Secret Sonics
Join mix engineers Ben Wallick and Carl Bahner as they team up to discuss the real-world trials and triumphs of music production. Tactical advice on skill development, mixing mindsets, personal branding, and achieving work-life rhythm in an evolving industry. The motivation and strategic insights you need to build your dream creative career in music and audio. Fresh episodes every other week.
Episodes
April 22, 2024 • 20 mins
In this week's episode, Ben and Carl unmask the mystery of masking (pun very much intended). They talk about frequency masking, rhythmic masking, transient masking, and more. There are plenty of "aha!" moments that will change the way you approach mixing, so tune in now and elevate your mixes from cluttered to crystal-clear!
Topics we discuss:
Topics we discuss:
- The little-known mixing villain that's sabotaging your mixes (hint: it's not just frequ...
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April 15, 2024 • 32 mins
Leaning into your authentic self, flaws and all, can become your greatest asset in building a standout career. In this offbeat episode, Ben and Carl dive deep into the quirky traits and tendencies that make them unique as music professionals.
Topics we discuss:
Topics we discuss:
- Why your quirks are more than just personality traits - they shape your artistic identity
- How to harness your quirky strengths to attract your ideal clients and collaborato...
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April 8, 2024 • 38 mins
In this thought-provoking episode, Ben and Carl dive headfirst into the complex world of artificial intelligence and its impending impact on the music industry. Discover how AI is already transforming music creation and production, and explore the philosophical quandaries that arise as technology blurs the line between human artistry and machine-generated content. Buckle up for a mind-bending journey that will leave you pondering t...
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April 1, 2024 • 34 mins
What if the secret to standout mixes was doing less, not more? In this episode, Ben and Carl dive deep into the art of minimalism in audio engineering. Discover how applying minimalist principles, from streamlined plugin chains to intentional gear choices, can elevate your sound and simplify your workflow. Learn why sometimes the biggest results come from stripping away the excess.
Topics we discuss:
Topics we discuss:
- The surprising power of const...
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March 25, 2024 • 39 mins
In this episode, mixing engineers Ben and Carl dive into the vital yet often misunderstood role of mastering in the music production process.
Topics we discuss:
Topics we discuss:
- The single biggest reason mastering can make or break your mix (it's not what you think)
- How to harness the power of objectivity to hear your mix with fresh ears
- The little-known trick for using mastering to diagnose and fix mix problems
- The surprising truth about what reall...
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March 18, 2024 • 52 mins
Ready to start earning what you're really worth as an audio professional? In this eye-opening episode, Ben and Carl talk about proven strategies for tactfully raising your rates with both new and existing clients. Discover how to showcase your unique value, frame your pricing in a compelling way, and confidently ask for the rates you deserve.
Topics we discuss:
Topics we discuss:
- Why regularly raising rates is crucial to account for inflation and i...
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March 11, 2024 • 36 mins
In this episode, Ben and Carl dive deep into the often uncomfortable but crucial topic of cold outreach for audio professionals. Carl shares his proven methodology for finding and connecting with potential clients and collaborators in a genuine, non-sleazy way. Learn how to move past the discomfort, build the habit of regular outreach, and transform your career trajectory.
Topics we discuss:
Topics we discuss:
- The key mindset shift that makes outre...
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March 4, 2024 • 47 mins
In this week's episode of Secret Sonics, Ben and Carl explore the evolving nature of career success.
Topics we discuss:
Topics we discuss:
- Early unrealistic dreams transform into sustainable career visions over time
- Realizing that artistic purpose can fuel and expand your goals as it connects with listeners
- Life priorities reshape definitions of success at different stages
- Liberation from standardized metrics frees you to determine your own success
- T...
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February 26, 2024 • 41 mins
In this week's episode, Ben and Carl talk about taking criticism as an audio professional.
Topics we discuss:
Topics we discuss:
- Getting constructive vs unhelpful criticism and feedback
- Building a "circle" of trusted people to give feedback
- Characteristics to look for in people you ask criticism from
- Receiving criticism during different stages of production
- Dealing with well-intended but unhelpful feedback
- Handling aggressive criticism from clients
- Devel...
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February 19, 2024 • 22 mins
Have a listen as Ben and Carl have an in-depth conversation about using templates for efficient mixing and production workflows. They talk about how they structure their templates by routing tracks, buses, and FX stacks to allow for maximum flexibility when mixing. They discuss setting expectations with clients about initial mixes as well as favorite plugins to include. The hosts also share some hot tips for Logic users and emphasi...
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February 12, 2024 • 42 mins
Tune in as Ben and Carl talk about what it takes to convince them to buy new plugins - from usefulness to inspiration and everything in between. They discuss the plugins they can’t live without, the plugins that were a total disappointment, and the future of subscription payment models.
Topics we discuss:
Topics we discuss:
- Prerequisites for buying a new plugin
- Marketing and sales tactics that might work on us
- Experiences with some select plugins
- Tho...
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January 29, 2024 • 49 mins
Ben and Carl discuss the role of a mixing engineer in 2024. They talk about how the role has changed over the years as well as the importance of communication with artists and producers to bring their vision to life. They also explore the impact of technological changes and how it has impacted the mixing process and made it more efficient. This discussion highlights the evolving nature of the mixing engineer's role and the need for...
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January 15, 2024 • 38 mins
Get ready for 2024. Ben and Carl kick off their rebooted Secret Sonics podcast - as new co-hosts - by doing a goal-setting session for the new year. Ben shares his plans to realign his audio career, while Carl reveals his strategy to have over 1000 conversations in 2024 (yes, seriously). Money, mindfulness, and family take priority, too as they set a mix of professional and personal goals. With insight into crafting input goals and...
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January 1, 2024 • 95 mins
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 http...
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 http...
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October 22, 2023 • 19 mins
This conversation first appeared as episode 98 of Progressions: Success in the Music Industry - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/episode/10-mindsets
Credits:
Guest: Ben Wallick
Host: Travis Ference
Editor: Stephen Boyd
Learn more about Secret Sonics - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast
Credits:
Guest: Ben Wallick
Host: Travis Ference
Editor: Stephen Boyd
Learn more about Secret Sonics - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast
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September 26, 2023 • 2 mins
Sorry for dropping the ball there, wanted to keep you in the loop.
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August 27, 2023 • 85 mins
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 ...
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 ...
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August 6, 2023 • 54 mins
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 i...
When to start i...
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July 23, 2023 • 96 mins
Daniela Rivera is an Emmy-nominated and multiple-Grammy participating audio and mixing engineer based out of Atlanta, GA, USA! She's also the Governor of the Recording Academy's Atlanta Chapter. In our conversation Daniela and I go deep on the following:
Her Journey starting with a Korg Triton keyboard
Assisting for legendary mixer Phil Tan
Coming up the traditional studio route
The Atlanta music scene
Working the Soundbetter platform
He...
Her Journey starting with a Korg Triton keyboard
Assisting for legendary mixer Phil Tan
Coming up the traditional studio route
The Atlanta music scene
Working the Soundbetter platform
He...
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