BONUS: Music Rights and Royalties Finally Explained!
Download the free Rights and Royalties eBook here: https://www.kharazmusic.productions/rights-and-royalties Vadim's website: https://www.kharazmusic.productions/
Jan 14, 2025•23 min
DIY Recording Guys
We believe that, with minimal gear and a bit of knowledge, DIY musicians can get pro quality recordings.
Our mission is to provide that knowledge
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Episodes
97: Finale
We've had an absolute blast making this podcast. It's given us ample opportunity to learn. To teach. To meet new people around the world. Now it's time move on....but not before we reminisce and, of course, share some favorite tips and tricks. Where to Find the Guys Free DIY Recording eBook: https://www.howtorecordyourband.com Vadim's Studio Site - Get your FREE test mix today! - https://www.calmfrogrecording.com Benjamin's Studio Site - https://www.dreamloudstudio.com Leave a rating. Be a frien...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 20 min
96: Making Your Own Drum Virtual Instrument
Ever wish you could just use your OWN drum kit sounds in a VI or sampler like Slate Trigger? Ben did. On this episode he talks about how to do it and what he learned. Where to Find the Guys Free DIY Recording eBook: https://www.howtorecordyourband.com Vadim's Studio Site - Get your FREE test mix today! - https://www.calmfrogrecording.com Benjamin's Studio Site - https://www.dreamloudstudio.com Leave a rating. Be a friend - http://www.getpodcast.reviews/id/1494761702 Book a free coaching call: ht...
Jan 05, 2023•58 min
95: Vadim Switches to Reaper
After more than a decade of using Pro Tools, Vadim has switched to Reaper as his DAW. At the time of this recording he'd had less than 2 weeks and only 1 mix under his belt but the impact was clear: Reaper was going to be his new DAW for the next decade. On this episode you'll learn: Why Vadim finally decided to try another DAW 10 of the features that caught his attention in the first 10 days of use How Reaper stacks up to Pro Tools and Studio One Considerations for whether YOU should switch DAW...
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr 4 min
94: You're Not Compressing Enough!
Conventional advice on compression often boils down to: "don't squash the life out of your tracks with over-compression" and "buy THIS plug-in because it adds that extra special sweet saucy goodness to your tracks!" But why ARE we actually compressing our tracks? The truth is, many DIY productions actually suffer from under-compression and it's because 1: compression is hard to hear so people don't trust themselves with it and 2: we lose track of the WHY...as in why are we compressing? In this e...
Nov 14, 2022•27 min
93: Different Types of Reverb
Reverb can seem simple...it's just a washy effect, right? Sure. It could be that but it's also so much more. From being your "backwards/forwards" lever, to creating texture, to adding thickness, to creating an illusion of space, reverb ends up being one of the most important parts of a well-crafted production. Oh. And there's like a dozen different kinds. But don't worry! On this episode, we'll help you navigate this complicated landscape. On this episode you will learn: About the different kind...
May 31, 2022•55 min
92: Get a Massive Sound with Layers
Sometimes you hear a song that sounds so huge your jaw drops. How did they do that? The answer is almost always: layers. And while all of this is more art than science, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind when building layers that will help your quest. On this episode you will learn What different elements can be layered for impact. These include frequency, harmonic content, stereo field, front/back depth field Why keeping things simple is important When to copy/paste MIDI performances fo...
May 09, 2022•56 min
91: Editing Like a Boss
OK. It's not the most sexy part of producing music but it's one of the most important. There's an amazing thing that happens when you've finished editing the tracks in a song and hit play for the first time: it starts to sound like a SONG. Even before compression, before EQ, before that sexy saturation trick you learned from Johnny Lots-o-Grammys, things will start to sound GOOD after some proper editing. And this feels amazing and helps you build momentum going into a mix. On this episode, you ...
May 02, 2022•57 min
90: Working in Headphones and Possibly the Best Ear Buds in the World
Critical listening is the ultimate skill of the recording enthusiast and headphones are the tool we trust most to enable this skill. Why? Well, because most of us are not working in ideal spaces and it's much easier to get an objective (and affordable) perspective in headphones. But what kind of headphones should we use? The answer depends in large part on application - although some designs do tend to serve us better than others. If you asked me 4 months ago, I would have told you to stay away ...
Apr 11, 2022•1 hr 5 min
A Personal Note from Vadim
More episodes en route. But first I need more coffee...
Feb 28, 2022•6 min
89: How to Use Reference Tracks
Reference tracks. The internet forums are full of wisdom regarding using references (whether to or not, when, how, etc.,). References play an important part in the workflows of both Ben and Vadim - throughout the ENTIRE audio production process from ideas to final master. They've picked some of their favorite tips and best practices and share them on this episode. In this episode you will learn: How to use references to aid your song-writing and producing process Compelling reasons to use refere...
Feb 03, 2022•1 hr
88: 2021 Belated Year End Review
Well. Another year has come and gone. In many way, nothing has changed. The pandemic is still here and we're still trying to get even better vocal takes. Still, we've learned many important lessons, uncovered new challenges for the coming year and bought one or two things we shouldn't have. Hear all about it on this episode and, from everyone at DIYRG, we wish you a happy and healthy new year and success in all of your recording and non-recording ventures. Where to Find the Guys Free DIY Recordi...
Jan 26, 2022•58 min
87: How to Use Guitar Pedals as Outboard Gear
Want to try mixing with outboard gear but don't have any? Sure you do! Every guitar pedal can be used as outboard gear for awesomely creative results. In this episode you will learn: What people mean when they say "outboard gear"...and why you actually probably have some - even if you thought you didn't Why you may want to try using outboard gear if you never have Several ways to use pedals as outboard gear - even WITHOUT a reamp box! Creative ideas to try using this technique Why the internet i...
Jan 12, 2022•29 min
86: How to Set Up A Mixing Room
The room where you mix your music is a sacred space. A temple to your craft. It wants to be honest. It needs to be pleasant to spend long periods of time. On this episode you will get a solid, start-to-finish strategy for setting up (or refining) your mixing space. You will learn: How to select a room How to choose a listening position in that room How to set up your speakers Where to focus your acoustic treatment efforts How to deal with pesky acoustics problems What a "good" room measurement w...
Jan 05, 2022•1 hr 4 min
85: Analyzing Stems (Mixed vs. As-Recorded)
It can be really difficult to isolate a specific instrument from a finished mix...and that's kind of the point! A mix is like a stew, it should taste like a stew - not like a bunch of individual ingredients. Wouldn't it be cool if you could isolate individual instruments of a finished mix and hear what they sound like solo'd? We thought so too! That's what we do in this episode. You will learn: How to decide between double tracking and quad tracking How mixed drums sound and what big changes are...
Dec 06, 2021•52 min
84: Our Favorite Audio Tools
Plugins, microphones, outboard gear. These are the tools of our trade. If you fancy yourself a craftsman, then you probably love tools of your craft. You probably watch videos and get served ads. You probably pay attention to what others are using. You've also probably amassed a hefty collection yourself! We know we have. On this week's episode we do some soul searching on why we love some tools and why our relationship with others didn't quite pan out. You will learn: How to categorize and thin...
Nov 17, 2021•56 min
83: The "Day Two" Recording Hack for a Better Mix
Before the days of DIY, recording music could be a more intense process. Bands were prepared to spend weeks or even months in a studio trying different instruments, different amps, different mic techniques, different arrangements, etc., - all before ever hitting RECORD. Mixing, on the other hand, was more about achieving balance between those carefully produced tracks. Today, it's the exact opposite. We tend to throw together pristine digital recordings as quickly as possible and the QUICKLY mov...
Oct 31, 2021•40 min
82: Music Theory 201 - Modes and Moods
If you've just been sticking to open guitar chords and pentatonic scales then you're cooking with salt and pepper. What if you had a whole arsenal of spices to work with? Sure you might make some weird meals at first but you'd probably also make some pretty memorable ones - and over time, you'd learn when to use (and not use) certain spices. Hint: NEVER use star anise. That stuff will ruin anything. In the last episode Ben gave us a high level overview and what's included in this monster we call...
Oct 16, 2021•51 min
81: Music Theory 101 - Tempo, Meter and Key
Many of us had unpleasant run-ins with music theory through involuntary music lessons as kids but is it actually useful as a studio tool? Maybe. Sometimes. It's a tool that can help you out of arrangement and production jams. Stuck trying to figure out which chord to play next in a progression? Need to get a bassline that will work with your vocal melody? Theory can help. In this episode, Ben takes us through the three basic elements of music theory: Tempo, Meter and Key. You will learn: Why the...
Sep 25, 2021•39 min
80: What is it about that classic gear? (Louder Than Liftoff)
Neve. SSL. API. 1176. LA2A. Pultec. We've all heard these names. We've all seen the countless plug-ins that emulate them. How did these names become so coveted in the recording world? Is there really an audible difference or is it all clever marketing? These are just some of the questions we had for gear lover/designer/inventor Brad McGowan of Louder Than Liftoff. Louder Than Liftoff is a company that asked the question: "What is it about classic gear that people ACTUALLY want?". They then went ...
Sep 10, 2021•57 min
79: What's in Your Templates and Why?
You know the feeling once you've felt it: that dragging in the back of your head when you just can't believe you have to set up the routing on all of those guitar tracks AGAIN. Didn't you just to do this for the last session? Can't you just jump right into the fun part? When you feel that dread of session setup tedium, what you're actually discovering is an opportunity to improve your workflow with templates. But that's not all! For an unlimited time only, there are lots of different uses for te...
Aug 31, 2021•51 min
78: Sampling and the Worst Beat in Recording History
Sampling offers a ton of creative opportunities. We all know about downloadable samples that you can use to build out productions but literally anything you record can become a sample library. And any sample library can be an instrument that you can play using a MIDI controller. The possibilities are endless - which means results can vary. On this episode, you will learn: What "sampling" means How to avoid getting into trouble when using it How to create original sample libraries How to use samp...
Aug 16, 2021•28 min
77: Song Production Breakdown and Analysis
One the key pieces of a successful production is maintaining the listener's attention effectively. There are many ways to do this - some subtle and others through a bit of gamesmanship and shock value - but if your production doesn't manage transitions effectively, you are guaranteed to lose the listener at some point. They won't know exactly WHY something isn't but they'll just feel like they're not into the song. The analog Ben used is when you're watching a movie and somethings looks blatantl...
Aug 06, 2021•54 min
76: Drum and Drummer (Real Drums vs Programmed Drums)
Programmed drums have come a LONG way in the last decade. We use them all the time in our productions and they sound great but how do they hold up when compared to a live drummer? And, even if the live drummer is better, are the workflow hassles of setting up a kit and mics, having the drummer learn the part, being nice to the drummer, and then editing the drums on the back end worth it? Find out on this week's episode. You will learn: Why virtual instrument drums offer unparalleled flexibility ...
Jul 30, 2021•47 min
75: Revisions_R2_FINAL
Revisions are perfectly natural. They're what happens when two people love a piece of music very much but don't completely agree on how it should sound when finished. These waters can be stressful to navigate. Do you push back on comments? Do you shrug and accept any feedback you're given? How do you communicate your opinion effectively, tactfully and while strengthening the relationship instead of hurting it. And guess what? These are waters you have to navigate even if you're completely DIY. Y...
Jul 22, 2021•35 min
74: Recording Acoustic Guitar
The acoustic guitar! There are MANY ways to record this beautiful instrument - all perfectly usable. But which one is the right sound for YOUR project? This episode will point you firmly in the right direction. You will learn: How different parts of the acoustic guitar sound when you point microphones at them How to get a great stereo sound out of a single performance using either an XY pair or a mid-side technique How to get a natural brightness without using any EQ How to get more or less room...
Jul 08, 2021•52 min
73: DIY Mastering Field Guide
We would all love to be able to send our songs to a professional mastering engineer but sometimes a DIY master is appropriate. Maybe you're on a budget. Maybe you're just fleshing out a demo. Maybe you're DIY to your core and this is the only option you'll accept. Navigating the world of mastering can be tricky. On this episode we take you through a quick but effective process for DIY mastering that will get your songs ready for distribution. You will learn: How to know when you're done with mix...
Jul 01, 2021•1 hr 5 min
72: Mastering Ruined Your Mix? Also Templates. And Patch Bays.
Where in the world was Ben? He took his new wife to the lava tubes! Where no one will ever find your body. Also, the guys talk about using templates, patch bays, re-amping acoustic instruments, how to test new gear and plugins, mastering, and more! Sorry for the poorer than usual sound quality. We're still having some issues with our recording software :( Where to Find the Guys Free DIY Recording eBook: https://www.howtorecordyourband.com Vadim's Studio Site - Get your FREE test mix today! - htt...
Jun 23, 2021•47 min
71: Back to Basics: Stereo Width
We often want that big, wide stereo sound. It's immersive. It's massive. It's what we hear in our head when we think about what our song should sound like. But what in the world is stereo width and how do you control it? What if you only have a mono source to work with? Can you still get that source to sound wide? Of course you can! You're an audio wizard, aren't you?! On this episode you will learn: What stereo is and why it actually has something to do with phase as well as volume How your bra...
Jun 14, 2021•34 min
70: Back to Basics: Plugins!
Ah plugins. Ubiquitous in he advertising feeds of all DIY music producers. These little bits of software seem to do magical things to audio and there's so many of them! What are they? How do you use them? Got any sweet tips? You know we do! On this episode, you will learn: A bit about the history of plugins About different plugin formats Plugin versions vs. standalone versions of software How emulations of classic hardware were developed and why plugins have gotten SO MUCH better of the last cou...
May 31, 2021•40 min
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