The Self-Recording Band

Benedikt Hain / Manel Espinosa Berenguer
  • 5.0 (12)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Produce exciting sounding music yourself and release songs that you're proud of! Professional producers/mixers Benedikt Hain and Manel Espinosa Berenguer help you make your next DIY-recording session a success!

  1. 304: Are You Learning From Audio Pros Or YouTubers? (The Mixing Advice That Actually Matters)

    22H AGO

    304: Are You Learning From Audio Pros Or YouTubers? (The Mixing Advice That Actually Matters)

    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: There’s more mixing advice online than ever. But here’s the real question: Is it coming from people who actually make records… or people who make content? In this episode, Benedikt and Manel react to answers from industry heavyweights Chris Galland and Joe Chiccarelli and compare them to common internet mixing advice. The results are revealing. Real pros barely care about many of the things you see everywhere online. And many content creators ignore things that actual engineers call non-negotiable. If you’re a self-recording musician trying to improve your mixes, this episode will help you separate hype from essential fundamentals. What We Cover Should you high-pass everything?Do you really need to mix in mono?Are reference tracks mandatory?Should you always check your mix in the car?Is EQing to the key of the song a real thing?Do pros tune every vocal?Do you have to hard pan guitars?Are stereo imaging plugins essential?Should you always mix at low volumes?Does gain staging still matter in 2026?Is parallel compression overhyped? And most importantly: How do you know who to trust when learning mixing? The Big Takeaways Context matters more than rules.The basics still win.You can ignore most of the fancy techniques and approaches until you've mastered the essential things.If advice sounds absolute, be skeptical.If someone never makes records, question their authority. As Benedikt says in the episode: Some topics are great for content. That doesn’t mean they’re great for making records. Who This Is For This episode is for: Rock, punk, indie, metal and alternative musicians recording themselvesProducers overwhelmed by conflicting YouTube adviceAnyone trying to get real results instead of chasing trendsIf you’re serious about improving your mixes, this one will reset your priorities. Want Real Guidance (Not Hype)? If you want feedback and guidance from engineers who mix 200+ songs per year for artists and labels worldwide, audio pros who actively work with self-recording artists all the time: 👉 Apply for coaching inside The Self-Recording Syndicate https://theselfrecordingband.com/coaching We don’t teach trends. We teach what actually works for your music. -- For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/304 -- Send a text If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 12m
  2. 303: The Music Production Process (Steps 6-10): Clean Up Your Session, Enhance The Performance, Mix And Finish Your Song!

    FEB 12

    303: The Music Production Process (Steps 6-10): Clean Up Your Session, Enhance The Performance, Mix And Finish Your Song!

    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: 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 compingEditing where necessary (timing and pitch)Moving from recording to mixingA structured mixing workflow that actually worksThe truth about masteringWhen to outsource and when not toWhy AI mastering is not the same as real mastering (and when it can be an option) If you’ve ever: Got stuck after recordingRuined a mix by overworking itWondered if/how you should use a mix bus compressorFelt confused about gain stagingBeen disappointed by a bad masterThis episode is for you. We break down a proven, step-by-step framework that helps you: Keep objectivityAvoid rabbit holesMix fasterPreserve the magic you capturedFinish 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 colorEQ cleanup + sweeteningCompression with intentionCreative effects (reverbs, delays, saturation)Automation and movementMastering ( 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 playbooksDetailed mix feedbackClear next steps to work on - alwaysTemplatesFrameworksAnd 5 professional masters, as well as a full mix + mix walkthrough included-- 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: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 12m
  3. 302: The Music Production Process (Step 5): Capturing Magic - How To Record Strong Takes That Actually Move People

    FEB 5

    302: The Music Production Process (Step 5): Capturing Magic - How To Record Strong Takes That Actually Move People

    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 takesWhy how you talk to performers can make or break a sessionThe importance of preparation before hitting recordHow to avoid killing the vibe during vocal sessionsWhen to record full takes vs. sectionsWhy warm-ups are non-negotiable (and how pros do it)How to choose the right recording order for instrumentsWhy vocals should not be an afterthoughtSimple systems for comping and editing while recordingHow 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. -- For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/302 -- Send us a text If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 5m
  4. 301: The Music Production Process (Step 4): Recording Setup & Sound Check: How To Capture Great Tones At The Source

    JAN 28

    301: The Music Production Process (Step 4): Recording Setup & Sound Check: How To Capture Great Tones At The Source

    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 eitherHow to find the best recording spot in any room (even untreated ones)Simple acoustic tricks that dramatically improve vocal and instrument recordingsWhy instrument setup (strings, heads, tuning) matters more than expensive gearHow mic placement can change your sound more than swapping microphonesReal audio examples showing how small mic movements create massive tonal changesHow proper monitoring improves vocal performances instantlyWhy vibe, lighting, and comfort directly affect the quality of your takesHow basic checklists prevent session-killing mistakes Who this episode is for: Self-recording musicians and bandsDIY producers working from home studios or jam spacesArtists frustrated by muddy, harsh, boring, or lifeless recordingsAnyone who wants mixes that come together faster — with less guesswork-- 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: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 6m
  5. 300: The Music Production Process (Step 3): Pre-Production - Why Most Home Recordings Fail Before Recording Even Starts

    JAN 21

    300: The Music Production Process (Step 3): Pre-Production - Why Most Home Recordings Fail Before Recording Even Starts

    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”, orsomething only big studios with big budgets need Both are wrong. In this episode, Benedikt and Manel explain: what pre-production actually iswhere it starts (and where it absolutely shouldn’t end)why skipping it makes recording harder, slower, and worseand 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 recordingWhy great producers separate creative flow from technical precisionWhat should never be figured out during a recording sessionWhy re-recording after demos is usually necessary (and when it’s not)Real-world examples where demo recordings actually made it onto final recordsHow pre-production creates freedom — not restriction — during recordingWhy most home-recorded projects fail before microphones even matter Who this episode is for: DIY musicians recording at homeBands preparing to record an EP or albumArtists stuck re-recording songs over and overAnyone 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. -- 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: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    43 min
  6. 299: The Music Production Process (Step 2): Choosing The Right Gear For The Project Without Wasting Money

    JAN 14

    299: The Music Production Process (Step 2): Choosing The Right Gear For The Project Without Wasting Money

    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 gearHow strings, drum skins, picks, and sticks shape your sound more than plugins ever willWhy cabs matter more than amps (and how to use IRs properly)The smartest way to approach room acoustics without expensive buildsWhy monitoring (especially headphones) is more important than interfaces, plugins, outboard gear or the DAWHow to choose the right microphones for your voice and roomWhen you actually need a DI box (and what specs matter)Why modern audio interfaces mostly differ by features, not soundHow to choose the right DAW without getting stuck in brand warsWhy 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: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    49 min
  7. 298: The Music Production Process (Step 1): Build a Rock-Solid Foundation Before You Record

    JAN 7

    298: The Music Production Process (Step 1): Build a Rock-Solid Foundation Before You Record

    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: In this episode, Benedikt and Manel kick off a brand-new series where they break down the entire music production process from start to finish. This episode covers Step 1: The Foundation - the most overlooked phase of production, and the one that determines whether everything later (recording, mixing, mastering) becomes smooth… or a constant fight. You’ll learn why: Great mixes can’t fix weak songsIntentional decisions beat guessing every timeClarity early on saves hours later in production This episode is long, deep, and practical - designed to give you a repeatable mental framework you can return to every time you start a new song or record. What You’ll Learn Why vision and intention matter more than gearHow to define what your record actually needs to sound likeThe difference between writing, arrangement, and production (and why it matters)How to avoid over-complicating songs with unnecessary layersWhy “done is better than perfect” in the early phasesHow lyrics, melody, arrangement, and emotion work togetherHow experienced producers think about groove, space, contrast, and impactWhy clarity in the foundation makes recording and mixing faster and easier Key Takeaway If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, every decision later becomes a guess. This episode helps you define the target before you hit record. Listen / Watch Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, all major platformsYouTube: Full video version available-- For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/298 -- Send us a text If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 36m
  8. 297: Connor Daniel (Avril Lavigne, Yellowcard, Simple Plan) On Modern Rock Production, Working At A High-End Studio, And Making Killer Records On A Bedroom Setup

    JAN 5

    297: Connor Daniel (Avril Lavigne, Yellowcard, Simple Plan) On Modern Rock Production, Working At A High-End Studio, And Making Killer Records On A Bedroom Setup

    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: In this episode, we’re joined by Connor Daniel - an LA-based writer, producer, and engineer, working closely with John Feldmann, while also producing and mixing records from his own home studio. Connor has worked on projects involving artists like Avril Lavigne, Yellowcard, Simple Plan, and collaborations featuring Travis Barker - but what makes this conversation especially relevant is that Connor still self-records his own band, socialghosts, and produces much of his work outside of big studios. This episode is a deep, honest conversation about: What actually matters in modern rock and pop productionWhy song and taste beat gear every timeHow to navigate self-recording without overthinking gear and setupsWhen polished production helps - and when raw honesty winsHow to collaborate better as a producer, engineer, or artistNo hype. No dogma. Just real-world insight from someone working at the highest level and in a bedroom studio. Topics We Cover Connor’s unexpected path from artist to producer/engineerLearning production by necessityGetting hired at a major studio via InstagramWhat really makes assistants stand out in pro environmentsWhy producing your own band is harder than producing othersTemplates, workflows, and staying organized without killing creativityMixing in untreated rooms (and how to make it work)Translation vs. perfection when checking mixesGenre-blending, modern rock trends, and authenticityWhy listeners don’t care about your gear choicesThe psychology of collaboration and producer communicationWhen to trust instinct - and when to just try the ideaListen / Watch Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, all major platformsYouTube: Full video version available-- For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/297 -- Send us a text If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 26m
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Produce exciting sounding music yourself and release songs that you're proud of! Professional producers/mixers Benedikt Hain and Manel Espinosa Berenguer help you make your next DIY-recording session a success!

Information

  • Creator
    Benedikt Hain / Manel Espinosa Berenguer
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    305
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Self-Recording Band
  • Show Website
    The Self-Recording Band

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