• How to Build a Recording Rig from Scratch



    Build Your Rig Without Losing Your Mind (or Wallet)

    Ever dream of building a home or mobile recording setup but don’t know where to start—or worse, where to stop? In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody dive into the essential steps (and hilarious missteps) that go into crafting a recording rig that actually works. Whether you’re tracking at home, on the road, or from your van parked in front of a taco truck, this episode’s got you covered.

    From choosing the right audio interface to cabling conundrums and power supply pitfalls, they break down the gear and know-how you need to get up and running—fast and frustration-free. You’ll learn the do’s, don’ts, and recording setup tips that will save you time, money, and maybe even a little sanity.

    And yes, there’s some classic Chris & Jody nonsense thrown in, alongside this week’s Friday Finds to keep your ears (and studio) fresh.

    Plug in, press play, and learn how to record smart—not just hard.

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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 EQ that Changed the World – API 550a



    EQ Legend Unplugged: The API 550A Breakdown

    In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody twist the knobs and roll back the decades for a deep dive into one of the most iconic EQs in pro audio: the API 550A. Whether you’ve seen it on a vintage console or recreated in your favorite plugin, the 550A is a classic that helped define the sound of records for decades—and it’s still going strong today.

    You’ll get a guided tour through the history of the 550A, from its invention at Automated Processes Inc. to who bought the first units. But we’re not stopping there. Chris & Jody unpack the inner workings of the 550A, demystify its EQ bands and frequency points, explain why its proportional Q design matters, and share real-world insights on when and how they use it in the studio.

    Expect a mix of tech savvy, real talk, and some light gearhead banter (plus Friday Finds, of course). If you’re serious about understanding your tools—or just love a good piece of hardware history—this episode is for you.

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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

  • Which is better, Passive or Active Pickups?



    Passive vs. Active Pickups: What’s Best for Your Tone?

    Guitarists, gather ’round—this one’s for the tone-obsessed, the pedalboard tweakers, and the “don’t-touch-my-pickups” purists. In this electrified episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody spark a lively debate over the long-standing feud: passive pickups vs. active pickups.

    What’s the actual difference between the two? Are you losing nuance with one or missing bite with the other? Whether you’re wielding vintage humbuckers or EMG-powered shredders, Chris and Jody unpack the sonic, technical, and stylistic pros and cons of each design—along with their personal preferences, recording implications, and studio-use tips. You’ll walk away knowing which pickup style fits your tone goals, rig setup, and musical genre.

    Plus: what not to do when you’re done playing (hint: don’t leave your guitar plugged in unless you want a surprise expense), and this week’s Friday Finds drop in with gear to explore.

    Expect laughs, light-hearted jabs, and a few myth-busting moments. Whether you’re building your home studio geararsenal or just wondering why your tone feels flat, this episode will help you pick your pickups 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

  • Answering A Listener’s Question: How to Track Guitars and Vocals with Just a Few Inputs



    Preamp Power: Making the Most of Limited Inputs in Your Home Studio

    When listener Ignacio sent in a question about preamp usage in small studio setups, Chris & Jody jumped in head-first—because let’s face it, getting pro sound with limited gear is a challenge we all face at some point.

    This episode is your guided tour through the practical, flexible world of preamp strategies for home studio gear. Whether you’re tracking vocals, guitars, synths, or the occasional tambourine of destiny—Chris & Jody break down what types of preamps can give you the most tonal bang for your buck. They explore clean vs. colored options, how to avoid input bottlenecks, and why preamp choice can make or break your signal chain.

    Expect smart recording setup tips, some real-talk gear recommendations, and—because it’s Inside the Recording Studio—a few sonic side quests, a Gold Star word, and a Friday Find inspired by a true guitar classic.

    So if you’re feeling boxed in by limited inputs, this episode delivers the know-how (and nonsense) to help you break out with clarity, punch, and pro polish.

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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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