hidden features in studio gear – Inside The Recording Studio

The Ultimate Guide to Building DAW Templates That Actually Work

Template Your Way to Sonic Bliss

This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody open up the vault on one of the most underrated tools in modern music production: recording and writing templates. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just getting your feet wet in DAW waters, having a solid session template can save time, streamline creativity, and keep that elusive groove from slipping away.

They cover the how, why, and when of using templates—from building blocks for songwriting to full-blown mix session workflows. Hear how different DAWs treat templates, how your workflow should shape your structure, and why copying your last project may not be the smartest move (even if it feels convenient).

Expect helpful insights, practical recording setup tips, and a few healthy laughs—because no Inside the Recording Studio episode is complete without a dash of good-natured nonsense. Plus, find out what gear or plugin Chris & Jody discovered this week in their Friday Finds.

If you’re not using templates yet—or using them wrong—this episode will recalibrate your process. It’s time to let your gear work for you, not the other way around.

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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.