• The Reverb That Made History: Inside the Lexicon 480L



    Few pieces of gear are as legendary as the Lexicon 480L reverb. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody take a deep dive into one of the most iconic reverb units ever created. With its unmistakable sound and unparalleled flexibility, the 480L has earned its place as a staple in countless hit records across genres.

    They begin with a little history—how the 480L came to be, the engineers and studios that championed it, and why it quickly became the gold standard for digital reverb in professional recording. From there, they break down what makes it special: its algorithms, its versatility, and its ability to create spaces that range from subtle ambience to massive, lush halls.

    Of course, this isn’t just a technical breakdown. Chris & Jody also share how they’ve used the 480L in real-world sessions, mixing stories with recording setup tips that translate even if you don’t own the hardware. They discuss the plugin emulations available today, how the 480L stacks up against modern gear, and whether its magic is truly replicable in software.

    As always, the discussion blends education with entertainment. Expect plenty of geekery (in the best way), laughs, and some nonsense along the way. The episode wraps with their Friday Finds, highlighting tools and freebies that can inspire your next mix.

    Whether you’re an aspiring producer building out your home studio gear or a seasoned engineer who remembers patching into a real 480L, this episode offers insight into why this reverb unit continues to inspire awe. If you’ve ever wanted to know why some gear achieves legendary status, this is your crash course.

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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

  • Create a Presence with Reverb and How To Figure Out The Correct Reverb Time You Need For Your Song



    Reverb is space. It is air between notes, reflections bouncing off walls seen and unseen. It is the whisper of a room, the memory of a hall, the shimmer of a plate.

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody drift through the world of reverb—not as a utility, but as an instrument in itself. They calculate milliseconds like cartographers charting maps, showing how math gives shape to echoes. They speak of springs that twang, plates that sing, and digital halls that stretch into infinity.

    They share moments when reverb became more than effect: a pad sculpted from a drum hit, a vocal carried on a wave of decay, a guitar wrapped in endless shimmer. They reveal the reverbs they return to, the ones that never fail to spark ideas.

    Between their explorations lie laughter, nonsense, and the week’s Friday Finds—unexpected treasures tucked inside the reflections.

    Reverb, they remind us, is not just sound bouncing in space. It is texture, depth, story. It is the unseen architecture of a 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

  • Vocal Reverb Pre Delay


    Vocals, vocals, vocals. We mixing engineers always want to make sure we’re getting the proper space for a vocal. In this Tuesday Tip, Jody explains the use of Pre Delay on a lead vocal for a alternative rock song. What to listen for and why he chose what he did for the mix in this tip.

    Shoutout: Universal Audio Lexicon 224.

  • Overview of Reverb: It’s More Than an Effect — It’s a Space



    Reverb: The Space Your Mix Has Been Waiting For

    This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody step into the sonic void to explore one of the most essential and ear-catching effects in music production: reverb.

    Whether you’re working in a bedroom studio or a commercial space, reverb is often the first “wow” effect added to a track — and for good reason. But not all reverb is created equal. In this episode, Chris and Jody break down the different types of reverb (plate, room, hall, spring, convolution, and more), and share practical insights into when and why to use each one.

    From lush vocals to massive drum rooms, they unpack how reverb helps create depth, atmosphere, and that elusive “finished” sound. You’ll also hear their personal go-to uses, reverb chain strategies, and a few hot takes on when not to reach for it.

    Of course, it wouldn’t be Inside the Recording Studio without a few laughs, some playful nonsense, and this week’s Gold Star word — hidden somewhere in the ambient mist.

    Stick around for Friday Finds, where Chris and Jody each bring a new tool or tip that could give your mixes more space and clarity (and maybe even a few more fans).

    Shoutout: Benjamin Layton, Chris Bjornn, Liquid Sonics

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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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