Sonic Sculptor: Lenny Jones on Sound Design, Artistry & Adaptation

How a music-obsessed Midwesterner built a sonic legacy from the mix stages of Hollywood to the classrooms of tomorrow — and why the future of sound is still human. In this sound-rich episode, Corey sits down with Lenny Jones, a virtuoso in the trailer audio world and founder of 24/96 Sound & Music Design. With over 190 feature film campaigns under his belt and a teaching post at the New York Film Academy, Lenny shares his journey from humble beginnings in Indiana to becoming a go-to source for immersive sound design in trailers, TV spots, and features. This episode is a masterclass in navigating creative evolution, embracing new tech like AI, and maintaining human connection in an increasingly digital industry. ❤️ Featured Cause: A Place Called Home In this episode, we highlight A Place Called Home (APCH), a transformative nonprofit in South Central LA that provides a safe, nurturing environment for young people to learn, grow, and thrive. Through arts, education, counseling, and mentorship, APCH helps build brighter futures — and stronger communities. 🎉 Shoutout to Brett Winn, this year's honoree at the APCH Gala! 🎟️ Upcoming Event: 2025 Gala – October 23rd, 2025 👉 Learn more or donate: https://apch.org ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics [00:00:00] 🎬 Welcome & Introduction: Corey introduces Lenny Jones, founder of 24/96 Sound [00:02:00] 🎓 Ball State to LA: Lenny's journey west & the Indiana trailer-maker pipeline [00:04:00] 🥁 From Drumming to Mixing: Music engineering roots & career pivots [00:05:00] 🧵 Soundproofing & Creativity: Inside Lenny's home studio (blankets, neon sculptures & Burning Man) [00:07:00] 🔊 Demystifying Mixing: What does a trailer mixer actually do? [00:10:00] 💽 Tech Transitions: From analog to Pro Tools to AI—how Lenny adapted [00:13:00] ⚙️ Staying Ahead: Tools, forums, and keeping sharp in a fast-moving field [00:16:00] 🚀 SSI to Entrepreneur: Why Lenny left a top post house to start 24/96 [00:19:00] 👨‍🏫 Teaching the Next Gen: Sound design at New York Film Academy [00:21:00] 🌍 Global Sound: Representing composers from Finland to Japan [00:24:00] 🎧 Case Study – Dave for FX: Breaking down a sound-rich launch trailer [00:29:00] 🥁 Travis Barker Spot: Behind-the-scenes with AV Squad & movieTickets.com [00:30:00] 🏢 Working with Studios vs. Agencies: Key differences & workflows [00:33:00] 🌪️ Navigating Industry Shifts: Covid, streaming slumps, AI & more [00:38:00] 🤖 AI in Audio: Helpful assistant or creative threat? Lenny weighs in [00:44:00] 🎨 Favorite Campaigns: Judas and the Black Messiah, TRON, & more [00:47:00] 🛠️ Career Advice: Build something you own + the people-first philosophy 🔑 Key Takeaways Balance Tech & People: Mastering tools like Pro Tools is essential, but relationships build lasting careers. Diversify Your Creative Income: Lenny juggles commercial work, a sound library, and teaching to stay adaptable. Leverage AI Carefully: Use tools like ChatGPT for metadata and titles, but don't let them replace human creativity. Keep Learning & Networking: Conferences, forums, and award shows remain vital for staying connected and inspired. 🎤 Notable Quotes "When you mix a trailer, you're sculpting the experience—balancing music, dialogue, and effects frame by frame." — Lenny Jones "The future of sound isn't AI replacing humans, it's AI empowering humans to do better, faster work." — Lenny Jones "Start your own company—even if you're working full-time. It's your safety net and your legacy." — Lenny Jones 🌐 Connect with Lenny & 24/96 Website: 2496soundandmusic.com Instagram: @2496soundandmusic LinkedIn: Lenny Jones 🙌 Our Sponsors: 24/96 Sound & Music Design: 2496soundandmusic.com The Golden Trailer Awards: goldentrailer.com/ Soundstripe: app.soundstripe.com Calls to Action: Please leave us a rating and review: https://apple.co/3QYy80eYou can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.linkedin.com/in/coreysnathan. Want to hear how the best in the business craft the world's most exciting movie trailers? Tune in every week to Trailer Geeks and Teaser Gods! 🎬🎤