#205: Why Artists Need Strategy Over Followers in 2025 (feat. Jesse Kirshbaum)
The music industry is shifting fast—are you ready for it? In this episode, Jesse Kirshbaum returns to Inside the Mix to break down how independent artists can build sustainable music careers in 2025. From strategic content creation to authentic brand deals, Jesse shares how “selling in” (not selling out) can help you monetize without compromising your creativity.We dive into why follower count no longer dictates brand value, how artists with smaller audiences can still land partnerships, and what platforms reward consistent over perfect content. Jesse also unpacks the surprising return of physical retail spaces and why real-world fan engagement is more valuable than ever.This episode reveals how to approach non-music brands, align with your values, and stay relevant in a fragmented industry where niche audiences rule. Whether you're just starting or rethinking your strategy, Jesse’s insights from the Beats + Bytes 2025 Halftime Report give you the tools to succeed on your own terms.Links mentioned in this episode: Follow Jesse KirshbaumBeats & Bytes 2025 Half Time ReportSend me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
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#204: What Is Dither in Audio? When and Why to Use It (feat. Ian Stewart)
Ever wondered why engineers intentionally add noise to audio? In this episode of Inside the Mix, returning guest, mastering engineer and Berklee professor Ian Stewart, breaks down what dither is, why it’s used, and when to apply it in your music production workflow.Through clear explanations and real audio demos, Ian demonstrates how dither replaces digital artefacts with smooth, barely noticeable noise, preserving details such as reverb tails and low-level audio that would otherwise be distorted during bit depth reduction.You’ll learn:Do I need to dither when exporting a 24-bit file to a 16-bit file?Can skipping dither cause distortion in quiet passages?When should you use dither in mastering?Whether you’re mixing in 32-bit float or exporting for streaming, this episode explains how audio dither helps preserve quality during final delivery and when it’s best to skip it.Links mentioned in this episode: Follow Ian Stewart 32-Bit Float Files ExplainedGoodhertz Good DitherIzotope RX 11Wavelabs 30th Anniversary Send me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
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#203: What Actually Happens When You Choose a Sample Rate? (feat. Ian Stewart)
Confused about which audio sample rate to choose for your music? Whether you're recording your first track or mastering for Dolby Atmos, knowing the difference between 44.1kHz, 48kHz, and 96kHz is more than technical—it’s essential to how your music sounds and where it ends up.In this episode of Inside the Mix, mastering engineer and Berklee professor Ian Stewart returns to demystify one of the most misunderstood elements in music production: digital audio sample rates.We answer common questions like:What is a sample rate in audio production?Should I use 44.1kHz or 48kHz when mixing?Does a higher sample rate improve sound quality?What sample rate should I use for streaming or mastering?Ian explains the Nyquist-Shannon theorem, how aliasing impacts your mix, and why 48kHz is the new practical standard, from YouTube to Bluetooth devices to Dolby Atmos. Plus, we discuss how higher sample rates give your plugins more headroom for harmonic generation and cleaner processing.Don’t miss this one if you’re serious about choosing the best sample rate for your music. And stay tuned, next episode we dive into dither.Links mentioned in this episode: Follow Ian Stewart Send me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
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#202: I Gamified My Music Production - It Changed Everything
Ever wondered if you're tracking the right metrics in your music production journey? That nagging question—"Am I measuring what truly drives growth or just staying busy?"—led me to create something that transformed my creative process completely.In this episode of Inside the Mix, I introduce the Producer Growth Scorecard—a free, gamified tool designed to help you track what actually moves the needle in your music career.Whether you're trying to release a new track every six weeks or just break through creative ruts, this system helps you focus on the right production habits. Each task—like finishing a loop, mixing a track, or releasing a single—earns points toward a weekly goal. The target? 40 points per week. Simple, measurable, and motivating.We’ll dive into how the scorecard works, how it ties your day-to-day activity to long-term output, and why it’s helping producers worldwide stay consistent and finish more music.If you’ve ever asked, “How do I stay productive as a music producer?” or “What should I track to grow as an indie artist?”—this is the episode for youLinks mentioned in this episode: Grab your FREE Producer Growth ScorecardSend me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
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#201: What If Your De-esser Plugin Could Do More Than Fix Sibilance?
What if your go-to vocal de-esser plugin could do so much more?In this episode, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson break down the creative power of de-essers and why they might be the secret weapon missing from your mix.We kick things off with how de-essers work (spoiler: it’s more than just “s” sounds), before diving into smart, non-traditional de-esser techniques—like taming harsh cymbals, controlling boxy kick drums, and even smoothing out reverb tails and delay returns.Can you use a de-esser on backing vocal buses? Is a de-esser better than dynamic EQ for harsh instruments? We answer these, share real-world wins (and mixing mistakes), and explain when less control = better resultsIf you've ever asked, “Should I use a de-esser on something other than vocals?” or “How do I stop overprocessing my mix?”—this one’s for you.Whether you’re producing electronic vocals or mixing acoustic drums, you’ll leave this episode with actionable tricks to clean up harsh frequencies without killing vibe or tone.Links mentioned in this episode: Listen to 'Darklight' on SpotifyListen to 'Future No More' on SpotifySend me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
About Music Production and Mixing Tips Podcast for DIY Producers and Artists | Inside The Mix
If you're searching for answers on topics such as: How do I make my mixes sound professional? What equipment do I need to start producing music at home? What is the difference between mixing and mastering? What are some of your favourite production tools and techniques? How do I get my music noticed by record labels? Or what are the key elements of an effective music marketing strategy? Either way, you’re my kind of person, and there's something in this podcast for you! I'm Marc Matthews, and I host the Inside The Mix Podcast. It's the ultimate serial podcast for music production and mixing enthusiasts. Say goodbye to generic interviews and tutorials, because I'm taking things to the next level. Join me as I feature listeners in round table music critiques and offer exclusive one-to-one coaching sessions to kickstart your music production and mixing journey. Prepare for cutting-edge music production tutorials and insightful interviews with Grammy Award-winning audio professionals like Dom Morley (Adele) and Mike Exeter (Black Sabbath). If you're passionate about music production and mixing like me, Inside The Mix is the podcast you can't afford to miss!Start with this audience-favourite episode: #175: What's the Secret to Mixing Without Muddiness? Achieving Clarity and Dynamics in a MixThanks for listening!
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