DAWWorkflow – Inside The Recording Studio

Moving the Faders: How Track and Region-Based Automation Can Transform Your Mixes

Automation: it’s not just a buzzword—it’s the secret sauce behind some of the most immersive mixes you’ve ever heard.

In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive deep into the power of track and region-based automation, showing you how to breathe life, movement, and personality into your productions—without lifting a finger (well, maybe just a fader or two).

From subtle volume swells to dramatic panning shifts and time-based effect tweaks, automation allows you to sculpt emotion into your audio with pinpoint precision. Whether you’re building energy in a chorus, taming an unruly synth, or automating plugin parameters like reverb, EQ, or delay for added dimension, this episode is packed with practical tipsand creative workflows you can start using today.

You’ll learn:

The difference between track-based and region-based automation—and when to use which
How to control volume, panning, FX, and plugin settings for dynamic impact
Creative automation tricks for space, clarity, and vibe
Real-world examples of automation bringing a mix to life

As always, expect a little studio banter, a dash of nonsense, and this week’s Friday Finds—because great gear and clever tips go hand in hand.

So whether you’re mixing in a pro studio or your bedroom setup, this episode will help you take full control of your sonic universe.

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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

This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody step into the ring for a battle of the workflows—Channel Strips vs. Individual Plugins!

Ever wondered if you should streamline your mix with an all-in-one channel strip or go full mad scientist with a chain of individual plugins? We’re diving into:
What exactly makes up a channel strip, and how does it compare to stacking separate plugins?
The classic hardware emulations and modern virtual channel strips that bring analog-style workflow to your DAW.
The pros and cons—efficiency vs. flexibility, simplicity vs. control, and everything in between.
Why thinking of your DAW like a console might just change how you mix forever.

Of course, no Inside the Recording Studio episode is complete without a bit of nonsense, so expect some laughs along the way. If you’re looking to refine your mixing workflow and make better creative decisions in your DAW, this episode is for you!

From Static to Dynamic: Elevate Your Mix with Expert Automation Techniques!

Mix Like a Pro: Channel Strips OR Individual Plugins? Find Out Now!