• Inside the Studio with Reuben Cohen: Lurssen Mastering Secrets Revealed!



    Mastering the Craft: A Conversation with Reuben Cohen

    In this must-hear episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody sit down with the legendary Reuben Cohen—mastering engineer to the stars—for a deep, insightful, and occasionally hilarious conversation about music, business, and sonic obsession.

    From humble beginnings to mastering some of the biggest songs of the last decade, Reuben shares how he turned his passion into a career, how he built his mastering business from the ground up, and why keeping your ears sharp and your vision clear is the key to longevity in the industry.

    In this episode:

    • How Reuben got his start and carved out a name in a competitive field
    • The “must-have” gear that’s made it onto countless hit records
    • What mastering means at the highest level—and how it’s changed over the years
    • Behind-the-scenes stories involving Metallica, Pharrell, Distinto, and major film soundtracks
    • Real talk about creativity, business hustle, and chasing sonic perfection

    And yes—there’s this week’s Friday Finds, and as always, it’s not unlikely that a bit of nonsense will sneak into the conversation.

    Whether you’re a producer, engineer, or just a fan of great music and great minds, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and industry wisdom from one of the best ears in the game.

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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

  • The Magic of De-Essers: Say Goodbye to Sibilance and Harshness!



    De-Essers: The Unsung Heroes of Smooth-Sounding Mixes

    It’s not flashy. It’s not fun. And let’s face it—nobody gets excited about a de-esser. But when sibilance strikes or harshness creeps in, this humble tool can be the difference between a professional-sounding vocal and a wince-worthy one.

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a non-sexy but absolutely necessary dive into the world of de-essers—what they are, why they matter, and how to wield them like a pro.

    ️ You’ll learn:

    • What de-essers actually do and why your mix will thank you
    • The mechanics of de-essing, from simple threshold-based tools to dynamic EQ-based solutions
    • Top plugin picks that go beyond the default presets
    • When to use de-essers on instruments (hint: it’s not just for vocals)
    • Common mistakes and how to avoid over-de-essing the life out of your mix

    This episode is perfect for anyone who’s been surprised by a sharp “S” in playback—or who just wants to make their mixes more polished and listener-friendly.

    As always, expect a bit of nonsense, a lot of insight, and a new favorite from this week’s Friday Finds. Your ears (and your clients) will be happier for it.

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

    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

  • Game-Changing Mix Prep Techniques You Need to Know!



    Clean Tracks, Clean Mixes: How to Prep Your Multitracks Like a Pro

    Before a mix can shine, the raw materials need some serious TLC—and that’s exactly what this episode is all about.

    Join Chris and Jody as they dive into the often overlooked—but critically important—process of prepping multitrack sessions for mixing. Whether you’re the recording engineer handing files off to a mix pro or the one doing both jobs yourself, this episode walks you through the smart, efficient steps to get your session mix-ready.

    From editing and organizing to naming conventions and audio cleanup, discover how Chris and Jody tackle:

    • Vocals (and why cleaning breaths isn’t always the answer)
    • Electric & acoustic guitars (goodbye, string squeaks)
    • Bass tracks (because mud has its limits)
    • Drum kits (hello, phase alignment)
    • Virtual & orchestral instruments (even MIDI needs manners)

    You’ll also hear tips on gain staging, consolidating files, and setting your mix up for success—plus a few thoughts on what NOT to do when prepping your stems. And as always, there’s a healthy splash of studio nonsense and this week’s Friday Finds to keep it fun.

    If you’ve ever sent—or received—a mix and thought “What is this chaos?”… this one’s for you.

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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.

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

    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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