Secret Sonics

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:

• Why regularly raising rates is crucial to account for inflation and increasing expenses
• How to position a rate increase as a loyalty discount for existing clients
• The importance of enthusiastically selling an amazing client experience before presenting your price
• Simple ways to practice incrementally raising your rates to build confidence

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/

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:

• The key mindset shift that makes outreach effective and non-sleazy
• How to get over the fear of rejection and worst-case scenarios
• Tactics to build an outreach habit, even when you're not in the mood
• Why proactive client content is crucial for word-of-mouth
• The incredible potential upside of genuine conversations in the internet age

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/

In this week's episode of Secret Sonics, Ben and Carl explore the evolving nature of career success.

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
• True meaning is derived from creative growth and the joy of the endless journey

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/

In this week's episode, Ben and Carl talk about taking criticism as an audio professional.

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
• Developing thick skin and not taking criticism personally
• Having friends to vent frustrations to

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/

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 emphasize how templates enable them to work quickly and efficiently.

Topics we discuss:

• ⁠Different templates we use for mixing and production
• Routing tracks, buses, and FX
• Getting mixes to 80% quickly then refining
• Setting expectations with clients about initial mixes
• Using templates to work quickly and efficiently
• Favorite plugins to include in templates
• Hot tips for Logic users

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


Plugsearch (for Logic users!) - https://speakerfood.com/pages/plugsearch-v3-product-page

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

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