• Sidechaining Secrets: Pro Techniques to Add Energy and Space to Your Tracks



    The Power of Sidechaining: How to Add Movement, Clarity, and Energy to Your Mixes

    You’ve heard the pumping effect. You’ve felt that bounce in the low end. But do you really understand how sidechainingworks—or all the creative ways you can use it?

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive deep into the world of sidechaining, demystifying this essential mixing technique and sharing the smart, subtle, and sometimes surprising ways they use it to bring their mixes to life.

    Whether you’re using it to duck the bass under the kick, tame reverb tails, trigger FX, or create pulsing rhythmic movement, sidechaining is more than just a trend—it’s a mixing power tool.

    In this episode:

    • What sidechaining is and how it functions in a DAW
    • Traditional and creative sidechaining methods
    • How to use sidechaining to create clarity, groove, and mix energy
    • Best plugins and routing techniques for effective implementation
    • Why sidechaining isn’t just for EDM—it works in rock, pop, hip-hop, orchestral, and more

    Plus, you’ll hear Chris and Jody’s go-to plugins, real-world applications, a fresh round of Friday Finds, and of course, some unfiltered nonsense along the way.

    Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just getting your hands dirty in your first DAW session, this episode gives you the tools to sidechain with confidence—and purpose.

    ******************************

    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.

    ******************************

    If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com

  • Mixing for Warmth: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Get It Right



    Ever had someone say, “This mix just needs a little more warmth,” and wondered what that actually means? Or maybe you’ve tried to get that rich, analog vibe in your digital mix and ended up with something that just sounded… dull?

    In this cozy, mojo-filled episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody break down the art (and science) of getting warmth in your mixes—from the tools they trust to the techniques they use every day.

    We’re talking about that sonic something that makes a track feel full, smooth, and alive—without losing clarity. Warmth isn’t about cutting all the highs or slathering tape emulation on every channel. It’s about intentional tone-shaping, and in this episode, you’ll learn where to find it and how to apply it (without overcooking the mix).

    In this episode:

    • Microphones and preamps that naturally add warmth before you ever touch a plugin
    • Favorite plugins and analog emulations for tape saturation, tube-style EQ, and transformer character
    • Techniques to create warmth without sacrificing clarity or space
    • Why “mojo” matters, and how to capture it in both analog and digital workflows
    • Common myths about warmth—busted by Chris and Jody’s real-world experience

    Plus, this week’s Friday Finds delivers more audio goodies to fuel your obsession—and yes, there’s the usual dose of nonsense we all secretly love.

    Whether you’re chasing vintage vibes or just want your mixes to sound less cold, this episode will help you heat things up the right way.

    ******************************

    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.

    ******************************

    If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com

  • From Murky to Magical: The Ultimate Mid-Side EQ Breakdown



    Mid-Side EQ Demystified: Clarity, Control, and Stereo Sorcery

    Ever feel like your stereo mix is wide but just… not right? You might be missing one of mixing’s most underrated tools: Mid-Side EQ.

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade into the murky but magical waters of Mid-Side EQ, unpacking the science, the strategy, and the occasional sonic mishap behind this powerful mixing technique.

    🎧 Inside this episode:

    • Where the concept of Mid-Side processing comes from—and how it’s evolved for today’s DAWs
    • How Mid-Side EQ actually works in stereo, broken down into digestible chunks
    • When to reach for Mid-Side EQ: mastering, reverb control, vocal clarity, and stereo imaging
    • Common pitfalls to watch out for—because just because you can doesn’t mean you should
    • A few of Chris and Jody’s favorite plugins for Mid-Side EQ and why they’re worth a spot in your toolkit

    Whether you’re trying to tighten up a muddy low end or add air to the sides without wrecking your mono compatibility, this episode has actionable tips you can use right away.

    And yes, there’s also this week’s Friday Finds and some completely unrequested but always entertaining nonsense to balance out the signal chain.

    ******************************

    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.

    ******************************

    If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple Podcasts
RSS
More Subscribe Options

© 2020-2025 Inside the Recording Studio