In Part 2 of our Electronics & Sound Design series, the Copper State Marching Podcast dives deeper into the world of marching arts audio production with guests Zach Whittier and Claire Thorpe-Coody, two of Arizona’s leading voices in sound design and front ensemble electronics. From microphone placement and front ensemble amplification to narration production, synth programming, MainStage troubleshooting, and wireless microphone setups, this episode is packed with practical advice for students, educators, and designers alike.

The conversation explores how both guests learned electronics “by necessity,” proving that anyone with curiosity and a willingness to experiment can grow into a successful sound designer. Listeners will hear detailed discussions on mic placement for marimbas and vibraphones, how to reduce frame noise using simple suspension systems, and why mallet bags are more important than most people realize.

Zach and Claire also break down the process of creating narration tracks and sound effects for marching band shows, including sourcing sounds from sites like freesound.org, recording custom Foley-style effects, and editing audio in Logic Pro, GarageBand, and Audacity. The episode also covers synth programming, risers, bass drops, sample playback, and the pros and cons of software like MainStage versus Ableton.

Additionally, the panel discusses troubleshooting common electronics failures at competitions, maintaining stable signal chains, using MIDI over USB when possible, and why teaching students to manage their own equipment is essential. The episode closes with advice on wireless microphones, speaker purchasing, compression techniques for soloists, and shout-outs to the many educators and designers helping grow Arizona’s marching arts audio community.

Whether you’re just beginning with electronics or looking to level up your program’s sound design, this episode offers an incredible amount of practical insight and inspiration. Sponsored by the Arizona Marching Band Association (AZMBA). You can reach the Copper State Marching Podcast at podcast@azmba.org.

Resources and sites discussed in Part 1 or Part 2:

Marching Arts Audio Discussion Page on Facebook

Mic Suggestions

Shure SM57

Digital Auto Workstation

Mainstage

Logic Pro

Ableton

Hardware

Sampl

Roland Sample Pad, SP40, 404MK2

Sounds/narration/effects

Freesound.org

Fiverr.com - sound actor resource

Voice123.com

Foley tutorials on youtube

Kontakt (plugin)

Sound cart/speaker design

Titan

Pagentry

Pyle

Synced Up (builds full sound system)

Other

pinecil soldering iron

Shure Education Material