Studio Stuff

Chris Selim & Steve Dierkens
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The Studio Stuff Podcast is your go-to home studio hangout, where music production, mixing, recording, and mastering meet real talk, practical advice, and the occasional lousy jokes. Hosted by Chris Selim and Steve Dierkens, this isn’t a dry, technical lecture—it’s a laid-back, no-BS conversation about making great music with the gear you actually have. Expect real-world insights, gear, and technique debates, plugin obsessions, and plenty of laughs along the way. Plus, we love hearing from you! Send in your questions, and let’s figure this whole studio stuff thing out together.

  1. Ep 39 - The Music AI Can't Touch - And It's Going Viral

    6 DAYS AGO

    Ep 39 - The Music AI Can't Touch - And It's Going Viral

    Studio Stuff Podcast #39 | The Band That Broke the Internet (And What It Means for You) We lost the Denny's steak omelet. But we found hope for music. There's a band from Quebec called Angine de Poitrine, that stopped us mid-conversation and made us ask a question we hadn't thought to ask in a while: what does it actually sound like when human creativity has no ceiling? That's where this episode starts. And honestly, it's one of the more hopeful conversations we've had on this show." You'll Learn: Why micro-tonal, math rock music is so disorienting at first listen, and why that's exactly the point What makes this Quebec duo different from just "weird for weird's sake" How real, raw talent is the most durable weapon against AI-generated music Why the next generational band might already be building an audience right now How Steve trained his ears to trust the low end on reference headphones after years on speakers The EQ-boost technique that bridges the gap while your brain catches up Topics and Stories: The band from deep Quebec with more frets than you've ever seen on a guitar Why loop stations, quarter tones, and impossible time signatures somehow groove What Genesis, Rush, and 2112 have to do with a sold-out show in San Francisco Chris's daughter Kayla and son-in-law now casually listening to micro-tonal math rock in the car How Denny's became the emotional villain of this episode Listener Q&A: Huge shoutout to Ryan, who asked a great question about mixing on headphones after years of doing live sound. When you're used to feeling the PA in your chest, reference headphones can feel like mixing in a vacuum. Steve breaks down exactly how he made that mental shift, including the boosted EQ phase, why he gradually pulled it back, and the moment he realized he actually trusted his ears again.   👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form LinkWe pull topics directly from your questions and YouTube comments. And if you’re digging the show, hit follow/subscribe and leave a quick review.It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.

    22 min
  2. Ep 38 - Visual Mixing Tools in 2026: Smart Shortcut or Dangerous Crutch?

    21 MAR

    Ep 38 - Visual Mixing Tools in 2026: Smart Shortcut or Dangerous Crutch?

    Studio Stuff Podcast #38 | Mixing With Your Eyes: Visual Tools, Meters, and the Mix Bus Limiter Debate Can you actually mix with your eyes? Should you? We're diving into one of those conversations that sounds like it has an obvious answer, until you really start pulling it apart. This week, we're talking about the visual tools we actually use in our mixes: spectrum analyzers, tonal balance plugins, phase correlation meters, LUFS readouts, and more. We get into when they help, when they hurt, and how to keep them in their lane so they're working for you instead of turning your mix into a connect-the-dots exercise. We also celebrate a big milestone, one year on YouTube. If you've been watching and listening, this one's partly for you. You'll Learn: Why tonal balance tools like iZotope's Tonal Balance Control are about finding the ballpark — not the bullseye How freezing Pro-Q's spectrum display changed the way Chris hears his mixes Why the low end is where visual metering earns its keep (especially in untreated rooms) When to close the analyzer and just trust your ears and your instincts How phase correlation meters caught a real problem on a live MCC stream Why gain staging with your speakers off is not only okay, it's smart Topics & Stories: Steve's algorithm keeps serving him Chris's face, even at home, in his off time AJ calls in mid-recording via the "ring even on silent" feature, it works, everybody We talk about our favourite spectrum analyzer plugins (Tonal Balance Control, Ozone overlay, the Pro-Q freeze trick) Chris's journey through three different rooms and why metering became a survival skill We accidentally prove we've now been doing this long enough to repeat ourselves (we already did an episode on mixing full albums, we forgot) How ear fatigue makes your meters more trustworthy than your ears after hour two Listener Q&A: Big shoutout to Stefan Jorissen for this week's question: "Do you put a limiter on your two bus from the beginning of the mix? What are the settings, and do you adjust them during the mix or adjust the tracks to keep within the desired range?" We break down the different schools of thought, mixing into a limiter, using one as a bypass reference check, and why Chris eventually stopped mixing with one running the whole time (hint: his mastering engineer's limiter sounded a lot better than his).   👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form LinkWe pull topics directly from your questions and YouTube comments. And if you’re digging the show, hit follow/subscribe and leave a quick review.It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.

    27 min
  3. Ep 37 - Third-Party Plugins vs Tim Tams | Which Actually Improves Your Mix?

    13 MAR

    Ep 37 - Third-Party Plugins vs Tim Tams | Which Actually Improves Your Mix?

    Studio Stuff Podcast #37 | Third-Party Plugins vs Tim Tams: Which Actually Improves Your Mix? Do you really need third-party plugins to make a professional mix… or are stock plugins already doing more than enough? In this episode, we dig into one of the biggest mindset traps in modern mixing: believing the next plugin will magically improve your sound. We talk about where third-party plugins can genuinely help, where stock plugins are often underrated, and why better tools do not automatically mean better mixes. Along the way, we get into workflow, inspiration, tone, specialty processing, CPU efficiency, and how to think more clearly about what you actually need in your setup. And yes… Tim Tams make an unexpected appearance too. What We Dig Into: Why stock plugins are often more capable than people think Why buying more plugins does not automatically make you a better mixer How third-party plugins can help with workflow, speed, tone, and inspiration The difference between a plugin that is useful and one that is just tempting Why specialized tools can sometimes solve problems faster than stock options How learning your stock plugins first can make you a stronger mixer Why some plugins become part of a mixer’s signature sound Topics & Stories: Chris introduces Steve to the Tim Tam coffee trick The plugin rabbit hole and why so many mixers fall into it Why great mixers still sound like themselves, even with unfamiliar tools The real value of analog-style channel strips and plugin color Why stock plugins often have an advantage when it comes to CPU efficiency The difference between tools that improve workflow and tools that create distraction Listener Q&A: Shoutout to Oh Sushi Studio for the question: What non-musical item is essential for a proper recording studio in 2026? Chris and Steve share their picks, including a mug warmer, comfortable studio clothes, and the little everyday things that make a studio feel like a place you actually want to spend time in. 👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form LinkWe pull topics directly from your questions and YouTube comments. And if you’re digging the show, hit follow/subscribe and leave a quick review.It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.

    24 min
  4. Ep 36 - Headphones vs Speakers: What We Trust for Better Mix Decisions

    6 MAR

    Ep 36 - Headphones vs Speakers: What We Trust for Better Mix Decisions

    Studio Stuff Podcast #36 | Headphones vs Speakers: What We Trust for Better Mix Decisions Is mixing on headphones actually reliable? Are speakers still the gold standard? In this episode, we get into the real-world pros and cons of both after spending more time going back and forth between the two. We talk about what headphones reveal instantly, what speakers still do better, why stereo width and low end can trick you, and how learning your listening system matters way more than chasing the “perfect” setup. This one also turns into a bigger conversation about trust, translation, and how to make better mix decisions no matter what you’re working on. What We Dig Into: Why headphones can reveal reverb, delay tails, clicks, edits, and vocal issues so clearly Why speakers still feel more natural for judging bass, punch, and overall balance How stereo width and panning can mislead you on headphones Why room acoustics can completely change what your speakers tell you The importance of acclimating before making decisions on either system Why neither headphones nor speakers “wins” on its own Topics & Stories: A shoutout to the MCC mix feedback sessions and hearing members improve over time How original music from the community makes feedback sessions so much more fun Steve’s headphone mixing journey after finally committing to it Why open-back headphones can annoy everyone else in the room The “heated bathroom floor” analogy for getting used to monitoring changes Why switching too fast between monitors and headphones can make you hate your mix Listener Q&A: We answer a question about the kick and snare relationship in a mix, including how we think about their level balance, how context changes the answer, and what we do when the snare or kick lacks body. We also talk about why kick and snare are two elements we’ll often shape in solo before fine-tuning them in the full mix.   👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form LinkWe pull topics directly from your questions and YouTube comments. And if you’re digging the show, hit follow/subscribe and leave a quick review.It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.

    27 min
  5. Ep 35 - The REAL Reason Vintage Type Plugins Feel “Better”

    20 FEB

    Ep 35 - The REAL Reason Vintage Type Plugins Feel “Better”

    Vintage gear is everywhere again… except most of it isn’t gear anymore. It’s emulations. It’s GUIs. It’s “1176” written on a screen with knobs that make our brains feel safe. In this episode, we dig into why producers in 2026 still chase the vintage sound, whether it’s actually about audio… or about psychology, comfort, and familiarity. Then we jump into a listener question that everyone has dealt with at least once: the “diva” vocalist who refuses to do a second take because they believe they already nailed it. We share how we handle that situation in the real world, without turning the session into a fight. What We Dig Into Why vintage emulations still sell like crazy (even when digital is “good enough”) The psychology of “seeing” tape reels or classic knobs and believing it sounds better Comfort-food mixing: why familiar tones feel like “home” Why a little chaos (harmonic distortion, saturation) can feel more musical Limitation vs endless options: fewer knobs, faster decisions, better focus How we handle clients who won’t do more takes (without killing the vibe) Topics & Stories Calgary winters, Chinooks, and why it gives you a “will to live” The “tape machine reels spinning” illusion (and why it totally works) Early digital recordings and that ultra-clean “DDD” era sound The truth about emulations: different plugins aiming at different hardware units “You be the producer, I’ll be the tech” — the respectful way out Listener Q&A Question from Sweden Studios: “What’s your take on clients who see themselves as divas or lead singers that are too good to do a second or third take?” We talk about how we: screen clients early (and why a vibe check matters) offer honest feedback only if they want it protect the session energy and your own sanity draw the line when you’re hired as a producer vs just running the session     👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form LinkWe’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.And if you like the show, hit follow/subscribe and leave a quick review.It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.

    29 min
  6. Ep 34 - Home Studio vs Pro Studio in 2026: Room, Gear, or Engineer?

    13 FEB

    Ep 34 - Home Studio vs Pro Studio in 2026: Room, Gear, or Engineer?

    Home studios have never been more powerful. Cheap gear is better than ever, plugins are ridiculous, and you can make real records on a laptop. But commercial studios still have something you can’t always fake: space, acoustics, and the kind of “big room” recording that makes drums feel like drums. In this episode, we go back and forth on the real advantages (and the real traps) of recording at home in 2026, why the answer depends on what you’re tracking, and why most people end up in a hybrid workflow anyway. Then we tackle a super practical listener question about recording vocals in an untreated room without the room taking over once compression gets involved. What We Dig Into Why the cost-to-quality of home studio gear is insane in 2026 The hidden downside of home studios: unlimited time can make you slower When a commercial studio is actually worth it (especially for drums) Why acoustics and room size matter more than most people admit The real “secret weapon” in both worlds: the person running the session Why mixing doesn’t need a commercial studio (most of the time) The hybrid approach that makes the most sense for a lot of artists Topics & Stories The return of “the glasses” and Chris’s evolving brain Vancouver “devolving” trips and studio philosophy whiplash The Audeze headphone rabbit hole (and how fast it escalates) The legendary computer handle design that should’ve never existed “Vintage 1967 Cajon through a Neve console” (because… of course) Listener Q&A Cornelius asks: How do you record vocals in a normal untreated bedroom/living room so the room doesn’t get exaggerated, especially once you start compressing or doing parallel compression, when the closet trick isn’t available? Our answer (the practical version): Use moving blankets and build a quick “dead corner” setup Try a corner setup with layers (blankets + mattress if you can) Experiment with facing the treatment vs facing the room Focus on stopping early reflections before they hit the mic Make it ugly if you have to. Clean vocals first, aesthetics later. Final Takeaway There isn’t a single winner in 2026. The “best studio” is the one that fits the recording you’re doing, your workflow, and your personality. For big, loud sources like drums, space matters. For creativity and consistency, home often wins. And for mixing, the engineer usually matters more than the room. 👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form LinkWe’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.And if you like the show, hit follow/subscribe and leave a quick review.It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.

    25 min
  7. Ep 33 - Gain Staging, Buses, and Headroom: The Boring Stuff That Makes Mixes Feel Pro

    6 FEB

    Ep 33 - Gain Staging, Buses, and Headroom: The Boring Stuff That Makes Mixes Feel Pro

    You know that moment where your mix feels great… until you look at the master bus and it’s basically a nuclear explosion? Yeah. This episode is all about avoiding that trap while you’re mixing—so mastering doesn’t turn into “how hard can I slam this limiter before it breaks?” We answer three listener questions that hit real workflow stuff: dynamic range and headroom, pitch vs timing when editing vocals, and how to align audio to the grid without going cross-eyed staring at waveforms.   What We Dig Into How we watch dynamic range during the mix so mastering stays easy Why gain staging is still the boring answer that fixes everything The mix-bus sweet spot (and why not clipping is the real rule) How buses / subgroups become the fastest way to control level as the mix grows Vocal editing order: timing first vs pitch first, and the “annoyance rule” Why performance cleanup beats obsessing over tiny artifacts Aligning audio to the grid: transient vs peak and how “Tab to Transient” saves your life The 3-step check: grid → click → drums/groove   Topics & Stories The “I’m too stupid to be alive” glasses story (Amazon hooks vs the obvious fix) Becoming YouTube professionals: the smoothest “like & subscribe” pivot we’ve ever done Morning wine on a flight… because statistically, you probably won’t have to land the plane   Listener Q&A Stefan (MCC): How do you manage dynamic range in the mix so mastering doesn’t require slamming the limiter? Joe (Rochester): When editing vocals, do you time-correct first or pitch-correct first? Charles (Montreal): When manually quantizing audio, what part of the waveform should you align to the grid?   Final Takeaway If you keep your gain staging sane, control levels through buses, and make editing decisions based on what you actually hear (not what the waveform “looks like”), you’ll end up with mixes that are easier to master—and feel more “finished” without fighting your tools.   👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form LinkWe’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows. And if you’re digging the show, hit follow/subscribe and leave a quick review.It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.

    24 min
  8. Ep 32 - Back Then vs Now: Did We Lose “Pro” Recordings?

    30 JAN

    Ep 32 - Back Then vs Now: Did We Lose “Pro” Recordings?

    Studio Stuff Podcast | Back Then vs Now: Did We Lose “Pro” Recordings? Everyone loves the idea that “back in the day” recordings were more professional. Big studios, serious engineers, real consoles, musicians who rehearsed, and fewer tools to hide behind. But is that actually why those records feel so good… or are we mixing up “professional,” “better,” and “more human”? In this episode, we unpack a listener comment that turns into a bigger conversation about source material, limitations, modern workflows, and why some top engineers are actually using fewer plugins than ever. What We Dig Into: What “professional recording” really means (and how the definition changes over time) Why the sonic bar is higher in 2026 than it’s ever been The hidden downside of unlimited plugins and endless options Why older records often feel more “human” (performance, commitment, interaction) The “fix it later” mindset and how it changes how people record Why limitations can lead to faster decisions and stronger mixes How channel strips can force better listening (and better choices) The cumulative effect: one channel strip vs 24 across a session A real-world challenge: mix with only a channel strip (and compare results)     👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form LinkWe pull topics directly from your questions and YouTube comments. And if you’re digging the show, hit follow/subscribe and leave a quick review.It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.

    25 min
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About

The Studio Stuff Podcast is your go-to home studio hangout, where music production, mixing, recording, and mastering meet real talk, practical advice, and the occasional lousy jokes. Hosted by Chris Selim and Steve Dierkens, this isn’t a dry, technical lecture—it’s a laid-back, no-BS conversation about making great music with the gear you actually have. Expect real-world insights, gear, and technique debates, plugin obsessions, and plenty of laughs along the way. Plus, we love hearing from you! Send in your questions, and let’s figure this whole studio stuff thing out together.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Selim & Steve Dierkens
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Studio Stuff

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