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theselfrecordingband.com

Our coaching community, The Self-Recording Syndicate, is the number one way for DIY producers around the world to get results that they'll be proud of forever.

If you apply for personal mentoring, we'll first jump on a completely free call so we can give you feedback, build a custom plan for you and help you figure out the best way forward.

🚀 Here are all the details, let's go:

theselfrecordingband.com

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Episode show notes:

Have you ever written something in a burst of raw emotion - only to cringe at it a year later? Or maybe the opposite - you sat on a song too long and lost the magic?

In the age of AI-generated music and the flood of music that's technically fine and engineered without flaws, but still incredibly boring, what is it that music fans want most?

The human connection. Stories. Emotion. Art that is relatable and authentic.

So let's talk about that part of producing music some more. Let's explore different ways to approach it and how they lead to different results.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Writing/producing fast and in the moment vs letting it sit for a while
• Writing songs in the moment, when you are going through something versus writing them some time later
• Same with producing
• The Emotional Argument:
  • In an AI-dominated, overpolished era, what listeners crave isn’t just clean production—it’s connection.
    • Why immediacy can lead to:
      • Raw energy
      • Honest storytelling
      • Unfiltered performances
    • Why hindsight can lead to:
      • Deeper insight
      • Refined songwriting
      • Better arrangement decisions

“Is one more ‘authentic’ than the other - or is it just a different kind of truth?”

As an example we talk about Manel's upcoming and already partly released album.

And his experience producing the album (writing the songs 2/3 years ago, then revisiting them 1 year ago, and mixing them now)

• What changed emotionally or musically during that time?
• Were there parts he wanted to keep but didn’t connect with anymore?
• Did letting things sit help or hurt the creative flow?

We also mention some famous examples, like Taylor Swift, Kurt Cobain, Metallica, Radiohead, or the Foo Fighters.

And finally, we talk about the producer’s dilemma:

When producing others:

• Do you push for emotion in the moment or help refine over time?

As a self-recording musician:

• Are you capturing a moment—or sculpting art from memory?

And, of course we add some practical advice and action steps for you before we wrap it up.

Enjoy!

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For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, key takeaways, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/274

--

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

Send us a text

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

theselfrecordingband.com

Our coaching community, The Self-Recording Syndicate, is the number one way for DIY producers around the world to get results that they'll be proud of forever.

If you apply for personal mentoring, we'll first jump on a completely free call so we can give you feedback, build a custom plan for you and help you figure out the best way forward.

🚀 Here are all the details, let's go:

theselfrecordingband.com

--

Episode show notes:

People obsess over amps - but totally ignore the cab. Let’s change that.

In this episode, Manel and Benedikt dig into why the cabinet you’re using (or the IR you’re loading) has way more impact on your tone than most folks think. You’ll hear real-world guitar and bass examples where the amp stays the same - but the cab changes everything.

We’re showing how different speakers, cabinet types, mic placements, and even small tweaks to an IR can make your tone tighter, more aggressive, warmer, darker - whatever the song needs.

So whether you’re using real amps and mics or working fully in-the-box with amp sims and IRs, this episode will help you dial in better tones by starting where it really matters: the cab.

What we cover:

• Why your cab (or IR) matters more than your amp
• The difference between open-back and closed-back designs
• How speaker types and cabinet construction affect tone
• Why mic choice and placement can make or break your sound
• Examples of tone changes just by swapping cabs
• How to find the right IRs for your mix
• Why a classic 4x12 with an SM57 still works - and when to try something else

Takeaway:

Don’t sleep on your cab. If you want your guitars and bass to sound pro, this is where the magic starts.

Enjoy!

--

For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, key takeaways, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/273

--

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

Send us a text

Your next step:

Apply for coaching!

theselfrecordingband.com

Our coaching community, The Self-Recording Syndicate, is the number one way for DIY producers around the world to get results that they'll be proud of forever.

If you apply for personal mentoring, we'll first jump on a completely free call so we can give you feedback, build a custom plan for you and help you figure out the best way forward.

🚀 Here are all the details, let's go:

theselfrecordingband.com

--

Episode show notes:

We sat down with one of our Self-Recording Syndicate members Jason W Taylor.

A busy entreprenuer and dad who is making his rock'n'roll dreams come true after taking a 20-year break from music.

Jason is a self-recording artist, based in Texas, USA, who just released his first couple of songs under the artist name Aught Sicks.

We have helped him remotely during the production phase of his music and we helped him build and set up his home studio from scratch.

Then after the recording and editing was done, I (Benedikt) mixed the songs. It was a super fun collaboration and I’m really stoked about the results.

Jason is also a very busy entrepreneur and dad, so he has limited available to work on his music. Which just goes to show that you can do it and realize your dreams, even if you have a lot on your plate.

And finally, Jason used his new recording skills to create badass music for the live events he is doing with his company. He wrote a song specifically for those events and created a karaoke version that he is now regularly performing in front of a live audience, which creates a whole new experience for everyone attending the shows.

Not too long ago I had the honor of being a guest on Jason’s podcast, We Code You Launch. Now it’s the other way around and it’s time to tell Jason’s story.

So without further ado, here's Jason W Taylor, aka Aught Sicks!

Enjoy!

​CodeLaunch Website

Aught Sicks on Spotify

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For links to everything we've mentioned in this episode, key takeaways, as well as full show notes go to: theselfrecordingband.com/272

--

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