On this episode of the podcast WLPWR and Brian Onrea interview award winning mastering engineer Irving Johnson of Columbia Sound Mastering. They discuss:Coming from Columbia South Carolina and how he taught himself about ear training and recording at a young age.Opening up his own studio and teaching himself about recording and producing.His commitment to keep learning about his craft. What mastering really is in his opinion. Working with producers and artists such as Needlz and Killer Mike to name a fewWhat producers can do to make their mix easier for the mastering engineer to master their tracksHow instrument choices in a record can make a difference in the final masterHis thoughts on the “loudness war” in mastering.Follow Irv:@columbiasoundmasteringAlso discussed today:New music releases from A$AP Twelvyy, YoungBoy NBA, and Ugly GodRecord sales update (Kendrick’s DAMN is still doing serious numbers!)Producer DAW discussion (What are producers using? How big is the DAW industry)Skye Morales Update! (Check her youtube page now!)This week's beat break comes courtesy of producer @audioanthemFollow us!@FreeGamePodcast@WLPWR@BrianOnreaThis episode was recorded at Gray Matter Studios in Atlanta, Ga and mixed by Joey Stanca (@dreamsonparade)