#203: What Actually Happens When You Choose a Sample Rate? (feat. Ian Stewart)
Confused about which audio sample rate to choose for your music? Whether you're recording your first track or mastering for Dolby Atmos, knowing the difference between 44.1kHz, 48kHz, and 96kHz is more than technical—it’s essential to how your music sounds and where it ends up.In this episode of Inside the Mix, mastering engineer and Berklee professor Ian Stewart returns to demystify one of the most misunderstood elements in music production: digital audio sample rates.We answer common questions like:What is a sample rate in audio production?Should I use 44.1kHz or 48kHz when mixing?Does a higher sample rate improve sound quality?What sample rate should I use for streaming or mastering?Ian explains the Nyquist-Shannon theorem, how aliasing impacts your mix, and why 48kHz is the new practical standard, from YouTube to Bluetooth devices to Dolby Atmos. Plus, we discuss how higher sample rates give your plugins more headroom for harmonic generation and cleaner processing.Don’t miss this one if you’re serious about choosing the best sample rate for your music. And stay tuned, next episode we dive into dither.Links mentioned in this episode: Follow Ian Stewart Send me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
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#202: I Gamified My Music Production - It Changed Everything
Ever wondered if you're tracking the right metrics in your music production journey? That nagging question—"Am I measuring what truly drives growth or just staying busy?"—led me to create something that transformed my creative process completely.In this episode of Inside the Mix, I introduce the Producer Growth Scorecard—a free, gamified tool designed to help you track what actually moves the needle in your music career.Whether you're trying to release a new track every six weeks or just break through creative ruts, this system helps you focus on the right production habits. Each task—like finishing a loop, mixing a track, or releasing a single—earns points toward a weekly goal. The target? 40 points per week. Simple, measurable, and motivating.We’ll dive into how the scorecard works, how it ties your day-to-day activity to long-term output, and why it’s helping producers worldwide stay consistent and finish more music.If you’ve ever asked, “How do I stay productive as a music producer?” or “What should I track to grow as an indie artist?”—this is the episode for youLinks mentioned in this episode: Grab your FREE Producer Growth ScorecardSend me a messageSupport the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
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#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 showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content 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 showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content 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 showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE 20 Minute Discovery Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!!
Over 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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