Pink noise. You’ve probably heard of it, but how well do you actually know it? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody shine a light on the oft-debated subject of pink noise as a mixing tool—what it is, how it compares to white noise, and whether it really deserves a place in your workflow.
They’ll start with the science: what is pink noise? Unlike white noise, which has equal energy across frequencies and can feel harsh to the ear, pink noise is weighted more naturally toward the lows and mids—closer to how we perceive balanced sound. That’s why it’s been used for everything from speaker calibration to ear training, and yes, even mixing.
From there, Chris and Jody dive into the practical application. How do you use pink noise to balance your mix? What’s the process for matching levels against it? Does it make your workflow faster, or does it create a “cookie cutter” result that doesn’t always serve the song? They’ll share real-world insights, pros and cons, and where it can be a good training exercise versus when to trust your ears and instincts.
Along the way, expect plenty of recording setup tips on integrating pink noise checks into your DAW, using plugins effectively, and avoiding common pitfalls. And because this is Inside the Recording Studio, there will also be humor, banter, and maybe even a tangent or two about noise in general (the good, the bad, and the “why is my interface buzzing again?” kind).
Whether you’re running a full studio or just starting out with home studio gear, this episode gives you a balanced perspective on pink noise: what it is, what it isn’t, and how to use it 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