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

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 li...

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 des...

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...

Achieving 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 essentia...

In 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...

Ever wondered how did people produce music in the 80s or how to produce 80s music with authenticity? In this episode of Inside The Mix , hosts Marc and Aisle9 break down the essential 80s music production techniques , from analyzing reference tracks to choosing the right instruments and effects.  Whether you're crafting synthwave, pop, or rock, this episode will help you capture the nostalgic...

In this episode of Inside The Mix , I sit down with Shane Slack, an acclaimed audio professional celebrated for his innovative approach to music production. Shane dives deep into the philosophy behind audio production, emphasising the importance of understanding the source material before processing and mastering the techniques that truly elevate your mixes.  This conversation is packed with actio...

This episode of Inside The Mix breaks down the myths surrounding financial success in the music industry and reveals how aspiring audio professionals can thrive. My guest, Eliott Glinn, shares invaluable insights on how to start your own music business with a focus on developing a success-driven mindset, mastering content creation , and using smart strategies for client retention. Together, we exp...

In this episode of Inside The Mix, we tackle the challenge of managing unwanted reverb baked into audio samples. If you've ever struggled with excessive room sound or reverberation in your recordings, this episode offers practical solutions and expert insights to help you clean up your mixes. I dive into the challenge of managing unwanted reverb baked into audio samples and explore whether it...

In this episode of Inside The Mix , we dive deep into enhancing your kick drum for maximum impact using the free Plugin Alliance bx_Subfilter plugin. Discover how to make your kicks sound fatter, punchier, and more powerful in your mixes with professional tips and techniques. Whether you're working on electronic beats or rock tracks, mastering your low end is essential for a polished sound. W...

As we bid farewell to 2024, this special episode of Inside The Mix celebrates your incredible musical wins while providing actionable tips to elevate your music production journey. My co-host, Aisle9, and I reflect on the year’s highlights, share listener achievements, and answer your burning questions about mixing, mastering, and making meaningful progress as a musician. Whether you're wonde...

In this episode of Inside the Mix , we dive into the world of DIY mastering. Whether you're curious about mastering music fundamentals, the basic steps of mastering, or simply want to understand what mastering a song really is, this episode has you covered. Join me as I sit down with mastering engineer Eric Mitchell to uncover the techniques, tools, and insights needed to achieve professional...

Ever wondered how to create a simple riser that adds excitement and anticipation to your tracks? Or maybe you’re curious about how to create a riser in Serum for that professional, polished sound? Tune into this episode of Inside The Mix as we dive into the art of crafting the perfect riser to elevate your music production. In this episode, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step process to create cu...

Ever wondered how to calibrate your speakers or if speaker calibration is even worth it? Curious about pink noise, how to use it, or whether a subwoofer can truly improve sound quality? Then this episode of Inside The Mix is for you! Join me as I sit down with audio expert Mike Dow, whose nearly 40 years of experience in the industry shine through in our conversation about speaker calibration, roo...

Ever wondered how to mix good low-end, how to balance low-end in a mix, which frequencies to cut when mixing, or even how should you EQ a high-hat? Join me for an inspiring conversation with legendary producer and engineer Mike Exeter , known for his iconic work with Black Sabbath and Judas Priest , in this must-listen episode of Inside the Mix . Mike reveals the secrets to crafting a balanced, po...

Ever wondered how to learn Dolby Atmos mixing , what software is used for Dolby Atmos mixing , or even what is Dolby Atmos ? In this exciting episode of the Inside The Mix podcast, I sit down with acclaimed audio engineer Matt Boudreau to explore the fascinating world of immersive audio. With years of experience working alongside icons like Alanis Morissette and Green Day, Matt unpacks the transfo...

Ever wondered what gain automation is? Or how clip gain differs from volume automation? Join me in Episode 169 of the Inside The Mix podcast, where we dive deep into these vocal mixing techniques and explore how to optimize your vocal mixing workflow. If you've been curious about how to get smoother, more balanced vocals without relying solely on automated tools, this episode is for you! Resp...

Curious about mixing music or want to level up your music production skills? Join me in EP 168 of the Inside The Mix podcast as I sit down with Lij Shaw, award-winning producer and owner of the Grammy-awarded Toy Box Studio. Lij brings a wealth of experience and shares his practical approach to balancing the simplicity and complexity of music mixing . From gear discoveries on eBay to his insights...

Curious about how AI is reshaping the music industry? From enhancing creativity to streamlining production, artificial intelligence is sparking a new era in music. In Episode 167 of the Inside The Mix podcast, I sit down with platinum-selling producer David Lucius King to uncover how AI in the music industry is transforming the way artists create, produce, and perfect their tracks. If you've...

Ever asked yourself, how do you know if a mix is finished? If you’re wondering how to finish mixing a song or looking for tips on how to mix in Logic Pro , then this episode is for you. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, EP 166 of the Inside The Mix podcast will help you elevate your synthpop tracks and finish your mixes with confidence. In this episode, I break down the essential t...

Ever wondered what is mid-side EQ or how does mid-side EQ work ? Is mid-side EQ essential for a professional-sounding mix? Tune in to EP 165 of the Inside The Mix podcast, where I sit down with distinguished mastering engineer and educator Ian Stewart to explore the ins and outs of mid-side EQ . Together, we unravel the techniques that can add width and clarity to your mix and transform your audio...

Ever wondered how to make a super compressed vocal stand out? Tune in to EP 164 of the Inside The Mix podcast, where I dive into everything from vocal compression settings to mastering the 1176 and LA-2A compressors. In this episode, I break down the secrets behind compressing vocals effectively—whether you're looking for optimal vocal compression settings, tips on how to compress vocals, or...

Struggling to create a good sub-bass? Whether you’re wondering how to create sub-bass in Logic Pro , what the sub-bass frequency range is, or which sub-bass VST to use, EP 163 of the Inside The Mix podcast has you covered. In this episode, I break down the essentials of crafting a rich, powerful sub-bass in Logic Pro, drawing from my recent guest appearance on the Let's Talk Synth... Seriousl...

Struggling to improve your workflow in Logic Pro? Whether you want to speed up your music production workflow or learn essential Logic Pro tips for beginners, EP 162 of the Inside The Mix podcast has you covered. Discover the game-changing techniques that can revolutionise your music production! If you're passionate about music production, this episode is an absolute must-listen. Join me as w...

Struggling to make your vocals stand out in a mix? Whether you're wondering how to mix vocals or how to get them upfront with clarity and punch, EP 161 of the Inside The Mix podcast has you covered. In this episode, I’m diving deep into vocal mixing techniques that will help you transform your tracks. I’ll show you how to create a natural vocal double using simple timing adjustments in Logic...