pro audio insights - Inside The Recording Studio

What do Guitar Hero, blockbuster video game soundtracks, and a stack of epic TV scores all have in common? The unmistakable sound of Steve Ouimette. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody sit down with the guitarist and producer whose riffs have been quietly shaping your playlists, your binge-watching marathons, and maybe even your late-night gaming sessions.

Steve takes us through his unlikely start in the music world and the twists and turns that led him from a young player chasing tone to one of the industry’s most in-demand session musicians. Along the way, he dishes out unforgettable stories about working behind the scenes, collaborating on major projects, and navigating the ever-evolving studio landscape.

But this isn’t just a stroll down memory lane. Steve gets candid about the temptation to chase the hidden features in studio gear, why musicians obsess over the latest plugins, and when that obsession helps—or hurts—the creative process. With Chris and Jody guiding the conversation, you’ll hear sharp insights about staying productive in the studio, managing the chaos of gear options, and keeping the focus where it belongs: the music.

Packed with wisdom, humor, and enough guitar-fueled energy to make you want to pick up your instrument immediately, this episode is equal parts masterclass and jam session. Whether you’re running a home studio gear setup or a full-scale production house, you’ll find nuggets of inspiration and plenty of reasons to laugh along.

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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

Celebrating 1 Year with George Leger III: Stories, Secrets & Studio Gold

To mark their first anniversary, Chris & Jody pull out all the stops with a special guest: the one and only George Leger III—a mastering and recording engineer whose fingerprints are all over music you’ve definitely heard (even if you didn’t know it). From Frank Zappa to Barry Manilow, George’s career has twisted through unexpected genres and unforgettable moments, and this week, he spills the sonic tea.

Get an inside look at how George got his start, the gear he swears by, the curveballs he’s mastered (pun intended), and the lessons that stuck with him over decades in the studio. Whether you’re a home studio tinkerer, an aspiring pro, or just someone fascinated by the people behind the mix, this episode is pure gold.

Plus: a triple dose of Friday Finds with an extra voice in the mix. Expect laughs, legends, and the kind of insights you only get from years behind the console.

And yes… it’s also not unlikely that some nonsense will be discussed.

Steve Ouimette Interview: From Guitar Hero Riffs to Studio Secrets

Pro Audio Secrets from Mastering Legend George Leger III