---
title: "Mixing, Production, and an AI Gut-Check with Harper James (Marshmello, James Bay, Frawley)"

description: "How do you break into the mixing and production world? What kind of education actually matters? And will AI take our jobs? Harper joins the pod to discuss the future of the industry and his take on music creation workflows."

status: complete

date: 2023-10-10

kind: guest

guestSlugs:
  - harper-james

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Mixing--Production--and-an-AI-Gut-Check-with-Harper-James-Marshmellow--James-Bay--Frawley-e2acp9o"

lmwUrl: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iv89C1ELR8"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mixing-production-and-an-ai-gut-check-with/id1567355195?i=1000630823960&uo=4"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ddRKegcXVFESYj70bPwhf"
youtubeUrl: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKGPd_TUFqc"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "AI"
  - "Mixing"
  - "Music production"
  - "Collaboration"
  - "Creativity"
  - "Imposter syndrome"
  - "Education in music"
  - "Creative workflows"
  - "The importance of networking"
  - "Overcoming self-doubt in music"
  - "Learning through experience"

hostNote: |
  Harper James found his people at **Electric Lady Studios**, that combination of technical obsession and genuine nerdiness that makes the engineering world click: and built from there into work with **Marshmello**, **James Bay**, and Frawley.
  
  We cover how remote mixing post-pandemic changed the collaboration model, why jazz gives you something university programs often don't (living players you can get a lesson from for $60), and what it means to understand your own voice as an engineer. His frame: "getting good is learning how your own voice works."

selectedMoments:
  - label: "Harper's introduction to mixing"
    startSec: 194
    note: "Harper's early studio experiences and the catalyst that sparked his interest in mixing."
  - label: "Transformative studio experience"
    startSec: 272
    note: "Harper describes a pivotal moment at Electric Lady Studios that shaped his career."
  - label: "Finding your tribe in music"
    startSec: 441
    note: "Feeling connected to like-minded people, the combination of creativity and nerdiness that defines the engineering community."
  - label: "The challenge of learning production"
    startSec: 1628
    note: "Harper shares his thoughts on the personal nature of learning music production."
  - label: "Navigating remote collaboration post-pandemic"
    startSec: 3196
    note: "A discussion on how remote mixing sessions have evolved since the pandemic."
  - label: "The significance of personal taste in music"
    startSec: 2199
    note: "Harper elaborates on the importance of understanding personal taste in the context of music production."
  - label: "Connecting through music as a teenager"
    startSec: 3707
    note: "Music as a portal into different perspectives, and why that matters for young listeners."
  - label: "The playful nature of working in a studio"
    startSec: 3965
    note: "Harper shares his belief in the importance of playfulness in the creative process."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "The cool thing about jazz is like you can have your favorite living jazz player you can go to their show and they'll give you a lesson for, like, $60."
    startSec: 112
    reviewed: true
  - text: "I found my people; there was a combination of creativity and like nerdiness that I felt really comfortable with."
    startSec: 443
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Getting those perspectives early in a safe way lets you connect with different people in the world."
    startSec: 3884
    reviewed: true
  - text: "The one time in your life when you don't have to do it one way or another, that's what keeps me coming back."
    startSec: 4003
    reviewed: true
  - text: "You need to like understand your own voice and how it works; that's what getting good is."
    startSec: 4128
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "What does Harper James say about the role of AI in music?"
    answer: "Harper discusses how AI is impacting creativity and the music industry, emphasizing that although AI can be a tool, it lacks the human touch essential for artistry."
  - question: "How can someone break into music production according to Harper James?"
    answer: "Harper encourages aspiring producers to focus on building genuine connections, gaining experience, and honing their unique sound in the studio."
  - question: "What is Harper James' take on mixing music?"
    answer: "He believes mixing is both an art and a science, requiring an understanding of one's personal taste and the ability to communicate effectively with artists."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---