Lewis CaliburnJosh Gudwin, mix engineer and producer for top-tier artists including Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa and Bad Bunny, has installed a pair of Augspurger Monitors Duo 8 Sub 212s, enhancing the audio quality and precision of his private studio, located at the historic Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood.
Reflecting on his decision to switch to Augspurger, Josh notes that choosing to go to a different pair of speakers is a bold choice. “I’ve been very fortunate to work in the best studios and with the best gear – and I see Augspurger everywhere. They’re beautiful speakers, and I’ve used them throughout my career. They just sound ‘right’.”
“You know, it’s a big investment, but I went for the Duo 8 Sub 212s – that’s the perfect fit for me. I love the dynamic range of them,” he continues.
Josh, who is the Governor of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy, had a unique journey into music following his tenure in the Marines. It was during a trip to Los Angeles, that this potential career sparked his curiosity.
“I was visiting some friends, and a couple of their buddies were making music in their bedrooms. I used to do that as a hobby, but I really didn’t know that it was a whole career path… I just got really inspired,” Gudwin explains.
This newfound passion led him to enrol at Full Sail University in Florida, where he studied Recording Arts of Applied Science for two years, before heading back to LA.
“After I left Full Sail, I started interning at Track Records. It was here that he met Jan Fairchild, who told me about Record Plant and said he knew Rose Mann-Cherny. I interviewed for a job and Rose hired me,” recounts Josh. “Record Plant really gave me such an insight, a bigger picture of the music industry, with giants like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, and all these huge artists, working out of the studios.”
His time at Record Plant would prove invaluable, with Gudwin given the opportunity to meet influential figures including Hit-Boy, Ester Dean, and producer Kuk Harrell – the latter in particular, became a key mentor, helping Gudwin hone his skills in vocal production and engineering.
“I got to work with Kuk a lot – he took me under his wing. I learned how to vocal produce, how to treat artists, how to stand up for myself, how to travel, how to get the studio right, catch the vibe – all that stuff – so many wonderful things!” he recalls.
His collaboration and learning with Kuk led to an opportunity with Justin Bieber, which dramatically shifted his career trajectory.
“After we’d worked on a couple of Justin’s albums together, Kuk went on the road with Rihanna. A couple of days later, Justin shot me a message, like, “Hey, meet me on the road. I want to record something!” and we’ve worked on 10 studio albums since then. It was during that process that I learned how to mix.”
Josh’s studio features two main rooms: an immersive 9-1-4 room and a stereo room, each optimised for specific aspects of audio production. For mixing, he has a MixDream summing mixer connected to a Lavry Gold converter for optimal digital-to-analogue conversion. The studio’s EQ and dynamics are handled by high-end outboard gear, including a BAX EQ, Fearn VT5 EQ, VT7, and Elysia Museq.
He also utilises a Bricasti and an Orban Spring for reverb. His tracking chain also features an API 3124 preamp and a BG2 compressor from Highland Dynamics, noted for its distinctive sound.
Integral to the setup are the newly-installed Augspurger Duo 8 Sub 212s monitors, complemented by Amphion Two18s with sub-basses, all powered by their respective amplifiers. Routing is managed through an Avocet II controller and a TT Patchbay, facilitating complex switching between equipment.
Additional monitoring includes Yamaha NS10s and Avantone MixCubes through a Coleman selector, powered by a Bryston 4B amplifier. The studio also houses a variety of creative tools like an Echo Fix tape echo, a record player, various guitar pedals, and a diverse microphone collection.
“The new monitors have massively impacted the sound quality in my studio,” remarks Josh. “The Augspurgers complete the room as far as a monitoring system goes – it’s a level up. I love the way they sound quiet. I love the way they sound loud. I love the way they look. They’re just awesome.”