Stephen DeAcutis has been working professionally as a mixer, producer, engineer, writer, and performer since the early 1980’s, having honed his skills and training under such studio heavyweights as Andy Wallace (Rage Against the Machine, Nirvana), Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith), and Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne) amassing credits that include such acts as Vanilla Fudge, Gladys Knight, Travers and Appice, Corey Glover, and Cyndi Lauper, to name a few.He has been contracted by Sony, Interscope, LaFace, Miramax, Columbia, MTV, The Speed Channel, ESPN, Discovery, and numerous others.  From hard hitting rock and pop to death metal and country, you'll find few more experienced and musically intuitive than Stephen DeAcutis.The achievements of mixing and production specialist Stephen DeAcutis have spanned decades, taken on several roles, and manifested into a diverse number of musical genres. But the common thread throughout these accomplishments has been the artist-friendly attention to detail and dedication of the man collaborators affectionately call “Stevie D.”As the founder and operator of Sound Spa Productions, Stephen has applied his craft as a mixer, producer, engineer, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist to help guide and realize the visions of some of the industry’s most elite artists and musicians.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:Taking the time to get sounds right at the sourceWhy “fixing it in the mix” doesn’t workAchieving a “meter-stick” mixDrum replacementWhy putting limitations on yourself can actually make for better resultsCreating efficiencies with an analog setupHow recording at the same levels every single time can improve your speedReducing the number of decisions you need to make while mixingRecording guitars with DIsFinding the optimal mic positioning with guitar ampsTo learn more about Stephen DeAcutis, visit http://www.soundspa.net/Looking 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.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Check out our Sponsors:Download Waves Plugins here: https://waves.alzt.net/EK3G2K Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-your-mix-podcast/id1240842781 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5V4xtrWSnpA5e9L67QcJej  Have 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!