• New EQ Technique for Electric Bass: How to Boost and Cut with your Ears!



    EQing Electric Bass Tracks

    The electric bass may not always steal the spotlight, but it’s the glue that holds the entire mix together. Get it right, and your track feels powerful, steady, and alive. Get it wrong, and suddenly the song feels hollow, muddy, or out of balance. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody explore the world of EQ for electric bass, breaking down the frequency spectrum and showing you how to shape your bass so it sits perfectly in the mix.

    They start in the sub frequencies, where rumble lives. Do you want that deep foundation that rattles the room, or is it overwhelming the kick drum? Then they move into the fundamental low end—the meat of the bass tone. Too much here and things get boomy; too little and the track loses its weight.

    From there, the guys tackle the low mids, often the “mud zone” where clarity disappears. You’ll learn how subtle cuts can clean up a mix without robbing the bass of warmth. The conversation then shifts to the upper mids, where definition and attack live—the frequencies that help your bass line be heard on smaller speakers. Finally, they touch on the surprisingly important role of air and high-end content, and why even bass tracks can benefit from a touch of sparkle.

    Along the way, Chris and Jody don’t just talk numbers—they share their own workflow preferences, the reasons why you might cut in one track and boost in another, and how recording setup tips can make EQ decisions easier from the start.

    And, of course, it wouldn’t be Inside the Recording Studio without some friendly banter, a dash of nonsense, and this week’s Friday Finds—spotlighting new tools and creative sparks for your studio sessions.

    Whether you’re producing in a world-class room or experimenting with home studio gear, this episode gives you practical insights to make your bass sound full, tight, and mix-ready.

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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

  • Audio Masking: All the Tools You Need to Avoid It



    Understanding Audio Masking

    Every mix has its battles. Instruments clash, frequencies collide, and sometimes the music you carefully crafted turns into a blur. That, friends, is audio masking—and it’s the silent mix killer. On this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade into the muddy waters of masking, explaining what it is, why it happens, and most importantly, how to eliminate it.

    So what exactly is audio masking? It’s when two instruments occupy the same frequency range and step on each other’s toes, leaving you with a mix that feels cluttered or flat. Chris and Jody break down the most common offenders: guitars and vocals battling for midrange real estate, bass and kick fighting in the low end, synths washing over everything with dense layers.

    But this isn’t just a problem for pros in big studios—home studio gear setups are especially prone to masking since rooms and monitoring aren’t always perfect. The guys offer practical recording setup tips for identifying where masking is happening, and how to solve it with EQ moves, arrangement tweaks, or panning strategies.

    You’ll also learn why simply making things louder isn’t the solution. Instead, Chris and Jody highlight the importance of listening critically and carving space so every instrument has its moment to shine. They share insight into software tools—like spectrum analyzers and visualizers—that can actually let you see masking in your mix, revealing hidden overlaps you might not catch by ear alone.

    And of course, in true Inside the Recording Studio fashion, you’ll get their candid takes, a bit of nonsense, and the latest Friday Finds to inspire your next project.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to spot masking before it ruins your mix, how to fix it with confidence, and how to keep your productions sounding polished and professional.

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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

  • Getting To Know The Kick Drum Frequency Spectrum



    EQ Your Kick Drum with Confidence

    The kick drum is the heartbeat of almost every track. But dialing in its EQ? That’s where many mixes stumble. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody break down the mysteries of shaping your kick drum with EQ—from the thump in the lows to the click in the highs—and everything in between.

    If you’ve ever asked yourself why your kick sounds muddy, buried, or lifeless in the mix, this episode has the answers. The guys start at the fundamental low end, explaining how to lock in that deep, chest-thumping weight without overpowering the rest of your track. They move into the low mids, where mud often collects, offering practical recording setup tips for cutting frequencies that don’t serve the groove. Then it’s up to the upper mids and click frequencies, where definition and attack make the difference between a kick that gets lost and a kick that cuts through.

    Along the way, Chris and Jody share why sometimes you boost, sometimes you cut, and sometimes you just leave it alone. Think of it as an EQ roadmap for your kick drum—clear, practical, and loaded with real-world advice you can use on your next mix session.

    And of course, this wouldn’t be Inside the Recording Studio without some personality. Expect a little banter, a dash of nonsense, and this week’s Friday Finds, where Chris and Jody spotlight tools and ideas that can spark creativity in your studio.

    Whether you’re building your first home studio gear setup, polishing your live recording, or deep into pro audio mixing, this episode will help you hear the kick drum in a whole new way. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to reach for the EQ dial, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to make your mix punch, groove, and breathe.

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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

  • 5 EQ Tips and Tricks You NEED To Know To Make Your Acoustic Guitar Sound Amazing!



    Two years strong! For their 2nd anniversary episode, Chris & Jody return to the heart of countless recordings: the acoustic guitar. This week on Inside the Recording Studio, they deliver five essential acoustic guitar EQ tips that will help you bring clarity, warmth, and sparkle to your mixes.

    They begin in the low end, where rumble and boom often clutter a track. Chris & Jody explain how strategic EQ cuts can tighten up the bottom while preserving body. From there, they move into the low mids—the range where acoustic guitars often fight with vocals, pianos, and other instruments. You’ll hear recording setup tips for taming mud without losing fullness.

    Upper mids bring presence and articulation, and the guys share insights on boosting carefully to make strumming and picking shine through the mix. Finally, they highlight the “sheen”—those high frequencies that add shimmer and air without turning harsh. You’ll learn how to boost subtly, avoid brittle tones, and give your acoustic that polished, professional finish.

    Along the way, Chris & Jody offer context on when to cut, when to boost, and why balance matters more than presets. They weave in humor, banter, and their trademark nonsense, reminding us why Inside the Recording Studio has built such a loyal following over the past two years.

    And because it’s a special occasion, the Friday Finds segment is back and better than ever—with tools and resources to fuel your next session.

    Whether you’re working with home studio gear or outfitted with pro-level rigs, these EQ strategies will help your acoustic guitars sit beautifully in any mix.

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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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