Secret Sonics 191 - Matt Huber - The Hyper-Focused Mixing Engineer

Matt Huber is a mix engineer based out of LA, CA, USA! In our conversation Matt and I go deep on the following:

His journey from Arkansas to LA (via Nashville)
Delegation & scaling
Niching down
Atmos

His approach to mixing

Getting bright (but not harsh) vocals

Mixing into a limiter

Why he buys every single plugin

The quality of high vs. low track-count

Advice for those getting started

And so much more!

You can learn more about Matt at https://matthuber.co/

You can follow Matt on Social Media

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

***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

Sauce Segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMXee-O4uj0

References:

Joan - https://www.instagram.com/songsbyjoan/
Soothe - https://oeksound.com/plugins/soothe2/
God Particle - https://cradle.app/product/the-god-particle/
AOM Invisible Limiter G3 - https://aom-factory.jp/products/invisible-limiter-g3/
Boys Like Girls - https://www.boyslikegirls.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 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 121 - Casey Cavaliere - The Scope of the Record Process

Casey Cavaliere is a music producer, audio engineer, guitarist and songwriter currently based out of Atlanta, GA, USA! In our chat, Casey shares his journey; from guitarist in the band The Wonder Years to producing for other artists, helping with artist development, and podcasting. We chat about working with Joe Chiccarelli, remote production methods, collaboration, as well as going deep on his approach to guitar production for records, bringing out the emotion of a mix, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Casey at http://www.caseycavaliere.com/

You can follow Casey on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/case_rock/

***As I mentioned in this episode, Carl Bahner is giving away his Spotify algorithm course to listeners of the show. Go to https://www.carlbahner.com/coaching to learn more***


The song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment isn't out yet but you can follow the artist Vanity Draft here - https://www.instagram.com/vanitydraft_/

Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - https://discord.gg/7menEBGeYk

Subscribe to the podcast and get my free guidebook "Music Production Essentials" here - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/free-download

References

The Wonder Years - https://www.thewonderyearsband.com/
The Record Process - https://www.truelevelstudio.com/therecordprocess
Carl Bahner - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/10/10/secret-sonics-116-carl-bahner-serving-and-nurturing-artists
Spinal Tap - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_Spinal_Tap
Popstar w/ Andy Samberg - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popstar:_Never_Stop_Never_Stopping
Working With Podcast - https://carlpullein.podbean.com/
Joe Chiccarelli - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Chiccarelli
Frank Zappa - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Zappa
Vance Powell - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/4/11/secret-sonics-092-vance-powell-capturing-the-magic
Steve Evetts - https://www.instagram.com/steveevetts/
Listento - https://audiomovers.com/wp/
Lucas Gienow - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2020/10/4/secret-sonics-066-lucas-gienow
Marshall Jubilee (silver) - https://marshall.com/marshall-amps/products/amps/vintage-reissues/2555x
Fender Supersonic - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SupSon22BD--fender-super-sonic-22-22-watt-1x12-inch-tube-combo-amp-blonde
STL Tones - https://www.stltones.com/
Neural DSP - https://neuraldsp.com/
Finneas - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finneas_O%27Connell
Jesse Ray Ernster - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/8/29/secret-sonics-110-jesse-ray-ernster-going-all-in-on-his-dreams
Darrick Atwater - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/7/25/secret-sonics-105-darrick-atwater-going-deep-on-sound-design
True Level Studio - https://www.truelevelstudio.com/

Thanks for listening to this episode of Secret Sonics! I hope you enjoyed this episode :) Look out for new episodes weekly. 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 new podcast theme music!
You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co
Follow along via social media here:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SecretSonicsPod
Instagram: www.instagram.com/secretsonics/

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

-Ben

Secret Sonics 120 - John McLucas - Unorthodox Pop Production

John McLucas is a pop producer, mixer, and mentor, based out of the USA! In our chat, John shares his journey; from rock/metal drummer to pop producer. We talk about reverse engineering a lifestyle that works for him, lessons learned about personal branding from Gary Vee, and living a digital nomad lifestyle. John also shares his approach to community building and outreach, mixing on headphones, having patience and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about John at https://www.johnmclucas.com/

You can follow John on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/john_mclucas/


You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment in its entirety here: "Phone a Friend" by Lia Farrington & John McLucas & Bryce Ancil - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C2BI0KzL9M&ab_channel=VariousArtists-Topic

Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - https://discord.gg/7menEBGeYk

Subscribe to the podcast and get my free guidebook "Music Production Essentials" here - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/free-download

If you'd like to help support Secret Sonics, you can do so by visiting https://www.buymeacoffee.com/benwallick

References

Austin Hull - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/5/16/secret-sonics-097-austin-hull-a-fresh-approach-to-pop-music
Build a Story Brand - https://amzn.to/3mR8MC7
Carl Bahner - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/10/10/secret-sonics-116-carl-bahner-serving-and-nurturing-artists
Enoch Yang - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/10/31/secret-sonics-119-enoch-yang-forging-an-authentic-path-in-music
VSX - https://stevenslateaudio.com/vsx
Audeze - https://www.audeze.com/
Chris Graham - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/5/2/secret-sonics-095-chris-graham-helping-audio-people-in-his-own-unique-way
Warren Huart - https://www.instagram.com/warrenhuart/
Drum Monkey Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq4cRVnBSkc&ab_channel=JohnMcLucas
Pro Mix Academy - https://promixacademy.com/
75 Hard - https://andyfrisella.com/pages/75hard-info

Thanks for listening to this episode of Secret Sonics! I hope you enjoyed this episode :) Look out for new episodes weekly. 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 new podcast theme music!

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

***If you want the show to continue to improve, feel free to fill out a listener survey here: https://forms.gle/BWKmS4YmESYid5rh8 ***

Follow along via social media here:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SecretSonicsPod
Instagram: www.instagram.com/secretsonics/


Feel free to email me at secretsonics@gmail.com with any questions and feedback you might have. I'm open to learning about what topics you'd like to hear about and which people you'd like to hear from. In pursuit of making this podcast truly helpful to anybody looking to improve at music production, all suggestions are truly welcome!

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

-Ben

Secret Sonics 097 - Austin Hull - A Fresh Approach to Pop Music

Austin Hull is a music producer, mixing engineer, and artist based out of Orlando, FL, USA! Austin is the founder and owner of Make Pop Music. In this episode, Austin shared his story - how he transitioned from playing in metal bands to producing pop music, how he started the Make Pop Music Facebook group and built a career in production. We go deep on his approach to producing and mixing, how he stays creative and inspired in the studio, communicating with artists and so much more! Check it out!

You can find out more about Austin at https://www.austinhull.com/

You can find out more about Make Pop Music at https://www.makepopmusic.com/

You can find Austin on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/austinhull23/

You can find Make Pop Music on Social Media

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

FB - https://www.facebook.com/groups/makepopmusic

You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment in its entirety here: "Gone in the Morning" by Liam Ferrari - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfEgpdtc6-s&ab_channel=LiamFerrari

Subscribe to the podcast and get my free guidebook "Music Production Essentials" here - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/free-download

Join the Secret Sonics Facebook community here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretsonics

If you'd like to help support Secret Sonics, you can do so by visiting https://www.buymeacoffee.com/benwallick

References

Six-Figure Home Studio podcast episode with Austin - https://www.thesixfigurehomestudio.com/how-to-build-an-audio-career-100-online-from-anywhere-in-the-world-with-austin-hull/
House of Balloons The Weeknd - https://open.spotify.com/album/7zCODUHkfuRxsUjtuzNqbd?autoplay=true
Max Martin - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Martin
Blackbear’s Sex EP mixtape - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJkYpyer3so&ab_channel=MindsAblaze2
Ariana Grande tutorial video - https://youtu.be/A_9zYei1Rvo
Two-Sided Mind - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNw4vHKctzE&ab_channel=AustinHull
How to make a pop song in 10 steps - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4YixkCxZk8&ab_channel=MakePopMusic
Verbsuite Classics - https://slatedigital.com/verbsuite-classics/
Fabfilter Pro R - https://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-r-reverb-plug-in
Valhalla Vintage Verb - https://valhalladsp.com/shop/reverb/valhalla-vintage-verb/
R-Vox - https://www.waves.com/plugins/renaissance-vox
Slate 2a - https://slatedigital.com/fg-2a/
Slate VBC - https://slatedigital.com/virtual-buss-compressors/
Lin MB Waves - https://www.waves.com/plugins/linear-phase-multiband-compressor
Fabfilter Saturn - https://www.fabfilter.com/products/saturn-2-multiband-distortion-saturation-plug-in

Plugin Alliance Black Box - https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/black_box_analog_design_hg-2.html
Pro-L 2 - https://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-l-2-limiter-plug-in
Virtual Tape Machine - https://slatedigital.com/virtual-tape-machines/
How to make a Lauv style track MPM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpLUoDzuAJM&ab_channel=MakePopMusic
Daniel Grimmett - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/3/21/secret-sonics-089-daniel-grimmett-helping-music-producers-succeed
Focal Shape 65 - https://www.focal.com/en/pro-audio/monitoring-speakers/shape/monitoring-speakers/shape-65

Thanks for listening to this episode of Secret Sonics! I hope you enjoyed this episode :) Look out for new episodes weekly. 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 new podcast theme music!

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

***If you want the show to continue to improve, feel free to fill out a listener survey here: https://forms.gle/BWKmS4YmESYid5rh8 ***

Follow along via social media here:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SecretSonicsPod
Instagram: www.instagram.com/secretsonics/

Feel free to email me at secretsonics@gmail.com with any questions and feedback you might have. I'm open to learning about what topics you'd like to hear about and which people you'd like to hear from. In pursuit of making this podcast truly helpful to anybody looking to improve at music production, all suggestions are truly welcome!

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

-Ben

Secret Sonics 048 - Mark Eckert

Mark Eckert is a music producer, drummer, and entrepreneur based out of Charlotte, NC, USA!

You can learn more about Mark here: https://www.markeckert.com/

You can follow Mark on Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markeckert/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themarkeckert/

You can learn more about That Pitch here: https://www.thatpitch.com/

You can learn more about That 90's Kid here: https://www.thatninetieskid.com/publishing

References

The Six Figure Home Studio Podcast: https://www.thesixfigurehomestudio.com/using-instagram-marketing-to-build-recurring-income-as-a-music-producer-with-mark-eckert/

Daniel Grimmett (Dark Label): http://danielgrimmett.com/

Kiowa Gordon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiowa_Gordon

Uranus Sound (Phoenix): https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/the-closing-of-uranus-recording-marks-end-of-era-for-a-gin-blossom-7488477

Allola: https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/allola

Alex Clare: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Clare

Passion Pit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_Pit

Phoenix: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_(band)

Lorde: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorde

Chris Zane: https://chris-zane.com/

Joel Little: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Little

Kids of 88 "Feed the Birds:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFq0UxTkV6w

Dababy "Suge:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvuQNNVrbtM

Cortez the Killer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hern%C3%A1n_Cort%C3%A9s

Kevin McCloskey of Black Pearl Studios: https://www.instagram.com/blackpearlmixedit/

Thanks for listening to this episode of Secret Sonics! I hope you enjoyed this episode :) Look out for new episodes weekly. 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 new podcast theme music!

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

Follow along via social media here:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SecretSonicsPod
Instagram: www.instagram.com/secretsonics/


Feel free to email me at secretsonics@gmail.com with any questions and feedback you might have. I'm open to learning about what topics you'd like to hear about and which people you'd like to hear from. In pursuit of making this podcast truly helpful to anybody looking to improve at music production, all suggestions are truly welcome!
 
Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben