AUDIOLINK PODCAST

Audiolink
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

Hosted by Brandon Meyer and Tommy Toledo, founders of Audiolink. This podcast is about the journey to end the problem of live sound. We talk about our journey in live sound, mixing live and studio, business, leadership, church, and everything that we can go through in this amazing life journey.

  1. Jun 9

    EP 035 SNARE MASTERCLASS: TUNING, PHASE, AND PLACEMENT

    🎧 SNARE MASTERCLASS In this episode, Tom, Brandon, and the crew dive into the art of great snare tone. From tuning and mic placement to playing dynamics and drum choice, they break down what makes a snare cut through a mix and why mastering the basics matters more than expensive gear. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction 03:19 — Why Snare Matters 05:36 — Snare vs Kick 08:42 — Modern Snare Sound 21:18 — Core Setup Tips 25:00 — Heads & Tuning 34:41 — Hitting Technique 39:17 — Musical Pitch 47:57 — Great Budget Option 55:58 — Final Advice

    1h 1m

  2. Jun 9

    EP 033 STAYING INSPIRED

    In this episode, Tom and Brandon kick off 2026 by talking about inspiration, discipline, and the creative process. They share real experiences from current mixing projects, discuss the value of templates and routines, and explain why consistency often matters more than motivation. This conversation is aimed at anyone working in audio, music, or creative leadership who wants to stay focused and effective over the long term. 00:01 — Introduction 01:12 — Podcast Hiatus Explanation 03:14 — Staying Inspired in Creative Work 04:01 — Starting Mixes From Scratch 06:17 — The Value of Templates and Process 09:10 — Separating Identity From Performance 19:20 — Practical Ways to Find Inspiration 25:10 — Discipline and Daily Routine 35:38 — Lessons From Influential Creators 36:57 — Closing Thoughts

    37 min

  3. 12/04/2025

    EP 031 THE GOOD THE BAD THE UGLY

    🎧 The Good, The Bad, The Ugly In this episode, Tom and Brandon break down what separates a bad mix from a great one — from technical fundamentals to the more abstract, emotional qualities that make a mix feel inspiring. Whether you're a worship leader, tech director, or musician, this conversation is packed with practical tips, real-world experiences, and honest thoughts on how to create a mix that truly serves your church. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction 01:41 — Good Mix vs. Bad Mix 03:47 — A Memorable Live Sound Experience 09:00 — The Power of Low-End 15:02 — Typical Church Sound Expectations 20:14 — Why Standardization Matters in Mixing 23:32 — Drum Sound Insights 29:38 — Vocal Tips & Mic Recommendations 34:15 — Guitarists: Tone, Musicality & Awareness 41:35 — Humility in Worship & Sound Production 45:49 — Crowd Mics & Advanced Mixing Techniques

    51 min

  4. 11/06/2025

    EP 030 COMPRESSION

    🎧 COMPRESSION Tom and Brandon break down everything you need to know about audio compression — from the basics to advanced mixing techniques. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:01 – Introduction 01:54 – What Is Compression? 03:50 – Vocal Compression Tips (76 vs. 2A) 10:05 – Personal Mixing Experiences 21:13 – Key Compression Settings Explained 33:27 – Multiband Compression (C4 Plugin) 37:30 – Using Limiters Effectively 39:07 – Compression for Guitars & Bass 46:24 – Keeping Mixes Consistent 57:13 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways 🎚️ Learn how to control dynamics, shape tone, and make your mixes sound polished and professional.

    58 min

  5. 10/30/2025

    EP 029 READING YOUR COMMENTS

    Reading what you commented! In this episode, Tom and Brandon dive into YouTube comments and chat about all things PA systems and pro audio gear — from Cohesion and Martin Audio to Danley, EV, and RCF. 💬 Leave your thoughts in the comments — they might read them next episode! 00:00 – Intro & dramatic mic setup 01:16 – Reading YouTube comments 04:40 – Speaker talk: Cohesion, Martin Audio, D&B, and more 09:04 – Danley “Willy Wonka” speakers 14:54 – EV vs RCF debate 39:22 – HD96 console discussion

    45 min

  6. 10/09/2025

    EP 028 MIXING LIVESTREAM AUDIO

    🎧 Mixing Livestream Audio: Finding Consistency and Creativity in Church Sound In this episode, Tom and Brandon dive deep into the art of mixing for livestreams — exploring how to create consistent, engaging audio that connects with listeners across every device. Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or just getting started, this conversation will help you rethink your approach to church sound. ⏱️ Key Topics: 00:01 – Introduction: Why livestream audio matters 01:19 – How listening environments change everything 02:35 – The two keys to consistent mixes 04:53 – Why crowd mics are your secret weapon 10:10 – What makes a mix “feel right” 16:30 – Why many churches play it too safe with audio 39:10 – Learning by doing: simple setups that teach 48:35 – Tricks of the trade for high-quality livestreams 55:05 – Building trust between musicians and engineers 57:22 – Final thoughts & wrap-up 🎚️ Subscribe for more episodes on church audio, livestream mixing, and practical tips for creating an excellent worship experience.

    58 min

  7. 09/25/2025

    EP 026 RANKING PA SYSTEMS

    n this episode, Tom and Brandon dive into the world of PA systems, ranking and critiquing different brands based on their real-world experiences. They explore the nuances between high-end, mid-tier, and entry-level setups, while also emphasizing that gear isn’t everything—operator skill and smart purchasing decisions play a huge role. 03:04 – 05:54: High-end brands highlighted include L-Acoustics, D&B Audiotechnik, Meyer, EAW, and Adamson, with a nod to Martin Audio for its rising recognition. 06:16 – 09:01: A closer comparison between D&B and L-Acoustics, noting differences in sound quality, headroom, and overall performance. 34:38 – 35:51: Mid-tier systems like Nexo and Martin are seen as strong value options, though they don’t quite reach the standard of the premium brands. 43:59 – 49:20: Critique of JBL VRX systems—acknowledging their strengths and weaknesses—plus brief thoughts on Turbo Sound and its industry reputation. 49:43 – 53:32: QSC, RCF, and DB Technologies get recognition for smaller gigs and corporate settings, though with limitations in scaling to large events. 57:25 – 58:56: The hosts caution that spending more money doesn’t always equal better quality, encouraging buyers to match systems to their specific needs. 1:00:01 – 1:01:55: Brandon reflects that often the sound engineer’s skill matters more than the brand, urging listeners to prioritize coverage, tuning, and audience experience over prestige. Comment your thoughts below and what you think we missed on this list!

    1h 2m

  8. 09/23/2025

    EP 025 BEST CHURCH MIXING CONSOLES RANKED - PART 2

    In this episode of the Audiolink Podcast Tom and Brandon continue the conversation around the best mixing consoles. They compare the Yamaha CL5 and Digico SD225, highlighting the SD225's strong audio quality and advanced features like 32-bit preamps. They note that while Digico consoles have improved significantly, the CL5 may be more accessible for beginners due to its user-friendly interface. The discussion wraps up by emphasizing the importance of user familiarity and consistent firmware for optimal live sound performance. 00:00 - Discussion on various audio consoles continues from the previous episode. 00:28 - Previous console evaluation leads to discussion on the Digico 225, released around 2020, recognized for great sound quality and flexibility. 02:11 - Digico improved preamp designs significantly in recent years, expanding conversion bit depth for better dynamic range. 08:17 - The hosts debate the effectiveness and design of Digico's user interface compared to others such as Yamaha and Allen & Heath, noting specific pros and cons. 11:57 - The 225 is rated an 8/10 for its functionality and quality, while the 338 is rated a 9 or 10. 14:09 onwards - Brief evaluations of Yamaha's RIVAGE and the Allen & Heath SQ/DLive consoles, with mixed reviews on reliability and sound quality. 18:23 - Personal experiences shared about the Soundcraft VI series during a live show, highlighting freezing issues. 22:32 - Discussion on the positives (sound quality, Waves integration) and negatives (slow support response, limited compatibility) of the Avid SXL. 31:46 - Audio console quality is seen as a small factor in live sound compared to user comfort and interaction, which determine effectiveness during performances. 43:14 - Acknowledgment of the need for manufacturers to improve on existing technologies and user experiences in audio consoles.

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Hosted by Brandon Meyer and Tommy Toledo, founders of Audiolink. This podcast is about the journey to end the problem of live sound. We talk about our journey in live sound, mixing live and studio, business, leadership, church, and everything that we can go through in this amazing life journey.

Information

  • Creator
    Audiolink
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Copyright
    © Audiolink
  • Show Website
    AUDIOLINK PODCAST

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