RSR531 - Justin Francis - Mixing Grammy Winners on AirPods, Producing Records That Feel Great
Recording Studio Rockstars
Lij Shaw
4.8 • 543 Ratings
🗓️ 7 November 2025
⏱️ 115 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Ever mix a Grammy-winning track on AirPods? Justin Francis did - and he's back to share killer tips on mixing in the box, vocal stacking, pedalboard tricks, and keeping the studio vibe fun. Get ready to level up your mixes and laugh along the way!
Get access to FREE mixing mini-course: https://MixMasterBundle.com
My guest today is Justin Francis, a Grammy award-winning engineer, mixer, and producer with a talent for channeling deep emotion through sound. Justin brings a creative, artist-first approach to every session, working across many genres - from Sheryl Crow and Kacey Musgraves to Tyler Childers, Lake Street Dive, Justin Timberlake, Madison Cunningham, Gary Clark Jr., Sarah Jarosz, and Lauren Daigle.
Originally from western Pennsylvania and now a long-time fixture in the Nashville music scene, Justin has earned a reputation for his innovative techniques and dedication to serving the song. He's been on the show before in episodes RSR220 and RSR280, and I'm psyched to have him back again today.
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Listen to this guest's discography on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5V5goiVEMHTiv1mmhPbuSu?si=F1djvCk1R1mgDFCpzkj5LQ
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This episode of Recording Studio Rockstars is brought to you by Isotope, Native Instruments, |
| 0:06.7 | S-A-E- Institute, Adam Audio, Spectra-1964, and Picker. |
| 0:12.9 | In fact, you're hearing my voice right now, recorded through a Spectra-1964 STX-100 mic-Pree, |
| 0:20.6 | and mixed with Isotope, ozone, and RX on atom audio monitors and headphones. |
| 0:27.4 | Grab my free mixing course at Mixmaster Bundle with the link in the show notes below, |
| 0:33.1 | and please make sure to visit our fantastic sponsors also in the show notes and like and subscribe to our YouTube channel because it's a great way to help support this show. |
| 0:44.1 | Now get ready to rock. |
| 0:47.6 | I've been trying to find a couple different ways to defocus while I'm mixing, you know, not to just kind of blur the line between you, |
| 0:57.8 | I'm sitting here, I'm listening to a great set of speakers, and I'm listening for problems. |
| 1:02.1 | Yeah, yeah. |
| 1:02.8 | And just trying to look at the big picture, you know, it's like I always equated to like one of |
| 1:09.1 | those magic eye paintings where you, you know, you're zoomed in real close and it's all just white noise but if you can just step back you'll see the sailboat yeah all of all of a sudden it pops out in 3D I've got one of those books down in the studio actually Welcome to Recording Studio Rockstars. I'm Lid Shaw and this is the podcast created to help you become a rock star of the recording studio. |
| 1:53.9 | Rockstars, are you ready to unlock the full potential of your mixes and masters? |
| 1:57.8 | Then you need isotope ozone 12. |
| 2:03.8 | This complete tool set gives you 20 pro modules including the new base control, |
| 2:14.0 | Unlimiter, and StemiQ, plus the IRC5 Maximizer for loud, clean mixes and masters without distortion, |
| 2:20.6 | including the new mastering assistant that guides not decides so you are always in control. Go to isotope.com and use the code Rock 10 for 10% off. |
| 2:29.1 | Howdy Rockstars? It's your host, Lid, Sean. Welcome back to Recording Studio. Rockstar is bringing |
| 2:33.9 | you into the studio to learn from recording professionals so that you can make your best record ever and be a rock star of the studio yourself. |
| 2:40.2 | My guest today is Justin Francis, a Grammy award-winning engineer, mixer, and producer with a talent for channeling deep emotion through sound. |
| 2:49.1 | Justin brings a creative artist's first approach to every |
| 2:51.9 | session working across many genres from Cheryl Crowe and Casey Musgraves to Tyler Childers, |
... |
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