The Worship Keys Podcast

Carson

134 episodes listed below

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Worship keys, tones, rigs, and restraint.

The gist

The Worship Keys Podcast sits at the workbench with worship keyboard players, moving between music theory, gear, industry, and ministry. Episodes favor real sounds, real rigs, and candid player-to-player talk about what works in a live worship mix.

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About The Worship Keys Podcast

The Worship Keys Podcast is a detailed, musician-to-musician show about keys in worship settings. Its center of gravity is practical. Carson Bruce talks with players about the sounds, habits, and decisions that shape modern worship keyboard work. Episodes move easily from music theory to gear, from production choices to ministry context, and from polished rigs to the trial-and-error behind them. A discussion with Matt spends time on Logic's B3, Ableton, redundancy, iConnect gear, and the quiet power of simple parts that fit the mix. Another episode with Marcus Wiles focuses on the Nord Stage 4, touching on upright piano samples, fiery pads, filter drive, compression, EQ, distortion, reverb, and the way a piano sound must survive processing. The show is not just about naming equipment. It listens for function. A sound is judged by how it responds, where it sits, and whether it supports the song instead of crowding it. That gives the conversations a useful groundedness for players who are trying to improve week by week. The ministry side is present too. Guests speak about church backgrounds, worship teams, programming for services, learning by ear, reading music, and being stretched by other musicians and genres. Marlon and Leonard bring a broader conversational energy, connecting musical formation with church experience and creative work around ministry health. The tone is warm, direct, and highly specific. There is room for enthusiasm when a patch works. There is also room for the unglamorous details: manuals, backups, sample choices, and sounds that need tweaking before they become useful. For worship keys players, that combination is the point. The Worship Keys Podcast makes the technical feel connected to the room, the team, and the congregation.

Made for: Worship keyboard players, church musicians, producers, and synth-minded pianists who want practical guidance on sounds, parts, rigs, and live-service musical judgment.

What sets it apart: The show stands out by pairing detailed gear talk with the realities of worship ministry. It treats sounds, keyboards, production tools, and musical simplicity as choices that have to serve a congregation, not just impress other players.

In their own words

If you play piano, organ, synths, pads, or any keys instrument for worship ministry or the music industry, you are in the right place! Nashville-based worship keys player, Carson Bruce, interviews a variety of different musicians every week. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, this is the podcast for you to learn and feel inspired to enhance both your technical playing skills and to also gain spiritual encouragement while being in a local church congregation. New episodes release every Wednesday! Reach out directly to Carson on Instagram or email: [email protected].

worship keys playingNord keyboard soundsB3 organ tonesAbleton setupspads and atmospheric texturesEQ and compressionsynth programmingchurch music ministry

Talks about

Best episodes of The Worship Keys Podcast

Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.

Simplicity and Production with Chris Tomlin's Keys PlayerApr 8, 2026

A practical worship-keys conversation that keeps tone, redundancy, and simplicity tied to the song.

Matt Gilder's turn on The Worship Keys Podcast stays grounded in the work itself. Carson Bruce and Gilder spend time on Logic's B3, Ableton routing, backup-computer redundancy, and the iConnect and Play Audio setup that keeps a live rig steady.

Nord Stage 4 Keyboard Breakdown with Marcus WilesApr 1, 2026

A practical Nord Stage 4 discussion with concrete patch detail and clear worship use cases.

Marcus Wiles treats the Nord Stage 4 as a worship keyboard workhorse, while Carson Bruce shows how an upright piano patch changes once filter drive, compression, and EQ start doing the shaping.

Worship Keys Convo with Marlon Roberson & Leonard Ray Jarman JrMar 4, 2026

Church-rooted keyboard craft and ministry life, with gear talk that stays grounded.

The episode follows Carson Bruce as he talks with Leonard Ray Jarman Jr. and Marlon Roberson about how a worship musician gets shaped: church upbringing, early time on an ASR-10, learning Yamaha gear from the manual, and a wider taste shaped by family.

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Episodes

  1. 1

    Indie vs. Signed Artists in 2026: Artist Development, AI, & Producers | Roger Ryan

    Sep 30, 2026·43m
  2. 2

    How to Use Passing Chords & Tritone Bass Substitution on the Piano

    Sep 23, 2026·25m
  3. 3

    How to Use the Circle of 5ths: Music Theory Tips

    Sep 16, 2026·21m
  4. 4

    Tips for Live Recordings & Mixing in Pro Tools with Garrett Miller

    Sep 9, 2026·1h 36m
  5. 5

    Full Home Studio Tour with Garrett Miller

    Sep 2, 2026·58m
  6. 6

    Behind the Scenes at The Choir Room 2026: BONUS EPISODE

    Aug 31, 2026·10m
  7. 7

    How to Use the AeroPads App for Click & Pads for Worship

    Aug 26, 2026·19m
  8. 8

    Aerospace Audio V3 Atmosphere Pedal Unboxing & Aeropads App Demo

    Aug 19, 2026·42m
  9. 9

    Church Gear Breakdown with Otto Gross at Christ Church Nashville, Tennessee

    Aug 12, 2026·18m
  10. 10

    Is Worship Ministry School Right for You? with Ryan Loche of The Church Collective

    Aug 5, 2026·50m
  11. 11

    Worship Reharms with Clark Beckham Part 2

    Jul 29, 2026·40m
  12. 12

    Worship Reharms with Clark Beckham Part 1

    Jul 22, 2026·42m
  13. 13

    What is the Nashville Number System?

    Jul 15, 2026·23m
  14. 14

    How Much Does it Cost for a Produced Demo in 2026? with Josh Dunn

    Jul 8, 2026·50m
  15. 15

    Felt Pianos, AI Demos, & Sound Design Convo with Josh Dunn

    Jul 1, 2026·46m
  16. 16

    Sound Design for Worship Keys Players with Daniel Dauwe

    Jun 24, 2026·1h 22m
  17. 17

    Stewarding the Presence of God in Corporate Worship with Shane and Makayla of 11th Hour Worship

    Carson interviews Shane and Michaela of 11th Hour Worship about stewarding God's presence during corporate worship, drawing on their ministry history and Bob Sorge's teaching about the ark of the covenant.

    Jun 17, 2026·55m·3 clips
  18. 18

    Writing & Producing Music for Global Missions with Jeremy Caruthers of Far Flung Worship

    The Worship Keys Podcast host Carson Bruce interviews Jeremy Carruthers about producing worship music for Far Flung Tin Can and its Far Flung Worship rebrand.

    Jun 10, 2026·1h 36m·5 clips
  19. 19

    How to Make Piano Sample Library: MainStage Template & Library Demo

    Jun 3, 2026·18m
  20. 20

    How to make a Piano Sample Library: The Programming Process in Logic Pro X Sampler

    May 27, 2026·29m
  21. 21

    How to Make a Piano Sample Library: The Editing Process in Pro Tools

    May 20, 2026·13m
  22. 22

    How to Record a Piano Sample Library: The Equipment & Recording Process

    May 13, 2026·19m
  23. 23

    Worship Moment on the Acoustic Upright with Micai George

    May 6, 2026·24m
  24. 24

    From Self-Taught Keys Player to Musical Director with Micai George

    Apr 29, 2026·28m
  25. 25

    Part 2 of Producing Stems for Elevation Worship with Jay Taylor

    Apr 22, 2026·1h 9m
  26. 26

    Producing Stems for Elevation Worship Song with Jay Taylor

    Apr 15, 2026·1h 30m
  27. 27

    Simplicity and Production with Chris Tomlin's Keys Player

    Hidden gem

    Matt Gilder traces nearly 20 years with Chris Tomlin back to an April 2006 call from Ed Cash for the See the Morning session in Nashville.

    Apr 8, 2026·1h 16m·5 clips
  28. 28

    Nord Stage 4 Keyboard Breakdown with Marcus Wiles

    Hidden gem

    Marcus Wiles says the Stage 4’s triple sensor lets him restrike notes before they return fully, which changes tremolo playing.

    Apr 1, 2026·1h 5m·2 clips
  29. 29

    Prophet 6 Hardware Synth Rig with Marcus Wiles

    Mar 25, 2026·1h 5m
  30. 30

    Have We Over-Produced Our Worship Services? with Michael Walter

    Mar 18, 2026·1h 10m
  31. 31

    How to Navigate Challenging Church Leadership with Tyler Richardson

    Mar 11, 2026·1h 17m
  32. 32

    Worship Keys Convo with Marlon Roberson & Leonard Ray Jarman Jr

    Hidden gem

    Carson Bruce hosts Leonard Ray Jarman Jr.

    Mar 4, 2026·45m·3 clips
  33. 33

    Worship Keys Rig with Isaac Andrade

    Feb 25, 2026·21m
  34. 34

    Worship Keys Rig with Spencer Ratkovich

    Feb 18, 2026·16m
  35. 35

    Keys Rig Rundown & Nord Stage 4 Sound Pack with Filipe Martins

    Feb 11, 2026·26m
  36. 36

    Keyboardist & Organist Caleb Marte

    Feb 7, 2026·8m
  37. 37

    Aux Keys Rig Rundown with Joshua Zacarius

    Feb 4, 2026·11m
  38. 38

    How to Steward Your Worship Team Beyond the Stage with Jonathan "J Dubb" Wolliston

    Jan 28, 2026·56m
  39. 39

    Mastering Worship Production with Jonathan "J Dubb" Wolliston

    Jan 21, 2026·59m
  40. 40

    Why Sound Design & Heart Posture is So Important with Max Whiting

    Jan 14, 2026·46m
  41. 41

    The Hidden Costs of Ministry No One Warns You About with John Strandell

    Jan 10, 2026·51m
  42. 42

    What's New in the Sunday Keys App in 2026 with Owner of Sunday Sounds

    Jan 7, 2026·45m
  43. 43

    Worship Keys Rig with Andrew Sharp of Church of the Highlands

    Dec 31, 2025·33m
  44. 44

    2025 Recap & Upcoming Events in 2026!

    Dec 28, 2025·1h 8m
  45. 45

    Christmas at Highlands Production with Andrew Sharp and Tyler Wester

    Dec 24, 2025·53m
  46. 46

    Worship vs. Performance: Church Production with Tyler Wester and Andrew Sharp

    Dec 17, 2025·40m
  47. 47

    Worship Keys Rig Rundown with Caleb King

    Dec 15, 2025·23m
  48. 48

    Christmas Classics on the Hammond Organ with Ralph Lofton

    Dec 10, 2025·30m
  49. 49

    Christmas Through the Years with Hammond Organist Ralph Lofton

    Dec 3, 2025·37m
  50. 50

    Full Worship Set with Otto and Jayna Gross

    Nov 26, 2025·24m
  51. 51

    Preparing for a Worship Set with Otto and Jayna Gross

    Nov 19, 2025·1h 12m
  52. 52

    Playing Spirit-Led Spontaneous Worship Keys with Caleb King

    Nov 12, 2025·45m
  53. 53

    NAMM Show, Hammond Artist, & Keys Player: Doug Orlando Shares His Story

    Nov 5, 2025·19m
  54. 54

    Minor Progressions in Worship with Spooky Scott of Red Rocks Worship

    Oct 29, 2025·27m
  55. 55

    How to Build Worship Tracks for Church in Logic Pro X with Marcus Perry

    Oct 22, 2025·1h 33m
  56. 56

    Playing Keys for the Choir Room & Tips for Church MDs with Marcus Perry

    Oct 15, 2025·39m
  57. 57

    How to Make Latin Multitracks for Worship with Khristian Diaz

    Oct 8, 2025·45m
  58. 58

    How to Create a Worship Patch from Scratch in Omnisphere with Atreyu Singleton

    Oct 1, 2025·51m
  59. 59

    How to Produce Demos & Multitracks in Logic Pro X with Roger Ryan

    Sep 24, 2025·1h 27m
  60. 60

    Worship Keys Rig & Sound Design with Anaji Powell

    Sep 17, 2025·40m
  61. 61

    Navigating Music Ministry: Insights from Anaji & Kaci Powell

    Sep 10, 2025·1h 2m
  62. 62

    How to Blend CCM & Gospel on the Piano with Carlous Drake

    Sep 3, 2025·1h 3m
  63. 63

    How to Organize Your Ableton Live Session with Andrés Páez

    Aug 27, 2025·1h 10m
  64. 64

    Volunteering as a Keys Player at Red Rocks Church with Micah Weber

    Aug 20, 2025·27m
  65. 65

    Worship Keys Sound Design & Balancing Tour Life/Ministry with Spooky Scott of Red Rocks

    Aug 13, 2025·59m
  66. 66

    From College Friends to Worship Leaders with Jenna & Zoë

    Aug 6, 2025·1h 12m
  67. 67

    The Lifelong Influence of a Good Piano Teacher with Tim Abel

    Jul 30, 2025·1h 2m
  68. 68

    Funky Chord Progressions in CCM with Natalie Layne

    Jul 23, 2025·1h 5m
  69. 69

    How to Use Tracks in Spontaneous Moments of Worship in Ableton with Evan Fernald of TBCO

    Jul 16, 2025·34m
  70. 70

    How to Create a Great Sound Design & Tone on Keys for Worship with Evan Fernald of TBCO

    Jul 9, 2025·58m
  71. 71

    5 Chord Progressions Every Worship Keys Player Should Know with Alex Smith

    Jul 2, 2025·38m
  72. 72

    How to Play Aux Keys for Worship with Micaiah Wesler

    Jun 25, 2025·1h 8m
  73. 73

    How to Produce Stems for Worship in Logic Pro X with Josh Brown

    Jun 18, 2025·1h 23m
  74. 74

    How to Program Keys and Synths in a Worship Song in Logic Pro X with David O. Ramirez

    Jun 11, 2025·45m
  75. 75

    Logic Pro X Template Tips for Producers & Worship Keys with David Ramirez

    Jun 4, 2025·25m
  76. 76

    The Best Advice for Worship Keys Sound Design with David O. Ramirez

    May 28, 2025·1h 2m
  77. 77

    Lo-Fi Instrumental Piano Worship Music with Sam Garner

    May 21, 2025·1h 1m
  78. 78

    What it Means to be a Pro Musician? with Louie Higuera

    May 14, 2025·1h 7m
  79. 79

    Is Worship Music Harder to Play than Pop? with Marcus Wiles

    May 7, 2025·56m
  80. 80

    How to Get Good Tone on the Hammond Organ with Ralph Lofton

    Apr 30, 2025·1h 2m
  81. 81

    The Versatility of the Hammond Organ with Virgil Straford

    Apr 23, 2025·34m
  82. 82

    Difference in Playing Live at Church vs In the Studio on Organ with Dwan Hill

    Apr 16, 2025·38m
  83. 83

    5 Things Every Hammond Organist Should Know for Church

    Apr 9, 2025·22m
  84. 84

    How to Play the Hammond B3 Organ: Full Overview with Curt Buell

    Apr 2, 2025·29m
  85. 85

    How to Improv on Piano with Otto Gross

    Mar 26, 2025·1h 3m
  86. 86

    Fostering a Life of Creativity with Otto Gross

    Mar 19, 2025·59m
  87. 87

    Keys & Tracks Rig with Tyler Wester from Church of the Highlands

    Mar 12, 2025·1h 1m
  88. 88

    MD and Keys Tips with Tyler Wester from Church of the Highlands

    Mar 5, 2025·59m
  89. 89

    Piano Tuning Tips with Austin from Seale Keyworks

    Feb 26, 2025·44m
  90. 90

    Discipleship in Your Worship Team with Jin from On Water Podcast

    Feb 19, 2025·1h 9m
  91. 91

    Different Levels of Playback Rigs with Seth Builds Rigs

    Feb 12, 2025·1h 17m
  92. 92

    Easiest Way to Run Tracks at Church with Matt from Loop Community

    Feb 5, 2025·44m
  93. 93

    How to Approach Spontaneity in Modern Worship with Jonathan from 10kFam

    Jan 29, 2025·56m
  94. 94

    How to Avoid Fatigue in Your Worship Team with Jamie from Ascension Worship

    Jan 22, 2025·38m
  95. 95

    How to Reharmonize Worship Songs with Clark Beckham

    Jan 15, 2025·1h 16m
  96. 96

    Best Atmospheric Pads for Modern Worship with Isaac from Aerospace Audio

    Jan 8, 2025·47m
  97. 97

    Best App for Worship Keys Players in 2025 with David from Sunday Sounds

    Jan 1, 2025·56m
  98. 98

    Christmas Classics on the Piano with Curt Buell

    Dec 25, 2024·12m
  99. 99

    Playing Christmas Music by Ear on Piano with Curt Buell

    Dec 18, 2024·17m
  100. 100

    How to Reharmonize Christmas Songs with Roger Ryan

    Dec 11, 2024·54m
  101. 101

    3 Levels of Playing Silent Night with Curt Buell

    Dec 4, 2024·44m
  102. 102

    The Power of Prayer with Georgia Brown Williams

    Nov 27, 2024·1h 1m
  103. 103

    Playing Keys for Eddie James with Justin Patrick Ford

    Nov 20, 2024·1h 2m
  104. 104

    From Classical to Contemporary (Part 2) with Sandy Stephenson

    Nov 13, 2024·56m
  105. 105

    From Classical to Contemporary with Curt Buell

    Nov 6, 2024·46m
  106. 106

    Red Rocks Worship Keys Setup with "Spooky" Scott Miller

    Oct 30, 2024·50m
  107. 107

    TobyMac's Keys Player of 25 Years: Dave Wyatt (D-dub)

    Oct 23, 2024·1h 2m
  108. 108

    Synth Bass, Sub Bass, & Electric Bass in a Worship Service with Travis Dykes

    Oct 16, 2024·1h 3m
  109. 109

    How to Lead Worship from a Keytar with Clifford Walker

    Oct 9, 2024·1h 1m
  110. 110

    Ministry & Memes with Tré Robinson

    Oct 2, 2024·44m
  111. 111

    Ableton Live Rig with Zain Stephen

    Sep 25, 2024·35m
  112. 112

    Nord Stage 3 Gear Rundown with Zain Stephen

    Sep 18, 2024·24m
  113. 113

    How to Use MainStage for Worship Keys with Colby Davis

    Sep 11, 2024·36m
  114. 114

    Why You Should Use Software Over Hardware with Colby Davis

    Sep 4, 2024·31m
  115. 115

    Ministry Talk at Generate Camps 2024

    Aug 28, 2024·29m
  116. 116

    Tips from an MD Part 2 with Dru Pickens

    Aug 21, 2024·35m
  117. 117

    Tips from an MD Part 1 with Dru Pickens

    Aug 14, 2024·53m
  118. 118

    Songwriting Tips Part 2 with Jonathan Gamble

    Aug 7, 2024·42m
  119. 119

    Songwriting Tips Part 1 with Jonathan Gamble

    Jul 31, 2024·1h
  120. 120

    Industry vs Ministry Part 2 with Caleb Blair

    Jul 24, 2024·40m
  121. 121

    Industry vs Ministry Part 1 with Caleb Blair

    Jul 17, 2024·45m
  122. 122

    Music Theory Tips with Curt Buell

    Jul 10, 2024·37m
  123. 123

    Teaching Piano Lessons Online with Curt Buell

    Jul 3, 2024·56m
  124. 124

    Connecting to a Church Body with Kim Thweatt

    Jun 26, 2024·1h 10m
  125. 125

    The Importance of Ear Training with Ben Young

    Jun 19, 2024·51m
  126. 126

    Teaching Yourself Piano with Ming Lee

    Jun 12, 2024·44m
  127. 127

    Accompanying Vocalists with Nate Burch

    Jun 5, 2024·1h 4m
  128. 128

    Life as a Touring and Studio Musician with Ryan Prewett

    May 29, 2024·34m
  129. 129

    Rearranging Music with Roger Ryan

    May 22, 2024·1h 8m
  130. 130

    Playing with Creativity during Worship with Chris Brown

    May 15, 2024·20m
  131. 131

    Reading the Room during Worship with Chris Brown

    May 8, 2024·37m
  132. 132

    Incorporating Songwriting at Church

    May 1, 2024·40m
  133. 133

    How to Use Multitracks with Derek Hughes

    Apr 24, 2024·55m
  134. 134

    Preparing for a Worship Service with Derek Hughes

    Apr 17, 2024·46m