• 5 Studio Workflow Tips That Will Make You A Studio Pro!



    5 Workflow Tips to Stop Wasting Clients’ Time

    Time is money—and nowhere is that truer than in the recording studio. Clients are paying not just for your gear and your ears, but for your efficiency. Every minute spent fumbling with files, chasing down cables, or tweaking a broken setup is a minute they’re paying for silence. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody cut to the chase with five studio workflow tips that keep your sessions running smoothly and your clients coming back.

    The Big 5 Workflow Tips

    Chris and Jody outline five practical strategies that can transform the way you work. From setting up templates and organizing tracks in advance, to mastering the art of clear communication, these are the habits that save hours over the course of a project. Each tip is simple, actionable, and ready to be dropped straight into your daily workflow.

    1. Prep your sessions before the client arrives. Empty DAWs don’t impress anyone—templates and routing do.
    2. Organize your files and backups. Lost takes mean lost trust.
    3. Streamline your gear setup. Knowing your home studio gear inside out avoids wasted troubleshooting.
    4. Keep communication sharp. No one likes guessing games in the control room.
    5. Know when to stop tweaking. Endless nitpicking burns time, energy, and goodwill.

    A Personal Flavor to the Stew

    Of course, this wouldn’t be Inside the Recording Studio without Chris and Jody sprinkling in some personal seasoning. They share a few of their own studio choices and workflow quirks—little things that may not be on a universal checklist but help color the stew of a session. Expect stories, banter, and maybe a bit of nonsense along the way.

    Why It Matters

    Clients who feel like their time is respected will keep coming back—and they’ll tell others. By integrating these workflow tips, you’re not just improving efficiency, you’re building a reputation for professionalism. Whether you’re a seasoned engineer in a commercial space or a self-starter running a DAW in your bedroom, these strategies will make your sessions more effective and enjoyable.

    So, fire up the front burners, let these tips simmer into your process, and watch your studio workflow turn into a well-oiled machine.

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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

  • How To Record Killer Electric Guitar Tracks At Home



    Producer Choices for Electric Guitar Recording – Hardware vs Software

    When it comes to recording electric guitars, the choices producers make can set the tone—literally—for an entire track. Do you go old school with a roaring amp stack, carefully placed microphones, and a thump in the chest that only tubes can deliver? Or do you take the modern route with software emulations, impulse responses, and plugins that bring a world of tones into your DAW?

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody break down the key decisions producers face when recording electric guitars. They unwind the simple but impactful choices—from hardware setups to software solutions—that shape the sound, workflow, and vibe of a session.

    Hardware: The Real Deal

    Chris and Jody explore the tactile world of amp heads, cabinets, and microphones, showing how pairing them together can create unique flavors. From classic rock crunch to sparkling cleans, they explain how gear choices translate into character—and why the physical process of mic placement still matters.

    Software: The Modern Playground

    On the flip side, the conversation dives into the rise of amp sims and plugin-based rigs. They talk about the convenience of dialing up dozens of tones in seconds, recording silently in a home studio gear setup, and how software options are getting shockingly close to the “real thing.” Plus, there’s a look at some pitfalls to avoid—like option paralysis and missing the feel of moving air.

    Producer Priorities

    At its core, the episode highlights what matters most: the song and the performance. Whether you’re reamping, mic’ing a cab, or scrolling through presets, Chris and Jody stress the importance of matching tools to the project rather than chasing hype. Along the way, they drop practical recording setup tips, reveal a few hidden features in studio gear, and (naturally) sprinkle in a touch of nonsense.

    Why You’ll Want to Listen

    This isn’t about gear snobbery—it’s about understanding your options. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clearer sense of:

    • When hardware amps and mics shine.
    • When software rigs can save time, space, and money.
    • How to combine both for maximum flexibility.
    • Why the “best” choice is always the one that serves the music.

    So plug in, power up, and join Chris and Jody as they riff on the timeless debate: tubes vs. code, stacks vs. sims, hardware vs. software.

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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

  • 10 Thing Studio Checklist When You Go Into A Session



    Studio Checklist for Musicians, Artists, and Bands

    Every musician dreams of stepping into a studio, but the reality is often more stressful than glamorous. What should you bring? What should you avoid? How do you find the right studio fit—and how can you make sure the people on the other side of the glass can do their best work for you?

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody cross over to the artist’s side and lay out a studio checklist for musicians, artists, and bands preparing to record. Whether it’s your first time in a professional studio or you’ve booked dozens of sessions, these tips will help you walk in prepared and walk out with better results.

    Do’s and Don’ts Before You Hit Record

    Chris and Jody dig into the must-do’s like practicing your material until it’s second nature, making sure your instruments are in good repair (strings, drum heads, cables—don’t forget them!), and arriving on time with realistic expectations. They also highlight the don’ts, like showing up with half-written songs, expecting the engineer to “fix it in the mix,” or failing to communicate your vision clearly.

    How This Helps Everyone

    This checklist isn’t just for musicians—it’s also for studio owners and engineers. By knowing what artists need to prepare, studios can better serve their clients and build trust. A prepared artist means smoother sessions, fewer delays, and ultimately a more professional final product.

    Real-World Stories

    To keep it lively, Chris and Jody share a few personal examples—moments when artists nailed their prep and sessions flew by, and other times when poor planning led to chaos (and more coffee than anyone should drink in a day). As always, there’s plenty of humor and a little nonsense sprinkled in to keep the conversation fun.

    Why Preparation Matters

    By the end of the episode, listeners will see that walking into a studio isn’t just about talent—it’s about preparation, respect for the process, and being ready to collaborate. With the right mindset and a simple checklist, you’ll get more out of your time in the studio, and your recordings will thank you for it.

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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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