In this episode of Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon delve into mastering project management and task management for independent artists. They discuss the importance of having a structured approach to managing creative projects, sharing their personal techniques for organizing tasks to achieve successful outcomes. The conversation highlights the necessity of differentiating between categories, projects, and action items, and how breaking down larger goals into actionable steps can lead to better productivity and efficiency. They also touch on the challenges and solutions around maintaining the right energy in recording and the significance of documenting processes for consistency. This episode is filled with practical tips to help artists streamline their workflow, from the importance of planning, to the debate over digital versus traditional methods of task tracking. Listen in to discover actionable strategies for excelling in your music career. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back 00:20 Tuning Speakers and Listening Session 02:26 Common Mistakes Artists Make 02:52 Energy in Recording 06:35 Documenting the Process 11:51 Project and Task Management 23:25 The Complexity of Project Management 23:46 Visualizing and Structuring Tasks 24:58 Daily Routines and Quick Wins 25:46 Approaching Production Projects 26:43 The Power of Writing Things Down 28:08 Weekly Planning and Sticky Notes 30:58 Optimizing Your Workspace 36:46 The Role of Apps in Task Management 40:18 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, host Sean delves into the essential role of having fun and staying motivated in the music industry to ensure long-term success. He discusses the importance of enjoying repetitive tasks and suggests gamification and habit-tracking apps as tools to make hard work enjoyable. Sean offers practical tips on making music practice cost-effective and transforming practice riffs into full songs, emphasizing the importance of relationships within the music scene. The episode also focuses on learning from failures, celebrating successes, and maintaining a joyful outlook for resilience in the music career. Additionally, it features insights into the talents of Brandon from Studio 222 Recordings and encourages listeners to connect with the podcast for advice and suggestions. 00:00 Introduction and Solo Episode Explanation 00:55 The Importance of Having Fun in Music 01:45 Breaking Down the Quote 03:09 Finding Joy in the Little Things 05:17 Gamification and Habit Building 06:55 Enjoying the Hard Work 09:32 Engaging with Your People 12:30 Embracing Failure and Learning 13:58 The Importance of Lifelong Learning 14:13 Embracing Curiosity and Innovation 15:38 Learning from Success and Failure 16:05 Celebrating Your Achievements 17:17 Handling Success and Planning Ahead 19:06 The Necessity of Enjoying Your Work 21:27 Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts 23:34 Services and Contact Information

In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, Sean and Brandon dive into the intricacies of hardware preferences, including the Mac vs. PC debate, and provide insights on optimizing your computer for music production. From selecting RAM and CPUs to choosing between SSDs and external drives, they offer practical advice for improving workflow efficiency. The discussion also covers the importance of backing up data securely and selecting appropriate hardware for seamless audio processing. This episode is a comprehensive guide for independent artists looking to enhance their music production setup. 00:00 Introduction and Today's Question 00:25 EQ vs Compression Debate 01:55 Mixing Techniques and Preferences 08:21 Optimizing Your Audio Setup 13:28 Mac vs PC for Audio Production 26:39 Auto Latency Compensation Explained 27:08 Understanding CPU Power and RAM 27:15 Personal RAM Setup Insights 28:12 Optimal RAM for Different Uses 29:37 Importance of CPU in Your Setup 29:55 Building and Upgrading PCs 30:55 Choosing the Right CPU and Graphics Card 33:48 External Solutions for Efficient Sessions 34:47 The Best External Hard Drives 41:42 Backup Strategies and Best Practices 46:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Brandon and Sean delve into the intricacies of music production, focusing on the challenges and solutions related to 'fix it in post' practices. They discuss the nuances of pitch correction, noise reduction, and the importance of pre-production planning. The conversation covers common issues faced by independent artists and highlights the pitfalls of relying heavily on post-production tools without proper preparation. Additionally, they clarify the differences between multitracks and stems, and emphasize the importance of delivering clean and intentional performances. This episode provides insight into the technical aspects of music production while addressing common misconceptions among emerging artists. 00:00 Introduction and Community Question 00:27 Cooking Adventures: Chicken Alfredo 03:04 Ramen and Mochi Delights 05:04 Studio Challenges: Achieving the Perfect Sound 07:31 The Importance of Pre-Production 08:56 Pitch Correction and Autotune 17:57 Fixing It in Post: The Realities 27:43 Global Pitch Changes and Their Pitfalls 32:13 The Pitfalls of Adding Information in Post-Production 32:37 Reverbed and Slowed: A Hip-Hop Trend 33:53 The Challenges of Changing Pitch and Tempo 36:01 EDM and Beat Manipulation 39:39 Understanding Multi-Tracks vs. Stems 43:23 Noise Reduction Techniques and Their Drawbacks 50:42 The Importance of Proper Session File Management 59:12 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Sean and Brandon delve into the complex world of music production, offering valuable insights for independent artists. They discuss how to prevent music from going stale through active listening and trying new elements. The duo also covers different production styles, the importance of pre- and post-production, and the nuances of working with a producer versus a DIY approach. They highlight the significance of open communication, the role of chemistry in the studio, and modern trends in remote production. Filled with practical tips and real-world examples, this episode aims to help artists craft unique sounds and make informed decisions in their production journey. 00:00 Welcome to the Music Maker's Cookbook 00:30 How to Prevent Your Music from Going Stale 02:05 The Importance of Active Listening 04:04 Keeping Your Music Fresh Post-Release 06:44 Understanding Production and Pre-Production 09:56 Different Production Styles and Their Impact 14:41 The Role of Communication in Production 21:17 Transitioning into Production Aspects 21:31 Pre-Production vs Post-Production 22:02 Instrument and Arrangement Choices 24:39 The Role of a Producer 25:29 Nuances in Production Techniques 28:44 Finding the Right Producer 37:16 Remote Production and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, Sean and Brandon dive into the critical topic of mastering in the music industry. They discuss what mastering is, its history, why it's essential, and the various ways artists can get their songs mastered. They explore DIY mastering tools like iZotope's Ozone and Logic's mastering assistant, and the benefits and drawbacks of using automated services. The hosts also highlight the perks of hiring professional mastering engineers, giving insights on how this can significantly impact the cohesiveness and quality of an album. This episode is a valuable resource for artists seeking to understand and navigate the final stages of music production. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:26 Unexpected Places of Musical Inspiration 01:52 Sean's Story of Inspiration 04:23 Brandon's Take on Musical Inspiration 06:30 Mastering in Music Production 10:17 The History and Evolution of Mastering 14:13 The Importance of Mastering for Different Mediums 17:14 Challenges in Mastering an Album 23:00 The Role of Mastering Engineers 25:11 Exploring DIY Mastering 26:00 Limitations of DIY Mastering 27:10 Introduction to Mastering Tools 27:24 Using iZotope Ozone for Mastering 28:25 AI Integration in Mastering 31:35 Mastering with Logic's Magic Assistant 32:29 Mastering Services from Distributors 36:31 Hiring a Professional Mastering Engineer 41:09 Mastering for Vinyl 43:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Music Maker's Cookbook, hosts Brandon and Sean discuss various methods for independent artists to find band members and collaborators, whether locally or internationally. They delve into using social media, online platforms, and local resources to connect with musicians, emphasizing the importance of having a clear vision when approaching potential bandmates. Additionally, they explore tools and platforms like VAMPR, Musiversal, and Fiverr for remote collaboration, providing practical tips for making digital connections work. The episode is interspersed with personal anecdotes and a lighthearted discussion about music preferences. 00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker Question 00:20 Dinner Party Playlist Discussion 01:58 Transition to Fall Music Vibes 02:59 Pumpkin Spice Latte Anecdote 05:58 Starting a Band: Listener's Request 07:13 Defining Your Band's Vision 10:24 Setting Boundaries and Expectations 16:19 Networking Locally for Band Members 20:01 Online Collaboration and Finding Musicians 26:55 Challenges of Remote Jamming 27:32 Effective Remote Collaboration Tools 29:10 Exploring Fiverr for Session Musicians 32:07 Musiversal: High-End Remote Recording 37:06 VAMPR: Social Media for Musicians 38:54 Other Platforms 40:37 Local Networking and Online Forums 42:42 Creative Performance Solutions 44:58 Concluding Thoughts and Personal Stories 48:14 Outro and Contact Information

In this casual podcast episode, hosts Brandon and Sean explore various aspects of audio recording and sound production. They discuss personalized recording and performance strategies, such as continuous takes versus segment recording for vocals. Brandon emphasizes the importance of understanding individual recording preferences to elicit the best performances and the role of maintaining a positive studio vibe. They also touch on technical tips, such as using painter's tape to control unwanted guitar resonance and grounding guitars to eliminate noise. The hosts differentiate between dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones, recommending dynamic mics for home recording to minimize ambient noise. They dive into the nuances of different compressors and their use in production, and Sean shares his exploration of satellites and Aphex Aural Exciter. Additionally, they recount a recent guitar mic shootout they conducted, highlighting dynamic mic preferences and food-coma-induced humor. Finally, they discuss upcoming projects and wishful setups involving new gear and potential future meetups with listeners. 00:00 Introduction and Casual Chat 00:38 Recording Strategies and Techniques 03:53 Guitar Recording Tips 06:04 Microphone Choices for Home Recording 08:14 Dealing with Noise in Digital Drums 12:14 Current Studio Experiments 24:29 The Cost of High-End Audio Equipment 25:27 Brandon's Studio Upgrade 26:39 Sean's New Board 27:56 Future Studio Plans 32:30 Guitar Mic Shootout 38:30 Casual Chat and Future Plans