• 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

  • Audio Masking: All the Tools You Need to Avoid It



    Understanding Audio Masking

    Every mix has its battles. Instruments clash, frequencies collide, and sometimes the music you carefully crafted turns into a blur. That, friends, is audio masking—and it’s the silent mix killer. On this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade into the muddy waters of masking, explaining what it is, why it happens, and most importantly, how to eliminate it.

    So what exactly is audio masking? It’s when two instruments occupy the same frequency range and step on each other’s toes, leaving you with a mix that feels cluttered or flat. Chris and Jody break down the most common offenders: guitars and vocals battling for midrange real estate, bass and kick fighting in the low end, synths washing over everything with dense layers.

    But this isn’t just a problem for pros in big studios—home studio gear setups are especially prone to masking since rooms and monitoring aren’t always perfect. The guys offer practical recording setup tips for identifying where masking is happening, and how to solve it with EQ moves, arrangement tweaks, or panning strategies.

    You’ll also learn why simply making things louder isn’t the solution. Instead, Chris and Jody highlight the importance of listening critically and carving space so every instrument has its moment to shine. They share insight into software tools—like spectrum analyzers and visualizers—that can actually let you see masking in your mix, revealing hidden overlaps you might not catch by ear alone.

    And of course, in true Inside the Recording Studio fashion, you’ll get their candid takes, a bit of nonsense, and the latest Friday Finds to inspire your next project.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to spot masking before it ruins your mix, how to fix it with confidence, and how to keep your productions sounding polished and professional.

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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

  • Drum Programming vs Live Drums: How to Know When to Use Which?



    Drum Programming vs Live Drums

    Few topics in music production inspire more debate than drum programming versus live drums. On this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody unpack the pros, cons, myths, and must-knows of both approaches.

    Drums are the backbone of most songs—so how you capture them can make or break a track. Should you reach for a drum kit and microphones, or open up your favorite drum plugin? Chris and Jody dive into when live drums are ideal—from rock and jazz to genres where feel and nuance matter most—and when programmed drums shine in styles like pop, EDM, and hip-hop.

    They share recording setup tips for getting the most out of live drums, from room considerations to mic placement pitfalls. On the programming side, they reveal what to watch out for—like robotic timing, unrealistic velocity layers, and sounds that don’t match the vibe of the track.

    But it’s not always one-or-the-other. Chris and Jody discuss the growing trend of hybrid drumming: enhancing live kits with programmed elements or layering samples to add punch and clarity. Think real drummer feel + machine consistency.

    Expect candid takes, a few workflow hacks, and of course, this week’s Friday Finds—because who doesn’t like discovering cool new tools and ideas for the studio? And yes, a little nonsense sneaks in too—it’s how they roll.

    Whether you’re deep into home studio gear, troubleshooting your audio interface, or just wondering why your drum track sounds flat, this episode gives you a clearer path. You’ll come away knowing when to program, when to mic up, and how to blend the two for a modern, professional 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

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