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 vocal
• The $300 Epiphone that destroyed a Fender P-Bass in a shootout
• How adding chorus to bass can actually make it sound tighter
• The reason your 808s keep disappearing—and how to fix it
• Fingerstyle, 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 results
• The 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 song
• Why sympathetic snare vibrations are crucial for creating believable drum sounds
• The critical importance of phase alignment when layering kick drums and using samples
• Why cutting frequencies from sample drums often yields better results than boosting
• How 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 years
• How to recognize when you're repeatedly making the same changes
• Why it's so easy to postpone template maintenance despite its benefits
• Finding balance between template efficiency and creative flexibility
• The dangers of adding new plugins to templates before properly evaluating them
• Specific 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 clients
• How to stop making assumptions and start making informed decisions
• Why big credits don’t guarantee clients - and what actually does

If 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 notice
• How taking risks transforms skeptics into supporters
• The assumptions that prevent us from sending that first message to potential clients
• Why bold mixing and production choices follow the same psychological pattern
• How 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 bank
• Specific tactics for making remote clients feel valued and appreciated
• How 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/

Why do children create fearlessly while professional producers get stuck staring at blank DAW sessions? In this insightful conversation, Ben and Carl explore the counterintuitive truth that creative freedom comes from embracing constraints, not avoiding them. From Sufjan Stevens' state-themed albums to the natural evolution of decision-making throughout the production timeline, they reveal how limitations spark inspiration rather than stifle it. Whether you're battling decision paralysis with 87,000 clap samples or struggling to maintain a social media presence, this episode offers practical approaches to turning constraints into catalysts for your best work.


Discover:

• How constraints unlock creativity rather than limit it
• Why limitless possibilities lead to decision paralysis
• Practical constraint methods for both music and business
• The natural evolution of constraints throughout the production timeline
• Decision-making confidence across different creative domains
• The value of deliberate practice in building decisiveness

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/

Ben and Carl tackle the all-too-familiar challenge of creative burnout and share surprisingly effective ways to reignite that creative spark. When you're creatively stuck, listening to new music might be more valuable than trying to create. This episode is all about how rediscovering the joy of being a music fan first can lead to fresh inspiration, and they share their personal strategies for breaking out of creative ruts.


Discover:

• Why "just create something" often fails as advice when you're uninspired
• The importance of continuing to discover new music throughout your career
• How to listen like a fan again, not just as a producer or engineer
• Breaking out of your musical comfort zone
• Ben and Carl's curated song recommendations

Ben and Carl's Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7DRLSwzcUjkbbI7Ji6GQbh?si=3edac29bad6b4398

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 you finally get an ADHD diagnosis at 39 and start noticing real changes in how you work? Or when you realize you’re craving more human energy in a music world that’s feeling increasingly robotic? In this episode, Carl and Ben unpack the creative shifts they’re making—from Carl’s deep dive into remixing in unexpected ways to Ben’s push for more live, unpolished recordings.


Discover:

• Carl’s approach to remixing
• Why Ben is moving away from rigid, overly edited music and focusing on live energy
• The small creative experiments that lead to real breakthrough
• How AI might actually be pushing musicians back toward imperfection and organic performances

Feeling stuck in your creative process? Maybe the next step isn’t as big as you think.

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 into that tricky moment we all face: deciding when to follow a reference mix and when to trust your own instincts. Sparked by Carl's current remix project, they get real about the messy balancing act of honoring artist expectations while still trusting your gut.


Discover:

• The challenging balancing act when artists love both their rough mix and reference tracks that sound nothing alike
• How to have patient conversations with self-producing artists about conflicting references
• The difference between referencing for skill-building versus creative direction
• Practical approaches to using reference tracks without becoming overly technical or losing your unique sound

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/