Everyone talks about “flat” headphones for mixing… but what does flat actually mean?

In this episode, we sit down with Rok Gulič of OLLO Audio to unpack the myths and realities behind flat response, low end, calibration, and translation when mixing on headphones.

We dive into why “flat” isn’t one curve, how calibration really works, and how psychoacoustics shape what we think we’re hearing, especially in the low end.

Plus, Rok explains the differences between driver types, the role of crossfeed and room emulations, and whether Atmos mixing on headphones is truly possible.

• What “flat” response really means (and why there’s no single standard)

• Why calibration matters for translation between pairs

• Dynamic vs planar drivers—and how they affect distortion and bass

• How referencing trumps tools when mixing on headphones

• Why our body experience changes how we hear low end

• Whether crossfeed and room emulation plugins are worth committing to

• How Atmos mixing on headphones is already happening

• From foam Walkman pads to pro studio cans

• The rise of headphone mixing in home studios

• “Flat according to what?”—the scientific tolerance range

• Unit-by-unit calibration explained (and why OLLO does it)

• Crossfeed as a way to “move out of the sweet spot”

• Bass perception, body memory, and translation struggles

• The future: Atmos on headphones and beyond

Q: Should I commit to crossfeed/room emulation plugins?
A: Use them like virtual “movement checks.” They’re not essential, but if they help you build trust in your balances, they’re worth trying.

“Flat” is not a single curve. It’s a range. The key is choosing trustworthy tools, referencing a lot, and learning what your headphones are telling you, so your mixes translate everywhere.

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We’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.

Automation: it’s more than fader rides, it’s storytelling.
In this episode, we’re unpacking how automation evolved from a handful of engineers riding faders on an analog desk to today’s unlimited possibilities inside the DAW. And more importantly, how we use it every day to make music feel alive.

• Why automation is the most powerful creative tool in your DAW

• How clip gain changes the entire mix before you even hit a compressor

• When to automate faders, plugins, EQ, panning, and when not to

• Why subtle automation moves create emotion listeners can’t even explain

• How presets and “happy accidents” can spark inspiration

• The wild days of four people mixing on the same console at once

• Our favorite creative uses of delay throws, panning tricks, and EQ rides

• When automation makes a part feel like a hook

• Over-automation: what it sounds like and how to avoid it

• The steak and salt analogy (why sometimes less is more)

• Plugin presets that sparked whole new creative directions

Shoutout to Ken from YouTube for sparking our talk about plugin presets and experimenting as a way to stay creative in the studio.

Automation isn’t about showing off, it’s about serving the song. When used with intention, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to make music emotional, dynamic, and unforgettable.

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We’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.

Some of us are at home in a controlled studio, tweaking every detail until the mix is just right.
Others thrive under the pressure of a live show, mixing on the fly in front of thousands.
We’ve done both — and in this episode, we’re unpacking the lessons each world has taught us.

From corporate gigs to church productions to mixing album release shows, we share the wins, fails, and “MacGyver” moments that shaped our approach to mixing. You’ll hear why live sound engineers make faster decisions, how studio habits can make live shows more emotional, and why the best mixers often straddle both worlds.

• How to stay calm under pressure when gear fails mid-show

• Why quick thinking is a survival skill for live sound

• Studio automation tricks that bring life to live mixes

• How in-ear monitoring and click tracks changed the live game

• Why “perfection” means something different on stage than in the studio

• Chris’ church gig blackout disaster

• Steve’s take on managing band trust in fast-turnaround soundchecks

• Riding faders live like an instrument

• Bringing studio plugins to live shows (yes, really)

• Why wedges were the old enemy — and how in-ears saved the day

Live sound and studio mixing aren’t rivals — they’re complementary skills. The best engineers borrow from both worlds to create mixes that connect emotionally and translate in any environment.

📩 Submit your question here: Form Link
We’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.