• Minimal Plugin Setup Tips for Better Mixes



    Imagine getting stranded on a desert island with a laptop, a DAW, and exactly five plugins before the universe says, “Good luck, audio nerd.”

    That’s the ridiculous challenge Chris & Jody tackle this week on Inside the Recording Studio, and things get surprisingly serious surprisingly fast. Because once you remove the safety blanket of 947 unused plugins, producers suddenly have to admit which tools they actually rely on.

    In this episode, the guys battle through their top five desert island plugins while trying not to completely destroy the rules they created five minutes earlier. Amp sims? Probably essential. Synths? Hard to live without. Channel strips? Maybe cheating. Creative FX? Absolutely necessary if you don’t want your island recordings to sound like sadness and driftwood.

    Chris & Jody dive into the plugins they trust most for recording, mixing, songwriting, and keeping sessions moving when inspiration hits. Along the way, they drop a ton of recording setup tips for producers trying to simplify their workflow without sacrificing quality. Turns out, having fewer choices can actually make you faster, more creative, and less likely to spend four hours scrolling through presets named “Warm Punchy Master Final FINAL.”

    The conversation keeps circling back to a painful truth about home studio gear: most of us own way more plugins than we actually need. Instead of chasing every new release, the guys explain why deeply learning a handful of tools often leads to better mixes than endlessly collecting shiny new software.

    Naturally, the debates get a little heated. One plugin gets defended like it’s the last raft leaving the island. Another gets questioned because it technically combines too many features into one package. There’s also discussion about workflow speed, CPU efficiency, versatility, and whether a plugin deserves survival status if it only does one thing really well.

    And because this is Inside the Recording Studio, the episode wanders into wonderfully absurd territory too. There’s joking about coconut-powered studios, headphone mixing while hiding from seagulls, and the psychological damage caused by being trapped forever with only stock reverb.

    Still, underneath the nonsense is a genuinely useful conversation for anyone building a home recording setup. If you’ve ever wondered how to narrow down your plugin collection, improve your workflow, or choose tools that actually help you finish music, this episode offers practical insight without drowning you in technical jargon.

    Friday Finds also makes an appearance with more studio goodies worth exploring, because apparently being stranded on a desert island still doesn’t stop audio people from wanting more gear.

    So if you love plugin talk, recording setup tips, home studio gear debates, and watching two engineers argue over imaginary survival conditions, this episode is for you.

    Subscribe now and join Chris & Jody for more studio wisdom, questionable humor, and audio adventures every week.

    ******************************

    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.

    ******************************

    If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com

  • Percussion in Music Production Tips for Better Grooves



    Let’s get one thing straight. Percussion in music production is not just “extra stuff you throw in at the end.”

    It’s the difference between a track that feels alive and one that just… sits there like it forgot what rhythm is.

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody crack open the world of percussion in music production and show you exactly how to use it without turning your mix into a chaotic mess. Because yes, there is a line. And yes, a lot of people cross it. Frequently. Loudly. With cowbells.

    From congas and cabasas to loops and one-shot FX, they walk through how percussion actually fits into your track. Not as decoration, but as a tool to shape groove, build tension, and create movement. The kind of movement that makes people nod their heads instead of skip your track.

    They also dig into recording setup tips and mixing strategies that help you avoid the classic mistakes. Like stacking too many percussion layers, fighting your own drum kit, or panning things so wildly your mix feels like it’s falling apart.

    Here’s the reality. Just because you can add another shaker doesn’t mean you should. Chris & Jody explain how to make smart decisions about what stays, what goes, and what gets turned down before it ruins everything.

    There’s also the eternal battle between live and programmed percussion. Are you a hands-on bongo slapper, or are you locked to the grid clicking in MIDI notes? Either way, they’ve got you covered with practical advice on making both approaches work without sounding stiff or overproduced.

    And of course, they manage to keep things entertaining while doing it. Because nothing says “learning experience” like solid production advice mixed with just enough nonsense to keep you awake.

    Friday Finds makes its return too, featuring gear and tools that might just end up in your next session.

    Bottom line? If your tracks feel flat, percussion might be the missing piece. Or the thing you’ve been overdoing this whole time.

    Hit play, fix your groove, and maybe… just maybe… use less cowbell.

    Subscribe for more home studio gear breakdowns and recording setup tips every week.

    ******************************

    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.

    ******************************

    If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com

  • Studio Gear Guide for Better High Gain Guitar Tone



    What if the problem isn’t your amp… but your gain? That’s the question Chris & Jody explore in this episode, and the answer might change how you approach high gain guitar tone forever.

    Let’s break it down:

    Problem:
    You crank the gain.
    It sounds huge.
    Then the mix starts… and your guitar disappears.

    Reality:
    Too much distortion = less clarity.
    Less clarity = no definition.
    No definition = buried guitars.

    Chris & Jody walk through how to fix that using practical recording setup tips that apply across any rig. Tube amps, amp sims, mic’d cabinets, impulse responses, it doesn’t matter. The principles stay the same.

    Key Move #1: Dial Back the Gain
    More distortion feels powerful, but it actually reduces attack and articulation. Pull it back, and suddenly your tone tightens up.

    Key Move #2: Use Tools That Shape, Not Smother
    Enter the Tube Screamer. Not as a crutch, but as a precision tool. It trims low-end flub, sharpens pick attack, and helps your guitar sit right where it should.

    Key Move #3: Stop Fighting the Midrange
    Scooped tones sound impressive alone.
    They fail in a mix.

    Chris & Jody emphasize that midrange EQ is what gives your guitar presence. It’s not optional, it’s essential.

    Key Move #4: Capture Better Takes
    Tone isn’t just gear.
    It’s performance.

    They touch on noise control, tracking habits, and choosing the right setup for your style. Whether you’re chasing modern metal tightness or a vintage thrash edge, the process matters more than the presets.

    There’s also that familiar Chris & Jody energy throughout, practical, a little dry, and always focused on what actually works in the studio.

    And yes, Friday Finds shows up at the end, because discovering new gear is half the fun of doing this in the first place.

    Bottom Line:
    High-gain tone isn’t about turning everything up.
    It’s about shaping what matters.

    Hit play, rethink your approach, and start building tones that actually survive the mix. Subscribe and keep dialing it in.

    ******************************

    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.

    ******************************

    If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com

  • Unveiling the Secrets: Is Your Mix Underproduced or Overproduced? Let’s Find Out!



    ️ A thought-provoking episode where Chris and Jody dive deep into the art of production balance! This time, we’re tackling the often-debated concepts of underproduced and overproduced mixes. What do these terms really mean, and how do they impact your final sound?

    Join us as we explore:

    • What makes a mix underproduced: How minimal arrangements can leave a song feeling flat or incomplete, and how to identify when more layers or production elements are needed.
    • What makes a mix overproduced: When too much is happening in the mix—whether it’s excessive effects, over-layering, or crowded instrumentation—and how this can drown out the song’s essence.
    • Our first steps in dealing with both types of mixes: Learn how we approach both underproduced and overproduced tracks to bring them back to life. From stripping things down to building them up, we share our go-to strategies for achieving the perfect production balance.

    Whether you’re dealing with a mix that’s too bare or one that’s bursting at the seams, this episode is packed with insights on finding the sweet spot that makes your music shine. Tune in and take your productions to the next level with Inside the Recording Studio! ✨

    ******************************

    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.

    ******************************

    If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com

© 2020-2026 Inside the Recording Studio