Sample Rate Smarts: What They Are and Why They Matter
In this enlightening episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody crack open the digital egg and dive into the often-misunderstood world of sample rates. What is a sample rate really? Why do we choose 44.1, 48, or even 96kHz? And more importantly—should you ever upsample? (Spoiler: there’s one thing you definitely shouldn’t do.)
With their trademark clarity and wit, Chris and Jody walk through the fundamentals of sample rate theory, the evolution of digital audio gear, and the real-world implications of higher rates—think CPU loads, file sizes, and that one timesomeone tried to impress clients by tracking at 192kHz… just because.
This episode is essential listening for anyone working with digital audio—whether you’re running a humble home studio gear setup or deep in the pro audio trenches. It’s all signal, no fluff (well… maybe a little fluff—this is Chris and Jody after all).
Stick around for the Gold Star word, don’t miss this week’s Friday Finds, and prep your ears for a mini-masterclass that cuts through the confusion and gives you real recording setup tips you can actually use.
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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