• The Magic of De-Essers: Say Goodbye to Sibilance and Harshness!



    De-Essers: The Unsung Heroes of Smooth-Sounding Mixes

    It’s not flashy. It’s not fun. And let’s face it—nobody gets excited about a de-esser. But when sibilance strikes or harshness creeps in, this humble tool can be the difference between a professional-sounding vocal and a wince-worthy one.

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a non-sexy but absolutely necessary dive into the world of de-essers—what they are, why they matter, and how to wield them like a pro.

    🎙️ You’ll learn:

    • What de-essers actually do and why your mix will thank you
    • The mechanics of de-essing, from simple threshold-based tools to dynamic EQ-based solutions
    • Top plugin picks that go beyond the default presets
    • When to use de-essers on instruments (hint: it’s not just for vocals)
    • Common mistakes and how to avoid over-de-essing the life out of your mix

    This episode is perfect for anyone who’s been surprised by a sharp “S” in playback—or who just wants to make their mixes more polished and listener-friendly.

    As always, expect a bit of nonsense, a lot of insight, and a new favorite from this week’s Friday Finds. Your ears (and your clients) will be happier for it.

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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

  • Game-Changing Mix Prep Techniques You Need to Know!



    Clean Tracks, Clean Mixes: How to Prep Your Multitracks Like a Pro

    Before a mix can shine, the raw materials need some serious TLC—and that’s exactly what this episode is all about.

    Join Chris and Jody as they dive into the often overlooked—but critically important—process of prepping multitrack sessions for mixing. Whether you’re the recording engineer handing files off to a mix pro or the one doing both jobs yourself, this episode walks you through the smart, efficient steps to get your session mix-ready.

    From editing and organizing to naming conventions and audio cleanup, discover how Chris and Jody tackle:

    • Vocals (and why cleaning breaths isn’t always the answer)
    • Electric & acoustic guitars (goodbye, string squeaks)
    • Bass tracks (because mud has its limits)
    • Drum kits (hello, phase alignment)
    • Virtual & orchestral instruments (even MIDI needs manners)

    You’ll also hear tips on gain staging, consolidating files, and setting your mix up for success—plus a few thoughts on what NOT to do when prepping your stems. And as always, there’s a healthy splash of studio nonsense and this week’s Friday Finds to keep it fun.

    If you’ve ever sent—or received—a mix and thought “What is this chaos?”… this one’s for you.

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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

  • Stems vs. Multitracks: The Best Lingo Guide for Music Producers!



    What exactly is the difference between stems and multitrack files—and why does it matter when you’re sending a session out into the world?

    In this knowledge-packed episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody unravel the often-confused terms and workflows behind project sharing in modern music production.

    Whether you’re a solo artist collaborating across the globe, a producer prepping tracks for a mix engineer, or someone just trying not to embarrass yourself on a licensing call—this episode helps you sound like you actually know what you’re talking about.

    Learn:

    • The difference between stems and multitracks (finally).
    • Why clarity matters when you’re collaborating or outsourcing.
    • What people really mean when they say “send me the stems.”
    • The right time to export, organize, and communicate project files.
    • How using the wrong term might derail your mix—or your reputation.

    And of course, expect the usual helping of nonsense, some studio banter, and a few Friday Finds worth checking out.

    So if you’ve ever hesitated mid-email wondering “Wait… is this a stem or a multitrack?” — this episode is for you.

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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

  • New Gear Overload! Tips to Avoid the Trap & Stay Creative



    Shiny New Gear: When to Use It & When to Hold Back

    We’ve all been there: You finally get your hands on that shiny new plugin, synth, or piece of outboard gear, and suddenly… you want to use it on everything. But should you?

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade through the muddy waters of gear obsession to answer some important questions:

    Does every song really need that new effect, plugin, or instrument?
    Do sleigh bells belong in everything, or should they stay in Christmas songs?
    Are you buying gear for a real need—or just chasing the thrill of something new?

    They’ll break down the psychology behind gear purchases, how to integrate new tools effectively, and when it’s time to resist the urge to throw the kitchen sink into your mix.

    Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode without some nonsense, unexpected tangents, and a Friday Find or two.

    So if you’ve ever wondered whether that new compressor is a game-changer or just another dust collector, this episode is for you.

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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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