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    Which is better, Passive or Active Pickups?



    Passive vs. Active Pickups: What’s Best for Your Tone?

    Guitarists, gather ’round—this one’s for the tone-obsessed, the pedalboard tweakers, and the “don’t-touch-my-pickups” purists. In this electrified episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody spark a lively debate over the long-standing feud: passive pickups vs. active pickups.

    What’s the actual difference between the two? Are you losing nuance with one or missing bite with the other? Whether you’re wielding vintage humbuckers or EMG-powered shredders, Chris and Jody unpack the sonic, technical, and stylistic pros and cons of each design—along with their personal preferences, recording implications, and studio-use tips. You’ll walk away knowing which pickup style fits your tone goals, rig setup, and musical genre.

    Plus: what not to do when you’re done playing (hint: don’t leave your guitar plugged in unless you want a surprise expense), and this week’s Friday Finds drop in with gear to explore.

    Expect laughs, light-hearted jabs, and a few myth-busting moments. Whether you’re building your home studio geararsenal or just wondering why your tone feels flat, this episode will help you pick your pickups wisely.

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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

  • What is a preamp? Walkthrough of the GrooveTubes Vipre


    What exactly is a preamp? What are the bare bones components? What is the signal flow? Why do we use preamps? Find out while seeing a walkthrough of the GrooveTubes Vipre Variable Impedance Preamp.

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    Answering A Listener’s Question: How to Track Guitars and Vocals with Just a Few Inputs



    Preamp Power: Making the Most of Limited Inputs in Your Home Studio

    When listener Ignacio sent in a question about preamp usage in small studio setups, Chris & Jody jumped in head-first—because let’s face it, getting pro sound with limited gear is a challenge we all face at some point.

    This episode is your guided tour through the practical, flexible world of preamp strategies for home studio gear. Whether you’re tracking vocals, guitars, synths, or the occasional tambourine of destiny—Chris & Jody break down what types of preamps can give you the most tonal bang for your buck. They explore clean vs. colored options, how to avoid input bottlenecks, and why preamp choice can make or break your signal chain.

    Expect smart recording setup tips, some real-talk gear recommendations, and—because it’s Inside the Recording Studio—a few sonic side quests, a Gold Star word, and a Friday Find inspired by a true guitar classic.

    So if you’re feeling boxed in by limited inputs, this episode delivers the know-how (and nonsense) to help you break out with clarity, punch, and pro polish.

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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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