The Gear We Regret Buying (and What We’d Buy Instead)

In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu get brutally honest about the gear they regret buying — not because it sounded bad, but because it didn’t move the needle. From analog outboard gear that collected dust to plugins that felt essential (but weren’t), this episode is all about separating emotional purchases from strategic investments.

Whether you're a bedroom producer or a full-time engineer, we explore what gear actually makes a difference at different stages of your career. We break down common purchasing mistakes, why some tools are overrated for professionals, and what we wish we bought instead. This is a must-listen for anyone building a real audio career, not just a pretty studio.

Topics include:

• The gear we regret (and why)
• Emotional vs strategic purchases
• Pro mindset vs hobbyist mindset
• What we would buy instead
• Gear that actually helps you grow your business
• How to prioritize purchases at different career stages
• The hidden cost of chasing “feeling legit”

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The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠

The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others.

This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠deekeimixes@gmail.com⁠.

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