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Secret Sonics

Secret Sonics

By: Ben Wallick and Carl Bahner
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 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.Copyright Ben Wallick Music Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • #253 - Dave Stagl: Leaving Artists Speechless with Dolby Atmos

    #253 - Dave Stagl: Leaving Artists Speechless with Dolby Atmos
    Jun 24 2025
    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 audio
    • Why he now derives every stereo mix from an Atmos version instead of working the other way around
    • The technical reason Atmos mixes have more dynamic range and why that creates stronger emotional impact
    • What happens when artists flip between stereo and Atmos versions on Apple devices and why that changes everything
    • The calibration approach that lets him mix without looking at meters for the first time in 20 years
    • The difference between engineers who got into Atmos for work versus those who got into it for the experience
    • How he sends preview files to remote artists without requiring them to read instruction manuals
    • Why he believes car audio will be the thing that separates real Atmos engineers from headphone-only mixers

    Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e

    LA Wildfire Relief:
    Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief
    WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate


    Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5

    Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing


    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/


    This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/
    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • #252 - The NEW Business of Mixing

    #252 - The NEW Business of Mixing
    Jun 17 2025
    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 studios
    • How global economic instability can actually stabilize a mixing engineer’s income
    • How mixing engineers became accidental project managers for self-produced artists
    • The math behind why international diversification beats local word-of-mouth
    • When Carl recommends other engineers to look like a hero to their clients

    Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e

    LA Wildfire Relief:
    Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief
    WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate


    Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5

    Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing


    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/


    This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • #251 - Context Context Context (Vocals Pt2)

    #251 - Context Context Context (Vocals Pt2)
    Jun 10 2025
    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 right
    • The “lead vocal vs. background vocal” question we think is kind of a trap
    • The one question Carl asks in every section of every song
    • When 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 instead
    • The subtle sidechain trick that helps your vocals breathe without boosting them
    • When sharing reverbs between vocals and instruments makes your mix snap together
    • The difference between using reverb for space vs. character
    • Carl’s favorite compressor to kill backing vocal transients (in a good way)
    • What mixing has to do with stage plays, ransom letters, and emotional punch

    Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e

    LA Wildfire Relief:
    Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief
    WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate


    Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5

    Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing


    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/


    This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
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