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 isnât a dry, technical lectureâitâs 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 letâs figure this whole studio stuff thing out together.
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Ep14 - If We Could Give One Piece of Advice to Our Younger Selves
Saturday, June 28, 2025 ⢠Duration 27:24
Studio Stuff Podcast #14 | What We'd Tell Our Younger Selves About Mixing, Gear & Music Theory
If you could go back in time and give advice to the younger version of yourselfâthe one just starting out in music productionâwhat would you say?
In this episode, we get honest about the lessons we learned the hard way. From arrangement mistakes to gear addiction, from music theory regrets to what âproâ really means, weâre unpacking the biggest takeaways weâd love to hand off to the past versions of ourselves.
Plus, a few laughs about beard sniffing, beef tallow, and the strange but beautiful journey of the modern home studio musician.
Youâll Learn:
đŻ Why a good arrangement is the real secret to a great mix đŻ What music theory knowledge we wish weâd learned earlier đŻ The misunderstood role of gearâand when it actually matters đŻ How we define being a âprofessionalâ in audio (spoiler: itâs not about the Grammys) đŻ Why mixing is just volume control (seriously)
Topics & Stories:
đĽ The beard-sniffing church guy and the magical beef tallow đĽ Why both of us feel imposter syndrome as musicians and engineers đĽ How renting gear helped shape our early careers đĽ The myth of âthe proââand why it's time to ignore it đĽ What makes a mix âmix itselfâ and how arrangement drives every decision
Listener Q&A:
We tackle a comment from YouTube: âI love when a non-pro tells people what the pros doâŚâ and unpack what it actually means to be a professional in the music industry.
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Final Takeaway:
A great song, a smart arrangement, and a confident mix approach beat expensive gear and elusive titles any day. If it moves someone? Youâre doing it right.
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đ Got a question for us?
đŠÂ Submit your question here: Form Link Weâll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
Ep13 - The Buses Tricks That Could Change Your Mixing Game!
If youâve ever looked at your DAW session and thought, âWhere is everything going?ââyouâre not alone. In this episode, weâre untangling the spaghetti of buses, groups, sends, and routing strategies that make up our mix sessions.
Weâre walking through how we use group channels, why we (sometimes) skip the drum bus entirely, and when itâs worth creating multiple subgroups for just one instrument family. Plus, we revisit the pitch correction debate with a question from the audience that hits close to home: should you ever slap Auto-Tune on a vocal before even listening?
Youâll Learn:
đ Why buses and subgroups are more than just "volume groups" đ§ How to simplify complex mix templates with nested routing đĽ Why Chris uses two drum busesâand what that unlocks đ The difference between group channels, FX channels, and VCAs đ¤ When Auto-Tune is a helpful tool⌠and when itâs a crutch
Topics & Stories:
The breakfast place that finally shut down (we kinda saw it coming)
Why Steve stopped using VCAs completely
Chrisâs stereo-only bus ruleâand why it makes sense
How parallel effects routing keeps your mix flexible
The truth about vocal tuning and why every singer says âfix thatâ
Listener Q&A:
Shoutout to Rome! We dig into their comment about pitch correction, Billie Eilish, and the art of leaving vocals raw. It sparked a great convo on how (and when) we approach to tuning.
Final Takeaway:
Routing isnât just about organizing your sessionâitâs about unlocking creative decisions. Whether you're a minimalist or a template wizard, the key is to make your workflow serve the music.
đ Got a question for us?
đŠÂ Submit your question here: Form LinkWeâll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
Studio Stuff Podcast #12 | Parallel Compression, Slapback & Secret Sends: Our Vocal FX Setup
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Weâve talked recording, comping, editing⌠and now weâre wrapping up our vocal series with the good stuffâparallel compression, slap delays, long reverbs, throw delays, saturation, and all the FX that give your vocals that final polish.
In this episode, we break down how we set up our vocal FX chainsâwhat plugins and routing we use, how we layer effects without cluttering the mix, and why sometimes less is more. Whether itâs slap mono or ping pong stereo, background vocal throws or a subtle vocal plateâthis is the sauce that brings the whole thing to life.
We also dig into how we treat doubles, how we automate delay times, and the FX we put on a bus that nobody talks about⌠but should.
đ§ Plus, we answer a great listener question about how to stay objective when youâre mixing your own musicâespecially when the project drags on.
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Youâll Learn:
How we use parallel compression and saturation without overcooking it
Our go-to delay chain: slap, long, ping-pong, and throws
Reverb choices that donât get in the way (plate vs room vs ambient)
Where background vocals live in our mixâand why they get their own world
Smart delay automation tricks that bring life to a vocal phrase
Why we route vocals and instruments separately before the final mix bus
Topics & Stories:
The âparallel wineâ joke Chris couldnât resist
Steveâs go-to EchoBoy presets (and how he automates delay time)
The magic of combining plate and ambient reverb
Using lesser takes as doublesâand why it works
How we process background vocals with width, air, and even chorus
Ep11 - The Vocal Chain Deep Dive: From Raw Takes to Radio-Ready
Friday, June 6, 2025 ⢠Duration 33:55
Studio Stuff Podcast #11 | The Vocal Chain Deep Dive: From Raw Takes to Radio-Ready
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We also dig into how we treat doubles, how we automate delay times, and the FX we put on a bus that nobody talks about⌠but should.
đ§ Plus, we answer a great listener question about how to stay objective when youâre mixing your own musicâespecially when the project drags on.
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Youâll Learn:
How we use parallel compression and saturation without overcooking it
Our go-to delay chain: slap, long, ping-pong, and throws
Reverb choices that donât get in the way (plate vs room vs ambient)
Where background vocals live in our mixâand why they get their own world
Smart delay automation tricks that bring life to a vocal phrase
Why we route vocals and instruments separately before the final mix bus
Topics & Stories:
Our favorite channel strip tools and vocal compressors
Chrisâs take-your-pill alarm goes off mid-recording
Why Steve buckled a CL1B into the passenger seat of his car
The truth about "nonsense plugins" and when we finally let them go
Mixing vocals with your speakers turned way down
Listener Q&A:
Shoutout to Jim Kelly from Kilkenny, Ireland! We tackle his question about routing and processing MIDI drumsâand how we decide whether to use the plugin processing or start from scratch.
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Final Takeaway:
Vocal FX are about feel. Use templates, sureâbut know when to break the rules. Let the vocal lead, and let the FX serve the story.
Studio Stuff Podcast #10 | The Art (and Chaos) of Recording Yourself at Home
This week, weâre turning the mic aroundâliterally.
Chris and Steve explore what itâs really like to record vocals on your own, in a home studio setup where youâre the singer, engineer, and producer⌠all at once. From gear choices and room noise to workflow hacks and accidental plumbing victories, this episode is both practical and painfully relatable. If youâve ever chased the perfect take while dodging noisy kids, furnace hums, or the neighborâs lawnmowerâthis oneâs for you.
Self-recording is equal parts freedom and frustration, but with the right mindset (and a bit of creativity), it can also be incredibly rewarding.
You'll Learn:
How to choose the right mic when recording yourself
Why committing effects while tracking can actually be freeing
Tips for building a self-recording workflow that wonât kill your vibe
How to control tone with mic distance and positioning
Ways to deal with room noise, family noise, and fan noise
Why using two different mics for lead and background vocals can help your mix
How to stay creative (and sane) while recording solo
Topics & Stories:
The reality of tracking vocals in a non-soundproofed house
What to do when your perfect take is ruined by kitchen chaos
Using mic position and off-axis techniques to tame harshness
The joy of experimenting when no oneâs watching
How Chrisâs plumbing failure turned into a vocal tracking lesson
Workflow hacks: wireless control, DAW shortcuts, and phone/tablet remotes
Using different micsâor even different mic anglesâfor variety in background vocals
Why your forehead might actually sound great (donât ask)
Embracing late-night sessions and finding the quietest window to record
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Ep09 - Recording Vocals is More Than Just Hitting Record
Friday, May 23, 2025 ⢠Duration 35:36
Studio Stuff Podcast #09 I Recording Vocals is More Than Just Hitting Record
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This week, we (Chris and Steve) are diving into one of the most emotional and surprisingly complicated parts of making musicârecording vocals. It all started with a delayed omelet and a questionable bathroom comment, but somehow we ended up exploring everything from mic choice to the psychology of singers. If youâve ever hit record and wondered why something felt off, this episodeâs for you. Itâs not just about capturing a voiceâitâs about creating the right vibe, building trust, and knowing when to step back or push forward.
You'll Learn:
Why vocal performances are more emotional than technical
The importance of preamp vs. microphone selection
Tips for managing compression and monitoring while tracking vocals
The real reason some singers soar while others sink
Why your talkback mic can make or break a performance
How to manage singer "maintenance" and build trust
When and how to comp and pitch-correct vocals
Topics & Stories:
Chris and Steveâs breakfast saga and the birth of the phrase "You go boy"
The magic of choosing the right mic (and why itâs often not the most expensive)
Monitoring secrets: how much vocal in the cue mix is too much?
Why compression (recorded or not) can boost singer confidence
Real talk about tracking reverb for singers
Singer psychology: understanding pitch problems, fear, and vocal fatigue
Why first lines matter mostâand why theyâre often recorded last
Manual pitch correction workflows and the value of comping immediately
Studio pranks, honesty, and the art of talkback diplomacy
Listener Q&A:Â
Andy Tullus asks: Chris and Steve unpack their philosophy, focusing less on pitch and more on character, vibe, and the "woof woof" vs "ping ping" factor.
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Ep08 - What If Analog Gear Isnât About the Sound at All?
Friday, May 16, 2025 ⢠Duration 22:56
Studio Stuff Podcast #08Â What If Analog Gear Isnât About the Sound at All?
Chris and Steve kick off this episode with some laughs and lighthearted banter about Fahrenheit vs. Celsius and the quirks of 24-hour timeâbut things quickly take a turn into one of the most honest and overlooked conversations about analog gear: what if itâs not just about the sound?
This episode dives into the emotional and tactile side of using analog hardware, exploring whether the real appeal is how it feels rather than how it sounds. Plus, for the first time ever, they bring a listener (and friend!) on live to join the discussion.
Youâll Learn:
â Why analog gear still brings joyâeven when digital sounds just as good â The "psychology of the knob" and how physical gear can change your workflow â Why "pleasure" might be a more important reason to use analog than we admit â Chris and Steveâs favorite toys (not just tools!) in their studios â Simple, real-world practices to get better at mixing every day
Topics & Stories:
Fahrenheit vs. Celsius, 24-hour clocks, and the struggle is real
Sebastian's question: Is analog about sound or pleasure?
Why touching a knob just feels different (and why that matters)
Steveâs years with an SSL consoleâand why itâs now in storage
Chrisâs controller setup and the joy of not rolling around on a carpet
What would you do if your mom gave you money for a big studio day?
Listener Kyle calls in from his car (or maybe his new home?)
The most fun pieces of gear we ownâand why we love them
Favorite mixing routines and how to actually practice mixing like a musician
Why reverse-engineering a snare can make you want dinner and cry Â
Final Takeaway:Â
Analog gear isnât always about the audio quality. Sometimes, itâs about joy, inspiration, and the feeling of being connected to the process. And maybeâjust maybeâthatâs enough.
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Ep07 Q&A - Do You Trust your Studio Monitors or AirPods?
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 ⢠Duration 04:10
Do You Trust your Studio Monitors or AirPods? Studio Stuff Podcast | Q&A Episode 7 When do you call a mix finished? In this Q&A episode, we answer a question from Marshall in Dallas: âDo you trust your monitors, or test it on other systems before sending it off?â We get into our own habitsâlike why the car isn't always the gold standard, how AirPods became the new "real world" reference, and why taking a break (and turning off your screen!) might be the most powerful mix move of all.
Drums are the heartbeat of a trackâbut getting them to feel right in the mix? Thatâs a whole other story.
In this episode, we (Chris and Steve) pick up where we left off in Part 1 and dive deep into the art of mixing drums. From building the sound around overheads to layering samples, managing reverb, debating time alignment, and even feeling bad for the neglected hi-hat micâwe cover it all.
If you've ever wondered how two mixers with totally different workflows approach drum mixing (and still somehow get great results), this one's for you.
You'll Learn:
â Why we both start mixes with overheadsâand how it changed our drum sound. â How to decide if your overheads are for cymbals or the whole kit. â When drum samples are essentialâand when they just get in the way. â Our personal routing setups (and why they might be overkill). â How we handle phase, time alignment, and why we donât always agree. â Tricks for taming hi-hats and bright cymbals without killing your tone.
Topics & Stories:
đ The overhead-first approach: why it works and what to watch for. đ Our favorite sample stacking techniques (and why we name them like pizza toppings). đ Drum bus setup, parallel compression, and how not to overdo it. đ Why clipping might be your drum mixâs best friend. đ Room samples vs. reverb plugins: what we reach for first. đ âMixing with your eyesâ (yes, we admit it⌠pretty plugins matter). đ Silencer, Soothe, and our favorite tom gating tricks. đ What we do when our mix âfalls apartâ at the loud parts. đ How we build a drum sound that fits the whole songânot just soloed drums.
Listener Q&A:
đď¸ âShould I time-align overheads to the snareâor just leave them?â đď¸ âWhatâs the point of using room samples instead of reverb?â đď¸ âHow many drum samples are too many?â
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Ep06 Q&A - The Secrets Behind Songs That Make You FEEL Something
Saturday, April 26, 2025 ⢠Duration 06:50
The Secrets Behind Songs That Make You FEEL Something!
This is the Q&A from Episode 6, where we answer a great listener question: What parts of songs really bring out emotion for us? We dive into how little imperfections, unexpected arrangement choices, and second verse magic often create the biggest emotional moments. From the charm of old vinyl records to how we approach mixing to enhance the feel of a song, we share what moves us â and how we try to bring that same energy into the music we work on.
 đ˘ Join the conversation! Whatâs the next piece of gear youâre planning to buy? Tell us how youâre building your home studioâone smart choice at a time.
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Got a question for a future episode? đ§ Weâd love to hear from you! đŠ Submit your question here: Form Link Weâll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
The mystery of the smiley-face EQ on the final vocal bus
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Listener Q&A:
Huge thanks to S. Conway for the thoughtful question on mixing your own music. We share our personal struggles with staying objectiveâand what finally helped us get over the mental roadblocks of âover-listening.â
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Final Takeaway:
Vocal FX are about feel. Use templates, sureâbut know when to break the rules. Let the vocal lead, and let the FX serve the story.
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đ Got a question for us?
đŠÂ Submit your question here: Form Link Weâll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
đ Got a question for us?
đŠÂ Submit your question here: Form Link Weâll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
Dealing with the curveballs of self-engineering: distractions, delays, and duct-taped mic tricks
Listener Q&A:
Lyndon Aguilar from Manila asks: âCan you mix with closed-back headphones without using any of the AI sound-reference tools?â Chris and Steve unpack the pros and cons, when theyâd use them, and why headphone EQ (with or without emulation) makes a big differenceâespecially outside of the studio.
Final Takeaway:
Recording yourself is a creative playgroundâmessy, unpredictable, but full of freedom. Set up a workflow that inspires you, control what you can, and embrace the rest. Some of your best takes will come from the most unexpected moments.
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Ready to capture pro-quality tracksâwithout upgrading your gear?
Pro Home Recording with Cubase shows you how to get clean, polished recordings using the tools you already have.
From setting up Cubase properly to recording vocals, drums, guitars, and moreâthis course gives you a clear, step-by-step workflow that saves you hours of frustration and makes your tracks easier to mix.
Whatâs your biggest struggle when recording yourself?
Let us know in the comments or tag us on socialsâweâd love to hear from you!
đ Submit Your Question:
Got a question for a future episode? đŠÂ Submit your question here: Form Link Weâll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
"When using drum samples, should you try to find ones that are tuned to the original drums? Does it matter?"
Final Takeaway:
Vocal recording is about building trust, emotional safety, and giving the singer an environment that brings out their best. The gear mattersâbut how you guide and respond to the performance matters more.
đ§ Want to take your vocal recordings even further?
If you're ready to craft pro-level vocal mixes using only the tools in Cubase, check out my course: TheUltimate CUBASE MIXING Masterclass This course was made to help home studio folks like you take the guesswork out of mixing vocals and finally feel confident hitting export.
đ˘ Join the conversation!
Whatâs your biggest challenge when recording vocals? Drop your thoughts below or tag us on socials!
đ Submit Your Question:
Got a question for a future episode? đŠÂ Submit your question here: Form Link Weâll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
đ˘ Join the conversation!
Whatâs your take on analog gearâdo you use it for the sound, the feel, or both?
Drop your thoughts below or tag us on socials! We'd love to know what gear brings you the most joy in the studio.
đ§ Got a question you want answered on the podcast?
Weâd love to hear from you! đŠÂ Submit your question here: Form Link Weâll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
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We talk about all of these⌠and probably overthink most of them.
Final Takeaway:
Thereâs no one right way to mix drums. Itâs about making creative choices that support the song. Whether you're stacking samples or working with raw tracks, the goal is the same: make it feel good.
Join the conversation!
Whatâs your go-to drum mixing trick? Do you mix from a drummerâs perspectiveâor the audienceâs?
Drop your thoughts below or tag us on socials!
Got a question for a future episode?
Weâd love to hear from you! đŠÂ Submit your question here: Form Link Weâll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
