Secret Sonics 190 - John Velasquez - Fostering a Community Around Music

John Velasquez is a music producer, mixer and songwriter based out of LA, CA, USA! In our conversation John and I go deep on the following:

The importance of humility
How he has built a community of creatives that he collaborates with
Mindfulness
Being real
Patience
Working with a team
Getting artists to deliver great vocal performances
The cry test
Limitations are good
The mix = the arrangement
His new studio
Be yourself

And so much more!

You can learn more about John at https://linearmanagement.com/index.php/john-velasquez/

You can follow John on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thisisntjohnv/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

Sauce Segment: https://youtu.be/QukinUmMBsk?si=Fuo1DlGS93L6t5Ll

References:

Zella Day - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zella_Day
Local Natives - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Natives
Vacations - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacations_(band)
You Sexy Thing - https://youtu.be/MhRXOOc_p-0?si=s3bbL3JyYzNoozvB
Shawn Everett - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Everett
Dave McNair - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2023/6/11/secret-sonics-185-dave-mcnair-an-audiophiles-approach-to-mastering

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for editing this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 189 - Enoch Yang - Future-Proofing Your Audio Business with Systems

Enoch Yang is a systems and operational management specialist (in addition to being a music producer and artist), based out of Charlotte, NC, USA! In today's episode, Enoch offers a hands-on roadmap for implementing effective systems within your audio business. This approach can help you streamline your business and focus more energy on your core work. In our conversation, Enoch and I go deep on the following topics:

When to start implementing systems and what to focus on
Future-proofing your business
How to leverage your website and social media
AI and the future of tech
Real-world case studies of system implementation 
The benefits of automation

And so much more!

You can learn more about Enoch at http://www.enochyang.com/secretsonics/

You can follow Enoch on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/_enochyang/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

References 

Enoch's previous episode - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/10/31/secret-sonics-119-enoch-yang-forging-an-authentic-path-in-music

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 187 - Stephen Cole - Making Eclectic Records

Stephen Cole is a music producer, mixing engineer, musician, and the owner of What Studio based in Liverpool, England, UK! In our conversation Stephen and I go deep on the following:

Being a self-taught product of the bedroom recording boom
Building up a palette of sounds and recognizing the context of a sound
Building a studio in a church
Getting great drums sounds and relying on the room
It’s all fake, pick your fake
The importance of quick decision making
Transparent communication with artists
Having separate spaces for recording and mixing
Tracking a band in a room with headphones on
How video affects a performance
Living a creative life

And so much more!

You can learn more about Stephen at https://www.whatstudio.info/

You can follow Stephen on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/itsstecole/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

Sauce Segment: https://youtu.be/Qe5JgG9K0n0

References:

Joel Hamilton - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Hamilton
POSTMUSIC - https://www.youtube.com/@POSTMUSICLiverpool
a.P.A.t.T. band - https://www.youtube.com/@apatt
Fracture - https://glitchmachines.com/products/fracture/
Tim Ferris on Colin and Samir - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROymrQKsxSM

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for editing this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 186 - Travis Ference - Strategic Audio Workflows

Travis Ference is a Grammy-nominated mixing engineer and the host of Progressions, a podcast about finding success in the music industry. Travis is based out of LA, CA, USA! In our conversation Travis and I go deep on the following:

Fatherhood and time management
Soundflow, scripts, and other shortcuts
Is AI coming for mixing engineers?
Content creation and the surplus of noise on the internet
Travis’s approach to stem processing
Raising your rates
ROIs on a mix
Is technology helping us?
Investing in your health
Sidequests don’t help your mix
Selling yourself authentically

And so much more!

You can learn more about Travis at https://travisference.com/

You can follow Travis on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/tference/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

Sauce Segment: https://youtu.be/w3ycs8MCzmg

References:

Soundflow - https://soundflow.org/
Bounce Factory - https://www.bouncefactory.net/
Phil Weinrobe - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2023/5/14/secret-sonics-183-philip-weinrobe-music-productions-unorthodox-thinker
Colin and Samir - https://www.youtube.com/c/ColinandSamir
Goldclip - https://www.schwabedigital.com/
Ebony Smith - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2020/6/14/secret-sonics-050-ebonie-smith
Carl Bahner - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/10/10/secret-sonics-116-carl-bahner-serving-and-nurturing-artists

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for editing this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 183 - Philip Weinrobe - Music Production's Unorthodox Thinker

Philip Weinrobe is a record producer, mixing engineer, and the owner of Sugar Mountain Recording in Brooklyn, NY, USA. He's worked with talented artists such as Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief), Theo Katzman (Vulfpeck), Alanis Morissette and many others! In our conversation Philip and I go deep on the following:

Accidentally getting into recording by building studios for people including Shahzad Ismaily
How record making is a series of thousands of decisions and how he tries to simplify the process
Why he’s against playback of recorded takes
How he uses short bursts of audio to get a bigger picture of the sonic landscape
Avoiding headphones at all costs
Working within the constraints of the human brain
Recording for bleed
Off-axis mic coloration
Room Treatment
Never referencing other mixes on studio monitors
Never bouncing files pre-mix!
Keeping consistent but limited work hours
Saying yes to opportunities 

And so much more!

You can learn more about Philip at https://www.philipweinrobe.com/

You can follow Philip on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/ithinkimphil/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Safari Pedals (Promo Code secretsonics20 at checkout) - https://safaripedals.com/collections/all

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

References:

Theo Katzman - https://open.spotify.com/album/4LsFjd6Se6lEsughB7sXhF?si=whtT3wViTceTxPH0AqhXsQ
Shahzad Ismaily - https://pirecordings.com/artists/shahzad-ismaily/
Figure 8 Recording - https://www.figure8recording.com/
Adrianne Lenker - https://open.spotify.com/album/2Qt8Z1LB3Fsrf6nhBNsvUJ?si=YKYo5ZQ6Q3yWrj8S_PHRaQ
Sugar Mountain - https://sugarmountainrecording.com/
Susan Rogers - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Rogers
Jan Jelinek - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Jelinek
Thinking Fast & Slow - https://amzn.to/3MopPIp
Mixing with Your Mind - https://amzn.to/3Mn7gV0

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for editing this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 179 - Luke Fiadino - Heavy Approaches to Composition

Luke Fiadino is a music producer, mixing engineer, and composer based out of Philadelphia, PA, USA! In our conversation Luke and I go deep on the following:

Getting work in metal
Writing with artists
Composing guitar parts
Lessons from Alan Shacklock
Programming Drums
Producing vocals
Templates and routing
Avoiding the solo button
How metal is moving online
Writing regularly and putting in the reps
Writing things that make you laugh
Getting management

And so much more!

You can learn more about Luke at https://www.statesidemgmt.com/luke-fiadino

You can follow Luke on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/lukefiadinosound/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

References:

Carl Bahner - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/10/10/secret-sonics-116-carl-bahner-serving-and-nurturing-artists
Alan Shacklock - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Shacklock
Getgood Drums - https://www.getgooddrums.com/
Cape Kong - https://www.instagram.com/capekong_official/
Sam Pura - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/10/30/secret-sonics-164-sam-pura-launching-bands-with-impactful-records
Alex Crescioni - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/8/14/secret-sonics-156-alex-crescioni-bringing-heavy-records-to-life

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 178 - Aaron Beaumont - Novel Approaches to Creativity

Aaron Beaumont is a music producer, mixer, and composer based out of Brooklyn, NY, USA! In our conversation Aaron and I go deep on the following:

His background as a composer
Working with the Gregory Brothers
How limitations actually foster creativity
Managing quick turn-around times
Humor and engineering
Mangling songs together by splicing words and creative use of Melodyne
NYC vs LA
Reverb and space creation
Getting bombastic drums
Going back to basics
Breaking out of cycles
The gardener vs. the architect as creative dichotomies and when to use them

And so much more!

You can learn more about Aaron at https://www.aaronbeaumont.com/about

You can follow Aaron on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/aaronbeaumont/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

References:

The Gregory Brothers - https://www.youtube.com/@schmoyoho
Baby Audio Crystalline - https://babyaud.io/crystalline
Eventide SP2016 - https://www.eventideaudio.com/plug-ins/sp2016-reverb/
Sunset Studios Chamber - https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/trsunsetsound/
Audiothing Spring Verb - https://www.audiothing.net/effects/springs/
Acoustica Ash - https://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/ash

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 175 - Cameron Lister - Forming His Own Voice in Production

Cameron Lister is a mixing/audio engineer and music producer based out of LA, CA, USA! In our conversation Cameron and I go deep on the following:

Musical influences
The ups and downs of his career
Selling yourself
Believing in yourself
Social Media
Cameron’s philosophy on how you find your artistic voice
Don’t be afraid of failure
Synths
Bottom-up mixing
Not using templates
Monitoring
Productivity hacks
Cultivating a client-base

And so much more!

You can learn more about Cameron at http://www.cameronlister.com/

You can follow Cameron on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/cameronmixesmusic/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

References:

Travis Ference - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/9/26/secret-sonics-114-travis-ference-redefining-success-in-music
Maynard Ferguson - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maynard_Ferguson
Tony Hoffer - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Hoffer

Jumper - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRYZijLZR-Q&ab_channel=ThirdEyeBlindVideos
Maniac - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GCNUeTFSbA&ab_channel=MichaelSembello-Topic

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 174 - Delegation: The Dos and the Don'ts with Carl Bahner

Carl Bahner is a mixing engineer based out of Lancaster, PA, USA! In today's episode, we discuss the dos and the don'ts of delegation. We go deep on the following topics:

Bottlenecks
Bahner's first pancake principle (LMAO)
Don’t assume the delegatee's experience
Start with a menial task
Insecurity
Fair wages
Deadlines and availability
The team

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

References 

Carl Bahner's previous episode - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/10/10/secret-sonics-116-carl-bahner-serving-and-nurturing-artists

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 170 - Charlie Deakin-Davies - Full Speed Ahead

Charlie Deakin-Davies is a record producer, songwriter, musical director, and multi-instrumentalist based out of London, England, UK! In our conversation Charlie and I go deep on the following:

Getting their start and charting from a young age
Being naive and productive vs. experienced with imposter syndrome
Working with Gary Barlow
MDing and touring
Pop songwriting sessions
Major labels signing TikTokkers
Green lights, fast workflow, and virtuous creative cycles
Approach to guitars and bass
Compression vs. Automation
Quantity leads to quality and inevitable successes
Be friendly

And so much more!

You can learn more about Charlie at https://www.charliedeakindavies.com/

You can follow Charlie on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/charlie_deakin_davies/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

You can listen to the "Sauce" segment in its entirety here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4cc3hwpzEs&ab_channel=GaryBarlow-Topic

References:

Rookes - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/4/10/secret-sonics-140-rookes-breaking-new-ground-in-music
Martin Lumsden - https://martintheproducer.com/
Gary Barlow - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Barlow
Fraser T. Smith - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_T._Smith
Mannon Grandjean - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/episode/manon-grandjean
Fred Again - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Again
Devil-Loc - https://www.soundtoys.com/product/devil-loc/
Arcade by Output - https://output.com/products/arcade
TCC (the Trans Creative Collective) - https://linktr.ee/TransCreativeCollective

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 169 - Hill Kourkoutis - A Humanistic Approach to Record Making

Hill Kourkoutis is a Juno Award-winning music producer, mixing engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Toronto, ON, Canada! In our conversation Hill and I go deep on the following:

Building trust with artists
Her background as a touring musician
Preproduction
Guitar tone
Hill’s approach to production and mixing
Getting the right drum tones
Nostalgic sounds can bring out certain emotions
Musical authenticity
Embracing imperfections
Remembering that it’s a marathon, not a sprint
Finding creativity in everyday life
Believing in yourself

And so much more!

You can learn more about Hill at http://www.hillkourkoutis.com/

You can follow Hill on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/hillkourkoutis/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

You can listen to the "Sauce" segment in its entirety here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfDXOl3cg1c&ab_channel=Aysanabee-Topic

References:

Josh Bowman - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/2/13/secret-sonics-132-josh-bowman-intentional-living-and-mixing

Vance Powell - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/4/11/secret-sonics-092-vance-powell-capturing-the-magic
Sam Pura - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/10/30/secret-sonics-164-sam-pura-launching-bands-with-impactful-records
Acme Audio - https://acmeaudio.net/
Mikko Gordon - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/10/23/secret-sonics-163-mikko-gordon-establishing-an-aesthetic
Neumann TLM 49 - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TLM49--neumann-tlm-49-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
Aysanabee - https://www.aysanabee.com/

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 168 - Richie Beretta - The Quest for Authenticity

Richie Beretta is a music producer and mixing engineer originally hailing from NYC and currently based out of San Diego, CA, USA! In our conversation Richie and I go deep on the following:

Paul McCartney’s bass tone
Recording on Dad’s tape machine
Recording is stopping to capture a moment in time
The woes of pop culture and discontent over Art becoming content
Richie's quest for authenticity
Listening to music > making music
Mixing vs. producing
Richie's Bass tone + chain
Backing off on compression
What he still gets from analog gear
Being true to your taste in music

And so much more!

You can learn more about Richie at http://www.richieberetta.nyc/

You can follow Richie on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/richieberetta/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

You can listen to the "Sauce" segment in its entirety here - https://orcd.co/d1qpvdd

References:

Hofner Beatle bass - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6fner_500/1

Serban - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serban_Ghenea

Ex Machina speakers - https://exmachinasound.com/

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 167 - Martin Cooke - Engaging with the Record

Martin Cooke is a music producer and mixing engineer based out of LA, CA, USA! In our conversation Martin shares his story; studying at Berklee college of music, moving to LA, working at Henson, and later for Rich Costey, and eventually going freelance and doing his own thing. We chat about the producing vs the mixing mindset, getting clients, outboard gear, how he gets guitar and drum tones, preserving dynamics, monitoring, Rush, making sure to be engaged in the work you do and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Martin at https://www.mcooke.net/

You can follow Martin on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/martin__cooke/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

You can listen to the “Sauce” segment song here - https://youtu.be/pS6PiY84Ms0/

References:

Travis Ference - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/9/26/secret-sonics-114-travis-ference-redefining-success-in-music
Rich Costey - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_CosteyShadow Hills Equinox Summing Mixer - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Equinox--shadow-hills-industries-equinox
Magic Death Eye - http://magicdeatheye.com/
AudioThing Wires - https://www.audiothing.net/effects/wires/
AudioThing Springs - https://www.audiothing.net/effects/springs/

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 166 - Benny Faccone - Making the Records Shine

Benny Faccone is a 17-time Grammy Award-winning music producer and audio engineer based out of LA, CA, USA! In our conversation Benny shares his story; studying at Berklee college of music, moving to LA, assisting at A&M, and getting his "in" as an engineer working on Latin records. We chat about working with great producers, Analog vs. Digital sound and stereo width, panning, working with Santana, mixing drums and percussion, getting a big low-end, remembering to enjoy the moments, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Benny at http://bennyfaccone.com/biography/

You can follow Benny on Social Media

Benny IG - https://www.instagram.com/bennyfaccone/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

References:

Bobby Owsinski - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/7/5/secret-sonics-151-bobby-owsinski-birds-eye-view-of-the-audio-industry
Trident Series C - https://reverb.com/item/477386-trident-series-80c
API 550A - https://www.apiaudio.com/product.php?id=106

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 165 - Andrew Maury and Jesse Ray Ernster Answer Your Burning Questions (Recording of Live AMA Event)

Mixing phenoms Andrew Maury and Jesse Ray Ernster return to the podcast in a live AMA event that was recorded last month. In this conversation, Andrew and Jesse answered some of your burning questions and we went deep on so many topics including being overly self-critical, deliverables (what Andrew and Jesse actually provide their clients), Atmos, analog summing (and is it worth it?), saturation, and plugin development. We chat about monitoring, reconnecting with the kid in you, prioritizing elements within the mix, being a friend to the artists you work with, what really went into mixing Burna Boy's latest record, the attack wall, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Andrew at http://andrewmaury.net/

You can learn more about Jesse at https://www.jesseraymix.com/

You can follow them on Social Media

Andrew IG - https://www.instagram.com/aemaury/

Jesse IG - https://www.instagram.com/jesseraymix

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

References:

Andrew's first episode - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/7/18/secret-sonics-104-andrew-maury-mixing-with-intuition
Jesse's first episode - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/8/29/secret-sonics-110-jesse-ray-ernster-going-all-in-on-his-dreams
Damian's Instagram reel - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjghJ1qJdTv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Tchad Blake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchad_Blake
Sam Pura - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/10/30/secret-sonics-164-sam-pura-launching-bands-with-impactful-records
Mixland Plugins - https://www.mixland.io/
Nacho Molino - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/6/19/secret-sonics-150-nacho-molino-fearless-mixing
Ken Lewis - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/9/12/secret-sonics-112-ken-lewis-100-gold-records-and-beyond
Notion - https://www.notion.so/
Tube traps - https://www.acousticsciences.com/product/attackwall/

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 164 - Sam Pura - Launching Bands with Impactful Records

Sam Pura is a record producer, audio engineer, and mixing engineer based out of Fremont, CA, USA! In our chat, Sam shares his unique approach to making records; how he reamps guitars, tunes drums, mixes, and edits every single transient on the recording! We chat about making sure the music is excellent before worrying about the business, mixing with impact, caring too much about projects, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Sam at https://www.thepandastudios.com/

You can follow Sam on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/sampura/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Save 20% off your first year of Filepass at - https://filepass.com/secretsonics

Save 50% off your first 3 months of Easy Funnels at - https://easyfunnels.io/secret-sonics

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment here: "DEATHWESTERN" by SPIRITWORLD - https://youtu.be/4lSSzMZg0oE/

References:

Purified Audio (Sam's Plugins) - https://purafied.com/
Eric Valentine - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Valentine
Thomas Pridgen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Pridgen
Jason Suecof - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Suecof

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 163 - Mikko Gordon - Establishing an Aesthetic

Mikko Gordon is a record producer, audio engineer, and mixing engineer based out of London, England, UK! In our chat, Mikko shares his story; from playing in bands to doubling down on the studio thing, meeting and working with Nigel Godrich, and working with some of today's biggest indie/alternative acts! We chat about finding artists he really wants to work with, establishing an aesthetic on a record, his philosophy on drum sounds, and being fast and fearless in the tracking stage. We also talk about mixing, reverb, working with The Smile, lessons from FOH, transitioning from a local scene to the global music scene, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Mikko at https://www.mikkogordon.com/

You can follow Mikko on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/mikkogordon/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Save 20% off your first year of Filepass at - https://filepass.com/secretsonics

Save 50% off your first 3 months of Easy Funnels at - https://easyfunnels.io/secret-sonics

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment here: "Octopus" by Island - https://youtu.be/XXYWEAwMwp8

References:

Nigel Godrich - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Godrich

Radiohead - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead
Laura Bettinson - https://www.instagram.com/lau.ra.lau.ra.lau.ra/
Ultraista - https://www.instagram.com/ultraistamusic/
Island - https://www.instagram.com/islandislandisland/
Tim O'Sullivan - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/9/18/secret-sonics-158-tim-osullivan-fostering-inspiration-in-the-studio

The Smile - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smile_(band)
Nigel on Hanging Out with Audiophiles - https://hangingoutwithaudiophiles.libsyn.com/howa-ep-100-nigel-godrich
Hackney Road Studios - http://www.hackney-road.com/
Tchad Blake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchad_Blake

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 161 - Jim Homes - Capturing Bold Sounds

Jim Homes is an audio engineer, music producer, mixing engineer, and one half of Boe Weaver, a production duo based out of the Isle of Wight, UK! In our chat, Jim shares his story; getting signed almost on a whim really young, building a studio with his brother, and remixing for major label artists. We chat about doubling down on your strengths, trying to keep the human elements in a production, the advantages of working as a duo and overcoming its challenges. We also talk about not being afraid to reach out to people for work, run ins with tchad blake, reverb, going bold and not waiting for the mix, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Jim at http://www.boeweaver.com/

You can follow Jim on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/jim_homes/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Save 20% off your first year of Filepass at - https://filepass.com/secretsonics

Save 50% off your first 3 months of Easy Funnels at - https://easyfunnels.io/secret-sonics

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment here: "Waking Up Without You" by Rhys Lewis - https://youtu.be/Ei3mlmQOkDk

References:

Empire Sound - https://www.instagram.com/empire_sound_/

Alex Clare - https://alexclare.com/

Tchad Blake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchad_Blake

Vance Powell - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/4/11/secret-sonics-092-vance-powell-capturing-the-magic

Head - https://stageaudioworks.com/sound-engineer-howard-head-bullivant-talks-deploying-sennheiser-mics-pj-harvey-james-blake-bat-lashes-natasha-khan/

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 159 - Justin LaPointe - Tracking the Magic in the Room

Justin LaPointe is an audio engineer, music producer, mixing engineer, and the owner of Barnhouse Sound on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada! In our chat, Justin talks about his journey in audio; from interning at a large facility to building a destination recording studio. He goes deep on creating an environment that fosters creativity, capturing live bands, and getting great drum sounds. We also chat about mixing, mastering, staying inspired, not being afraid to reach out to artists you love, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Justin at https://www.barnhousesoundproductions.com/

You can follow Justin on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/barnhousesound/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Save 20% off your first year of Filepass at - https://filepass.com/secretsonics

Save 50% off your first 3 months of Easy Funnels at - https://easyfunnels.io/secret-sonics

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking 

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment here: "Banquets" by Fast Hatchet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp5VwjKLn6Q&ab_channel=FastHatchet-Topic

References:

Electric City Sound - http://electriccitysound.com/
Vance Powell - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/4/11/secret-sonics-092-vance-powell-capturing-the-magic
Glyn Johns - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyn_Johns
AKG 451B - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/C451B--akg-c-451-b-small-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
Soundtoys - https://www.soundtoys.com/

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co

Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Secret Sonics 158 - Tim O'Sullivan - Fostering Inspiration in the Studio

Tim O'Sullivan is a music producer, audio engineer, and mixing engineer based out of LA, CA, USA! In our second chat on the podcast, Tim brings us up to date and shares what he's done since our last conversation; the closing of Barefoot Recording, setting up an Atmos room for Greg Wells, touring with Chicano Batman, and setting up his own studio in Frogtown. He goes deep on working on the latest Rayland Baxter record, using weird gear and instruments to inspire artists, and focusing the build of his new studio to cater to creative work flows. We also chat about commiting to sounds, new deliverables for mixers, getting stems to add up, having a manager, figuring out what to eliminate to do the work you want to do, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Tim at http://osullivanaudio.com/

You can follow Tim on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/timomusic86/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Save 20% off your first year of Filepass at - https://filepass.com/secretsonics

Save 50% off your first 3 months of Easy Funnels at - https://easyfunnels.io/secret-sonics

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t

You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment here: "If I Were a Butterfly" by Rayland Baxter - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-roMRDJKic&ab_channel=RaylandBaxter-Topic

References:

Tim's first episode - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2020/7/5/secret-sonics-053-tim-osullivan

Barefoot Recording - https://www.instagram.com/barefoot_recording/
Money Mark - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_Mark
Chicano Batman - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicano_Batman
Greg Wells - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Wells
Dan Silberman - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/3/6/secret-sonics-135-daniel-silberman-driving-the-stereo-bus
Ian Sefchick (Magic Death Eye) - https://www.instagram.com/magicdeatheye/

Consider rating and reviewing our show on Apple Podcasts and sharing this or any of your favorite episodes with a friend or two.

Thank you to Zvi Rodan, Mendy Portnoy, and Yakir Hyman for contributing to the podcast theme music!

Thanks to Gavi Kutliroff for helping edit this episode!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!
-Ben