Mike Schuppan: Why Great Engineers Don't Chase Perfection

About this episode

Mike Schuppan discusses the balance between perfection and emotional intent in music mixing.

Mike Schuppan is a Los Angeles–based mix engineer, recording engineer, and producer with over 20 years of experience working across alternative, pop, electronic, and experimental music. Originally from Nashville, he developed his career through hands-on studio work and long-term collaborations with producer and multi-instrumentalist Justin Meldal-Johnsen, contributing to both recording sessions and live touring environments. Over the years, Schuppan has built a diverse and high-level discography, working with artists such as Paramore, M83, Lady Gaga, Poppy, Jimmy Eat World, and Ziggy Marley. His credits span major-label releases, Grammy-winning projects, and records that have achieved gold and platinum status. His work on Paramore’s self-titled album and After Laughter , along with M83’s Fantasy , highlights his ability to navigate sonically dense, emotionally driven productions while maintaining clarity and musicality. Schuppan is known for a mix style that emphasizes feel, depth, and translation—balancing modern polish with the integrity of the original performance. Whether working on layered pop productions or more organic alternative records, he focuses on preserving…

People in this episode

Host: Mike Indovina

Guest: Mike Schuppan

Topics covered

• mix engineering
• music production
• emotional intent
• collaboration
• recording techniques

Keywords

• mix engineer
• recording engineer
• music production
• Grammy-winning
• emotional clarity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Paramore, M83, Lady Gaga, Poppy, Jimmy Eat World, Ziggy Marley

More episodes of Master Your Mix Podcast

• Austin Seltzer: Breaking the Loudness Rules · June 10, 2026 · 1h 28m
• Chris Athens: Creating Traction With Your Career (Revisited) · June 3, 2026 · 1h 30m
• Jason Perry: Making Records Without Musical Theory · May 27, 2026 · 49 min
• Brian Howes: The "Swedish Math" Behind Hit Songs · May 13, 2026 · 1h 3m
• David Trumfio: The Future of Studio Ownership · May 6, 2026 · 1h 31m
• Sonny DiPerri: Why the Best Engineers Get Out of the Way · April 22, 2026 · 1h 20m