#209: What Can a Free Wavetable Synth Like Vital Do in the Hands of a First-Time User?
Curious what happens when a producer opens Vital Spectral Warping Wavetable synth for the very first time? In this episode, I explore the free wavetable synthesizer from scratch, answering common questions like: Is Vital really free? Is the free version powerful enough for professional music production?With zero prior experience in the plugin, I start from an initialised preset and build a 90s-inspired trance bass step by step. You’ll hear my genuine reactions as I learn the interface, experiment with oscillators, and make happy accidents along the way. From shaping sub frequencies with a sine wave to layering harmonics for extra punch, I break down the process in real time.What surprised me most? Vital’s intuitive visual interface makes complex sound design feel simple—even for beginners. The free version includes 75 presets and 25 wavetables, giving you everything you need to craft professional sounds without spending a penny.Whether you’re wondering Is Vital good for beginners? or just want to watch a fresh perspective on sound design, this walkthrough shows how quickly you can create a rich, layered trance bass using only Vital.Links mentioned in this episodeVital - Spectral Warping Wavetable SynthSend me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content on Patreon Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!! Start a podcast for FREE with Riverside
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#208: How to Avoid Burnout in Music Production (Do Less, Achieve More)
Are you feeling drained from endless hours in the studio? Wondering how music producers can avoid burnout or what strategies actually work to recover from creative exhaustion? You’re not alone; burnout is one of the biggest creativity killers for producers and indie artists today.In this episode of Inside The Mix, Marc Matthews dives into proven techniques that helped him rebuild his workflow and rediscover his passion for making music. You’ll learn:How to avoid burnout in music production with the three-pillar framework.What the 80/20 rule means for producers and how focusing on the right 20% of tasks can deliver 80% of your results.How to eliminate, automate, delegate, and mitigate tasks that drain your energy and waste valuable studio time.How to recover from creative burnout with simple mindset shifts and practical habits.Why limiting yourself to three key goals per day can help you achieve more while working less.If you’ve ever asked yourself, 'Should I take breaks when music feels draining?' Or 'how do I balance content creation and music production without burning out?' This episode gives you the answers.Whether you’re catching the early warning signs of creative fatigue or already deep in burnout territory, these strategies will help you create more music, reduce stress, and find joy in the process again.Links mentioned in this episode: We'd love to hear from you! Submit a questionSend me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content on Patreon Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!! Start a podcast for FREE with Riverside
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#207: How Many Drafts Does It Take to Finish a Track? (feat. Michael Oakley)
Have you ever abandoned a promising track because it suddenly "didn't feel right" the next day? Why does your track feel wrong the next day? Is Overthinking Killing Your Songwriting Process? In this eye-opening episode of Inside the Mix, synth-pop artist Michael Oakley unpacks the creative psychology behind overthinking songwriting and how our emotional state can sabotage musical momentum.Inspired by advice from Max Martin -“Don’t overthink a song until its third rewrite” -Michael reveals how writing 14+ song drafts taught him the balance between intuition and iteration. We explore the mental traps artists fall into: abandoning promising tracks, getting stuck in endless revisions, and losing objectivity. Michael shares how trusted collaborators (Ollie Wride, Dana Jean Phoenix, and John Kunkel) help him overcome production blindness and restore clarity to his mix decisions.You'll also learn practical strategies to break creative paralysis, from setting a tempo and key to choosing sounds that unlock inspiration. Discover how he transformed a 2000s-inspired track into a synthpop anthem, retaining its essence while reinventing its sound.Whether you’re battling the blank DAW screen or questioning your last vocal take, this episode offers real-world tools to finish more music with confidence. Subscribe now to join our community of producers and songwriters learning to navigate the creative landscape with confidence. Michael's new album arrives May 8th next year—perfect timing to apply these insights to your musical projects.Links mentioned in this episode: Follow Michael OakleyListen to the Sodajerker podcast Xfer SerumSend me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content on Patreon Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!! Start a podcast for FREE with Riverside
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#206: Why Your Vocal Comping Workflow Is Slowing You Down
Struggling with too many vocal takes? You nailed the perfect take, then recorded five more “just in case.” Now you’re lost in a sea of options, wondering how to create the perfect comp without losing your mind.In this episode of Inside the Mix, Marc Matthews and Tim Benson (Aisle9) reveal their proven strategies for organising takes and building seamless vocal comps. Learn how to avoid over-recording, why comping during the editing phase keeps your mixing sessions stress-free, and the ideal number of takes before vocal fatigue hits.We’ll cover:How to organise multiple takes efficiently in your DAWThe right way to edit without clicks or popsWhy real double-tracking beats any pluginHow to manage performance anxiety and red light syndromeWhether you’re producing your music or working with artists, this episode gives you practical tools to streamline your workflow and get pro results, without the chaos.Links mentioned in this episode: We'd love to hear from you! Submit a questionListen to Paradise CoveSend me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content on Patreon Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!! Start a podcast for FREE with Riverside
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#205: Why Artists Need Strategy Over Followers in 2025 (feat. Jesse Kirshbaum)
The music industry is shifting fast—are you ready for it? In this episode, Jesse Kirshbaum returns to Inside the Mix to break down how independent artists can build sustainable music careers in 2025. From strategic content creation to authentic brand deals, Jesse shares how “selling in” (not selling out) can help you monetize without compromising your creativity.We dive into why follower count no longer dictates brand value, how artists with smaller audiences can still land partnerships, and what platforms reward consistent over perfect content. Jesse also unpacks the surprising return of physical retail spaces and why real-world fan engagement is more valuable than ever.This episode reveals how to approach non-music brands, align with your values, and stay relevant in a fragmented industry where niche audiences rule. Whether you're just starting or rethinking your strategy, Jesse’s insights from the Beats + Bytes 2025 Halftime Report give you the tools to succeed on your own terms.Links mentioned in this episode: Follow Jesse KirshbaumBeats & Bytes 2025 Half Time ReportSend me a message Support the showWays to connect with Marc: Book your FREE Music Breakthrough Strategy Call Radio-ready mixes start here - get the FREE weekly tips Grab exclusive access to BONUS content on Patreon Follow Marc's Socials: Instagram | YouTube | Synth Music Mastering Thanks for listening!! Start a podcast for FREE with Riverside
About 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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