The Music Production Process (Step 4): Sound Check

301: The Music Production Process (Step 4): Recording Setup & Sound Check: How To Capture Great Tones At The Source

Great recordings don’t start with plugins. They start before you ever hit record.

In Step 4 of the Production Process, Benedikt Hain and Manel Espinosa break down setup and sound check: the often-skipped "day one at the studio".

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This step separates frustrating home recordings (with lots of things to fix later) from mixes that fall together effortlessly.

This episode walks you through how professionals capture great tones at the source, why mic placement matters more than mic choice, how room acoustics influence your sound far more than you think, and how small setup decisions can save you hours (or days) of mixing later.

If you’ve ever felt like your recordings are technically fine but never quite sound right — this episode explains why.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Why pros don't just “fix it in the mix” — and why you shouldn’t either
How to find the best recording spot in any room (even untreated ones)
Simple acoustic tricks that dramatically improve vocal and instrument recordings
Why instrument setup (strings, heads, tuning) matters more than expensive gear
How mic placement can change your sound more than swapping microphones
Real audio examples showing how small mic movements create massive tonal changes
How proper monitoring improves vocal performances instantly
Why vibe, lighting, and comfort directly affect the quality of your takes
How basic checklists prevent session-killing mistakes

Who this episode is for: