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

January 13, 2023

Workflow

Reference Tracks: What You Need to Know for Production & Writing Inspiration

Using Reference Tracks for Production and Writing Emulation

When you’re staring down a blank DAW session or trying to capture the vibe of a particular style, sometimes you need a compass. That’s where reference tracks for production and writing emulation come in. But are they a creative spark or a creative crutch? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody team up with a partner guest to unpack the practice of using reference tracks not just for mixing, but for inspiration and emulation in the writing and production process.

What Exactly Are Production Reference Tracks?

Unlike reference tracks used strictly for mixing and mastering comparisons, production and writing references are songs you lean on for structure, arrangement, instrumentation, or vibe. They’re the musical blueprints that can help you find a starting point, keep you grounded in a genre, or inspire new directions in your own writing.

Chris and Jody discuss how they personally do (or don’t) use them, sharing stories from their own creative processes. Sometimes a reference sparks brilliance. Other times? It risks pulling you too close to imitation.

Emulation vs. Originality

The big question this episode asks: where’s the line between inspiration and copying? Chris and Jody explain how to use references responsibly—taking cues from the energy, sonic space, or arrangement choices, while avoiding note-for-note cloning. They talk about the pitfalls of over-reliance, such as losing your own voice or chasing production perfection at the cost of creativity.

Workflow Integration

Listeners will also hear where reference tracks fit into a healthy workflow. Should you load them into your DAW? Build your template around them? Or keep them in a separate playlist for quick A/B inspiration? Chris and Jody share recording setup tips, their favorite strategies for integrating references into writing sessions, and a few of the hidden features in home studio gear that make comparing easier.

Why Tune In

This episode is perfect for anyone who’s ever sat down to write a song and thought, “I want it to feel like X, but still sound like me.” By the end, you’ll know how to use reference tracks as creative fuel, not creative handcuffs. And yes, expect plenty of banter, humor, and a splash of nonsense along the way.

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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
January 6, 2023

Workflow

Reference Tracks: What You Need to Know for a Professional Mix
Reference Tracks – Friend or Foe?

Every producer, mix engineer, and musician has heard about them—reference tracks. But are they the magic bullet for better mixes, or just another rabbit hole of second-guessing? In the first episode of 2023, Chris and Jody dive into the world of reference tracks, unpacking why they matter, how to use them effectively, and the pitfalls you’ll want to avoid.

At their core, reference tracks are simply professionally mixed and mastered songs that you compare your own work against. They’re a tool to help gauge tonal balance, loudness, dynamics, and overall vibe. But, as Chris and Jody point out, like any tool, they’re only as useful as the way you apply them.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- What reference tracks are and how they can shape your workflow.
- Why Chris and Jody do (or don’t) use them in their own mixing processes.
- The point of reference tracks: when they help you calibrate your ears and when they can distract you.
- Pitfalls to avoid, like obsessing over matching a mix too literally, or choosing the wrong references for your style.
- Where reference tracks fit into the bigger picture of mixing and mastering—without derailing creativity.
Balancing Workflow and Creativity

Chris and Jody stress that while reference tracks can keep your ears honest, they shouldn’t become a crutch. For example, comparing a home recording done on home studio gear to a million-dollar studio production requires context. Instead, the key is knowing when to listen critically and when to trust your instincts.

They also share a few recording setup tips that help make referencing smoother: setting up quick A/B comparisons in your DAW, keeping volume levels consistent, and using spectrum analyzers or meters to double-check what your ears are telling you.

A Few Laughs Along the Way

Of course, this wouldn’t be Inside the Recording Studio without Chris and Jody injecting some humor. Expect some playful back-and-forth as they poke fun at their own habits and joke about the fine line between using references wisely and chasing your tail with endless comparisons.

By the end of the episode, you’ll walk away knowing not just how to use reference tracks, but how to avoid the common mistakes that can lead to frustration. Whether you’re mixing your first demo or polishing a record for release, this episode gives you the perspective to use references as a tool, not a trap.

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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
December 30, 2022

Psychological, Workflow

2022 Year-End Review: Goal Setting for Producers and Engineers
Year-End Review of 2022 and Setting Goals for the Future

The end of a year always brings reflection, and in the world of recording, that means lessons learned, habits changed, and goals set for what’s next. In this special wrap-up episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a thoughtful (and sometimes hilarious) look back at 2022—talking about the things they’ve learned, the adjustments they’ve made, and the directions they see the studio world heading in.

From gear choices to workflow refinements, Chris and Jody unpack the small changes that made a big difference in their own approaches. They discuss the importance of adapting in an industry that’s always moving forward, and how new tools, techniques, and perspectives reshaped their workflows over the past year.

But this isn’t just a look back—it’s also a look ahead. The conversation naturally shifts toward goal setting for the future, whether it’s learning new plugins, upgrading home studio gear, diving deeper into recording setup tips, or just remembering to clean music gear once in a while. Chris and Jody frame their goals in a way that’s not only relatable but also actionable for listeners who want to set themselves up for success in the year ahead.

Highlights include:
- What Chris and Jody learned in 2022 about workflow, creativity, and client management.
- Changes they made in their own studios that saved time and improved results.
- Predictions for the future, from trends in gear to the evolving role of producers and engineers.
- The importance of setting clear, realistic goals to keep improving both technically and creatively.
- Personal anecdotes, light-hearted banter, and a bit of nonsense to keep it fun.
Whether you’re an engineer, producer, or musician, this episode is the perfect way to close out your own year. You’ll come away with inspiration to reflect on your journey, practical ideas to improve your setup, and motivation to step into the new year ready to level up your sound.

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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