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.
Kick, Snare, and a Bathroom Mic: Our Drum Recording Philosophy | Studio Stuff Podcast #05
Recording drums in a small studio can feel like a mix of science, art… and sometimes total chaos. So how do you get great drum sounds without a million-dollar room or a warehouse full of gear?
In this episode, Chris and Steve break down their drum recording philosophy—covering everything from choosing the right kick and snare to getting creative with room mics (including one placed in the bathroom!). Whether you're working with a full kit or just a couple of mics, this episode is packed with real-world tips and personal studio stories.
You'll hear how we approach everything from mic placement to room treatment, the gear we use, and the philosophy behind why we record the way we do.
Oh—and yes, we do talk about the legendary butt-shaker for the drummer’s throne. Don’t worry, it all makes sense in context. 😄
You'll Learn:
✅ Why the drummer matters more than the drum kit or mic locker. ✅ The performance-first mindset that shapes our drum recording. ✅ How to record drums in a small room without sounding small. ✅ Why we sometimes use a bathroom mic for natural ambiance. ✅ What to prioritize when you’re limited to just a few inputs. ✅ How shell materials, drum heads, and mic choices affect tone.
Topics & Stories:
📌 Chris’s Bathroom Mic Trick: How a washroom became his favorite "room mic." 📌 Session vs. Loud Drummers: Why playing dynamically matters more than you think. 📌 Kick vs. Snare: What’s the most important part of the kit? 📌 Old Pearls & Cheap Kits: Why expensive drums don’t always sound better. 📌 Recording in Tight Spaces: How Chris adapted his studio setup with hallway and stair mics. 📌 Steve’s Live Room Take: Why he prefers tight recordings with reverb added later. 📌 The “Talkback Mic That Made the Mix”: A happy accident that became a drum room staple. 📌 Glyn Johns & Classic Techniques: Do they still work for modern productions?
Listener Q&A:
🎙️ “What exactly do you send to the mastering engineer? One stereo file or stems?” Chris and Steve break down the difference—and when sending stems might actually be the right move.
🎙️ “What level should I send my mix to mastering?” We talk about limiter use, mix bus gain staging, and why peaking digitally is never a good idea.
Final Takeaway:
You don’t need a massive space or expensive gear to get great drum sounds. Start with a great performance, make smart choices with your mic placement, and don’t be afraid to get creative with your environment—even if that means putting a mic in the bathroom.
📢 Join the conversation!
How are YOU recording drums in your home studio? Have you tried unusual room mic setups? Share your approach in the comments!
Got a Question for a Future Episode?
We love hearing from you! If you have a question about mixing, recording, mastering, or home studio gear, send it our way.
📩 Submit your question here: Form Link We’ll do our best to answer as many as possible in upcoming episodes!
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Ep04 - When is a Mix Done?
When Is a Mix Actually DONE? | Studio Stuff Podcast #04
Mixing a song feels like an endless loop sometimes—you tweak, adjust, listen again, and suddenly, you're back at square one. So, how do you actually know when a mix is finished?
In this episode, Chris and Steve dive deep into the never-ending question: When is a mix really done? They break down their own mixing workflows, share the struggles of over-mixing, and reveal the mental tricks they use to finally let go of a project.
Plus, we get into mix revisions, dealing with client feedback (including the “my nephew is also a mix engineer” nightmare), and why it’s so much harder to mix your own music than someone else’s.
Oh, and if you've ever wondered whether Chris thinks in French while mixing, we take a fun detour into that too. 🇫🇷
You'll Learn:
✅ The telltale signs that a mix is done—and when you’re just overthinking it. ✅ Why mixing your own music is WAY harder than mixing for clients. ✅ The “85% Rule” that helps you let go of a mix before you start ruining it. ✅ When client revisions are valid—and when they’re just over complicating things. ✅ How getting mix feedback from others can actually save you from endless tweaks. ✅ Why mixing in mono can reveal hidden mix issues you’d never catch otherwise.
Topics & Stories:
📌 The Food Analogy: Why over-mixing is like rearranging food on your plate when you’re already full. 📌 Chris’s “First 100%” Rule: Why his first mix delivery is actually his 85%. 📌 Steve’s 13 Revision Client: Some people just love to tweak forever… and sometimes, that’s okay. 📌 The Classic Nightmare: When a client says, “I sent the mix to my cousin who’s also a producer...” 🚨 📌 Mixing Your Own Music: Why the closer you are to a project, the harder it is to finish it. 📌 Mixing in Mono: Does it really help, or is it just another unnecessary step?
Listener Q&A:
🎙️ “How do you decide when your mix is actually done?” Chris and Steve break down their personal approaches—and why the “perfect mix” might not even exist.
🎙️ “Why mix in mono? What should I be listening for?” Find out what actually matters when you collapse your mix to mono (hint: phase issues, masking, and weird balance shifts).
Final Takeaway:
At some point, you have to stop tweaking and let the mix go. If you’re making tiny changes that don’t really affect the overall impact—chances are, you’re done. Instead of endlessly tweaking, learn from your mix and improve on the next one.
📢 Join the conversation! How do YOU decide when a mix is done? Do you have a system, or do you just go by feel? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Got a Question for a Future Episode?
We love hearing from you! If you have a question about mixing, recording, mastering, or home studio gear, send it our way.
📩 Submit your question here: Form Link We’ll do our best to answer as many as possible in upcoming episodes!
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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