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:

This is the final episode of our full music production breakdown series.

We’ve covered songwriting, pre-production, gear, sound checks and recording.

Now we finish the record.

In this episode, we walk you through steps 6–10 of the real-world production process

• Session cleanup and comping
• Editing where necessary (timing and pitch)
• Moving from recording to mixing
• A structured mixing workflow that actually works
• The truth about mastering
• When to outsource and when not to
• Why AI mastering is not the same as real mastering (and when it can be an option)

If you’ve ever:

• Got stuck after recording
• Ruined a mix by overworking it
• Wondered if/how you should use a mix bus compressor
• Felt confused about gain staging
• Been disappointed by a bad master

This episode is for you.

We break down a proven, step-by-step framework that helps you:

• Keep objectivity
• Avoid rabbit holes
• Mix faster
• Preserve the magic you captured
• Finish songs properly

Because the goal after recording is simple:

Don’t mess it up. Don't reinvent it. Enhance it. Move it across the finish line.

The Mixing Framework We Teach

Here’s the structured approach we use inside The Self-Recording Syndicate:

1. Proper mix prep (organization + routing)
2. Rough mix (gain staging, levels + panning)
3. Mix bus setup & overall vibe and color
4. EQ cleanup + sweetening
5. Compression with intention
6. Creative effects (reverbs, delays, saturation)
7. Automation and movement
8. Mastering ( finishing, final formats, and quality control

Most people obsess over plugins.

The pros obsess over balance. In all ways. Not a static balance. But one that serves every part of the song, enhances it emotionally and guides the listener through the song.

🎁 Free Mixing Guide

If you want a clear system for balancing, gain staging and preparing your mix properly:

👉 Download the free guide:

theselfrecordingband.com/standoutmixes

🎯 Want Help Finishing Your Songs?

If you want personal guidance through all these steps:

Apply for coaching:

theselfrecordingband.com/coaching

Inside the Self-Recording Syndicate you get:

• Structured playbooks
• Detailed mix feedback
• Clear next steps to work on - always
• Templates
• Frameworks
• And 5 professional masters, as well as a full mix + mix walkthrough included

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

Send a text

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