Home Studio Pro

Colin Cross

Home Studio Pro is a podcast dedicated to helping you create a professional sounding music from your home studio.

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#27
Thursday · 13 min
What Matters Most When Editing
Editing is one of the most important parts of music production and the most skipped step in amateur productions. People get caught up in debates about whether editing makes music robotic — but that's thinking about it wrong. Editing is just about reducing distractions so the listener can enjoy the song. In this episode, I break down the editing hierarchy: getting the right take, fixing what's actually wrong, and tightening timing and tuning. Plus the foundational layer underneath all of it that changes how much editing your music actually needs. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist "What Matters Most" Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDYoTqYB762M In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#26
September 17 · 15 min
What Matters Most in Mastering
For most home studio musicians, mastering feels like a complete mystery — a black box at the end of the process. In reality it's extremely simple. Today I want to walk through the mastering hierarchy: bringing your song up to commercial loudness, balancing tone, and adding energy. I'll also get into why the whole LUFS conversation confused everybody, and the one layer that matters more than any of it when you're working across a full project. This is part three of the series. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist Next Level Mastering Challenge: https://www.thebandguide.com/masteringchallenge In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#25
September 3 · 13 min
What Matters Most in Mixing
Mixing can feel completely overwhelming because there are endless options and endless people telling you different ways to do it. But underneath all of that there's just a hierarchy of fundamentals. Today I want to walk through the five stages of that hierarchy plus a bonus tool that a lot of people get way too wrapped up in before they're ready for it. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#24
August 27 · 21 min
What Matters Most When Recording
One of the biggest things I see holding home studio musicians back is not knowing what actually matters most when recording. Today I want to walk through the hierarchy — a simple pyramid where the closer something is to the performer, the more it matters. We'll go from performance and source all the way up through mics, mic placement, preamps, and converters. This will change how you record and how you think about every gear upgrade you make. Part two on the mixing hierarchy is coming next week. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#23
July 30 · 17 min
Why Your Mixes Aren't Improving... Yet
There's going to be a moment when I hope you sit down, finish a song, and realize you've actually gotten really good at this. But nobody's telling you how to get there because it doesn't make for a flashy YouTube video — there's no trick, no plugin, no magic bullet. It happens slowly, and then it happens all at once. Today I want to break down the mindset shift that made the biggest difference for me across three areas: my productions, my mixing process, and my belief in myself. If you've been feeling stuck or disappointed with your progress, this one's for you. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#21
July 20 · 14 min
Why I Stopped Using Mixing Templates
Mixing templates promise to speed up your workflow... but for most home studio musicians, they're actually slowing you down and keeping you from actually getting better at mixing. Today I want to break down the three types of templates (only one is a problem), why downloading a pro's template won't give you their sound, and the leaner, faster workflow I use instead. -------------------------------------------------------------------more---- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#22
July 16 · 25 min
How to Layer Tracks Like a Pro
If you've ever sat down at your session and wondered what else to record, today's episode is for you. I want to walk through how pros actually think about layering tracks — the three concepts you need to understand (frequency spectrum, stereo field, and contrast), the three core techniques (doubling, harmonies, and accents), and real demonstrations from tracks I've produced so you can hear exactly how each layer changes the feel of the song. Think of this one as a mini masterclass. -------------------------------------------------------------------more---- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA ----more---- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#20
June 4 · 15 min
Are You Ruining Your Own Mix?
Most beginner and intermediate mixers make the same mistake: they rush through the most important step of mixing to start "mixing." In this episode, I break down the three mindset shifts that will immediately improve your mixes: why your static mix IS the mix, why keeping moves that aren't working is silently ruining your sound, and why detaching from the results is the fastest path to getting better ones. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#19
May 7 · 17 min
Mixing Myth: You Need Analog Gear
I spent years believing that analog gear was the missing piece — that if I could just get my hands on the right console, the right compressor, the right preamp, everything would click. Today I want to break down why that's a myth, what's actually true about analog gear, and the sneaky psychological reasons people who use it sometimes get better results. Spoiler: you can get all of that without spending a cent on gear. --------------------------------------------------------------- Next Level Mastering Challenge: https://www.thebandguide.com/masteringchallenge ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#18
April 30 · 11 min
What I Got Wrong About Mastering
I used to think mastering was a "dark art." Something mysterious that must be done by someone with ears that I'll never have. Today I want to break down why that belief held me back for years, and what changed when I stopped separating mastering from the rest of the production process. Spoiler: it's basically three things, and working through them will improve your mixes too. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#17
April 9 · 12 min
Mixing Myth: You Need "Flat" Speakers
Most home studio musicians believe they need flat speakers to get a professional mix... and it's completely understandable why. Today I want to break down why that's actually a myth, why your ears and your room make "flat" more complicated than it sounds, and why learning your own system will get you better results faster than chasing the "perfect" monitor setup. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#16
April 2 · 25 min
My 20 Year Journey: From Terrible Demos to The Band Guide
I realized the other day that you likely don't know my full story. My early pop punk days, recording my band through a headphone jack all the way to recording in pro studios. All of that has shaped me and forms who I am as "The Band Guide." Today I want to tell you the whole journey along with the lessons that will help you in your home studio. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#15
January 22 · 13 min
Why You Never Finish Songs (And How to Fix It)
If you want your music to actually improve, you have to finish more of it — not just start ideas or endlessly tweak the same song. In this episode, we talk about why perfectionism and self-doubt keep musicians stuck, how resistance shows up right when you’re close to done, and why having simple systems and real deadlines is the key to finishing more music and getting better in the process. Books mentioned: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield Finish by Jon Acuff Atomic Habits by James Clear --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#14
January 15 · 10 min
Apple Creator Studio: Is Logic Pro Moving Toward a Subscription-Only Future?
Apple just made a huge move: they’ve rolled out a Creator Studio subscription that includes Logic Pro. If you’re a Logic user, you might be wondering if this is the first step toward forcing everyone into subscriptions. Apple says your perpetual license is safe for now, but is that true for the long term? Let’s talk about what might be coming up… **This is an updated episode. In the original version, I misinterpreted Apple’s decision to gate AI features for Pages, Keynote, Numbers, and Freeform as meaning all new AI features would require the Creator Studio subscription. That is not the case— at present, Logic Pro is identical whether you have a perpetual license or the Creator Studio subscription. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#13
January 1 · 22 min
2026 is NOT the year of AI Music
There's a lot of fear mongering around AI and music. And no doubt AI has serious consequences for music and society as a whole. But AI cannot replace what YOU do with music. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist In-Depth Mixing Tutorial: https://youtu.be/jSFF8fotNhA --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj Cool AI Vocal Editing Plugin: https://noiseworksaudio.com/products/dynassist
#11
Dec 18, 2025 · 26 min
How to Mix Music to SOUND GREAT EVERYWHERE
ANYONE can make music that sounds great everywhere. There are no secrets, but you need to understand HOW and have a system to work through. This episode is going to give you both. --------------------------------------------------------------- ARC ON-EAR: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/POor1M Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist
#10
Nov 27, 2025 · 18 min
The #1 Belief to Make it in the Home Studio
The number one thing that will hold you back in your home studio ISN'T the gear. PS: Check the YouTube version if you want to see my favorite picture of Poppy ever... --------------------------------------------------------------- Black Friday 2025: https://www.thebandguide.com/blackfriday2025 ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#9
Nov 20, 2025 · 17 min
DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR DEMOS
This might seem boring, but the secret to better music might be hiding in plain sight in your demos... ------------------------------------------- 🎶Listen to Campr: https://tr.ee/Haivz5-WEt Black Friday 2025: https://www.thebandguide.com/blackfriday2025 🎤 Use my Sweetwater Link: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/R5d6Ya ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist ------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#8
Nov 13, 2025 · 27 min
20 Years of Studio Advice in 26 Minutes
I've been producing music in home and professional studios for 20 years now. It's safe to say, I've learned a few things. In this little bonus episode of the Home Studio Pro Podcast, I want to share the most important things I've learned from 20 years in the studio.. --------------------------------------------------------------- Black Friday 2025: https://www.thebandguide.com/blackfriday2025 🎤 Use my Sweetwater Link: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/R5d6Ya ‼️Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj
#7
May 22, 2025 · 20 min
The Beginner’s Guide to Acoustic Treatment That Works
Where should you put your acoustic treatment? How much acoustic treatment do you actually need? What acoustic treatment should you use? In this episode, I want to give you a step-by-step plan to setup acoustic treatment that actually works. It scales over time so you don't have to spend a bunch of money upfront and will massively improve your recordings and mixes. --------------------------------------------------------------- ‼️Download the Home Studio Pro Checklist: https://www.thebandguide.com/homestudioprochecklist 🎤 Use my Sweetwater Link: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/R5d6Ya --------------------------------------------------------------- Mentioned in this episode: Music City Acoustics: https://www.musiccityacoustics.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------- Headphones I LOVE: 🎧 Beyerdynamic DT770: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWQJgj Download my FREE 6-step Checklist to a PRO Mix: https://www.thebandguide.com/promixchecklist

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