Inside the Recording Studio - Tips to improve your recording

February 27, 2026

Psychological

Creative Burnout in Music Production: How to Recover
Burnout doesn’t announce itself, it creeps in quietly, right when you think you’re being “productive.”

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody tackle a topic every home studio owner eventually faces: burnout in the studio. Whether you’re grinding through mix revisions, stacking tracks night after night, or trying to stay inspired in your home studio, creative fatigue can hit hard, and fast.

Chris and Jody get personal about their own experiences with burnout. They talk honestly about what it feels like when the joy starts slipping out of your sessions, when your home studio gear feels more like a burden than a playground, and when “just one more tweak” turns into another midnight spiral. It’s not dramatic. It’s real. And it happens to all of us.

But this episode isn’t about complaining, it’s about solutions.

You’ll learn how to spot the early warning signs of creative burnout, before it derails your workflow. They break down practical strategies for refreshing your recording setup tips without overhauling your entire studio. Sometimes it’s not about buying new gear, it’s about reconnecting with what you already have.

Chris shares insights on how shifting your workflow can bring back clarity. Jody talks about mindset resets that help you step back without stepping away for good. Together, they outline sustainable studio habits that keep you creating for the long haul, not just sprinting toward the next deadline.

If you’ve ever stared at your DAW and thought, “Why does this suddenly feel heavy?”, this episode is for you.

You’ll walk away with:
- Clear signs that burnout may be creeping in
- Simple ways to refresh your workflow
- Sustainable habits for long-term creativity
- A healthier mindset around productivity
And of course, no episode would be complete without Friday Finds and the always-elusive Gold Star word of the week, because leveling up your mindset and your gear game can happen at the same time.

If you’re serious about protecting your creativity while building a better home studio workflow, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Hit play, take a breath, and remember: it’s okay to pause. Just don’t stop.

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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
February 20, 2026

DAW

Best DAW for Your Workflow and Recording Setup

Does your DAW actually matter, or are we all arguing over the wrong thing?

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle one of the most heated debates in home recording: which digital audio workstation you should use. Logic, Pro Tools, Studio One, Reaper, every camp has strong opinions. But as Chris and Jody break it down, the truth has less to do with brand loyalty and more to do with how your workflow responds to the interface in front of you.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level DAW comparisons. They dig into how different GUIs affect your recording setup, how platform preferences shape your daily use, and whether there’s actually any sonic difference between DAWs. Yes, they go there. If you’ve ever wondered whether switching software will magically improve your mixes, this episode will ground that thinking in practical reality.

One of the key takeaways? Your home studio gear only works as well as your comfort with it. If your digital audio workstation slows you down, confuses you, or makes simple tasks feel complicated, it’s not the right tool for you, no matter how popular it is. Chris and Jody emphasize choosing a DAW that matches your goals, your habits, and your creative process, not your bandmate’s opinion or a Reddit thread.

There’s also the usual blend of insight and dry humor. At one point, they call out the “DAW tribalism” that shows up online, reminding listeners that most modern recording software is incredibly powerful. The real difference often comes down to user experience, speed, and how naturally the system supports your recording workflow.

If you’re building a recording setup for the first time, or questioning your current one, this episode delivers clear, practical recording setup tips without drowning you in jargon. It’s about removing confusion and helping you make a confident decision about your digital audio workstation.

And as always, stick around for Friday Finds and gear tips to sharpen your home studio gear choices even further.

If you’re serious about improving your workflow and getting more done in your studio, hit subscribe and join us next week for another deep dive into the tools that shape 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
February 13, 2026

Psychological

Recording Myths About Sample Rate and EQ

Do you need a second mortgage for your home studio gear… or just better decisions? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody take aim at some of the most stubborn recording myths floating around forums, YouTube comments, and that one friend who always says, “Yeah, but at 192k it just sounds better.”

Let’s talk about it.

Is the highest sample rate always the right move? Is that boutique EQ actually worth your rent money? Are you missing out because you’re not using “pro-level” converters? Or is the internet just really good at selling anxiety?

Chris & Jody break down these recording setup tips with a mix of practical insight and dry humor. They’re not here to shame your gear choices, or worship them. They’re here to ask what actually matters in a recording setup and what’s just digital overkill.

There’s some light shade thrown at gear snobbery. There’s perspective from industry names like CJ Vanston, Jeff Scott Soto, Eric Valentine, Dave Pensado, and even Sir George Martin. And there’s the quiet reminder that none of those legends built their reputations on spec sheets alone.

If you’ve ever gone down a rabbit hole comparing amps, obsessing over EQ curves, or convincing yourself that one more plugin will fix everything, this episode is a gentle (and occasionally sarcastic) nudge back to reality.

Because here’s the thing: great records don’t come from myths. They come from good decisions, solid fundamentals, and knowing when to stop chasing numbers.

You’ll also get this week’s Friday Finds, because while we’re busting myths, we’re still discovering cool stuff.

This conversation is for the home studio crowd trying to level up without lighting their bank account on fire. It’s for independent artists who want honest advice instead of marketing copy. And it’s for anyone who’s ever wondered if the rabbit hole has a bottom.

Spoiler alert: it does. And it’s usually labeled “practice.”

If you want practical recording setup tips without the hype, and maybe a little nonsense along the way, press play now.

Subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s myth demolition.

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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