It's day two of our road trip. From Iowa City to join our discovery of antique cars, a community center filled with nostalgic miniatures, the ear of corn water tower, and 105 degree weather as we make our way to Bloomington, MN and the Mall of America.

Also in this Episode:

Deep Shower Thought: maybe this is why turkeys drown in the rain...

Gear in Here: Speak to Me. When mixing a song what you hear is critical. I share my opinion on why two sets of monitors are better than one, and tips on how to check your mix, saving some potential embarrassment (that likely only you would notice).

The Main Event for this episode is also Travel Time, as Serena helps unpack day one of our 1,500 mile trip to Mall of America and back. During the day we found a couple great stops, a fun photo op, and stayed at what is arguably the best hotel of our 6 days traveling.

Opening Slots:

Episode 20 starts with a "state of the podcast" address, with some info about future epiodes, and an opportunity to get in on a giveaway sponsored by Ampeg.

This episode contains no "Deep Shower Thoughts" or lessons from "When Insults Had Class". But I think you will find the replacement worthwhile, and may even want to listen to it a couple times.

The Gear In Here: In the Grotto with the SCC. Thankfully it's not as bad as it sounds. The SCC, or Studio Control Center, is my current device of choice for managing all the I/O sets running from various gear into my two sets of studio monitors. I set out to find and active switcher that met my criteria; compact, shelf-friendly, transparent, easy to use, and stays cool to the touch. It also doesn't hurt that you can find the SCC for well under $200 USD.

Thanks to oNline Web Fonts for the new font

On this Episode...

Travel Time: The Island

It's back! This time with special co-host; The one. The only. Serena. In this episode we talk about our recent family trip to Mackinac Island and one of its mainland counterparts, Mackinaw City. If you really need to know the difference click here. To see pictures relating to our time in the city and on the island visit this page on the podcast website.

Gear In Here: 10-month checkup

When the show began, much of the gear was new as it replaced what I had been using (a story not worth the time). Two main pieces have been in use since the pilot episode: MOTU's M4 Audio Interface and Shure's MV7. In revisiting both products, I hope to give helpful insight for those of you looking to get into personal recording, be it a podcast, voiceover, or recording and sharing your own music with the world.

When Insults Had Class

In a distant time, long before insult was synonymous with four-letter-words, the art of a quick wit and sharp tongue prevailed. Today's lesson will be the perfect end for the grouchiest of events that could have been a picture.

Returning from mid season break we are excited to have Don Zbinden as our guest. Shortly after learning to crawl, Don's natural talent for playing the drums came into focus and has been part of his lifelong music journey. Don serves as the master of time keeping the beat in line with Minnesota's favorite Rush tribute band, Spindrift. In the conclusion of our conversation Don talks about what he learned while with Muzz & Remus, making the choice to move, and stay, in Minnesota, and working in both a power trio and his church.

Also in this Episode:

Deep Shower Thoughts: This one gets spooky...

(c) 2021 Decibolic LLC.

Returning from mid season break we are excited to have Don Zbinden as our guest. Shortly after learning to crawl, Don's natural talent for playing the drums came into focus and has been part of his lifelong music journey. Don serves as the master of time keeping the beat in line with Minnesota's favorite Rush tribute band, Spindrift. In this episode we sit down and get to know this keeper of Neal Peart's legacy, something which Don does not take lightly.

Also in this Episode:

Deep Shower Thoughts: How deep will this one go?

Gear In Here: The Little Things. Some of the best tools for content creation are the least visible. Enter Coda Music Technologies MB-1. Here our hot take on this cost effective microphone booster. 

(c) 2021 Decibolic LLC. Photograph of Don (c) Tyler Habrecht. All Rights Reserved.

The original version was released to those who signed up for the Louder Life News (by visiting decibolic.com). For Sweet 16, it has been overhauled, re-edited, expanded, and recorded before a canned studio audience.

Ranging from quick & witty to profound, each guest took part in the unrehearsed Q&A format of Quick Riffs.

Featuring:

Dylan Bowman of iPrevail

Dino Monoxelos, the Ampeg Guy

Justin Babcock of Black Soul Swamp

Also In This Episode:

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Thank you for taking time to be an active listener to this podcast. It is the easiest way to help support the show.

Other ways include make a supporting contribution on Anchor.fm, and purchasing the gear you need through the affiliate links to zZounds.

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Live Life Loud: The Decibolic podcast will return.

Honoring Women's History Month, this episode has a unique interview and insight into one of the classiest insult makers of all time.

A Conversation with Serena

This conversation is a rare look into the thoughts of my almost 10-year-old daughter. Her aspirations, favorite hobbies, activities, and cat. Hear froma life whose future is wide open.

When Insults Had Class: Lady Astor

Lady Astor herself was quite capable of making original comments which were a hybrid between a surly retort and an epigram. She is nearly as famous for her scathing wit as she is for her political career, including head-to-head clashes with a master of the putdown, Winston Churchill.

NEXT WEEK: Episode Sweet Sixteen

 As a thank you to all who listen to the show, a previously subscribers-only Q&A bonus will be our sweet 16. Featuring unrehearsed answers from Dylan Bowman (iPrevail), Dino Monoxelos (Ampeg), and Justin Babcock (Black Soul Swamp).

Sitting down with Marv & Gill, hosts of Pods Like Us and The Mind Buzz, the group talks about the power of music. From Power Trios, The Doors, The Beatles, and a brief look into how technology shaped, and could have altered, the albums and artists we know and love.

Also in this episode on When Insults Had Class we learn the true origin of one attributed to famed writer Mark Twain.

Support for this podcast comes from listeners like you. Monthly contributions can be made at anchor.fm or by using this link to buy your  pro audio and music instrument needs at zZounds.com. 

There is more to explore at decibolic.com, where you can Dive Deeper into podcast segments, hear original music, find links to social media, and even learn a little more about me, your host.

Lucky 13.

Thank you Dock & Mawty for traveling back in time to fix the intro. 

In this series of very meta episode, we dive into some of the woes when it comes to podcasting, recording, and workarounds to make it all happen.

When Insults Had Class: a little history lesson, and inspiration to #StayClassy when admonishing your others with rebuttals that take it up a step.

The Gear in Here: Mac Daddy. The 2011 MacBook Pro has been amazing. I discuss a few updgrades that kept it rocking longer than the average expected life of a notebook, but I am reaching the limits of it's capabilities. But the newest does not mean the best when it comes time to replace it.  We go into the pros and cons of all things MacBook Pro - focusing on 15.4" model; the ups and downs, and key changes over the past 10 years. To wrap it up I present five (5) resellers with excellent ratings, variety, and support.

If you recently purchased, or are considering purchase of, a reconditioned Mac chances are high it will be pre-loaded with Big Sur. Many using Macs for audio or video editing find favorite programs either aren't ready, or will never work, with the new OS. If you are interested in rolling back to a previous edition I have outlined steps to do so. Instructions will be made available for doing so, using Catalina as the example, at decibolic.com > Gear In Here > Deep Dive. 

Overcoming Technical Difficulties: A candid look at the lives of some famous people who refused to stay down when their backs were against the wall, or if they could even afford a wall. From all ages, and walks of life, these profiles will encourage you to Live Life Loud.  

Get ready to meet a man on a mission: Martin Quibell aka Marv Smooth. Since beginning Pods Like Us, Marv has been bringing together a community unlike any other in the podcast world. Marv is also a bass player, and former tape op for a recording studio. In this candid interview, we hop across the pond to learn more.

ADDITIONAL EPISODE CONTENT:

New Segement: When Insults Had Class. Not only will you get to hear a world-class insult in action but learn a little about the life behind this expertly crafted critique.

Gear In Here: Revisiting the Shure M7. Over the past few months we've encountered a small but potentially bothersome quirk with this device. Thanks to Joe Crescenzi, a workaround has been discovered and . . . (drum roll) it really works!

Thank you for your listening to Live Life Loud: The Decibolic Podcast. You can help support the show and our mission to bring inspiration from the world of art & music, starting at less than $1 USD/month by going here and choosing your support level (click on support). Or contact us at [email protected].