Ep08 - What If Analog Gear Isn’t About the Sound at All?
Studio Stuff Podcast #08 What If Analog Gear Isn’t 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 time—but things quickly take a turn into one of the most honest and overlooked conversations about analog gear: what if it’s 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.
You’ll Learn:
✅ Why analog gear still brings joy—even when digital sounds just as good✅ The "psychology of the knob" and how physical gear can change your workflow✅ Why "pleasure" might be a more important reason to use analog than we admit✅ Chris and Steve’s favorite toys (not just tools!) in their studios✅ 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)
Steve’s years with an SSL console—and why it’s now in storage
Chris’s 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 own—and 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
Final Takeaway:
Analog gear isn’t always about the audio quality. Sometimes, it’s about joy, inspiration, and the feeling of being connected to the process. And maybe—just maybe—that’s enough.
📢 Join the conversation!
What’s your take on analog gear—do 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.
🎧 Got a question you want answered on the podcast?
We’d love to hear from you!📩 Submit your question here: Form LinkWe’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
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Ep07 Q&A - Do You Trust your Studio Monitors or AirPods?
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: “Do you trust your monitors, or test it on other systems before sending it off?” We get into our own habits—like 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.
Mixing Drums, Time-Align Debate & Poor Hi-Hats | Studio Stuff Podcast #07
Drums are the heartbeat of a track—but getting them to feel right in the mix? That’s 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 mic—we 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:
✅ Why we both start mixes with overheads—and how it changed our drum sound. ✅ How to decide if your overheads are for cymbals or the whole kit. ✅ When drum samples are essential—and when they just get in the way. ✅ Our personal routing setups (and why they might be overkill). ✅ How we handle phase, time alignment, and why we don’t always agree. ✅ Tricks for taming hi-hats and bright cymbals without killing your tone.
Topics & Stories:
📌 The overhead-first approach: why it works and what to watch for. 📌 Our favorite sample stacking techniques (and why we name them like pizza toppings). 📌 Drum bus setup, parallel compression, and how not to overdo it. 📌 Why clipping might be your drum mix’s best friend. 📌 Room samples vs. reverb plugins: what we reach for first. 📌 “Mixing with your eyes” (yes, we admit it… pretty plugins matter). 📌 Silencer, Soothe, and our favorite tom gating tricks. 📌 What we do when our mix “falls apart” at the loud parts. 📌 How we build a drum sound that fits the whole song—not just soloed drums.
Listener Q&A:
🎙️ “Should I time-align overheads to the snare—or just leave them?” 🎙️ “What’s the point of using room samples instead of reverb?” 🎙️ “How many drum samples are too many?”
We talk about all of these… and probably overthink most of them.
Final Takeaway:
There’s no one right way to mix drums. It’s 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!
What’s your go-to drum mixing trick? Do you mix from a drummer’s perspective—or the audience’s?
Drop your thoughts below or tag us on socials!
Got a question for a future episode?
We’d love to hear from you!📩 Submit your question here: Form Link We’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
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Ep06 Q&A - The Secrets Behind Songs That Make You FEEL Something
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 — and how we try to bring that same energy into the music we work on.
📢 Join the conversation!What’s the next piece of gear you’re planning to buy?Tell us how you’re building your home studio—one smart choice at a time.
Got a question for a future episode?🎧 We’d love to hear from you!📩 Submit your question here: Form LinkWe’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
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EP06 - What Should You Buy Next for Your Home Studio?
What Should You Buy Next for Your Home Studio? | Studio Stuff Podcast #06
Building a home studio can feel like navigating a never-ending gear jungle. Mic? Interface? Preamp? Cables? What should you actually buy next—and what can wait?
In this episode, Chris and Steve walk through how they’d prioritize studio gear purchases if they were starting from scratch today. Whether you're working with a tight budget or just got some surprise "mom money" 💸, we’ll help you figure out what makes the biggest difference in your sound—and what’s just hype.
From entry-level mics to multi-thousand-dollar preamps, this one’s packed with real-world advice, gear suggestions, and plenty of laughs.
You'll Learn:
✅ What gear actually improves your sound the most. ✅ Why the microphone is still king—yes, even over your preamp. ✅ How to think about gear upgrades as your needs evolve. ✅ When two budget mics beat one expensive one. ✅ What to look for in an interface (hint: it's not just converters). ✅ Cables: where to save, where to spend (and where not to care).
Topics & Stories:
📌 Dynamic vs. Condenser Mics: What to buy first—and why. 📌 $200 vs. $2,000 mics: Is the gap still worth it in 2025? 📌 The Case for Building a "Mic Locker" One Piece at a Time. 📌 When Renting Gear Is Smarter Than Buying. 📌 Cheap Cables, Expensive Connectors: Chris’s take on budget signal chains. 📌 Preamp Personalities: How one guy’s "dream sound" is another guy’s regret. 📌 Interface Buying Guide: How to choose one that fits your workflow. 📌 Monitoring & Headphones: When to skip monitors and just go closed-back. 📌 The Real Game-Changer: Learning the gear you already own.
Listener Q&A:
🎙️ “Should I get one great preamp or two budget ones?” 🎙️ “Do converters still matter as much as they used to?” 🎙️ “Can I get professional results on an entry-level interface?” We dive into these questions and more throughout the episode.
Final Takeaway:
Don’t fall into the trap of chasing gear for the sake of gear. Learn what really makes a difference for your specific setup, buy intentionally, and remember—it's better to master a $150 mic than to misuse a $1,500 one.
📢 Join the conversation!
What’s the next piece of gear you’re planning to buy? Tell us how you’re building your home studio—one smart choice at a time.
Got a question for a future episode?
🎧 We’d love to hear from you!📩 Submit your question here: Form Link We’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
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.
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