Ep 21 - The Mixing Debate: Science vs. Feel—Which One Actually Wins?
Do You Really Need Audio Theory to Mix Great?
Some of us love the graphs. Some of us love the vibe. In this episode, we (Chris & Steve) talk about the sweet spot between technical knowledge and practical decision-making.
How much theory do you actually need? When does ear training beat book learning? And how do you keep your mixes translating on cars, phones, earbuds, and studio monitors without chasing your tail?
We also answer a listener question about mixes that sound muddy or tinny on different systems, and lay out a quick, repeatable translation check using references you already love.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Audient.
We’ve been leaning on the iD-series interfaces lately: clean when you want it, pushable when you need it.
You’ll Learn:
The real value of technical knowledge, and where it stops helping
Ear training that actually speeds up your mix decisions
A 10-minute translation test you can repeat every mix
How to use references on each system before judging your own mix
Why “enjoy the journey” is more than a motivational poster in the studio
Topics & Stories:
Andrew Scheps vs. “feel-first” mixers - two valid paths to great results
Harman curves, compression “definitions,” and the limits of theory
Plugin Doctor curiosity vs. productivity
The car test (done right): know the system before you judge the mix
Gearspace nostalgia and why we avoid unproductive debates
Listener Q&A: “My mixes don’t translate. They’re muddy on one system and thin on another.” Our take: start with references on each system, then compare yours. Know your playback rigs (car, living room, headphones) by listening to pro mixes first, then A/B to gauge if you’re truly off, or just unfamiliar with the system.
Final Takeaway: Learn enough to move faster, train your ears relentlessly, and keep asking, “Does this serve the song?” Translation comes from knowing your systems and using references, not buying a new pair of speakers.
👉 Got a question for us?📩 Submit it here: Form Link We’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
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Ep 20 - “Flat” Headphones: What It REALLY Means - with Rok Gulič (OLLO Audio)
Everyone talks about “flat” headphones for mixing… but what does flat actually mean?
In this episode, we sit down with Rok Gulič of OLLO Audio to unpack the myths and realities behind flat response, low end, calibration, and translation when mixing on headphones.
We dive into why “flat” isn’t one curve, how calibration really works, and how psychoacoustics shape what we think we’re hearing, especially in the low end.
Plus, Rok explains the differences between driver types, the role of crossfeed and room emulations, and whether Atmos mixing on headphones is truly possible.
You’ll Learn
What “flat” response really means (and why there’s no single standard)
Why calibration matters for translation between pairs
Dynamic vs planar drivers—and how they affect distortion and bass
How referencing trumps tools when mixing on headphones
Why our body experience changes how we hear low end
Whether crossfeed and room emulation plugins are worth committing to
How Atmos mixing on headphones is already happening
Topics & Stories
From foam Walkman pads to pro studio cans
The rise of headphone mixing in home studios
“Flat according to what?”—the scientific tolerance range
Unit-by-unit calibration explained (and why OLLO does it)
Crossfeed as a way to “move out of the sweet spot”
Bass perception, body memory, and translation struggles
The future: Atmos on headphones and beyond
Listener Q&A
Q: Should I commit to crossfeed/room emulation plugins? A: Use them like virtual “movement checks.” They’re not essential, but if they help you build trust in your balances, they’re worth trying.
Final Takeaway
“Flat” is not a single curve. It’s a range. The key is choosing trustworthy tools, referencing a lot, and learning what your headphones are telling you, so your mixes translate everywhere.
👉 Got a question for us?
📩 Submit it here: Form LinkWe’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
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Ep 19 - The Most Powerful Tool in Your DAW
Studio Stuff Podcast #19 |The Most Powerful Tool in Your DAW
Automation: it’s more than fader rides, it’s storytelling. In this episode, we’re unpacking how automation evolved from a handful of engineers riding faders on an analog desk to today’s unlimited possibilities inside the DAW. And more importantly, how we use it every day to make music feel alive.
You’ll Learn:
Why automation is the most powerful creative tool in your DAW
How clip gain changes the entire mix before you even hit a compressor
When to automate faders, plugins, EQ, panning, and when not to
Why subtle automation moves create emotion listeners can’t even explain
How presets and “happy accidents” can spark inspiration
Topics & Stories:
The wild days of four people mixing on the same console at once
Our favorite creative uses of delay throws, panning tricks, and EQ rides
When automation makes a part feel like a hook
Over-automation: what it sounds like and how to avoid it
The steak and salt analogy (why sometimes less is more)
Plugin presets that sparked whole new creative directions
Listener Q&A:
Shoutout to Ken from YouTube for sparking our talk about plugin presets and experimenting as a way to stay creative in the studio.
Final Takeaway:
Automation isn’t about showing off, it’s about serving the song. When used with intention, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to make music emotional, dynamic, and unforgettable.
👉 Got a question for us?
📩 Submit it here: Form Link We’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
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Ep 18 - Live Sound vs Studio Mixing: What We’ve Learned From Both Worlds
Studio Stuff Podcast #18 | Live Sound vs Studio Mixing: What We’ve Learned From Both Worlds
Some of us are at home in a controlled studio, tweaking every detail until the mix is just right. Others thrive under the pressure of a live show, mixing on the fly in front of thousands. We’ve done both — and in this episode, we’re unpacking the lessons each world has taught us.
From corporate gigs to church productions to mixing album release shows, we share the wins, fails, and “MacGyver” moments that shaped our approach to mixing. You’ll hear why live sound engineers make faster decisions, how studio habits can make live shows more emotional, and why the best mixers often straddle both worlds.
You'll Learn:
How to stay calm under pressure when gear fails mid-show
Why quick thinking is a survival skill for live sound
Studio automation tricks that bring life to live mixes
How in-ear monitoring and click tracks changed the live game
Why “perfection” means something different on stage than in the studio
Topics & Stories:
Chris’ church gig blackout disaster
Steve’s take on managing band trust in fast-turnaround soundchecks
Riding faders live like an instrument
Bringing studio plugins to live shows (yes, really)
Why wedges were the old enemy — and how in-ears saved the day
Final Takeaway:
Live sound and studio mixing aren’t rivals — they’re complementary skills. The best engineers borrow from both worlds to create mixes that connect emotionally and translate in any environment.
👉 Got a question for us?
📩 Submit your question here: Form LinkWe’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.
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Ep17 - Are You LAZY or Just Working SMART in the Studio?
Studio Stuff Podcast #17 | Good Lazy, Bad Lazy: What We Skip in the Studio (And Why)
We all have those things we should do in the studio… but don’t. In this episode, we’re getting real about the habits we tend to skip—not because we don’t know better, but because sometimes it’s just easier (or smarter?) not to.
We’re talking about “studio laziness” in all its forms—from forgetting to print stems to dodging analog gear setup. The question is: when does it cross from saving time to causing problems later?
You'll Learn:
Why we often skip printing stems… and how it bites us later
The old plugin problem: why we keep them and when we finally let go
Why setting up analog gear feels like going to the gym
The truth about plugin presets (and whether we tweak them or not)
Why finishing that song might not be laziness—it might be something deeper
Topics & Stories:
Armenian basturma and garlic tailpipes 🤢
Dom Sigalas in yellow (if you know, you know)
Our folder and file organization quirks
How Cubase folders and macros help (or don’t)
VCA groups vs Busses: a follow-up listener Q&A
Listener Q&A:
Shoutout to “Popular Beat Combo” for the great question about VCA routing and keeping relative levels intact. We break down how it compares to using busses and why it still matters.
Final Takeaway:
Sometimes “lazy” is just being efficient. But other times… it might be procrastination in disguise. The key? Know when you’re avoiding something that really matters—and fix it before it fixes your mix.
👉 Got a question for us?
📩 Submit your question here: Form LinkWe’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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