• Recording Setup Tips for Better Side Chaining



    Everyone talks about side chaining like it’s some secret club. Good news. There isn’t a password.

    This week Chris and Jody tackle one of the most talked about mixing techniques in music production and prove it isn’t nearly as scary as the internet sometimes makes it sound. Side chaining can make a muddy mix breathe, help your kick and bass stop fighting, and even add movement that makes a track feel more alive. Once you understand it, you’ll probably wonder why you waited so long.

    The fun begins with a simple explanation of what side chaining actually does. No confusing textbook definitions. No impossible engineering vocabulary. Just a straightforward conversation about how one signal can control another and why that matters when you’re trying to build a better mix.

    Then the practical part begins. Chris and Jody explain how to set up side chaining in a DAW so you can start experimenting immediately. They don’t stop there either. If you’re working with an MPC Live, they also cover how the same concepts translate into hardware so you’re not limited to one production environment.

    Along the way they share creative ways to use side chaining beyond the obvious kick and bass trick. Want a cleaner vocal mix? Looking for synth parts that pulse with the groove? Trying to make crowded arrangements feel less crowded? You’ll come away with several ideas that you can try on your own projects without needing a complicated setup.

    Naturally, no episode would be complete without Chris and Jody bouncing jokes back and forth while explaining the serious stuff. Their signature banter keeps the conversation light even while covering important recording setup tips. They also point out several common mistakes that producers make when learning side chaining so you can skip the frustration and get better results faster.

    And because no Inside the Recording Studio episode is complete without a little randomness, they also deliver the promised nonsense at absolutely no extra charge. It wouldn’t feel right otherwise.

    The episode closes with another round of Friday Finds, giving you another chance to discover something interesting that might become part of your own recording workflow.

    Whether you’re brand new to compression, trying to understand why side chaining is everywhere, or simply looking for fresh music production ideas, this conversation gives you practical techniques instead of complicated theory. Everything is presented in a way that’s easy to understand and immediately useful.

    Hit subscribe to Inside the Recording Studio and come back next week for more practical recording knowledge, useful studio tips, and whatever unexpected nonsense Chris and Jody decide to include.

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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

  • Fairchild Compressor Deep Dive Guide for Better Mix Glue



    Some compressors compress. The Fairchild compressor walks into the room wearing a velvet jacket and makes everything sound like it has a record deal.

    This week, Chris and Jody take on the Fairchild compressor, one of the most loved, copied, drooled-over, and financially terrifying pieces of audio hardware ever built. It has been linked to legendary studios, classic records, and more plugin wishlists than anyone wants to admit. But behind all the glowing praise is a real question: what actually makes this thing so special?

    In this episode, the guys dig into the origins, functions, quirks, and modern clones of the Fairchild. They look at why this classic tube compressor became such a studio icon and why engineers still chase its sound today. Is it the warmth? The smooth control? The way it can hug a vocal, thicken a bass, or glue a mix together without stomping all over the life of it? Yes. Probably. Also tubes. Tubes make people emotional.

    For home studio gear users, this episode keeps things practical. Most of us are not parking an original Fairchild in the rack unless we also happen to own a bank, a forklift, and a small climate-controlled shrine. But Fairchild-style compression still shows up in plugins and modern hardware clones, which means the sound is not totally out of reach.

    Chris and Jody talk through where this kind of compression shines, including vocals, bass, drums, and bus compression. They also compare the classic Fairchild idea to modern compressors, giving you a better sense of when vintage flavor helps and when you may just be adding expensive butter to toast that was already fine.

    Naturally, there are laughs, side comments, and Friday Finds, because no one should have to learn about tube compression in complete silence.

    If you have ever opened a Fairchild plugin, stared at the controls, and thought, “Cool, but what am I actually doing here?” this episode is for you.

    Subscribe to Inside the Recording Studio for more recording setup tips, home studio gear talk, and audio nonsense with useful side effects.

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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

  • Mix Smarter: Compression Fundamentals That Actually Help



    What is compression, really?

    That’s the question Chris and Jody start with in this episode of Inside the Recording Studio. Compression gets talked about constantly, but rarely explained clearly. This episode changes that.

    Why does compression feel so confusing?

    Because it’s often taught backwards. Instead of explaining what compression does, people jump straight to settings. Chris admits he’s guilty of the classic move, throwing a compressor on a track and hoping it magically fixes things. Jody laughs, because we’ve all been there.

    So what do the knobs actually do?

    Chris and Jody walk through the core controls you’ll find on nearly every compressor: threshold, ratio, attack, release, and make-up gain. They explain each one in plain language, focusing on how it affects sound and feel, not numbers on a screen.

    Is this episode only for beginners?

    Nope. Whether you’re new to home studio gear or you’ve been mixing for years, this episode is about clarity. Compression isn’t about rules, it’s about intention. Understanding the basics makes every compressor easier to use.

    What about that “glued” or “squashed” sound?

    Jody explains why those terms get thrown around and how compression contributes to them. The key takeaway: chasing a sound without understanding compression usually leads to overdoing it.

    Are there practical takeaways?

    Absolutely. This episode is packed with simple recording setup tips that help you listen more effectively. Attack and release stop being scary once you hear what they change. Ratio starts to make sense when you understand how much control you actually need.

    Does it still feel like an Inside the Recording Studio episode?

    Very much so. You’ll still get Friday Finds, a Gold Star word drop, and the familiar Chris-and-Jody rhythm that keeps things technical but approachable. There’s even a little premonition about the next Tuesday Tip if you’re paying attention.

    Who is this episode for?

    Anyone who’s ever used compression and wondered if they were doing it “right.” This episode doesn’t give you rules, it gives you understanding.

    Subscribe now and come back next week for another practical studio breakdown on Inside the Recording Studio.

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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

  • Compression Demystified: How to Train Your Ears to Hear Dynamic Control



    How to Hear Compression: Training Your Ears to Master Dynamic Control

    Compression—it’s one of the most powerful tools in your mixing arsenal. But if you’re not sure what you’re actually hearing, it can just as easily confuse as it can enhance.

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody open up the signal chain and break down exactly how to train your ears to hear what compression is doing. Whether you’re a beginner trying to grasp the basics or a seasoned engineer looking to sharpen your perception, this episode delivers practical insights you can use right away.

     Inside this episode:

    • A friendly walkthrough of compressor controls—threshold, ratio, attack, release, makeup gain
    • Why extreme compression settings can help reveal what’s happening to your signal
    • Pro tricks to help you identify compression artifacts and avoid over-compression
    • How to use what you hear to make smarter mix decisions

    Expect plenty of real-world advice, go-to tactics Chris and Jody use in their own sessions, and—as always—a dose of Friday Finds and some entertaining studio nonsense.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of compression’s role in your mix—and the confidence to use it to your advantage.

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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

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