• The Complete Guide to Stringing a Guitar: Gauge, Intonation, Height, and Care



    A new year is the perfect time to refresh your sound, and nothing changes your guitar’s feel and tone more directly than new strings. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody kick off the year with a deep dive into the world of guitar strings and recording—from gauges to tone to string care, and everything in between.

    They start with the basics: how string gauge impacts playability and sound. Heavier gauges may give you a beefier tone and tighter intonation, but they demand more from your fingers. Lighter gauges make bends easier but can sacrifice stability. Which is right for you? Chris & Jody break it down, not only for live playing but also for how it translates into recorded tracks.

    Next, they explore string types—nickel, steel, coated varieties—and how subtle material differences can change your tone and feel. They discuss how string height, intonation, and setup all interact, and why neglecting these elements can derail an otherwise great session. Along the way, you’ll get practical recording setup tips, plus reminders about hidden features in studio gear that can help bring out the best in your guitar sound.

    And it’s not just about performance—care matters too. They share tips on basic string maintenance, cleaning routines, and when it’s time to ditch that dead-sounding set. All of it is delivered with their signature mix of expertise, humor, and yes, some nonsense.

    As always, the episode wraps with Friday Finds, highlighting tools, resources, or freebies that can improve your workflow and creative spark.

    If you’ve ever wondered how much your choice of strings really matters—or you’re just ready to start the year with better tone and playability—this episode will set you on the right path. Whether you’re jamming at home with home studio gear or dialing in pro tones in a commercial setup, this conversation gives you the knowledge and confidence to choose wisely.

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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

  • The Reverb That Made History: Inside the Lexicon 480L



    Few pieces of gear are as legendary as the Lexicon 480L reverb. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody take a deep dive into one of the most iconic reverb units ever created. With its unmistakable sound and unparalleled flexibility, the 480L has earned its place as a staple in countless hit records across genres.

    They begin with a little history—how the 480L came to be, the engineers and studios that championed it, and why it quickly became the gold standard for digital reverb in professional recording. From there, they break down what makes it special: its algorithms, its versatility, and its ability to create spaces that range from subtle ambience to massive, lush halls.

    Of course, this isn’t just a technical breakdown. Chris & Jody also share how they’ve used the 480L in real-world sessions, mixing stories with recording setup tips that translate even if you don’t own the hardware. They discuss the plugin emulations available today, how the 480L stacks up against modern gear, and whether its magic is truly replicable in software.

    As always, the discussion blends education with entertainment. Expect plenty of geekery (in the best way), laughs, and some nonsense along the way. The episode wraps with their Friday Finds, highlighting tools and freebies that can inspire your next mix.

    Whether you’re an aspiring producer building out your home studio gear or a seasoned engineer who remembers patching into a real 480L, this episode offers insight into why this reverb unit continues to inspire awe. If you’ve ever wanted to know why some gear achieves legendary status, this is your crash course.

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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

  • Create a Presence with Reverb and How To Figure Out The Correct Reverb Time You Need For Your Song



    Reverb is space. It is air between notes, reflections bouncing off walls seen and unseen. It is the whisper of a room, the memory of a hall, the shimmer of a plate.

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody drift through the world of reverb—not as a utility, but as an instrument in itself. They calculate milliseconds like cartographers charting maps, showing how math gives shape to echoes. They speak of springs that twang, plates that sing, and digital halls that stretch into infinity.

    They share moments when reverb became more than effect: a pad sculpted from a drum hit, a vocal carried on a wave of decay, a guitar wrapped in endless shimmer. They reveal the reverbs they return to, the ones that never fail to spark ideas.

    Between their explorations lie laughter, nonsense, and the week’s Friday Finds—unexpected treasures tucked inside the reflections.

    Reverb, they remind us, is not just sound bouncing in space. It is texture, depth, story. It is the unseen architecture of a mix.

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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

  • Music Production Backups: How to Protect Your Sessions from Disaster



    Every producer knows the pain—or fear—of losing a session. Backups may not be the sexiest part of music production, but they’re absolutely essential. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody shine a light on the unglamorous yet vital subject of music production backups.

    They break down the pros and cons of different backup methods, from local drives and RAID systems to cloud storage solutions. You’ll hear how they personally approach backups in their own workflows, including how they track and organize their data so nothing falls through the cracks. Beyond best practices, they also share horror stories—those gut-wrenching moments when data disappears and can’t be recovered. It’s equal parts educational and a cautionary tale.

    Expect actionable recording setup tips on how to build a layered backup system that fits your needs, whether you’re running a sprawling commercial facility or working with a simple home studio gear setup. Chris & Jody explore not only the technical side but also the psychological relief that comes from knowing your work is safe. And of course, their trademark humor keeps the conversation from getting too heavy, with plenty of laughs (and nonsense) sprinkled in.

    The episode closes with their Friday Finds, which this week include tools you can use right now to simplify your workflow and protect your creative output.

    If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing enough to safeguard your projects, or if you’ve been putting off setting up a backup routine, this episode is your wake-up call. Data loss is one disaster you can actually prevent—if you plan 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

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