DIY Recording Guys

By Vadim Kharaz and Benjamin Hull

We believe that, with minimal gear and a bit of knowledge, DIY musicians can get pro quality recordings.

Our mission is to provide that knowledge... more

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FAQs about DIY Recording Guys:

How many episodes does DIY Recording Guys have?

The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.

DIY Recording Guys episodes:

August 03, 202031: How (and Why) to Care for Your Stringed Instruments (Joe Golden)
If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a quick rating. It only takes a minute and it means the world to us.
Take a look at that guitar/bass/fiddle/violin/cello sitting in your bedroom. When was the last time you told it you loved it? The truth is, most of us probably don't show our instruments the care that they deserve. Not only can this be problematic for getting the best tone and performance on your recordings, but it's also a disservice to future generations because many of the tone-woods used in our instruments are endangered.
In this episode, Vadim and Ben talk to Joe Golden of Westmoreland String Workshop about care and maintenance for stringed instruments.
You will learn:
Why maintaining your instrument is so important - even irrespective of improved tone
Why upgrading components in your existing instrument may be better than buying new
How to evaluate a used instrument you're considering purchasing
Why humidity is so important to the health of an instrument and why not enough humidity may actually be worse than too much humidity
A quick hack for helping you save on string and fret costs
What a truss rod is and why you shouldn't fear it
What mistake you may be making while winding your strings and how to fix it
What to consider when changing string gauge or tuning
Where to Find Joe
https://westmorelandstringworkshop.com/
https://www.facebook.com/westmorelandstringworkshop/
Where to Find the Guys
Vadim's free DIY Recording eBook
DIY Recording Facebook Community
Vadim's Studio Site
Benjamin's Studio Site
Leave a rating. Be a friend
...more
1h 3min
July 27, 202030: How to Optimize Your Current Computer for Recording
If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a quick rating. It only takes a minute and it means the world to us.
In this episode the guys talk about computer optimization techniques.
You will learn about:
RAM recap and when it may be time to add more RAM to your rig
Why your computer may be running a bunch of background tasks and programs that chew up horsepower - and how to stop it!
How to make sure you are using the right ports for the right jobs
Powered vs non-powered USB hubs. What's the difference? Which one should you use?
How to partition your drives like a pro (and why it's improtant)
Power vs performance settings
TLDR summary of audio drivers and ASIO4ALL
Hard drive space requirements and why they can actually affect your computer's performance
File organization best practices
And more!
Where to Find the Guys
Vadim's free DIY Recording eBook
DIY Recording Facebook Community
Vadim's Studio Site
Benjamin's Studio Site
Leave a rating. Be a friend
...more
45min
July 20, 202029: Want Songwriting Superpowers? A Little Theory Will Help (Samori Coles)
If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a quick rating. It only takes a minute and it means the world to us.
Music theory. Did you cringe when you read that? We often associate music theory with tedious piano lessons, classical music, or reading sheet music. It can be all of those things but it doesn't have to be any of them! It turns out that knowing a little bit of theory can be a bit of a superpower for a songwriter - and music reading is not even required!
In this episode, Vadim talks to Samori Coles of Lil' Drumma Boy Recordings and Home Studio Tutor about this topic. You will learn:
How Samori has leveraged technology throughout his career to ensure longevity
What music theory is
Why you shouldn't associate music theory with classical music
Whether you need music theory to be a great a musician
How music theory can get you through writer's block
An introduction to the circle of fifths and its use in pop music genres
What triads are and why they're a good starting point for understanding the chords of a key
Why reading music is not critical to understanding music theory
Where to find Samori:
Philadelphia studio: https://ldb10.com/
Educational resources: https://homestudiotutor.com/

Where to Find the Guys
Vadim's free DIY Recording eBook
DIY Recording Facebook Community
Vadim's Studio Site
Benjamin's Studio Site
Leave a rating. Be a friend
...more
1h 5min
July 13, 202028: Proper Gain Staging to Get the Sound You Want
If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a quick rating. It only takes a minute and it means the world to us.
You've probably heard the term "gain staging" thrown around but how well do you REALLY understand what it means? Is it actually important for DIY recording or is it one of those esoteric recording concepts debated by nerds (like us) but that you can skip? The answer to the second question is a definite "Yes. It's actually important". The good news, this week we will demystify the concept for you so that you can gain stage like a pro.
In this episode you will learn:
What gain staging is through a helpful video game analog
How to decide where to distort signals when some distortion is your end goal
The different gain stages (and how to use them) in guitar and bass amps
The difference between "gain" knobs and "level" knobs on pedals, preamps and amps
How to troubleshoot excessive noise or distortion
What "unity gain" means and why it's such a powerful concept in recording
The role of "metering" in a proper gain staging strategy
What "oversampling" is and when it can (and can't) help you
A practical, step by step gain staging process
And more!
Where to Find the Guys
Vadim's free DIY Recording eBook
DIY Recording Facebook Community
Vadim's Studio Site
Benjamin's Studio Site
Leave a rating. Be a friend
...more
55min
July 06, 2020 Bonus: Q&A with Jesco Lohan of Acoustics Insider
If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a quick rating. It only takes a minute and it means the world to us.
In this bonus episode to episode 27, Jesco answers questions from the DIY Recording Guys Facebook community.
Jesco has created a FREE pdf guide just for our community. You can download it here: 5 Steps To Recording Room Acoustics On A Budget
Links
Where to Find Jesco
Website - https://www.acousticsinsider.com/
Free PDF "5 Steps To Recording Room Acoustics On A Budget"
Acoustics Insider YouTube Channel

Where to Find the Guys
Vadim's free DIY Recording eBook
DIY Recording Facebook Community
Vadim's Studio Site
Benjamin's Studio Site
Leave a rating. Be a friend
...more
34min
July 06, 202027: Acoustics 201: Recording Room Acoustics on a Budget (Jesco Lohan)
If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a quick rating. It only takes a minute and it means the world to us.
In this Acoustics 201 episode, we talk to Jesco Lohan of Acoustics Insider about getting recording room acoustics right on a budget. Jesco is a platinum award winning mix engineer and acoustician based out of Berlin, Germany. Jesco has created a FREE pdf guide just for our community. You can download it here: 5 Steps To Recording Room Acoustics On A Budget
In this episode, you will learn:
How to know when it's time to start considering the acoustics of your recording room
What to listen for when assessing your room
What room modes are and why they're a problem in the low end
Some rules of thumb for instrument and amp placement in your rehearsal and recording space
How to develop your "taste" for different types of room sound
What are "early reflections" and why are they the biggest problem in most DIY recording situations
Why broadband porous absorbers are likely your best solution
Why there is really only one type of panel you need to integrate into your strategy to start and what it is
Why panel size matters for determining how low into the frequency spectrum your absorber will work
Why acoustic foam is so popular - and why you should actually avoid it
What a "bass trap" is and whether it really is different than other acoustic absorbers
What material options we have for porous absorbers and how they're different
When "measuring" your room is important
Links
Where to Find Jesco
Website - https://www.acousticsinsider.com/
Free PDF "5 Steps To Recording Room Acoustics On A Budget"
Acoustics Insider YouTube Channel

Where to Find the Guys
Vadim's free DIY Recording eBook
DIY Recording Facebook Community
Vadim's Studio Site
Benjamin's Studio Site
Leave a rating. Be a friend
...more
1h 11min
June 29, 202026: How to Not Screw Up Your Next Release (Kareem Guy)
If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a quick rating. It only takes a minute and it means the world to us.
Kareem Guy started Keyz to the Game to help independent artists be smarter about the business side of their craft.
On this episode you will learn:
Why you need to start preparing for music release even before you press record
Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) - What are they, why are they important, and how to get registered
What is a split sheet and why you definitely need to consider one before a release
Do you need to aspire to getting a record deal and, if so, when?
The importance of catalog organization and some tools/strategies you can use
The importance of submitting your music to curated playlists
Why you should refocus from selling your music to selling your personality
The importance of TikTok in a social media strategy
Social media strategy - Where to get content ideas and how to keep from getting overwhelmed
Links
Where to Find Kareem
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/keyztothegame/
Website - www.keyztothegame.com
Free Album Release Blue Print Webinar - https://ultimatemusicrelease.easywebinar.live/registration-7

Where to Find the Guys
Vadim's free DIY Recording eBook
DIY Recording Facebook Community
Vadim's Studio Site
Benjamin's Studio Site
Leave a rating. Be a friend
...more
1h 5min
June 22, 2020 Bonus: Heavy Metal in Outer Space and Other Tales (K Enagonio)
We normally don't include outtakes but these were too good to pass up.
Links
Where to Find K
Website: https://www.justtheletterk.com/
Music (Chasing Satellites): https://chasingsatellitesmusic.bandcamp.com/
Music (Matriarchs): https://matriarchs.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/kenagonio
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/justtheletterk
Freelancing podcast (Project Freelance): https://open.spotify.com/show/0hnPaJUv5gCjPeOHaZG1rw
Urban exploring adventures: https://www.justtheletterk.com/notracers
Where to Find the Guys
Vadim's free DIY Recording eBook
DIY Recording Facebook Community
Vadim's Studio Site
Benjamin's Studio Site
Leave a rating. Be a friend
...more
18min
June 22, 202025: Sustainability through Freelancing (K Enagonio)
If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a quick rating. It only takes a minute and it means the world to us.
K Enagonio is a freelance photographer and videographer, vocalist for hardcore bands Chasing Satellites and Matriarchs, vlogger, podcaster, explorer, and writer.
She has toured and traveled extensively in these capacities and has some amazing stories. She is also a DIY musician!
In this episode you will learn how K:
Was able to move from humble photography gigs into touring and working with some of her favorite artists
How photo and video work enabled and supported her music career (and vice versa!)
Why she is a strong believer in freelancing as a sustainable career path
Leverages social media to build and sustain a following (this part is so cool)
Records vocals in her home and collaborates remotely with multiple producers
Involves her fans in her creative process
Links
Where to Find K
Website: https://www.justtheletterk.com/
Music (Chasing Satellites): https://chasingsatellitesmusic.bandcamp.com/
Music (Matriarchs): https://matriarchs.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/kenagonio
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/justtheletterk
Freelancing podcast (Project Freelance): https://open.spotify.com/show/0hnPaJUv5gCjPeOHaZG1rw
Urban exploring adventures: https://www.justtheletterk.com/notracers
Where to Find the Guys
Vadim's free DIY Recording eBook
DIY Recording Facebook Community
Vadim's Studio Site
Benjamin's Studio Site
Leave a rating. Be a friend
...more
1h 3min
June 15, 202024: What is an MP3? (And Tales of Other Audio Formats)
If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a quick rating. It only takes a minute and it means the world to us.
We've all heard of and used MP3s. But what ARE they and why have them become so ubiquitous? And, if they're so great, why don't we use them in ALL of our studio applications?
In this episode you will learn:
The difference between compressed and lossless audio formats
Why MP3s are so popular in the age of streaming
Why we may need to be a little careful about using them in the studio
How MP3s are made
What other lossless and lossy audio formats are common
What it sounds like when sample rate and bit depth are reduced too far (and why you can sometimes use this to your advantage)
How to decide on audio format when preparing to release music
Links
Vadim's free DIY Recording eBook
DIY Recording Facebook Community
Vadim's Studio Site
Benjamin's Studio Site
Leave a rating. Be a friend
...more
49min

FAQs about DIY Recording Guys:

How many episodes does DIY Recording Guys have?

The podcast currently has 109 episodes available.