The Self-Recording Band

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

👉 If you already have songs written and want to get them release-ready, go ahead and apply for coaching now. 
We’ll show you how to produce, record, mix, and master your songs. 
In your DAW of choice, and with only the plugins and gear you already own. 
With unlimited feedback, full 1-on-1 guidance, and a custom music production plan made specifically for you.

Sounds interesting?

🚀 Click here for all the details:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
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Episode show notes:
Everyone loves gear.
Most people just get their priorities wrong when it comes to picking the right equipment for the project.
In this episode, Benedikt walks you through Step 2 of the full music production process: choosing the right gear for your project — without overspending, obsessing over specs, or sabotaging your results before you even hit record.

This is not a list of “best microphones” or “must-have plugins.”
Instead, you’ll learn a clear hierarchy of what actually matters most, starting at the source and working all the way down to plugins.

If you’ve ever wondered:
Do I really need better gear?
Is something about my setup holding me back?
Where should I invest first — and what can wait?

This episode will give you clarity.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode:
Why instruments and sources matter more than any recording gear
How strings, drum skins, picks, and sticks shape your sound more than plugins ever will
Why cabs matter more than amps (and how to use IRs properly)
The smartest way to approach room acoustics without expensive builds
Why monitoring (especially headphones) is more important than interfaces, plugins, outboard gear or the DAW
How to choose the right microphones for your voice and room
When you actually need a DI box (and what specs matter)
Why modern audio interfaces mostly differ by features, not sound
How to choose the right DAW without getting stuck in brand wars
Why plugins and outboard gear belong at the bottom of the list

This episode will help you:
✔ Stop wasting money
✔ Make intentional gear decisions
✔ Get better recordings with what you already have
✔ Build a setup that actually supports your music

🔗 Need Help Choosing The Right Gear?
If you want personalized guidance for your setup, your music, and your goals:
👉 Apply for coaching at theselfrecordingband.com/coaching

We’ll listen to your music, build a custom production plan, and help you make the right decisions — without guesswork.
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For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/299
--

Send us a text
If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: [email protected]

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

👉 If you already have songs written and want to get them release-ready, go ahead and apply for coaching now. 
We’ll show you how to produce, record, mix, and master your songs. 
In your DAW of choice, and with only the plugins and gear you already own. 
With unlimited feedback, full 1-on-1 guidance, and a custom music production plan made specifically for you.

Sounds interesting?

🚀 Click here for all the details:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
--
Episode show notes:
In this episode, Benedikt and Manel kick off a brand-new series where they break down the entire music production process from start to finish.
This episode covers Step 1: The Foundation - the most overlooked phase of production, and the one that determines whether everything later (recording, mixing, mastering) becomes smooth… or a constant fight.

You’ll learn why:
Great mixes can’t fix weak songs
Intentional decisions beat guessing every time
Clarity early on saves hours later in production

This episode is long, deep, and practical - designed to give you a repeatable mental framework you can return to every time you start a new song or record.

What You’ll Learn
Why vision and intention matter more than gear
How to define what your record actually needs to sound like
The difference between writing, arrangement, and production (and why it matters)
How to avoid over-complicating songs with unnecessary layers
Why “done is better than perfect” in the early phases
How lyrics, melody, arrangement, and emotion work together
How experienced producers think about groove, space, contrast, and impact
Why clarity in the foundation makes recording and mixing faster and easier

Key Takeaway
If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, every decision later becomes a guess.
This episode helps you define the target before you hit record.

Listen / Watch
Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, all major platforms
YouTube: Full video version available
--

For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/298
--

Send us a text
If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: [email protected]

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

👉 If you already have songs written and want to get them release-ready, go ahead and apply for coaching now. 
We’ll show you how to produce, record, mix, and master your songs. 
In your DAW of choice, and with only the plugins and gear you already own. 
With unlimited feedback, full 1-on-1 guidance, and a custom music production plan made specifically for you.

Sounds interesting?

🚀 Click here for all the details:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
--
Episode show notes:
In this episode, we’re joined by Connor Daniel - an LA-based writer, producer, and engineer, working closely with John Feldmann, while also producing and mixing records from his own home studio.
Connor has worked on projects involving artists like Avril Lavigne, Yellowcard, Simple Plan, and collaborations featuring Travis Barker - but what makes this conversation especially relevant is that Connor still self-records his own band, socialghosts, and produces much of his work outside of big studios.
This episode is a deep, honest conversation about:
What actually matters in modern rock and pop production
Why song and taste beat gear every time
How to navigate self-recording without overthinking gear and setups
When polished production helps - and when raw honesty wins
How to collaborate better as a producer, engineer, or artist
No hype. No dogma. Just real-world insight from someone working at the highest level and in a bedroom studio.
Topics We Cover
Connor’s unexpected path from artist to producer/engineer
Learning production by necessity
Getting hired at a major studio via Instagram
What really makes assistants stand out in pro environments
Why producing your own band is harder than producing others
Templates, workflows, and staying organized without killing creativity
Mixing in untreated rooms (and how to make it work)
Translation vs. perfection when checking mixes
Genre-blending, modern rock trends, and authenticity
Why listeners don’t care about your gear choices
The psychology of collaboration and producer communication
When to trust instinct - and when to just try the idea
Listen / Watch
Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, all major platforms
YouTube: Full video version available
--

For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/297
--
Send us a text
If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: [email protected]

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

👉 If you already have songs written and want to get them release-ready, go ahead and apply for coaching now. 
We’ll show you how to produce, record, mix, and master your songs. 
In your DAW of choice, and with only the plugins and gear you already own. 
With unlimited feedback, full 1-on-1 guidance, and a custom music production plan made specifically for you.

Sounds interesting?

🚀 Click here for all the details:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
--
Episode show notes:
Making a great record isn’t about plugins, presets, or expensive gear.
It’s about following a clear, repeatable process — every single time.
In this episode, Benedikt and Manel break down the 10-step process that goes into every record, regardless of genre, budget, or studio size. This is the big-picture overview that most artists never get. And the starting point for a full upcoming series where each step will be explored in depth.
If you’ve ever wondered:
Where do I actually start?
What comes next?
Which steps can I do myself - and where do I need help?
This episode gives you the full map.

🔟 The 10 Steps Covered in This Episode
Foundation – Vision, taste, identity, songwriting & creative direction
Picking The Right Gear – What actually matters (and what doesn’t)
Pre-Production – Turning ideas into a clear blueprint
Recording Setup – Soundcheck, instruments, room, microphones
Recording – Capturing emotion, performances & momentum
Session Cleanup – Comping, organization, preparation
Post-Production – Layers, effects, samples & enhancements
Editing – Timing, tuning, cleanup (without killing the vibe)
Mixing – Turning many tracks into one emotional statement
Mastering – Final delivery, quality control, translation & release-ready formats

This isn’t about doing everything perfectly.
It’s about not skipping steps.

🎯 Why This Matters
Most self-recording artists struggle because:
they jump between phases
they already mix while they're still writing
they buy gear instead of building foundations
they don’t know what “done” actually means

This framework gives you clarity, confidence, and momentum. Whether you want to do everything yourself or build a team.

🔗 Next Steps & Resources
📌 Explore related episodes for each step on the show notes page
🎧 Listen to future episodes as we go step-by-step through the process
🎓 Want guidance while making your own record? 👉 Apply for coaching at theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
--

For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/296
--
Send us a text
If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: [email protected]

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

👉 If you already have songs written and want to get them release-ready, go ahead and apply for coaching now. 
We’ll show you how to produce, record, mix, and master your songs. 
In your DAW of choice, and with only the plugins and gear you already own. 
With unlimited feedback, full 1-on-1 guidance, and a custom music production plan made specifically for you.

Sounds interesting?

🚀 Click here for all the details:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
--
Episode show notes:
Real Talk, Tough Love Edition

Why don’t your records sound the way you want them to?
In this episode, Benedikt and Manel get brutally honest about one of the most uncomfortable truths in music production:
👉 It’s not your talent, your plugins, or your gear holding you back.
👉 It’s what you’re not doing — and what you keep postponing.
This episode sets the foundation for an upcoming in-depth series that walks through the entire record-making process from start to finish. But before we talk workflows, plugins, or techniques, we need to talk mindset, priorities, and reality.

This is a tough-love conversation — not to discourage you, but to help you finally move forward.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why most self-recorded music never reaches the artist’s own expectations
The real difference between artists you admire and those who stay stuck
Why “doing it for free” is a myth (and what it actually costs instead)
The three real paths to making records you’re proud of
Why information alone doesn’t lead to results — implementation does
How unrealistic expectations quietly kill creative momentum
The 10 essential steps that go into every great record
If you’ve ever felt frustrated, overwhelmed, or stuck halfway through your own productions — this episode will reset your perspective.

Want help actually implementing this?

If you already know you need structure, accountability, and a clear plan tailored to your situation, apply for a coaching spot at
👉 theselfrecordingband.com/coaching
--

For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/295
--
Send us a text
If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: [email protected]