Peter Craft: Intentionality is Everything

Peter Craft is the owner and chief engineer of Boxer Lodge, a destination recording studio in the hills above Napa Valley. A former software engineer and patent-holding tech architect, Craft left that career to build records full time, first from a San Francisco garage and now from a purpose-built studio centered on a 32-channel API 1608 console. He's engineered and mixed for Noelle & The Deserters, New Earth Farmers, and Strange Cities, and in 2024 hosted a session for reunited trip-hop pioneers Halou. A lifelong drummer, Craft often plays on the records he's running the board for.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:Owning a destination studioLeaving a successful job to follow your passionsTaking a chance on yourself to lean into your passionsThe importance of connecting to your communityThe pros and cons of niching downThe one question he asks before touching a single faderWhy copying a famous mixer's exact chain rarely worksWhat two mixers with completely opposite styles taught him about staying in his laneThe specific mistake that made his guitars sound thin for yearsFeeling connected to analog gearKnowing your genres before trackingHaving a North Star to followCreating contrast in a mixChoosing reverbs for vibe versus filling spaceWhy piling on reverb can shrink your mix instead of opening it upBeing intentional with every decisionHis parallel vocal chain To learn more about Peter Craft, visit: boxerlodge.comLooking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes?Check out my coaching program Amplitude and apply to join:https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/ Want additional help with your music productions?For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit: https://masteryourmix.com/Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books:The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.comThe Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/Get the latest plugins from Carve Audio:Smashburger Compressor: https://carveaudio.com/smashburger/Busboy: https://carveaudio.com/busboy/Slapshot: https://carveaudio.com/slapshot/Gas Can Amp: https://carveaudio.com/gas-can-amp/ALL PODCAST LISTENERS GET 25% OFF. USE PROMO CODE: PODCAST25Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2KSubscribe to the show:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJejYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/@MasterYourMixHave questions you’d like answered on the show?Send them to questions@masteryourmix.comPlease leave a rating and review:https://masteryourmix.com/review/Thanks for listening!