Zolile Valashiya

Built and manages a mobile podcast production business serving entrepreneurs and corporations, handling end-to-end production from concept development to publication and streamlining post-production workflows. Directs hosts and guests during recording sessions to ensure optimal microphone technique, audio clarity, and narrative flow. Edits and mixes dialogue in Pro Tools and Adobe Audition using EQ, compression, de-essing, noise reduction, and loudness normalization to meet broadcast and streaming platform specifications. Troubleshoots technical issues in real time to ensure clean multi-track recordings. Produces show notes, timestamps, metadata, promotional clips, manages release schedules, and designs custom intro/outro music, transitions, and sound effects to reinforce branding.

Oversaw audio production workflows, engineering teams, and technical standards for live events and branded content. Set signal flow protocols, quality benchmarks, and SOPs for studio operations; managed budgets, gear purchases, and studio maintenance. Hired, trained, and mentored audio engineers and coordinated with video, IT, and facilities to deliver complex multi-track productions on time and to specification. Evaluated and integrated new technologies, including AI-enhanced plug-ins and Audio-over-IP solutions, improving reliability and reducing setup time by 15%.

Engineered on-site audio for major festivals, ensuring flawless sound quality through gain staging, system tuning, and live mixing. Produced 2+ weekly pre-recorded and live radio shows, managing technical aspects including studio desk operation, real-time cueing of audio clips/jingles, and studio-to-transmitter links. Hosted and produced one of the two radio shows. Created station branding elements (jingles, IDs, sonic logos) to reinforce station identity and listener retention. Coordinated guest bookings, pre-interviews, presenter briefings, caller screening and on-air integration. Created radio IDs/jingles/audio images for other station shows and edited pre-recorded segments/promos/podcast content for on-demand distribution.