Inside The Recording Studio – Page 20 – Unlock remarkable tips and tricks for improved recordings in your studio. Unusually great for beginners and professionals.

June 27, 2025

Psychological

Do You Really Need Music Theory to Succeed in Music Production?
Music Theory in the Studio: Must-Have Skill or Creative Buzzkill?

Should every musician or producer know music theory? Is it a necessary tool or an outdated gatekeeper? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle one of the most debated questions in modern production: does knowing music theory actually help in the studio—or can it sometimes get in the way?

From beatmakers who can’t read a note to session players who know every scale in every mode, the creative spectrum is wide—and this conversation explores all sides of it.

In this episode:
- Should producers, musicians, and engineers be fluent in music theory?
- Does music theory speed up the writing and recording process—or complicate it?
- Can theory knowledge hinder spontaneity and vibe in a creative session?
- What happens when you’re collaborating with someone who doesn’t know theory?
- And: how to find the sweet spot between structure and instinct in your workflow
Whether you’re a self-taught genius or a classically trained perfectionist, this episode will give you a fresh take on where music theory fits into today’s studio landscape.

And of course, there’s this week’s Friday Finds—plus a bit of good-natured nonsense for balance.

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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
June 20, 2025

Compressors

Compression Demystified: How to Train Your Ears to Hear Dynamic Control
How to Hear Compression: Training Your Ears to Master Dynamic Control

Compression—it’s one of the most powerful tools in your mixing arsenal. But if you’re not sure what you’re actually hearing, it can just as easily confuse as it can enhance.

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody open up the signal chain and break down exactly how to train your ears to hear what compression is doing. Whether you’re a beginner trying to grasp the basics or a seasoned engineer looking to sharpen your perception, this episode delivers practical insights you can use right away.

Inside this episode:
- A friendly walkthrough of compressor controls—threshold, ratio, attack, release, makeup gain
- Why extreme compression settings can help reveal what’s happening to your signal
- Pro tricks to help you identify compression artifacts and avoid over-compression
- How to use what you hear to make smarter mix decisions
Expect plenty of real-world advice, go-to tactics Chris and Jody use in their own sessions, and—as always—a dose of Friday Finds and some entertaining studio nonsense.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of compression’s role in your mix—and the confidence to use it to your advantage.

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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
June 13, 2025

Workflow

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.

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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