In this special episode of Sound Horizons, we sit down with innovator and creative powerhouse Gregory Butler for an in-depth conversation about the intersection of art, technology, and sound. Specifically the place of AI in music and music technology.

Mitch Gallagher is the Senior Executive Director of Content at Sweetwater Sound. With an unparalleled understanding of the professional audio world, Mitch has built a career as a trusted authority on audio equipment, software, and production techniques. His insights have shaped the way musicians, engineers, and producers approach sound creation today. In this episode, Mitch shares his journey through the evolving world of sound, from his early days in music production to his current role at Sweetwater, where he connects with innovators and creators on the cutting edge of technology. We dive into the latest trends in audio technology, the future of music production, and Mitch’s personal journey in music and music production.

John began writing music at the age of 12. His first band, Family Crisis, played shows with 7 Seconds and Bad Religion. In 1994 he formed Goldfinger as lead singer, songwriter, producer, and mixer. Known for dynamic live performances, Goldfinger played 385 shows in 1996 alone. Goldfinger has sold 4 million albums worldwide. During his time as an A&R for Red Bull, Maverick & Warner Bros. Records, Feldmann signed The Used, D.R.U.G.S, Goldfinger, Showoff, City Sleeps, Story of the Year, Foxy Shazam, Mest, Itch, Blitz Kids and Beartooth. John is currently A&R for Big Noise. John has also done production work/songwriting for The Cab, The Veronicas, Krewella, All Time Low, Sleeping With Sirens, Sweet Suspense. Avicii, Good Charlotte, Mest, The Used, Story of the Year, Ashlee Simpson, One Ok Rock, Hilary Duff, Goldfinger, Showoff, The Matches, Atreyu, City Sleeps, Anthony Green, Oh Honey, Beat Union, Cute Is What We Aim For, Escape the Fate, Get Scared, After Midnight Project, Foxy Shazam, Allstar Weekend, Panic! at the Disco, Boys Like Girls, Megan Joy, Jessica Lowndes, Plain White T's, 5 Seconds of Summer, Mandy Moore and Kelis among others. Most recently he produced the seventh studio album for Blink 182 titled "California" which landed both he and the band their first Grammy nomination for "Best Rock Album". John has also been nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Performance for his work with Fever 333 on Made An America. Also in July of 2017 John was awarded the "Influencer" Award at the Alt Press Music Awards (APMAs).

Bobby Huff grew up in Alexandria, Indiana and started playing drums at the age of eight. Throughout middle and high school, he played on various custom records and jingles in the Indianapolis area. Upon graduating high school, Bobby moved to Nashville and enrolled in the Music Business program at Belmont University. A versatile producer, musician and songwriter, Bobby has production and writing credits on some of today's biggest names in the music business, such as 3 Doors Down, Papa Roach, Drowning Pool, Atom Smash, Shinedown, Halestorm, Mayday Parade, Jason Castro, Simple Plan, Cavo, Capra, Electric Touch and Saliva. Bobby has also secured multiple cuts overseas.Bobby produced a full-length project for Crowded House's Tim Finn, which spawned the song "Winter Light," featured in the worldwide blockbuster film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. In addition, Bobby has produced Jordan McCoy for Bad Boy Records and has worked as a musician and producer on a variety of Los Angeles and Nashville based projects ranging from Heart and Journey to Blackhawk. Check out his Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@BobbyHuff

Ulrich Wild is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer and mixer. He’s known for his work with notable Metal acts Dethklok, Pantera, Static-x, White Zombie, Deftones, and Breaking Benjamin, as well as more eclectic artists Mindless Self Indulgence, Emilie Autumn, Stolen Babies, Precious Child, and Thrillsville. In his productions, Ulrich specializes in taking the artist to the peak of their abilities while bringing out their essence. With a penchant for establishing musical identities, Ulrich has focused many artists toward their defining sound, helping them launch their careers. Born and raised in Switzerland, Ulrich lives and works in Los Angels. In 2015 he founded his label WURMgroup to create a home and build careers for up and coming artists. Ulrich Wild is available for production, mixing, and songwriting. If interested, get in touch and briefly describe your project. Grammy Nominee: Best Engineered Album for White Zombie’s Astro Creep 2000: Songs of Love, Destruction and Other Synthetic Delusions of The Electric Head. https://www.ulrichwild.com/

Mark Lewis is a highly respected metal engineer and producer known for his innovative sound and mastery of heavy music production. Lewis has worked with a diverse array of renowned bands, including Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, and DevilDriver. His expertise lies in blending powerful instrumentation with precise sonic clarity, helping to shape the sound of modern metal.

Lewis began his career in the early 2000s and quickly made a name for himself with his signature production style. He is also known for his work at prestigious studios, including the famed Audiohammer Studios in Florida.

In addition to his production work, Mark is a sought-after mix engineer, consistently pushing the boundaries of sound to create memorable albums that shape the genre. His dedication to his craft and collaboration with artists has solidified his reputation as a key figure in the metal music scene.

Kenny Aronoff is a world-renowned drummer whose dynamic playing and exceptional versatility have made him one of the most sought-after musicians in the industry. Kenny's big break came in the early 1980s when he joined John Mellencamp's band. His drumming on hits like "Jack & Diane" and "Crumblin' Down" helped define the sound of an era and established him as a premier session drummer. Throughout his career, Aronoff has played with an impressive roster of artists, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, and Van Halen. His powerful style and precision have earned him accolades from peers and critics alike, leading to countless recordings and live performances. In addition to his session work, Aronoff is a passionate educator and motivational speaker, sharing his insights on creativity, perseverance, and the music industry with aspiring musicians around the world. He has released several instructional videos and authored a book, "The Big Beat," which showcases his expertise and love for drumming. Kenny Aronoff continues to be a driving force in the music world, known not just for his incredible drumming but also for his infectious enthusiasm and dedication to his craft. Whether on stage or in the studio, his energy and talent leave a lasting impact, inspiring the next generation of musicians to find their own rhythms. Check out his podcast here https://www.youtube.com/@KennyAronoffOfficial#thesoundhorizonspodcast #kennyAronoff

Fred Coury is best known for his drumming with the rock band Cinderella. In this episode, we explore his journey through the music industry, his creative process for music, TV, and film composition, and some behind-the-scenes stories!

From the young age of 19 Marc signed a record deal and jetted off around the world with his band Kill It Kid, playing all over the globe. Sharing stages with the likes of, Bob Dylan, Motörhead, Marilyn Manson to name a few. Making records at LA’s Oceanway, Abbey Road and Seattle’s Bear Creek studios, with some of the worlds premier producers. After his tenure with his own band Kill It kid ended,  Marc joined The Heavy for a touring campaign which led him being asked to play for the notorious UK rock act Reef. He is now the drummer for the bombastic and prolific Band Of Skulls. Aside from his playing Marc runs and produces from in his studio in Bath, England and has recorded for the likes of Alberta Cross and James Arthur. Marc’s passion and love for drums has brought him into many different contexts and alongside some of the worlds greatest players. Notably working with James Arthur, Bombay Bicycle Club, Years & Years and London Grammar, where Marc helped design, tech and help oversee touring campaigns. Where drums are Marc will be, in any context. 

Whether you grew up in the ’80s, ’90s or the 2000s, you can’t have escaped hearing music touched by the audio genius of Frank Filipetti. From Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is,” The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame,” Carly Simon’s “Coming Around Again” and James Taylor’s “Hourglass” to jaw-dropping surround mixes, beautifully captured original cast Broadway productions as well as soundtracks for blockbuster movies – he’s done them all. For more than five decades and counting, Filipetti has shaped the sound for the absolute top tier of the industry in genres spanning the entire range and, what’s more, excelled in them all. If anything, his seven Grammy Award wins and ten nominations are a testament to that.

Phil Collen is the acclaimed guitarist of the iconic rock band Def Leppard. Joining the band in 1982, Collen contributed to creating some of rock’s most legendary albums, including "Pyromania" and "Hysteria." Known for his blistering solos and dynamic stage presence, Collen has been a key figure in defining the sound of 80s rock. Beyond his work with Def Leppard, he’s celebrated for his versatility and innovation in guitar playing, which has influenced a generation of musicians.

https://defleppard.com/member/phil-collen/

BIO

Rob Shanahan’s photographs have appeared in numerous international ad campaigns, galleries, records, books, and magazines around the globe.

Rob is also embracing his gig as a Keynote Speaker, getting rave reviews and wowing audiences with his story of a small-town Minnesota boy going on to work with the world's biggest music icons, along with an incredible visual presentation.

He has appeared nationwide on many television and radio shows, continually speaking at seminars and corporate events.

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VOLUME 1,  with a foreword by Ringo Starr, and VOLUME 2, with a foreword by Sheila E. and epilogue by Keith Richards, is an acclaimed collection of who's who of music icons published in a coffee table 2-book set. It is sure to please both photography and music fans alike.

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https://www.robshanahan.art/volume-1

Rob got his first drum kit when he was ten and his first camera when he was thirteen. He plays drums with the Hollywood Stones, the premier Rolling Stones tribute band, since 1994. His sensitivity as a musician has made him the first call photographer for many of the world’s top artists.

Rob lives in Venice, California with his wife, daughter, and two cool Bengal cats.

James Farber’s career got off to a rolling start in 1978 when he was hired as a full-time assistant engineer at the then just-launched Power Station Studio in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan. Here, he acted under the tutelage of studio owner Tony Bongiovi as well as now-iconic engineers like Bob Clearmountain, Neil Dorfsman, Scott Litt and, of course, Al Schmitt. With his minimalistic approach to engineering, the latter would become a pivotal influence on James’ work moving forward when finding his specialty niche in jazz.

Since then, James has recorded well over 1,000 albums, worked with some of the world’s premier artists and is widely considered one of the best jazz recording and mixing engineers ever. His footprint in the genre is indelible.

Elliot Scheiner is among some of the most legendary pop engineers in the industry. He is known for his work on Van Morrison‘s Moondance, Steely Dan‘s Aja, Gaucho, and The Royal Scam, Chaka Khan‘s I Feel For You, Rickie Lee Jones‘ Pirates, Bruce Hornsby‘s The Way It Is, and The Eagles‘ Hell Freezes Over. Elliot just produced and mixed Madeleine Peyroux‘s latest album, Let’s Walk (Thirty Tigers). Some of Elliot’s most recent highlights include working as a sound engineer on the soundtrack for the Broadway musical “A Beautiful Noise,” producing, recording, and mixing the soundtrack for the off-Broadway Florida musical “Knoxville,” producing and recording the soundtrack for the Broadway revival of Tony Kushner’s “Caroline, or Change,” mixing Bobby Weir’s Bobby Weir and the Wolf Bros. Live in Colorado Vol. 2, and mixing Trey Anastasio‘s Live Solo Acoustic show at Carnegie Hall.

Eyal Levi is the CEO and founder of URM Academy, the world's biggest and best online audio school for rock and metal producers. Best known for its flagship program, Nail The Mix, URM Academy is training the next generation of audio professionals.Eyal Levi is also the CEO and co-founder of Riffhard, an online guitar school for metal and rock guitarists.He is a critically acclaimed educator, musician and producer. After attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Eyal cut his teeth as the guitarist and primary songwriter in Daath, a progressive death metal band that released albums on Roadrunner and Century Media.In the studio, he has worked with such artists including The Black Dahlia Murder, Monuments, The Contortionist, Chelsea Grin, and many more Billboard top 200 artists in roles ranging from producer, engineer, mixer, and assistant.His podcasts, The URM Podcast and The Riffhard Podcast feature conversations with the best, brightest, most accomplished, and interesting people in production and heavy guitar music. Both podcasts have charted consistently for years. The URM podcast is the #1 most downloaded podcast in audio and The Riffhard Podcast has reached #2 in hard music interviews on Apple, as well as #27 in music on Spotify. The Sound Horizons Podcast is hosted by Rikk Currence and produced by Michael Sanfilipp. https://www.toontrack.com/sound-horizons-podcast The Sound Horizons Podcast is presented by Toontrack and intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts, guests or any individuals featured on the podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of Toontrack.

Will Hunt is the drummer for Evanescence, Vasco Rossi, Black Label Society, Tommy Lee, Staind, Static X, Dark New Day, White Noise Owl, Slaughter, and Vince Neil. The Sound Horizons Podcast is hosted by Rikk Currence and produced by Michael Sanfilipp. https://www.toontrack.com/sound-horizons-podcast The Sound Horizons Podcast is presented by Toontrack and intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts, guests or any individuals featured on the podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of Toontrack.

Chris is a producer, engineer, & mixer who has worked with some of the top names in the music world such as Nickelback, Shinedown, Daughtry, Rob Zombie, Tommy Lee/Motley Crue, Avril Lavigne, and several world-renowned producers and songwriters. With an obsession for creating great-sounding records across a wide array of genres including rock, metal, pop, and country, Chris’ passion for making music continues to evolve as he strives for every next project to be his best work yet. As a highly respected name in the industry, he is a member of the Recording Academy (RIAA) and Canadian Academy of Recording Arts/Sciences (CARAS) and is committed to helping the next generation of music creators. The Sound Horizons Podcast is hosted by Rikk Currence and produced by Michael Sanfilipp. https://www.toontrack.com/sound-horizons-podcast The Sound Horizons Podcast is presented by Toontrack and intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts, guests or any individuals featured on the podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of Toontrack.

Joey Newman is an Emmy®-nominated, third generation film and television composer of the famed Hollywood musical Newman dynasty. Joey’s grandfather is Oscar-winning composer and conductor Lionel Newman, and his great uncle is nine-time Oscar-winner Alfred Newman. His cousins Randy, Thomas, David and Maria Newman are all successful composers. Joey’s father, Joe Frank Carollo, played bass and sang in the famed 1970’s rock group "Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds”. A drummer, conductor and orchestrator, Joey earned his degree from the Berklee College of Music. He got his start working in television, co-composing with Emmy®-winning composer W.G. “Snuffy” Walden. Joey has composed the music to award-winning feature films, numerous television series, video games and provided arrangements for recording artists like Rufus Wainwright and Broadway composers Marcy & Zina and Cinco Paul. As a conductor and orchestrator, Joey has worked across the media spectrum including orchestrating for his cousin Randy, Bill Ross and conducting alongside Michael Tilson Thomas and John Williams. The Sound Horizons Podcast is hosted by Rikk Currence and produced by Michael Sanfilipp. https://www.toontrack.com/sound-horizons-podcast The Sound Horizons Podcast is presented by Toontrack and intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts, guests or any individuals featured on the podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of Toontrack.

Coy Bowles is the guitarist, organist and songwriter for the three-time Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band. He is also the author of five children's books at the time of this podcast. "My way of giving back, besides making music, is writing children's books that give children, parents & teachers a common ground to bond, love & discuss today's issues for a better tomorrow." - Coy Bowles Find more about Coy here: https://www.coybowles.com/ The Sound Horizons Podcast is hosted by Rikk Currence and produced by Michael Sanfilipp. https://www.toontrack.com/sound-horiz... The Sound Horizons Podcast is presented by Toontrack and intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts, guests, or any individuals featured on the podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of Toontrack.