• Sidechaining Secrets: Pro Techniques to Add Energy and Space to Your Tracks



    The Power of Sidechaining: How to Add Movement, Clarity, and Energy to Your Mixes

    You’ve heard the pumping effect. You’ve felt that bounce in the low end. But do you really understand how sidechainingworks—or all the creative ways you can use it?

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive deep into the world of sidechaining, demystifying this essential mixing technique and sharing the smart, subtle, and sometimes surprising ways they use it to bring their mixes to life.

    Whether you’re using it to duck the bass under the kick, tame reverb tails, trigger FX, or create pulsing rhythmic movement, sidechaining is more than just a trend—it’s a mixing power tool.

    In this episode:

    • What sidechaining is and how it functions in a DAW
    • Traditional and creative sidechaining methods
    • How to use sidechaining to create clarity, groove, and mix energy
    • Best plugins and routing techniques for effective implementation
    • Why sidechaining isn’t just for EDM—it works in rock, pop, hip-hop, orchestral, and more

    Plus, you’ll hear Chris and Jody’s go-to plugins, real-world applications, a fresh round of Friday Finds, and of course, some unfiltered nonsense along the way.

    Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just getting your hands dirty in your first DAW session, this episode gives you the tools to sidechain with confidence—and purpose.

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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

  • Ultimate Guide to Studio File Organization: Perfect Delivery Every Time!



    Organized Audio: Mastering File Management & Delivery in the Studio

    Let’s be honest—file management isn’t glamorous, but it can be the difference between a smooth project and a full-blown data disaster.

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle the often-overlooked (and frequently dreaded) topic of file management and delivery workflows in audio production. Whether you’re working solo in a home studio or collaborating with clients around the world, getting your digital house in order is crucial.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • Best practices for naming audio files and sessions so they stay organized and searchable
    • How to set up an efficient folder structure to avoid chaos later
    • Why metadata tagging can save your future self a world of trouble
    • The pros and cons of delivery methods like Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, FTP, and even good ol’ physical media
    • How to choose the right delivery method based on project scale, client expectations, and security

    Plus, Chris and Jody share real-world file fails (yes, it’s happened to all of us), some tips for client communication, and—naturally—a bit of nonsense and studio banter to keep it entertaining.

    Don’t forget to check out this week’s Friday Finds for gear or tools that might just make your file-wrangling life easier.

    Whether you’re a freelancer, studio assistant, or full-time audio pro, this episode will help you clean up your workflow, impress your clients, and sleep better knowing you won’t lose that perfect take.

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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

  • Unlock the Secret to Punchy Drums: Master Dual Drum Busses



    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive into a powerful mixing technique for drums—setting up two separate drum busses to take your drum mix to the next level. Specifically, we’ll cover how to use one bus for shell-style drums (kick, snare, toms) and a second bus for metal-style drums (hi-hats, ride, cymbals).

    If you’ve ever struggled to get clarity and punch from your drum recordings, this episode is for you. We’ll break down:

    • Why Two Drum Busses?: Discover the benefits of splitting your drum kit into two busses—how it allows for greater control over the dynamics, EQ, and processing of the different types of drums, from heavy, punchy kicks to shimmering cymbals.
    • Setting Up the Shell Drum Bus: Learn how to treat your shell-style drums (kick, snare, toms) as a unified group, from EQ and compression settings to how much low-end punch and midrange power to dial in.
    • Processing the Metal Drum Bus: We’ll guide you through processing your hi-hats, rides, and cymbals separately, emphasizing top-end sheen, clarity, and space without overwhelming the mix.
    • Balancing the Two Busses: Once both busses are dialed in, we’ll discuss how to balance them for maximum impact in your mix, ensuring that your drums sit perfectly in your track without competing frequencies.
    • Advanced Techniques: Explore creative options like parallel compression and reverb settings that are bus-specific, enhancing the separation and power of your drum elements.

    Whether you’re working on a dense rock mix or a more spacious, dynamic track, this episode will help you achieve a clean, balanced, and powerful drum sound. Tune in now to Inside the Recording Studio and revolutionize how you mix drums!

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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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