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

May 30, 2025

EQ

From Murky to Magical: The Ultimate Mid-Side EQ Breakdown
Mid-Side EQ Demystified: Clarity, Control, and Stereo Sorcery
Ever feel like your stereo mix is wide but just… not right? You might be missing one of mixing’s most underrated tools: Mid-Side EQ.
In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade into the murky but magical waters of Mid-Side EQ, unpacking the science, the strategy, and the occasional sonic mishap behind this powerful mixing technique.
🎧 Inside this episode:
- Where the concept of Mid-Side processing comes from—and how it’s evolved for today’s DAWs
- How Mid-Side EQ actually works in stereo, broken down into digestible chunks
- When to reach for Mid-Side EQ: mastering, reverb control, vocal clarity, and stereo imaging
- Common pitfalls to watch out for—because just because you can doesn’t mean you should
- A few of Chris and Jody’s favorite plugins for Mid-Side EQ and why they’re worth a spot in your toolkit
Whether you’re trying to tighten up a muddy low end or add air to the sides without wrecking your mono compatibility, this episode has actionable tips you can use right away.
And yes, there’s also this week’s Friday Finds and some completely unrequested but always entertaining nonsense to balance out the signal chain.
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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
May 23, 2025

Workflow

Ultimate Guide to Studio File Organization: Perfect Delivery Every Time!
Organized Audio: Mastering File Management & Delivery in the Studio
Let’s be honest—file management isn’t glamorous, but it can be the difference between a smooth project and a full-blown data disaster.
In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle the often-overlooked (and frequently dreaded) topic of file management and delivery workflows in audio production. Whether you’re working solo in a home studio or collaborating with clients around the world, getting your digital house in order is crucial.
🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Best practices for naming audio files and sessions so they stay organized and searchable
- How to set up an efficient folder structure to avoid chaos later
- Why metadata tagging can save your future self a world of trouble
- The pros and cons of delivery methods like Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, FTP, and even good ol’ physical media
- How to choose the right delivery method based on project scale, client expectations, and security
Plus, Chris and Jody share real-world file fails (yes, it’s happened to all of us), some tips for client communication, and—naturally—a bit of nonsense and studio banter to keep it entertaining.
Don’t forget to check out this week’s Friday Finds for gear or tools that might just make your file-wrangling life easier.
Whether you’re a freelancer, studio assistant, or full-time audio pro, this episode will help you clean up your workflow, impress your clients, and sleep better knowing you won’t lose that perfect take.
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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
May 9, 2025

Compressors

The Magic of De-Essers: Say Goodbye to Sibilance and Harshness!
De-Essers: The Unsung Heroes of Smooth-Sounding Mixes
It’s not flashy. It’s not fun. And let’s face it—nobody gets excited about a de-esser. But when sibilance strikes or harshness creeps in, this humble tool can be the difference between a professional-sounding vocal and a wince-worthy one.
In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a non-sexy but absolutely necessary dive into the world of de-essers—what they are, why they matter, and how to wield them like a pro.
🎙️ You’ll learn:
- What de-essers actually do and why your mix will thank you
- The mechanics of de-essing, from simple threshold-based tools to dynamic EQ-based solutions
- Top plugin picks that go beyond the default presets
- When to use de-essers on instruments (hint: it’s not just for vocals)
- Common mistakes and how to avoid over-de-essing the life out of your mix
This episode is perfect for anyone who’s been surprised by a sharp “S” in playback—or who just wants to make their mixes more polished and listener-friendly.
As always, expect a bit of nonsense, a lot of insight, and a new favorite from this week’s Friday Finds. Your ears (and your clients) will be happier for it.
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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