• Inside NAMM 2025: Exclusive Look at the Hottest New Gear and Trends!



    NAMM 2025 has wrapped, and Chris and Jody are here to break down all the must-see gear, jaw-dropping innovations, and biggest surprises from this year’s show! From the excitement of Global Media Night to the hottest new releases in guitars, drums, audio interfaces, and software instruments, this episode is your all-access pass to everything we saw at NAMM.

    Here’s what we’re covering:
    The standout guitars that had everyone talking—game-changers or more of the same?
    The latest in drums and percussion, from cutting-edge electronic kits to killer acoustic designs.
    Audio interfaces and software instruments that promise to revolutionize home and pro studios alike.
    Other exciting pro audio gear that caught our ears (and eyes).

    And since NAMM is basically one giant Friday Find, we’re skipping the usual segment—because this entire episode is packed with discoveries! Plus, as always, expect a bit of fun and nonsense along the way.

    If you missed NAMM 2025 or just want to relive the highlights, tune in now and get the inside scoop on what’s next in the world of music and recording!

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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

  • How to Enhance Your Music Production with Esoteric Effects



    Reverb? Delay? Pssh. Cute. Chris and Jody are cracking open the toy chest and pulling out the weird stuff. This week’s Inside the Recording Studio is all about esoteric effects — the ones you don’t admit to using at parties but secretly love.

    Want to crush a vocal until it sounds like it came through a Game Boy? Done. Want to warp a guitar into a ghostly, otherworldly pad? Easy. Want to make your mix sound like it’s breathing through a broken spaceship airlock? We got you.

    This isn’t your “five plug-ins every producer needs” kind of episode. Nope—we’re diving into the strange, the misunderstood, the “why-does-this-even-exist” effects that somehow make everything cooler when you use them right.

    Chris and Jody share their faves, their “don’t-try-this-at-home” moments, and how to sneak these oddballs into a track without wrecking the vibe. Think of it as audio interface troubleshooting for your creativity. Spoiler: you’re gonna want to hit the bypass button less often after this one.

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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

  • Diving Into The Chorus Effect: What Makes It So Special?



    Chorus – The Effect That Doubles, Thickens, and Shimmers

    Few effects in the world of audio carry the same nostalgia and magic as Chorus. From shimmering guitars in the ‘80s to lush synths and vocal doubling tricks, Chorus has carved its place as one of the most versatile modulation effects in music production. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive deep into what makes up Chorus, how it works, and how they use it in their own productions.

    What Is Chorus?

    At its core, Chorus is all about creating the illusion of multiple voices or instruments playing in unison. By slightly delaying and modulating the pitch of a copied signal, Chorus adds width, richness, and texture to otherwise plain sounds. Chris and Jody break down the inner workings of the effect in plain English, explaining how subtle pitch variations and modulation rates create that instantly recognizable shimmer.

    Where It Came From

    Chorus didn’t just appear out of nowhere—it made its mark on legendary recordings, particularly in the ‘70s and ‘80s. From classic pedal units to iconic rack gear, Chorus found its way into countless guitar rigs and studio racks, defining eras of sound. Chris and Jody highlight some of the famous moments where Chorus became the star of the show.

    Parameters and Control

    The duo also walk through the common parameters of Chorus effects—depth, rate, mix, delay time—and how tweaking each one alters the feel. Whether you’re adding subtle width to vocals, fattening up bass lines, or creating wide stereo pads, these controls are your key to unlocking the perfect tone.

    Favorite Chorus Units

    To top it all off, Chris and Jody reveal their favorite Chorus units and plugins—sharing both classic hardware favorites and modern digital emulations. They talk about why these particular units stand out, and how each one brings something different to a mix.

    Why Listen

    This episode isn’t just a technical walkthrough—it’s a lively, personality-filled conversation that blends knowledge with humor. Whether you’re an engineer looking to expand your modulation toolbox or a producer curious about where Chorus fits into your workflow, this is your chance to get inspired (and maybe discover a new favorite plugin or pedal).

    https://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_Chorus

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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

  • How to Use New Gear – Do You Need It?



    The Right (and Wrong) Way to Use New Gear

    Few things get musicians and producers more excited than cracking open a new piece of gear. Whether it’s a shiny plugin, a boutique preamp, or something as simple as a set of sleigh bells, the temptation is real: use it on everything. But should you? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade into the muddy waters of how to approach new gear—and when to recognize the difference between a want and a need.

    When you add a new toy to your arsenal, the impulse is to throw it on every track. That new compressor? Suddenly it’s on guitars, vocals, drums, and maybe even your neighbor’s cat. But Chris and Jody break down why restraint can be just as valuable as enthusiasm. Sometimes new gear solves a problem, enhances workflow, or unlocks a creative sound you couldn’t get before. Other times, it’s just adding clutter.

    You’ll hear discussion around practical questions like:

    • Should every song have sleigh bells just because you bought them? (Spoiler: probably not.)
    • How do you decide whether to buy gear for a want or a genuine need?
    • What role does workflow play in determining whether new gear is actually helping?
    • How can you balance exploration with efficiency in your home studio gear setup?

    Chris and Jody also touch on the psychology of gear acquisition. From the “honeymoon phase” of a new plugin to the drawer full of forgotten pedals, they highlight the traps we all fall into. You’ll also get recording setup tips for integrating gear wisely, and even a few mentions of hidden features in studio gear that you might already own but aren’t fully exploiting.

    Of course, in true Inside the Recording Studio style, there’s humor, a dash of nonsense, and the weekly Friday Finds, where Chris and Jody share something fresh and inspiring for your creative journey.

    By the end, you’ll have a better handle on how to approach new gear with both excitement and perspective—so your mixes improve instead of turning into a playground of half-baked experiments.

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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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