• Time to Level Up Your Sound: How to Know When it’s Time for an Audio Interface Upgrade!



    Your audio interface is the beating heart of your recording setup. It’s the bridge between your ideas and the outside world. But how do you know when it’s time to move on from your trusty box of converters and preamps? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive deep into the dos and don’ts of upgrading your audio interface.

    They start with the practical signs: crackling noises, limited input options, driver instability, or simply realizing your current interface is holding back the potential of your mixes. From there, they expand into the creative benefits of upgrading—better converters, more reliable latency, improved headphone amps, and the kind of clarity that makes vocals and instruments sit more naturally in the mix.

    But upgrading isn’t just about throwing money at shiny new gear. Chris and Jody stress the importance of identifying what you actually need. Do you need more channels for recording a live band? Higher sample rates for orchestral work? Or just a cleaner, simpler workflow for podcasting and production? They’ll also cover the common traps—when upgrading is unnecessary, when it’s better to optimize your workflow first, and when the problem isn’t the interface but your room acoustics, gain staging, or even user error.

    Along the way, you’ll hear practical recording setup tips and even some audio interface troubleshooting tricks that might save you from upgrading too soon. And, true to form, there’s humor and storytelling sprinkled throughout, because no Inside the Recording Studio episode is complete without a bit of nonsense.

    Whether you’re working with budget home studio gear or eyeing a flagship unit, this episode gives you clarity on when to make the leap—and when to hold tight to what you’ve got.

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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

  • Mistakes of Troubleshooting Mics and How to Fix Them Quickly



    Few things bring a session to a screeching halt faster than a microphone that suddenly refuses to cooperate. Bizarre noises, unexplained silence, or a performance that just doesn’t sound right can rattle even the most seasoned engineer. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody walk through a simple yet powerful checklist for troubleshooting mics—a must-have process for anyone working under pressure.

    They begin with the obvious (but often overlooked) basics: checking cables, phantom power, and input channels. Then they move deeper into audio interface troubleshooting, gain staging, and hardware quirks that can throw off a session. You’ll hear real-world advice on how to quickly isolate whether the issue lies with the mic, the preamp, or the signal chain—so you can fix problems fast without derailing the creative flow.

    But it’s not just a technical exercise. Chris and Jody also bring humor to the process, including a hilarious and slightly embarrassing personal story about a mic sounding terrible for the simplest (and most obvious) reason imaginable. It’s proof that even experienced engineers can miss the basics in the heat of the moment—and a reminder to always double-check.

    The episode also emphasizes understanding your gear, from recognizing hidden features in studio gear to knowing when a strange sound is operator error versus actual failure. Whether you’re working in a professional studio or experimenting with home studio gear, this checklist will give you confidence to handle mic issues gracefully.

    If you’ve ever been under the gun with a client staring at you while a mic refuses to work, this episode is the lifeline you’ll want in your back pocket. Practical, clear, and sprinkled with laughter, it’s all about getting back to making music as quickly as possible.

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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

  • 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

  • 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

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