Shows
Music Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#206: Why Your Vocal Comping Workflow Is Slowing You DownStruggling with too many vocal takes? You nailed the perfect take, then recorded five more “just in case.” Now you’re lost in a sea of options, wondering how to create the perfect comp without losing your mind.In this episode of Inside the Mix, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson (Aisle9) reveal their proven strategies for organising takes and building seamless vocal comps. Learn how to avoid over-recording, why comping during the editing phase keeps your mixing sessions stress-free, and the ideal number of takes before vocal fatigue hits.We’ll cover:How to organise...2025-08-0532 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#205: Why Artists Need Strategy Over Followers in 2025 (feat. Jesse Kirshbaum)The music industry is shifting fast—are you ready for it? In this episode, Jesse Kirshbaum returns to Inside the Mix to break down how independent artists can build sustainable music careers in 2025. From strategic content creation to authentic brand deals, Jesse shares how “selling in” (not selling out) can help you monetize without compromising your creativity.We dive into why follower count no longer dictates brand value, how artists with smaller audiences can still land partnerships, and what platforms reward consistent over perfect content. Jesse also unpacks the surprising return of physical retail spaces and wh...2025-07-2942 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#204: What Is Dither in Audio? When and Why to Use It (feat. Ian Stewart)Ever wondered why engineers intentionally add noise to audio? In this episode of Inside the Mix, returning guest, mastering engineer and Berklee professor Ian Stewart, breaks down what dither is, why it’s used, and when to apply it in your music production workflow.Through clear explanations and real audio demos, Ian demonstrates how dither replaces digital artefacts with smooth, barely noticeable noise, preserving details such as reverb tails and low-level audio that would otherwise be distorted during bit depth reduction.You’ll learn:Do I need to dither when exporting a 24-bit...2025-07-2247 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#203: What Actually Happens When You Choose a Sample Rate? (feat. Ian Stewart)Confused about which audio sample rate to choose for your music? Whether you're recording your first track or mastering for Dolby Atmos, knowing the difference between 44.1kHz, 48kHz, and 96kHz is more than technical—it’s essential to how your music sounds and where it ends up.In this episode of Inside the Mix, mastering engineer and Berklee professor Ian Stewart returns to demystify one of the most misunderstood elements in music production: digital audio sample rates.We answer common questions like:What is a sample rate in audi...2025-07-1541 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#201: What If Your De-esser Plugin Could Do More Than Fix Sibilance?What if your go-to vocal de-esser plugin could do so much more?In this episode, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson break down the creative power of de-essers and why they might be the secret weapon missing from your mix.We kick things off with how de-essers work (spoiler: it’s more than just “s” sounds), before diving into smart, non-traditional de-esser techniques—like taming harsh cymbals, controlling boxy kick drums, and even smoothing out reverb tails and delay returns.Can you use a de-esser on backing vocal buses? Is a de-esser better than dynamic...2025-07-0135 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#200: How I 10x’d My Spotify Monthly Listeners as an Independent ArtistWondering how to grow monthly listeners on Spotify as an independent artist, without gimmicks or burnout? In this episode, I break down my journey from 300 to nearly 3,000 Spotify listeners in just six months using real-world strategies.Learn why reducing SubmitHub costs led to more playlist features, how extending Facebook ads to three weeks boosted algorithmic reach, and why static images outperformed videos on my socials. I also share the powerful impact of genre consistency in building curator trust and break down my waterfall release strategy across four singles.You'll also hear about unexpected...2025-06-2426 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#199: The Hidden Production Habits You’re Probably Ignoring (At Your Own Risk)Ever wondered why your mixes don’t sound professional, even with decent gear and endless YouTube tutorials? In this episode, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson, AKA Aisle9, reveal the overlooked production habits that separate amateur mixes from polished tracks.Discover how using reference tracks, including your own successful work, can instantly level up your sound. The duo also expose their most cringeworthy recording mistakes, from misaligned mics to monitor mishaps, underscoring why getting things right at the source is critical.You'll also learn the workflow most producers ignore: poor project or...2025-06-1737 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#198: Why I Never Release Music Without This Promotion CalendarStruggling to promote your music on social media without burning out? You’re not alone. In this episode, Marc Matthews introduces his 30-day music release promotion calendar for indie musicians, a practical tool designed to eliminate guesswork, boost engagement, and help you post purposefully.You’ll learn what a social media content calendar for musicians is, how a content calendar can improve music promotion, and what tools can help musicians plan and schedule social media content. Marc breaks down how to schedule content types (like teasers, throwbacks, or studio clips), choose the right platforms, and, most...2025-06-1012 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#197: Why I Don’t Touch Plugins Before Doing This - The Art of Static Mixing (feat. Nate Kelmes)Why do some mixes, even with top plugins and techniques, still sound off? The answer might lie in a step you’re overlooking: the static mix.In this episode of Inside The Mix, Marc Matthews talks with mix engineer Nate Kelmes to explore: What is a static mix in audio mixing? And why is a static mix important before adding effects? Nate explains how balancing levels and panning, before any processing, can account for 70–80% of a great mix. “If the plugins disappear, the song should still work,” he says.You’ll learn how long to spend on a...2025-06-0344 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#196: What Gear Do I Need to Produce Music at Home? Our Essential Home Studio Setup ToolsStarting music production at home? This episode of Inside The Mix is your step-by-step guide to building the best home studio setup for beginner music producers. Marc Matthews and Tim Benson unpack exactly what gear you need to produce music at home, without breaking the bank.They walk through a basic home studio equipment list for new producers, including affordable equipment for starting a home recording studio—from entry-level DAWs for home music production like Logic Pro and Cubase, to beginner audio interfaces for music production such as those from Focusrite and Behringer.You’ll also...2025-05-2740 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#195: How I Fixed My Mix with One Simple Move... EQ AutomationHaving trouble getting your build-ups and drops to land with real impact? In this episode of Inside The Mix, host Marc Matthews reveals how he tackled that exact issue in his latest single, “Half-Life”, using a simple but powerful technique—EQ automation.Marc walks listeners through when to use EQ automation instead of static EQ, explaining how dynamic frequency changes can bring more contrast and tension to a mix. He shares how EQ automation can enhance your mix by creating energy shifts that static processing just can't achieve.You’ll hear how Marc...2025-05-2009 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#194: I Asked a Pro Vocal Coach How to Prepare a Singer for a Recording Session (ft. Rich Bozic)Capturing great vocal takes starts long before hitting record. In this episode, vocal coach and recording expert Rich Bozic shares how to record professional vocals in a home studio, with practical tips that work whether you’re using high-end gear or a modest setup.We cover how to prepare a singer for a vocal session, from effective pre-session communication to creating a stress-free environment. Rich also explains how to warm up your voice before recording, sharing warm-up routines that improve tone, prevent fatigue, and help artists deliver their best performances....2025-05-1343 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#193: I Asked a Pro If You Really Need a Mastering Engineer - And If You Can DIY (feat. Mike Marsh)Acclaimed mastering engineer Mike Marsh demystifies the final stage of music production in this insightful episode. With a career spanning over three decades, working with artists like Björk, The Chemical Brothers, and Depeche Mode, Mike offers unparalleled expertise on what music mastering is and why it's important.He addresses the common misconception of the "fix it in mastering" mindset, explaining that mastering cannot correct issues that should have been resolved during mixing. This highlights the critical difference between mixing and mastering in music.Mike shares practical m...2025-05-0639 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#192: The Three C’s That Helped Us Grow as Independent Music ProducersHow do you market yourself effectively as an independent music producer, especially when working across multiple genres? In this episode, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson (Aisle9) unpack this challenge with real-world advice and music promotion tips for independent producers looking to stand out.They break down “The Three C’s” framework—Collaboration, Community, and Consistency—as the cornerstone of how music producers can build a fanbase without burning out or blending in. Instead of trying to dominate every genre or every platform, they emphasise niche focus, strategic partnerships, and audience-first content.Want to know how b...2025-04-2931 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#191: Every Logic Pro User Should Know These Hidden Tools—Do You? (ft. Justin Hochella)Are you underusing the tools you already own in Logic Pro? In this episode of Inside the Mix, Marc Matthews is joined by Justin Hochella, producer and co-host of Face Your Ears, to uncover Logic Pro’s native power that most producers overlook. We answer the questions every independent artist should be asking: What are the essential Logic Pro keyboard shortcuts for beginners? What are the best shortcuts for speeding up workflow in Logic Pro? How do I use Logic Pro shortcuts for automation and MIDI editing?From game-changing tips like the Z and V keys to hi...2025-04-2236 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#190: Ever Wonder Why Your Effects Sound "Off"? Unlocking Pre-Fader and Post-Fader SendsEver wondered how the pros achieve those perfectly balanced mixes and immersive effects? Marc Matthews and Tim Benson (Aisle9) explain the difference between pre-fader and post-fader sends, the key to balanced mixes and immersive effects. Many overlook this fundamental signal flow, yet mastering it is the secret to professional sound.Discover when to use pre-fader sends (ideal for independent monitor mixes) and when to use post-fader sends (perfect for lush reverb and delay - learn how to use post-fader sends for reverb and delay!). Understand how pre-fader sends work (signal before the fader) and how post-fader sends...2025-04-1526 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#189: Could Re-Releasing Music Boost Your Streams? A Guide to the Waterfall Release StrategyEver released a song only to watch it vanish into the streaming void after a brief moment in the spotlight? In this episode of Inside The Mix, Marc Matthews delves into the waterfall release strategy, a strategic approach to music distribution that aims to revolutionise how artists share their work and maximise their reach.The core concept of the waterfall release strategy is explained: instead of releasing singles in isolation or dropping an entire album at once, artists gradually build momentum by rereleasing previous tracks alongside each new single. The episode outlines how...2025-04-0814 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#188: ALL THE DAMN VAMPIRES | Davey Oberlin: What Makes an '80s Synthwave Cover Truly Authentic?What happens when a keyboard player for Korn and Five Finger Death Punch dives headfirst into the neon-soaked synthwave world? Davey Oberlin joins Marc Matthews to reveal how he transforms classic rock anthems into synthwave masterpieces through his project, All The Damn Vampires.Davey breaks down his cover of Whitesnake's Is This Love, uncovering the creative process behind reinterpreting rock songs in a different musical style. From drop F guitar tunings that create wall-shaking heaviness to vocal production techniques that achieve 80s aesthetics in modern synthwave production, every decision is made with precision. "I picture that dark...2025-04-0137 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#187: THE MIDNIGHT | Tyler Lyle: Unlocking the Secrets of Synthwave SongwritingIn this episode of Inside The Mix, host Marc Matthews engages in a profound conversation with Tyler Lyle, the singer-songwriter and one-half of the synthwave duo, The Midnight. Tyler delves into the enigmatic nature of songwriting, describing it as "a well-narrated hallucination," and likens the creative process to "trying to start a truck sitting on a block of ice." Drawing from his folk storytelling roots, Tyler shares how he seamlessly integrates evocative lyrics into The Midnight's nostalgic synth-driven soundscapes. He contrasts the tangible aspects of music production with the abstract challenges of lyric writing, emphasizing the importance o...2025-03-2542 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#186: Why LUFS Don't Matter As Much As You Think with Ian ShepherdIn this episode of Inside The Mix, mastering engineer Ian Shepherd demystifies loudness metrics and debunks common mastering misconceptions while offering practical advice for producers looking to improve their masters without chasing arbitrary targets. Ian explains the role of LUFS in mastering, why normalization matters, and how focusing on musicality and dynamics leads to better results than simply hitting a loudness target.What You'll Learn: • LUFS measurements explained – momentary, short-term, and integrated loudness • How many LUFS should my master be? Understanding the balance between dynamics and loudness • The truth about LUFS for...2025-03-181h 07Music Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#185: My Journey to 10,000 Monthly Listeners - What Actually Works?In this episode of Inside The Mix, host Marc Matthews takes listeners behind the scenes on his journey to reaching 10,000 monthly Spotify listeners in 2025. Reflecting on his experiences as an independent artist, Marc shares both the wins and the challenges of learning what is music marketing and how to release music independently while maintaining creative authenticity.Starting with just 300 listeners, Marc’s breakthrough came with releasing his single Waves, reigniting his passion for sharing music with the world. He breaks down the music marketing strategies that helped him grow, from leveraging SubmitHub and social media engagement to ex...2025-03-1117 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#184: Why Are So Many Songs Just 'Okay'?What makes a song truly resonate with listeners? In this episode, Marc Matthews and Aisle9 approach this question head-on by exploring a listener's struggle with finishing their song—feeling that while it’s good, it lacks that captivating quality that makes music unforgettable. Their conversation dives deep into understanding song engagement, examining why some tracks may feel uninspired despite being technically complete.They unpack what makes a song great, breaking down essential ingredients like creating memorable hooks, enhancing emotional connections, and the role of collaboration in music production. Sharing insights from pers...2025-03-0433 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#183: How Do Producers Make Bass Sound So Good?Achieving a powerful, well-balanced bass is essential for any great mix. In this episode, Marc Matthews takes you behind the scenes of his latest track, breaking down his process for designing and mixing bass sounds. Whether you're working in Logic Pro or another DAW, these insights will help you create a deep, punchy low-end that enhances your overall production.What You'll Learn:How to make sub bass in Serum for a clean and powerful low-endHow to create sub bass sounds that sit perfectly in your mixTechniques for 2025-02-2510 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#182: Are You Using Digital Distortion Wrong in Mastering? With Eric MitchellAchieving a polished, professional sound in mastering requires a deep understanding of digital distortion and saturation—but how do you use them effectively without compromising clarity? In this episode of Inside The Mix, I’m joined by mastering engineer Eric Mitchell to explore the fine balance between intentional and unintentional distortion, the role of saturation in mastering, and essential techniques to refine your sound.Key Topics Covered:• The difference between intentional vs. unintentional distortion in mastering• How saturatio...2025-02-1840 minMusic Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix#181: Can AI Really Revolutionise Music Production? Music Industry Insights and Tips with Dan GiffinIn episode 181 of Inside The Mix, I’m joined by Ableton Live expert and music production mentor Dan Giffin to discuss the key elements that take a producer from hobbyist to professional. We dive into the emotional side of mixing, the power of mentorship, and how evolving technology—including AI—is shaping the future of music creation. Whether you're perfecting your productions or preparing for a live music performance, this episode is packed with valuable insights to elevate your workflow.What You'll Learn:How Ableton Live can be used for live per...2025-02-1145 min