• Do You Really Need Music Theory to Succeed in Music Production?



    Music Theory in the Studio: Must-Have Skill or Creative Buzzkill?

    Should every musician or producer know music theory? Is it a necessary tool or an outdated gatekeeper? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle one of the most debated questions in modern production: does knowing music theory actually help in the studio—or can it sometimes get in the way?

    From beatmakers who can’t read a note to session players who know every scale in every mode, the creative spectrum is wide—and this conversation explores all sides of it.

     In this episode:

    • Should producers, musicians, and engineers be fluent in music theory?
    • Does music theory speed up the writing and recording process—or complicate it?
    • Can theory knowledge hinder spontaneity and vibe in a creative session?
    • What happens when you’re collaborating with someone who doesn’t know theory?
    • And: how to find the sweet spot between structure and instinct in your workflow

    Whether you’re a self-taught genius or a classically trained perfectionist, this episode will give you a fresh take on where music theory fits into today’s studio landscape.

    And of course, there’s this week’s Friday Finds—plus a bit of good-natured nonsense for balance.

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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

  • Compression Demystified: How to Train Your Ears to Hear Dynamic Control



    How to Hear Compression: Training Your Ears to Master Dynamic Control

    Compression—it’s one of the most powerful tools in your mixing arsenal. But if you’re not sure what you’re actually hearing, it can just as easily confuse as it can enhance.

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody open up the signal chain and break down exactly how to train your ears to hear what compression is doing. Whether you’re a beginner trying to grasp the basics or a seasoned engineer looking to sharpen your perception, this episode delivers practical insights you can use right away.

     Inside this episode:

    • A friendly walkthrough of compressor controls—threshold, ratio, attack, release, makeup gain
    • Why extreme compression settings can help reveal what’s happening to your signal
    • Pro tricks to help you identify compression artifacts and avoid over-compression
    • How to use what you hear to make smarter mix decisions

    Expect plenty of real-world advice, go-to tactics Chris and Jody use in their own sessions, and—as always—a dose of Friday Finds and some entertaining studio nonsense.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of compression’s role in your mix—and the confidence to use it to your advantage.

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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

  • How to Get Live Sound Gigs and Survive the Road with Special Guest Raymond Gronvall



    Studio Walls or Stage Monitors? A Veteran’s Take on Sound That Travels

    This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody are joined by live sound maestro Raymond Gronvall—a seasoned vet whose resume stretches from high-decibel tours to finely tuned studio sessions.

    Together, they pull back the curtain on the real-world differences between live sound engineering and studio production. From the adrenaline-fueled chaos of mixing FOH (front-of-house) to the meticulous precision of crafting mixes in controlled studio environments, Raymond breaks down what separates the two—and where they overlap in unexpected ways.

    Plus, hear firsthand how Ray lands high-profile gigs, adapts on the fly, and still finds ways to keep it fun on the road. Whether you’re just building your home studio gear, navigating recording setup tips, or secretly eyeing that live FOH board at your next gig, this episode has something to level up your audio know-how.

    Oh, and as always… expect a touch of nonsense. It’s how we roll.

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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

  • Top 5 Must Have Plugins For Writing, Tracking & Balance



    Stranded on a Desert Island… With a DAW? These Are the Plugins We’d Bring

    What if you could only choose five plugins for the rest of your music-making life? In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody unpack their top 5 desert island plugins—the essential tools they swear by for writing, recording, and mixing, even if marooned in a remote, coconut-shelled control room.

    From amp sims to synths, channel strips to creative FX, they reveal which plugins make the cut and why. Expect heated debates, a few self-imposed rule bends, and some good ol’ fashioned plugin lust. Whether you’re building your own minimalist toolkit or just love a good showdown of gear opinions, this episode offers tons of recording setup tips and hard-earned wisdom.

    You’ll also catch the latest Friday Finds, and—as always—a healthy dose of lighthearted banter and probably some nonsense. Because if you’re stuck on a desert island with just a laptop and headphones, you might as well laugh while you’re EQing.

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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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