I’m a professional Audio Engineer and Podcast Producer with over 15 years of experience turning ideas into exceptional sound. I help brands, agencies, and creators tell their stories through clear dialogue, immersive sound design, and strategically produced podcast content. From single-episode editing to full series production, as well as audio post-production and brand audio identity, I provide a seamless, end-to-end service—bringing both technical expertise and creative insight to deliver polished, broadcast-ready results.…

Zolile Simphiwe Valashiya

I’m a professional Audio Engineer and Podcast Producer with over 15 years of experience turning ideas into exceptional sound. I help brands, agencies, and creators tell their stories through clear dialogue, immersive sound design, and strategically produced podcast content. From single-episode editing to full series production, as well as audio post-production and brand audio identity, I provide a seamless, end-to-end service—bringing both technical expertise and creative insight to deliver polished, broadcast-ready results.…

Available to hire

I’m a professional Audio Engineer and Podcast Producer with over 15 years of experience turning ideas into exceptional sound. I help brands, agencies, and creators tell their stories through clear dialogue, immersive sound design, and strategically produced podcast content.

From single-episode editing to full series production, as well as audio post-production and brand audio identity, I provide a seamless, end-to-end service—bringing both technical expertise and creative insight to deliver polished, broadcast-ready results.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Podcast Producer & Founder at I Need A Podcast
January 1, 2020 - Present
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.
Director of Audio Engineering at The Hive Network
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2020
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%.
Radio Producer & Live Audio Engineer at R1Wradio
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
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.
Audio Specialist at The Sound Guys
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Designed immersive soundscapes for advertising campaigns and created sonic identities to improve brand recall and audience engagement. Delivered fast-turnaround podcast editing with AI-assisted workflows (iZotope RX, Descript), reducing production time by 20% without compromising quality. Engineered production sound on set (boom operator/mixer), and edited/synced dialogue, ADR, and Foley for independent films and TV projects. Mixed and mastered for broadcast, streaming, and theatrical releases while ensuring loudness compliance (e.g., -24 LUFS/LKFS US, -23 LUFS EU). Prepared stems and final print masters, conformed audio to picture using EDL/AAF/OMF, and performed QC for phase, headroom, and peak limits. Collaborated with directors, editors, and composers to balance dialogue, music, and effects for clarity and emotional impact.
Audio Engineer (Mobile Recording & Post-Production) at Rush Studios
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2020
Engineered mobile recording sessions for music, film, and TV in diverse locations, including microphone setup, monitoring, and outboard gear configuration for pristine audio capture. Optimised post-production workflows using comping, time-alignment, and audio restoration techniques to reduce standard editing time by 20%. Provided sound design and Foley for independent films under constrained budgets. Mixed and mastered audio for music, film, TV, and radio, syncing audio with video in post-production. Maintained and troubleshot recording systems and wireless mic setups to prevent downtime. Collaborated with artists, producers, and directors to deliver technically polished results.
Freelance Music Engineer at Self-Employed
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2015
Recorded, mixed, and mastered audio tracks for independent artists and bands, specializing in microphone selection/placement and signal-flow. Set up and calibrated studio monitoring for accurate listening and mixing decisions. Applied EQ, compression, reverb, and audio restoration while preserving artistic intent. Edited/comped and time-aligned performances in Pro Tools and Logic Pro X, managing gain staging, phase alignment, and latency to avoid technical artefacts. Troubleshot real-time technical issues during sessions and delivered reliably against deadlines, leading to repeat bookings and referrals.

Education

AI Training Certification at Deep Learning AI – AI Training Certification
January 1, 2025 - July 30, 2026
Marketing Communications at AAA School of Advertising
January 1, 2008 - July 30, 2026
Matric at Capricorn High School
January 1, 2007 - July 30, 2026
AI Training Certification (Deep Learning AI) at AAA School of Advertising
January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025
Marketing Communications (Marketing Communications) at AAA School of Advertising
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2008
Matriculated at Capricorn High School
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2007

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services
    THE SOUND GUYS | Film/TV |
    Sound Design & Engineering: Foley, Dialogue Editing, Audio Post- Production, Live Sound, atmospheric soundscapes, and final mixes for video (YouTube, commercials, film). Challenge: Clients required high-quality, immersive audio for film/TV and advertising projects with tight deadlines. Action: Designed and delivered custom soundscapes and complete audio post-production, Result: Optimised production time lines by 20% while maintaining award-winning sound quality, leading to repeat contracts for major advertising campaigns.…
    RUSH STUDIOS | Studio Engineer | Content Creator |
    Provided sound design and Foley for independent films, creating immersive audio experiences on constrained budgets. Mixed and mastered audio for music, film, TV, and radio, ensuring proper levels, clarity, and spatial balance; synced audio with video in post-production. Challenge: Brand awareness Action: Created content to show case mobile studio capabilities to build credibility, confidence and trust. Result: Client studio bookings increased by 20% after 1st episode was released.…
    THE HIVE NETWORK PODCAST | Director of Audio Engineering | Lead Podcast Producer |
    Multimedia Content & Brand Strategy Integration: I understand how audio functions within larger content ecosystems. The Hive Network, I developed integrated brand strategies and produced audio- visual content that told cohesive stories across platforms. Challenge: Create and amplify branded content for event sand digital platforms that required a consistent sonic identity. Action: Produced live and recorded podcasts for conferences and panels. Led audio branding initiatives, designing signature sounds and soundscapes for social media and digital assets. Result: Established recognisable audio brands for key network properties, increasing audience recall and engagement across digital touch points. podcastproducer…
    PODCAST STUDIO | Founder & Lead Podcast Producer |
    Specialised Skills: Audio Branding, Voice Over Recording, Mobile Studio Setup. Podcast Studio: Operated mobile studio at live events, festivals, brand activations, creating interactive audio experiences and immediate content distribution. Podcast Production (End-to-End): Scripting, Recording, Editing, Mixing, Mastering. Challenge: Built a business to provide professional, mobile podcast production for clients lacking in-house audio expertise. Action: Founded and operated a full-service mobile podcast studio, managing all aspects from client consultation and scripting to recording, sound design, editing, and multi-platform distribution. Result: Produced over 100 high-quality podcast episodes for corporate and entrepreneurial clients, consistently achieving an average 30% increase in audience engagement through tailored audio strategies. podcastproducer podcasteditor podcaststudio…