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Music Production Podcast

Music Production Podcast

By: Brian Funk
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 An exploration of music production through informal discussions about technique, philosophy, gear, and creativity. Hosted by Brian Funk, a musician, songwriter, teacher, and Ableton Certified Trainer. Music
Episodes
  • Aqeel Aadam - Making Plug-ins for the Curious and Open-Minded

    Aqeel Aadam - Making Plug-ins for the Curious and Open-Minded
    Jun 30 2025
    Aqeel Aadam is a musician, sound designer, and plugin developer blending modular synthesis with a love of nature and organic textures. Through his company, Aqeel Aadam Sound, he creates audio plugins for the curious and open-minded. He creates tools that spark inspiration rather than dictate outcomes. Aqeel and I explore the connection between nature and synthesis, the power of limitations in creativity, and how modular gear shapes his sonic world. We talk about learning through struggle, designing plugins that encourage play over perfection, and finding joy in the unpredictable. Aqeel shares his story of learning guitar from his jazz-guitarist grandfather, discovering modular synthesis in college, and developing a suite of expressive, visually rich plugins like Ridgewalk, Waymaker, and Weeping Wall. Listen on Apple | Spotify | YouTube Takeaways: Plugins for the Curious & Open-Minded – Aqeel designs tools that prioritize exploration over precision, encouraging musicians to discover unexpected results through experimentation. Modular Meets Nature – His music and visual plugin interfaces reflect his deep love of nature and organic textures, merging the electronic and the natural in both form and function. Learning Through Struggle – From self-teaching guitar to building plugins, Aqeel embraces the idea that struggling through something is essential to meaningful learning. Designing for Musical Flow – Rather than overloading plugins with technical features, Aqeel focuses on simplicity, usability, and play, so musicians can stay in the creative zone. From Guitar to Eurorack – His journey from jazz guitar to modular synths and plugin development reflects a wide-ranging approach to music-making and sound design. Improvisation as Composition – Aqeel’s performances and recordings often begin with semi-generative modular systems, allowing spontaneity to guide structure and form. Inspiration Over Information – His plugins don’t just process sound—they invite interaction and interpretation, helping users find their voice through curiosity. Contextual Composition – Like an impressionist painter, Aqeel aims to place abstract textures into recognizable musical frameworks that resonate emotionally. Visual Interfaces Matter – From growing circular meters to mountainous visualizers, Aqeel’s plugins look as fun as they sound—inviting creators to explore without intimidation. Building an Ecosystem – With plugins like Waymaker interacting with his other tools, Aqeel is creating a modular digital environment where small ideas lead to big creative breakthroughs. Links: Aqeel Aadam Sound Website – https://aqeeladamsound.comAqeel Aadam Sound Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aqeelaadamsoundAqeel's Personal Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/aqeel.aadamAqeel's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AqeelAadamAqeel on Bandcamp - https://aqeelaadam.bandcamp.comBrian Funk Website – https://brianfunk.comMusic Production Club – https://brianfunk.com/mpc5-Minute Music Producer Book – https://brianfunk.com/bookIntro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack – https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bitMusic Production Podcast Archive – https://brianfunk.com/podcast🎁 Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs with code PODCAST – https://brianfunk.com/store🎧 Episode edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule – https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • Toru - Host of the ProducerHead Podcast

    Toru - Host of the ProducerHead Podcast
    Jun 16 2025
    Julian Astri, aka Toru, is a music producer, educator, and the host of the ProducerHead Podcast, a show dedicated to amplifying the voices of beatmakers, producers, and creatives at every stage of their journey. Through his work, Toru fosters a culture of consistency, curiosity, and community in music production—offering motivation and real-world insight through interviews, daily posts, and personal reflection. In this conversation, Toru and I explore the power of creative discipline, the value of sharing imperfect work, and how building in public can lead to deep personal growth and meaningful connection. We talk about the origins of ProducerHead, the importance of community for producers working in isolation, and how showing up consistently—even with low expectations—can create long-term momentum. It’s an inspiring and down-to-earth look at what it means to be a modern music maker. Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube ⸻ Takeaways • ProducerHead’s Origin Story – Julian shares how a need for community and consistency led to the launch of his podcast and beatmaking platform. • Post Imperfect, Grow Anyway – Publishing unfinished or imperfect ideas helps develop confidence and invites authentic connection. • Small Moves, Big Impact – Showing up daily in small ways can be more powerful than rare moments of brilliance. • Build the Community You Need – Julian talks about intentionally creating a space for like-minded producers who want to share, grow, and stay accountable. • Creative Momentum Is Built, Not Found – Progress comes from doing, not waiting for inspiration to strike. • The Power of Consistency – From Instagram beat snippets to podcast episodes, repetition builds clarity, skill, and confidence. • Social Media as Practice Space – Instead of chasing perfection, Julian treats social platforms as a rehearsal room for sharing ideas and learning out loud. • No One Is Paying as Much Attention as You Think – Letting go of perfectionism frees you to take more creative risks and build resilience. • Making Music Is a Long Game – Julian encourages artists to detach from quick results and focus on process and community over metrics. • Sharing the Process Is the Art – ProducerHead is not just about final products—it’s about showing the journey of making music and staying creative. ⸻ Links: ProducerHead PodcastProducerHead on InstagramToru on InstagramProducerHead on YouTubeBrian Funk on ProducerHead Podcast #16Ableton Music Producer Podcast with Dan GiffinThe Creative Act by Rick RubinMake Your Own Rules by Andrew HuangSomeday is Today by Matthew DicksSlow Productivity by Cal NewportBig Magic by Elizabeth GilbertWar of Art by Steven PressfieldThe Artists Way by Julia CameronBrian Funk WebsiteMusic Production Club5-Minute Music ProducerMusic Production PodcastAbleton Live Packs – Save 25% with code: PODCASTIntro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live PackPodcast Editing by Animus Invidious / PerforModule ⸻ Thank you for listening. Please rate and review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite app. Visit BrianFunk.com for tutorials, videos, downloads, and sound design tools for Ableton Live.
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    1 hr and 54 mins
  • Six Missing – Flow States, Ego Drops, and the Art of Letting Go

    Six Missing – Flow States, Ego Drops, and the Art of Letting Go
    Jun 4 2025
    Today I welcome back TJ Dumser, who makes ambient meditative soundscapes under the name Six Missing. TJ is in the process of releasing his new album Without Mind in 3 sections. We spoke shortly after the first section Identify was released. TJ and I picked up where we left off, discussing his work and the vision he has for this album. Things pretty quickly got philosophical and introspective. We shared techniques for dealing with self-doubt and the inner critic. We also explored where we stand as artists in the face of Artificial Intelligence and constantly expanding technology. Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Takeaways: Trilogy Structure for Deeper Listening – TJ’s Without Mind album is being released in three parts to encourage intentional listening and build a larger sonic narrative. Music Beyond the Background – Unlike passive ambient music, Without Mind is designed to hold your attention and reshape your experience in the moment. Revisiting Old Work with Fresh Ears – After sitting unreleased for years, the project regained personal relevance when revisited in a new headspace and physical space. Letting Go of Listener Expectations – TJ challenges the idea that ambient music has to be “nice and polite,” embracing sudden changes, rhythm, and experimentation. Meditation as Creative Foundation – The concept of Without Mind stems from mindfulness: the ability to step back from thoughts and ego to access true presence. Fighting the Algorithm with Art – Releasing in parts is not only practical for listeners, but also a way to subvert algorithm-driven consumption and reclaim artistic delivery. Creative Identity Isn’t Fixed – Making something outside your norm is a valid and necessary part of your evolution as an artist. Protect Your Flow State – Comparing distractions to carrying a hammer around all day, TJ emphasizes the need to carve out nonjudgmental, focused space to create. From Critic to Collaborator – Brian and TJ reflect on treating the inner critic not as a judge, but as a collaborator—someone to notice, not obey. Art as a Portal to Awareness – Both hosts agree: making music is not just about the product—it’s about attention, presence, joy, and being human. Links: Six Missing - https://www.sixmissing.comSix Missing Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sixmissingWithout Mind by Six Missing - https://www.sixmissing.com/sounds/without-mindTJ's First Appearance on this Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/blog/tj-dumserBrian Funk Website - https://brianfunk.comMusic Production Club - https://brianfunk.com/mpc 5-Minute Music Producer - https://brianfunk.com/bookIntro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - https://brianfunk.com/blog/16-bitMusic Production Podcast - https://brianfunk.com/podcastSave 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - https://brianfunk.com/storeThis episode was edited by Animus Invidious of PerforModule - https://performodule.com/ Thank you for listening. Please review the Music Production Podcast on your favorite podcast provider! And don’t forget to visit my site https://BrianFunk.com for music production tutorials, videos, and sound packs. Brian Funk
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    59 mins

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