Music Production and Mixing Tips for Beginner Producers | Inside The Mix

Should you record vocals with compression or save it for mixing? It’s one of the most debated questions in music production, and in this episode of Inside The Mix , we break it down with practical advice for producers at every level. Guest Tim Benson shares why he often tracked vocals with hardware compressors in the studio, not just for sound quality, but because hearing compressed vocals in head...

Curious what happens when a producer opens Vital Spectral Warping Wavetable synth for the very first time? In this episode, I explore the free wavetable synthesizer from scratch, answering common questions like: Is Vital really free? Is the free version powerful enough for professional music production? With zero prior experience in the plugin, I start from an initialised preset and build a 90s-in...

Are you feeling drained from endless hours in the studio? Wondering how music producers can avoid burnout or what strategies actually work to recover from creative exhaustion ? You’re not alone; burnout is one of the biggest creativity killers for producers and indie artists today. In this episode of Inside The Mix , Marc Matthews dives into proven techniques that helped him rebuild his workflow a...

Have you ever abandoned a promising track because it suddenly "didn't feel right" the next day? Why does your track feel wrong the next day? Is Overthinking Killing Your Songwriting Process? In this eye-opening episode of Inside the Mix , synth-pop artist Michael Oakley unpacks the creative psychology behind overthinking songwriting and how our emotional state can sabotage musical m...

Struggling 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-reco...

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...

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 noticeab...

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...

Ever wondered if you're tracking the right metrics in your music production journey? That nagging question—"Am I measuring what truly drives growth or just staying busy?"—led me to create something that transformed my creative process completely. In this episode of Inside the Mix , I introduce the Producer Growth Scorecard —a free, gamified tool designed to help you track what actua...

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, controlli...

Wondering 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 outp...

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 crin...

Struggling 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 mu...

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 process...

Starting 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 ho...

Having 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 contra...

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 environmen...

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&qu...

How 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 o...

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 shor...

Ever 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 mon...

Ever 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...

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...

In 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 f...

In 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...