Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
McDSP APB brings real analogue processing into your DAW with total session recall. In this video, we explain what McDSP APB is, why engineers use it, and how the new DC-2 Dual Compressor fits into the workflow.
If you've seen McDSP APB mentioned and wondered whether it is just expensive outboard with a plugin wrapper, this is the part worth understanding. APB is a programmable analogue processor that gives you up to 16 channels of real analogue compression and saturation, controlled directly from plugin instances in your DAW. That means you get the sound and behavior of analogue hardware, but with settings saved inside the session. For hybrid mixing engineers, that is the real hook.
We look at the McDSP DC-2 Dual Compressor, including its FET, VCA, and Optical modes, series or parallel configurations, onboard EQ, saturation options, and unusually flexible sidechain HPF settings. The video also shows the DC-2 in action on drums, so you can hear what this kind of analogue control looks like in a practical mix context.
If you're researching a McDSP APB review, trying to understand programmable analogue processing, or deciding whether the DC-2 is a meaningful addition to the APB platform, this should give you a clear overview.
Gear / products mentioned:
▶ McDSP APB - mcdsp.com/apb
▶ McDSP DC-2 Dual Compressor - mcdsp.com/apb/dc-2-dual-compressor
Related videos / further reading:
▶ production-expert.com/production-expert-1/mcdsp-apb-dc-2-does-this-dual-compressor-earn-its-slots
#McDSPAPB #McDSPDC2 #AnalogProcessing #hybridmixing
McDSP APB brings real analogue processing into your DAW with total session recall. In this video, we explain what McDSP APB is, why engineers use it, and how the new DC-2 Dual Compressor fits into the workflow.
If you've seen McDSP APB mentioned and wondered whether it is just expensive outboard with a plugin wrapper, this is the part worth understanding. APB is a programmable analogue processor that gives you up to 16 channels of real analogue compression and saturation, controlled directly from plugin instances in your DAW. That means you get the sound and behavior of analogue hardware, but with settings saved inside the session. For hybrid mixing engineers, that is the real hook.
We look at the McDSP DC-2 Dual Compressor, including its FET, VCA, and Optical modes, series or parallel configurations, onboard EQ, saturation options, and unusually flexible sidechain HPF settings. The video also shows the DC-2 in action on drums, so you can hear what this kind of analogue control looks like in a practical mix context.
If you're researching a McDSP APB review, trying to understand programmable analogue processing, or deciding whether the DC-2 is a meaningful addition to the APB platform, this should give you a clear overview.
Gear / products mentioned:
▶ McDSP APB - mcdsp.com/apb
▶ McDSP DC-2 Dual Compressor - mcdsp.com/apb/dc-2-dual-compressor
Related videos / further reading:
▶ production-expert.com/production-expert-1/mcdsp-apb-dc-2-does-this-dual-compressor-earn-its-slots
#McDSPAPB #McDSPDC2 #AnalogProcessing #hybridmixing

![No More Labels. Grammy Winning Mixer & Producer Matt Lawrence On The Music Industry For Studios, ...
In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Matt Lawrence, a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer who has worked on some of the most influential records of the past 20 years. In this first part of a two-part conversation, Matt discusses his journey into the audio industry, his perspective on the current state of the music industry in 2026, and how the landscape has changed for studios, artists, and record labels over his career.
Matt brings invaluable insights from two decades of working at the highest levels of music production, having mixed and produced records that have shaped contemporary music across multiple genres. Whether youre an aspiring audio engineer, a music producer, an artist navigating the modern music industry, or a label executive seeking perspective on industry dynamics, this conversation provides honest, experienced insights into how the music business is evolving and what it takes to build a sustainable career in professional audio production. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode exploring the past, present, and future of the music industry.
In This Episode:
• Career Journey into Audio Production - How Matt Lawrence got started in the audio industry, the path that led to Grammy recognition, and the formative experiences that shaped his career as a mixer and producer
• Work on Influential Records - Overview of Matts extensive discography and the iconic projects hes contributed to over the past 20 years in mixing and production
• The Evolution of the Music Industry (2006-2026) - How the music industry has transformed over the past two decades, changes in recording technology, distribution, and the business model for artists and labels
• The Role of Studios in Modern Music Production - What studios look like in 2026, how the role of physical recording spaces has changed, and why certain aspects of professional studios remain invaluable
• Artists Navigating the Current Landscape - The challenges and opportunities for musicians and artists in 2026, from recording and production to promotion and distribution
• Record Labels and Industry Structure - How record labels are adapting to the modern music ecosystem, their changing role, and what sustainable relationships look like between labels, artists, and production professionals
• Technology and Production Innovation - Advancements in recording technology, production tools, and mixing techniques that have emerged over Matts 20-year career
• Professional Insights from Industry Veterans - Lessons learned, perspectives on what it takes to succeed in professional audio, and honest assessment of the current state of music production
About Our Guest:
Matt Lawrence:
Matt Lawrence is a Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer with an extensive career spanning over two decades in professional music production. His work has touched some of the most influential records released over the past 20 years, earning him recognition and respect throughout the music industry. With deep experience working across multiple genres and with diverse artists and labels, Lawrence brings authentic perspective on how the music industry operates and the evolution of music production in the modern era.
About Our Host:
Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden).
Resources & Links Mentioned
• Matt Lawrence - Grammy Award-winning mixer, producer, and engineer
• Genelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio (https://www.genelec.com/unio)
Subscribe & Follow
Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on:
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube
• All major podcast platforms
Follow us:
• Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast]
• Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com]
Sponsorship
This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If youve ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelecs UniO monitoring ecosystem. By providing a seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring, UniO allows you to quickly create great sounding mixes that translate consistently wherever you choose to work. No more guesswork, no more surprises — just truthful, accurate audio monitoring from stereo to immersive. Visit genelec.com/unio to learn more.
Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part episode with Matt Lawrence exploring the music industry landscape of 2026 and his insights on studios, artists, and ... No More Labels. Grammy Winning Mixer & Producer Matt Lawrence On The Music Industry For Studios, ...](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kiQSz13yMzM/mqdefault.jpg)








![Dont Fret, We Welcome Your Feedback. (With Fender/PreSonus)
Description
In this podcast episode Ashea is joined by Arnd Kaiser, Product Designer Strategist at Fender Musical Instruments, and Tony Carridi, Global Revenue and Go-To-Market Executive at Fender PreSonus. Together they discuss the strategic rebrand of Fender Studio, exploring what this evolution means for music producers, audio engineers, and musicians using Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software.
This conversation goes beyond the surface-level rebrand to explore the vision driving Fenders entry into the DAW market, the future of music production software, and what producers should expect from Fender Studio going forward. Whether youre a guitarist, music producer, audio engineer, or just curious about the future of music production tools, this episode provides insider insights into one of the music industrys most iconic brands strategic move into professional music production software. Discover why this rebrand matters, what innovations are coming, and why Fender Studio is positioning itself as a game-changer in the competitive DAW landscape.
In This Episode:
• The Fender Studio Rebrand Strategy - Understanding the vision behind Fenders rebrand and repositioning of their DAW product, and what strategic decisions led to this major announcement
• Product Design & User Experience Focus - How Fender approaches product design strategy to create intuitive, professional-grade music production software that serves both beginners and experienced producers
• Expanding Beyond Guitarists - Why Fender Studio is positioning itself as a tool for all music creators, not just guitarists, and how this broadens the addressable market for the product
• The Future of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) - Industry perspective on where DAW technology is headed, emerging features, and competitive dynamics in the music production software market
• Go-To-Market Strategy & Industry Positioning - Insights into how Fender is launching and marketing Fender Studio to different segments of the music production community
• Innovation in Music Production Tools - The technological innovations and features that make Fender Studio a compelling option in a crowded DAW marketplace
• Collaboration Between Fender & PreSonus - How the partnership between Fender Musical Instruments and PreSonus creates synergies and advantages for Fender Studio users
• What Inspires Professional Audio Engineers - Personal insights from industry executives about what drives their passion for music production and innovation in the field
About Our Guests:
Arnd Kaiser:
Arnd Kaiser is a Product Designer Strategist at Fender Musical Instruments, responsible for shaping the vision and strategic direction of Fenders product offerings in the music production software space. With expertise in product design and strategic planning, Kaiser brings deep understanding of how to create tools that resonate with musicians and producers across different skill levels and genres.
Tony Carridi:
Tony Carridi is a Global Revenue and Go-To-Market Executive at Fender PreSonus, overseeing the commercial strategy and market positioning of Fender Studio. With extensive experience in revenue growth and market strategy, Carridi brings insights into how Fender is approaching the competitive music production software market and building a sustainable business around innovative music tools.
About Our Host:
Ashea is a platinum-selling songwriter, music producer, and audio engineer from the UK. With credits spanning notable artists, major labels, and prestigious broadcasters, Ashea brings authentic conversations between industry professionals to the Production Expert Podcast. Credits & Placements Include… Alan Walker, Holy Goof, TS7, Billy Da Kid (Kiss FM), Steve Smart (Kiss FM), The Wideboys, MER, Sony Music, 2Tone Records, BBC, SVT1 (Sweden).
Resources & Links Mentioned
• Fender Studio - Fenders professional music production DAW software. Visit: fender.com/studio (https://www.fender.com/studio)
• PreSonus - Digital audio workstation and music production technology company. Visit: presonus.com (https://www.presonus.com)
• Fender Musical Instruments - Iconic manufacturer of guitars and music production equipment. Visit: fender.com (https://www.fender.com)
• Genelec UniO Monitoring Ecosystem - Professional audio monitoring solution providing seamless bridge between loudspeaker and headphone monitoring for consistent mix translation. Visit: genelec.com/unio (https://www.genelec.com/unio)
Subscribe & Follow
Subscribe to the Production Expert Podcast on:
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube
• All major podcast platforms
Follow us:
• Instagram: [@production_expert_podcast]
• Website: [productionexpertpodcast.com]
Sponsorship
This episode is brought to you by Genelec. If youve ever been disappointed with the way your mixes sound on other playback systems, check out Genelecs UniO monitoring ecosystem. ... Dont Fret, We Welcome Your Feedback. (With Fender/PreSonus)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/neiMC5nggZw/mqdefault.jpg)