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

October 28, 2022

Channel Strip

Why the SSL 4000 Console Still Defines Professional Mixing
Exploring the SSL 4000 Console

Few pieces of gear are as legendary in the world of music production as the SSL 4000 console. Its punchy sound, intuitive workflow, and unmistakable sonic character have shaped countless hit records across decades. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody strap in and take you on a guided tour through the history, the features, and the undeniable magic of the SSL 4000.

They kick things off with a brief history of Solid State Logic—from the company’s beginnings to how the 4000 series quickly became a staple in professional studios worldwide. From there, it’s straight into the nuts and bolts:
- Inputs: how signals enter the desk and the sonic footprint they leave.
- Dynamics: compressors, gates, and expanders that give tracks punch and control.
- EQ: the sweet, aggressive, unmistakable SSL curves that can bring a mix to life.
- Filters: high-pass and low-pass shaping tools that keep mixes clean.
- The “SSL Sound”: what makes this board instantly recognizable and why engineers still chase it today.
Chris and Jody don’t just geek out on features—they explain why the SSL workflow matters and how the 4000 has influenced DAW design, plugin emulations, and modern studio setups. They also highlight how the board’s architecture still informs the way producers and mix engineers think about recording setup tips and hidden features in studio gear.

And, because this is Inside the Recording Studio, it’s not all tech talk. Expect humor, stories, and a sprinkle of nonsense along the way. Whether you’re running an SSL plugin in your home studio gear setup or you’ve had the chance to sit behind the real thing, this episode will give you a deeper appreciation for one of the most iconic consoles in recording history.

Plus, don’t miss this week’s Friday Finds, where Chris and Jody share new tools and ideas to keep your workflow sharp.

By the end, you’ll understand not just the anatomy of the SSL 4000, but why it’s still considered one of the most important boards in the history of recorded music.

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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
October 21, 2022

Psychological, Workflow

Productivity Hacks – How To Have Productive Downtime

How to Have Productive Downtime

Every studio professional knows the rhythm: one week you’re slammed with sessions, bouncing between recording, mixing, and mastering, and the next you find yourself staring at a blank DAW screen with no projects on the calendar. What do you do when things get quiet? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody unload their best strategies for staying productive during downtime—so that when the work ramps back up, you’re sharper, faster, and better prepared than before.

They break it down into three categories of ideas designed to keep both your workflow and your creativity in top shape:

1. Sharpen Your Skills

Downtime is the perfect opportunity to dig into tutorials, revisit techniques, or practice mixing and mastering on old projects. Chris and Jody talk about how even simple exercises—like revisiting EQ decisions or exploring hidden features in studio gear—can level up your confidence and speed when deadlines hit.

2. Optimize Your Setup

When’s the last time you gave your studio some TLC? Whether it’s updating software, tackling audio interface troubleshooting, reorganizing your file system, or literally doing some spring cleaning, downtime is ideal for tightening up your recording setup tips. Chris and Jody share what they do to make sure their studios run smoothly, including those “why didn’t I do this sooner?” tasks like labeling cables or learning how to clean music gear the right way.

3. Refuel Your Creativity

Being productive doesn’t always mean grinding. Sometimes it’s about recharging. Chris and Jody talk about ways to step back from the console—reading, listening, exploring new music, or even leaning into a little nonsense—and why this mental reset is just as valuable as technical practice.

Throughout the episode, expect the usual mix of real-world anecdotes, humor, and a touch of nonsense. Plus, don’t miss this week’s Friday Finds, where Chris and Jody share tools and ideas that can inspire you when things feel slow.

By the end of the episode, you’ll walk away with practical steps for turning downtime into growth time—whether you’re working in a full pro facility or a home studio gear setup.

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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
October 14, 2022

Psychological, Workflow

10 Common Mastering Engineer Mistakes Most People Make And How To Fix Them
Mastering Engineer Mistakes to Avoid

Mastering might seem like the final polish on a track, but if you’ve ever tried your hand at it, you know it’s not just about loudness and EQ. It’s a delicate art—and when you’re new to the craft, there are plenty of ways to stumble. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody break down 10 of the most common mastering engineer mistakes, and more importantly, how to avoid them.

From over-EQ’ing to leaning too heavily on presets, Chris and Jody lay out real-world pitfalls that derail beginners and explain how to move past them. With humor, insight, and some nonsense sprinkled in for good measure, they map out a path that will help you develop better ears, smarter workflows, and a more professional approach to mastering.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the mistakes they tackle:
- Overusing EQ or compression and squashing the life out of a mix.
- Chasing loudness over clarity, falling into the trap of the “loudness wars.”
- Ignoring monitoring environments—because if your room lies, your master lies.
- Not understanding the role of reference tracks in calibrating your ears.
- Skipping fundamentals, like proper gain staging and file prep.
- Leaning too hard on gear or plugins instead of trusting your ears.
- Failing to step back, losing perspective by mastering in a vacuum.
Alongside these cautionary tales, Chris and Jody offer recording setup tips that apply whether you’re in a big studio or working with home studio gear. They also reveal a few hidden features in studio gear and plugins that can make mastering more efficient and accurate.

The takeaway? Mastering isn’t about chasing perfection with endless tweaks. It’s about making intentional, transparent moves that translate across playback systems. And yes—it’s also about learning when not to touch the knobs.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know the 10 mistakes to avoid, plus the mindsets and habits that set real mastering engineers apart. You’ll laugh, you’ll nod in recognition, and you’ll leave with fresh tools to refine your approach to mastering—whether you’re polishing your own tracks or prepping music for the world to hear.

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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