• Steve Ouimette Interview: From Guitar Hero Riffs to Studio Secrets



    What do Guitar Hero, blockbuster video game soundtracks, and a stack of epic TV scores all have in common? The unmistakable sound of Steve Ouimette. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody sit down with the guitarist and producer whose riffs have been quietly shaping your playlists, your binge-watching marathons, and maybe even your late-night gaming sessions.

    Steve takes us through his unlikely start in the music world and the twists and turns that led him from a young player chasing tone to one of the industry’s most in-demand session musicians. Along the way, he dishes out unforgettable stories about working behind the scenes, collaborating on major projects, and navigating the ever-evolving studio landscape.

    But this isn’t just a stroll down memory lane. Steve gets candid about the temptation to chase the hidden features in studio gear, why musicians obsess over the latest plugins, and when that obsession helps—or hurts—the creative process. With Chris and Jody guiding the conversation, you’ll hear sharp insights about staying productive in the studio, managing the chaos of gear options, and keeping the focus where it belongs: the music.

    Packed with wisdom, humor, and enough guitar-fueled energy to make you want to pick up your instrument immediately, this episode is equal parts masterclass and jam session. Whether you’re running a home studio gear setup or a full-scale production house, you’ll find nuggets of inspiration and plenty of reasons to laugh along.

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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

  • Do DAWs Have a Sound? The Truth About Pan Laws



    On the surface, panning and pan laws might sound like the driest topic in the world—but if you care about making mixes that translate everywhere, you can’t afford to ignore them. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a deep dive into the mechanics and the myths of stereo placement, with their usual mix of expertise, humor, and truth bombs.

    First, they cover the basics: What is panning? What are pan laws? And why are they such a big deal when it comes to balancing tracks in stereo? You’ll learn how pan laws affect perceived loudness, how different DAWs handle them, and why some engineers insist they contribute to that elusive idea of a “DAW sound.”

    From there, Chris and Jody explore real-world scenarios. How do pan laws impact mono compatibility? Why does it matter when you collaborate with other studios or engineers? And how can you use this knowledge to avoid translation issues when moving sessions between DAWs? They’ll also dig into some common misconceptions, bust a few myths, and explain how this “brutally boring” subject can actually make a measurable difference in your mixes.

    As always, it’s not just theory. Expect recording setup tips, insights into hidden features in studio gear, and plenty of practical takeaways for anyone working with home studio gear. And because it’s Chris and Jody, you’ll also get humor, banter, and a little nonsense—because even pan laws deserve a laugh.

    If you’ve ever wondered why your mixes sound different when played back in another DAW, or why mono checks sometimes fall apart, this episode will give you the clarity (and chuckles) you need.

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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 Truth About Gear Addiction: Do You Really Need All Those Plugins?



    Confession time: how many compressor plugins do you actually need? One? Two? Six? Let’s be real—you probably have a “go-to” compressor and five others you bought during a flash sale because someone on YouTube said it was life-changing. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Chris and Jody are right there with you in this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, tackling the hilarious, slightly painful truth about gear addiction in music production.

    Let’s paint the picture. You open your DAW, scroll through your plugin folder, and realize you’ve somehow collected enough EQs to start your own virtual museum. You tell yourself each one “has a different color” (translation: it’s slightly shinier than the last). Meanwhile, your mixes still hinge on the same three plugins you’ve used for years. And guitars? Don’t even start. That “backup” guitar? It has three backups of its own.

    This episode is all about calling out the obsession we all share—the need to collect, collect, and collect some more. Chris and Jody ask the uncomfortable but necessary questions:

    • Does more gear actually make you a better mixer or songwriter?
    • Why do we keep buying shiny new toys while ignoring the hidden features in studio gear we already own?
    • And when is “just in case” actually code for “I’ll never use this, but it looks cool in my rack”?

    They’ll swap stories about plugin overload, forgotten purchases, and the sobering reality of discovering licenses for tools they don’t even remember buying. (Yes, it happens.) They’ll also share practical ideas on how to prune your collection, focus on what actually improves your workflow, and get back to what matters most—making music, not scrolling menus.

    But don’t expect a lecture. This is Inside the Recording Studio, after all. You’ll get plenty of laughs, playful digs at gear addiction, and the kind of nonsense that makes self-reflection just a little less painful. After all, admitting you might be a gear hoarder is easier when Chris and Jody are joking right along with you.

    At the end of the day, this episode isn’t about shaming you for that seventh guitar pedal or your fifth reverb plugin. It’s about reminding ourselves that great music comes from skill, creativity, and intent—not the size of your plugin folder. Or as Chris and Jody put it: too much gear sometimes means too little music.

    So before you buy that next “essential” bundle, hit play on this brutally honest (and very funny) conversation. Your wallet—and maybe your mixes—will thank 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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