Shows
Studio StuffEp17 - Are You LAZY or Just Working SMART in the Studio?Studio Stuff Podcast #17 | Good Lazy, Bad Lazy: What We Skip in the Studio (And Why)
We all have those things we should do in the studio… but don’t. In this episode, we’re getting real about the habits we tend to skip—not because we don’t know better, but because sometimes it’s just easier (or smarter?) not to.
We’re talking about “studio laziness” in all its forms—from forgetting to print stems to dodging analog gear setup. The question is: when does it cross from saving time to causing problems later?
You...2025-07-2631 min
Studio StuffEp16- Stop Chasing the 'Perfect Mix' - Start Doing THIS InsteadStudio Stuff Podcast #16 | Stop Chasing the 'Perfect Mix' - Start Doing THIS Instead
Mixing is a bit like golf. You never really win—you just keep playing, keep tweaking, and (hopefully) keep getting better. In this episode, we’re diving into that idea: the journey of mixing as a constant evolution rather than a race to perfection.
We talk about our ever-changing templates, plugin chains that never stay put, and how our listening habits—and even what we listen to for fun—shape our mixing approach over time.
You’ll Learn:
...2025-07-1131 min
Studio StuffEp15 - Fake Band, Real Streams: Is AI Stealing the Spotlight?Studio Stuff Podcast #15 | Fake Band, Real Streams: Is AI Stealing the Spotlight?
What happens when a band doesn’t exist… but they chart on Spotify anyway?
In this episode, we dive into The Velvet Sundown—a band that’s racking up serious stream counts, releasing album after album, and might not even be real. Yup, it’s our first deep-dive into AI-generated music as a product, not just a tool.
We break down what makes AI music sound a little too perfect, how platforms like Spotify are involved, and why human imperfection might just...2025-07-0536 min
Studio StuffEp14 - If We Could Give One Piece of Advice to Our Younger SelvesStudio Stuff Podcast #14 | What We'd Tell Our Younger Selves About Mixing, Gear & Music Theory
If you could go back in time and give advice to the younger version of yourself—the one just starting out in music production—what would you say?
In this episode, we get honest about the lessons we learned the hard way. From arrangement mistakes to gear addiction, from music theory regrets to what “pro” really means, we’re unpacking the biggest takeaways we’d love to hand off to the past versions of ourselves.
Plus, a few laughs about beard...2025-06-2827 min
Studio StuffEp13 - The Buses Tricks That Could Change Your Mixing Game!Studio Stuff Podcast #13 | Buses, Sends & Mix Flow: Inside Our Routing Workflow
If you’ve ever looked at your DAW session and thought, “Where is everything going?”—you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re untangling the spaghetti of buses, groups, sends, and routing strategies that make up our mix sessions.
We’re walking through how we use group channels, why we (sometimes) skip the drum bus entirely, and when it’s worth creating multiple subgroups for just one instrument family. Plus, we revisit the pitch correction debate with a question from the audience that hits close to ho...2025-06-2138 min
Studio StuffEp12 - Parallel Compression, Slapback & Secret Sends: Our Vocal FX SetupStudio Stuff Podcast #12 | Parallel Compression, Slapback & Secret Sends: Our Vocal FX Setup
We’ve talked recording, comping, editing… and now we’re wrapping up our vocal series with the good stuff—parallel compression, slap delays, long reverbs, throw delays, saturation, and all the FX that give your vocals that final polish.
In this episode, we break down how we set up our vocal FX chains—what plugins and routing we use, how we layer effects without cluttering the mix, and why sometimes less is more. Whether it’s slap mono or ping pong stereo, backgro...2025-06-1424 min
Studio StuffEp11 - The Vocal Chain Deep Dive: From Raw Takes to Radio-ReadyStudio Stuff Podcast #11 | The Vocal Chain Deep Dive: From Raw Takes to Radio-Ready
We also dig into how we treat doubles, how we automate delay times, and the FX we put on a bus that nobody talks about… but should.
🎧 Plus, we answer a great listener question about how to stay objective when you’re mixing your own music—especially when the project drags on.
You’ll Learn:
How we use parallel compression and saturation without overcooking it
Our go-to delay chain: slap, long, ping-pon...2025-06-0633 min
Studio StuffEp10 - Self-Recording Vocals at Home: Tips, Fails & Funny TruthsStudio Stuff Podcast #10 | The Art (and Chaos) of Recording Yourself at Home
This week, we’re turning the mic around—literally.
Chris and Steve explore what it’s really like to record vocals on your own, in a home studio setup where you’re the singer, engineer, and producer… all at once. From gear choices and room noise to workflow hacks and accidental plumbing victories, this episode is both practical and painfully relatable. If you’ve ever chased the perfect take while dodging noisy kids, furnace hums, or the neighbor’s lawnmower—this one’s for you.
Se...2025-05-3023 min
Studio StuffEp09 - Recording Vocals is More Than Just Hitting RecordStudio Stuff Podcast #09 I Recording Vocals is More Than Just Hitting Record
This week, we (Chris and Steve) are diving into one of the most emotional and surprisingly complicated parts of making music—recording vocals. It all started with a delayed omelet and a questionable bathroom comment, but somehow we ended up exploring everything from mic choice to the psychology of singers. If you’ve ever hit record and wondered why something felt off, this episode’s for you. It’s not just about capturing a voice—it’s about creating the right vibe, building trust, and kn...2025-05-2335 min
Studio StuffEp08 - What If Analog Gear Isn’t About the Sound at All?Studio Stuff Podcast #08 What If Analog Gear Isn’t About the Sound at All?
Chris and Steve kick off this episode with some laughs and lighthearted banter about Fahrenheit vs. Celsius and the quirks of 24-hour time—but things quickly take a turn into one of the most honest and overlooked conversations about analog gear: what if it’s not just about the sound?
This episode dives into the emotional and tactile side of using analog hardware, exploring whether the real appeal is how it feels rather than how it sounds. Plus, for the first time ev...2025-05-1622 min
Studio StuffEp07 Q&A - Do You Trust your Studio Monitors or AirPods?Do You Trust your Studio Monitors or AirPods? Studio Stuff Podcast | Q&A Episode 7 When do you call a mix finished? In this Q&A episode, we answer a question from Marshall in Dallas: “Do you trust your monitors, or test it on other systems before sending it off?” We get into our own habits—like why the car isn't always the gold standard, how AirPods became the new "real world" reference, and why taking a break (and turning off your screen!) might be the most powerful mix move of all.2025-05-1304 min
Studio StuffEp07 - Mixing Drums, Time-Align Debate & Poor Hi-HatsMixing Drums, Time-Align Debate & Poor Hi-Hats | Studio Stuff Podcast #07
Drums are the heartbeat of a track—but getting them to feel right in the mix? That’s a whole other story.
In this episode, we (Chris and Steve) pick up where we left off in Part 1 and dive deep into the art of mixing drums. From building the sound around overheads to layering samples, managing reverb, debating time alignment, and even feeling bad for the neglected hi-hat mic—we cover it all.
If you've ever wondered how two mixers with totally different workflows approa...2025-05-0741 min
Studio StuffEp06 Q&A - The Secrets Behind Songs That Make You FEEL SomethingThe Secrets Behind Songs That Make You FEEL Something!
This is the Q&A from Episode 6, where we answer a great listener question: What parts of songs really bring out emotion for us? We dive into how little imperfections, unexpected arrangement choices, and second verse magic often create the biggest emotional moments. From the charm of old vinyl records to how we approach mixing to enhance the feel of a song, we share what moves us — and how we try to bring that same energy into the music we work on.
📢 Join the conversation!What’s...2025-04-2606 min
Studio StuffEP06 - What Should You Buy Next for Your Home Studio?What Should You Buy Next for Your Home Studio? | Studio Stuff Podcast #06
Building a home studio can feel like navigating a never-ending gear jungle. Mic? Interface? Preamp? Cables? What should you actually buy next—and what can wait?
In this episode, Chris and Steve walk through how they’d prioritize studio gear purchases if they were starting from scratch today. Whether you're working with a tight budget or just got some surprise "mom money" 💸, we’ll help you figure out what makes the biggest difference in your sound—and what’s just hype.
From entry-le...2025-04-2237 min
Studio StuffEp05 - Kick, Snare, and Bathroom Mics: Our Drum Recording PhilosophyKick, Snare, and a Bathroom Mic: Our Drum Recording Philosophy | Studio Stuff Podcast #05
Recording drums in a small studio can feel like a mix of science, art… and sometimes total chaos. So how do you get great drum sounds without a million-dollar room or a warehouse full of gear?
In this episode, Chris and Steve break down their drum recording philosophy—covering everything from choosing the right kick and snare to getting creative with room mics (including one placed in the bathroom!). Whether you're working with a full kit or just a couple of mics, this...2025-04-111h 05
Studio StuffEp04 - When is a Mix Done?When Is a Mix Actually DONE? | Studio Stuff Podcast #04
Mixing a song feels like an endless loop sometimes—you tweak, adjust, listen again, and suddenly, you're back at square one. So, how do you actually know when a mix is finished?
In this episode, Chris and Steve dive deep into the never-ending question: When is a mix really done? They break down their own mixing workflows, share the struggles of over-mixing, and reveal the mental tricks they use to finally let go of a project.
Plus, we get into mix revisions, dealing with cli...2025-03-1452 min
Studio StuffEp03 - The TRUTH About Music Producers (What They Really Do!)The TRUTH About Music Producers (What They Really Do!) | Studio Stuff Podcast #03
Music production isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days when producers just sat on a couch, sipping coffee, while engineers did all the work. Today, producers are arrangers, mix engineers, problem solvers, psychologists, and sometimes even the artists themselves. In this episode, we dive deep into how the role of the music producer has evolved and whether that’s a good thing—or a bad thing. Are we just pressing the space bar now, or do producers still play a critical role? O...2025-03-0747 min
Studio StuffEp02 - The Struggle is Real: Mixing Bad RecordingsThe Struggle is Real: Mixing Bad Recordings| Studio Stuff Podcast #02
Mixing bad recordings—every audio engineer's nightmare! In this episode, Chris and Steve dive deep into the challenges of handling poorly recorded tracks and share real-world solutions. From digital clipping disasters to phase issues and excessive room noise, they break down their go-to techniques for salvaging flawed audio. Plus, they discuss the importance of capturing a great recording from the start and why mixing is not about fixing, but enhancing.
You'll Learn
✅ Common bad recording issues – Digital clipping, phase problems, excessive sibilanc...2025-02-2741 min
Studio StuffEp01 - Speakers or Headphones: Which Do You Use First?🎙️ Speakers or Headphones: Which Do You Use First? | Studio Stuff Podcast #01
Welcome to the first episode of the Studio Stuff Podcast! In this laid-back yet insightful discussion, we dive into a topic that every home studio owner has an opinion on: Mixing on Headphones vs. Speakers.
Chris and Steve break down the pros and cons, share personal experiences, and even throw in some entertaining banter about food, farming, and about Andrew Scheps mixing on Sony MDR-7506s (yes, those headphones).
If you’ve ever wondered whether headphones can truly replace studio monitors or not, or...2025-02-2735 min