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Aerospace Audio

For this episode, we have a returning guest, Marcus Wiles to discuss the Nord Stage 4, including whether it’s worth upgrading from the Stage 3, keybed improvements like triple-sensor action, new faders and workflow, and faster preset building across piano/organ/synth sections. Marcus highlights major value in Stage 4’s dedicated per-layer effects, including new Cathedral reverb (with modulated “choral” variation) and a sidechain-style pump effect, plus extensive MIDI CC automation with Ableton for live touring. He shares go-to Nord piano choices (White Grand, Pearl Upright), explains why some think Nords don’t cut through a mix, and demonstrates tools like dynamic compression, EQ, and noise layering for realism. The episode also covers organ, Rhodes, synth/sample-based sound design, touring stories, and advice on practicing, learning gear, and staying versatile.

Marcus Wiles

Aerospace Audio

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Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

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This episode focuses on synthesizers with a deep dive on Marcus Wiles’ Sequential Prophet-6, while also thanking sponsor Aerospace Audio and highlighting their Arrow Pads app and Atmosphere Pads pedal features, sound packs, pricing, and routing ideas with Ableton. Marcus explains why he chose the Prophet-6, how its simplicity and poly mod section shaped his synth programming, and why hardware can feel more like an instrument. He demonstrates practical sound-design concepts that translate to any synth or Omni sphere, including using unison and stereo spread versus chorus, preparing patches for mono or stereo systems, shaping sounds with envelopes to turn a basic patch into bass, plucks, brass, and an 808-style sound, adding texture with audio-rate modulation and effects (including distortion after reverb), and using the Prophet-6 sequencer for writing inspiration. The episode ends with a call for viewers to submit their own key rigs and a teaser for the next episode on the Nord Stage 4.

Marcus Wiles

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!

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Aerospace Audio

Michael shares his first Winter Jam experience playing keys and organ for Kayden Nicole, discusses the demands of navigating shared keyboard setups, and recounts how he joined The Choir Room shortly after moving to Nashville in 2022. They talk through worship-leading pressures versus being a keys player, the importance of reading the room, leaving space in services, and avoiding over-manufactured transitions. Michael reflects on church staff life, volunteer leadership challenges, rehearsals, burnout, and using tools like Planning Center, emphasizing the need for ear training, the Nashville Number System, and continual growth and creativity. They close with Easter song ideas and thoughts on “flashy” versus musical playing.

Michael Walter

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Subscribe here to the podcast, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. If you have any questions or suggestions for who you want as a featured guest in the future or a topic you want to hear, email carson@theworshipkeys.com. New episodes release every Wednesday!