MBP #169 Vojtech Meluzin
Vojtěch Meluzín is the founder and CEO of MeldaProduction, a Czech-based audio software company renowned for its innovative and versatile audio plugins. Born and raised in the Czech Republic, Meluzín's journey into music and technology began early. He started programming at the age of 10 and was already creating music on an Atari using Cubase by the age of 8. Meluzín pursued his passion for music and technology through formal education, culminating in a university degree where he developed a GUI system for plugins as part of his diploma work. His initial foray into audio software development was the creation of MDrummer, a project that began as a school assignment but evolved into a commercial product. Encouraged by a peer to market his creation, Meluzín improved MDrummer significantly and decided to venture into the audio plugin industry independently. Under his leadership, MeldaProduction has grown to offer over 120 plugins, including the flagship MSoundFactory and MTurboComp. Meluzín is known for his hands-on approach, having developed the company's custom framework without relying on third-party SDKs, allowing for complete control and optimization. He emphasizes innovation over imitation, often critiquing the industry's focus on analog emulation and instead leveraging digital capabilities to create unique audio processing tools. Meluzín's work is characterized by a commitment to pushing the boundaries of audio software, integrating machine learning and advanced algorithms to enhance functionality and user experience. His dedication to quality and innovation has positioned MeldaProduction as a respected name in the audio production community. Vojtech Meluzin Links Mr. Bill’s Links
24 Apr 1h 15min
MBP #168 Rodrigo Constanzo
Rodrigo Constanzo makes art. He thinks this is an important thing to do. The art he makes is generally smeared in time, in the form of music. He improvises and acts as an antennae to the beauty, electricity, and endless surprise that is living a crazy life. He composes and tries to create new sounds, interactions and behaviors that he finds interesting and challenging. He performs his own music and the music of others on a variety of instruments, with close friends. He believes in magic. He believes in sharing things. He believes in teaching. He believes in openness. He loves sweet jams, and avoids speaking with a complicated vocabulary as much as possible. He tries to live as presently and honestly as possible. Rodrigo Constanzo Links Mr. Bill’s Links
3 Apr 54min
MBP #167 Steve Duda
In this highly anticipated episode, we sit down with legendary sound designer and software developer Steve Duda, the mastermind behind Xfer Records and the groundbreaking synthesizer plugin Serum. Renowned for pushing the boundaries of digital audio, Steve has garnered a cult following among producers worldwide—from chart-topping EDM acts to film score composers—for his meticulous attention to sound quality and user experience. Now, with the release of Serum 2, Steve takes us behind the scenes of its development, sharing insights into the new features, workflow enhancements, and the innovative technology that will redefine the way creators craft their sounds. Tune in to learn about the challenges of maintaining Serum’s signature clarity while incorporating cutting-edge functionalities, the surprising inspirations that influenced its design, and how community feedback played a key role in shaping the next generation of this beloved synthesizer. Whether you’re a seasoned music producer, a synth enthusiast, or just curious about the future of sound creation, this episode promises a deep dive into the art and science of synthesis with one of the industry’s leading visionaries. Steve Duda Links Mr. Bill’s Links
18 Mars 1h 21min
MBP #166 Benn Jordan
BIO: Benn Jordan’s career began in the late 1990’s as a recording artist most widely released under the moniker “The Flashbulb”. A decade later, Benn would become synonymous with artist advocacy after he purchased his music rights back from record labels,formed a non-profit publisher, and challenged the early models of digital music distribution by using peer-to-peer file transfers instead of iTunes. This led to Benn being a consultant for Bandcamp before the service launched in 2007. After expanding his non-profit to carry a music education school and community center in Chicago, Benn moved to the Atlanta area in 2017 and started what has now become one of the most popular YouTube channels in the pro-audio and audio technology space. The channel now exists under Benn’s non-profit umbrella and funds data-science and the never ending challenge of finding ethical business models that can make the music business easier to navigate for artists and creators. During this time his unique relationship with audio-related businesses and organizations expanded as fast as his amount of viewers and public reach. Benn Jordan doesn’t exactly keep it a secret that he’s discontent with the way independent artists have been treated by the tech industry, and he is very proactive about getting ahead of the curve and attempting to help write and set ethical standards for AI audio technology, and holds patents in technology fighting the non-consensual training of generative AI. Ben Jordan Links Mr. Bill’s Links
6 Mars 1h 29min
MBP #165 Curtis Roads
Curtis Roads creates and pursues research in music technology. He is Professor Emeritus of Media Arts and Technology (MAT) and in Music at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he also managed the Center for Research in Electronic Art Technology (CREATE). He studied composition at California Institute of the Arts and the University of California, San Diego and received a Doctorate from the Université Paris 8. A researcher at MIT for six years, he also taught at Harvard and the University of Naples "Federico Due." He was Editor and Associate Editor of Computer Music Journal (The MIT Press) from 1978 to 2000, and cofounded the International Computer Music Association (ICMA) in 1979. His album POINT LINE CLOUD was reissued in 2019 by Presto Records. His album Flicker Tone Pulse (2019) was published on DVD by Wergo (Schott Musik). The textbook The Computer Music Tutorial, Second Edition (The MIT Press) appeared in 2023. Curtis Roads Links Mr. Bills Links
20 Feb 59min
MBP #164 Funk The Empire
Funk the Empire is a Dubstep Producer out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. His production style blends classic dubstep with the nostalgic sound of 80’s synth-funk including live instrumentation and modern sound design. He’s released music on labels such as Circus Records, Headband Society, and The GlitchHop Community. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Middle Tennessee State University where he studied philosophy, law, and criminal Justice. He’s currently enrolled at the University of Tennessee School of Law in Knoxville, TN, studying to become a criminal defense attorney. The Funk Capacitor EP is out now on Circus Records! Funk The Empire Links Mr. Bill’s Links
23 Jan 1h 1min
MBP #163 Matt Davis
BIO: Head Engineer at Hacienda Mastering. Principle Designer at Hacienda Acoustics. Professor at Full Sail University. Founder, curator, and FOH at Reference Sessions. Occasional front of house engineer for Jade Cicada, Detox Unit, and Mickman. Unrepentant shitposter. Matt Davis Links https://lnk.to/163mattdavis Mr. Bill’s Links
9 Jan 1h 35min
MBP #162 Ainonow
Ainonow is an interdisciplinary and enigmatic artist focused on electronic music production. His musical journey began playing the viola in an orchestra at the age of nine, where he began to fall in love with music. However, the classical world alone was not enough to satisfy his musical curiosity. Swirling in and out of bands while playing bass guitar, he experimented with different styles until eventually discovering underground electronic music and hip hop. Inspired by the hypnotic beats and hard-hitting bass of these genres, he dove into electronic music production and the infinite timbres permitted by this new approach to music creation. On his critically acclaimed, debut two-track EP Exile Ainonow showcased some of his range in the genre of drum & bass starting out with the title track Exile, an industrial, raw, and ruthlessly rhythmic minimal jungle track. The second track of the EP, Triturate, then launches into a meticulously layered, high energy neurofunk song that holds nothing back. He followed up his debut release with Bedlam, a deep neuro drum & bass song blending sinister soundscapes with aggressive beats and haunting melodies, alongside fellow artist Slaythoven. Now, he has released yet another single, Forlorn, a liquid roller drum & bass track that plays heavily with tension and release, combining intricate beats and ambient textures. With such a diverse background and range of influences, Ainonow's tracks traverse a broad spectrum of sonic landscapes. Combining elements of dark and heavy drum & bass, broken beat halftime and experimental bass music, he takes his listeners on a musical journey soaked in organic textures. As one of the most forward-thinking, rising artists in the world of underground electronic music, Ainonow’s music speaks to the power of experimentation and the limitless possibilities of creative expression. Ainonow Links Mr. Bill’s Links
26 Dec 202437min