• Top 5 Must Have Plugins For Writing, Tracking & Balance



    Stranded on a Desert Island… With a DAW? These Are the Plugins We’d Bring

    What if you could only choose five plugins for the rest of your music-making life? In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody unpack their top 5 desert island plugins—the essential tools they swear by for writing, recording, and mixing, even if marooned in a remote, coconut-shelled control room.

    From amp sims to synths, channel strips to creative FX, they reveal which plugins make the cut and why. Expect heated debates, a few self-imposed rule bends, and some good ol’ fashioned plugin lust. Whether you’re building your own minimalist toolkit or just love a good showdown of gear opinions, this episode offers tons of recording setup tips and hard-earned wisdom.

    You’ll also catch the latest Friday Finds, and—as always—a healthy dose of lighthearted banter and probably some nonsense. Because if you’re stuck on a desert island with just a laptop and headphones, you might as well laugh while you’re EQing.

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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

  • You Received Tracks To Mix, Now What?



    From First Email to Final Mix: Chris & Jody’s Client Mixing Workflow

    So, you got hired to mix someone else’s music—now what?

    In this episode, Chris & Jody crack open their personal workflows and walk you through exactly what they do when taking on a client mix. From the very first conversation (what questions you should ask, and the red flags you shouldn’tignore) to preparing the final mix, this is the ultimate behind-the-console guide for anyone stepping into client mixing.

    Whether you’re freelancing your first EP or tightening your process for better efficiency, you’ll gain pro-level mixing setup tips, gear prep advice, communication strategy, and insight on how to keep both artists and your CPU happy along the way.

    Expect a blend of hands-on tactics, personal anecdotes, a few cautionary tales, and the usual dose of Chris & Jody-style banter. And yes—Friday Finds is back with gear picks and plugins worth checking out.

    This one’s for engineers, producers, and home studio heroes ready to level up their client game. Hit play and learn what it really takes to mix like a pro—start to finish.

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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 ≠ Mixing. Know The Line.



    Mastering vs. 2-Bus Processing: What’s the Real Difference?

    In this week’s episode, Chris & Jody dive deep into a frequently misunderstood corner of music production: the difference between mastering and 2-bus processing. Both may share the same highway, but they’re driving very different cars—and heading to distinct destinations.

    Ever wondered why you’d slap a compressor on your 2-bus during mixing, but hold off on multiband limiting until mastering? This episode breaks it all down: the philosophical and practical distinctions, what goes where and why, and how to avoid common pitfalls that trip up even experienced engineers.

    Expect a quick detour through the history of mastering, tips on signal chain decisions, and a dash of good-natured nonsense—because hey, it’s Chris & Jody.

    Stick around for their latest Friday Finds (one’s a game-changer, the other might raise an eyebrow), and see if you catch this week’s Gold Star word.

    Whether you’re polishing your mix or prepping for the master, this episode clears the fog between the two—and helps your tracks shine on both sides of the fence.

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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

  • Gear Myths? We’re Not Having It.




    Recording Myths Busted: Separating Fact from Studio Fiction

    Do you really need expensive gear to make a great record? Is using the highest sample rate always the best idea? What about amps, EQs, and every other rabbit hole the internet loves to obsess over?

    In this myth-busting episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody throw shade (and a few laughs) at the most persistent recording setup whataboutisms. From gear snobbery to digital overkill, they break down what actually matters in your home studio gear setup—and what’s just smoke and mirrors.

    Along the way, they’ll name-check heavy hitters like CJ Vanston, Jeff Scott Soto, Eric Valentine, Dave Pensado, and yes, even Sir George Martin. Whether you’re debating converters with your inner engineer or wondering if a boutique EQ is really worth your rent money, this episode offers practical, honest advice with a healthy dose of perspective.

    You’ll also hear about this week’s Friday Finds, and as always… a little bit of nonsense.

    If you’re chasing better recordings, not just bigger myths—press play.

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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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