• How To Enhance Vocals With Out of Time Delays



    A perfectly clean vocal can sometimes feel… sterile. That’s where delay comes in. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody take a focused look at vocal mixing with delay, showing you how this timeless effect can add depth, space, and character to your tracks.

    They start by explaining why delay isn’t just about echo—it’s about placement. A well-chosen delay can help a vocal sit naturally in the mix, creating contrast, rhythm, or space without burying it under reverb. The guys highlight why using unsynced delays can often produce more musical, human results than rigidly locked-in timings.

    From there, they explore different types of delay—slapback for retro vibe, ping-pong for movement, tape delay for warmth, and digital delay for precision. You’ll get recording setup tips on how to combine delays with EQ, filtering, and saturation for mixes that sound pro without clutter.

    Chris & Jody also share stories from their own sessions, including clever ways they’ve used delays to solve mix problems or create standout effects. True to their style, the episode balances technical know-how with personality, humor, and a dose of nonsense.

    And because no episode would be complete without it, they wrap up with this week’s Friday Find—and it’s a big one.

    Whether you’re experimenting with home studio gear or running a professional setup, this conversation will inspire you to rethink delay not as a background effect, but as a creative tool for enhancing vocals.

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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 Create Punchier Mixes EASILY: 5 Ways To Make Your Mixes Punchier



    What separates a flat, uninspired mix from one that jumps out of the speakers? Punch. In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody break down five key approaches to achieving punchier mixes, giving you practical tools and fresh perspective to level up your productions.

    They begin with the arrangement itself. Punch doesn’t just come from plugins—it starts with the instruments you choose and how they interact. Chris & Jody explain why smart arranging can do more for your mix than endless tweaking later on.

    From there, they move into dynamics. Proper control of volume peaks and valleys keeps everything in the right ballpark, balancing energy without losing impact. You’ll get recording setup tips for using compression and automation to enhance clarity rather than squash it.

    Next comes EQ, specifically the low end. Too much mud and your mix collapses, too little and it loses power. Chris & Jody share strategies for carving out frequencies so the bass and kick complement each other instead of fighting for space.

    Of course, no conversation about punch would be complete without saturation—but not the gasoline kind. Learn how harmonic distortion can add excitement and perceived loudness, giving your mix grit and character without wrecking dynamics.

    Finally, they cover phase checks—an often-overlooked detail that can make or break your low end and stereo image. You’ll discover how simple phase alignment can instantly make your mix feel more powerful and cohesive.

    As always, expect humor, nonsense, and their signature banter, plus a fresh Friday Find to round out the session.

    Whether you’re working with home studio gear or running a professional setup, these insights will help you build mixes that hit harder, sound clearer, and truly connect with listeners.

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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 Get Your Recording Environment Treated – What To Do When You Want Better Recordings



    The best microphones, preamps, and plugins won’t save a mix if your room is working against you. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody break down the essentials of recording room treatment—helping you transform your studio space into an environment where your mixes actually translate.They start with the foundation: monitor speakers. Where you place them in the room matters as much as which brand you choose. Chris & Jody walk through optimal placement strategies and explain how speaker position interacts with your walls, ceiling, and even the furniture in your studio.Next comes the mirror test—a simple, practical method to identify reflection points in your space. The guys explain how to use it, why it works, and what it tells you about where treatment should go.But what about foam panels? Are they the budget-friendly fix we’re all tempted to buy, or are they overrated? Chris & Jody compare foam, fiberglass, and other materials, breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and where each should go in your room. From wall treatments to ceiling clouds, they share recording setup tips that will help you achieve better clarity, tighter low end, and more accurate monitoring.And because they’re Chris & Jody, it’s not just a lecture—it’s sprinkled with humor, personal anecdotes, and the usual nonsense. To wrap it up, they deliver a supersized Friday Find, spotlighting something that could make a big difference in your workflow.If you’re building a space around home studio gear, upgrading a professional setup, or simply curious about why your mixes don’t sound the same outside your studio, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Proper acoustic treatment isn’t about spending a fortune—it’s about knowing what to do and why it matters.

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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 are Impulse Responses, How to Use Them, and What is the Best Software for Implementing IRs in a mix?



    IRs. No, not “instant ramen” (though Chris & Jody would probably talk about that too). We’re talking impulse responses—those pesky little files that can make your guitar cabinet sound like it was recorded in Abbey Road or turn your closet into a cathedral.

    In this week’s Inside the Recording Studio, the guys take a listener request and dig into the what, why, and how of IRs. What are they really? Why should you care? And who’s out there making the good ones versus just selling you snake oil?

    They’ll explain how to use IRs in convolution reverb, why guitarists are obsessed with cabinet IRs, and how producers sneak them into mixes for everything from realism to creative madness. You’ll also get a few recording setup tips and some laughs about what happens when you don’t know what you’re loading (hint: chaos).

    Naturally, nonsense makes an appearance, and their Friday Finds give you some freebies and gems to try right now.

    So if you’ve ever wondered what impulse responses actually do, or just want to know why everyone keeps talking about them, this episode will fill you in—minus the boring textbook vibes.

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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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