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Ben and Carl share some of the techniques they use to add percussive depth without cluttering your mix. Learn why texture beats rhythm, how to stretch samples for supernatural groove, and the specific workflow for making percussion serve your song instead of competing with it. Discover: Why Carl’s orchestral training taught him to add texture instead of rhythm to modern pop mixesHow time-stretching a sample creates unique transient effects you can’t get any other wayHow adding one extra rhythmic element can destroy the unison power of an entire mixThe Middle Eastern groove Ben constructed sample by sample because no loop existed for what he neededWhen to mute it and boot it if your percussion isn’t making the song better Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

What happens when a successful music producer realizes he’s been working with the wrong people for years? Carl reveals the moment everything changed after his first child was born, and why he now prioritizes client personalities over everything else. The conversation gets deep about energy vampires, family priorities, and a surprising truth about word-of-mouth referrals. Discover: Why Carl went from doing 150 shows a year to being extremely picky about clients after having kidsThe exact moment he realized $50 bar gigs weren’t worth his time or energy anymoreWhy that ridiculously talented Berkeley guitarist everyone knows is actually bad for businessThe surprising reason word-of-mouth referrals can trap you with similar low-quality clientsHow to recognize if you’re being a pushover with difficult clients who love unlimited revisions Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

Learn the three essential principles that turn your biggest credits into sustainable income, why Grammy winners still struggle to find work, and how to position yourself so clients see your rate as a steal instead of an expense. Carl shares real strategies from working with 15+ Grammy-winning students who came to him for business help. Discover: The uncomfortable reality that major awards have expiration dates for client attractionHow the music industry shifted from 4,000 annual albums in 1970 to 100,000 daily uploadsWhy high-end mixing engineers charge based on peace of mind rather than sound qualityThe four client decision levels from price-shopping to relationship-based hiringHow major label timelines create cascading risks worth paying premium rates to avoidWhy existing clients resist rate increases but new clients accept higher starting prices Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

Learn why one of the most experienced immersive audio engineers believes most people are approaching Dolby Atmos completely wrong, and discover the emotional framework that’s helping artists create deeper connections with their fans. Plus, find out what producers should actually look for when hiring an Atmos engineer and why checking mixes in multiple formats could transform your workflow. Discover: The exact moment in a House of Blues monitor setup that shaped how he thinks about immersive audioWhy he now derives every stereo mix from an Atmos version instead of working the other way aroundThe technical reason Atmos mixes have more dynamic range and why that creates stronger emotional impactWhat happens when artists flip between stereo and Atmos versions on Apple devices and why that changes everythingThe calibration approach that lets him mix without looking at meters for the first time in 20 yearsThe difference between engineers who got into Atmos for work versus those who got into it for the experienceHow he sends preview files to remote artists without requiring them to read instruction manualsWhy he believes car audio will be the thing that separates real Atmos engineers from headphone-only mixersLearn more about Dave: https://staglsound.com/ Follow Dave: http://instagram.com/davidstagl Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

What happens when a mixing engineer accidentally builds clients in 30 countries while living in Pennsylvania? Carl discovered that global currency differences and economic crashes might be the secret weapon most audio professionals are completely ignoring. Discover: Why COVID permanently shifted the industry away from big city studiosHow global economic instability can actually stabilize a mixing engineer’s incomeHow mixing engineers became accidental project managers for self-produced artistsThe math behind why international diversification beats local word-of-mouthWhen Carl recommends other engineers to look like a hero to their clients Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

What makes a vocal feel perfectly placed… or totally disconnected? This week, we’re getting way past plugin chains and diving into the real work of vocal mixing: context. We’re talking about how to make vocals live in a mix, not just sit on top of it. Because getting a vocal to shine isn’t just about EQ moves - it’s about storytelling, space, and knowing who gets the spotlight in each moment. We explore how we mix vocals completely differently - yet still aim for the same emotional clarity - and even find ourselves (gasp) passionately disagreeing about Vampire Weekend. Discover: Why the instrumental is the first thing we fix when vocals don’t feel rightThe “lead vocal vs. background vocal” question we think is kind of a trapThe one question Carl asks in every section of every songWhen to make vocals felt not heard (and how that changes your mix decisions)Why we don’t always high-pass vocals—and what we do insteadThe subtle sidechain trick that helps your vocals breathe without boosting themWhen sharing reverbs between vocals and instruments makes your mix snap togetherThe difference between using reverb for space vs. characterCarl’s favorite compressor to kill backing vocal transients (in a good way)What mixing has to do with stage plays, ransom letters, and emotional punch Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

Quick Announcement: Taking a Week Off to Celebrate 6 Years and 250 Episodes - because we deserve it! 

Two cranky engineers accidentally reveal why your technically perfect vocals sound emotionally dead In this episode, Ben and Carl dive into why the "mistakes" you're fixing might be the only thing keeping your vocals human. From pre-production psychology to multi-de-esser philosophy, they challenge everything you think you know about processing vocals. Discover: How over-rehearsed bands sabotage their own records (and why pop artists need completely different rules)Reading the room and matching your approach to the artist's psychologyWhy perfect tuning kills emotion and when to leave the "mistakes" inWhy using multiple light processors beats one heavy one (and Carl's controversial multi-de-esser approach)How deliberately bad cuts make choruses hit like trucks Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

In this episode, Ben & Carl get into the gritty business of making bass actually work in a mix. Not just technically — but emotionally, musically, and physically. We challenge each other’s instincts, admit when we’re wrong, and debate who should own the sub: the bass or the kick? Spoiler: it depends — but we each have our go-to moves and a few spicy disagreements. Discover: Whether bass should be felt, heard… or bothThe kick vs. bass power struggle (and how we each resolve it)Why sub-bass and electric bass don’t always play niceDynamic EQ, sidechaining, and the art of subtle carvingWhat frequencies actually matter most for bass perception“I Used to Be Cool” — and other producer identity crises Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

We didn’t mean to go this deep—but here we are. This week, we cracked open the bass rabbit hole and just kept falling. What started as a casual chat about tracking techniques quickly turned into a full-on audio archaeology dig. Fingerstyle vs. pick. Flatwounds vs. roundwounds. Phase issues. Amp sims. DI regrets. When to tune your bass like it’s a vocal. And why the right bass might be a $300 violin-shaped Epiphone that makes your P-Bass sound like a string bean. This is Part 1. Next week, we’ll take all this nerdy goodness and show you how it interacts with everything else in the mix—drums, vocals, space, sub, punch, width, grit. Discover: Why we sometimes tune bass like it’s a vocalThe $300 Epiphone that destroyed a Fender P-Bass in a shootoutHow adding chorus to bass can actually make it sound tighterThe reason your 808s keep disappearing—and how to fix itFingerstyle, pick, thumb, palm mute: how your hand technique makes the biggest difference Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

Think there's only one "right way" to record and mix drums? Think again. In this revealing episode, Ben and Carl dive deep into their completely opposite approaches to drum production. Despite working from opposite ends of the spectrum, they discover they're ultimately chasing the same emotional result. This conversation might just give you permission to try that "crazy" technique you've been hesitant to experiment with. Discover: Why conventional drum recording approaches might be limiting your creative options and sonic resultsThe counterintuitive "songs for the deaf" method of tracking drums one element at a time (and why it creates more flexibility than traditional methods)How recording drums last (after vocals!) can dramatically improve how your drum parts support the songWhy sympathetic snare vibrations are crucial for creating believable drum soundsThe critical importance of phase alignment when layering kick drums and using samplesWhy cutting frequencies from sample drums often yields better results than boostingHow focusing on kick and snare can free you from obsessing over every other element in the mix Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e References: dxRevive - https://www.accentize.com/dxrevive/ LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

In this "nerdy episode," Carl and Ben dive into a topic that affects many producers but rarely gets attention: updating your mixing templates. They explore how these living documents should evolve alongside your workflow, highlighting how small adjustments can lead to significant time savings and creative benefits. Discover: Why templates should evolve rather than remain static for yearsHow to recognize when you're repeatedly making the same changesWhy it's so easy to postpone template maintenance despite its benefitsFinding balance between template efficiency and creative flexibilityThe dangers of adding new plugins to templates before properly evaluating themSpecific examples of template updates they've found valuable in their own work Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

Raising your rates sounds simple… until you actually try to do it. In this special episode, Carl breaks down the real reasons studio pros avoid increasing their prices - and why most of those reasons are based on fear, not facts. Carl pulls from 20+ years of experience helping producers and engineers build sustainable careers outside the traditional music industry hubs. With practical examples and thoughtful analogies, this episode will give you the confidence - and the language - to navigate money conversations without feeling like a sellout. Discover: Why being “affordable” might be hurting your career more than helping it The truth about what scares clients off (hint: it’s not your rate)A simple script you can use to raise your rates with past clientsHow to stop making assumptions and start making informed decisionsWhy big credits don’t guarantee clients - and what actually doesIf you’ve ever felt awkward talking money, this episode is a must-listen. Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

In this episode, Ben and Carl dive deep into the psychology of permission-seeking that stops so many creative professionals from taking the next step in their careers. Through the story of an artist hesitant to perform her first solo show, they explore why we often wait for external validation before pursuing our goals – whether that's raising our rates, reaching out to dream clients, or sharing our creative work. Discover: Why we fear judgment for actions that most people won't even noticeHow taking risks transforms skeptics into supportersThe assumptions that prevent us from sending that first message to potential clientsWhy bold mixing and production choices follow the same psychological patternHow success often comes to those willing to execute without permission Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

How do you create such an amazing client experience that artists wouldn't dream of working with anyone else? Carl unpacks key insights from Will Guidara's "Unreasonable Hospitality" and explores how to apply these principles to studio businesses. Discover practical ways to transform client interactions from transactional to unforgettable, whether you're working remotely or in-person. Discover: How thoughtful, personalized touches (like remembering a client's favorite tea or writing personalized notes) create deeper connections without breaking the bankSpecific tactics for making remote clients feel valued and appreciatedHow to infuse your personal style into your studio environment (physical or virtual) to attract like-minded artists and create an immediate sense of connection that transforms the client experience"Unreasonable Hospitality" - https://amzn.to/4jn4wVo Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e LA Wildfire Relief: Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5 Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing Connect with us: Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/ Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/ Learn more: https://www.benwallick.com/ https://www.carlbahner.com/ This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/