The Self-Recording Band

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

👉 If you already have songs written and want to get them release-ready, go ahead and apply for coaching now. 
We’ll show you how to produce, record, mix, and master your songs. 
In your DAW of choice, and with only the plugins and gear you already own. 
With unlimited feedback, full 1-on-1 guidance, and a custom music production plan made specifically for you.

Sounds interesting?

🚀 Click here for all the details:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
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Episode show notes:
This is the final episode of our full music production breakdown series.
We’ve covered songwriting, pre-production, gear, sound checks and recording.
Now we finish the record.

In this episode, we walk you through steps 6–10 of the real-world production process
Session cleanup and comping
Editing where necessary (timing and pitch)
Moving from recording to mixing
A structured mixing workflow that actually works
The truth about mastering
When to outsource and when not to
Why AI mastering is not the same as real mastering (and when it can be an option)

If you’ve ever:
Got stuck after recording
Ruined a mix by overworking it
Wondered if/how you should use a mix bus compressor
Felt confused about gain staging
Been disappointed by a bad master
This episode is for you.

We break down a proven, step-by-step framework that helps you:
Keep objectivity
Avoid rabbit holes
Mix faster
Preserve the magic you captured
Finish songs properly

Because the goal after recording is simple:
Don’t mess it up. Don't reinvent it. Enhance it. Move it across the finish line.

The Mixing Framework We Teach
Here’s the structured approach we use inside The Self-Recording Syndicate:
Proper mix prep (organization + routing)
Rough mix (gain staging, levels + panning)
Mix bus setup & overall vibe and color
EQ cleanup + sweetening
Compression with intention
Creative effects (reverbs, delays, saturation)
Automation and movement
Mastering ( finishing, final formats, and quality control

Most people obsess over plugins.
The pros obsess over balance. In all ways. Not a static balance. But one that serves every part of the song, enhances it emotionally and guides the listener through the song.

🎁 Free Mixing Guide
If you want a clear system for balancing, gain staging and preparing your mix properly:
👉 Download the free guide:
theselfrecordingband.com/standoutmixes

🎯 Want Help Finishing Your Songs?
If you want personal guidance through all these steps:
Apply for coaching:
theselfrecordingband.com/coaching

Inside the Self-Recording Syndicate you get:
Structured playbooks
Detailed mix feedback
Clear next steps to work on - always
Templates
Frameworks
And 5 professional masters, as well as a full mix + mix walkthrough included
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For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.co
Send a text
If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: [email protected]

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

👉 If you already have songs written and want to get them release-ready, go ahead and apply for coaching now. 
We’ll show you how to produce, record, mix, and master your songs. 
In your DAW of choice, and with only the plugins and gear you already own. 
With unlimited feedback, full 1-on-1 guidance, and a custom music production plan made specifically for you.

Sounds interesting?

🚀 Click here for all the details:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
--
Episode show notes:
Recording music is about capturing magic moments.
In this episode of The Self-Recording Band Podcast, Benedikt and Manel are breaking down step 5 of the production process: the recording session — the moment where everything can either fall apart… or finally come alive.

You can have the right song, the right gear, the right room, and the perfect setup — and still end up with a lifeless recording if you don’t handle the human side of recording properly.

This episode is all about capturing exciting performances, creating the right vibe in the room, and making decisions that serve emotion over perfection.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why performance matters more than technical perfection (and always will)
How to guide yourself or your band into better takes
Why how you talk to performers can make or break a session
The importance of preparation before hitting record
How to avoid killing the vibe during vocal sessions
When to record full takes vs. sections
Why warm-ups are non-negotiable (and how pros do it)
How to choose the right recording order for instruments
Why vocals should not be an afterthought
Simple systems for comping and editing while recording
How to protect your sessions with smart backup habits

This episode is part of our start-to-finish production process series. If you haven’t listened to steps 1-4 yet, go back and start there — this series is designed to be followed in order.
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For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/302
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Send us a text
If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: [email protected]

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

👉 If you already have songs written and want to get them release-ready, go ahead and apply for coaching now. 
We’ll show you how to produce, record, mix, and master your songs. 
In your DAW of choice, and with only the plugins and gear you already own. 
With unlimited feedback, full 1-on-1 guidance, and a custom music production plan made specifically for you.

Sounds interesting?

🚀 Click here for all the details:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
--
Episode show notes:
Great recordings don’t start with plugins. They start before you ever hit record.
In Step 4 of the Production Process, Benedikt Hain and Manel Espinosa break down setup and sound check: the often-skipped "day one at the studio".
This step separates frustrating home recordings (with lots of things to fix later) from mixes that fall together effortlessly.
This episode walks you through how professionals capture great tones at the source, why mic placement matters more than mic choice, how room acoustics influence your sound far more than you think, and how small setup decisions can save you hours (or days) of mixing later.

If you’ve ever felt like your recordings are technically fine but never quite sound right — this episode explains why.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why pros don't just “fix it in the mix” — and why you shouldn’t either
How to find the best recording spot in any room (even untreated ones)
Simple acoustic tricks that dramatically improve vocal and instrument recordings
Why instrument setup (strings, heads, tuning) matters more than expensive gear
How mic placement can change your sound more than swapping microphones
Real audio examples showing how small mic movements create massive tonal changes
How proper monitoring improves vocal performances instantly
Why vibe, lighting, and comfort directly affect the quality of your takes
How basic checklists prevent session-killing mistakes

Who this episode is for:
Self-recording musicians and bands
DIY producers working from home studios or jam spaces
Artists frustrated by muddy, harsh, boring, or lifeless recordings
Anyone who wants mixes that come together faster — with less guesswork
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For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/301
--
Send us a text
If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: [email protected]

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

👉 If you already have songs written and want to get them release-ready, go ahead and apply for coaching now. 
We’ll show you how to produce, record, mix, and master your songs. 
In your DAW of choice, and with only the plugins and gear you already own. 
With unlimited feedback, full 1-on-1 guidance, and a custom music production plan made specifically for you.

Sounds interesting?

🚀 Click here for all the details:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
--
Episode show notes:
Episode 300 is a big one — and not because of the number.
In this episode, we break down one of the most misunderstood (and most skipped) steps in the entire record-making process: pre-production.

Most self-recording artists think pre-production is either:
just “recording demos”, or
something only big studios with big budgets need

Both are wrong.

In this episode, Benedikt and Manel explain:
what pre-production actually is
where it starts (and where it absolutely shouldn’t end)
why skipping it makes recording harder, slower, and worse
and how proper pre-production gives you better performances, better sounds, and easier mixes

This is Step 3 in our complete record-making process — right between writing and recording — and it’s the step that determines whether your recording session feels creative… or frustrating.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
What pre-production really means (and why there’s no single “correct” definition)
The difference between writing, demoing, pre-production, and recording
Why great producers separate creative flow from technical precision
What should never be figured out during a recording session
Why re-recording after demos is usually necessary (and when it’s not)
Real-world examples where demo recordings actually made it onto final records
How pre-production creates freedom — not restriction — during recording
Why most home-recorded projects fail before microphones even matter

Who this episode is for:
DIY musicians recording at home
Bands preparing to record an EP or album
Artists stuck re-recording songs over and over
Anyone who feels their recordings never live up to the idea in their head

If you want your next recording session to feel focused, creative, and intentional, this episode is required listening.

🎧 Listen now and make your next recording session easier — before it even starts.
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For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/300
--

Send us a text
If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: [email protected]

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

👉 If you already have songs written and want to get them release-ready, go ahead and apply for coaching now. 
We’ll show you how to produce, record, mix, and master your songs. 
In your DAW of choice, and with only the plugins and gear you already own. 
With unlimited feedback, full 1-on-1 guidance, and a custom music production plan made specifically for you.

Sounds interesting?

🚀 Click here for all the details:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
--
Episode show notes:
Everyone loves gear.
Most people just get their priorities wrong when it comes to picking the right equipment for the project.
In this episode, Benedikt walks you through Step 2 of the full music production process: choosing the right gear for your project — without overspending, obsessing over specs, or sabotaging your results before you even hit record.

This is not a list of “best microphones” or “must-have plugins.”
Instead, you’ll learn a clear hierarchy of what actually matters most, starting at the source and working all the way down to plugins.

If you’ve ever wondered:
Do I really need better gear?
Is something about my setup holding me back?
Where should I invest first — and what can wait?

This episode will give you clarity.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode:
Why instruments and sources matter more than any recording gear
How strings, drum skins, picks, and sticks shape your sound more than plugins ever will
Why cabs matter more than amps (and how to use IRs properly)
The smartest way to approach room acoustics without expensive builds
Why monitoring (especially headphones) is more important than interfaces, plugins, outboard gear or the DAW
How to choose the right microphones for your voice and room
When you actually need a DI box (and what specs matter)
Why modern audio interfaces mostly differ by features, not sound
How to choose the right DAW without getting stuck in brand wars
Why plugins and outboard gear belong at the bottom of the list

This episode will help you:
✔ Stop wasting money
✔ Make intentional gear decisions
✔ Get better recordings with what you already have
✔ Build a setup that actually supports your music

🔗 Need Help Choosing The Right Gear?
If you want personalized guidance for your setup, your music, and your goals:
👉 Apply for coaching at theselfrecordingband.com/coaching

We’ll listen to your music, build a custom production plan, and help you make the right decisions — without guesswork.
--

For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/299
--

Send us a text
If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: [email protected]