Sound Discussion

Returning 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 record

If 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-videos
Mastering Info:
- https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/mix-rescue-spektakulatius-0
Final 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-baffles
Final 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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In 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 growth
How Marc sets goals using downloads in the first 7 days
Planning ahead: batching episodes and building a buffer (“3 in the bank”)
Using polls, audience surveys, and listener questions to shape content
Why “less is more” with calls-to-action (avoid CTA overload)
What’s worth it (and not worth it) about video podcasting
Monetizing without sponsors: using the podcast to drive services + discovery calls
Growth without ad spend: the power of guesting on other podcasts
Using 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 ...
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Cleveland 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 EPISODE
Nate on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/insta_sagg

Cleveland NPR / Ideastream Article - https://www.ideastream.org/arts-culture/2025-10-23/lakewood-producer-nate-saggio-helps-cleveland-artists-find-their-sound

Jim Stewart Productions - https://www.jimstewartmixing.com/

Chayla Hope - https://www.instagram.com/chaylahope/?hl=en

Jack 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=478

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In 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 PreSonus
Why speed = income — and how workflow design can double your output
The evolution of Studio One from 2.0 to 7
The new Launcher / Looper page and how it compares to Ableton Live
Keyboard shortcuts, ergonomics, and the balance between logic & creativity
The future of interoperability between DAWs and why collaboration matters
Gregor’s own projects: Reaper and Voltmeister

🔗 Links Mentioned

Studio One by PreSonus: https://www.presonus.com/studioone
Reaper (industrial techno project): https://www.instagram.com/reaper.industrial.techno
Voltmeister (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/overview

Connect with Gregor:
https://www.youtube.com/@UC7WUeriUrgp0QI9R61RWz0w
https://www.instagram.com/gregorbeyerlemusic

Online Studio One Meetups:
https://my.presonus.com/events/detail/1005

This Episode's Sponsors:
You can see all our sponsors at sounddiscussionpodcast.com/sponsors

Joe Gilder and Home Studio Corner
Free Webinar - The 3 Biggest Mistakes Holding You Back From Releasing Music: November 6 @ Noon Central
Challenge - Speed Mixing Challenge: Begins November 10 @ 11am Central
VIP - PRICE INCREASE BEGINNING November 3 - Lock in the lower rate now!!
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In 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.
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🔗 Links from this Episode

Jeremy Steckel Instagram: https://www.instagram/jeremy_steckel
Listen to Jeremy's conversation with Lij Shaw here: https://recordingstudiorockstars.com/rsr474-jeremy-steckel-why-you-need-a-music-mastermind-group-family-work-balance/

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