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

March 11, 2025

Drums

Unlock the Secrets of Drum Programming vs. Live Drums!
Ready to settle the score between drum programming and live drums? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive deep into the pros, cons, and surprising secrets of both worlds. From the unmistakable human feel of live drums to the precision and creativity of programmed beats, we explore:
- Which music styles thrive with live drums and which ones are a match made in heaven for drum programming.
- When to hit record on live drums for that larger-than-life sound—and when to let your DAW handle the groove.
- Avoiding robotic rhythms: Common pitfalls of drum programming and how to keep it feeling fresh.
- Why program drums anyway? Cost, control, and those tiny apartments that don’t fit a drum kit.
- The best of both worlds: Tips for blending live and programmed drums or samples to craft a killer hybrid sound.
Plus, there’s a mysterious Friday Finds that you won’t want to miss. And let’s be real—it’s also not unlikely that some nonsense will be discussed along the way.
Whether you’re a purist who swears by sticks and skins or a MIDI maestro, this episode is packed with insights to level up your drum game!
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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
February 28, 2025

Workflow

From Clutter to Clarity: Expert Layering Techniques for a Powerful Mix!

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive headfirst into the art (and occasional disaster) of layering similar instruments in a mix. When done right, layering can add depth, texture, and power—but when done wrong, you’re left with a cluttered, phasey mess that no amount of EQ can fix.
We’re tackling:
Synths – Can stacking multiple pads create a lush soundscape, or does it just turn into an undefined blob?
Guitars – Doubling and layering techniques that add energy without losing clarity.
Basses – Thickening the low end vs. creating an unintelligible rumble.
Drums – Why layering kicks and snares can be powerful… but also tricky.
Vocals – Finding the right balance between rich harmonies and overprocessed chaos.
Along the way, we’ll talk common layering pitfalls, best practices, and how to decide when enough is enough. And of course, no episode would be complete without some nonsense and this week’s mysterious Friday Finds—trust us, you want to hear this one.
If you’ve ever struggled with getting layers to sit just right, this episode is packed with actionable mixing tips to help you achieve a bigger, more professional sound without losing clarity. Hit play and let’s stack those layers the right way!
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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
February 21, 2025

EQ

5 EQ Tips for Kick Drums: Transform Your Mix with Pro Secrets!

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take on a critical piece of every mix—the kick drum. Whether you want deep, chest-thumping lows or a sharp, defined attack, EQ is the key to making your kick sit right in the mix.
Here’s what we’re breaking down:
Fundamental Low End – How to shape the bass for power without turning your mix into a muddy mess.
Low Mids – The trouble zone! Tame the mud or embrace the warmth—your call.
Upper Mids – Cutting through the mix without making your kick sound thin or harsh.
The “Click” Factor – How the right amount of high-end attack can give your kick drum definition and presence.
Plus, we’ll dig into cutting vs. boosting in each range and explain the “why” behind each choice—because knowing whatto tweak is only half the battle.
And since this episode is all about kicks, we promise plenty of fun, a bit of nonsense, and of course, this week’s mysterious Friday Finds (you definitely don’t want to miss this one).
If you’ve ever struggled to make your kick drum hit just right, this episode is packed with practical EQ tips to help you lock in the perfect sound. Hit play and let’s get that low end in shape!
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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