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

1. Foundation – Vision, taste, identity, songwriting & creative direction
2. Picking The Right Gear – What actually matters (and what doesn’t)
3. Pre-Production – Turning ideas into a clear blueprint
4. Recording Setup – Soundcheck, instruments, room, microphones
5. Recording – Capturing emotion, performances & momentum
6. Session Cleanup – Comping, organization, preparation
7. Post-Production – Layers, effects, samples & enhancements
8. Editing – Timing, tuning, cleanup (without killing the vibe)
9. Mixing – Turning many tracks into one emotional statement
10. 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: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

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: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com

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:

Most artists want a chorus that lifts, hits harder, and feels bigger than the rest of the song. But when your chorus falls flat, lacks impact, or simply doesn’t feel like a chorus… it’s usually a songwriting or arrangement issue.

In this episode, Manel and Benedikt share 5 practical, easy-to-apply tricks you can use immediately to make your choruses hit harder — without adding dozens of new layers, buying more plugins, or overthinking your production decisions.

You’ll learn:

• Why strategically removing instruments can make your chorus explode
• How to use lyric structure to create surprise + impact
• Why silence is one of the most powerful songwriting tools
• How risers, reverse reverbs & swells lift a chorus
• How reusing motifs can glue your song together
• Bonus: Why choosing the right key can fix your chorus before you even arrange it

Plus: Hear examples from productions Manel worked on and classic songs that use these tricks brilliantly.

--

For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/294

Send us a text

If you have any questions, feedback, topic ideas or want to suggest a guest, email us at: podcast@theselfrecordingband.com