.brokensoulaudio.com/
Video By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethan.media/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethan.media
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@morethanmedia_
The S.O.U.N.D. Project Podcast:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-project/id1680525959
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dkk1s642VFjZGsdYGyxBP
Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZTBiZGNlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw
Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLghfvh2wd7A9MnVKr44jtPEg0qcZ1esTF
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- Website: https://www.haverstickdesigns.com/
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Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome to The SOUND Project
0:08 – Introducing John Spicer & Broken Soul Studio
0:39 – Getting started in audio through church productions
1:48 – Musician roots vs. engineering passion
3:06 – Early responsibilities running live sound for large productions
4:04 – Vision for the basement studio
5:09 – Isolation challenges and family impact
7:03 – Benefits of proper sound isolation
8:03 – Projects in the studio (albums, VO, livestream mixes)
9:14 – Helping churches during Covid with broadcast mixes
11:22 – Balancing passion and burnout in studio work
12:43 – Favorite types of projects and working with non-mainstream artists
15:02 – Pushing yourself creatively in a well-designed room
16:55 – Lessons from mixing and monitoring in small spaces
18:39 – “Hearing new colors” – how good rooms change perception
19:07 – Making great studios in limited spaces
20:08 – Intimacy of one-room collaboration with artists
22:04 – What’s next for Broken Soul Studio
23:21 – Reflections on artistry, community, and purpose