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

November 25, 2022

Psychological

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.

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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
November 18, 2022

Workflow

Mono Compatibility Explained – How To Check For It!
Why Mono Compatibility Still Matters

In a world where stereo reigns supreme, it’s easy to forget that not every listener is hearing your mix the way you intended. With smart speakers, phones, tablets, and even some club systems summing signals down to mono, mono compatibility is more relevant than ever. That’s why in this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle the ins and outs of making sure your mixes don’t collapse when played back in mono.

They start by answering the big question: why care about mono at all? After all, stereo mixes are the standard. But Chris and Jody point out that ensuring your mix translates in mono isn’t about being old-school—it’s about being professional. Whether it’s phase issues, instrument masking, or loss of clarity, ignoring mono compatibility can mean your carefully crafted mix sounds hollow, weak, or even broken in real-world playback situations.

Key takeaways from the episode include:
- The reasons mono compatibility still matters in 2024 and beyond.
- How to check your mix in mono using plugins, DAW tools, and even some “low-tech” tricks.
- Common pitfalls that destroy mono compatibility, including phase cancellation and over-wide stereo effects.
- How home studio gear can be optimized for better translation across systems.
- Practical recording setup tips to reduce mono issues before mixing even begins.
Chris and Jody also share some war stories from the trenches—times when ignoring mono compatibility came back to bite. And of course, because this is Inside the Recording Studio, you can expect some nonsense and laughter along the way to balance out the technical talk.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know why mono compatibility isn’t just an afterthought but an essential part of mixing. More importantly, you’ll walk away with practical steps to make sure your mixes hold up whether they’re booming in stereo headphones or blasting from a single smart speaker in someone’s kitchen.

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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
November 11, 2022

Psychological, Workflow

Time Management For A Better Studio Schedule, To Help You Be More Productive.
Mastering Time Management and Studio Scheduling

In the world of recording, time isn’t just money—it’s creativity, productivity, and sanity rolled into one. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody pull into the station on a listener request to tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of running a studio: time management and scheduling.

When you’re juggling recording, mixing, mastering, and all the behind-the-scenes prep work, it’s easy to swing to extremes. One week you’re drowning in deadlines, the next you’re scrambling for projects. Chris and Jody share strategies for building a studio schedule that keeps you busy but not burned out, flexible but not fragile.

Staying Balanced

The duo dig into how to set realistic booking schedules, block out creative time, and avoid the trap of overscheduling. They also cover why being under-booked can hurt more than your wallet—it can lead to stress, rushed decisions, and underpricing your work.

Tracking Your Time

Chris and Jody highlight the importance of tracking how long tasks actually take. From setting up mics to bouncing final mixes, understanding your true time investment gives you two big wins:
- Better scheduling accuracy—so you can say “yes” or “no” with confidence.
- Smarter pricing—knowing what your time is worth so you can charge appropriately.
They even share hints on using calendars, timers, and digital tools to simplify this process. And yes, they sprinkle in recording setup tips and workflow hacks that save precious hours in the studio.

The Studio Life Reality Check

It’s not just about fitting in clients—it’s about fitting in your life. Chris and Jody remind us that time management also means carving out space for rest, family, and yes, even nonsense. Because no matter how efficient your home studio gearsetup is, burnout kills creativity.

And since this is Inside the Recording Studio, expect laughs, tangents, and a few ridiculous asides to keep it all from feeling like a lecture.

By the end of the episode, you’ll know how to:
- Build a balanced schedule that supports creativity.
- Track and value your time effectively.
- Avoid common time-wasting pitfalls.
- Approach scheduling as part of your overall professional growth.
If you’ve ever wondered how to manage your hours without losing your mind—or your inspiration—this episode is a must-listen.

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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