Ever wondered why your latest release doesn’t hit as hard as your favorite records—even though you “did everything right”? In this episode, I break down one of the most common (and costly) mistakes metal bands make: hiring the cheapest engineer they can find.

I share real stories from the trenches, including one band that ended up spending more time and money fixing a bad mix than if they had just invested in quality from the start.

In this episode, I cover:

• The hidden costs of hiring budget engineers
• What pro engineers actually bring to your music
• How a bad mix can kill your momentum, streams, and opportunities
• How to find a quality engineer even if you're on a budget
• Smart strategies for bands working with limited funds

Whether you're about to record your first EP or prepping your next album, this episode will help you avoid common traps and make decisions that truly move your band forward.

🔥 Ready to level up your sound?
Reach out to me for mixing, production, or just to get pointed in the right direction.

📩 Have questions or feedback? Hit me up!

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review to support the show and keep the metal community strong.

In this episode, I’m joined by Alan Douches, a Grammy-winning mastering engineer who’s worked with heavy music icons like Converge, Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, and The Black Dahlia Murder. With over 16,000 albums under his belt and nearly four decades in the industry, Alan brings unmatched insight into the world of mastering—and why it’s a crucial final step for any serious metal band.

Whether you're prepping to release your first record or you’ve already logged years on the road, Alan breaks down what bands need to know if they want their music to hit hard and stand out.

What We Cover:

• What mastering really is—and what it isn’t
• Why collaboration between band, mixer, and mastering engineer is essential
• Common mistakes bands make before and during mastering
• How to avoid the “fix-it-in-mastering” mindset
• What bands should know about loudness normalization on streaming platforms
• The future of immersive audio (Dolby Atmos) and how it affects metal
• Staying original in an oversaturated scene

Key Quote:
"All the successful records I’ve been involved in came down to one thing—teamwork." — Alan Douches

Listen if you’re a:
🎸 Metal band prepping for a release
🎚️ Producer or engineer working in heavy genres
💡 Musician who wants to understand what really makes a record sound pro

Follow Alan Douches / West West Side Music:
🔗 [Website]
🔗 [Instagram]

Most metal bands are still thinking the old way: “Write the album. Record the album. Drop the album. Tour the album.” But here’s the problem:

In the age of short attention spans, social media algorithms, and weekly new releases—That strategy is just... outdated.

When you wait a year between projects, the hype dies.

Now imagine releasing a killer single every 6–8 weeks. Each one is an opportunity to promote. Each one gives fans something new to talk about. That’s how you build momentum.

In this week’s episode I break down the five reasons why singles beat albums for modern metal bands

The 5 reasons I discuss include:

• Attention spans are short
• Streaming algorithms favor consistency
• Every track gets its moment
• Faster feedback loop
• Budget - friendly

If you’ve got a finished album I want you to rethink your release strategy. Break it down into singles.Pick one track and go all in. Build hype, post content, run a promo. Make it a full-on event. Then do it again. And again.

If you don’t know where to begin, DM me on Instagram @liquid_studios I’ll help you sketch it out.

What if I told you that you could make recordings that sound just as good, if not better than a professional studio, and save yourself a ton of cash in the process?

 Over the past 12 years, I've helped countless bands produce aggressive music they're proud to release, all without stepping foot into a professional studio.

I’m sure a lot of you can relate to this…

You pool your money to record at a professional studio thinking this is the golden ticket to achieving the sound you are after. Fast forward, and what you get is a sterile, overproduced product that sounds nothing like the raw energy you have live.

This is not a unique experience. It’s a common disconnect between what you wanted and what the studio was giving you. Professional studios are often more concerned with perfection than passion.

And that’s a big reason why recording on your own is a better option.

In this week’s episode, I’m  diving into why professional recording studios are overrated and why you could do it better on your own.

The main topics I discuss include:

• Cost
• Creative control
• The accessibility of gear
• The power of DIY
• Energy and authenticity

Start small, get some basic gear, and begin recording at home. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be creating music that sounds even better than what you’d pay for at some overpriced studio.

If you’re unsure where to start, hit me up on instagram @liquid_studios, and I’ll share some of the gear I recommend and how I personally approach recording.

For metal bands, having a great sounding mix is essential to convey the intensity, power, and complexity of their music. How you prepare those tracks could be the difference between getting a killer mix and having your engineer secretly plotting revenge.

By preparing your recorded tracks for mixing you provide the mix engineer with the tools needed to bring your sonic vision to life.

A few years ago I was hired to mix a single for a band that self recorded. I was sent a folder with over 100 tracks, all labeled audio-1 audio-1.1, audio-1.2 and so on. On top of that their tracks were clipping, had heavy processing on them, and didn’t line up when I imported them into my DAW.

It was a nightmare!

I spent more time trying to make sense of what was sent to me than being creative. Dealing with this mess took my focus away from what was most important, making the song sound as good as possible.

Now I don’t want this to be you!

In this week’s episode, I’m going to give you all the details on how to prepare your tracks for mixing like a pro.

The major topics I discuss include:

• Cleaning up your recorded tracks.
• Exporting your tracks
• Labeling your tracks
• Organizing your exported tracks

If you want a clear breakdown of everything covered in today’s episode, I’ve put together a free Mix Prep Guide that is simple to follow and covers everything you need to make sure you’re sending your tracks like a total pro.

GET YOUR FREE MIX PREP GUIDE HERE

By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your tracks are clean, organized, and ready to be mixed into the crushing metal masterpiece you know they can be.

A bad mix will rob your music of its punch, clarity, and intensity. A great mix can unlock massive opportunities, from elevating your band's sound to reaching new fans and standing out in a crowded scene.

Working with a professional mixing engineer is the best way to ensure your recordings achieve your sonic vision.

10 years ago a band asked me to remix and master a few songs for them. At the time they were stuck playing local shows and were struggling to get any streams. After I remixed and mastered their songs, they were able to get signed to a label, do tours of the US and Europe, and achieved well over 100,000 streams.

Having a professional sound to their recordings was the key to getting them signed to a label and playing bigger, better shows.

But when do you know it's time to call in a pro?

In this week’s episode, I’m going to break down the top 3 signs that it might be time to hire a professional mixing engineer.

The 3 signs I discuss include:

• Your mixes lack clarity and definition.
• Your mix sounds good on one set of speakers but terrible on another.
• You’ve hit a creative wall or can’t come up with fresh ideas for the mix.

Hiring a mixing engineer is not a sign of failure, it’s an investment in your sound. They’re there to take what you’ve created and give it the professional polish it deserves.

If you are interested in having me mix your music, head over to my website and click the “Get Started” button.