What makes a forest feel alive? Why does a city street sound different at midnight than it does at noon? And why do some movies, games, and podcasts instantly pull you into their worlds before a single word is spoken?
In this episode of Parp Donk: A Beginner's Guide to Sound Design, we dive into the fascinating world of ambience—the invisible layer of sound that creates mood, emotion, realism, and immersion.
From subtle room tones and environmental recordings to massive cinematic soundscapes, we explore how ambient sound shapes the stories we hear every day. Whether you're a beginner learning the craft, a podcaster looking to improve your productions, or simply curious about how sound influences emotion, this episode will change the way you listen.
#ParpDonk #SoundDesign #Ambience #Soundscape #AudioProduction #FieldRecording #FilmSound #PodcastProduction #GameAudio #AudioEngineering #SoundDesigner #Foley #PostProduction #CreativeAudio #Atmosphere #AudioStorytelling #RecordingStudio #PodcastLife #SoundEffects #AudioGeek
13 Jun 2026
A Talk with Tom Salta
In this episode of Parp Donk: A Beginner's Guide to Sound Design, we sit down with acclaimed composer and music producer Tom Salta to explore the art of creating music that brings stories, characters, and worlds to life.
Known for his work on major video games, television, and film projects, Tom shares how he got started in the industry, his creative process for composing memorable scores, and the role sound and music play in shaping an audience's emotional experience. We also discuss the tools, techniques, and mindset that aspiring composers and sound designers can use to develop their own unique sonic voice.
Whether you're interested in game audio, film scoring, music production, or simply curious about how great soundtracks are made, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and plenty of Parp Donk fun.
🎵 Learn how music and sound work together to tell powerful stories.
🎧 Discover Tom's approach to composition and creativity.
🎮 Get an inside look at the world of professional game and media scoring.
Subscribe, listen, and join us as we go behind the music with composer Tom Salta.
6 May 2026
The Worst Sounds
Nails on a chalkboard. Out-of-phase audio. The emergency broadcast alert. What is objectively the WORST sound ever? In this episode of The Parp Donk Podcast, we're diving deep into the most annoying, irritating, and cringe-worthy sounds known to humanity — and sharing the hilarious stories behind them.
Whether you're an audiophile with a vendetta, or just someone who can't stand the sound of someone chewing, this episode is for you.
Subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Like, comment, and share your WORST sound below!
#WorstSounds #NailsOnAChalkboard #AnnoyingSounds #Podcast #Comedy #FunnyStories
1 Apr 2026
A Chat With Fred Seibert Part 2
Part 2 of our in-depth conversation with media executive Fred Seibert (MTV, Hanna-Barbera, Fred/Alan). The MTV promise unpacked, legendary holiday parties, and a forthcoming Mississippi Fred McDowell remix that nobody saw coming. Music history, media history, and the blues — all in one conversation.
1 Mar 2026
A Chat With Fred Seibert, Part 1
Fred Seibert was part of the creative team that launched MTV, catapulted Nickelodeon to the #1 kids network, lead Hanna-Barbera productions, and also produced numerous hit cartoons, including Dexter's Laboratory, the Fairly OddParents, the Powerpuff Girls, and Adventure Time so much more. Join the Parpers for a chat with Fred about work--risk-taking, mentorship, and of course the importance of audio!
EP11
1 Jan 2026
The Most Disgusting Record Ever Made — And the Dumb and Dumber Connection
Episode 10
Every creative field has its outsider art — work that exists completely outside the mainstream and is all the more fascinating for it. Tom Clack's "Biggest Bowel Movement Bar None" is Parp Donk's exhibit A. Jim, John, and Amanda discuss what makes it repulsive, brilliant, and genuinely worth your time.
Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin
1 Jan 2026
Squash, Sustain, and Saturation — Dave Derr Returns to Talk Compression
Episode 9
Compression is one of the most misunderstood, but powerful tools in audio. Few people understand compression better than Dave Derr, creator of the legendary Distressor.
In part two of our conversation with the Empirical Labs founder, the Parpers dig into compression and saturation. Listen to our chat with Dave to find out what makes the Distressor one of the most widely used pieces of gear in audio. Essential listening for anyone serious about audio post-production, music production, or mixing.
Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin
1 Jan 2026
EQ: Shaping Sound with Dave Derr of Empirical Labs
Episode 8
EQ is one of the most powerful tools in audio post-production and few people are better qualified to discuss it than Dave Derr, founder of Empirical Labs and one of the most respected figures in professional audio gear design.
The Parpers sit down with Dave for a deep dive into how EQ works, how to use it musically and surgically, and what separates instinctive listening from technical understanding. Whether you're mixing podcasts, music, or audio for film, this conversation will change how you hear.
Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin
1 Jan 2026
Field Recording: Why the Best Sounds Are Found, Not Made
Episode 7
Some of the most powerful sounds in film and media weren't created in a studio — they were captured in the wild. The Parpers discuss the gear, the techniques, and the mindset behind great field recording, and including microphone selection for location recording, handling noise, and how raw environmental sound becomes usable audio in post-production. If you've ever believed that the best sounds are found rather than made, this episode will confirm everything you suspected.
Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin
1 Jan 2026
Foley: The Art of Making Fake Sounds Feel Real
Episode 6
Foley is the craft of creating everyday sounds in a studio — footsteps, clothing rustle, the clink of a glass — and it's one of the most performance-driven crafts in all of audio post-production. Jim, John, and Amanda explore the Foley process through a collection of sound that has to be heard to be believed. If you've ever wondered how film and television sound designers make invented sounds feel completely real, this episode is your answer.
Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin
1 Jan 2026
Audio Interfaces: The Hardware and Software Connecting Sound to Your Computer
Episode 5
Whether it's a physical box on your desk or a software solution living inside your DAW, the audio interface is the critical link between your microphone and everything that happens next.
Jim and John break down everything a home studio engineer needs to know: bit depth, sample rate, latency, preamp quality, and how to choose the right interface for your budget and workflow. Brands and models discussed include options across every price range, from beginner home recording setups to professional audio production environments.
Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin
1 Jan 2026
Voice Recording: Microphones, Rooms, and What Actually Matters
EPISODE 4
Not all microphones are created equal — and choosing the wrong one can sink an otherwise great recording, but a great mic in a bad room sounds worse than a cheap mic in a treated one.
Jim Stauffer and John put a range of mics to the test: condenser mics, dynamic mics, and ribbon mics. Whether you're setting up a home recording studio for the first time or refining an existing setup, this episode covers mic selection, microphone placement, acoustic treatment, and the essential do's and don'ts of voice recording at home.
Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin
1 Jan 2026
The Voice in Your Head: How Voiceover Makes or Breaks a Project
Episode 3
Voiceover is often the first element laid down in any sound design project — and the one that sets the tone for everything else. Jim and John draw on decades of experience in professional voice recording to discuss what makes great VO talent, how to direct voice actors, the lessons learned, and the people who left a mark.
Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin
1 Jan 2026
Sound Design: The Invisible Art Behind Every Great Film, Game and Podcast
Episode 2
What exactly is sound design, and how did it become its own discipline? Jim and John trace its origins and break down how it shapes everything from blockbuster films, video games to indie podcasts — including this one. (Should we also say musical scores?) Whether you're a curious newcomer or a working audio professional, this episode breaks down how sound design shapes every piece of media you consume.
Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin
1 Jan 2026
Origin Story: How We Ended Up Making Sounds for a Living
Episode 1
Jim Stauffer and John Terelle pull back the curtain on how they built careers in one of entertainment's most invisible professions. From the early days of sound recording to the modern era of digital audio production — this is where it all begins. If you've ever wondered how people build careers in sound design, audio post-production, and podcast production, this is where the Parp Donk story begins.
Parpers: Jim Stauffer, John Terelle, Amanda Nazario, Karen Martin, and Pippin
28 Dec 2025
Parp Donk Trailer
Welcome to a fun Podcast that pulls the curtain back on the wonderful world of sound design
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