Studio Stuff

Chris Selim & Steve Dierkens
  • 5.0 (4)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

    18H AGO

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

    JAN 30

    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
  3. Ep31 - Do Mixing Consoles Still Matter in 2026?

    JAN 23

    Ep31 - Do Mixing Consoles Still Matter in 2026?

    We started this episode the way all professional audio conversations begin… by accidentally starting a mini civil war at breakfast over hash browns. Then we pivot into two really solid listener questions: one about whether a mixer still matters in 2026 (and what it can actually do for you in a home studio), and another about amp sims, effects order, and proper gain staging when recording DI guitars.   What We Dig Into Why a mixer can still be super useful today, even if you mix “in the box” The best modern use cases: tracking, monitoring, more inputs, zero-latency headphone mixes When it makes sense to use the mixer as your main interface Console reality check: does summing actually help, or is it just “try it and see”? Amp sim workflow 1: commit the sound while recording (like a real amp) Amp sim workflow 2: record clean DI first, then dial tones later (commitment-free) Gain staging basics for amp sims: hit the input sweet spot, then control output so you’re not cooking the channel   Topics & Stories Chunky vs shredded hash browns: the debate nobody asked for, but everybody needed Pineapple on pizza: friendships were tested The “mint condition SSL” running joke (first owner, minimal kilometers, maybe some tears) Waffle House wisdom: “I used to could.” (Legendary.)   Listener Q&A Richard (Barrie, Ontario): “Why is there never talk about the actual mixer? Is it just a conduit for ins and outs, or can it help during mixing? I just bought a Mackie… what can I take advantage of?” Callen: “I record DI guitar and use Amplitube / VST Amp Rack. Where should the amp sim go in the chain, and how do you reconcile that with gain staging?”   Final Takeaway A mixer isn’t automatically “better” or “worse” than mixing in the DAW. It’s a tool. If it helps you track faster, monitor with zero latency, commit better sounds earlier, or simply makes the process feel better, it’s doing its job. Same with amp sims: hit the right level into the sim, keep your output sane, and choose whether you’re committing now or later.   👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form Link We 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
  4. Ep30 - AI in the Studio: What’s Useful, What’s Weird, What’s Coming

    JAN 16

    Ep30 - AI in the Studio: What’s Useful, What’s Weird, What’s Coming

    AI is no longer a “someday” conversation. It’s already baked into tools we use, workflows we rely on, and decisions we’re making in the home studio, whether we call it AI or not. In this episode, we break the whole thing down like producers, not philosophers. Where does AI actually help? Where does it get in the way? And what parts of the process still need a human with taste, intention, and a point of view?   What We Dig Into The moment AI went from “cool trick” to “daily reality” Songwriting vs demoing: where AI can speed things up fast Why AI drums still don’t feel like a real drummer (even after editing) Production mindset shift: “I can fix that later” as a creative unlock Mixing with AI-assisted plugins: when it’s just a better starting point Mastering with Ozone: why “perfect” doesn’t always sound right The difference between tools, presets, and true AI (and why it’s confusing)   Topics & Stories The “Canadian sorry” story that completely broke a comedian’s set The “Cindy/Sandy Winters” AI song moment and the emotional reaction The reality check: the audience might not care, but you might “Everything is AI now” marketing and how to filter the noise   Listener Q&A No listener Q&A this one, but we want your questions for the next episodes.   Final Takeaway AI can make you faster. It can even make you better. But it still can’t replace the one thing that makes your music yours: taste, intent, and human perspective. Use it like a tool, not like a replacement.   👉 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.

    33 min
  5. Ep 29 - Fix, Control, Enhance: The Vocal Framework Your Mix Is Missing

    JAN 9

    Ep 29 - Fix, Control, Enhance: The Vocal Framework Your Mix Is Missing

    Alright… let’s talk about the question we hear constantly: “How many plugins do you use on a vocal chain?” Because the real answer isn’t a number. It’s a mindset. In this episode, we zoom out and talk about the categories of vocal processing that actually matter: fixing what’s broken, controlling dynamics, shaping tone, then adding space and vibe. We walk through how we think about order of operations (clip gain ➝ corrective EQ ➝ compression ➝ enhancement ➝ effects), why multiple “small” moves often beat one aggressive plugin, and how to stop chasing a “radio vocal” by stacking random inserts. Also, we may or may not compare vocals to… turds. (You’ll understand.)   You’ll Learn: Why plugin count is misleading (and what to focus on instead) The “Fix ➝ Control ➝ Enhance ➝ Effects” framework for vocals Why corrective EQ before compression often makes mixing easier How we think about two-stage compression (peaks vs leveling) When a second de-esser makes sense (and why it’s not “wrong”) How EQ placement changes everything once a vocal is controlled   Topics & Stories: WhatsApp vs Signal vs Marco Polo… and “your everyday podcast friend” The “make all your turds a similar size” clip gain philosophy Steve’s Pro Tools insert situation (in the year of our Lord 2026) “Salt is awesome… until it’s too much” (aka over-processing)   Final Takeaway: Stop asking, “How many plugins do I need?” Start asking, “What am I trying to achieve right now?” Fix what’s distracting, control what’s unstable, enhance what’s worth highlighting, then add space that serves the song.   👉 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.

    27 min
  6. Ep 28 - Before You Buy Another Plugin, Ask This One Question

    12/13/2025

    Ep 28 - Before You Buy Another Plugin, Ask This One Question

    We started this episode sipping tea and joking around… and somehow ended up in a full-on therapy session about plugins. A listener comment kicked it off: “Sometimes it feels like I spend more time buying and setting up plugins than making music.” Yep. Been there. So we unpack where that urge comes from, why the “next plugin” feels like it’ll fix everything, and how we personally draw the line between useful tools and dopamine shopping. And to make it extra practical, we answer a listener question about oversampling: what it is, when it matters, why it can reduce aliasing, and why enabling it everywhere can absolutely destroy your CPU.Special thanks to our sponsor, Audient. https://audient.com/ What We Dig Into: The biggest reasons we keep buying “one more plugin” How to tell if a plugin is actually helping your mixes (or just your mood) Why we still reach for the same familiar tools most of the time A simple rule to decide when a new plugin is worth it What oversampling is (and what aliasing actually means) When oversampling matters most (and when it’s overkill) Topics & Stories: “How do they make decaf coffee?” becomes a philosophy debate The “collection” trap: buy 2 more, save more, own everything Seeing a plugin you forgot you already bought (painful… and real) The “24 tracks” question: how many different EQs and compressors are you actually using? Why “good-looking plugins” can weirdly influence creativity AI plugins as the next “take my money” wave Listener Q&A: Oversampling in plugins: Where to use it, why it can reduce aliasing in non-linear processing (saturation/limiters), and why it’s usually not a make-or-break factor for your mixes. Final Takeaway: Plugins aren’t going to save you. If you buy one, buy it on purpose: save time, solve a real problem, or unlock a sound you truly can’t get otherwise. And for oversampling… understand it, use it selectively, and don’t let it become the new rabbit hole. 👉 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.

    38 min
  7. Ep 27 - The 1 Reverb Rule That Changes the Whole Mix

    12/03/2025

    Ep 27 - The 1 Reverb Rule That Changes the Whole Mix

    What happens when 17 mixers take the exact same piano-and-vocal song… and all make different reverb choices? In this episode, we break down a recent Mixdown Coaching Community mix challenge where one vocal reverb decision, or a tiny change to piano tone, completely shifted the emotion of the whole track. We talk about why elements like vocal reverb, piano EQ, kick and snare act like “tone anchors” for your mix, why great recordings almost feel like they “mix themselves,” and how your personal taste (EDM, orchestral, analog head, etc.) shows up in every decision you make. Plus, we tackle a listener question on pre vs post-fader sends and automation—and why we’re almost always in the post-fader camp.Special thanks to our sponsor, Audient.   You’ll Learn: Why vocal reverb can tilt the entire emotional center of a mix How piano EQ and ambience instantly change the tone of a song What happens when 17 mixers tackle the same stems with different tastes Why great performances and recordings “mix faster” and need less fixing The difference between mixing the song vs. mixing the plugin chain How to think about pre vs post-fader sends when automating reverbs and effects Topics & Stories: The MCC mix challenge: 17 versions of the same Malina track The one “roomy vocal” mix that made the whole track feel warmer and closer Bright vs warm piano choices on Steve’s heavily-modded Yamaha C7 The EDM-style timed delay on piano that changed the groove completely The vintage, mid-focused vocal mix vs the more hi-fi, digital-leaning takes Why we’re seeing MCC members’ mixes get closer and more “mature” over time Good song + good performance + good recording = the mix almost does itself The danger of “barbecue sauce on everything” vs respecting the tracks you’re given   Listener Q&A: Question: “Can you go deeper into pre vs post-fader when automating sends to reverb and delay? When does pre-fader actually make sense?” We talk about: Why we almost always use post-fader sends on lead vocals and key elements How post-fader keeps your EQ, compression, and tone decisions feeding the reverb Rare cases where pre-fader could make sense (parallel/VCA-style setups) Why it’s better to think musically than to obsess over “purist” routing choices   Final Takeaway: Reverb isn’t just “space.” It’s emotion. On a vocal-driven song, your reverb choice can quietly decide whether the whole mix feels intimate, epic, cold, warm, vintage, or modern. The more you respect the song, the performance, and the stems you’re handed, the more your mixes start to sound mature—not because you used the fanciest plugin chain, but because every decision serves the story.   👉 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.

    29 min
  8. Ep 26 - Mix Bus Magic: Why We Compress, Tape, Limit… and When Not To

    11/07/2025

    Ep 26 - Mix Bus Magic: Why We Compress, Tape, Limit… and When Not To

    We get asked this a lot: “Why put stuff on the mix bus?” Today we unpack the why and the how—from gentle bus compression that makes tracks move together, to tasteful EQ and tape for mojo, to mixing into a limiter for vibe without boxing in the master. Then we tackle Demo Syndrome—when clients fall in love with the rough—and share how we reset ears, separate taste from problems, and keep momentum. Special thanks to our sponsor, Audient.   You’ll Learn: Why mixing into a bus chain changes your decisions (in a good way) The compression settings we start with for real “glue” and movement When bus EQ solves tone—and when it just points you to the real problem How and where we use tape on the bus for character without mush Why a limiter can help while mixing but should be bypassed before mastering Practical steps to beat Demo Syndrome and get client buy-in   Topics & Stories: “Set it early, watch the meters”: not painting yourself into a corner Dual-mono vs. linked compression and when extra movement helps The “air & earth” cheats we reach for (and when to leave it for mastering) Using AI mastering chains as ideas rather than a one-click finish Chris’s grand-dad naming crisis (“Dude” didn’t age well) Audient love: iD line + ASP preamps, and hardware-hosted room correction   Listener Q&A: A simple but killer question: “Why do I need anything on my mix bus?” We break down the musical reasons (glue, tone, movement) and the workflow wins, plus how we avoid stepping on the mastering stage.   Final Takeaway: Start with intention. Put your bus tools on early, mix into them lightly, and let them guide better track-level moves. And when Demo Syndrome hits, buy time, test both versions, and keep what truly serves the song.   👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form LinkWe’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.

    37 min
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5
out of 5
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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
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Studio Stuff

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