In this friendly yet informative episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive into practical steps that musicians can take in their home DAW sessions to make mixing easier and more effective for engineers. If you’ve ever wanted to hand over cleaner, more organized tracks to your mixing engineer, this episode is packed with insights just for you. Chris and Jody break down essential practices like setting the correct sample rate, accurately naming tracks, and adjusting the tempo to perfectly match the song before hitting record. These simple yet impactful techniques can save valuable time, reduce back-and-forth communication, and ultimately lead to a better final mix. Tune in to learn how these tips will elevate your home recordings and make a lasting impression in the studio.
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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
🎙️ A thought-provoking episode where Chris and Jody dive deep into the art of production balance! This time, we’re tackling the often-debated concepts of underproduced and overproduced mixes. What do these terms really mean, and how do they impact your final sound?
Join us as we explore:
- What makes a mix underproduced: How minimal arrangements can leave a song feeling flat or incomplete, and how to identify when more layers or production elements are needed.
- What makes a mix overproduced: When too much is happening in the mix—whether it’s excessive effects, over-layering, or crowded instrumentation—and how this can drown out the song’s essence.
- Our first steps in dealing with both types of mixes: Learn how we approach both underproduced and overproduced tracks to bring them back to life. From stripping things down to building them up, we share our go-to strategies for achieving the perfect production balance.
Whether you’re dealing with a mix that’s too bare or one that’s bursting at the seams, this episode is packed with insights on finding the sweet spot that makes your music shine. Tune in and take your productions to the next level with Inside the Recording Studio! 🎧✨
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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
In this insightful episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle one of the most common challenges faced by audio engineers and producers: cleaning up unwanted noise in recordings. From vocal artifacts to background hums, noise can detract from the clarity and impact of your mixes if left unchecked. Join us as we explore the four main types of audio noise—non-musical noise, vocal noise, instrument noise, and audio editing noise—and dive into practical solutions for eliminating them before the mixing stage.
Episode Highlights:
- Understanding the Four Types of Audio Noise: We break down the four main categories of noise that can creep into your recordings. Non-musical noise, like background hums or ambient sounds, vocal noise such as breaths and mouth clicks, instrument noise including squeaks and finger slides, and audio editing noise like clicks and pops from poorly executed edits. Learn how to identify each type of noise and understand the impact they can have on your overall mix.
- How to Clean Up Non-Musical Noise: Discover effective techniques for reducing or eliminating non-musical noise in your recordings, from HVAC hums to environmental sounds. We’ll discuss the use of noise reduction software, including the popular iZotope RX suite, and explore how spectral editing can help you surgically remove noise without harming the musical content.
- Addressing Vocal Noise: Dealing with vocal noise like breaths, sibilance, and mouth clicks is a critical step in achieving a polished vocal performance. Chris and Jody offer tips for reducing vocal noise using both software solutions and manual editing techniques. Learn how to use tools like iZotope RX’s De-click, De-breath, and De-ess modules, as well as manual editing in a DAW for more precise control.
- Cleaning Up Instrument Noise: Instrument noise, such as fret squeaks on guitars or mechanical sounds from pianos, can sometimes add character but often need taming. We’ll discuss when to keep or remove these noises and how to use tools like EQ, gating, and even destructive editing to clean up tracks while preserving the musicality.
- Eliminating Audio Editing Noise: Poor audio edits can introduce unwanted clicks, pops, or abrupt changes in sound. We’ll explore best practices for avoiding editing noise, from proper crossfading to using fade-ins and fade-outs, ensuring your edits remain seamless. Learn how to identify and correct problematic edits using iZotope RX’s Click Removal or traditional DAW tools like crossfades.
- Destructive Audio Editing vs. Non-Destructive Editing: Delve into the debate between destructive and non-destructive editing in audio restoration. We discuss when destructive editing (editing the original file) can be useful for deep noise removal, and when non-destructive editing (editing with the option to revert) might be safer. Find out which workflow suits your projects best, based on the level of noise and the complexity of the session.
Whether you’re an experienced audio engineer or just starting out, this episode provides invaluable insights and techniques for cleaning up your recordings before mixing. From software tools like iZotope RX to manual DAW workflows, we’ve got you covered. Tune in now to Inside the Recording Studio and make sure your mixes are noise-free and professional-sounding from the start!
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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
In this insightful episode of Inside the Recording Studio, hosts Chris and Jody share five essential workflow tips to enhance your audio production process and boost your efficiency in the studio. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, these practical strategies will help you streamline your workflow and achieve better results in less time.
Episode Highlights:
- Don’t Focus on the Gear: Discover why it’s important to prioritize your skills and creativity over constantly acquiring new equipment. Chris and Jody discuss how focusing on the fundamentals and making the most of the tools you already have can lead to better music production outcomes.
- Get to Know the Gear You Have: Learn the value of mastering your current setup. The hosts provide tips on how to delve deep into the capabilities of your existing gear, uncovering hidden features and maximizing its potential to elevate your recordings and mixes.
- Do Audio Edits Before Mixing: Understand the importance of a clean and organized audio edit before diving into the mixing stage. Chris and Jody share their techniques for effective editing, ensuring your tracks are polished and ready for a seamless mixing process.
- Learn Keyboard Shortcuts: Boost your productivity by mastering keyboard shortcuts in your DAW. The hosts discuss how learning these time-saving commands can significantly speed up your workflow, allowing you to focus more on the creative aspects of your projects.
- Don’t Stop Learning: Embrace the mindset of continuous improvement. Chris and Jody highlight the importance of staying curious and seeking out new knowledge, whether through tutorials, workshops, or experimenting with new techniques. Discover how ongoing learning can keep your skills sharp and your productions fresh.
Join us for this episode packed with valuable insights and actionable advice to help you optimize your workflow and take your audio production skills to the next level. Tune in now to Inside the Recording Studio and start implementing these five tips to transform your studio sessions!
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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