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:

• ⁠Prerequisites for buying a new plugin
• Marketing and sales tactics that might work on us
• Experiences with some select plugins
• Thoughts on subscription models
• Plugins that disappointed us or didn't live up to expectations
• Building a "toolkit" of go-to plugins
• ⁠When (and when not) to experiment with new plugins

Connect with us:

Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics
Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/
Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/

Thanks to our sponsors!

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

Learn more:

https://www.benwallick.com/
https://www.carlbahner.com/

370 Social Media Ideas for Studio Pros - https://branding.carlbahner.com/free-social-media-prompts


This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

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 adaptability in the ever-changing music industry.

Topics we discuss:

• The traditional role of the mixing engineer vs. how it has evolved
• Mixing engineers taking on extra roles
• ⁠Mixing into limiters
• ⁠Using mastering engineers and AI tools as feedback mechanisms
• ⁠The importance of communication within the creative team
• ⁠Facilitating the artist's vision
• Left-field techniques to gain objectivity
• ⁠Providing quality assurance and peace of mind

Connect with us:

Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics
Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/
Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Progressions with Travis Ference - https://www.progressionspodcast.com/listen

Learn more:

https://www.benwallick.com/
https://www.carlbahner.com/education

This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

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 keeping each other accountable, this first episode will inspire you to aim high in 2024.
Topics we discuss:

• Introducing Carl as the new co-host of Secret Sonics
• Setting goals and priorities for 2024
• Input goals vs output goals
• Carl's goal to start 1000 new conversations this year
• Ben's goal to pivot to full-time mixing
• Becoming more financially literate (Ben)
• Mindful living and eating (Carl)
• Making time for family

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/education

This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/

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

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

Sorry for dropping the ball there, wanted to keep you in the loop.

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 can learn more about John at https://linearmanagement.com/index.php/john-velasquez/

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

***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

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t


***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

Sauce Segment: https://youtu.be/QukinUmMBsk?si=Fuo1DlGS93L6t5Ll

References:
Zella Day - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zella_Day
Local Natives - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Natives
Vacations - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacations_(band)
You Sexy Thing - https://youtu.be/MhRXOOc_p-0?si=s3bbL3JyYzNoozvB
Shawn Everett - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Everett
Dave McNair - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2023/6/11/secret-sonics-185-dave-mcnair-an-audiophiles-approach-to-mastering



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

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 implementing systems and what to focus on
Future-proofing your business
How to leverage your website and social media
AI and the future of tech
Real-world case studies of system implementation
The benefits of automation
And so much more!

You can learn more about Enoch at http://www.enochyang.com/secretsonics

You can follow Enoch on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/_enochyang/

***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

***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

References
Enoch's previous episode - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/10/31/secret-sonics-119-enoch-yang-forging-an-authentic-path-in-music


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!

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

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
Her approach to low-end
Getting great pop vocals
Stereo bus enhancement techniques
Restoring bad vocal recordings
Noise reduction
Just do it
Don’t be afraid to show off
Being elected as a Governor in the Recording Academy
And so much more!

You can learn more about Daniela at https://linktr.ee/drivmusic

You can follow Daniela on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/drivmusic/

***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

***Join the Secret Sonics Discord community here(!) - discord.gg/UP97b72W6t


***BRAND NEW!*** SECRET SONICS PATREON - patreon.com/benwallickmusic

Sauce Segment: https://youtu.be/UxyDP8ju4Fc

References:
Korg Triton - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korg_Triton
Mannie Fresh - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannie_Fresh
Stargate - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stargate_(record_producers)
Phil Tan - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Tan
SoundBetter - https://soundbetter.com/
Dave McNair - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2023/6/11/secret-sonics-185-dave-mcnair-an-audiophiles-approach-to-mastering
Reggie McBride - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_McBride


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