• From Overwhelm to Outstanding: Mastering the Madness of Endless Music Tools!



    In the modern recording landscape, we’re spoiled for choice. Plugins, hardware, virtual instruments, sample libraries, mixing suites—the list is endless. But is more always better? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a thoughtful look at the overload of music tools available to today’s producers, engineers, and musicians.

    They ask the questions many of us avoid: Do we really need all these options? Does having too many choices help creativity—or paralyze it? And more importantly, how do you strike a healthy balance between embracing new technology and relying on tried-and-true methods that keep you productive?

    From the perspective of seasoned pros, Chris and Jody break down how they personally navigate the sea of plugins and gear. They talk about curating their toolkits, knowing when to add something new, and knowing when to stop chasing the latest shiny thing. Along the way, they’ll share recording setup tips, highlight some hidden features in studio gear that are often overlooked, and reflect on how restraint can actually sharpen creativity.

    This isn’t about gear shaming—it’s about workflow clarity. You’ll hear about the role of home studio gear in modern production, when too many plugin folders become a burden instead of a benefit, and why mastering engineers sometimes succeed by keeping their toolchains minimal. And, as always, you’ll get a dose of humor, banter, and a little nonsense as Chris and Jody wrestle with their own gear temptations.

    If your DAW looks like a candy store but you still find yourself stuck, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the best music comes not from having everything—but from knowing how to use what you already have.

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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

  • Writer’s Block? No Problem! Learn How to Conquer it Now!



    Writer’s block. The ultimate buzzkill in the studio. You walk in with your guitar, keyboard, or notebook ready to write the next smash hit… and instead you’re staring at a blinking cursor in your DAW like it’s mocking you. Hours go by. The coffee goes cold. The vibe evaporates. It happens to everyone, and yes—it sucks.

    This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody roll up their sleeves and dive straight into the muck with 10 tried-and-true ways to break through writer’s block. No mystical “wait for the muse” nonsense here. We’re talking real, practical, sometimes ridiculous, but always effective strategies that can get you unstuck and back to making music.

    Tip one? Shake up your workflow. If you’re glued to the same chord progressions on guitar, ditch it and try the piano. If your DAW session is giving you the creative stink-eye, open a new one and start from scratch. Sometimes the fastest cure is tricking your brain into forgetting it was stuck in the first place.

    Tip two? Lean on your gear. That dusty pedal or soft synth you haven’t touched in months? Fire it up. Twist knobs until something weird happens. Experiment with hidden features in studio gear you never bothered with. You’d be surprised how often “happy accidents” turn into full-blown songs.

    Tip three? Change your scenery. Move your setup to another room. Or if you’re brave, the garage. Fresh air and a little chaos can shake loose ideas you didn’t even know you had.

    Other strategies include lyrical free-writing, co-writing with another musician (sometimes misery really does love company), or limiting yourself on purpose—like writing a song with only three chords or forcing yourself to finish a track in 30 minutes, no matter how messy. Constraints create freedom, believe it or not.

    And then there’s the infamous “producer tricks.” Chris and Jody share a story about a well-known composer/producer whose method of blasting through writer’s block is… well, stomach-turning. Let’s just say it’s one way to reset your system, but you’ll need a strong constitution. Consider yourself warned: this is the part of the episode that may literally make you gag.

    The point is, writer’s block doesn’t mean you’re broken. It just means your brain needs a nudge, a reset, or a laugh. And Chris and Jody are here to remind you that even the best writers, producers, and legends hit the wall sometimes. The difference is they don’t stop—they just get sneaky about how they climb over it.

    So if you’ve been staring at that blank page too long, this episode is your creative rescue kit. Ten ideas, plenty of laughs, and the reassurance that you’re not alone in the struggle. By the time you’re done listening, you’ll have more than a few tricks up your sleeve to send writer’s block packing.

    And hey, if all else fails? Take Chris and Jody’s advice and make noise anyway. Sometimes the worst idea in the room is the one that leads to the best song.

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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

  • 2022 Year-End Review: Goal Setting for Producers and Engineers



    Year-End Review of 2022 and Setting Goals for the Future

    The end of a year always brings reflection, and in the world of recording, that means lessons learned, habits changed, and goals set for what’s next. In this special wrap-up episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a thoughtful (and sometimes hilarious) look back at 2022—talking about the things they’ve learned, the adjustments they’ve made, and the directions they see the studio world heading in.

    From gear choices to workflow refinements, Chris and Jody unpack the small changes that made a big difference in their own approaches. They discuss the importance of adapting in an industry that’s always moving forward, and how new tools, techniques, and perspectives reshaped their workflows over the past year.

    But this isn’t just a look back—it’s also a look ahead. The conversation naturally shifts toward goal setting for the future, whether it’s learning new plugins, upgrading home studio gear, diving deeper into recording setup tips, or just remembering to clean music gear once in a while. Chris and Jody frame their goals in a way that’s not only relatable but also actionable for listeners who want to set themselves up for success in the year ahead.

    Highlights include:

    • What Chris and Jody learned in 2022 about workflow, creativity, and client management.
    • Changes they made in their own studios that saved time and improved results.
    • Predictions for the future, from trends in gear to the evolving role of producers and engineers.
    • The importance of setting clear, realistic goals to keep improving both technically and creatively.
    • Personal anecdotes, light-hearted banter, and a bit of nonsense to keep it fun.

    Whether you’re an engineer, producer, or musician, this episode is the perfect way to close out your own year. You’ll come away with inspiration to reflect on your journey, practical ideas to improve your setup, and motivation to step into the new year ready to level up your sound.

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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

  • 10 Thing Studio Checklist When You Go Into A Session



    Studio Checklist for Musicians, Artists, and Bands

    Every musician dreams of stepping into a studio, but the reality is often more stressful than glamorous. What should you bring? What should you avoid? How do you find the right studio fit—and how can you make sure the people on the other side of the glass can do their best work for you?

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody cross over to the artist’s side and lay out a studio checklist for musicians, artists, and bands preparing to record. Whether it’s your first time in a professional studio or you’ve booked dozens of sessions, these tips will help you walk in prepared and walk out with better results.

    Do’s and Don’ts Before You Hit Record

    Chris and Jody dig into the must-do’s like practicing your material until it’s second nature, making sure your instruments are in good repair (strings, drum heads, cables—don’t forget them!), and arriving on time with realistic expectations. They also highlight the don’ts, like showing up with half-written songs, expecting the engineer to “fix it in the mix,” or failing to communicate your vision clearly.

    How This Helps Everyone

    This checklist isn’t just for musicians—it’s also for studio owners and engineers. By knowing what artists need to prepare, studios can better serve their clients and build trust. A prepared artist means smoother sessions, fewer delays, and ultimately a more professional final product.

    Real-World Stories

    To keep it lively, Chris and Jody share a few personal examples—moments when artists nailed their prep and sessions flew by, and other times when poor planning led to chaos (and more coffee than anyone should drink in a day). As always, there’s plenty of humor and a little nonsense sprinkled in to keep the conversation fun.

    Why Preparation Matters

    By the end of the episode, listeners will see that walking into a studio isn’t just about talent—it’s about preparation, respect for the process, and being ready to collaborate. With the right mindset and a simple checklist, you’ll get more out of your time in the studio, and your recordings will thank you for it.

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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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