TopPodcast.com
Menu
  • Home
  • Top Charts
  • Top Networks
  • Top Apps
  • Top Independents
  • Top Podfluencers
  • Top Picks
    • Top Business Podcasts
    • Top True Crime Podcasts
    • Top Finance Podcasts
    • Top Comedy Podcasts
    • Top Music Podcasts
    • Top Womens Podcasts
    • Top Kids Podcasts
    • Top Sports Podcasts
    • Top News Podcasts
    • Top Tech Podcasts
    • Top Crypto Podcasts
    • Top Entrepreneurial Podcasts
    • Top Fantasy Sports Podcasts
    • Top Political Podcasts
    • Top Science Podcasts
    • Top Self Help Podcasts
    • Top Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Top Stocks Podcasts
  • Podcast News
  • About Us
  • Podcast Advertising
  • Contact
Not in our directory?
Add Show Here
Podcast Equipment
Center

toppodcastlogoOur TOPPODCAST Picks

  • Comedy
  • Crypto
  • Sports
  • News
  • Politics
  • True Crime
  • Business
  • Finance

Follow Us

toppodcastlogoStay Connected

    View Top 200 Chart
    Back to Rankings Page
    Music

    Music Production and Mixing Tips for Beginner Producers | Inside The Mix

    How do you make your mixes sound professional as a beginner? What’s the real difference between mixing and mastering? And do you actually need expensive gear to produce great music at home?

    Inside The Mix is the podcast for beginner and early-career music producers, as well as hobbyist musicians, who want clear, practical answers to the most common questions in music production and mixing music. Each episode breaks down real-world techniques used in audio engineering, helping you improve clarity, balance, and confidence in your mixes — even in a home studio.

    You’ll learn how to:

    • Make your mixes sound professional as a beginner without overcomplicating your workflow
    • Fix common problems like muddy mixes, weak low-end, and poor translation
    • Understand the difference between mixing and mastering — and when you really need each
    • Build a reliable production process using tools you already own

    Hosted by Marc Matthews, Inside The Mix goes beyond generic beginner tutorials. Expect insightful interviews with industry-leading engineers and producers, listener-focused round-table critiques, and practical coaching designed to accelerate your progress. Past guests include Grammy Award-winning professionals such as Dom Morley (Adele) and Mike Exeter (Black Sabbath).

    👉 Start with audience favourite:
    Episode #175 – What’s the Secret to Mixing Without Muddiness? Achieving Clarity and Dynamics in a Mix

    Subscribe, follow, and explore Inside The Mix to grow from beginner to confident producer — one mix at a time.

    Advertise

    Copyright: © 2024 Inside The Mix | Music Production and Mixing Tips for Music Producers and Artists

    • Apple Podcasts
    • Google Play
    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    #215: How to Mix a Wall of Sound That Still Breathes with DRUMxWAVE and Brian Skeel Oct 07, 2025
    Show notes

    What does a true wall of sound feel like when the vocal still breathes? We sit down with vocalist‑producer Jay Cali (DRUMxWAVE) and mixer‑producer Brian Skeel to unpack the craft behind Severed, big drums, widescreen synths, supportive guitars, and why clarity starts with a shared vision before a single plug‑in loads.
    We trace the journey from demo to master, beginning with an hour of alignment on emotion, references, and the “mountaintop” vocal image that sets every downstream choice. Brian breaks down how he builds commanding vocals without harshness: Revoice for doubles and harmonies that behave like real performances, meticulous cleanup, Slate’s processing for character and control, FabFilter DS for precision, and a touch of L1 to pin dynamics so automation can shape arcs. Width becomes a dynamic fader, verses intimate and centred, choruses opening with MicroShift for that lift you feel more than hear. Jay and Brian also reveal the “demon” breakdown: a vocoder moment sculpted with Baby Audio’s Humanoid, tamed by Soothe 2 and widened just enough to shock, then glide.
    If you’ve ever struggled to pair synths and guitars, you’ll get a clear playbook. Guitars serve aggression rather than steal focus, panned L/R and low‑passed to make way for hi‑hats and vocal air. Synth choices lean on Serum 2 and ANA 2, with patches picked for fit, not flash. The top end gets the same discipline as the low: cut clutter above 10 kHz so the mix doesn’t fizz, a lesson that came into focus after upgrading monitors and hearing what the old room hid. And for loudness without lifelessness - around −7.8 LUFS - Brian details a reference‑driven, top‑down chain using Metric AB, soft clipping and bus moves to reduce limiter strain, and focused multiband to keep choruses powerful without pumping.
    Along the way, you’ll pick up collaboration habits that save weeks: arrive with a concise brief and references, label stems to spec, and send specific revision notes. Ready to test it? Grab one current track with guitars, synths, and vocals. Try widening only the chorus vocal and low‑passing rhythm guitars until the breath returns. Hear the space? That’s what loud and open can sound like. If this resonates, follow, share with a friend who mixes dense productions, and leave a quick review so more producers can find these deep dives.

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    Follow DRUMxWAVE

    Follow Brian Skeel

    Listen to Chroma Cloud

    Send me a message

    Support the show

    Ways to connect with Marc:

    If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here

    Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

    Follow Marc's Socials:

    Instagram | YouTube

    Thanks for listening!!

    Try Riverside for FREE




    #214: The Best FREE Plugins Every Producer Should Use Sep 30, 2025
    Show notes

    Free plugins often get overlooked in the endless pursuit of premium software, but professional producers know that some of the most powerful tools cost absolutely nothing. In this illuminating conversation, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson (Aisle9) unpack their go-to free plugins that consistently deliver exceptional results across various production scenarios.
    The discussion begins with TAL Chorus LX, Tim's top recommendation for achieving that classic Juno-style chorus effect. While many producers shy away from chorus on bass elements, Tim reveals how subtle application can add dimension without compromising mix integrity. Meanwhile, Marc swears by Slate Digital's Fresh Air for bringing clarity to percussion elements, though he cautions listeners about its potentially aggressive presets and the importance of proper gain staging.
    Perhaps most valuable are the practical insights into how these tools integrate into real-world workflows. Soft Tube's Saturation Knob emerges as a versatile one-knob solution for adding harmonic richness, while TDR Nova provides dynamic EQ capabilities that rival premium alternatives. For spatial effects, Valhalla Super Massive creates otherworldly reverbs and delays that transform ordinary sounds into immersive soundscapes - particularly effective during breakdowns when automated thoughtfully.
    What becomes clear throughout is that these aren't merely "good enough" alternatives to paid options - in many cases, they're the preferred tools of experienced producers who could choose anything. Their simplicity often becomes their strength, allowing for quick, intuitive adjustments without getting lost in parameter overload. Whether you're just starting or looking to expand your production toolkit without the investment, these recommendations offer immediate ways to elevate your sound.
    Try implementing one of these free plugins in your next project and share your experience with us! We'd love to hear which free tools you consider essential in your own production arsenal.

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    We'd love to hear from you! Submit a question

    Listen to Night Trains

    Listen to Half-Life (Instrumental)

    TAL Chorus LX

    Slate Digital Fresh Air

    Soft Tube Saturation Knob

    TDR Nova EQ

    Valhalla Super Massive

    Goodhertz Midside Matrix

    Send me a message

    Support the show

    Ways to connect with Marc:

    If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here

    Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

    Follow Marc's Socials:

    Instagram | YouTube

    Thanks for listening!!

    Try Riverside for FREE




    #213: Finish Tracks Faster - Workflow Hacks Every Producer Needs (feat. John Kunkel) Sep 23, 2025
    Show notes

    Have you ever felt stuck in an endless cycle of tweaking, adjusting, and second-guessing your music production decisions? Producer John Kunkel (aka John Grand) reveals the counterintuitive truth that many of us miss: working smarter, not harder, is often the key to finishing more tracks and creating better music.
    John shares his game-changing approach to using reference tracks as structural blueprints rather than just mixing guides. By importing a track you love and mapping out its arrangement, you immediately transform that intimidating blank DAW canvas into manageable building blocks. This simple technique has helped John slash his production timeline from weeks to days, and it might just revolutionise your workflow too.
    The conversation takes a fascinating turn when John explains why your sound selection decisions matter far more than your processing skills. "Your track is only going to sound as good as the choices that you make in sound selection," he explains, likening poor sound choices to painting with incompatible materials. This insight challenges the common tendency to reach for EQ and compression when the real solution might be choosing a different sample entirely.
    Perhaps most thought-provoking is John's psychological observation that constantly adding layers often indicates a lack of confidence in your original ideas. Drawing inspiration from artists like Eric Prydz, he advocates for focusing on fewer, higher-quality elements that evolve through automation rather than overwhelming arrangements that exhaust listeners' cognitive capacity.
    Whether you're just starting or looking to break through a creative plateau, this episode offers practical strategies to finish more music while keeping the joy in your production process.

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    Follow John Grand

    Follow The New Division

    How to Make Progressive House from Start to Finish | Splice

    Send me a message

    Support the show

    Ways to connect with Marc:

    If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here

    Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

    Follow Marc's Socials:

    Instagram | YouTube

    Thanks for listening!!

    Try Riverside for FREE




    #212: Streamlining Music Collaboration - How Mixup Changed My Feedback Workflow Sep 16, 2025
    Show notes

    Frustrated by endless email chains, confusing file links, and clients commenting on the wrong version of a mix? In this episode of Inside the Mix, Marc Matthews explores how Mixup.audio is transforming the mix revision process for producers, mixers, and collaborators.

    Marc breaks down the platform’s most powerful features, including timestamped comments, version comparison, and normalised level matching, which eliminates loudness bias when reviewing mixes. Listeners will discover how Mixup’s intuitive design—where clients don’t even need to create an account—removes the barriers to clear communication and saves hours of frustration.

    The episode also compares Mixup’s free and paid versions, highlighting which features may be sufficient for different workflows. Marc contrasts Mixup with alternatives like FilePass and Highnote, offering his honest assessment of where each excels and how they can fit into a modern music production setup.

    For anyone struggling with mix revisions, vague feedback, or confusing client communication, this episode provides practical solutions to simplify collaboration. Whether producing for clients or working on personal projects, listeners will learn how to make the feedback process smoother, faster, and more professional.

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    Mixup.audio

    Send me a message

    Support the show

    Ways to connect with Marc:

    If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here

    Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

    Follow Marc's Socials:

    Instagram | YouTube

    Thanks for listening!!

    Try Riverside for FREE




    #211: Creating Authentic Remote Vocal Collaborations When Miles Apart (feat. INDIGO) Sep 09, 2025
    Show notes

    Ever wondered how singers record vocals remotely and make them sound professional? In this episode of Inside The Mix, Marc Matthews is joined by New Zealand synthwave vocalist INDIGO to explore the art of remote vocal collaboration and the songwriting process behind her unique sound.

    From her unexpected start in the synthwave scene to collaborations with artists like Wolf Club and Turbo Knight, INDIGO shares how she records vocals from home while working with producers across the world. We dive into her vocal recording techniques—including why she double-tracks every vocal and prefers recording in the evenings for her best takes.

    You’ll also learn how Indigo adapts her lyrics to fit electronic music, moving between dreamy love songs and darker themes, and how she overcomes songwriter’s block with practical strategies like listening to instrumentals on long drives or stepping away from projects overnight.

    For the tech-minded, Indigo reveals her setup, using the Aston Origin microphone, basic vocal processing, and clear communication with producers to make remote collaborations successful. She also opens up about the challenges of online music partnerships and why trust and reliability matter as much as technical skill.

    Whether you’re a producer looking to collaborate with vocalists or a singer wanting to deliver better takes from home, this episode is packed with actionable tips for remote recording, lyric writing, and collaboration in the digital age.

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    Follow INDIGO

    Listen to Darklight (feat. INDIGO)

    Listen to Engraved Disillusion

    Send me a message

    Support the show

    Ways to connect with Marc:

    If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here

    Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

    Follow Marc's Socials:

    Instagram | YouTube

    Thanks for listening!!

    Try Riverside for FREE




    #210: Should You Record With Compression or Wait Until Mixing? Sep 02, 2025
    Show notes

    Should you record vocals with compression or save it for mixing? It’s one of the most debated questions in music production, and in this episode of Inside The Mix, we break it down with practical advice for producers at every level.

    Guest Tim Benson shares why he often tracked vocals with hardware compressors in the studio, not just for sound quality, but because hearing compressed vocals in headphones helped singers perform with more confidence and precision. We discuss how compression during tracking can shape performances, highlighting the psychological and creative benefits that go far beyond managing peaks.

    But what if you don’t want to commit compression to your recording? Thanks to modern workflows, you can now monitor with plugin compression while recording a clean signal, giving vocalists the polished sound they crave without sacrificing flexibility at mixdown.

    We also compare compression across instruments, exploring why it’s often essential for bass but risky for acoustic guitars. Plus, discover why microphone technique, like managing distance and consistency, may solve more vocal problems than compression ever could.

    Whether you’re asking “Should I record with compression on the way in?” or wondering which instruments benefit most, this episode gives you the clarity to make smarter tracking decisions.

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    We'd love to hear from you! Submit a question

    Listen to Paradise Cove

    Listen to Engraved Disillusion

    Send me a message

    Support the show

    Ways to connect with Marc:

    If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here

    Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

    Follow Marc's Socials:

    Instagram | YouTube

    Thanks for listening!!

    Try Riverside for FREE




    #209: What Can a Free Wavetable Synth Like Vital Do in the Hands of a First-Time User? Aug 26, 2025
    Show notes

    Curious what happens when a producer opens Vital Spectral Warping Wavetable synth for the very first time? In this episode, I explore the free wavetable synthesizer from scratch, answering common questions like: Is Vital really free? Is the free version powerful enough for professional music production?

    With zero prior experience in the plugin, I start from an initialised preset and build a 90s-inspired trance bass step by step. You’ll hear my genuine reactions as I learn the interface, experiment with oscillators, and make happy accidents along the way. From shaping sub frequencies with a sine wave to layering harmonics for extra punch, I break down the process in real time.

    What surprised me most? Vital’s intuitive visual interface makes complex sound design feel simple—even for beginners. The free version includes 75 presets and 25 wavetables, giving you everything you need to craft professional sounds without spending a penny.

    Whether you’re wondering Is Vital good for beginners? or just want to watch a fresh perspective on sound design, this walkthrough shows how quickly you can create a rich, layered trance bass using only Vital.

    Links mentioned in this episode

    Vital - Spectral Warping Wavetable Synth

    Send me a message

    Support the show

    Ways to connect with Marc:

    If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here

    Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

    Follow Marc's Socials:

    Instagram | YouTube

    Thanks for listening!!

    Try Riverside for FREE




    #208: How to Avoid Burnout in Music Production (Do Less, Achieve More) Aug 19, 2025
    Show notes

    Are you feeling drained from endless hours in the studio? Wondering how music producers can avoid burnout or what strategies actually work to recover from creative exhaustion? You’re not alone; burnout is one of the biggest creativity killers for producers and indie artists today.

    In this episode of Inside The Mix, Marc Matthews dives into proven techniques that helped him rebuild his workflow and rediscover his passion for making music. You’ll learn:

    • How to avoid burnout in music production with the three-pillar framework.
    • What the 80/20 rule means for producers and how focusing on the right 20% of tasks can deliver 80% of your results.
    • How to eliminate, automate, delegate, and mitigate tasks that drain your energy and waste valuable studio time.
    • How to recover from creative burnout with simple mindset shifts and practical habits.
    • Why limiting yourself to three key goals per day can help you achieve more while working less.

    If you’ve ever asked yourself, 'Should I take breaks when music feels draining?' Or 'how do I balance content creation and music production without burning out?' This episode gives you the answers.

    Whether you’re catching the early warning signs of creative fatigue or already deep in burnout territory, these strategies will help you create more music, reduce stress, and find joy in the process again.

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    We'd love to hear from you! Submit a question

    Send me a message

    Support the show

    Ways to connect with Marc:

    If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here

    Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

    Follow Marc's Socials:

    Instagram | YouTube

    Thanks for listening!!

    Try Riverside for FREE




    #207: How Many Drafts Does It Take to Finish a Track? (feat. Michael Oakley) Aug 12, 2025
    Show notes

    Have you ever abandoned a promising track because it suddenly "didn't feel right" the next day? Why does your track feel wrong the next day? Is Overthinking Killing Your Songwriting Process? In this eye-opening episode of Inside the Mix, synth-pop artist Michael Oakley unpacks the creative psychology behind overthinking songwriting and how our emotional state can sabotage musical momentum.

    Inspired by advice from Max Martin -“Don’t overthink a song until its third rewrite” -Michael reveals how writing 14+ song drafts taught him the balance between intuition and iteration. We explore the mental traps artists fall into: abandoning promising tracks, getting stuck in endless revisions, and losing objectivity. Michael shares how trusted collaborators (Ollie Wride, Dana Jean Phoenix, and John Kunkel) help him overcome production blindness and restore clarity to his mix decisions.

    You'll also learn practical strategies to break creative paralysis, from setting a tempo and key to choosing sounds that unlock inspiration. Discover how he transformed a 2000s-inspired track into a synthpop anthem, retaining its essence while reinventing its sound.

    Whether you’re battling the blank DAW screen or questioning your last vocal take, this episode offers real-world tools to finish more music with confidence.

    Subscribe now to join our community of producers and songwriters learning to navigate the creative landscape with confidence. Michael's new album arrives May 8th next year—perfect timing to apply these insights to your musical projects.

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    Follow Michael Oakley

    Listen to the Sodajerker podcast

    Xfer Serum

    Send me a message

    Support the show

    Ways to connect with Marc:

    If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here

    Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

    Follow Marc's Socials:

    Instagram | YouTube

    Thanks for listening!!

    Try Riverside for FREE




    #206: Why Your Vocal Comping Workflow Is Slowing You Down Aug 05, 2025
    Show notes

    Struggling with too many vocal takes? You nailed the perfect take, then recorded five more “just in case.” Now you’re lost in a sea of options, wondering how to create the perfect comp without losing your mind.

    In this episode of Inside the Mix, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson (Aisle9) reveal their proven strategies for organising takes and building seamless vocal comps. Learn how to avoid over-recording, why comping during the editing phase keeps your mixing sessions stress-free, and the ideal number of takes before vocal fatigue hits.

    We’ll cover:

    • How to organise multiple takes efficiently in your DAW
    • The right way to edit without clicks or pops
    • Why real double-tracking beats any plugin
    • How to manage performance anxiety and red light syndrome

    Whether you’re producing your music or working with artists, this episode gives you practical tools to streamline your workflow and get pro results, without the chaos.

    Links mentioned in this episode:

    We'd love to hear from you! Submit a question

    Listen to Paradise Cove

    Send me a message

    Support the show

    Ways to connect with Marc:

    If you'd like a second set of ears on your mix or workflow, you can book a no-pressure chat here

    Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips

    Follow Marc's Socials:

    Instagram | YouTube

    Thanks for listening!!

    Try Riverside for FREE




    Previous 1 2 3 4 5 24 Next

    Related Podcasts

    Twenty Thousand Hertz

    1

    Twenty Thousand Hertz Arts
    NPR Music

    2

    NPR Music Music
    Here’s The Thing with Alec Baldwin

    3

    Here’s The Thing with Alec Baldwin Arts
    Drink Champs

    4

    Drink Champs Music
    Soundtracking with Edith Bowman

    5

    Soundtracking with Edith Bowman Music
    Red FM Bauaa

    6

    Red FM Bauaa Music
    footer-logo

    Contact Us

    Toll Free: 844-670-7747

    Links

    • Home
    • Top Charts
    • Networks
    • Apps
    • Independents Podcasts
    • Podcast Advertising
    • Podcast News
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Analytics & Insights

    Stay Connected

      Privacy, Terms of Use & Our Code of Ethics Protecting Content Creators Copyrights