Everyone loves the idea that “back in the day” recordings were more professional. Big studios, serious engineers, real consoles, musicians who rehearsed, and fewer tools to hide behind. But is that actually why those records feel so good… or are we mixing up “professional,” “better,” and “more human”?

In this episode, we unpack a listener comment that turns into a bigger conversation about source material, limitations, modern workflows, and why some top engineers are actually using fewer plugins than ever.

What We Dig Into:

• What “professional recording” really means (and how the definition changes over time)

• Why the sonic bar is higher in 2026 than it’s ever been

• The hidden downside of unlimited plugins and endless options

• Why older records often feel more “human” (performance, commitment, interaction)

• The “fix it later” mindset and how it changes how people record

• Why limitations can lead to faster decisions and stronger mixes

• How channel strips can force better listening (and better choices)

• The cumulative effect: one channel strip vs 24 across a session

• A real-world challenge: mix with only a channel strip (and compare results)

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We pull topics directly from your questions and YouTube comments.

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It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.

We started this episode the way all professional audio conversations begin… by accidentally starting a mini civil war at breakfast over hash browns. Then we pivot into two really solid listener questions: one about whether a mixer still matters in 2026 (and what it can actually do for you in a home studio), and another about amp sims, effects order, and proper gain staging when recording DI guitars.

• Why a mixer can still be super useful today, even if you mix “in the box”

• The best modern use cases: tracking, monitoring, more inputs, zero-latency headphone mixes

• When it makes sense to use the mixer as your main interface

• Console reality check: does summing actually help, or is it just “try it and see”?

• Amp sim workflow 1: commit the sound while recording (like a real amp)

• Amp sim workflow 2: record clean DI first, then dial tones later (commitment-free)

• Gain staging basics for amp sims: hit the input sweet spot, then control output so you’re not cooking the channel

• Chunky vs shredded hash browns: the debate nobody asked for, but everybody needed

• Pineapple on pizza: friendships were tested

• The “mint condition SSL” running joke (first owner, minimal kilometers, maybe some tears)

• Waffle House wisdom: “I used to could.” (Legendary.)

Richard (Barrie, Ontario):
“Why is there never talk about the actual mixer? Is it just a conduit for ins and outs, or can it help during mixing? I just bought a Mackie… what can I take advantage of?”

Callen:
“I record DI guitar and use Amplitube / VST Amp Rack. Where should the amp sim go in the chain, and how do you reconcile that with gain staging?”

A mixer isn’t automatically “better” or “worse” than mixing in the DAW. It’s a tool. If it helps you track faster, monitor with zero latency, commit better sounds earlier, or simply makes the process feel better, it’s doing its job. Same with amp sims: hit the right level into the sim, keep your output sane, and choose whether you’re committing now or later.

👉 Got a question for us?
📩 Submit it here: Form Link
We pull topics directly from your questions and YouTube comments.

And if you’re digging the show, hit follow/subscribe and leave a quick review.
It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.

AI is no longer a “someday” conversation. It’s already baked into tools we use, workflows we rely on, and decisions we’re making in the home studio, whether we call it AI or not.

In this episode, we break the whole thing down like producers, not philosophers. Where does AI actually help? Where does it get in the way? And what parts of the process still need a human with taste, intention, and a point of view?

• The moment AI went from “cool trick” to “daily reality”

• Songwriting vs demoing: where AI can speed things up fast

• Why AI drums still don’t feel like a real drummer (even after editing)

• Production mindset shift: “I can fix that later” as a creative unlock

• Mixing with AI-assisted plugins: when it’s just a better starting point

• Mastering with Ozone: why “perfect” doesn’t always sound right

• The difference between tools, presets, and true AI (and why it’s confusing)

• The “Canadian sorry” story that completely broke a comedian’s set

• The “Cindy/Sandy Winters” AI song moment and the emotional reaction

• The reality check: the audience might not care, but you might

• “Everything is AI now” marketing and how to filter the noise

No listener Q&A this one, but we want your questions for the next episodes.

AI can make you faster. It can even make you better. But it still can’t replace the one thing that makes your music yours: taste, intent, and human perspective. Use it like a tool, not like a replacement.

👉 Got a question for us?
📩 Submit it here: Form Link
We’ll answer as many as we can in upcoming shows.

And if you’re digging the show, hit follow/subscribe and leave a quick review.
It really helps more home studio folks find Studio Stuff.