I did it! I’ve recorded many demos and rehearsal tapes since my first attempt to present myself to the world as singer-songwriter, The Wump EP, 1980. I’ve played original music of mine, co-written, and contributed to numerous projects of others, but when it drops on October 25th, 2024, it will represent my first public “release.” Before I go a step further I must acknowledge Rob Mayzes, the dedicated educators he’s assembled who run The Reverse Engineer program, and the immensely supportive TRE Community who, I estimate, have shaved at least 6 years off what it’d have taken me to learn a Digital Audio Workstation and develop a mindset that now permits me to share with all of you something approaching what I actually hear in my head. Caleb, Rob, Dane, Jake, Mike… Nick, Lucy, Chris, Rob S., …the other Mike(s!) — I am forever grateful. This has meant so much to me.
L-R: Caleb Loveless, Rob Mayzes,
Dane Holmes, Jake Kodweis,
Michael Gilbride
— Dark Horse Recording, June 24, 2024
Photo: yours truly
Photo: from video by Ron Shaw
As a person who has studied teaching and learning in some depth (M.Ed. York University, 2013) the highly effective “outcomes based” nature of the program captured my attention from the start. Working “backwards” from mastering to production makes perfect sense, and mimics the way we solve many math and other “problems.” Once in, I found this attention to mindset and process is maintained throughout the curriculum. I asked Caleb Loveless, Director of Education at Mastering.com, about his background. It wasn’t an interview and there’s no transcript: I concluded he’s simply a natural, who not only loves what he does but is excited to share what he knows and, like every other result of proven process approached consistently with this mindset, has arrived at an efficient and effective way to get the results he imagined.
When I joined TRE, releasing decent-sounding music of my own was all I envisioned. And yet I’ve gained the ability to mix and master for others, and a whole new perspective on the modern music industry. A realistic one. I knew my feet had found their way back to my life’s true path. I did not anticipate becoming a full stack producer—because I lacked a process and mindset, and lurked in the shadows.
If you want to hear what else they’ve unleashed in me just stick around. If you or anyone you know wants to learn how to produce music—as a lifestyle—don’t wait another minute: The Reverse Engineer.
It is the business and policy of traitors, so to disguise their treason with plausible names, and so to recommend it with popular and bewitching colours, that they themselves shall be adored, while their work is detested, and yet carried on by those that detest it.
—John Trenchard
(Cato’s Letter No. 17. Saturday, February 18, 1721 — What Measures are actually taken by wicked and desperate Ministers to ruin and enslave their Country.)
May these New Dark Ages soon pass!