#253 - Dave Stagl: Leaving Artists Speechless with Dolby Atmos
Learn why one of the most experienced immersive audio engineers believes most people are approaching Dolby Atmos completely wrong, and discover the emotional framework that’s helping artists create deeper connections with their fans. Plus, find out what producers should actually look for when hiring an Atmos engineer and why checking mixes in multiple formats could transform your workflow.Discover:The exact moment in a House of Blues monitor setup that shaped how he thinks about immersive audioWhy he now derives every stereo mix from an Atmos version instead of working the other way aroundThe technical reason Atmos mixes have more dynamic range and why that creates stronger emotional impactWhat happens when artists flip between stereo and Atmos versions on Apple devices and why that changes everythingThe calibration approach that lets him mix without looking at meters for the first time in 20 yearsThe difference between engineers who got into Atmos for work versus those who got into it for the experienceHow he sends preview files to remote artists without requiring them to read instruction manualsWhy he believes car audio will be the thing that separates real Atmos engineers from headphone-only mixersLearn more about Dave: https://staglsound.com/Follow Dave: http://instagram.com/davidstaglBen and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497eLA Wildfire Relief:Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirereliefWAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donateLearn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixingConnect with us:Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonicsBen - 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/
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#252 - The NEW Business of Mixing
What happens when a mixing engineer accidentally builds clients in 30 countries while living in Pennsylvania? Carl discovered that global currency differences and economic crashes might be the secret weapon most audio professionals are completely ignoring.Discover:Why COVID permanently shifted the industry away from big city studiosHow global economic instability can actually stabilize a mixing engineer’s incomeHow mixing engineers became accidental project managers for self-produced artistsThe math behind why international diversification beats local word-of-mouthWhen Carl recommends other engineers to look like a hero to their clientsBen and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497eLA Wildfire Relief:Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirereliefWAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donateLearn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixingConnect with us:Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonicsBen - 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/
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#251 - Context Context Context (Vocals Pt2)
What makes a vocal feel perfectly placed… or totally disconnected?This week, we’re getting way past plugin chains and diving into the real work of vocal mixing: context. We’re talking about how to make vocals live in a mix, not just sit on top of it. Because getting a vocal to shine isn’t just about EQ moves - it’s about storytelling, space, and knowing who gets the spotlight in each moment.We explore how we mix vocals completely differently - yet still aim for the same emotional clarity - and even find ourselves (gasp) passionately disagreeing about Vampire Weekend.Discover:Why the instrumental is the first thing we fix when vocals don’t feel rightThe “lead vocal vs. background vocal” question we think is kind of a trapThe one question Carl asks in every section of every songWhen to make vocals felt not heard (and how that changes your mix decisions)Why we don’t always high-pass vocals—and what we do insteadThe subtle sidechain trick that helps your vocals breathe without boosting themWhen sharing reverbs between vocals and instruments makes your mix snap togetherThe difference between using reverb for space vs. characterCarl’s favorite compressor to kill backing vocal transients (in a good way)What mixing has to do with stage plays, ransom letters, and emotional punchBen and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497eLA Wildfire Relief:Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirereliefWAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donateLearn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixingConnect with us:Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonicsBen - 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/
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Quick Announcement: Taking a Week Off to Celebrate 6 Years and 250 Episodes
Quick Announcement: Taking a Week Off to Celebrate 6 Years and 250 Episodes - because we deserve it!
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#250 - Are We Making Vocals Too Perfect? (Pt1)
Two cranky engineers accidentally reveal why your technically perfect vocals sound emotionally deadIn this episode, Ben and Carl dive into why the "mistakes" you're fixing might be the only thing keeping your vocals human. From pre-production psychology to multi-de-esser philosophy, they challenge everything you think you know about processing vocals.Discover:How over-rehearsed bands sabotage their own records (and why pop artists need completely different rules)Reading the room and matching your approach to the artist's psychologyWhy perfect tuning kills emotion and when to leave the "mistakes" inWhy using multiple light processors beats one heavy one (and Carl's controversial multi-de-esser approach)How deliberately bad cuts make choruses hit like trucksBen and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497eLA Wildfire Relief:Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirereliefWAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donateLearn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixingConnect with us:Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonicsBen - 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/
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 week.
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