Audio engineering tips - Inside The Recording Studio

Unlock the secrets to capturing the perfect vocal sound in our latest episode of Inside the Recording Studio! Join hosts George and Jody as they delve into the art and science of choosing the right vocal mic path for your song, helping you achieve professional-quality recordings every time.

In this episode, we explore the critical factors that influence your choice of vocal microphone and signal chain. From the singer’s voice type and the song’s genre to the desired tone and recording environment, we guide you through the decision-making process to ensure you select the ideal setup for your project.

Discover the nuances of different microphone types, including dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mics, and how their unique characteristics can enhance or detract from your vocal recording. We also discuss the importance of preamps, compressors, and EQ settings in shaping your vocal sound, providing practical tips for dialing in the perfect tone.

Learn how to match your mic and signal path to the specific needs of your song, whether you’re aiming for a crisp, modern pop vocal or a warm, vintage-style performance. Hear real-world examples and expert advice on troubleshooting common issues and making the most of your recording equipment.

Whether you’re a seasoned producer or a budding engineer, this episode offers invaluable insights and hands-on advice to help you make informed decisions and capture stunning vocal recordings. Don’t miss out on this essential guide to choosing the right vocal mic path – tune in now to Inside the Recording Studio and elevate your vocal production skills!

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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

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.

Achieve Studio-Quality Vocals: Inside Secrets to the Best Mic Path Selection!

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