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The Sound Discussion Podcast
A monthly podcast about recording, producing, mixing, and performing music... and everything in between!
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1. Mike Senior Returns!
01:18:46||Season 3, Ep. 1Returning guest Mike Senior joins us for our Season 3 Premier (!!!) to break down one of the most ambitious recording projects you’re likely to hear about:tracking an entire 8-piece band live, on location, at speed — without losing the performance or your sanity.Mike walks us through how he recorded 13 songs in just a few days, capturing real performances instead of chasing perfection. We dive deep into:-Recording full bands live (and why it saves time)-Letting spill work for you instead of fighting it-Editing and fixing mistakes without killing the feel-Why mic choice, placement, and polarity matter more than plugins-How performance beats perfection every time-Building a portable, high-channel-count recording rig-Fast headphone mixes that keep musicians inspired-Mixing decisions that start before you ever hit recordIf you’ve ever felt stuck chasing “perfect” tracks in a home studio — this episode might completely reset how you think about recording.This is a must-listen for engineers, producers, and musicians who care about feel, momentum, and making records that sound human.Spektakulatius: https://spektakulatius.de/ Album: '10' (2014)Tracking Info: - https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/session-notes-spektakulatius - https://cambridge-mt.com/rs2/ch11-case1/Mixing Info: - https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/mix-rescue-spektakulatius - https://cambridge-mt.com/rs2/ch11-case1/#mixing-a-small-studio-ensemble-recording-demonstration-videosMastering Info: - https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/mix-rescue-spektakulatius-0Final CD: - https://spektakulatius.de/2023/08/06/10/ Album: 'About Christmas' (2018)Tracking Info: - https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/session-notes-spektakulatius-revisited - https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/session-notes-making-custom-bafflesFinal CD: - https://spektakulatius.de/2023/08/06/about-christmas/ For lots more information on my ensemble-recording techniques (and specifically the 'peer array' methods I used for Spektakulatius), see Mike's book 'Recording Secrets For The Small Studio': - https://cambridge-mt.com/rs2/main/ Gear links: Asparion D400T & D400F hardware controllers: - https://www.asparion.de/en/products.html#tab_d400 Ferrofish A32 A-D/D-A converter: - https://www.ferrofish.com/a32-dante-converter-multimode/ RME MADIface USB: - https://rme-audio.de/madiface-usb.html Superlux R102 ribbon mic (which is still for sale new at £88!): - https://www.thomann.co.uk/superlux_r102.htm Toneboosters freeware plug-ins: - https://cambridge-mt.com/ms3/links/#freeware-top-ten Soundtheory Gullfoss: - https://www.soundtheory.com/gullfoss
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12. Podcast Growth for Music Producers with Marc Matthews
01:08:17||Season 2, Ep. 12In the Season 2 finale, we’re joined by Marc Matthews of the Inside The Mix podcast and synthmusicmastering.com to unpack how he built a music production and mixing show into the top 10% of podcasts. We talk weekly consistency, planning a year ahead, batching episodes, using polls and listener questions to guide content, why he’s shifting away from full video, and how AI helps with the admin so he can stay creative. Plus: smarter CTAs, where growth really comes from, and the mindset it takes to keep showing up.What you'll learn in this episode:Why weekly cadence created a noticeable uptick in growthHow Marc sets goals using downloads in the first 7 daysPlanning ahead: batching episodes and building a buffer (“3 in the bank”)Using polls, audience surveys, and listener questions to shape contentWhy “less is more” with calls-to-action (avoid CTA overload)What’s worth it (and not worth it) about video podcastingMonetizing without sponsors: using the podcast to drive services + discovery callsGrowth without ad spend: the power of guesting on other podcastsUsing AI for “remedial admin” (descriptions, SEO, templates) while keeping music human🎧 Listen to Sound Discussion: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-discussion/id1727711992🛒 Merch store: sounddiscussionpodcast.com/shop📩 Newsletter: sounddiscussionpodcast.com/newsletter🎙️ Marc / Inside The Mix: / @marcmatthewsproducer 🌐 Marc’s site: synthmusicmastering.com➡️ Nate's episode on Inside The Mix episode 197: • How I Ruined Mixes Until I Learned Static ...
11. Nate Saggio: Creating With Limits and Intention
01:09:38||Season 2, Ep. 11Cleveland producer, artist, and creative powerhouse Nate Saggio joins us to talk about the power of limitations, the mindset behind intentional music-making, and how your studio’s vibe can shape an entire performance.We cover everything from 4-track tape workflows and songwriting prompts to building a studio that feels like home and learning to “serve the song, not yourself.”One of our warmest, funniest, most inspiring conversations yet.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODENate on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/insta_saggCleveland NPR / Ideastream Article - https://www.ideastream.org/arts-culture/2025-10-23/lakewood-producer-nate-saggio-helps-cleveland-artists-find-their-soundJim Stewart Productions - https://www.jimstewartmixing.com/Chayla Hope - https://www.instagram.com/chaylahope/?hl=enJack Harris - https://www.instagram.com/Jackharris_music/Welshly Arms - https://www.instagram.com/welshlyarms/CAPI Preamps (Nate’s go-to) - https://capi-gear.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_117_55_169&products_id=478SUPPORT THE SHOWMerch Store (Black Friday Grand Opening!) - https://www.sounddiscussionpodcast.com/shopLeave us a review on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-discussion/id1727711992Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sounddiscussionpodcastJoin the newsletter for early episodes & behind-the-scenes - https://www.sounddiscussionpodcast.com/newsletter
10. Gregor Beyerle on Studio One, Workflows, and the Future of DAWs
01:34:26||Season 2, Ep. 10In this episode, we sit down with Gregor Beyerle, one of the most recognizable faces behind PreSonus Studio One and its Software Product Specialist at Fender / PreSonus.Gregor shares his journey from touring keyboardist and ghostwriter to becoming one of Studio One’s most trusted voices in workflow design and education.We dig into:How Gregor went from touring Europe at age 19 to joining PreSonusWhy speed = income — and how workflow design can double your outputThe evolution of Studio One from 2.0 to 7The new Launcher / Looper page and how it compares to Ableton LiveKeyboard shortcuts, ergonomics, and the balance between logic & creativityThe future of interoperability between DAWs and why collaboration mattersGregor’s own projects: Reaper and Voltmeister🔗 Links MentionedStudio One by PreSonus: https://www.presonus.com/studiooneReaper (industrial techno project): https://www.instagram.com/reaper.industrial.technoVoltmeister (project): https://www.instagram.com/voltmeistermodular/Ableton Link info: https://www.ableton.com/en/link/Ableton Push 3 Standalone: https://www.ableton.com/en/push/Arturia Cold Fire Distortion: https://www.arturia.com/products/software-effects/dist-coldfire/overviewConnect with Gregor:https://www.youtube.com/@UC7WUeriUrgp0QI9R61RWz0whttps://www.instagram.com/gregorbeyerlemusicOnline Studio One Meetups:https://my.presonus.com/events/detail/1005This Episode's Sponsors:You can see all our sponsors at sounddiscussionpodcast.com/sponsorsJoe Gilder and Home Studio CornerFree Webinar - The 3 Biggest Mistakes Holding You Back From Releasing Music: November 6 @ Noon CentralChallenge - Speed Mixing Challenge: Begins November 10 @ 11am CentralVIP - PRICE INCREASE BEGINNING November 3 - Lock in the lower rate now!!
9. The Sound of Less: Jeremy Steckel’s Minimalist Gear & Workflow
01:26:55||Season 2, Ep. 9In this episode, Nate, Ben, and Neil sit down with Columbus-based producer Jeremy Steckel, whose journey from touring musician to Emmy-winning producer offers a candid look at the realities of building a creative career. Jeremy shares how playing guitar led him from church bands to being signed with Wolves at the Gate on Tooth & Nail/Solid State Records — and how life in the studio completely changed his trajectory.We dive into:From stage to studio — why Jeremy walked away from touring life to pursue production full-time.No Plan B — the leap of faith that took him from a church tech job to a thriving studio career.Preparation and performance — how obsessive detail in the studio informs his work with clients, and why he prioritizes pre-production to set artists up for success.The vocalist challenge — unique approaches to recording singers, managing headphone mixes, and creating comfort in sessions.Minimalist gear philosophy — why less can often be more when it comes to producing, and the tools Jeremy relies on daily.Studio spaces — from commercial studios to his hyper-isolated home addition, and why renting outside spaces now fuels his creativity.Whether you’re a musician considering the leap into production, or a producer rethinking your workflow, Jeremy’s story is both practical and inspiring.---🔗 Links from this EpisodeJeremy Steckel Instagram: https://www.instagram/jeremy_steckelListen to Jeremy's conversation with Lij Shaw here: https://recordingstudiorockstars.com/rsr474-jeremy-steckel-why-you-need-a-music-mastermind-group-family-work-balance/🎧 Listen to us on Apple🎧 Listen on Spotify🌐 Visit our website📷 Instagram🎥 YouTube
8. The Composer's Quest: Chase Bethea's Journey
51:53||Season 2, Ep. 8💬 Show NotesThis month on Sound Discussion, we dive deep into the world of video game music with Chase Bethea, a visionary composer redefining how sound interacts with gameplay. Chase shares his journey from a young music enthusiast to an award-winning composer, discussing the unique challenges and creative processes behind scoring for video games.In this engaging episode, we explore the intricacies of adaptive soundtracks, the importance of dynamic music in enhancing player experience, and the technical skills required to bring his compositions to life. Chase reflects on his experiences working on various projects, including his award-winning scores for the Aground series, and the innovative techniques he employs to create immersive soundscapes.We also touch on the evolution of game audio over the past decade, the impact of different time signatures on gameplay, and the balance between artistic expression and industry standards. Chase's passion for music and gaming shines through as he shares insights into his composing process, the tools he relies on, and his aspirations for the future.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of music and gaming, offering a fascinating look at how sound can elevate storytelling in interactive experiences.🔑 Topics Covered In This Episode:- 🎮 Chase's journey from music enthusiast to game composer- 🎼 The role of adaptive soundtracks in video games- 🛠️ Technical skills required for modern game audio composition- 🏆 Awards and recognition for the Aground soundtrack- ⏱️ The use of time signatures and their impact on gameplay- 💡 Tips for aspiring composers in the gaming industry- 🌍 The evolution of game audio and its current trendsLinks- Chase Bethea's Official Website- Chase's YouTube Channel- Chase's Patreon for industry insightsWe’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Drop us a line at sounddiscussionpodcast@gmail.com and find more information on our website: https://www.sounddiscussionpodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7. The Summer Break Episode: Velvet Sundown, Live Music, and New Studio Gear
01:13:28||Season 2, Ep. 7We're back after a little summer pause — no guest this month, just Nate, Ben, and Neil catching up on all things music, gear, and a band that doesn't actually exist.We dig into the rise of AI-generated artists (looking at you, Velvet Sundown), what it means for real musicians, and whether listeners even care how the music was made. Plus: a heated conversation about live backing tracks, summer gigs, mastering workflows, new speakers (hello, Barefoot Footprint 03s), and yes… Nate bought a tape machine.Also: Florence steaks, Fort Wayne slides, Sweetwater shoutouts, and some low-key gig consulting.🔑 Topics Covered In This Episode:🎤 Velvet Sundown and the ethics of AI-generated bands💽 Why AI music can’t be deconstructed like human-made recordings🎧 New studio gear: Barefoot monitors & a vintage Ampex 440B tape machine🧠 Nate’s take on speaker testing, low-end clarity, and tonal balance🎛️ Ben's mastering workflow and loudness philosophy🥁 Neil’s live rig upgrades & recording full band sets with an XR18💡 Should bands record every show? (Yes.)🛠️ Building a flexible PA system on a budget🍕 Italian food, gelato, and Nate’s eternal love of pizza🔥 Sweetwater Gear Exchange vs. Reverb🎸 Live performance authenticity: what actually matters?📣 Mentions & Shoutouts:Velvet Sundown on SpotifyRick Beato’s AI song breakdownBarefoot Footprint 03 MonitorsXR18 Digital MixerSweetwater & Gear ExchangeBillie Eilish / FINNEAS for speaker testsMaestro DMX for live light showsWe’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Drop us a line at sounddiscussionpodcast@gmail.com and find more information on our website: https://www.sounddiscussionpodcast.com.