Libsyn Directory

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

Release Date: 06/30/2025

Mixing, Mastering, and Staying Creative with Mike Nikou

Music Production Podcast

Mike Nikou is the owner of Mic Nix Productions, a studio based in Adelaide, South Australia. He specialises in mixing, mastering, and full song production. Mike and I discussed how he began playing in rock bands and found his love of recording and production. We discussed how music making has changed and continues to evolve. Mike spoke in-depth about his mixing and mastering workflow and philosophy. This episode comes with a free download courtesy of Mike! . This episode is dedicated to (not sponsored by!) Darwin Audio and his awesome vintage soda/beer can microphones: ...

Better Than Ezra's Kevin Griffin on Songwriting and Ethical AI

Music Production Podcast

Kevin Griffin is the frontman of Better Than Ezra, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, and Co-founder of a new artist-built AI music platform Soundbreak. Better Than Ezra contributed to the soundtrack of the 90’s with hits like “Good” and “In the Blood.” Kevin’s music has been performed and recorded by artists like Meatloaf, Taylor Swift, and Blondie. Kevin and I spoke in depth about the art and magic of songwriting , collaborating, and touching peoples’ lives with music. We discussed the future of AI music and how his company Soundbreak is helping artists license their musical...

Developing an Authentic Sound with David Paul Newell

Music Production Podcast

David Paul Newell is a musician, producer, and one half of the electronic music duo Midnight Mystery Club. David worked as an audio engineer in Nashville for Brantley Sound Associates. He’s been a ghost writer in European House music. Midnight Mystery Club’s has a new single “I Only Have Eyes for You” coming out April 3rd. David and I talked about his experience in music production and developing an authentic, interesting sound. In this episode, you’ll hear Midnight Mystery Club’s new single and learned about its creation. Listen on , , Links: Midnight Mystery...

Creative Enthusiasm and Staying Inspired with Amani Roberts

Music Production Podcast

Amani Roberts is a DJ, Professor, Author, and Artist Coach. Amani teaches music business at Cal State Fullerton and helps artists reach their creative dreams. Amani is the author of DJs Mean Business and The Quiet Storm, a historical look at R&B Groups. Amani and I discussed the challenges artists face from creating music to releasing and sharing it with the world. Amani has powerful insights that can help musicians develop a strong body of work, while making constant progress and enthusiasm in their craft. Listen on , , Links: Amani's Website - Amani's Coaching - ...

My 5 Biggest Music Production Problems and Their Solutions

Music Production Podcast

Have you ever felt like the more you learn about music production, the harder it actually gets to finish a song? You aren't alone. In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 biggest mental blocks I’ve faced, from "tutorial paralysis" to the crushing weight of trying to be a "Great Artist," and the practical shifts I used to break through them. After 6 years of the Jamuary challenge, I’ve learned that the secret to finishing more music isn't a new plugin or more music theory; it’s about moving from a romanticized "Artist" identity to a prolific "Maker" mindset. In this episode, we...

Matt Tinkler - The Path to Creative Independence

Music Production Podcast

Matt Tinkler is a musician, educator, and Ableton Certified Trainer. He runs a the Aspect Music Academy and makes music as Chronitect. Matt’s YouTube channel is a great resource for learning music production and creative workflows. Matt and I spoke in depth about the creative process and how he makes music. He shared his 5 I’s of Ideation workflow, as well as how he helps students turn their ideas into finished tracks. I’ve been following Matt’s work for a long time and it was a lot of fun speaking with him. Enrollments for Matt's Aspect Music Academy's 24-week structured...

Blankfor.ms and Aqeel Aadam - Collaborating, Production, Plug-in Making

Music Production Podcast

Aqeel Aadam is the founder of Aqeel Aadam Sound plug-ins and Tyler Gilmore makes music as Blankfor.ms. Aqeel and Tyler have just released Outgrowth, a sample-based plug-in and iOS app. Outgrowth allows you to manipulate and reimagine samples in playful and unique way. Aqeel and Tyler spoke to me about their collaboration on the new plug-in, and how they came to work together. We covered the creative process of developing plug-ins and some of the artistic choices and sacrifices made to help create a device that is inspiring and deep without being overwhelming. Tyler discussed the inspiration...

Brad Barr on Songwriting, Human Imperfections, and Minimalism

Music Production Podcast

Brad Barr is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and, along with his brother Andrew, is half of the Americana, folk-rock group the Barr Brothers. The Barr Brothers just released their new album, Let it Hiss, which has a more vulnerable, stripped-down sound that embraces human imperfection and spirit. Brad and I had a great conversation about songwriting and the production of the Barr Brothers’ new album Let it Hiss. Brad shared how a minimalist approach, including a 4-string guitar, helped guide the songwriting and production of the new record. Brad even demonstrated his polyester...

7 Tips for a Successful #Jamuary2026

Music Production Podcast

It's time for Jamuary, a challenge to create music and share it each day during the month of January. Jamuary is a powerful way to start your year with a creative bang! In this episode, I share 7 tips that will help you make the most of Jamuary and maximize your productivity and creativity! Listen on , , Links: Join the Music Production Club! - My free #jamuary2026 Prompts - My #Jamuary2026 Playlist - Music Production Club #Jamuary2026 Playlist - 31x Your Creativity with Jamuary 2025 - Don't Lose Twice and 3 Book Recommendations - Jamuary Lessons - ...

How to Keep Creating When Life Gets Busy with Joshua Blum

Music Production Podcast

Joshua Blum is the host of The Thirteenth Hour Podcast, a show about the creative process as it relates to writing, music, and imagination. He’s also the author of The Thirteenth Hour, a fantasy adventure novel, and the creator of Once Upon a Dream—an 80’s-inspired synth soundtrack to accompany the book. Josh builds a rich creative world around his stories, blending music, writing, and visual art to tell bigger, immersive narratives. In this conversation, we talk about the routines, strategies, and mindset shifts that help Josh stay creative while managing the demands of everyday life....

More Episodes

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.

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