Immersive Mentorship

Over the course of my career, I’ve produced, mixed, and recorded gold and platinum records, and I’ve written multiple well-regarded books on the recording arts. Books are powerful tools, but nothing compares to being in the room with someone as they make a record — where you can ask questions in the moment, observe the process up close, and take part as it all unfolds in real time. That’s the essence of this music producer retreat.

We used to learn the craft of recording and producing music through mentorship. Today, most people have to figure it all out on their own. This can be a long and frustrating process, which can leave you feeling like you’re on an island. I remember feeling that way as a young producer in a small market. And I had mentorship! The reality is, if you’ve never seen a seasoned producer at work, you’ll likely second-guess yourself and your decisions — and that’s never a good thing. Confidence is the single most important ingredient to success.

That’s why I created Mixerman’s Ultimate Music Producer Retreat: an immersive opportunity to learn firsthand how to craft effective, compelling, and unforgettable records. To learn how to produce and lead with intention and confidence.

The Retreat in Action

For five days, you’ll be in an Asheville studio with me as I produce a record. This isn’t a mock session or a staged demo, but rather a release-ready song with real players and all the unpredictability that comes with it. You’ll see how I run a room, make decisions under pressure, and push through problems until we get a production and performances that result in a record that does all that it should.

And you won’t just watch. With only six students, everyone gets hands-on time: moving mics, running the DAW, editing and comping takes. The fastest way to learn is by doing — and I’ll involve you as much as possible.

What You’ll Get

• Full immersion— 8–9 hours a day in the studio, working in real time, with evenings left to reflect and recharge.
• Curated production — We’ll record a great song, with players I know and trust.
• Hands-on roles — Rotate through mic setup, participate in decisions, run the DAW, edit and comp takes, process parts, and document sessions — you’ll also be the crew. Engineering is inseparable from producing today, and you’ll experience that reality throughout the retreat.

Access & Discussion

• Insider access — Every engineering and producing decision explained in context.
• Daily unpacking — We break down what happened in the session over meals and at the end of the day. All questions are on the table.
• Finished mix & master — On the fifth day we’ll take the session to my mix room, where I’ll mix and master the record as I explain what I’m doing and why.
• Mentorship — Occasional guidance after the retreat. I can’t promise unlimited access, but I’ll be a resource.
• A copy of the book — Each student receives Mixerman’s Ultimate Guide to Producing Records, Music & Songs.

Lifestyle & Retreat Experience

• Accommodations — A comfortable retreat home with room to collaborate and recharge. Bedrooms and bathrooms may be shared. Private options are possible upon request, but embracing the retreat aspect and camaraderie with fellow students is part of the experience.
• Catered meals — Two meals per day plus snacks and drinks at the house and studio.
• The Asheville experience — Evenings free to enjoy mountain views, breweries, live music, or just relax at the house.

Takeaways

Here’s some of what you can expect to learn from this comprehensive music producer’s retreat:

• How to run a session and keep it moving in a positive direction.
• How to lead a group and Artist.
• The strategies behind creative decision-making.
• How to be an effective arbiter of “good.”
• How to develop a track from demo to finished record.
• How to work out parts on the fly and make creative additions.
• How to pivot when things don’t go your way.
• The processes of preproduction, tracking, overdubs, editing and comping.
• How to edit and tune without destroying the feel.
• Effective strategies for mixing and mastering your own productions

Why a Retreat?

While books, YouTube tutorials, and online courses can be useful tools, they’re also static and offer no interaction. They can really only address the most common scenarios and can’t possibly account for the variance and exceptions that come into play when making a record.

A retreat drops you straight into that reality. You’ll see how I make decisions under pressure, how I tailor those decisions to the song and performers at hand, how I troubleshoot when things go sideways, and how I communicate and lead musicians and Artists when the stakes are real.

And make no mistake — there are stakes. I’ve committed to my Artist to deliver a finished record in five days while teaching you the process. If I fall behind, we work late. If the schedule shifts, we adapt. By the end of the week, I must deliver a record that meets both my standards and the Artist’s. This isn’t a drill — and it gets extra real when I’m teaching at the same time, because I can’t script what happens. What better way to learn than that?

You’re not just watching the how — you’re immersed in the why. You’ll have full access to my process and the opportunity to unpack it all with me and your fellow students at regular intervals throughout the day.

Tuition & Enrollment

Enrollment in Mixerman’s Ultimate Music Producer Retreat is by application, with tuition set at $6000 per student. Final details are confirmed once we lock in dates.

Tuition covers a beautiful communal Airbnb home in Asheville, high quality catered meals, insurance, and studio time in a top-tier commercial facility. Everything you’ll need for an enriching, immersive experience is included.

To ensure this retreat is the right fit, all prospective students go through a short application process. Once you submit your information in the form below, I’ll follow up with a few questions by email, then schedule a personal interview. This helps us both confirm that the program aligns with your goals and expectations. There is no deposit required to apply.

This is a highly selective and intimate program, limited to just six students. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and enrollment is secured once tuition is paid in full. Once the class is filled, I’ll coordinate with the group to set dates and provide ample lead time for travel and personal schedule adjustments.

Policies

These preliminary policies reflect my commitment to protecting the experience for all.

Next Steps

I want everyone to leave this music producer retreat feeling it was time and money well spent — a positive, eye-opening experience that pushes you forward on your path to making great music with confidence and intention. I’ve put a lot of thought into making this both immersive and practical, so what you learn carries over into your own work. While this first retreat centers on a studio project, it’s also highly relevant to producing from home, because building a record through overdubs translates directly to that process.

The next step is simple: fill out the form, and I’ll reach out personally to make sure this retreat is the right fit for you.