• Autotune Secrets Revealed: Inside Look at the Best Vocal Tuning Software and Plugins



    Vocal Tuning or Not Vocal Tuning – That Is the Question

    Vocal tuning. Instrument correction. The mere mention of it can spark heated debates in studios and online forums alike. Is it cheating? Is it necessary? Or is it simply part of the modern DNA of music production? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody jump headfirst onto the autobahn of decisions and tackle the hot-button issue: to tune or not to tune.

    Why Talk About Tuning?

    Because love it or hate it, tuning is everywhere. From polished pop vocals to subtle guitar intonation fixes, modern music often leans on tuning tools to achieve professional results. Chris and Jody bring an honest, balanced perspective to a subject many avoid, asking: What’s the line between correction and overcorrection?

    Tools of the Trade

    The duo break down what they personally use for tuning and when they decide to apply it. They talk through the major players in the tuning world, from industry giants like Auto-Tune and Melodyne to DAW-native solutions that make quick fixes possible. Along the way, they offer recording setup tips to help avoid problems at the source, so you’re not relying on tuning as a crutch.

    More Than Just Vocals

    While vocals usually grab the spotlight, Chris and Jody expand the conversation to other instruments too. Bass guitars, strings, horns—anything can drift out of tune, and sometimes subtle correction can save an otherwise stellar take.

    Pitfalls and Possibilities

    Of course, there are pitfalls to watch for: unnatural artifacts, “robotic” vocals when they weren’t intended, or even losing the emotional essence of a performance. Chris and Jody dive into how to avoid these traps and how to decide when tuning serves the song—or when it’s better to leave a little imperfection in for character.

    Why You’ll Want to Listen

    This episode isn’t a lecture—it’s a real conversation about a sensitive but vital part of music-making. With humor, honesty, and the occasional bit of nonsense, Chris and Jody give listeners a toolkit for making informed choices about tuning in their own work. By the end, you’ll understand not just how to tune, but when to tune, and why the decision is ultimately about serving the song.

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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

  • Production Candy: How to Use It For Professional Quality Music



    Sweetening Your Mixes with Production Candy

    Every great track has that little something extra—the sparkle, the ear-candy, the unexpected detail that keeps listeners coming back for another taste. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody unwrap the tasty subject of production candy: what it is, why it matters, and how to use it without overloading your mix with sugar.

    What Is Production Candy?

    Production candy refers to the small but powerful details that make a mix feel alive and exciting—things like ear-catching delays, unique percussion hits, reversed effects, synth flourishes, vocal doubles, risers, or even quirky one-off sounds. They aren’t the main ingredients of a song, but they’re the sprinkles that make the production pop.

    Chris and Jody dive into the elements that make up production candy, exploring both classic techniques and modern twists that give tracks personality.

    Why Think About It?

    Used wisely, production candy can:

    • Keep listeners engaged by adding moments of surprise.
    • Highlight transitions between sections of a song.
    • Reinforce the vibe of a track without overshadowing the core instruments.
      But as the duo point out, there’s a fine line between “flavorful detail” and “sugar rush overload.”

    Avoiding the Pitfalls

    Chris and Jody talk about overused elements of production candy, like riser effects, predictable vocal chops, or cookie-cutter sweeps that can make your track feel generic. They share tips for keeping production candy fresh, tasteful, and unique—so it serves the song instead of distracting from it.

    How to Implement It

    Listeners will also get practical advice on implementing production candy into their own workflow. From recording setup tips in a DAW, to layering ideas with home studio gear, to finding hidden features in studio gear that can generate creative sparks, Chris and Jody offer actionable insights that can instantly elevate your production.

    And, in classic Inside the Recording Studio fashion, there are plenty of personal stories, opinions, and a splash of nonsense to make the conversation as entertaining as it is informative.

    By the end of the episode, you’ll know not only what production candy is, but also when, why, and how to use it to take your mixes from solid to irresistible.

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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

  • Diving Into The Chorus Effect: What Makes It So Special?



    Chorus – The Effect That Doubles, Thickens, and Shimmers

    Few effects in the world of audio carry the same nostalgia and magic as Chorus. From shimmering guitars in the ‘80s to lush synths and vocal doubling tricks, Chorus has carved its place as one of the most versatile modulation effects in music production. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive deep into what makes up Chorus, how it works, and how they use it in their own productions.

    What Is Chorus?

    At its core, Chorus is all about creating the illusion of multiple voices or instruments playing in unison. By slightly delaying and modulating the pitch of a copied signal, Chorus adds width, richness, and texture to otherwise plain sounds. Chris and Jody break down the inner workings of the effect in plain English, explaining how subtle pitch variations and modulation rates create that instantly recognizable shimmer.

    Where It Came From

    Chorus didn’t just appear out of nowhere—it made its mark on legendary recordings, particularly in the ‘70s and ‘80s. From classic pedal units to iconic rack gear, Chorus found its way into countless guitar rigs and studio racks, defining eras of sound. Chris and Jody highlight some of the famous moments where Chorus became the star of the show.

    Parameters and Control

    The duo also walk through the common parameters of Chorus effects—depth, rate, mix, delay time—and how tweaking each one alters the feel. Whether you’re adding subtle width to vocals, fattening up bass lines, or creating wide stereo pads, these controls are your key to unlocking the perfect tone.

    Favorite Chorus Units

    To top it all off, Chris and Jody reveal their favorite Chorus units and plugins—sharing both classic hardware favorites and modern digital emulations. They talk about why these particular units stand out, and how each one brings something different to a mix.

    Why Listen

    This episode isn’t just a technical walkthrough—it’s a lively, personality-filled conversation that blends knowledge with humor. Whether you’re an engineer looking to expand your modulation toolbox or a producer curious about where Chorus fits into your workflow, this is your chance to get inspired (and maybe discover a new favorite plugin or pedal).

    https://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_Chorus

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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

  • Reference Tracks: What You Need to Know for Production & Writing Inspiration



    Using Reference Tracks for Production and Writing Emulation

    When you’re staring down a blank DAW session or trying to capture the vibe of a particular style, sometimes you need a compass. That’s where reference tracks for production and writing emulation come in. But are they a creative spark or a creative crutch? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody team up with a partner guest to unpack the practice of using reference tracks not just for mixing, but for inspiration and emulation in the writing and production process.

    What Exactly Are Production Reference Tracks?

    Unlike reference tracks used strictly for mixing and mastering comparisons, production and writing references are songs you lean on for structure, arrangement, instrumentation, or vibe. They’re the musical blueprints that can help you find a starting point, keep you grounded in a genre, or inspire new directions in your own writing.

    Chris and Jody discuss how they personally do (or don’t) use them, sharing stories from their own creative processes. Sometimes a reference sparks brilliance. Other times? It risks pulling you too close to imitation.

    Emulation vs. Originality

    The big question this episode asks: where’s the line between inspiration and copying? Chris and Jody explain how to use references responsibly—taking cues from the energy, sonic space, or arrangement choices, while avoiding note-for-note cloning. They talk about the pitfalls of over-reliance, such as losing your own voice or chasing production perfection at the cost of creativity.

    Workflow Integration

    Listeners will also hear where reference tracks fit into a healthy workflow. Should you load them into your DAW? Build your template around them? Or keep them in a separate playlist for quick A/B inspiration? Chris and Jody share recording setup tips, their favorite strategies for integrating references into writing sessions, and a few of the hidden features in home studio gear that make comparing easier.

    Why Tune In

    This episode is perfect for anyone who’s ever sat down to write a song and thought, “I want it to feel like X, but still sound like me.” By the end, you’ll know how to use reference tracks as creative fuel, not creative handcuffs. And yes, expect plenty of banter, humor, and a splash of nonsense along the way.

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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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