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Toru - Host of the ProducerHead Podcast

Music Production Podcast

Release Date: 06/16/2025

Tommy Zee - Stop Drinking from the Infinite Well show art Tommy Zee - Stop Drinking from the Infinite Well

Music Production Podcast

Tommy Zee runs Tommy Zee and Co., a music production company that creates music for some of the world’s largest brands like Nike, Adidas, Google, Sony, and more. He also runs Making Music for Brands, a platform where he teaches producers how to build careers creating music for commercial projects. This is the fourth time I’ve had Tommy on the podcast, and every time we talk, I walk away feeling inspired and energized. In this episode, we talk about the evolving role of artists in a world increasingly shaped by AI and automation. We explore how commercial work shaped Tommy’s...

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Tom Cosm - Telepathic Instruments Co-Founder and Ableton Certified Trainer show art Tom Cosm - Telepathic Instruments Co-Founder and Ableton Certified Trainer

Music Production Podcast

Tom Cosm is an electronic musician, Ableton Certified Trainer, and the technical co-founder of Telepathic Instruments. Widely known for his early Ableton Live tutorials and inventive use of hacked gear, Tom has built a reputation as a true audio mad scientist—transforming data, brainwaves, and even bugs into expressive sound. In this conversation, Tom shares his journey from early YouTube educator to the co-creator of Orchid, a new instrument, dreamt up by Tame Impala's Kevin Parker, built to spark musical ideas with immediacy and joy. We explore the evolution of his creative philosophy, how...

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Plug-in Development and Live Performance with Soap Audio's Tom Carpenter show art Plug-in Development and Live Performance with Soap Audio's Tom Carpenter

Music Production Podcast

Tom Carpenter is a musician, producer, and plug-in developer. He is currently on tour with his 3-piece indie electronic band, Moon Tower. Tom is a co-founder of Soap Audio, who recently released Soap Voice Cleaner, a plug-in designed to easily clean up spoke word audio. I spoke with Tom about his tour, Moon Tower, and Soap Voice Cleaner. Tom shared his thoughts on creativity and collaboration in both a band setting and as a programmer. We also explored how Tom has found multiple avenues to build a career in the music industry. This episode is sponsored by Baby Audio and their new plug-in...

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#410: Your Best Music is Dying: 10 Habits of Prolific Music Producers show art #410: Your Best Music is Dying: 10 Habits of Prolific Music Producers

Music Production Podcast

Is your best music not getting made? Do you struggle through the process?  This video contains 10 habits of prolific music producers. Adopt them into your music making and let your best music come to life! Every time we make music is a unique and special experience. We will never be in exactly the same place again. We have to take advantage of each moment we get otherwise, that music will never get made.  Listen on , ,  Takeaways: Every music creation moment is unique and special. Prolific music production requires consistent practice. Don't wait for the perfect...

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Ableton Certified Trainer Side Brain show art Ableton Certified Trainer Side Brain

Music Production Podcast

Yeuda Ben Atar, aka Side Brain, is one of the most knowledgable and prolific Ableton Certified Trainers out there. He recently released his 100th weekly episode of his music production Study Group. He’s got some exciting new Ableton Live tools, such as his Push Trigger FX, MIDI Bounce, and Flin for Push. We spoke about his teaching and work and his liberating position on releasing music. We discussed some of the challenges and benefits of AI in music production and technology.  Check out Side Brain’s Live 12.3 new features Free online workshop RSVP here:  Side Brain is hosting...

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Sarah Belle Reid - Learning Sound and Synthesis show art Sarah Belle Reid - Learning Sound and Synthesis

Music Production Podcast

Sarah Belle Reid is a trumpet player, composer, educator, and sonic explorer whose work combines classical performance, experimental electronics, and modular synthesis. With a background in conservatory training and a fearless embrace of improvisation and technology, Sarah’s music blurs boundaries—merging extended trumpet techniques, custom-built software, and handcrafted synth patches into deeply expressive, often otherworldly performances. It's great to have Sarah back on the Music Production Podcast! We talk about music as a practice, the joys of unpredictability in modular synthesis,...

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Mixerman and the Ultimate Guide to Producing Records, Music, and Songs show art Mixerman and the Ultimate Guide to Producing Records, Music, and Songs

Music Production Podcast

Mixerman (Eric Sarafin) is a gold and platinum-selling producer, mixer, engineer, and author whose credits include The Pharcyde, Ben Harper, Spearhead, Lifehouse, Barenaked Ladies, and Foreigner. Known for his no-nonsense approach and razor-sharp insights, Mixerman has spent decades working at the highest levels of the industry—both in iconic L.A. studios and now from his mountain home studio in Asheville, NC. In this episode, Mixerman and I dive deep into the role of the producer—what it really means, how it differs from mixing and engineering, and why musical vision always trumps...

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The ONLY Secret to Making Music... show art The ONLY Secret to Making Music...

Music Production Podcast

There's really only one secret I can tell you that will help you make more music, have more fun making it, and leave you more satisfied with what you make.  Work Fast.  Listen on , , Links: Adam Rokhsar on the Music Production Podcast - Some Good Evil The Master Plan EP - Brian Funk Website - Music Production Club -   5-Minute Music Producer - Intro Music Made with 16-Bit Ableton Live Pack - Music Production Podcast - Save 25% on Ableton Live Packs at my store with the code: PODCAST - Thank you for listening.  Please review the Music Production Podcast on your...

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The Art of Mastering with Oscar Zambrano show art The Art of Mastering with Oscar Zambrano

Music Production Podcast

Oscar Zambrano is a mastering engineer and the founder of Zampol Productions, a New York City studio known for mastering an impressive range of records—from Spotify Singles to avant-garde jazz to Broadway cast albums. With 20 years in the industry, Oscar has become a go-to name for artists who want their music treated with care, precision, and a deep understanding of both the technical and artistic sides of mastering. In this episode, Oscar and I explore the art and philosophy of mastering—from quality control and loudness wars to the vinyl revival and the evolving role of mastering in the...

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Aqeel Aadam - Making Plug-ins for the Curious and Open-Minded show art Aqeel Aadam - Making Plug-ins for the Curious and Open-Minded

Music Production Podcast

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...

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More Episodes

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, SpotifyYouTube

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.

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