Girls Twiddling Knobs
The #1 feminist music tech podcast, featuring deep-diving episodes into all things music production and home recording and fascinating guest episodes with women making music with technology, hosted by Isobel Anderson.
Episodes
EP#110: The Final Episode: Goodbye Girls Twiddling Knobs
Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean to keep making, caring and staying human when everything feels like it’s falling apart?In this final episode of the Girls Twiddling Knobs podcast, Isobel Anderson speaks directly and unfiltered to you, the listeners, with honesty, clarity and care.This is not a neat goodbye or a highlight reel. It is a reckoning. A permission slip. And a series of parting truths o
EP#109: Why I'm Closing Girls Twiddling Knobs: Isobel spills the tea with special guest Rosie Bans
Send us Fan MailIn this deeply honest and reflective conversation, Isobel Anderson is joined by musician, educator and Radical Songwriting founder Rosie Bans to talk openly about the full journey of Girls Twiddling Knobs, from its beginnings as The Female DIY Musician to the decision to close the project after five years.This episode exists because this story was too complex, emotional and importa
EP#108: 'Ask Me Anything': Isobel answers ALL your questions live on the podcast
Send us Fan Mailn this Ask Me Anything episode of the Girls Twiddling Knobs podcast, Isobel Anderson answers listener questions spanning music careers, collaboration, production, business sustainability, sound art, and gender equity in the music industry.Recorded as one of the final episodes before Girls Twiddling Knobs comes to a close, this conversation is candid, thoughtful, and deeply reflecti
EP#107: Music Tech & Gender Today: Live from Strongroom Studios
Send us Fan MailThe room glowed with warm orange light, a full house gathered to celebrate five years of Girls Twiddling Knobs and to witness a bold closing chapter. We brought a live panel to the stage to ask a deceptively simple question: are music technology skills truly crucial for women and gender-diverse artists? What followed was honest, funny, and disarmingly practical—stories about safety
Ep#106: Documenting Time Loops with Shiva Feshareki & Sarah Angliss {S06 Finale Special}
Send us Fan Mail🎧 Listen on headphones 🎧 Some of this episode is recording in binaural audio.What does it really take to compose a work for a 12-piece post-minimalist ensemble—using vintage synths, robotic bells, and tape echoes?In this immersive episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, we go behind the scenes of Time Loops, a bold and experimental project for Science Museum Group. Follow Isobel as she d
Ep#105: Looping, Improv & Breaking The Classical Rulebook with Rebekah Reid
Send us Fan Mail🎙️ What if classical music wasn’t meant to stay in its box?In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, we meet violinist, composer and loop pedal artist Rebekah Reid, who’s pushing the boundaries of what classical performance can be.Blending classical, jazz and electronic music, Rebekah uses live looping and improvisation to create layered, genre-defying performances that feel both a
Ep#104: Music PR Made Simple: DIY Strategies for Independent Artists with Rachel White
Send us Fan MailIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by music PR, you’re not alone! In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, Isobel chats with Rachel White, music PR expert and founder of BRIC and House of DIY, to break down the real, actionable steps independent artists can take to promote their music effectively—without the stress.🌟 Inside You’ll Learn: ✔️ What PR actually is and why it’s different
Ep#103: What Makes Something Jungle? With Jungalist Historian, Julia Toppin
Send us Fan MailWhat happened to jungle music? How did a genre born from Black British culture, reggae sound systems, and 90s rave scenes become dominated by white, male audiences—and where are the women who helped shape it?In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, Isobel explores these questions with Julia Toppin, a lecturer, music entrepreneur, and self-proclaimed “Junglist Historian.” Julia tak
Ep#102: Co-Producing An Album With Fran & Flora
Send us Fan MailWhat does it really mean to be a producer, and why do so many women hesitate to claim the title?In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, we sit down with Fran & Flora—an innovative violin and cello duo blending Yiddish, Romanian, and Transylvanian folk music with improvisation, electronics, and sound experimentation. We dive into their co-production journey on Precious Collect
EP#101: How to Press Your Music on Vinyl: Expert Tips from Women in Vinyl’s Jenn D'Eugenio
Send us Fan MailAre you an artist or music producer dreaming of releasing your music on vinyl? In this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, Isobel Anderson sits down with Jenn D'Eugenio, founder of Women in Vinyl, to uncover the fascinating process behind pressing music onto records. Jenn shares expert insights on preparing your audio and artwork for vinyl, tips for selecting the right pressing
Ep#100: Celebrating 100 Episodes of Girls Twiddling Knobs
Send us Fan MailCelebrating 100 episodes of empowering women in music, Girls Twiddling Knobs host Isobel Anderson takes listeners on a reflective journey through the evolution of the podcast, revisiting its top five most popular episodes, including conversations with Kate Nash, Orla Gartland and Victoria Witjeratne. Featuring listener Q&A, insights into key challenges for women in music techno
Ep#99: Sounding Knitting, Knitting Sound: in conversation with Felicity Ford
Send us Fan MailWhat do sound and knitting have in common? You’d be forgiven for thinking not much, but both have been constant companions across the life and career of sound artist and knitter, Felicity Ford also know as Felix. Join sobel as she visits Felix in her St Leonard’s home to talk about her journey into field recording, soundscape composition and using this skillset to document the proc
Ep#98: Master Music Production with Visualization: Unlock Your Creative Confidence and Skills
Send us Fan MailFeeling stuck in your music production journey? Struggling with self-doubt or tempted to buy more gear in the hopes it will transform your sound? This episode is for you.In today’s episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, we’re exploring how visualisation—a powerful mental tool used by top performers—can help you:✨ Unlock your creative confidence.🎛️ Overcome the pressure to rely on expens
Ep#97: Burnout, gender and music technology with Denise Devenish
Send us Fan MailLuckily, there’s far more conversations happening about musicians’ mental health these days. But how might gender impact our experience of things like depression and anxiety? And how might this differ in a music technology setting, specifically? Because, while this is something that’s often touched upon in wider conversations around gender and music technology, it’s rarely fully ex
Ep#96: The Art Of Authentic Production In A Post-Internet World: In conversation with Maria Uzor
Send us Fan MailIn a world that’s always online, how do we stay true to ourselves as artists? This week on Girls Twiddling Knobs, we tackle this question with the fiercely original electronic music producer Maria Uzor.Growing up as a Black artist in a predominantly White area of the UK, Maria often felt like an outsider. But she turned that feeling into a sound that’s bold, raw, and unmistakably h
EP#95: Pushing the Boundaries of Sound: Oram Awards Special
Send us Fan MailWhat unique facets of our existence and identity does sound allow us to explore as women and gender diverse artists? This is one of the big questions that emerges inside this conversation with three of the five 2024 Oram Award winners.Whether it be through choreography, performance art, hacking or design, Lola De La Mata, xname and The Silver Field are all artists who have come to
Season 06 Trailer
Send us Fan MailJoin Isobel for all the juicy details on what you can expect to find inside of Season 06 of the podcast, dropping on October 24th. Listen and subscribe to the podcast: https://femalediymusician.com/podcastAnd share the podcast with a friend so we can spread the word, and making music technology a better place for women and gender diverse people.-------------------------------------
EP#94 {BONUS EPISODE} Live in Conversation with Daisy Stewart-Darling at Towner Gallery
Send us Fan MailJoin us for the first ever Live Girls Twiddling Knobs episode, recorded at Towner Gallery on August 2nd, 2024. inside, Isobel talks with sound and lino artist, Daisy Stewart-Darling about her new project Lino Waves: Soundscapes of the Living Coast, which documents the changing East Sussex coastline through field recordings and large scale lino works.We touch on critical acoustic ec
Season 05 Wrap Up
Send us Fan MailFollowing last week’s epic binaural finale episode, Isobel is back for one last music tech chat to bring Season 05 of Girls Twiddling Knobs to a close.This final wrap up episode is the perfect way to get a whistle stop tour of any episodes you might have missed and glean any final little golden nuggets from the last few weeks.This season, we've had some of the most amazing gue
EP#93: {Binaural S05 Finale} Embodying Electronic Music with NYX at Hidden Notes Festival
Send us Fan MailReady for a binaural sound adventure?We’re wrapping up S05 of Girls Twiddling Knobs with an extra-special episode where, together, we take an immersive binaural deep dive into the ecosystem that is NYX.NYX are often described as an electronic drone choir and are a group of women and non-binary vocalists and non-vocalists who use music technology to create dense, musical creations a
Ep#92: Decolonising the Loop & Reimagining the DAW with Josephine Zwaan
Send us Fan MailHave you ever questioned the way that music technology software is designed? And how the tech tools and gear we use might look and feel completely different if they were designed by different humans (i.e. not just predominantly white, cis, heterosexual men living in the West). Well, this question didn’t just bother today’s guest, producer and researcher, Josephine Zwaan. It led her
Ep#91: How to Choose the Right DAW for You (+ Isobel’s personal top 3 picks)
Send us Fan MailFeeling overwhelmed by all the recording software choices? Been using the same DAW for a while and feel like it’s time to switch it up? Haven’t started recording your music because you don’t have the right gear? If so, this episode is a MUST LISTEN because we’re breaking down the pros and cons of a variety of recording softwares and demystifying this often overwhelming decision.If
Ep#90: Navigating a Freelance Creative Career as a Disabled Artist with Meg Fozzard
Send us Fan MailIt’s not easy growing a career in the arts but it’s down right tough if you’re living with a disability too. In this episode, Isobel is joined by journalist, digital producer and disabled rights activist Meg Fozzard to discuss the challenges disabled artists can face, the things the industry can do better and strategies Meg has developed over the years to grow her career whilst hav
Ep#89: The Art of Music Mastering w/ Katie Tavini & Izzy McPhee
Send us Fan MailIf you’ve ever wondered what music mastering is, how to get your music mastered or even get into mastering yourself, this podcast episode is for you because Isobel is joined by Weird Jungle mastering engineers Katie Tavini and Izzy McPhee. Between them, they’ve racked up credits with We Are Scientists, Bloc Party, Frankie Morrow, Ash, Waverly, Arlo Parks and so many more. But what’
Ep#88: Why Community is More Important Than Confidence for Women Learning Music Tech
Send us Fan MailIt’s common to hear people make the case for initiatives and spaces that help women become more confident with music tech. And many women will say they wished they had more confidence when it comes to music production, mixing and the whole recording process. But what if this pursuit for more confidence was actually further sabotaging the progress of women with music technology? Wha
Ep#87: Adventures in Sound, Voice & Field Recording with Cathy Lane
Send us Fan MailIf you’ve ever felt stumped as to what to do with all those field recordings you’ve been making… Or like experimental music sometimes lacks a human touch… this episode is a must listen because Isobel is joined by Cathy Lane, an artist, composer and academic inspired by everyday experiences and, in particular, how ‘hidden histories’ can be investigated from a feminist perspective. I
Ep#86: Maximising your Recording Studio Time with Phoebe Bentham
Send us Fan MailHave you ever recorded in a studio and felt like time just slipped away? Or maybe you wished you’d felt more comfortable or like you were using the time better? If so, this episode is not to be missed because Isobel is joined by Brighton based producer and engineer, Phoebe Bentham, who’s sharing her top tips on preparing like a pro for your next recording studio session. Inside, Ph
Ep#85: How I Use 'Assignments' to Take Imperfect Action and Make Music with Limited Time
Send us Fan MailDo you struggle with perfectionism? We totally get it - it can be easy to put off recording your music out of the belief that every single element of it needs to be perfect. It can also be tricky to find time to dedicate solely to making music; so perfectionism combined with limited time can make it really difficult to actually sit down and get the music made. Inside this episode I
Ep#84: The Life & Times of a Black Woman DJ with DJ Paulette
Send us Fan MailDJing is still a pretty white, male industry, but when this week’s guest, DJ Paulette, first began spinning vinyl in Manchester’s nightclubs in the 90s, black women DJs were few and far between. Winner of the DJ Mag’s Top 100 Lifetime Achievement Award, DJ Paulette's career has spanned over two decades and multiple locations. But inside this candid conversation, Paulette also
Season 05 Trailer
Send us Fan MailWith Season 05 of Girls Twiddling Knobs dropping on August 17th, Inside this trailer Isobel gives you a teaser of what you can expect inside each episode over the next few weeks.Remember to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and don't forget to enter our Season 05 competition where you could win an audio interface and some of our exclusive Girls Twiddling Kn
EP#83 {BONUS Special} Kate Nash Talks Music, Feminism and Coffee
Send us Fan MailWhat if fame and commercial success weren't as great as the industry leads many artists to believe? This weeks guest, Kate Nash, had to face this question from an early age after her debut album found overnight success during the naughties. Because, even though there were good times and a few great people, burn out, industry sharks and misogyny were in abundance too. Kate was
EP#82: {S04 Finale Special} Binaural Sea Ice at UCL’s Bartlett Sch. of Architecture w/ Emma-Kate Matthews [Headphones Advised]
Send us Fan Mail[Headphones Advised] Listen to the shifting, singing Antarctic sea ice in mesmerising binaural audio to mark the end of another incredible season of Girls Twiddling Knobs. For this Season Finale, Isobel travels to University College London’s Bartlett Sch. of Architecture to meet composer and lecturer Emma-Kate Matthews. Follow Emma and Isobel on a binaural tour of this incredible h
EP#81: Making Production Part Of Your Songwriting Process w/ Orla Gartland
Send us Fan MailOrla Gartland’s career started out as a DIY artist on Youtube and has since seen her music rise in success and synced on both the hit TV shows Normal People and Heart Stopper. Inside this episode, she shares why recording and production has become integral to her creative process, especially in the creation of her debut album, Woman On The Internet.Over the last 5-10 years, recordi
EP#80: 3 Steps To Establishing More Respectful Music Collaborations
Send us Fan MailWhether you’re in a band, have a team or are a totally DIY, solo musician, you’ll likely need to work with other people from time-to-time to get your music out into the world. But it doesn’t always feel easy or rewarding and, even worse, sometimes – especially if you’re a woman in music – collaborative relationships can be disrespectful. So, inside this episode, Isobel shares three
EP#79: The Oram Awards: Celebrating Women in Electronic Music & Sound
Send us Fan MailThere have never been so many initiatives fostering marginalised talent in electronic music and sound, and one such platform is the UK’s Oram Awards. Established in 2017, the Oram Awards is a partnership between The Radiophonic Institute, PRS Foundation & The Daphne Oram Trust, and elevates the work and voices of women, Trans and Non-Binary music creators working in sound innov
EP#78: What Is Sidechaining & When To Use It in your Tracks
Send us Fan MailNow, you might have heard about this production technique in the context of compression. You may already be using this technique in your own projects but even if you’re not just yet, you might have heard someone talk about adding sidechain compression either in a studio or on a YouTube video.But, if you’re totally new to sidechaining, today’s episode will break it down so you’re no
EP#77: Straddling Multiple Genres & Musical Identities with Riz Maslen
Send us Fan MailIt’s easy to feel tied down or boxed in as a woman in the music industry, and many artists use a pseudonym to create separation between their personal and creative lives. But today’s guest, Riz Maslen, has been releasing electronic music under multiple musical identities for the past three decades.Inside this episode, Riz shares how she’s used different monikers to play with differ
{BONUS EPISODE} Teaching Women Music Technology [PART 2]: My Unique Approach
Send us Fan MailWhat culture would enable women to learn and thrive with music technology? And how might this be fostered in music tech learning spaces? Inside this BONUS podcast episode Isobel shares the unique teaching approach she’s developed over the past five years, and why it's set over 400 women (and counting) up to win with music technology.This practical discussion continues on from
EP#76: {Student Success} Owning The Title of 'Musician' with Lois Lelland
Send us Fan MailIf you’ve ever struggled to own the title of ‘Musician’ this episode’s for you. Every single person has a slightly different definition of what actually makes a musician, but the reality of how and why we *feel* like one is often complex and even pretty misunderstood.Inside this episode, Isobel sits down with pianist and Home Recording Academy alumni student, Lois Lelland, about wh
{Bonus Episode} Teaching Women Music Technology [Part 1] Why Have We Failed (So Far)?
Send us Fan Mail“Surely if women *really* wanted to record and produce music, they’d just get on with it like their male peers, right?” Well… Sadly it’s not that simple. Today in 2023, women still are considerably outnumbered on music production programmes and in recording studios and are less likely to learn through free online resources, like YouTube, compared to their male contemporaries.It’s t
EP#75: {Student Success} Blowing A Sync Execs Mind with Jess Magoch
Send us Fan MailIf your first few attempts at self-producing your music have left you feeling like throwing in the towel, this episode is for you. Jess Magoch is an award winning Philadelphia based Hip Hop/Jazz artist who decided it was time to become more independent through developing her skills in recording and production. But as Jess shares in her chat with Isobel, it wasn’t a straightforward
{BONUS EPISODE} How To Make Big, Bold, Scary Decisions in your Music Career
Send us Fan MailMost musicians will have to make a big, bold, scary decision at some point in their career if they’re going to keep growing and developing as an artist. But how do you know when it’s time to take a risk, take the plunge and get out of your comfort zone? Inside this special BONUS episode, Isobel unpacks the types of big decisions you might face as a woman in music and when to know i
EP#74: How To Recession Proof Your Music Through The Power of Home Recording
Send us Fan MailHave the last few months of financial insecurity made you question if you can keep investing in your music? Many musicians are having to make some tough decisions when it comes to basic living costs, let alone their music careers. But inside this episode, Isobel shares how having the ability to record and produce yourself will not only save you money but can make you money too.No,
EP#73: Forging An Artist Identity & Embracing Music Tech w/ VOLTA HYMN
Send us Fan MailThere’s nothing more frustrating than being creatively restricted by the skills and tools at your disposal, and oftentimes this leads to musicians being overly-reliant on others to get our music out into the world. But this week’s podcast guest, VOLTA HYMN (AKA Delali Zevon-Aniakwah), decided to develop her music tech know-how in order to forge her own artist project and become ful
EP#72: 5 Strategies To Home Record Your Music Like A Pro
Send us Fan MailIf you want to make 2023 the year you finally have amazing recordings of your music without breaking the bank, this episode is for you. Inside, Isobel shares 5 Key Strategies to Home Record Your Music Like a Pro!Even if you’ve worried that recording your music at home will automatically make it sound amateur in comparison to paying for commercial studio time, this episode will show
EP#71: Producing an Album Through Chronic Illness with April Rose Gabrielli
Send us Fan MailAdversity can be one of the most creativity-enhancing experiences for many musicians, but when you’re faced with chronic illness that may dictate your energy and ability to work, it’s a whole different story.Inside this episode Isobel chats to musician and producer April Rose Gabrielli about her experience developing epilepsy, totally out of nowhere, and how it informed her debut a
EP#70: What to do With Other People's Advice as a Woman in Music
Send us Fan MailHow many times have you been given advice on your music, recording or production, even though you didn't ask for it? Or perhaps you’re always looking for advice rather than trusting your own internal resources and instincts? For many women in music, getting advice can feel like a tricky terrain to traverse without getting mansplained at, stereotyped or thrown a unhelpful red h
EP#69: {Student Success} Producing A Bigger Sound (+ falling back in love with music) with Penny White
Send us Fan MailIt’s not uncommon for musicians to feel disheartened by recording and releasing their music when they don’t receive the recognition or respect they’d like. But inside this episode, Penny White (AKA Jenny Welch) shares how this all changed once she became more involved in the process of recording and production.This is a journey that has resulted in Jenny recording and releasing two
EP#68: Self-Producing As Protest & Revolution with Blu Fiefer
Send us Fan MailRecording and producing as a woman in music is still pretty nonconformist, but in the context of the Middle East, it’s a down-right act of resistance, as this week’s guest Blu Fiefer explains.The Lebanese based artist has had to face many of the familiar challenges regarding accessing safe-spaces in which to record, being taken seriously as a female artist and forging a career in a
EP#67: Making Time For Your Music
Send us Fan MailNowadays, pretty much everyone feels busy, but for musicians this can really start to eat into vital music making time. Urgent tasks can seem to dominate your schedule, and before you know it, the day’s gone and your music’s been left to the bottom of your to-do list. Inside this episode, Isobel shares how she’s managed to make time for her music, even though her diary seems busier
EP#66: Crafting Cyborg Dreams In A Home Studio w/ Miss Grit
Send us Fan MailIf you’re someone who loves a good concept album, this episode is for you because Isobel is joined by musician and producer, Miss Grit, to discuss their new album Follow The Cyborg. Combining both grit and cleanliness in equal measure, Miss Grit’s music is an exploration of what it means to be human and then reframe this on our terms.But this doesn’t mean Follow The Cyborg was made
Golden Nugget: Creative Liberation through Self-Recording Your Music w/ Flaming June
Send us Fan MailRecording studios are wonderful spaces where real magic can happen, but it’s also so liberating to have the skills and set up to create music and experiment with your creative ideas from the comfort of your own home.Inside this Golden Nugget Episode we’re going back to #57 where Isobel chatted to musician and producer, Flaming June (AKA Louise Eatock), about how much more freely sh
Golden Nugget: Owning your Artistic Identity w/ BISHI
Send us Fan MailDo you ever worry about how other people perceive you as an artist? This question is particularly loaded for women and gender expansive musicians because there’s so much tied up with how femininity should be presented and received (and even what it is).It’s for this reason that Isobel is sharing a Golden Nugget from EP#30 when she chatted with the amazing London based musician and
Golden Nugget: Using Social Media As A Form of Creative Expression
Send us Fan MailOne of the biggest drains on many a musician’s time, self-esteem and mental energy is social media - you’ve probably found yourself both loving and hating it in equal measure. So today we’re going waaay back to episode #44 where Isobel shares her best tips for getting more intentional about how we use social media so it stops being a vanity scale and starts actually adding to our c
Golden Nugget: The Analogue Recording Process with Julie McLarnon
Send us Fan MailPeople always wax lyrical about how much warmer or better analogue technology sounds, but what are the practicalities of recording in this format as opposed to digital?Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#07 when she chatted to engineer and owner of Analogue Catalogue recording studio, Julie McLarnon about how preparation really takes on a whole new meaning i
Golden Nugget: Starting A Studio With Majelen
Send us Fan MailEver fantasised about starting your own recording studio? Wouldn’t it be so cool to pick out all the gear you want, decorate it exactly to your tastes and make it feel super welcoming for other women in music?Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#35 when she chatted to musician, producer and studio owner Majelen about how she and her partner set up their own s
Golden Nugget: Are Women-Only Music Spaces Necessary?
Send us Fan MailEver found yourself having to argue the toss over whether women-only music spaces are necessary? Or if feminism is even an issue anymore all together? Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#16 when she described a very tricky debate that unfolded in one of her facebook post’s comment thread, why she believes in women-only music tech learning spaces and how she
Golden Nugget: Overcoming Music Tech Self-Doubt
Send us Fan MailHave you ever wished you felt more confident with music tech? Perhaps self-doubt stops you sharing your ideas in the studio or even completing your home recording projects all together? Inside this Golden Nugget episode, Isobel delves back to EP#03 to dismantle some of the most insidious music tech myths that keep women second-guessing themselves and shares how to, instead, cultiva
Golden Nugget: SJae's Production Tips (Incl. Pro Vocals) [EP#05]
Send us Fan MailProducing amazing sounding vocals can feel like a bit of a mysterious art. How do you make sure they sound punchy, but warm? Delicate, yet crisp? Inside this Golden Nugget episode, we’re going all the way back to EP#05 to hear LA based producer SJae’s top music production tips, including using delay instead of reverb on vocals.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{00:00} Intro{02:10} Streamline your
Golden Nugget: Taking an Artist Retreat with Nik Nak [EP#27]
Send us Fan MailEver thought about taking some time away with JUST your music? Inside this Golden Nugget episode, we’re travelling back to EP#27 to hear how musician and DJ Nik Nak did exactly that. What came out the other side was a collection of recordings from Turkey and a whole new methodology of DJing with environmental sound. Maybe an artist retreat could be the beginning of new creative hor
Golden Nugget: Funding Your Music Making With Sam Crane [EP#58]
Send us Fan MailAre you worried about financing your music making as we head into the next few months? Listen up because this Golden Nugget episode has some amazing advice inside. We’re going back to a conversation Isobel had in EP#58 with one of her students, Sam Crane, about how she was able to access £3,000 of support to record her music all thanks to her newly acquired home recording skills. E
Golden Nugget: Changing Your Musical Direction [EP#46]
Send us Fan MailThinking of making a musical change of direction? This Golden Nugget episode is for you. Inside, Isobel takes you through a powerful exercise from EP#46 to get clarity on whether this is the right thing for you as an artists and what a musical change-up might look like for you as an individual.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS{00:00} Intro{02:02} When would you change direction in your music? {03
Golden Nugget: Why Making Music Isn't Trivial [EP#06]
Send us Fan MailEver worry that making music is all too trivial in comparison to the serious challenges we're facing these days? Welcome to the first of a new feature here on Girls Twiddling Knobs - bite sized takeaways from the podcast archive showcasing a tip, technique or hit of inspiration that we're calling Golden Nuggets.Inside this first episode, Isobel delves back to EP#06 to sha
EP#65: Music Careers Without The Fear: In conversation with Vanessa Threadgold
Send us Fan MailThe role of a music manager can be pretty tough; not only do you have all the hopes and dreams of your artists wheying heavy on your shoulders but you also do all the hard-ball industry negotiations and career strategising too - none of which you can ever be sure will actually work out.But as well as this, today's guest, Vanessa Threadgold, was also faced with an even bigger c
EP#64: Navigating Nuance in Music Production: in conversation Melissa Uye-Parker
Send us Fan MailAfter dropping out of studying drama and visual art, Mel Uye-Parker started picking up multi-track recorders, recording vocals in studios, writing songs for other artists and eventually studying recording and composition. Now, she’s an artist with over two decades under her belt and programme leader of ICMP’s Creative Music Production MA. Inside this episode Isobel gets to hear abo
EP#63: Signal Flows & Signal Chains: all you need to know
Send us Fan MailThe terms signal flow and signal chain are widely used in music production and audio engineering. But unless you’ve formally studied this area or spent time learning the ropes in a recording studio, you may not be as familiar with what they mean or how they work.Inside this episode, Isobel breaks down the basic components of both and how they relate to making music inside a DAW at
EP#62: A Day In The Life of A Music Producer: In conversation with Charlie Deakin Davies
Send us Fan MailNot many producers enter into the industry at quite the rate or age that this week’s guest did, but at just 21 years old, Charlie Deakin Davies was already producing countless artists, winning prestigious awards and producing the audio for Balcony TV. Fast forward to now, and after two years working as one of Gary Barlow’s in-house songwriters and producers, Charlie has an establis
EP#61: Art, Activism and Music Production: in conversation with Rookes / Jenny Bulcraig
Send us Fan MailWhen Rookes started making music, she didn’t have a clear plan but over the course of the last few years she’s not only forged an impressive career as a music producer, but co-founded a thriving community of other women in music tech too.Inside this episode she talks to Isobel about how she started learning to self-produce as an artist and the allies that helped her cut her music p
EP#60: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through Recording & Production Skills
Send us Fan MailHow might imposter syndrome affect your ability to record and release your music? Well, that’s probably pretty self explanatory. But inside this week’s episode actually looks at how recording and production skills may offer women a way of overcoming this tricky phenomenon.Isobel also unpacks what Imposter syndrome is, how it might affect people in the creative Industries and, more
EP#59: Vibrators, Pauline Oliveros and Queering Sound: In conversation with Senem Pirler
Send us Fan MailSenem Pirler is a New York based, Turkish born, sound artist and academic whose practice is all about connection; Whether it's humans, plants or seemingly inanimate objects, Senem has a knack of finding ways to question profound ideas around identity, belonging and being present in the world. Inside this week’s episode, Isobel gets the chance to hear how Senem started training
BONUS EP: What’s New Inside Home Recording Academy?
Send us Fan MailIn 2020, Isobel launched one of the first and only music technology courses designed exclusively for women in music, focussing not only on the technical processes involved in recording, producing and mixing music from home but also the mindset blocks and societal pressures women face when embarking on such a task. In it’s fourth round of enrolment, Isobel has added some exciting ne
EP#58: 3 New Revenue Streams Recording and Production Skills Will Open In Your Music: Meet Sam, Sandy and Annie.
Send us Fan MailUsually when we think about recording our music, we think about all the outgoings: the new recording gear we’ll need to invest in, or even the studio time we might have to book. But what if having recording and production skills actually opened up new revenue streams in your music and gave you more freedom and independence as a musician?Well, that’s exactly what happened for this e
EP#57: Taking Back Control Of The Creative Process: in conversation with Flaming June
Send us Fan MailHow many times have you said to yourself, “I’d love to have the freedom to record my music where and when I want, but won’t it just sound amateur if I do it myself?” It’s a common thought for many musicians that can leave you feeling totally reliant on other people to get your music out of your head and into the world.But inside this episode of Girls Twiddling Knobs, Isobel speaks
EP.56: Being Assertive in Music Tech Spaces
Send us Fan MailAsk some women how they feel in music studios, music tech classes or dealing with live sound technicians and many will say they’ve had to work hard to feel confident. Many others will say that asserting their needs, opinions and boundaries in these spaces is still an ongoing struggle. And this can significantly influence not just how women creatively contribute and collaborate in t
EP#55: Are you a Music Producer?
Send us Fan MailNow, what is a music producer? I mean what do they do? Or maybe most importantly, when have we earned the right to call ourselves one? Surely there’s some way we know for sure we’ve graduated from music tech dabbler to full blown producer, right?Well, not really, which may be one contributing factor to so few women being represented in this profession. And, that’s why inside this e
EP#54: Broadway Theatre Sound Design: In conversation with Jessica Paz
Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode we’re jumping into the fascinating, complex and playful world of theatre sound design with Tony Award winning Broadway sound designer, Jessica Paz. With years of experience under her belt designing complex sound systems, sound effects and audio experiences for acclaimed productions like Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown, Dear Evan Hansen and Little Shop of Horrors,
EP#53: From The Tantalising To The Grotesque: in conversation with Gazelle Twin
Send us Fan MailNever one to take the conventional path, UK experimental electronic composer and producer, Elizabeth Bernholz, AKA Gazelle Twin’s back catalogue plays with and subverts a variety of identities. Inside this episode, Isobel has the chance to hear all about her journey into music making so far, her evolution as an artist, where she’s at now (including being a fulltime musician and mot
EP#52: Why you don't need fancy gear to record your music (and what you DO need instead).
Send us Fan MailMany musicians think they need all the ‘right’ gear before they can start recording and producing from home, which can massively stunt their skills and careers. But guess what? You DON’T need fancy gear to get started! The thing you really need to invest in costs hardly anything and you probably have it all at home already. This week's episode dives into acoustic treatment an
EP#51: Deep House & Techno Beats: In conversation with DJ & producer Emily Nash
Send us Fan MailWelcome back to another season of Girls Twiddling Knobs! At 20 years old, our first guest of the season, Emily Nash, is perhaps the youngest guest we’ve ever had on the podcast. But don’t let that fool you because this DJ & producer is currently setting the EDM world on fire. When she didn’t get the grades she needed at school, she was encouraged to do a Music Production course
EP#50: 90 Years of Abbey Road: Studio Walkthrough w/ Marta Di Nozzi
Send us Fan MailInside this very special 50th episode of the podcast and the Season 02 finale, Isobel takes a trip to the most famous recording studios in the world, Abbey Road, to celebrate their 90th Birthday. Join her and in-house Assistant Engineer, Marta Di Nozzi, for a binaural walking tour of this historic building’s three main studios and the amazing music that’s been recorded there. Wheth
