• How To Record Killer Electric Guitar Tracks At Home



    Producer Choices for Electric Guitar Recording – Hardware vs Software

    When it comes to recording electric guitars, the choices producers make can set the tone—literally—for an entire track. Do you go old school with a roaring amp stack, carefully placed microphones, and a thump in the chest that only tubes can deliver? Or do you take the modern route with software emulations, impulse responses, and plugins that bring a world of tones into your DAW?

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody break down the key decisions producers face when recording electric guitars. They unwind the simple but impactful choices—from hardware setups to software solutions—that shape the sound, workflow, and vibe of a session.

    Hardware: The Real Deal

    Chris and Jody explore the tactile world of amp heads, cabinets, and microphones, showing how pairing them together can create unique flavors. From classic rock crunch to sparkling cleans, they explain how gear choices translate into character—and why the physical process of mic placement still matters.

    Software: The Modern Playground

    On the flip side, the conversation dives into the rise of amp sims and plugin-based rigs. They talk about the convenience of dialing up dozens of tones in seconds, recording silently in a home studio gear setup, and how software options are getting shockingly close to the “real thing.” Plus, there’s a look at some pitfalls to avoid—like option paralysis and missing the feel of moving air.

    Producer Priorities

    At its core, the episode highlights what matters most: the song and the performance. Whether you’re reamping, mic’ing a cab, or scrolling through presets, Chris and Jody stress the importance of matching tools to the project rather than chasing hype. Along the way, they drop practical recording setup tips, reveal a few hidden features in studio gear, and (naturally) sprinkle in a touch of nonsense.

    Why You’ll Want to Listen

    This isn’t about gear snobbery—it’s about understanding your options. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clearer sense of:

    • When hardware amps and mics shine.
    • When software rigs can save time, space, and money.
    • How to combine both for maximum flexibility.
    • Why the “best” choice is always the one that serves the music.

    So plug in, power up, and join Chris and Jody as they riff on the timeless debate: tubes vs. code, stacks vs. sims, hardware vs. software.

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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

  • Tuesday Tip: The Flexibility of Cab & Mic IR’s


    Discover the amazing flexibility of cabinet and mic IR’s when tracking or mixing guitars. In this video, Chris shows the impact they make on your tone, and why knowing how to actually mic a cabinet, will make your choices easier to make. Also, how using the fantastic MixIR3 plugin from Redwirez, can make this process a lot more streamlined. If you’re curious, the guitar track in this video, was recorded with an Ernie Ball Luke with EMG pickups, DI’d into an Apogee Duet.

  • Tuesday Tip: Adding Life to D.I. Guitar Tracks


    In this video, Chris shares some tips on how to use reverb to add some life into dry guitar tracks. Including what type of reverb, decay time as well as EQ-ing the reverb return.

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