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Sound Discussion

Sound Discussion

Autor: Ben Holmes Nate Kelmes Neil Merchant
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O tym tytule

"Sound Discussion" is a monthly podcast hosted by Ben Holmes, Nate Kelmes, and Neil Merchant. Each episode, we roll up our sleeves and dive into practical topics surrounding music production, recording, songwriting, mixing, and mastering.


Join us for candid conversations that demystify the creative and technical aspects of music making. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, our hosts bring a down-to-earth approach to sharing their insights, making it easy for everyone to tune in and pick up valuable tips.


From sharing personal anecdotes to discussing industry trends, "Sound Discussion" is your go-to source for real talk about what goes on behind the scenes. No fancy jargon, just genuine discussions about the art and craft of music production.


So, if you're curious about the nuts and bolts of how your favorite tracks come together or looking to improve your own production skills, join Ben, Nate, and Neil, as well as the occasional guest host, as they navigate the world of music production with humor, practical advice, and a passion for the craft. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation at "Sound Discussion."

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

Ben Holmes, Nate Kelmes, Neil Merchant
Muzyka
  • Dave Derr on Compression, Saturation, and the Distressor
    Nov 2 2026

    What makes a compressor become a studio staple? For Dave Derr, it started with hearing a drum sound change and asking one simple question: “What did you do?”


    Dave joins Nate, Ben, and Neil to talk about the recording experiences, friendships, and design decisions behind Empirical Labs. We trace his path from Eventide to his own studio, the development of the Distressor, and the request from his friend John Patterson that gave us the Nuke setting.


    Along the way, Dave explains how compression shapes a room, why a soft knee can make gain reduction less obvious, and what separates feedback and feed-forward designs. We also get into the UAD Distressor and FATSO emulations, Arousor’s separate saturation control, and why transformer behavior can be difficult to capture in software.


    There are big white knobs, a detour into Project Hail Mary, a dinner with Rupert Neve, and a closer look at what makes the FATSO such a useful box. Dave also shares what he was considering for future products at the time of recording. If you’ve ever wondered how the gear you love came to be—or why crushing a room mic can make everything feel bigger—this one’s for you.


    Key Five Takeaways

    1. The Distressor grew out of a recording need. Dave’s experience with an 1176 on a room mic sent him looking for the behaviors that made that sound so compelling.

    2. Nuke started with a request from a friend. John Patterson wanted more extreme room compression than the prototype’s 20:1 setting offered. He helped inspire the setting and supplied its name.

    3. Compression can change the apparent space. Dave describes how a fast attack can suppress initial transients and bring out the room’s decay, creating a reverb-like effect.

    4. The controls are part of the design. Useful attack and release ranges, knee behavior, calibration, and component tolerances all influence the experience of using a compressor.

    5. Saturation has several jobs. It can catch fast peaks, change tone, and add harmonics that help low-frequency content become more audible. Dave explains why those behaviors matter in both hardware and software.


    Empirical Labs: https://www.empiricallabs.com/

    Distressor: https://www.empiricallabs.com/distressor/

    FATSO: https://www.empiricallabs.com/fatso/


    Listen to Sound Discussion:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-discussion/id1727711992

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QLiTjT6OpY3prLIL8QoqD


    Subscribe To Our Newsletter: https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/newsletter

    Shop: https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/shop


    Sound Discussion Is:

    @natekelmesmixes

    @benhlms

    @merchantaudioproductions ​

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

    Rozwiń Zwiń
    1 godz. i 19 min
  • The Pines Recording Studio | Building A Recording Studio With Intention
    Oct 1 2026

    Visit our friends over at gainstagecommunity.com to check out what they're building and use the code SOUNDDISCUSSION for 10 percent off your subscription!


    ****


    What happens when two engineers leave a studio they’ve spent years building and start again with one clear goal? Make room for musicians to play together.


    Sam Winfield and Tom Millar join Nate, Ben, and Neil to tell the story of The Pines Recording Studio, their new space in the Berkshire countryside. They talk about moving on from Studio 91, turning a old building into a recording studio, and the surprises they found beneath the floorboards.


    The conversation moves from construction to the records they want to make there: tracking full bands, finding sounds in a large live room, using bleed creatively, and committing to tones while recording. Sam and Tom also explain how working as a pair helps them adapt to each artist and keep a session moving.


    Key Five Takeaways

    1. A studio can give artists a change of setting. Sam and Tom wanted The Pines to feel like a place where musicians could step away from daily routines and focus on making music.

    2. The room changes the performance. Space for a full band lets players respond to one another, while the live room sound becomes part of what they hear as they play.

    3. Building the space took constant problem solving. Keeping the vaulted ceiling, controlling sound, and fixing an unexpected hollow floor all shaped the finished studio.

    4. Early decisions can help the rest of a record take shape. Sam and Tom describe dialing in tones during tracking so each new part responds to a sound that already feels like the record.

    5. Their approach changes with the artist. They value live performances and creative commitment, while recognizing that some songs and players call for tighter, more isolated tracking.


    Resources & Links

    The Pines Recording Studio - https://thepinesrecordingstudio.co.uk/

    The Pines on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepinesrecordingstudio/


    Listen to Sound Discussion:

    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-discussion/id1727711992

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QLiTjT6OpY3prLIL8QoqD

    Subscribe To Our Newsletter: https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/newsletter

    Shop: https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/shop


    Sound Discussion Is: ⁨@natekelmesmixes⁩ ⁨@benhlms⁩ ⁨@merchantaudioproductions⁩

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

    Rozwiń Zwiń
    1 godz. i 19 min
  • Michael J Morgan and The Business of Mixing: Clients, Clarity and Gratitude
    Sep 12 2026
    The Business of Mixing featuring Michael J. Morgan — Sweetwater Online Masterclasshttps://www.universe.com/events/the-business-of-mixing-featuring-michael-j-morgan-online-masterclass-tickets-GZ2V8PWhat if getting more clients isn’t actually the thing holding your audio career back?Michael J. Morgan helps mixing and mastering engineers build businesses around their own goals, strengths and lives—instead of copying somebody else’s version of success.In Episode 33, Michael joins Nate, Ben and Neil for an honest conversation about outreach, positioning, pricing and the foundations that need to exist before more clients can meaningfully change your business. He explains why successful outreach is about connecting with actual people, why knowing how much money you truly need matters, and why ethical, sustainable growth rarely comes from a one-size-fits-all sales formula.The conversation also moves beyond business. What does success actually look like when you remove the Grammys, credits and social-media comparisons? Are you building a career that gives you the life you want - or postponing your life until some imaginary finish line?At the center of it all is gratitude: for the clients who already trust us, for the work directly in front of us, for the stability that supports our ambitions and for every small step along the way.KEY FIVE TAKEAWAYS1. “I need more clients” may be a symptom—not the underlying problem.2. Define the life and income you actually need before designing your business.3. Outreach works best when it begins with relationships, empathy and mutual value.4. Success should reflect your goals—not somebody else’s career, credits or awards.5. Gratitude doesn’t mean settling; it means recognizing the life you’re building while you build it.RESOURCES & LINKSMichael J. Morgan / The Business of Mixinghttps://mixing.bizMichael on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/mixing.biz/The Business of Mixing featuring Michael J. Morgan — Sweetwater Online Masterclasshttps://www.universe.com/events/the-business-of-mixing-featuring-michael-j-morgan-online-masterclass-tickets-GZ2V8PIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Sound Discussion, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone building a career in audio.*****Listen to Sound Discussion:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-discussion/id1727711992Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QLiTjT6OpY3prLIL8QoqDSubscribe To Our Newsletter:https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/newsletterShop:https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/shopSound Discussion Is: @natekelmesmixes @benhlms @merchantaudioproductions ​ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Rozwiń Zwiń
    1 godz. i 30 min
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