#239 - Reference Mixes: When They Should (and Shouldn’t) Guide Us

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Secret Sonics

Ben Wallick and Carl Bahner

285 episodes

3 months ago

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.

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#239 - Reference Mixes: When They Should (and Shouldn’t) Guide Us

Secret Sonics

24 minutes

8 months ago

#239 - Reference Mixes: When They Should (and Shouldn’t) Guide Us

In this episode, Ben and Carl dive into that tricky moment we all face: deciding when to follow a reference mix and when to trust your own instincts. Sparked by Carl's current remix project, they get real about the messy balancing act of honoring artist expectations while still trusting your gut.

Discover:

The challenging balancing act when artists love both their rough mix and reference tracks that sound nothing alike
How to have patient conversations with self-producing artists about conflicting references
The difference between referencing for skill-building versus creative direction
Practical approaches to using reference tracks without becoming overly technical or losing your unique sound

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Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics
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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/