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

July 15, 2022

Podcast, Workflow

Prepping Multi-Tracks – How to Make Your Multi-Tracks Sound Awesome
Prepping Multi-Tracks for a Smooth Mix

Mixing is where songs come to life—but a messy set of multi-tracks can derail the process before it even begins. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody plunge into the waters of getting multi-tracks prepped for mixing, breaking down the steps they take to clean, organize, and polish tracks so a mix engineer can focus on creativity rather than damage control.

Think of it like tidying your house before guests arrive: nobody wants to stumble over cables or sift through clutter. The same goes for mixes. Chris and Jody guide you through the essentials of preparing:
- Vocals: Editing out noises, breaths, and clicks while keeping natural performance intact.
- Guitars: Cleaning up amp hiss, aligning DI and mic’d signals, and ensuring phase coherence.
- Bass: Locking in consistency with light cleanup, fades, and prep for compression.
- Drums: Gating, editing, and checking for mic bleed so the kit sounds tight but alive.
- Virtual instruments: Streamlining MIDI tracks and rendering where necessary.
- Orchestral elements: Organizing massive libraries into logical stems.
Along the way, they emphasize the difference between prepping for yourself versus prepping for a dedicated mix engineer—a workflow that saves time, avoids frustration, and ensures communication is crystal clear.

You’ll also hear tips on file naming, session organization, track consolidation, and subtle fixes that make a massive difference downstream. Whether you’re working in a pro facility or wrangling takes in a home studio gear setup, these recording setup tips will help you hand off tracks that scream “ready to mix.”

Of course, because this is Chris and Jody, there’s plenty of humor, real-world anecdotes, and the occasional nonsense to keep things fun. And don’t forget the weekly Friday Finds, where they highlight tools, plugins, or inspirations you can use right away.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to transform chaotic sessions into clean, mix-ready projects—making life easier for both you and your engineers.

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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
July 8, 2022

Deep Dive, Reverb

Lexicon 224 Reverb: Deep Dive Into One of The Most Iconic Reverb Units In Recording History

The Lexicon 224 Reverb Deep Dive

There are pieces of gear that define eras—and the Lexicon 224 is one of them. This digital reverb unit not only shaped the sound of countless hits in the late ‘70s and ‘80s but continues to be a go-to for engineers looking for lush, immersive spaces in their mixes. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody jump into the shimmering pool of the Lexicon 224 to explore its history, design, controls, and timeless sound.

The 224 wasn’t the first reverb, but it was the one that made digital reverb mainstream. With its unmistakable lush halls, smooth plates, and dreamy ambiences, it quickly became a studio staple across genres. Chris and Jody dig into the history and timing of its release, explaining why it was such a game-changer for studios looking to break free from purely analog solutions.

Of course, gear isn’t just about history—it’s about how it works. That’s why the guys deliver their abnormal review of the 224’s quirky controls, walking through what each does, how to use them, and what to watch out for. From dialing in subtle room simulations to building cathedral-like spaces, the Lexicon 224 gives you flexibility that’s still relevant decades later.

You’ll also hear about some of the favorite uses of the 224, from classic vocal treatments to drum reverb tricks that defined the sound of pop, rock, and film scores. Even in a world filled with plugins, the 224’s sound remains iconic, whether you’re working with hardware or modern emulations in your DAW.

And, in classic Chris and Jody style, expect some humor, a dash of nonsense, and the weekly Friday Finds—so you leave the episode with fresh inspiration and maybe a new tool to explore.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why the Lexicon 224 is more than a piece of hardware—it’s a piece of music history that still has lessons (and tones) to teach.

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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
July 1, 2022

Workflow

How To Make A Mix Breathe More Dynamically
How to Make Your Mix Move and Breathe

A static mix can sound polished—but lifeless. The trick to keeping listeners engaged is giving your mix a sense of movement and breath, the kind of subtle shifts and dynamics that add sparkle, splash, and energy. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody waltz into the art (and science) of how to make your mixes come alive.

From gentle automation rides to bold effects decisions, they break down the techniques and workflow strategies that inject vitality into even the simplest song. It’s not about cranking levels or overloading plugins—it’s about intentional moves that let your track evolve and hold the listener’s attention beyond the first chorus.

Expect practical discussion on:
- Automation techniques to bring vocals, guitars, and keys in and out of focus.
- Adding sparkle and shimmer through EQ boosts, harmonic enhancers, or subtle modulation.
- Using effects like reverb and delay for splashes of space that feel musical, not messy.
- Creating contrast in arrangements so your mix breathes instead of plods.
- Identifying hidden features in studio gear that help add subtle life to your tracks.
Whether you’re mixing in a pro studio or with home studio gear, these tips will help you avoid the dreaded “flat” mix syndrome. Chris and Jody keep things technical but conversational, weaving in humor, anecdotes, and a touch of nonsense (as always) to keep the ride entertaining.

And don’t miss this week’s Friday Finds, where they share more creative sparks and tools to level up your productions.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have new ideas for transforming your mixes from static to dynamic—and your listeners will feel the difference.

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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