The Self-Recording Band

Benedikt Hain / Manel Espinosa Berenguer
  • 5.0 (12)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

Weekly no-bs episodes for self-recording musicians. Brought to you by full-time engineers and producers, working on hundreds of songs every year. No hype, no fluff. Not trying to make brands happy, not being paid for an opinion. Simply sharing what has worked for us and the artists we've worked with. Listen now and approach your next DIY recording project like you're a seasoned pro!

  1. 310: This Podcast Is About To Change - The Beginning Of A New Chapter For TSRB

    Apr 9

    310: This Podcast Is About To Change - The Beginning Of A New Chapter For TSRB

    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: The Self-Recording Band Podcast Is Changing.  We're taking a break and then we'll come back with a rebrand and a new show format.  This episode gives you the why, the what and the how. -- For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/310 Send us Fan Mail If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    13 min
  2. 309: From 30 Demo Songs to A Finished Record That Matters - Swallow's Rose

    Apr 1

    309: From 30 Demo Songs to A Finished Record That Matters - Swallow's Rose

    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 one of the most honest and valuable conversations we’ve had on the podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Dominik from Swallow's Rose to break down the making of their latest record “The Beginning”.  From the first rough demos all the way to release, promotion, and everything in between. This wasn’t a typical DIY production. But also not fully done at a studio. It was a hybrid approach: Self-recorded guitars and bassStudio-recorded drums and vocalsProduced by the bandProfessionally mixed and mastered into a cohesive recordBut the story goes much deeper than that. We talk about: Why the first batch of songs got rejected (and why that was the turning point)Writing 30 songs to get to 11 great onesHow experimenting (and failing) led to a better soundThe moment the passion for music came backRecording vocals with intention instead of guessworkWhy a second opinion during recording is criticalThe real amount of work that happens AFTER the record is finishedHow they pushed this release to 100k+ streams in 2 weeksWhat working with a label actually looks like in 2026 And we also go into something much more meaningful and personal than just the production and promotion of it: This record is about overcoming real-life challenges. And how turning that into honest music can connect with people in a way nothing else can. If you’re a self-recording artist trying to turn your demos into finished releases, this episode is packed with lessons you can apply immediately. 🚀 Want Our Personal Help Applying This To Your Own Songs? If you want feedback on your songs, your arrangements, your recordings, or your mixes… …followed by a clear plan to turn your demos into finished releases... ...plus the professional guidance to implement it all: 👉 Apply for coaching: theselfrecordingband.com/coaching We’ll listen to your music, create a custom plan for you, and help you execute it step by step. -- For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/309 Send us Fan Mail If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 18m
  3. 308: Two Backing Vocal Approaches Every Self-Recording Artist Needs To Know

    Mar 18

    308: Two Backing Vocal Approaches Every Self-Recording Artist Needs To Know

    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: Most self-recording artists overcomplicate backing vocals, or ignore them completely, because they're having a hard time coming up with something interesting that really helps the song. Both are mistakes. Backing vocals and harmony layers can be the difference between a boring, amateur sounding chorus and one that hits.  They make great lead vocals even stronger and give a chorus the lift that it needs. In this episode, we break down two simple, powerful approaches to backing vocals that can completely transform your songs. And we're using real session examples you can actually hear and apply. If you’ve ever felt like your chorus is missing something, this is probably it. 🚀 Want Our Personal Help Applying This To Your Own Songs? If you want feedback on your vocals, your arrangements, or your mixes… …and a clear plan to turn your demos into finished releases: 👉 Apply for coaching: theselfrecordingband.com/coaching We’ll listen to your music, create a custom plan for you, and help you execute it step by step. -- For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/308 Send us Fan Mail If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    46 min
  4. 307: 6 Home Studio Mistakes We Made Early On (And What We’d Do Differently Today)

    Mar 11

    307: 6 Home Studio Mistakes We Made Early On (And What We’d Do Differently Today)

    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: Setting up your first home studio is exciting. It’s also very easy to waste time, money, and energy on the wrong things. In this episode, Benedikt and Manel look back at their early recording days and share six lessons they wish someone had told them when they started. Some of these mistakes cost money. Others cost years of slow progress. If you’re building your first recording setup or upgrading your current one, this episode will help you focus on the things that actually matter. The goal is simple: to help you skip the beginner mistakes and make faster progress with your music and recordings. What You’ll Learn In This Episode Why buying cheap gear is not always a god idea and can cause unnecessary headachesThe real reason beginners waste money on too much gearWhat matters more than most studio equipmentThe monitoring mistake that makes mixing almost impossibleThe hidden skill gap most self-recording musicians don’t realize they have If you’re a self-recording musician and want expert feedback on your recordings, full guidance while improving your setup, and the fastest way to getting your songs to sound truly professional - apply for coaching inside The Self-Recording Syndicate. We’ll analyze your setup, your songs, and your workflow and help you build and implement a clear plan to improve your recordings. Apply here: theselfrecordingband.com/coaching -- For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/307 Send us Fan Mail If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    43 min
  5. 306: How We Recorded Drums For A Punk Rock Record (Swallow's Rose - Full Drum Production Walkthrough)

    Mar 4

    306: How We Recorded Drums For A Punk Rock Record (Swallow's Rose - Full Drum Production Walkthrough)

    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: What does a drum recording session for a real record look like? Not a theory lesson. Not a generic tutorial. In this episode we walk you through a real drum recording session from start to finish. The session was for the Swallow’s Rose album “The Beginning”, and we documented the entire process while recording drums for the record. That means you’ll see the real decisions behind the drum sounds: drum and cymbal selectiontuning decisionsroom setup and acousticsmic choice and placementanalog processingrecording techniquesAnd the thinking behind every step. This is not meant to be a strict “how to”. Every record is different. But the principles behind these decisions are the same fundamentals that make all great recordings work. If you understand why things are done a certain way, you can apply those ideas to your own projects in whatever space and setup you have. This episode is especially helpful if you: record drums in a home studio or rehearsal spacewant more professional drum soundsstruggle with mic placement and drum tuningwant to understand what actually matters during a drum recording sessionwant to make your programmed drums sound more realistic (yes, those principles apply to MIDI drums, as well - understanding how drum sounds work in general is key, whether it's a real drummer or a programmed performance)If you’re listening to the audio version, you might want to watch this one on YouTube, because a lot of the value comes from seeing the session itself. ⸻ About The Record: The session featured in this episode is from the Swallow’s Rose album “The Beginning.” Singles from the record started releasing in 2025, with the full album scheduled for early 2026. The mixes you hear in the video are extremely close to the final versions, although the finished record includes some small revisions after the session shown here. Check out the released record to hear what it sounds like on the final album version. ⸻ Want Help Finishing Your Own Record? Inside The Self-Recording Syndicate, we help self-recording artists turn demos into finished releases they’re proud of. This isn’t a generic video course. We work with you one-on-one, helping you: build a recording workflowimprove your productions at the sourcemake better mixing decisionsfinish your songs and releases consistentlyIf you want a personal production plan for your next record, apply here: theselfrecordingband.com/coaching If we think you’re a great fit, we’ll do a free first call with you and build a custom roadmap for you. -- For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/306 -- Send us Fan Mail If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 24m
  6. 305: These 5 Low-End Mixing "Rules" Are Killing Your Mix

    Feb 25

    305: These 5 Low-End Mixing "Rules" Are Killing Your Mix

    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: Most of the low end advice online sounds clean, structured, and logical. But it also makes a lot of mixes smaller. In this episode, Benedikt and Manel break down five common low end mixing myths. This is not a “never do this" episode. It’s about understanding what’s really happening in the low end so you stop fixing problems you don’t actually have. 🎯 The 5 Low End Myths We Break Down 1. “If the kick fundamental is at 60Hz, cut the bass at 60Hz.” 2. “The bass needs to live above or below the kick.” 3. “High-pass everything except kick and bass.” 4. “Below 100Hz there can only be kick and bass.” 5. “You must carve out space or they’ll mask each other.” 🔑 What Actually Makes Low End Work 1. It Starts at the Source Drum choice and tuningSample choiceBass instrument choiceString choicePerformanceTimingArrangementKey of the songIf you pick the right sounds, faders alone often get you 80% there. 2. Think in Terms of Energy Low end is about: Relative amounts of energyTransient interactionSustain overlapGlue vs separationContext with mids and highsSometimes the problem isn’t in the low end at all. Sometimes it’s guitars masking kick attack. Sometimes it’s too much midrange hiding bass character. 3. Timing Changes Everything Slightly offset bass timing can: Reduce low end buildupExtend groove feelIncrease clarityImpact is often about transient alignment, not EQ moves. 4. Control Buildup Dynamically Instead of static carving, try: Multiband compressionDynamic EQTransient shapingShortening sustainControl the moments where energy spikes — don’t gut the whole instrument. 5. Stop Fixing Problems You Don’t Have This might be the most important takeaway. If it sounds good, don’t “optimize” it. 🚀 Want Direct Help With Your Mix? Inside The Self-Recording Syndicate, we help self-recording rock, metal and indie artists build mixes that feel powerful and emotionally right — without mixing by numbers. You get: A custom step-by-step music production planUnlimited personal feedbackClear next actionsOngoing guidanceAll the resources you need to fill in knowledge gaps and become confident in your recording and mixing abilitiesApply here: 👉 theselfrecordingband.com/coaching Free first call. Money back guarantee. No pressure. -- For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/305 -- Send us Fan Mail If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 13m
  7. 304: Are You Learning From Audio Pros Or YouTubers? (The Mixing Advice That Actually Matters)

    Feb 18

    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 us Fan Mail If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 12m
  8. 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.com/303 -- Send us Fan Mail If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

    1h 12m
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Weekly no-bs episodes for self-recording musicians. Brought to you by full-time engineers and producers, working on hundreds of songs every year. No hype, no fluff. Not trying to make brands happy, not being paid for an opinion. Simply sharing what has worked for us and the artists we've worked with. Listen now and approach your next DIY recording project like you're a seasoned pro!

Information

  • Creator
    Benedikt Hain / Manel Espinosa Berenguer
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    311
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Self-Recording Band
  • Show Website
    The Self-Recording Band

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