• Guitar String Materials & Gauges: What Musicians Need to Know for Better Recordings



    Ah yes… the moment every guitarist avoids until a string finally snaps mid-bend: string changing season. Chris & Jody decide enough is enough, time to start the next year with guitar string tone that isn’t corroded, crusty, or older than your last tax return.

    They tear into the eternal war between heavy gauges (“thicc tone, thicc fingers required”) and lighter sets (“bend like butter, intonate like a drunk ferret”). They talk nickel, steel, coated strings, and that mystery set you bought on sale and instantly regretted. Want to understand how string height and intonation sabotage your recordings? This episode spills the tea.

    Plus: simple recording setup tips, sneaky hidden features in studio gear, and why cleaning your strings matters almost as much as cleaning your bathroom. Almost.

    And as always, Friday Finds brings gifts, some useful, some weird, all inspiring.

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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 Like a Pro: Channel Strips OR Individual Plugins? Find Out Now!



    This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody step into the ring for a battle of the workflows—Channel Strips vs. Individual Plugins!

    Ever wondered if you should streamline your mix with an all-in-one channel strip or go full mad scientist with a chain of individual plugins? We’re diving into:
    What exactly makes up a channel strip, and how does it compare to stacking separate plugins?
    The classic hardware emulations and modern virtual channel strips that bring analog-style workflow to your DAW.
    The pros and cons—efficiency vs. flexibility, simplicity vs. control, and everything in between.
    Why thinking of your DAW like a console might just change how you mix forever.

    Of course, no Inside the Recording Studio episode is complete without a bit of nonsense, so expect some laughs along the way. If you’re looking to refine your mixing workflow and make better creative decisions in your DAW, this episode is for you!

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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

  • From Smooth to Punchy: Exciting Techniques for Compressing Electric Guitars!



    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody delve into the art of compressing electric guitars, sharing expert insights on how to get the most out of your compression tools. Whether you’re aiming for tight, punchy tones or smooth, sustained textures, understanding when and how to use compression is crucial for achieving professional-level guitar mixes.

    We cover everything from subtle dynamic control to more aggressive techniques, helping you decide when it’s necessary to apply compression. Explore the nuances of track-based compression versus bus compression, and learn how these approaches can be used to add punch and clarity or glue a mix together. We also discuss our go-to compressors for electric guitars, including iconic models like the 1176 for aggressive, fast-attack control, the LA-2A for smooth, transparent leveling, the Distressor for versatility, and the SSL compressor for adding cohesion on the bus.

    Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or looking to refine your skills, this episode provides practical advice on using these classic tools to sculpt your guitar tones to perfection. We’ll take you through real-world examples, showing how different compressors can shape the sound of electric guitars and when each tool shines the brightest.

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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

  • Pristine vs. Poorly Recorded Tracks: The Ultimate Producer’s Guide



    In this episode, Chris and Jody tackle a crucial challenge every producer faces: mixing tracks that come from poorly recorded and pristinely recorded sources. What do these terms mean, and how does the quality of the recording shape the mixing process?

    Join us as we explore:

    • What defines a poorly recorded source: Whether it’s noise, distortion, bad mic placement, or room issues, we break down the characteristics of recordings that come with inherent flaws and how to recognize them.
    • What makes a recording pristine: Learn how high-quality recordings—with proper mic techniques, controlled environments, and clear sound—set the foundation for a smoother mixing process.
    • Our first steps for mixing each type: We reveal our go-to strategies for bringing life to poorly recorded sources, from corrective EQ and noise reduction to creative tricks that make imperfections work in your favor. On the flip side, we share how to approach pristinely recorded sources, focusing on enhancing what’s already great and letting the song’s natural beauty shine.

    Whether you’re cleaning up messy tracks or polishing already perfect recordings, this episode is packed with actionable tips and techniques to help you master both ends of the spectrum. Tune in and elevate your mixing skills with 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

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