Secret Sonics
Secret Sonics
Ben Wallick and Carl Bahner
#239 - Reference Mixes: When They Should (and Shouldn’t) Guide Us
24 minutes Posted Mar 11, 2025 at 11:00 am.
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Show notes
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


LA Wildfire Relief:
Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief
WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate


Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5

Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing


Connect with us:

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