Inside The Recording Studio – Unlock remarkable tips and tricks for improved recordings in your studio. Unusually great for beginners and professionals.

April 18, 2025

Workflow

How Much Headroom Do You Really Need? The Unsung Hero of Better Mixes
Finding the Sweet Spot: Why Headroom Matters in Your Mixes
You’ve likely heard the term headroom tossed around in audio circles—but how well do you actually understand it?
In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive head-first into the often-overlooked (yet wildly important) topic of recording headroom. They break down what it is, why you should care, and how hitting the “sweet spot” of headroom can make all the difference when it comes time to master your mix.
🎛️ In this episode:
- What exactly headroom is in a digital recording setup
- Why pushing levels too close to zero can do more harm than good
- The ideal range to aim for when tracking and mixing
- Why mastering engineers love (and expect) a well-balanced mix
- Common mistakes people make and how to avoid them
Whether you’re a home studio enthusiast or a seasoned engineer, this episode helps you level up your gain staging game—without any of the math headaches.
Oh, and yes—there’s the usual dose of studio nonsense, along with this week’s Friday Finds that you won’t want to miss.
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Gear we used:
Jody’s Mic & Voice Chain: Telefunken C12 – Groove Tubes Vipre – Apollo – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA Studer A800
Jody’s Channel Strip: iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

Chris’ Mic & Voice Chain: Slate ML1 – Apollo – UA – Slate VMR (FG12, FG73, API Eq, SSL 4kE) – iZotope RX Voice – DeNoise
Chris’ Channel Strip: Eventide Precision Time Align – iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

Master: Oek Sound Soothe 2 – iZotope Ozone Imager – iZotope Ozone Maximize.

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If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com
April 11, 2025

Workflow

Stems vs. Multitracks: The Best Lingo Guide for Music Producers!
What exactly is the difference between stems and multitrack files—and why does it matter when you’re sending a session out into the world?
In this knowledge-packed episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody unravel the often-confused terms and workflows behind project sharing in modern music production.
Whether you’re a solo artist collaborating across the globe, a producer prepping tracks for a mix engineer, or someone just trying not to embarrass yourself on a licensing call—this episode helps you sound like you actually know what you’re talking about.
Learn:
- The difference between stems and multitracks (finally).
- Why clarity matters when you’re collaborating or outsourcing.
- What people really mean when they say “send me the stems.”
- The right time to export, organize, and communicate project files.
- How using the wrong term might derail your mix—or your reputation.
And of course, expect the usual helping of nonsense, some studio banter, and a few Friday Finds worth checking out.
So if you’ve ever hesitated mid-email wondering “Wait… is this a stem or a multitrack?” — this episode is for you.
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Gear we used:
Jody’s Mic & Voice Chain: Telefunken C12 – Groove Tubes Vipre – Apollo – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA Studer A800
Jody’s Channel Strip: iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

Chris’ Mic & Voice Chain: Slate ML1 – Apollo – UA – Slate VMR (FG12, FG73, API Eq, SSL 4kE) – iZotope RX Voice – DeNoise
Chris’ Channel Strip: Eventide Precision Time Align – iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

Master: Oek Sound Soothe 2 – iZotope Ozone Imager – iZotope Ozone Maximize.

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If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com
April 4, 2025

Psychological

New Gear Overload! Tips to Avoid the Trap & Stay Creative

Shiny New Gear: When to Use It & When to Hold Back
We’ve all been there: You finally get your hands on that shiny new plugin, synth, or piece of outboard gear, and suddenly… you want to use it on everything. But should you?
In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade through the muddy waters of gear obsession to answer some important questions:
Does every song really need that new effect, plugin, or instrument?
Do sleigh bells belong in everything, or should they stay in Christmas songs?
Are you buying gear for a real need—or just chasing the thrill of something new?
They’ll break down the psychology behind gear purchases, how to integrate new tools effectively, and when it’s time to resist the urge to throw the kitchen sink into your mix.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode without some nonsense, unexpected tangents, and a Friday Find or two.
So if you’ve ever wondered whether that new compressor is a game-changer or just another dust collector, this episode is for you.
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Gear we used:
Jody’s Mic & Voice Chain: Telefunken C12 – Groove Tubes Vipre – Apollo – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA Studer A800
Jody’s Channel Strip: iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

Chris’ Mic & Voice Chain: Slate ML1 – Apollo – UA – Slate VMR (FG12, FG73, API Eq, SSL 4kE) – iZotope RX Voice – DeNoise
Chris’ Channel Strip: Eventide Precision Time Align – iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

Master: Oek Sound Soothe 2 – iZotope Ozone Imager – iZotope Ozone Maximize.

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If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com