In this Tuesday Tip we take a look at the intro overview of a MainStage concert file. Particularly a concert file set up with patches recreating Bass Amp setups for cover songs. Showing the various parts of the window and also a slightly more advanced method of using a single input to drive multiple Bass Amps at once.
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MainStage 101: How To Get Started With The Best Live Audio Software On The Market!
MainStage: not just another Apple logo slapped on software. Chris & Jody get their hands dirty with this live-performance beast, spilling the beans on why it’s the unsung hero of both touring rigs and bedroom setups. They cover what it’s best at, which instruments will thank you, and how to avoid a crash mid-solo (because yes, that’s a thing). You’ll also find out how MainStage sneaks its way into studio workflows like a ninja of hidden features in studio gear. Plus, our hosts throw in their signature Friday Finds—because you deserve a treat after geeking out over plugins and performance tricks. Buckle up: this isn’t your average sales pitch, it’s Chris & Jody telling you why MainStage might just be your new favorite sidekick.
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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 -
Which is better, Passive or Active Pickups?
Passive vs. Active Pickups: What’s Best for Your Tone?
Guitarists, gather ’round—this one’s for the tone-obsessed, the pedalboard tweakers, and the “don’t-touch-my-pickups” purists. In this electrified episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody spark a lively debate over the long-standing feud: passive pickups vs. active pickups.
What’s the actual difference between the two? Are you losing nuance with one or missing bite with the other? Whether you’re wielding vintage humbuckers or EMG-powered shredders, Chris and Jody unpack the sonic, technical, and stylistic pros and cons of each design—along with their personal preferences, recording implications, and studio-use tips. You’ll walk away knowing which pickup style fits your tone goals, rig setup, and musical genre.
Plus: what not to do when you’re done playing (hint: don’t leave your guitar plugged in unless you want a surprise expense), and this week’s Friday Finds drop in with gear to explore.
Expect laughs, light-hearted jabs, and a few myth-busting moments. Whether you’re building your home studio geararsenal or just wondering why your tone feels flat, this episode will help you pick your pickups wisely.
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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 -
Tuesday Tip: DI Bass Recording
In this Tuesday Tip Jody walks you thru recording Bass using a DI box and also going direct to your audio interface with a ¼” cable. Both methods of recording the bass get a similar sound and helps the mixing engineer when the levels are at a reasonable level for Re-Amping purposes.
Shoutout to: Radial Engineering for their Trim Two Stereo DI.