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Sound Discussion

Sound Discussion

By: Ben Holmes Nate Kelmes Neil Merchant
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"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 Music
Episodes
  • The Pines Recording Studio | Building A Recording Studio With Intention

    The Pines Recording Studio | Building A Recording Studio With Intention
    1 Oct 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.
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    1 hr and 19 min
  • Michael J Morgan and The Business of Mixing: Clients, Clarity and Gratitude

    Michael J Morgan and The Business of Mixing: Clients, Clarity and Gratitude
    12 Sep 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.
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    1 hr and 30 min
  • Lee Turner and GainStage: Escape the Noise and Make Better Records

    Lee Turner and GainStage: Escape the Noise and Make Better Records
    25 Aug 2026
    ***Join GainStage using our affiliate link below and enter the code SOUNDDISCUSSION to save 10% on your first year of membership. Using our link also helps support Sound Discussion at no additional cost to you.https://www.gainstagecommunity.com/a/2148311224/9Pb32UtFDisclosure: This is an affiliate link. If you join GainStage through it, Sound Discussion may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.***There has never been more information available to musicians and producers—but is all that content helping us make better records?Grammy-winning producer, musician, and recording engineer Lee Turner returns to introduce GainStage, a new online community created with Jim Stewart, Jake Fader, and Dan Millice.GainStage is designed for musicians, producers, and engineers who are tired of fragmented tutorials, algorithm noise, plugin collecting, and growing in isolation. Lee takes us inside its flagship course, “Inside the Song: From First Idea to Final Master,” which follows a real record through writing, pre-production, tracking, mixing, revisions, and mastering—including the mistakes and difficult decisions usually edited out.We also discuss why arrangement problems are often mistaken for mixing problems, what one-way tutorials cannot provide, and how trusted feedback helps us develop better creative instincts.Lee also shares the story behind his Grammy-winning contribution to Jimmy Carter’s “Last Sundays in Plains,” including recording Darius Rucker’s performance of “America the Beautiful” and being given two days to mix it.Learn more about GainStage:https://www.gainstagecommunity.com/Key Five Takeaways1. **More information doesn’t guarantee growth.** Collecting tutorials, tricks, and plugins can feel productive without helping you finish better music.2. **Learning is a human interaction.** Trusted peers provide feedback, context, accountability, and follow-up questions that one-way content cannot.3. **Mix problems often begin earlier.** If a song isn’t working, the solution may be in the writing, arrangement, performance, or sound selection—not another EQ move.4. **Professionals make mistakes too.** Experience is not the absence of mistakes. It is knowing how to respond to them, communicate clearly, and redirect the session.5. **Community creates momentum.** Fresh ears, shared experience, and creative collaboration help musicians escape isolation and return their attention to making records.Resources & LinksGainStage Communityhttps://www.gainstagecommunity.com/Lee J. Turnerhttps://www.leejturner.com/Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration — Grammy informationhttps://www.grammy.com/artists/jimmy-carter/7405/https://youtu.be/SlUClnHgyoE?si=NHb_3yjmmungmL-NPrevious Episodes:Lee Turner: https://youtu.be/a1BhaTRfRTcJim Stewart: https://youtu.be/NkF4TB7l2S0Jake Fader: https://youtu.be/heeqHvKOr_kDan Millice: https://youtu.be/mI1AUi7UDfsListen 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.
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    1 hr and 18 min
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