Last updated: September 14, 2026
Quick Answer: “David Kalmusky: Addicted to Music Making, Part 1” is a landmark Mixonline profile published July 26, 2019, spotlighting Nashville-based producer, songwriter, guitarist, engineer, and mixer David Kalmusky. The piece frames him as “the best-kept secret in Nashville” and documents his move into the historic Masterfonics building on Music Row, where Addiction Sound Studios became a world-class creative hub. It remains the definitive long-form introduction to his career and production philosophy. [2][3]
Key Takeaways
- David Kalmusky is a multi-platinum, multiple Billboard No. 1 producer, songwriter, guitarist, engineer, and mixer based in Nashville, Tennessee.
- “Addicted to Music Making, Part 1” is a Mixonline feature (July 2019) that profiles his move into the historic Masterfonics building on Music Row. [2][3]
- Addiction Sound Studios, which Kalmusky co-founded with Jonathan Cain in 2011, is widely regarded as one of the most Trident console-centric studios on the planet.
- His artist credits include Shawn Mendes, Keith Urban, Megan Trainor, Justin Bieber, Journey, Joe Bonamassa, Vince Gill, and John Oates, among others.
- Kalmusky left home at age 16 to tour full-time, shaped by a father who was a first-call session bass player. [6]
- His studio philosophy centers on drum sound, microphone selection, console topology, and acoustic design as active creative tools, not just technical decisions.
- A major 2025 podcast episode (RSR516) extends the themes of the Mixonline profile with deep discussion of studio design and the future of music production. [1]
- As of September 2026, no official “Part 2” sequel to the Mixonline article has been published under that exact title. [3]
Who Is David Kalmusky?
David Kalmusky is a Nashville-based music producer, songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, engineer, and mixer with multiple Billboard No. 1 credits and multi-platinum certifications to his name. He is co-owner and partner at Addiction Sound Studios on Music Row.
His career spans genres and generations. Credits include sessions with Shawn Mendes, Keith Urban, Megan Trainor, Justin Bieber, Journey, Joe Bonamassa, Tenille Townes, Vince Gill, and John Oates, a list that signals both commercial range and critical credibility. [13] Despite that output, the 2019 Mixonline profile described him as “the best-kept secret in Nashville,” a phrase that stuck because it captured something real: Kalmusky’s work is everywhere, but his name rarely leads the conversation. [2][3]
That changes when people start digging. And the “Addicted to Music Making” series is where most of that digging begins.
What Does David Kalmusky Do, and What Makes Him Different?
Kalmusky operates across every stage of record-making. He writes, produces, tracks, engineers, and mixes, often on the same project. That full-chain involvement is rare at his level and shapes how he thinks about sound.
Where many producers hand off a mix or delegate engineering, Kalmusky treats each stage as connected. His approach to studio design reflects this: every element of Addiction Sound Studios, from the Tom Hidley-designed mix room to the Trident console at the center of the room, is chosen to serve the record, not just the workflow. [11][12]
For independent artists studying the craft, this is the core lesson: your production environment is a creative decision, not just a logistical one. If you are building your own home studio setup, start with resources like 13 accessible music making tools for producers and 10 game-changing music creation programs to understand how tool selection shapes your sound from the ground up.
David Kalmusky: Addicted to Music Making, Part 1, Full Summary
The Mixonline article “David Kalmusky: Addicted to Music Making, Part 1,” published July 26, 2019, is the primary authoritative profile of Kalmusky’s career and studio philosophy. [2][3] It centers on his move into the historic Masterfonics building on Music Row in Nashville, where he transformed the famous Tom Hidley-designed mix room into what he calls a “music production oasis.” [11]
The piece highlights three core themes:
- Collaboration by design. The new space was built to attract and support other creators, not just serve Kalmusky’s own sessions.
- Craft obsession. The title “Addicted to Music Making” is not metaphor, it describes a work ethic rooted in decades of immersive, professional music making.
- Nashville’s hidden depth. The profile positions Kalmusky as a figure who represents the city’s best creative work, even when that work goes uncredited in mainstream coverage.
Mixonline’s Recording section continues to list the piece as a definitive profile rather than a time-limited news item, which signals its lasting relevance to the audio production community. [3]
How Did David Kalmusky Get Into Music?
Kalmusky’s entry into professional music was early and direct. His father was a first-call session bass player, which gave him access to the professional music world from childhood. [6] He left home at age 16 to tour full-time, a decision that bypassed the typical path and placed him inside the working music industry before most producers have touched a console. [6]
That early immersion explains the depth of his technical knowledge and his comfort across multiple roles. He did not study music production from the outside. He learned it by doing it, at a professional level, from a young age.
For artists building their own origin story, Kalmusky’s path is a reminder that early action compounds. The music business rewards those who show up and stay. See the ultimate music business guide for a structured framework on building a sustainable career from wherever you are starting.
David Kalmusky’s Music Production Background and Studio History
Addiction Sound Studios opened in Nashville in 2011, co-founded by Kalmusky, Jonathan Cain, and other partners. [12][14] The studio was designed and built with engineer and studio designer Chris Huston, and from the start it was built around Trident consoles and tools, earning it a reputation as one of “the most Trident-centric studios on the planet.” [12]
The studio’s design philosophy goes beyond aesthetics. Kalmusky has discussed the importance of drum sound, microphone placement, and console signal flow as active creative variables, not just technical defaults. [1][7] Addiction Sound has hosted Recording Academy events, NAMM gatherings, and manufacturer showcases, making it a community hub as well as a production facility. [14]
Key timeline milestones:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Addiction Sound Studios opens in Nashville with Jonathan Cain [12][14] |
| 2019 | Mixonline publishes “Addicted to Music Making, Part 1” following move to Masterfonics building [2][3] |
| 2022 | RSR371 podcast episode documents multi-platinum, Billboard No. 1 career credits [13] |
| 2025 | RSR516 episode covers studio design and future of music production in depth [1][7] |
David Kalmusky: Addicted to Music Making, Interview and Podcast Coverage
The most comprehensive long-form discussions of Kalmusky’s work come through podcast interviews, not press releases. Two Recording Studio Rockstars episodes stand out.
RSR371 (2022) introduced Kalmusky to a broader audio community audience, cataloging his multi-platinum credits and Billboard No. 1 history across a wide range of artists. [13]
RSR516 (July 25, 2025), titled “Inside the Ultimate Dream Studio, Addiction Sound, and the Future of Music Production,” runs approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes and goes deep on studio design, drum recording, microphone selection, and how evolving technology is changing record-making. [1][7][8] It is currently the most detailed, up-to-date conversation available on his production mindset and studio philosophy.
If you are a producer or artist who wants to document your own process and build an audience around your craft, how to start a music podcast is a practical starting point. Kalmusky’s podcast presence shows exactly how long-form audio can build authority in the production community.
David Kalmusky’s Production Techniques and Philosophy
Kalmusky’s production approach is built on a few consistent principles that run through every source covering his work. [1][7][12][13]
Drum sound is foundational. He treats the drum recording stage as one of the most consequential decisions on any record. Microphone choice, room placement, and console routing are all deliberate. [1][7]
The console is a creative tool. Addiction Sound’s Trident-centric setup is not nostalgia, it is a functional choice that shapes the character of every record made there. [12]
Studio design is part of the music. The Tom Hidley-designed mix room at the Masterfonics building was not just a prestigious address. It was a specific acoustic environment that Kalmusky transformed to serve his production style. [11]
Collaboration amplifies output. The space was designed to bring other writers and producers in, not to isolate. That community orientation is a thread running through both the Mixonline profile and the RSR podcast episodes. [2][3][14]
For producers building their own toolkit, the CDM August 2026 roundup of new music production tools and updates and essential music production software and plugins for July 2026 offer current resources that align with the kind of deliberate tool selection Kalmusky models.
Where to Watch or Listen to David Kalmusky: Addicted to Music Making
The original “Addicted to Music Making, Part 1” article is a written profile, not a video or audio episode. It is published and maintained on Mixonline’s Recording section. [2][3]
For audio and video content featuring Kalmusky directly:
- RSR516 is available on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms. [1][8]
- A YouTube video featuring Kalmusky is also accessible for those who prefer video format. [5]
- Additional podcast and audio content is indexed on player platforms. [4]
The Mixonline article itself remains freely accessible on the publication’s website and continues to be the primary text associated with the “Addicted to Music Making” title. [2][3]
Is David Kalmusky Still Making Music in 2026?
Yes. As of 2026, David Kalmusky is actively working as a signed songwriter to Jonas Entertainment Group and continues to write and produce at Addiction Sound Studios. [11] His official biography confirms that the studio remains his primary creative base on Nashville’s Music Row. [11]
The volume and consistency of podcast coverage through 2022 and 2025, combined with his active studio presence, indicates no slowdown in output. [1][7][13] For an artist at his level, “still making music” is an understatement. The question is more accurately: what is he making next?
David Kalmusky: Addicted to Music Making Part 2, What Happens Next?
As of September 2026, no official “Part 2” sequel to the Mixonline article has been published under the title “Addicted to Music Making, Part 2.” [3][11] The narrative that began in the 2019 profile has continued through other formats, specifically the RSR podcast episodes and Kalmusky’s official biography updates, rather than through a direct follow-up article. [1][7][12]
The RSR516 episode from July 2025 is the closest thing to a “Part 2” in terms of depth and scope, covering studio evolution, production philosophy, and the future of the craft in a format that extends every theme from the original Mixonline piece. [1][7]
If a formal Part 2 is published, Mixonline’s Recording section is the most likely home for it. [3]
FAQ
What is “David Kalmusky: Addicted to Music Making, Part 1”? It is a Mixonline profile published July 26, 2019, documenting Nashville producer David Kalmusky’s move into the Masterfonics building on Music Row and his production philosophy. [2][3]
Who is David Kalmusky? A Nashville-based multi-platinum producer, songwriter, guitarist, engineer, and mixer with Billboard No. 1 credits and sessions with artists including Shawn Mendes, Keith Urban, and Justin Bieber. [13]
Where is Addiction Sound Studios located? Inside the historic Masterfonics building on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. [11]
When did Addiction Sound Studios open? It opened in Nashville in 2011, co-founded by Kalmusky and Jonathan Cain. [12][14]
Is there a video version of the “Addicted to Music Making” feature? The original piece is a written article on Mixonline. Video content featuring Kalmusky is available on YouTube. [5]
What podcast episode covers Kalmusky’s studio design in depth? RSR516, “Inside the Ultimate Dream Studio, Addiction Sound, and the Future of Music Production,” published July 25, 2025, runs approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes. [1][7][8]
Has a Part 2 been published? No. As of September 2026, no official “Part 2” sequel exists under that title. [3][11]
What label or publishing deal does Kalmusky currently hold? He is a signed songwriter to Jonas Entertainment Group. [11]
What console is central to Addiction Sound Studios? Trident consoles, making it one of the most Trident-centric studios in the world. [12]
Why is Kalmusky called “the best-kept secret in Nashville”? The Mixonline profile used that phrase to describe his outsized production output relative to his public profile, his work is on major records, but his name rarely leads mainstream coverage. [2][3]
Conclusion
David Kalmusky’s story, from a 16-year-old touring musician to a multi-platinum Nashville producer with one of the most technically sophisticated studios on Music Row, is a masterclass in what sustained commitment to craft produces. “David Kalmusky: Addicted to Music Making, Part 1” is not just a profile. It is a case study in how a serious artist builds an environment, a reputation, and a body of work that speaks for itself.
Actionable next steps for independent artists and producers:
- Study the environment. Kalmusky’s studio design choices are creative decisions. Audit your own production space and tool selection with the same intentionality. Start with 13 accessible music making tools for producers.
- Document your process. Kalmusky’s podcast presence built authority. Use how to start a music podcast to start building yours.
- Build community into your workflow. Addiction Sound was designed for collaboration. Apply that principle to your own network and fan base by exploring the fan engagement funnel to convert listeners into loyal supporters.
- Stay current on tools. Production technology evolves fast. The CDM August 2026 roundup of new music production tools keeps you ahead of the curve.
The addiction Kalmusky describes is not a warning. It is a blueprint.
References
[1] Apple Podcasts, RSR516 David Kalmusky Inside the Ultimate Dream Studio – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rsr516-david-kalmusky-inside-the-ultimate-dream/id1039639115?i=1000718958400&l=es-MX
[2] Mixonline – https://www.mixonline.com/
[3] Mixonline Recording Section – https://www.mixonline.com/recording
[4] Player.fm Podcast Index – https://player.fm/podcasts/Davidglenn
[5] YouTube Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLfbfeJ-gdk
[6] YouTube, Loyalty in the Music Business Interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g141fcHBOH8
[7] Ubook, RSR516 Episode Listing – https://www.ubook.com/audiobook/244711/?page=1
[8] Podcast Republic, RSR516 – https://podcastrepublic.net/podcast/1039639115