Conversations with Keith Munson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Munson.

Hi Keith, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started off as a freelance trombone player and was working some odd jobs here and there to stay afloat, mostly house painting and fixing sewing machines. Then I got a call to play on a recording session for a student at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences, looked around the campus, and decided to shift my focus towards audio engineering and capturing the sounds instead of making them.
After completing the program there, I moved to Los Angeles and got lucky enough to land an internship at Eastwest Studios. I worked as a runner and assistant engineer for a few years and then got pulled into the studio management side of the business, and I’ve been doing that for 10 years now as well as being a freelance audio engineer.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No. It’s not an easy path, and it’s cost me some relationships. Always being somewhat ‘on call’ can be exhausting, but at the same time if you say no too often, then you stop getting the call.
The best part of being an audio engineer is never really knowing what you’re going to be working on in any given day, and then you get to figure out how to make it work, whatever ‘it’ is. And as such, it’s been humbling to learn what my limitations are and to know when I might not be the right person for a certain gig.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
This is a hard question to answer, as I wear many hats and always joke my official job title is ‘Yes.’ If there’s something that needs to be done, I’ll make sure it gets done, whether I delegate it to my studio staff or do it myself, I will make sure it gets done. And as such, I would like to think I’ve developed a reputation of being a good host.
And when I’m not working for the studio, I’m working at the studio as a client where I bring the same energy to the musicians I’m working with.
It’s hard to sum up, but I’m proud of my ability to compartmentalize and be present. Dealing with the issues of the moment and adapting to shifting priorities while keeping all the plates spinning and maintaining an unflappable demeanor and a lack of ego is difficult to do.

What were you like growing up?
I’ve always been introverted and fascinated with puzzles. As a kid, I liked to take something apart and figure out how it works and how to put it back together. Growing up as the middle child also taught me a lot about how to read the room as well as deflect attention.

Pricing:

• Varies by project, call me and I’ll help you figure it out.