Riff to Radio – Episode 8: Why Perfect Edits Ruin Metal

If you’re locking every drum hit and guitar chug perfectly to the grid, thinking “tighter is always better”—you might be killing your music’s energy.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why over-editing is one of the fastest ways to make your track sound robotic, lifeless, and forgettable… and how to fix it without sacrificing tightness.

I’ll walk you through real-world examples, production pitfalls, and my personal “80/20” editing method to keep your songs heavy and human.

In this episode:

• Why music that’s “too perfect” loses its impact
• How quantizing everything creates mix and phase issues
• The reason hyper-editing ruins your live show vibe
• A smarter editing workflow that keeps things natural

If you want your songs to hit hard and feel alive, this one’s for you.

👉 Listen now and bring the groove back to your mix.
📥 Download my Free Resources Here: https://liquidstudiosli.com/resources

If your drum recordings sound weak, boxy, or like they were tracked on a laptop mic—this episode is for you.

In this episode, I break down exactly how to record punchy, powerful, mix-ready drum tracks from home—without needing a fancy studio. From choosing the right room and mic placements to dialing in overheads and room mics, you'll get a full walkthrough of the process that helps your drums actually slam in a metal mix.

Plus, I share some real-world mistakes I've seen (and heard) so you can avoid the pitfalls that kill your tone before the mix even starts.

If you want your drums to sound like they belong on a real record—not a rushed demo—don’t miss this one.

🧰 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the room you're recording in matters more than your mics
• How to mic your kick, snare, and toms for clarity and power
• Best practices for overhead placement (and how to avoid phase issues)
• What room mics actually do—and how to use them to add size
• DIY tips to treat your space without spending a fortune
• Common drum tracking mistakes that destroy your mix before it starts

📥 Grab the Free Drum Recording Guide
Want a step-by-step visual guide you can follow while tracking?
Download My free drum recording guide here:
👉 https://liquidstudiosli.com/drum-recording-guide

Ever wondered why your latest release doesn’t hit as hard as your favorite records—even though you “did everything right”? In this episode, I break down one of the most common (and costly) mistakes metal bands make: hiring the cheapest engineer they can find.

I share real stories from the trenches, including one band that ended up spending more time and money fixing a bad mix than if they had just invested in quality from the start.

In this episode, I cover:

• The hidden costs of hiring budget engineers
• What pro engineers actually bring to your music
• How a bad mix can kill your momentum, streams, and opportunities
• How to find a quality engineer even if you're on a budget
• Smart strategies for bands working with limited funds

Whether you're about to record your first EP or prepping your next album, this episode will help you avoid common traps and make decisions that truly move your band forward.

🔥 Ready to level up your sound?
Reach out to me for mixing, production, or just to get pointed in the right direction.

📩 Have questions or feedback? Hit me up!

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review to support the show and keep the metal community strong.