Episode 8 - Better Than Good: Pride, Precision, and the Human Side of Studio Work

In this episode of Hanging Out with Chops, I share a recent session that reminded me how much pride and detail can transform the recording process. I received a session from another studio where every track was clearly labeled, every section laid out with care, and the engineer’s touch was impossible to miss. It didn’t just make my job easier—it inspired me.

We’ll talk about why it’s not enough to just be good—why going beyond expectations and thinking outside the box sets you apart. I share how I prepared horn charts for a session, why understanding instruments in different keys (like alto sax in Eb and trumpet in Bb) saves time and builds trust, and most importantly, how the human side of engineering matters just as much as the technical.

I close with a story about how one careless moment hurt a singer’s confidence—and the reminder that we all need to “be cool” in the studio. At the end of the day, great engineering isn’t just about the music. It’s about the people.