Secret Sonics

Charlie Deakin-Davies is a record producer, songwriter, musical director, and multi-instrumentalist based out of London, England, UK! In our conversation Charlie and I go deep on the following:

Getting their start and charting from a young age
Being naive and productive vs. experienced with imposter syndrome
Working with Gary Barlow
MDing and touring
Pop songwriting sessions
Major labels signing TikTokkers
Green lights, fast workflow, and virtuous creative cycles
Approach to guitars and bass
Compression vs. Automation
Quantity leads to quality and inevitable successes
Be friendly
And so much more!

You can learn more about Charlie at https://www.charliedeakindavie...

You can follow Charlie on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/char...

***Thanks to our sponsors!***


Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/res...

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

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

You can listen to the "Sauce" segment in its entirety here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

References:
Rookes - https://www.benwallick.com/pod...
Martin Lumsden - https://martintheproducer.com/
Gary Barlow - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
Fraser T. Smith - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
Mannon Grandjean - https://www.progressionspodcas...
Fred Again - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
Devil-Loc - https://www.soundtoys.com/prod...
Arcade by Output - https://output.com/products/ar...
TCC (the Trans Creative Collective) - https://linktr.ee/TransCreativ...

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 helping edit 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

Hill Kourkoutis is a Juno Award-winning music producer, mixing engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Toronto, ON, Canada! In our conversation Hill and I go deep on the following:

Building trust with artists
Her background as a touring musician
Preproduction
Guitar tone
Hill’s approach to production and mixing
Getting the right drum tones
Nostalgic sounds can bring out certain emotions
Musical authenticity
Embracing imperfections
Remembering that it’s a marathon, not a sprint
Finding creativity in everyday life
Believing in yourself
And so much more!

You can learn more about Hill at http://www.hillkourkoutis.com/

You can follow Hill on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/hillkourkoutis/

***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

You can listen to the "Sauce" segment in its entirety here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfDXOl3cg1c&ab_channel=Aysanabee-Topic

References:
Josh Bowman - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/2/13/secret-sonics-132-josh-bowman-intentional-living-and-mixing
Vance Powell - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/4/11/secret-sonics-092-vance-powell-capturing-the-magic
Sam Pura - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/10/30/secret-sonics-164-sam-pura-launching-bands-with-impactful-records
Acme Audio - https://acmeaudio.net/
Mikko Gordon - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/10/23/secret-sonics-163-mikko-gordon-establishing-an-aesthetic
Neumann TLM 49 - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TLM49--neumann-tlm-49-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone
Aysanabee - https://www.aysanabee.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 helping edit 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

Richie Beretta is a music producer and mixing engineer originally hailing from NYC and currently based out of San Diego, CA, USA! In our conversation Richie and I go deep on the following:

Paul McCartney’s bass tone
Recording on Dad’s tape machine
Recording is stopping to capture a moment in time
The woes of pop culture and discontent over Art becoming content
Richie's quest for authenticity
Listening to music > making music
Mixing vs. producing
Richie's Bass tone + chain
Backing off on compression
What he still gets from analog gear
Being true to your taste in music
And so much more!

You can learn more about Richie at http://www.richieberetta.nyc/

You can follow Richie on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/richieberetta/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Carl Bahner's resources for studio professionals - https://www.carlbahner.com/resources

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

You can listen to the "Sauce" segment in its entirety here - https://orcd.co/d1qpvdd

References:
Hofner Beatle bass - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6fner_500/1
Serban - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serban_Ghenea
Ex Machina speakers - https://exmachinasound.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 helping edit 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 episode originally aired in August of 2021
Original show notes - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/8/1/secret-sonics-106-justin-craig-letting-musicality-guide-production

Justin Craig is a Grammy-nominated music producer, mixing engineer and musical director based out of Brooklyn, NY, USA. In our conversation Justin shared his journey from Lexington, KY to musical directing on Broadway, to producing songs for artists. We talked about his approach to production and mixing, playing multiple instruments, getting massive drum sounds out of a small recording space, overcoming imposter syndrome and so much more! Check it out!

You can follow Justin on Social Media

IG - https://www.instagram.com/justinwcraig/


You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment in its entirety here: "Thorns" by Ashley Strongarm - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaCPsax4qmw&ab_channel=AshleyStrongarm-Topic


If you'd like to help support Secret Sonics, you can do so by visiting https://www.buymeacoffee.com/benwallick



References

Duane Lundy - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/6/24/secret-sonics-101-duane-lundy-a-nurturing-approach-to-production
McCartney 3, 2, 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAkqy5QntGQ&ab_channel=Hulu
Layla Moheimani - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2020/7/19/secret-sonics-055-layla-moheimani
These United States - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/These_United_States
Livinia Jones Wright - https://www.instagram.com/laviniajoneswright/?hl=en
Steven Trask - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Trask
Hedwig and the Angry Inch - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedwig_and_the_Angry_Inch_(musical)
T Bone Burnett (speech I mentioned) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T_Bone_Burnett
Fleetwood Mac “Tusk” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tusk_(album)
Andrew Maury - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/7/18/secret-sonics-104-andrew-maury-mixing-with-intuition
Neural DSP Wong Amp - https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/archetype-cory-wong
Soundtoys - https://www.soundtoys.com/
Flea 47 - https://vintageking.com/flea-microphones-47-with-f7-capsule
Caleb Parker - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/4/4/secret-sonics-091-caleb-parker-getting-the-most-out-of-a-performance
Justin Perkins - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/4/25/secret-sonics-094-justin-perkins-going-deep-with-mastering
TJ Lippell - http://www.tjlippleaudio.com/
Alex Clare - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Clare


Thanks for listening to this episode of Secret Sonics! I hope you enjoyed this episode :) Look out for new episodes weekly. 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 new podcast theme music!

You can find out more about Secret Sonics and subscribe on your favorite podcast app by visiting www.secretsonics.co


Follow along via social media here:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SecretSonicsPod
Instagram: www.instagram.com/secretsonics/


Have a great week, stay safe, and dig in!

-Ben

Martin Cooke is a music producer and mixing engineer based out of LA, CA, USA! In our conversation Martin shares his story; studying at Berklee college of music, moving to LA, working at Henson, and later for Rich Costey, and eventually going freelance and doing his own thing. We chat about the producing vs the mixing mindset, getting clients, outboard gear, how he gets guitar and drum tones preserving dynamics, monitoring, Rush, making sure to be engaged in the work you do and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Martin at https://www.mcooke.net/

You can follow Martin on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/martin__cooke/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

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


References:
Travis Ference - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/9/26/secret-sonics-114-travis-ference-redefining-success-in-music
Rich Costey - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Costey
Shadow Hills Equinox Summing Mixer - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Equinox--shadow-hills-industries-equinox
Magic Death Eye - http://magicdeatheye.com/
AudioThing Wires - https://www.audiothing.net/effects/wires/
AudioThing Springs - https://www.audiothing.net/effects/springs/

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 helping edit 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

Benny Faccone is a 17-time Grammy Award-winning music producer and audio engineer based out of LA, CA, USA! In our conversation Benny shares his story; studying at Berklee college of music, moving to LA, assisting at A&M, and getting his "in" as an engineer working on Latin records. We chat about working with great producers, Analog vs. Digital sound and stereo width, panning, working with Santana, mixing drums and percussion, getting a big low-end, remembering to enjoy the moments, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Benny at http://bennyfaccone.com/biography/

You can follow Benny on Social Media
Benny IG - https://www.instagram.com/bennyfaccone/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

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


References:
Bobby Owsinski - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/7/5/secret-sonics-151-bobby-owsinski-birds-eye-view-of-the-audio-industry
Trident Series C - https://reverb.com/item/477386-trident-series-80c
API 550A - https://www.apiaudio.com/product.php?id=106

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 helping edit 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

Mixing phenoms Andrew Maury and Jesse Ray Ernster return to the podcast in a live AMA event that was recorded last month. In this conversation, Andrew and Jesse answered some of your burning questions and we went deep on so many topics including being overly self-critical, deliverables (what Andrew and Jesse actually provide their clients), Atmos, analog summing (and is it worth it?), saturation, and plugin development. We chat about monitoring, reconnecting with the kid in you, prioritizing elements within the mix, being a friend to the artists you work with, what really went into mixing Burna Boy's latest record, the attack wall, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Andrew at http://andrewmaury.net/
You can learn more about Jesse at https://www.jesseraymix.com/

You can follow them on Social Media
Andrew IG - https://www.instagram.com/aemaury/
Jesse IG - https://www.instagram.com/jesseraymix

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

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


References:
Andrew's first episode - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/7/18/secret-sonics-104-andrew-maury-mixing-with-intuition
Jesse's first episode - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/8/29/secret-sonics-110-jesse-ray-ernster-going-all-in-on-his-dreams
Damian's Instagram reel - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjghJ1qJdTv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Tchad Blake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchad_Blake
Sam Pura - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/10/30/secret-sonics-164-sam-pura-launching-bands-with-impactful-records
Mixland Plugins - https://www.mixland.io/
Nacho Molino - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/6/19/secret-sonics-150-nacho-molino-fearless-mixing
Ken Lewis - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2021/9/12/secret-sonics-112-ken-lewis-100-gold-records-and-beyond
Notion - https://www.notion.so/
Tube traps - https://www.acousticsciences.com/product/attackwall/

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 helping edit 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

Sam Pura is a record producer, audio engineer, and mixing engineer based out of Fremont, CA, USA! In our chat, Sam shares his unique approach to making records; how he reamps guitars, tunes drums, mixes, and edits every single transient on the recording! We chat about making sure the music is excellent before worrying about the business, mixing with impact, caring too much about projects, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Sam at https://www.thepandastudios.com/

You can follow Sam on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/sampura/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Save 20% off your first year of Filepass at - https://filepass.com/secretsonics

Save 50% off your first 3 months of Easy Funnels at - https://easyfunnels.io/secret-sonics

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

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

You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment here: "DEATHWESTERN" by SPIRITWORLD - https://youtu.be/4lSSzMZg0oE

References:
Purified Audio (Sam's Plugins) - https://purafied.com/
Eric Valentine - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Valentine
Thomas Pridgen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Pridgen
Jason Suecof - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Suecof

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 helping edit 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

Mikko Gordon is a record producer, audio engineer, and mixing engineer based out of London, England, UK! In our chat, Mikko shares his story; from playing in bands to doubling down on the studio thing, meeting and working with Nigel Godrich, and working with some of today's biggest indie/alternative acts! We chat about finding artists he really wants to work with, establishing an aesthetic on a record, his philosophy on drum sounds, and being fast and fearless in the tracking stage. We also talk about mixing, reverb, working with The Smile, lessons from FOH, transitioning from a local scene to the global music scene, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Mikko at https://www.mikkogordon.com/

You can follow Mikko on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/mikkogordon/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Save 20% off your first year of Filepass at - https://filepass.com/secretsonics

Save 50% off your first 3 months of Easy Funnels at - https://easyfunnels.io/secret-sonics

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

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

You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment here: "Octopus" by Island - https://youtu.be/XXYWEAwMwp8

References:
Nigel Godrich - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Godrich
Radiohead - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead
Laura Bettinson - https://www.instagram.com/lau.ra.lau.ra.lau.ra/
Ultraista - https://www.instagram.com/ultraistamusic/
Island - https://www.instagram.com/islandislandisland/
Tim O'Sullivan - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/9/18/secret-sonics-158-tim-osullivan-fostering-inspiration-in-the-studio
The Smile - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smile_(band)
Nigel on Hanging Out with Audiophiles - https://hangingoutwithaudiophiles.libsyn.com/howa-ep-100-nigel-godrich
Hackney Road Studios - http://www.hackney-road.com/
Tchad Blake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchad_Blake

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 helping edit 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

Mike Indovina is a mixing and mastering engineer based out of Toronto, On, Canada, and the owner of MasterYourMix.com! In our chat, Mike shares his story; from playing in bands to doing the studio thing to writing a book on mixing! We chat about finding a process that works for you and sticking with it, mixing templates, how he's able to master his own mixes, and working in the box. We also talk about what mastering adds to the mix, monitoring, getting great drum sounds, podcasting, building relationships with people, and so much more! Check it out!

You can learn more about Mike at https://mikeindovina.com/ and at https://masteryourmix.com/

You can follow Mike on Social Media
IG - https://www.instagram.com/mindovina/

***Thanks to our sponsors!***

Save 20% off your first year of Filepass at - https://filepass.com/secretsonics

Save 50% off your first 3 months of Easy Funnels at - https://easyfunnels.io/secret-sonics

Click here to listen to "Thanks for Thinking" - https://www.carlbahner.com/thanks-for-thinking

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

You can listen to the song we discussed in the "Sauce" segment here: "The Crash" by Deeper You - https://youtu.be/Z9xruk6LmA4

References:
Tim O'Sullivan - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/9/18/secret-sonics-158-tim-osullivan-fostering-inspiration-in-the-studio
Billy Decker - http://www.billydecker.com/
Connor Salmoral - https://www.instagram.com/salmoral.studios/
Metric AB Plugin Alliance - https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/adptr_metricab.html#:~:text=The%20Metric%20AB%20plugin%20enables,new%20standard%20in%20mix%20referencing.
Dark Glass Bass - https://neuraldsp.com/plugins/darkglass-ultra
Alex Crescioni - https://www.benwallick.com/podcast-episodes/2022/8/14/secret-sonics-156-alex-crescioni-bringing-heavy-records-to-life

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 helping edit 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