In the Room with Musik Hack

In a break from the usual guest format, the Musik Hack team sits down with themselves for a deep dive into filter design, phase, DSP, and the product decisions behind tools like SweetEQ. Sam, Stan, and Alex talk through null tests, minimum versus linear phase EQ, pre-ringing, dry/wet behavior, mastering moves, and how they tune plugins to solve real mixing problems without overwhelming users.

Michael Sebastian Romero is an engineer, producer, and entrepreneur whose credits include Michael Bolton, T-Pain, Ashanti, Trey Songz, and Khalid. In this episode, he talks about building his chops in church production, learning the studio business at Record Plant and Aftermath, earning a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year for Khalid's "Talk," and what it takes to lead high-pressure sessions while growing into a long-term creative career.

Valerie Broussard is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum singer-songwriter whose work has earned more than a billion streams. In this episode, she talks about writing for artists including Kygo, Illenium, Sofia Carson, Galantis, and Sam Feldt, building a career with placements across TV, film, trailers, and major brand campaigns, and what comes next as her EP Some Dreams You Never Wake Up From arrives on March 13, 2026.

What does it take to get music placed in major film and TV projects? In this episode, Virgil Thomas, a music crossover agent at UTA, explains how deals come together, how artists make money today, and why relationships and trust are critical in the business.

What happens when you drop everything and move to Los Angeles to pursue music? In this episode, Mark Parfitt shares how he built his path as an engineer, navigated high-pressure sessions, and developed long-term relationships while working with top-level artists and collaborators.

In this conversation, Nelson Kyle shares his journey from a business student and jazz musician to becoming a key figure at Ableton, where he has worked for over 17 years. He discusses the evolution of music software, the integration of AI in creative tools, and the changing landscape of music production technology. Kyle reflects on his personal growth, work-life balance, and the importance of maintaining human connections in an increasingly digital world. He emphasizes curiosity and adaptability as essential traits for navigating the future of music and technology.

In this episode of In the Room, Kenny Larkin shares his journey through electronic music, discussing his influences, collaborations, and the evolution of his sound. He reflects on his early days in Detroit, the impact of technology on music production, and the importance of preserving analog techniques in a digital age. Kenny also touches on his experiences with various artists, his thoughts on the music industry, and his ongoing passion for creating and performing.