Sound Discussion

We'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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month on Sound Discussion, we’re thrilled to welcome the talented mastering engineer Dan Millice, who has made waves in the music industry with his meticulous approach and impressive portfolio. Based in New York City, Dan has worked with an array of renowned artists including A$AP Rocky, Dolly Parton, and Julian Lage, earning a Grammy in 2023 for his work on Terry Lyne Carrington's album, "New Standards, Volume 1."In this engaging episode, Dan shares his journey from a young music fan in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a band and a dream, to an award-winning mastering engineer. He discusses the importance of serving the song and the unique challenges that come with mastering different genres of music. With insights into his workflow, Dan emphasizes the significance of personal connections in the industry and how networking has played a vital role in his success.Listen in as we gain valuable knowledge about the mastering process, including the tools Dan uses, his philosophy on templates, and the intricacies of working with artists to ensure their vision is realized. We also dive into the impact of the pandemic on the music scene and how it has shaped Dan's approach to his craft.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes world of music production and mastering. Join us for an insightful conversation that highlights the dedication and passion required to excel in the music industry!To learn more about Dan Millice and his work, check out his website: https://www.millicemastering.com/.We’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.Show notes created by https://headliner.app Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Season 2 Episode 3 of Sound Discussion. This month we’re discussing the fascinating world of music production and mixing with our special guest Jim Stewart. He is a mixing engineer from Cleveland with over 15 years of experience. With a diverse roster of artists, Jim's knowledge is as rich as a well-mixed track!In this episode, we’re dissecting the blurred lines between producing and mixing a song. Jim shares his insights on what it truly means to produce a track from start to finish and spoiler alert: it’s not just about pressing buttons! We’ll also discuss the importance of communication with artists, especially those stepping into the recording booth for the first time. Balancing artistic vision with technical execution is no easy feat!Jim reveals his favorite tools of the trade, including his go-to DAW, Pro Tools, and his beloved plugin, Fabfilter Pro Q. As we go through the conversation, we’ll explore the ever-evolving landscape of music production, including the rising interest in Dolby Atmos and its implications for mixing engineers. Whether you’re a budding producer, an experienced engineer, or just someone who loves to jam out, this episode is packed with valuable insights and lively discussions about the art and science of music production. So, plug in and get ready to be inspired!To connect with Jim Stewart, check out the links below.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimstewartrec/Website: https://www.jimstewartmixing.comOther links mentioned in this episode:Recording Studio RockstarsThe Six Figure Home Studio Podcast - Episode 118Jim Sonfield - "Sitting In The Green GrassWe’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Drop us a line at sounddiscussionpodcast@gmail.com and find more information on our website: sounddiscussionpodcast.com.Show notes created by https://headliner.app Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Episode 13 of Sound Discussion!This month, we kick off Season 2 with a fascinating conversation featuring Bob Ellis, an ex-RAF pilot turned synthesist and EDM maestro. Bob's journey from the skies to the studio is as intricate as his music, which is renowned for its depth and complexity. With a background in aerobatic flying and a passion for synthesizers, Bob has crafted a unique sound that has captivated audiences worldwide.In this episode, Bob shares insights into his creative process, including his use of VST instruments and the importance of collaboration in music production. He also discusses the role of reference tracks in EDM and how they inspire his compositions. With a blend of orchestral elements and electronic soundscapes, Bob's music is a testament to his innovative approach to songwriting and production.Join us as we explore the world of EDM with Bob Ellis, delve into the intricacies of music production, and discover the art of balancing creativity with technical prowess.Whether you're an aspiring musician or a seasoned producer, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiring stories.To learn more about Bob and his music, check out the links below:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@silentgratitudePiano Book: https://www.pianobook.co.uk/Native Instruments: https://www.native-instruments.com/en/Cubase: https://www.steinberg.net/cubase/Bitwig: https://www.bitwig.com/Send us an email and let us know what you thought about this episode: sounddiscussionpodcast@gmail.comYou can find more information here: https://www.sounddiscussionpodcast.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Episode 11 of Sound Discussion!We are back for another chat with a really interesting guest this month. Jo Karelis is a massively talented musician who composes for film, TV, games, podcasts, plays and also releases her own music.Jo can often be found out and about with her hand held audio recorder capturing sounds and rhythms that she can then use in projects later.Many features that she has scored are available via Amazon Prime. Her music has been used across the BBC TV network and played on BBC radio, and her work has been mixed in major UK studios such as Warner Brother’s De Lane Lea and Twickenham Film Studios. In this episode we discuss her process for composing, what it is like working on these projects and so much more.To learn more about Jo you can use the links below!Website: https://joannakarselis.com/Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/joanna-karselisIMDB: https://www.imdb.me/JoannaKarselisSend us an email and let us know what you thought about this episode: sounddiscussionpodcast@gmail.comYou can find more information here: https://linktr.ee/sounddiscussionpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Episode 9 of Sound Discussion!This month we are talking with the incredibly knowledgeable and super interesting John Elleson-Hartley - John has worked with some incredible composers and for clients such as Sky, Netflix, the BBC, Xbox, Prime Video and many others.In this episode we discuss music for films, TV, games and the composing and mastering that goes with that. Safe to say it was a world that we didnt know much about till speaking with John.To learn more about John you can use the links below!Website: https://www.musiklab.co.uk/Website: https://www.musiklab.co.uk/music-production-coaching/Send us an email and let us know what you thought about this episode: sounddiscussionpodcast@gmail.comYou can find more information here: https://linktr.ee/sounddiscussionpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Episode 7 of Sound Discussion!This month we are talking with the venerable Mike Senior - Past editor and current contributor to Sound on Sound Magazine, owner of the Cambridge MT website, and podcaster/content creator on Patreon.In this episode we talk about everything microphones. Are they still relevant in a digital world? How many microphones do you need to capture a sound? Cheap mics vs expensive mics. We also add in a dash of humor and we're left with one of our best episodes yet.To learn more about Mike Senior and his various endeavours you can reference the links below!Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSeniorPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/CambridgeMT/postsWebsite: https://cambridge-mt.com/Mix Rescue: https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/mix-rescueMix Review: https://themixreview.org/Multitrack referenced in episode:Bruks - "Kak Tvoi Dela, Vova?"https://cambridge-mt.com/ms/mtk/#BruksSend us an email and let us know what you thought about this episode: sounddiscussionpodcast@gmail.comYou can find more information here: https://linktr.ee/sounddiscussionpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Episode 5 of Sound Discussion!This month we continue to welcome amazing guests to the podcast.In addition to being one of the most lovely people you will ever meet Leanne is singer, songwriter and entertainer, Leanne has penned some big hits and writes hook-driven, hit-you-in-the-heart songs with melodies that are part heavenly....oh and she has an amazing voice to go with all of that.Leanne has graced the stages of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and has shared the limelight with renowned artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Marshall Tucker, and Dickey Betts.Leanne is a respected vocal coach, operating SongMill Studio with locations in Ohio and Nashville, Tennessee. Further information about Leanne is available via the links below:Leanne Binder WebsiteFollow Leanne on socialsInstagram: https://instagram.com/leannebindermusicTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/leannebinderFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/leanne.binderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGjN9BT7iTjhsE8DuYqUsIgBen's new release is available on your favourite streaming service via Songwhip: https://songwhip.com/benhlms/walls-of-loveSend us an email and let us know what you thought about this episode: sounddiscussionpodcast@gmail.comYou can find more information here: https://linktr.ee/sounddiscussionpodcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.