Mike Thornton
@mikeprotools.bsky.social
Mike is a retired sound designer, audio producer, a Pro Tools specialist. He is chairman of Production Expert Ltd and still occasionally has something to say.
DADman is used with Digital Audio Denmark (DAD) and selected Avid interfaces such as the MTRX and MTRX Studio. It has powerful tools for configuration, routing, and monitor control. If you need help, you'll find something in this article that will help you. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
DADman - Everything You Need To Know | Production Expert
DADman provides powerful tools for configuration, routing, and monitor control, but it can also be complex to get to grips with. If you feel you need help getting the most out of this software we can ...
www.production-expert.com
September 4, 2025 at 5:53 PM
DADman is used with Digital Audio Denmark (DAD) and selected Avid interfaces such as the MTRX and MTRX Studio. It has powerful tools for configuration, routing, and monitor control. If you need help, you'll find something in this article that will help you. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
With the release of Pro Tools 2025.6, Avid no longer supports my 2018 Intel Mac mini. Although it would probably work, I started looking for a possible replacement when an offer from an unusual source dropped into my inbox, which was a “no-brainer”. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Why I Chose a Discounted Mac Studio Over the Latest Model for My Studio | Production Expert
With the release of Pro Tools 2025.6, Avid no longer supports Mike’s 2018 Intel Mac mini. Although it would probably work, he started looking for a possible replacement when an offer from an unusual s...
www.production-expert.com
August 13, 2025 at 10:15 AM
With the release of Pro Tools 2025.6, Avid no longer supports my 2018 Intel Mac mini. Although it would probably work, I started looking for a possible replacement when an offer from an unusual source dropped into my inbox, which was a “no-brainer”. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Considering a new studio computer in 2025 or 2026? In this article, we outline everything we know about Apple’s plans for new Mac computer releases during 2025 and 2026. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Apple Plans For Mac Computer Releases In 2025 And 2026 - But Do We Need Them? | Production Expert
Considering a new studio computer in 2025 or 2026? In this article, we outline everything we know about Apple’s plans for new Mac computer releases during 2025 and 2026.
www.production-expert.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Considering a new studio computer in 2025 or 2026? In this article, we outline everything we know about Apple’s plans for new Mac computer releases during 2025 and 2026. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
In the third quarter of 2025, Apple generated $94.04 billion in revenue. But how much of that revenue comes from Mac sales? Is it still worth it for Apple to develop and produce Macs? Can we expect Apple to develop Macs for our sector? We investigate. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Do Apple Mac Computers Still Matter To Apple? | Production Expert
In the third quarter of 2025, which ended on June 28 Apple generated $94.04 billion in revenue. But how much of that revenue comes from Mac sales? Is it still worth it for Apple to continue developing...
www.production-expert.com
August 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
In the third quarter of 2025, Apple generated $94.04 billion in revenue. But how much of that revenue comes from Mac sales? Is it still worth it for Apple to develop and produce Macs? Can we expect Apple to develop Macs for our sector? We investigate. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
As a PPMulator owner, I received an unexpected email from zplane announcing that they will be discontinuing all their audio metering plugins: PPMulator+, PPMulatorXL, ppmBatch and Fennek at the end of 2025. Read the article for more details. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Zplane Announces They Are Discontinuing All Their Audio Metering Plugins | Production Expert
As a PPMulator owner, Mike received an unexpected email from zplane announcing that they will be discontinuing all their audio metering plugins: PPMulator+, PPMulatorXL, ppmBatch and Fennek at the end...
www.production-expert.com
July 22, 2025 at 11:27 AM
As a PPMulator owner, I received an unexpected email from zplane announcing that they will be discontinuing all their audio metering plugins: PPMulator+, PPMulatorXL, ppmBatch and Fennek at the end of 2025. Read the article for more details. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
We really need your help for one of our own. It’s very unusual for us to post this kind of article, but when one of our own is as seriously ill as Mike Thorne. If you are able, could you please sign up? You never know, you might be the one. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
We Urgently Need Your Help For One Of Our Own | Production Expert
It’s very unusual for Production Expert to post this kind of article, but when one of our own is as seriously ill as Mike Thorne and needs this kind of help, the only response is to act, and to ask yo...
www.production-expert.com
July 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
We really need your help for one of our own. It’s very unusual for us to post this kind of article, but when one of our own is as seriously ill as Mike Thorne. If you are able, could you please sign up? You never know, you might be the one. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
With speech intelligibility being such a big issue, NUGEN Audio DialogCheck is a welcome new tool for mixers of film, TV and streaming content. But what do audio professionals think of it? I was one of three asked to check it out & you can read our verdicts… www.production-expert.com/production-e...
NUGEN Audio DialogCheck Experts Review | Production Expert
With speech intelligibility being such a big issue, NUGEN Audio DialogCheck should be a very welcome tool for mixers of film, TV and streaming content. But what do audio professionals think of it? We ...
www.production-expert.com
June 20, 2025 at 8:07 AM
With speech intelligibility being such a big issue, NUGEN Audio DialogCheck is a welcome new tool for mixers of film, TV and streaming content. But what do audio professionals think of it? I was one of three asked to check it out & you can read our verdicts… www.production-expert.com/production-e...
With the release of Pro Tools 2025.6, Avid has updated its OS compatibility information, which now includes official support for M4 chips & the removal of support for macOS Monterey. We have all the details, inc. a full list of supported Apple Mac computers www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Avid Drops Support For macOS Monterey With Pro Tools 2025.6 | Production Expert
With the release of Pro Tools 2025.6, Avid has updated its OS compatibility information, which now includes official support for M4 chips and the removal of support for macOS Monterey. We have all the...
www.production-expert.com
June 18, 2025 at 6:33 PM
With the release of Pro Tools 2025.6, Avid has updated its OS compatibility information, which now includes official support for M4 chips & the removal of support for macOS Monterey. We have all the details, inc. a full list of supported Apple Mac computers www.production-expert.com/production-e...
It appears that a number of older Mac computers will not be supported by the successor to macOS Sequoia. In this article, we share what we have learnt about what to expect Apple to announce at WWDC 2025. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Your Older Apple Computer May Not Work With the Next macOS Release | Production Expert
We expect Apple to announce details of the next version of its macOS during the keynote address of the Worldwide Developers' Conference on June 9. It appears that a number of older Mac computers will ...
www.production-expert.com
May 30, 2025 at 9:05 AM
It appears that a number of older Mac computers will not be supported by the successor to macOS Sequoia. In this article, we share what we have learnt about what to expect Apple to announce at WWDC 2025. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
The Best Sources for Free SFX Libraries 2025.
Collecting a vast library of sound effects can be a costly endeavour. Fortunately, there's a wealth of free SFX libraries available, and in this article, we'll explore the top sources to help you up your game. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Collecting a vast library of sound effects can be a costly endeavour. Fortunately, there's a wealth of free SFX libraries available, and in this article, we'll explore the top sources to help you up your game. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
The Best Sources for Free SFX Libraries 2025 | Production Expert
In the world of audio production, sound effects are the unsung heroes that breathe life into your creations. However, collecting a vast library of sound effects can be a costly endeavour. Fortunately,...
www.production-expert.com
April 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The Best Sources for Free SFX Libraries 2025.
Collecting a vast library of sound effects can be a costly endeavour. Fortunately, there's a wealth of free SFX libraries available, and in this article, we'll explore the top sources to help you up your game. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Collecting a vast library of sound effects can be a costly endeavour. Fortunately, there's a wealth of free SFX libraries available, and in this article, we'll explore the top sources to help you up your game. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Both the European and British governments are drafting legislation to enable Artificial Intelligence developers to use copyrighted material to train their content-generating tools. But is it fit for purpose? In this article, I take a look... www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Why Creative Professionals Are Challenging EU And UK Government AI Copyright Proposals | Production Expert
Both the European and British governments are drafting legislation to enable Artificial Intelligence developers to use copyrighted material to train their content-generating tools, with an opt-out fea...
www.production-expert.com
April 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Both the European and British governments are drafting legislation to enable Artificial Intelligence developers to use copyrighted material to train their content-generating tools. But is it fit for purpose? In this article, I take a look... www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Client Project Storage - Should You Charge Or Not? A community member recently asked about the pros and cons of charging clients to store their projects on our systems. If you are considering charging clients to store their projects, this article is for you. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Client Project Storage - Should You Charge Or Not? | Production Expert
Toby Griffin, a community member working as a freelance sound designer, engineer and mixer, recently asked about the pros and cons of charging clients to store their projects and data on your systems....
www.production-expert.com
February 24, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Client Project Storage - Should You Charge Or Not? A community member recently asked about the pros and cons of charging clients to store their projects on our systems. If you are considering charging clients to store their projects, this article is for you. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Thinking about a new studio computer in 2025? In this article, we outline everything we know about Apple’s plans for new Mac computer releases during 2025. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Apple's Expected Plans For Mac Computer Releases In 2025 | Production Expert
Thinking about a new studio computer in 2025? In this article, we outline everything we know about Apple’s plans for new Mac computer releases during 2025.
www.production-expert.com
February 9, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Thinking about a new studio computer in 2025? In this article, we outline everything we know about Apple’s plans for new Mac computer releases during 2025. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Over the years we’ve been compiling some of the best recording studio hacks from all over the world, some are ingenious, others fun. One thing is certain, these are nearly 30 of the best recording studio hacks around and well worth checking out. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Over 25 Of The Best Recording Studio Hacks | Production Expert
These are nearly 30 of the best recording studio hacks around and well worth checking out.
www.production-expert.com
February 9, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Over the years we’ve been compiling some of the best recording studio hacks from all over the world, some are ingenious, others fun. One thing is certain, these are nearly 30 of the best recording studio hacks around and well worth checking out. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
In this article, we take a look at the cloud-based file transfer services we have used, as well as others recommended to us. For each provider, we have included information about their services, a summary of the pricing options and user comments. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Cloud Based File Transfer Services 2025 - We Take A Look At Some Of The Best | Production Expert
In this article, we take a look at the cloud-based file transfer services that we have used, as well as others that have been recommended to us. For each provider, we have included some information ab...
www.production-expert.com
January 31, 2025 at 5:10 PM
In this article, we take a look at the cloud-based file transfer services we have used, as well as others recommended to us. For each provider, we have included information about their services, a summary of the pricing options and user comments. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
How do you create a session backup that you can open and use if some plugins in that session are no longer available? I developed a workflow 12 years ago to cover this eventuality. In this article, I present this workflow. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
How To Archive A Pro Tools Session To Protect Against Plugin Obsolescence | Production Expert
How do you create a session backup that you can open and use if some plugins in that session are no longer available. Mike developed a workflow 12 years ago to cover this eventuality. In this article,...
www.production-expert.com
January 24, 2025 at 12:07 PM
How do you create a session backup that you can open and use if some plugins in that session are no longer available? I developed a workflow 12 years ago to cover this eventuality. In this article, I present this workflow. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
AAF and OMF were designed to be an ‘open’ format to enable the trouble-free transfer. However, as with so many things, it’s not as simple as that. In this article, I explore the challenges of transferring from an NLE to Pro Tools. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
The Truth About Pro Tools Friendly AAFs | Production Expert
The AAF and OMF were designed to be an ‘open’ format to enable the trouble-free transfer. However, as with so many things, it’s not as simple as that. In this article, we explore the challenges of tra...
www.production-expert.com
December 20, 2024 at 3:17 PM
AAF and OMF were designed to be an ‘open’ format to enable the trouble-free transfer. However, as with so many things, it’s not as simple as that. In this article, I explore the challenges of transferring from an NLE to Pro Tools. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Which Apple Mac Is the Best Computer For My Studio?
With the arrival of Apple Silicon. Now, for the first time, are we seeing machines we can genuinely forget about, finally letting us focus on our craft? We investigate… www.production-expert.com/production-e...
With the arrival of Apple Silicon. Now, for the first time, are we seeing machines we can genuinely forget about, finally letting us focus on our craft? We investigate… www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Which Apple Mac Is the Best Computer For My Studio? | Production Expert
The arrival of Apple Silicon—more specifically, the M-series chips—has brought a real shift. At last, we’re seeing tech that keeps up with our needs. Now, for the first time, are we seeing machines we...
www.production-expert.com
December 12, 2024 at 1:49 PM
Which Apple Mac Is the Best Computer For My Studio?
With the arrival of Apple Silicon. Now, for the first time, are we seeing machines we can genuinely forget about, finally letting us focus on our craft? We investigate… www.production-expert.com/production-e...
With the arrival of Apple Silicon. Now, for the first time, are we seeing machines we can genuinely forget about, finally letting us focus on our craft? We investigate… www.production-expert.com/production-e...
As an audio editor or mixer, how many times have you been frustrated by what OMF, AFF and video files you have been sent from the video editor. I share my recommendations as to what a video editor can do to make life easier for sound editors and mixers. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Sound Editors - Send This To Every Video Editor You Know! | Production Expert
If you work as an audio editor or mixer on projects that has been through a video edit, how many times have you been frustrated by what OMF, AFF and video files you have been sent from the video edito...
www.production-expert.com
December 12, 2024 at 1:47 PM
As an audio editor or mixer, how many times have you been frustrated by what OMF, AFF and video files you have been sent from the video editor. I share my recommendations as to what a video editor can do to make life easier for sound editors and mixers. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
I explain how to export a Pro Tools friendly AAF from Adobe Premiere Pro. Although the basic process is relatively simple, there are some complications with nested clips and sequences, merged clips or you need to get the metadata into Pro Tools. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
How To Create A Pro Tools Friendly AAF From Adobe Premiere | Production Expert
In this article, we explain how to export a Pro Tools friendly AAF from Adobe Premiere Pro. Although the basic process is relatively simple, there are some complications if the video editor has used n...
www.production-expert.com
December 12, 2024 at 1:45 PM
I explain how to export a Pro Tools friendly AAF from Adobe Premiere Pro. Although the basic process is relatively simple, there are some complications with nested clips and sequences, merged clips or you need to get the metadata into Pro Tools. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
I explain how to export a Pro Tools friendly AAF from DaVinci Resolve. There is no doubt that working with DaVinci Resolve has been the hardest NLE for extracting a Pro Tools friendly AAF. We cover the common issues and recommend solutions and workarounds. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
How To Create A Pro Tools Friendly AAF From DaVinci Resolve | Production Expert
In this article, we explain how to export a Pro Tools friendly AAF from DaVinci Resolve. There is no doubt that working with DaVinci Resolve has been the hardest NLE for extracting a Pro Tools friendl...
www.production-expert.com
December 12, 2024 at 1:41 PM
I explain how to export a Pro Tools friendly AAF from DaVinci Resolve. There is no doubt that working with DaVinci Resolve has been the hardest NLE for extracting a Pro Tools friendly AAF. We cover the common issues and recommend solutions and workarounds. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
In this article post-production specialist Damian Kearns shared his advice on the best way to expert a Pro Tools friendly AAF from Avid Media Composer. If you have ever had issues with AAFs from video editors, then you will want to share this with them. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
How To Create A Pro Tools Friendly AAF From Avid Media Composer | Production Expert
In this article post-production specialist Damian Kearns shared his advice on the best way to expert a Pro Tools friendly AAF from Avid Media Composer. If you have ever had issues with AAFs from video...
www.production-expert.com
December 6, 2024 at 9:51 PM
In this article post-production specialist Damian Kearns shared his advice on the best way to expert a Pro Tools friendly AAF from Avid Media Composer. If you have ever had issues with AAFs from video editors, then you will want to share this with them. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Mac Studio 3rd Party Storage Upgrades Coming In 2025.
French Apple Mac repair and service company Polysoft has developed user-replaceable SSD storage for Mac Studio computers that are around half the price of Apple’s prices. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
French Apple Mac repair and service company Polysoft has developed user-replaceable SSD storage for Mac Studio computers that are around half the price of Apple’s prices. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Mac Studio 3rd Party Storage Upgrades Coming In 2025 | Production Expert
French Apple Mac repair and service company Polysoft has developed user-replaceable SSD storage for Mac Studio computers that are around half the price of Apple’s prices.
www.production-expert.com
December 6, 2024 at 9:48 PM
Mac Studio 3rd Party Storage Upgrades Coming In 2025.
French Apple Mac repair and service company Polysoft has developed user-replaceable SSD storage for Mac Studio computers that are around half the price of Apple’s prices. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
French Apple Mac repair and service company Polysoft has developed user-replaceable SSD storage for Mac Studio computers that are around half the price of Apple’s prices. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
In audio post-production, we often get AAFs or even OMFs from the video editor, which provides us with the edited audio from the picture edit. In this article, a panel of experts shares their experiences of using AAFs and OMFs in their professional workflows www.production-expert.com/production-e...
AAF And OMFs - Post Audio Expert Panel On The Good, The Bad And The Ugly | Production Expert
In audio post-production, we often get AAFs or even OMFs from the video editor, which provides us with the edited audio from the picture edit. In this article, a panel of experts shares their experien...
www.production-expert.com
December 5, 2024 at 11:43 AM
In audio post-production, we often get AAFs or even OMFs from the video editor, which provides us with the edited audio from the picture edit. In this article, a panel of experts shares their experiences of using AAFs and OMFs in their professional workflows www.production-expert.com/production-e...
In Part 3 of this series on Loudness, I cover a key part of delivering loudness-compliant content. I explain bass management before moving on to a practical demonstration of how to calibrate your monitoring with a sound pressure meter. www.production-expert.com/production-e...
Understanding Loudness Part 3 - Calibrating Your Monitors | Production Expert
In part three of a free tutorial series, Mike Thornton covers how to calibrate your monitors. We look at how monitoring should be configured and provide an explanation of bass management and wha...
www.production-expert.com
December 3, 2024 at 4:10 PM
In Part 3 of this series on Loudness, I cover a key part of delivering loudness-compliant content. I explain bass management before moving on to a practical demonstration of how to calibrate your monitoring with a sound pressure meter. www.production-expert.com/production-e...