#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 showEpisode sponsors: Master your music with confidence - enrol in Pro Home Mastering before the doors close! *If you grab the course using my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ways to connect with Marc: Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
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#200: How I 10x’d My Spotify Monthly Listeners as an Independent Artist
Wondering how to grow monthly listeners on Spotify as an independent artist, without gimmicks or burnout? In this episode, I break down my journey from 300 to nearly 3,000 Spotify listeners in just six months using real-world strategies.Learn why reducing SubmitHub costs led to more playlist features, how extending Facebook ads to three weeks boosted algorithmic reach, and why static images outperformed videos on my socials. I also share the powerful impact of genre consistency in building curator trust and break down my waterfall release strategy across four singles.You'll also hear about unexpected growth after pausing paid ads and how Amazing Radio’s free rotation helped sustain exposure. Plus, I unpack the truth behind playlist submission gates and whether new followers actually stick around.If you’ve searched “how to grow your Spotify audience without spending a fortune” or “do playlist gates actually help Spotify follower engagement,” this episode is for you.Whether you're a bedroom producer or an established artist, this is your roadmap to smarter growth, without sacrificing your creativity or sanity.Links mentioned in this episode: Presave 'Darklight' on SpotifyListen to Marc Matthews on SpotifyListen to Dystopian Progressive HouseListen to Synthpop & Synthwave BreakthroughSend me a message Support the showEpisode sponsors: Master your music with confidence - enrol in Pro Home Mastering before the doors close! *If you grab the course using my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ways to connect with Marc: Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
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#199: The Hidden Production Habits You’re Probably Ignoring (At Your Own Risk)
Ever wondered why your mixes don’t sound professional, even with decent gear and endless YouTube tutorials? In this episode, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson, AKA Aisle9, reveal the overlooked production habits that separate amateur mixes from polished tracks.Discover how using reference tracks, including your own successful work, can instantly level up your sound. The duo also expose their most cringeworthy recording mistakes, from misaligned mics to monitor mishaps, underscoring why getting things right at the source is critical.You'll also learn the workflow most producers ignore: poor project organisation. Marc and Tim share practical tips on track naming, grouping, and DAW session structure that boost efficiency, and no new gear is required.Whether on your first track or your fiftieth, this candid, tip-packed conversation will help you overcome common mixing hurdles, avoid overprocessing, and finally achieve that clean, professional sound you’ve been chasing.Tune in to transform your studio sessions and start producing music that truly translates.Links mentioned in this episode: Got a question? We'd love to hear from you! Submit a question, share your social media handles or website, and get featured in a future episode. Plus, one lucky person will win a Starbucks voucher each month!Send me a message Support the showEpisode sponsors: Master your music with confidence - enrol in Pro Home Mastering before the doors close! *If you grab the course using my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ways to connect with Marc: Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
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#198: Why I Never Release Music Without This Promotion Calendar
Struggling to promote your music on social media without burning out? You’re not alone. In this episode, Marc Matthews introduces his 30-day music release promotion calendar for indie musicians, a practical tool designed to eliminate guesswork, boost engagement, and help you post purposefully.You’ll learn what a social media content calendar for musicians is, how a content calendar can improve music promotion, and what tools can help musicians plan and schedule social media content. Marc breaks down how to schedule content types (like teasers, throwbacks, or studio clips), choose the right platforms, and, most importantly, track engagement metrics for your music posts.Marc also shares lessons from my campaigns, how tracking content performance helped his “Half-Life” release outperform “4-Minute Warning” with fewer posts and how to analyse the performance of your music releases online to get better results every time.This episode answers key questions like how to measure the success of your music marketing campaigns and how to track social media engagement for music releases, all while reducing burnout from social media as a music creator.Tune in and grab your free download of the calendar. Let’s make your next release smarter, not harder.Links mentioned in this episode: Grab your FREE 30-Day Social Media CalendarSend me a message Support the showEpisode sponsors: Master your music with confidence - enrol in Pro Home Mastering before the doors close! *If you grab the course using my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ways to connect with Marc: Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
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#197: Why I Don’t Touch Plugins Before Doing This - The Art of Static Mixing (feat. Nate Kelmes)
Why do some mixes, even with top plugins and techniques, still sound off? The answer might lie in a step you’re overlooking: the static mix.In this episode of Inside The Mix, Marc Matthews talks with mix engineer Nate Kelmes to explore: What is a static mix in audio mixing? And why is a static mix important before adding effects? Nate explains how balancing levels and panning, before any processing, can account for 70–80% of a great mix. “If the plugins disappear, the song should still work,” he says.You’ll learn how long to spend on a static mix (hint: 2–3 hours is a sweet spot), what the benefits of starting with a static mix are, and how a static mix improves overall mix quality by building emotion and clarity from the start. Nate also shares how a strong static mix can reduce the need for heavy processing later, making your workflow faster and more intentional.From native DAW tools to vocal automation and top-down mixing, this episode is packed with actionable insights for producers at any level. If you want more cohesive, impactful mixes, this is where it starts.Links mentioned in this episode: Follow Nate KelmesListen to the Sound Discussion PodcastListen to Microphones and Recording Audio with Mike SeniorListen to Music, the Industry and Everything Else with Warren HuartSend me a message Support the showEpisode sponsors: Master your music with confidence - enrol in Pro Home Mastering before the doors close! *If you grab the course using my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ways to connect with Marc: Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call 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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