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

March 31, 2023

Interview

Talking Life, Music, Strings and more with Stevie Blacke

What happens when you combine the storytelling energy of Inside the Recording Studio with one of the most in-demand string arrangers in the world? You get a powerhouse episode featuring the one and only Stevie Blacke—the “one man orchestra” behind dozens of top ten hits and collaborations with some of the biggest names in music.

Stevie’s résumé reads like a hall of fame playlist: P!nk, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, Beck, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Timbaland feat. Elton John, Kylie Minogue feat. Keith Urban, Alice in Chains, Colbie Caillat, Gary Clark Jr., Cher, Joe Cocker, Foreigner, Garbage, Avenged Sevenfold, Snoop Dogg—the list is staggering. Even Steve Vai once said: “He has the most diverse and impressive resume I’ve ever seen.”

In this episode, Chris and Jody talk with Stevie about how he approaches string arrangements, how he became the go-to orchestrator for A-list artists, and how he adapts across wildly different genres. From lush pop ballads to aggressive rock anthems, Stevie reveals how strings can elevate a track from good to unforgettable.

Expect insights into workflow, arranging philosophy, and even a few laughs as the guys dive into both the serious artistry and the fun nonsense that always finds its way into an Inside the Recording Studio episode. Whether you’re curious about building arrangements with home studio gear, hunting for recording setup tips, or just love hearing behind-the-scenes stories about your favorite artists, this episode is loaded with gems.

Sit down, strap in, and get ready for an inspiring ride into the world of one of music’s most versatile arrangers.

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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
March 24, 2023

Workflow

Unlocking the Secrets of a Mix Vision: Expert Tips and Tricks!

Every great mix starts with a vision. Before EQ tweaks or compressor settings, a mix engineer has to know where the song wants to go. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody break down the often-overlooked art of shaping a mix vision — how to hear the rough version of a track and imagine its potential.

The process isn’t just technical; it’s creative. They explore how listening to a client’s rough mix provides critical clues, and how conversations with the artist about goals, influences, and emotional intent set the stage. Style and genre matter too—an EDM track, a country ballad, and an indie rock anthem each demand a different sonic treatment. Arrangement, instrumentation, and performance nuance all help define the roadmap.

Chris and Jody share their strategies for interpreting those elements, from subtle panning decisions to layering reverbs, to making bold choices about dynamics. They explain how communication with the client is just as important as turning knobs: translating abstract ideas like “make it sound bigger” or “give it more air” into concrete mixing decisions.

For producers and engineers working with home studio gear, this episode offers plenty of recording setup tips and practical wisdom. Even if you’re not mixing chart-toppers, you’ll learn how to establish a clear direction that makes your mixes intentional instead of accidental.

And, of course, it wouldn’t be an episode with Chris and Jody without humor, banter, and a reminder that mixing is equal parts craft and art. If you’ve ever opened a rough mix and thought, “Now what?”—this episode is your guide to finding the answer.

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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
March 17, 2023

Reverb

Unlock Your Creativity with these Dynamic Reverb Choices!

Reverb is one of the most powerful tools in a producer’s arsenal. It can create depth, mood, and space—or muddy your mix beyond repair if you’re not careful. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody revisit the world of reverb, breaking down the different types available today and showing how to use them effectively across instruments.

From lush plates to cavernous halls, tight rooms to shimmering springs, they explore the sonic fingerprints of each type. More importantly, they show you where reverb shines: what works beautifully on vocals, what adds magic to guitars, and what to avoid if you don’t want your drums sounding like they’re recorded at the bottom of a canyon.

Chris and Jody also share their own workflows and preferences—what they personally reach for on vocals, how they blend reverbs for unique textures, and a few “hidden secrets” of layering different spaces to create a mix that breathes. Ever wondered why a vocal sounds polished and enveloping on one record, but flat on another? It often comes down to how reverb is stacked and shaped.

You’ll walk away with recording setup tips, ideas for experimenting with reverb plugins and hardware, and the confidence to try creative approaches rather than relying on presets alone. Whether you’re building out your home studio gear or refining your pro workflow, this episode will help you unlock the emotional and spatial power of reverb in your productions.

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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