• From Muddy to Magic: Fix These Mastering Mistakes Now



    10 Common Mastering Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

    Mastering isn’t just about loudness — it’s about finesse, clarity, and translating your mix to every playback system. In this enlightening (and slightly irreverent) episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody walk you through 10 of the most common mistakes made by beginner and intermediate mastering engineers — and how to steer clear of them.

    🎛️ From over-compressing to EQing blindly, this episode covers the critical pitfalls that sabotage sonic balance and coherence in the mastering stage. Chris and Jody don’t just list the issues — they give you real-world solutions and share stories from sessions gone sideways.

    💡 Whether you’re new to mastering or just looking to tighten your workflow, you’ll get practical strategies you can use right away. Expect to hear tips on:

    • When to use multiband compression (and when to run away)
    • Why reference tracks are your best friend
    • How to stop chasing loudness and start chasing results
    • Plus a healthy dose of humor to remind you that we’re all learning

    If you’re serious about elevating your mastering chops — or just want to laugh at a few horror stories from the studio — this episode is for you. Come on inside and take another step toward mastering bliss.

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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

  • Do You Really Need Music Theory to Succeed in Music Production?



    Music Theory in the Studio: Must-Have Skill or Creative Buzzkill?

    Should every musician or producer know music theory? Is it a necessary tool or an outdated gatekeeper? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle one of the most debated questions in modern production: does knowing music theory actually help in the studio—or can it sometimes get in the way?

    From beatmakers who can’t read a note to session players who know every scale in every mode, the creative spectrum is wide—and this conversation explores all sides of it.

     In this episode:

    • Should producers, musicians, and engineers be fluent in music theory?
    • Does music theory speed up the writing and recording process—or complicate it?
    • Can theory knowledge hinder spontaneity and vibe in a creative session?
    • What happens when you’re collaborating with someone who doesn’t know theory?
    • And: how to find the sweet spot between structure and instinct in your workflow

    Whether you’re a self-taught genius or a classically trained perfectionist, this episode will give you a fresh take on where music theory fits into today’s studio landscape.

    And of course, there’s this week’s Friday Finds—plus a bit of good-natured nonsense for balance.

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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

  • Mixing for Warmth: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Get It Right



    Ever had someone say, “This mix just needs a little more warmth,” and wondered what that actually means? Or maybe you’ve tried to get that rich, analog vibe in your digital mix and ended up with something that just sounded… dull?

    In this cozy, mojo-filled episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody break down the art (and science) of getting warmth in your mixes—from the tools they trust to the techniques they use every day.

    We’re talking about that sonic something that makes a track feel full, smooth, and alive—without losing clarity. Warmth isn’t about cutting all the highs or slathering tape emulation on every channel. It’s about intentional tone-shaping, and in this episode, you’ll learn where to find it and how to apply it (without overcooking the mix).

    In this episode:

    • Microphones and preamps that naturally add warmth before you ever touch a plugin
    • Favorite plugins and analog emulations for tape saturation, tube-style EQ, and transformer character
    • Techniques to create warmth without sacrificing clarity or space
    • Why “mojo” matters, and how to capture it in both analog and digital workflows
    • Common myths about warmth—busted by Chris and Jody’s real-world experience

    Plus, this week’s Friday Finds delivers more audio goodies to fuel your obsession—and yes, there’s the usual dose of nonsense we all secretly love.

    Whether you’re chasing vintage vibes or just want your mixes to sound less cold, this episode will help you heat things up the right way.

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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

  • New Gear Overload! Tips to Avoid the Trap & Stay Creative



    Shiny New Gear: When to Use It & When to Hold Back

    We’ve all been there: You finally get your hands on that shiny new plugin, synth, or piece of outboard gear, and suddenly… you want to use it on everything. But should you?

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade through the muddy waters of gear obsession to answer some important questions:

    Does every song really need that new effect, plugin, or instrument?
    Do sleigh bells belong in everything, or should they stay in Christmas songs?
    Are you buying gear for a real need—or just chasing the thrill of something new?

    They’ll break down the psychology behind gear purchases, how to integrate new tools effectively, and when it’s time to resist the urge to throw the kitchen sink into your mix.

    Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode without some nonsense, unexpected tangents, and a Friday Find or two.

    So if you’ve ever wondered whether that new compressor is a game-changer or just another dust collector, 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

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