Knobs

Low end is one of the hardest things to get right in audio production and one of the easiest things to get wrong.In this episode, Simon Moro and Terry Hart unpack the foundation of a great mix: bass, kick drums, groove, monitoring, room acoustics, arrangement, and why adding more layers usually makes things worse.Along the way they discuss bass players vs guitarists playing bass, why room acoustics matter more than plugins, techniques for controlling bass consistency, and whether expensive gear really makes a difference.If your mixes sound thin, muddy, inconsistent, or collapse outside your studio, this episode is for you.

Everyone wants bigger vocals. Most people reach for EQ and compression first.In this episode of Knobs, Simon Moro and Terry Hart unpack what actually makes vocals cut through a mix — and surprisingly, a lot of it happens before you even touch a plugin.From singer technique and microphone placement through to parallel compression, layered reverbs, vocal chains, automation and mix psychology, this episode explores practical ways to create vocals that feel bigger, clearer and more connected to the song.Expect discussions about resonance, distortion, delay tricks, analog workflows, sidechains, vocal templates and why context always beats presets.If your vocals keep disappearing in the mix, this episode is for you.

What happened when music stopped being about capturing performances and started being about creating them?In this more personal episode of Knobs, Simon Moro and Terry Hart reflect on creativity, nostalgia, songwriting, technology and why modern music production feels fundamentally different to the way it did 20 years ago.From band rehearsals and old Chili Peppers records to music theory, confidence, artistic identity and whether artists have become satellites working alone, this episode explores what has changed, what has been lost, and what might still be worth reclaiming.If you've ever wondered whether you’ve drifted away from the reason you started making music in the first place, this one might hit close to home.

Should your producer mix your music, or should you hand it off to someone else?In Episode 3 of KNOBS, Simon Moro and Terry Hart tackle one of audio’s biggest debates: who should actually mix your record.The conversation covers producer mixes vs dedicated mix engineers, when outsourcing makes sense, why great productions often fail at the mix stage, and the surprising role emotion plays in making songs connect.They also discuss celebrity mixers, mastering myths, static balances, budget realities, and why the right team matters more than rigid rules.Whether you’re producing in a bedroom studio or working with a full production team, this episode will probably challenge how you think about mixing.Topics covered:• Producer vs mix engineer workflows • When to outsource mixing • Why great songs fail in the mix • Emotional mixing and listener connection • Mastering myths • Cheap mixes vs unfinished mixes • DIY production challenges • Building the right creative team

AI is changing music production faster than almost any technology we’ve seen before, but is it making records better?In Episode 2 of KNOBS, Simon Moro and Terry Hart dive into AI music tools, voice cloning, stem separation, Suno, machine learning plugins, and the growing tension between convenience and creativity.From real-world examples where AI saved expensive recording projects to the risks of artists becoming attached to AI demos, this episode explores what happens when machines start joining the creative process.This isn’t another “AI will replace musicians” discussion.It’s a practical conversation about what these tools actually do in real studios and whether the human side of music production still matters.Topics include AI vocals, mixing tools, songwriting workflows, studio recording, stem extraction, Suno, machine learning plugins and the future of audio production.

KNOBS — Season 1 Episode 1 Analog vs Digital: Why Workflow Matters More Than GearIn the very first episode of Knobs, Simon Moro and Terry Hart dive headfirst into one of audio’s oldest arguments: analog vs digital.But instead of obsessing over whether tape sounds warmer or plugins perfectly model vintage gear, the conversation takes a different turn, exploring the psychology of workflow, creativity, speed, signal flow, and why the way you interact with audio can dramatically shape the outcome of a mix.Topics covered in this episode include:Why analog consoles encourage faster, more instinctive mixingThe hidden psychological impact of mixing with a mouseWhy speed matters so much in the first 20 minutes of a mixParallel workflow vs serial workflowSignal flow and why understanding it changes everythingGain staging and why analog-modelled plugins behave strangely on hot tracksWhy many producers overprocess audio in DAWsControl surfaces and recreating analog workflow in-the-boxHow limitations can improve creativityWhy physical interaction with music changes decision-makingPatch bays, compressors, SSL workflows, and throwing fadersThe difference between listening emotionally vs analyticallyWhy analog workflow can still matter even if you mix completely digitallyAlong the way, Simon and Terry also discuss:Avid D-ControlSoftube Console 11176 compressorsParallel processing chainsPro Tools workflowHybrid mixingAnalog console ergonomicsThe creative side of engineeringThe format is loose, improvised, and conversational, more like sitting in the studio listening to two engineers talk between sessions than a formal interview podcast.Hosted by Simon Moro and Terry Hart Produced by Academy of AudioFollow Academy of Audio: academyofaudio.edu.au