• NAMM Show 2023 The Good, The Bad, The Mind-blowing



    NAMM is always a highlight in the pro audio calendar, and the April 2023 interim NAMM Show was no exception. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody share their take on what they saw, what surprised them, and what left them scratching their heads. From jaw-dropping innovations to products that didn’t quite land, the duo dives deep into the state of the industry and where things may be headed.

    You’ll get their insider impressions on the latest in home studio gear, new developments in software, monitors, instruments, and plugins that had everyone talking. They also take a critical eye to some of the trends—asking whether all this technology is moving musicians forward or just adding noise to an already crowded space.

    But it’s not just about the shiny gear. Chris and Jody dig into the timing and future of NAMM itself. Does the April schedule make sense? Will the show continue to dominate the calendar for manufacturers and musicians? Or is its role shifting in a post-pandemic, always-online world? Their theories may surprise you.

    As always, expect a balance of technical expertise and lighthearted commentary. From recording setup tips they picked up at the show to their unfiltered reactions to both the good and the questionable, this episode delivers a mix of information, personality, and perspective. Whether you’re a studio engineer, bedroom producer, or just someone who loves to keep tabs on the latest gear, you’ll find this recap both useful and entertaining.

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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

  • Prepping Multi-Tracks – How to Make Your Multi-Tracks Sound Awesome



    Prepping Multi-Tracks for a Smooth Mix

    Mixing is where songs come to life—but a messy set of multi-tracks can derail the process before it even begins. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody plunge into the waters of getting multi-tracks prepped for mixing, breaking down the steps they take to clean, organize, and polish tracks so a mix engineer can focus on creativity rather than damage control.

    Think of it like tidying your house before guests arrive: nobody wants to stumble over cables or sift through clutter. The same goes for mixes. Chris and Jody guide you through the essentials of preparing:

    • Vocals: Editing out noises, breaths, and clicks while keeping natural performance intact.
    • Guitars: Cleaning up amp hiss, aligning DI and mic’d signals, and ensuring phase coherence.
    • Bass: Locking in consistency with light cleanup, fades, and prep for compression.
    • Drums: Gating, editing, and checking for mic bleed so the kit sounds tight but alive.
    • Virtual instruments: Streamlining MIDI tracks and rendering where necessary.
    • Orchestral elements: Organizing massive libraries into logical stems.

    Along the way, they emphasize the difference between prepping for yourself versus prepping for a dedicated mix engineer—a workflow that saves time, avoids frustration, and ensures communication is crystal clear.

    You’ll also hear tips on file naming, session organization, track consolidation, and subtle fixes that make a massive difference downstream. Whether you’re working in a pro facility or wrangling takes in a home studio gear setup, these recording setup tips will help you hand off tracks that scream “ready to mix.”

    Of course, because this is Chris and Jody, there’s plenty of humor, real-world anecdotes, and the occasional nonsense to keep things fun. And don’t forget the weekly Friday Finds, where they highlight tools, plugins, or inspirations you can use right away.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to transform chaotic sessions into clean, mix-ready projects—making life easier for both you and your engineers.

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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

  • What is Recording Headroom? (And Why It’s Important)



    Understanding Recording Headroom

    Ever send off a mix to mastering only to get that dreaded note back: “It’s too hot” or “levels are squashed”? That’s where recording headroom comes in. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody zoom in on what headroom really is, why it matters, and how to make sure you’re giving your mixes the breathing space they need.

    At its core, headroom is the cushion between your loudest peaks and digital clipping. Get it wrong, and your mix risks distortion, limited dynamics, and frustrated mastering engineers. Get it right, and suddenly your mix feels clear, punchy, and professional. Chris and Jody explain not just the concept, but the ideal sweet spot of headroom for a mix—and why aiming for that range ensures smooth sailing when it comes time for mastering.

    They walk through recording setup tips for managing headroom during tracking and mixing, highlighting how input gain, plugin chains, and bus levels all play a role. Whether you’re recording with boutique preamps or experimenting with home studio gear, these principles apply universally.

    What’s more, they share why consciously listening for headroom is as important as watching the meters. Yes, technology gives us visual feedback, but your ears will often tell you first when a mix is choking under pressure.

    Expect practical answers to questions like:

    • How much headroom should you leave in your mix before sending it off?
    • What’s the difference between analog and digital headroom?
    • How do you balance loudness with clarity?
    • Why is it tempting (but dangerous) to push levels into the red?

    And, because this is Chris and Jody, you’ll also get a little humor, a splash of nonsense, and their weekly Friday Finds—pointing you toward tools, plugins, or ideas to level up your sessions.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why headroom isn’t just a technical detail—it’s the difference between a mix that breathes and one that falls flat.

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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

  • What Happens at NAMM Doesn’t Stay at NAMM 2022



    NAMM Show 2022 Recap

    For anyone working in music, the NAMM Show is like Disneyland meets Comic-Con—except instead of rides and capes, it’s packed with the latest instruments, pro audio gear, and music technology. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody deliver a full recap of NAMM 2022, answering the big questions: What did they see? What did they like? And what gear made them stop in their tracks and drool?

    If you’ve never been to NAMM, don’t worry—the guys explain what it is, why it matters, and how it shapes the music industry for the year ahead. You’ll get the inside scoop on everything from home studio gear breakthroughs to flagship consoles, microphones, and effects units that could change the way you record.

    Chris and Jody walk the aisles, figuratively taking you with them:

    • What caught their ears in terms of new synths, guitars, and outboard gear.
    • Recording setup tips inspired by fresh innovations.
    • Which booths had jaw-dropping demos, and which just left them scratching their heads.
    • A few surprises—like who they bumped into and what unexpected gems stood out.

    Beyond the shiny surfaces, they discuss how to separate hype from genuinely useful tools. Does every new audio interface promise to “change the game”? Probably. But Chris and Jody cut through the noise, pointing out what’s worth a second look and what might just be marketing gloss.

    And because it wouldn’t be Inside the Recording Studio without some personality, there’s a healthy dose of humor, a little nonsense, and of course this week’s Friday Finds, where Chris and Jody share discoveries you can check out immediately.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll feel like you just walked the NAMM floor with two seasoned pros at your side—minus the aching feet and ringing ears.

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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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