• How To Use A De-Esser in Mixing Effectively



    De-Essers—The Unsung Heroes of Mixing

    Let’s be honest: no one gets excited about de-essers. They don’t have the instant wow factor of a lush reverb or the punch of a great compressor. But when sibilance strikes—when “s” sounds slice through a vocal or a hi-hat suddenly feels like an ice pick—this humble tool becomes your best friend. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a non-sexy but essential look at de-essers, explaining what they do, how they work, and which ones deserve a spot in your toolkit.

    A de-esser is essentially a specialized compressor that tames harsh, high-frequency content—most commonly sibilance in vocals, but also brittle cymbals, sharp acoustic guitars, or even aggressive synth sounds. Chris and Jody dive into how they operate, walking through the basics of detection, side-chaining, and band-specific compression.

    They then move into the practical side of using de-essers, covering:

    • How to know when sibilance actually needs fixing.
    • Why over-de-essing can kill the life of a performance.
    • Common mistakes to avoid when taming vocals.
    • Using de-essers creatively on instruments beyond vocals.

    You’ll also hear their recommendations for awesome de-essers, from classic hardware emulations to modern plugins that go far beyond basic fixes. Whether you’re working in a pro facility or using home studio gear, Chris and Jody share recording setup tips for making your mixes smoother without sounding dull.

    And because this is Inside the Recording Studio, you can expect some humor, real-world anecdotes, and the inevitable nonsense sprinkled in alongside the tech talk. Plus, don’t miss this week’s Friday Finds, where the guys highlight tools and ideas that can add even more sparkle to your sessions.

    By the end of this episode, your ears—and your listeners’ ears—will thank you. You’ll know how to tame the sharp edges in your mix, keep vocals clear and natural, and finally give de-essers the appreciation they deserve.

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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

  • How To Make A Mix Breathe More Dynamically



    How to Make Your Mix Move and Breathe

    A static mix can sound polished—but lifeless. The trick to keeping listeners engaged is giving your mix a sense of movement and breath, the kind of subtle shifts and dynamics that add sparkle, splash, and energy. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody waltz into the art (and science) of how to make your mixes come alive.

    From gentle automation rides to bold effects decisions, they break down the techniques and workflow strategies that inject vitality into even the simplest song. It’s not about cranking levels or overloading plugins—it’s about intentional moves that let your track evolve and hold the listener’s attention beyond the first chorus.

    Expect practical discussion on:

    • Automation techniques to bring vocals, guitars, and keys in and out of focus.
    • Adding sparkle and shimmer through EQ boosts, harmonic enhancers, or subtle modulation.
    • Using effects like reverb and delay for splashes of space that feel musical, not messy.
    • Creating contrast in arrangements so your mix breathes instead of plods.
    • Identifying hidden features in studio gear that help add subtle life to your tracks.

    Whether you’re mixing in a pro studio or with home studio gear, these tips will help you avoid the dreaded “flat” mix syndrome. Chris and Jody keep things technical but conversational, weaving in humor, anecdotes, and a touch of nonsense (as always) to keep the ride entertaining.

    And don’t miss this week’s Friday Finds, where they share more creative sparks and tools to level up your productions.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll have new ideas for transforming your mixes from static to dynamic—and your listeners will feel the difference.

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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

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