• Compression vs Limiting: Which One Reigns Supreme? Find Out Now!



    Compression and limiting—two tools that every engineer touches, but not everyone fully understands. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody cut through the confusion and deliver a clear, practical breakdown of compression vs limiting. What’s the difference? When should you reach for one over the other? And how do the pros put them to work in real-world mixes?

    They’ll start with the basics, defining what compression is: a tool for managing dynamics, smoothing peaks, and shaping the feel of performances. Then they’ll contrast that with limiting, which functions as compression’s stricter cousin, slamming down on peaks with almost brick-wall precision. You’ll hear how both tools affect transients, tone, and headroom, and why the line between them is both subtle and crucial.

    Chris and Jody also share their own workflow secrets, from the compressors and limiters they use most often to specific scenarios—vocals, drums, bass, and mix buses—where each shines. They’ll explain why one compressor might give a vocal warmth and intimacy, while a limiter keeps a final master polished and radio-ready.

    But it’s not just theory. Expect plenty of recording setup tips, practical examples, and even a few stories of misusing compression in ways that taught them lessons the hard way. And because this is Inside the Recording Studio, you’ll also get humor, banter, and maybe even some nonsense about what happens when compressors are pushed past their limits (literally).

    Whether you’re working with home studio gear or high-end racks, this episode will give you a sharper ear for compression, a clearer understanding of limiting, and the confidence to decide which tool is right for the job.

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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

  • Switching DAWs: A Great Guide to Choosing the Right One!



    Digital Audio Workstations—DAWs—are the center of every modern studio. But should you stick with the one you know or jump ship for something new? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle the big question: is it worth switching DAWs?

    They break down the pros and cons of making the move. On the plus side, a new DAW might offer workflow improvements, better MIDI editing, unique plugins, or that one hidden feature that makes your life easier. On the downside? Steep learning curves, compatibility headaches, and the ever-present risk of spending more time learning software than making music.

    Chris and Jody also explore the considerations you need to weigh: What kind of music do you make? What’s your workflow? Are you collaborating with others who expect files in a certain format? They’ll even cover the differences between major DAWs—Pro Tools, Logic, LUNA, Cubase, Studio One, Ableton Live, Reaper, and others—so you can see which platform matches your goals.

    And, of course, they share their own experiences. What DAWs do they use? Why did they choose them? And would they ever consider switching? Spoiler: it’s not just about features, it’s about how the DAW feels when you’re in the creative zone.

    Whether you’re new to music production with home studio gear or a seasoned pro weighing a big decision, this episode gives you the recording setup tips and perspective you need. And yes, expect some laughs along the way—because talking about DAW wars without humor would just feel too much like a forum flame thread.

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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

  • Discover the Magic of Mix Templates and Skyrocket Your Mixing Game!



    When it comes to mixing, speed and consistency are the name of the game—and that’s where mix templates come in. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade deep into the weeds of mix templates: what they are, why you should create them, and how to design one that works for your workflow.

    A good template isn’t just a time-saver—it’s a framework for creativity. Chris and Jody cover the essentials: routing, buses, effect chains, and utility tracks that help you hit the ground running every time you open a session. They’ll also share their own approaches to what goes in a template, from reverb and delay sends to parallel compression setups and monitoring chains.

    But templates aren’t one-size-fits-all. Each engineer brings their own preferences, style, and even quirks into how they design them. What separates one mix engineer’s template from another? How do you balance consistency with flexibility? And can you really get multiple mix outputs from a single template? These are the questions Chris and Jody tackle head-on, providing practical answers you can apply to your own workflow.

    Whether you’re building your first mix template in a home studio gear setup or refining an established system for professional work, you’ll come away with fresh insights and recording setup tips that will save time and improve results. And of course, in true Chris-and-Jody style, expect humor, banter, and maybe a reminder to actually clean your music gear once in a while.

    If you’re ready to streamline your process, enhance your creativity, and maybe even learn a few hidden tricks along the way, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s get ready to mix!

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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 Secrets of Low End with Expert Tips and Tricks!



    The low end is where power lives in music—but it’s also where mixes go to die if you don’t manage it properly. This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dig into the nitty-gritty basement of low end, breaking down both the science and the art of getting bass right.

    From the physical realities of your room and monitoring setup to the creative decisions you make inside your DAW, the duo covers it all. They explain why room acoustics can trick your ears, why home studio gear placement matters, and how subwoofers, monitors, and headphones each tell a different story about your mix.

    But it’s not just theory—Chris and Jody also explore the creative side. They discuss bass-specific plugins, EQ approaches, phase alignment tricks, and the subtle layering moves that help kick drums and bass coexist without stepping on each other. You’ll hear what tools they rely on, how they approach referencing, and the little workflow hacks that help them control the lowest frequencies with confidence.

    Whether you’re a beginner frustrated with muddy mixes or a pro chasing more depth and punch, this episode gives you actionable recording setup tips and techniques to tame the beast. And, in classic Chris and Jody fashion, you’ll get some laughs along the way—because talking about sub-bass without a little nonsense would just be too serious.

    If you’ve ever struggled with mixes that collapse on smaller speakers or bass lines that vanish on club systems, this is the episode that shows you how to finally get low end under control.

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    Gear We Used:

    Jody’s Mic & Voice Chain:  Telefunken C12 – Apollo – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2 – UA Studer A800

    Jody’s Channel Strip: iZotope RX 8 Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX 8 Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2 – UA 1176E

    Chris’ Mic & Voice Chain: Slate ML1 – Apogee Duet – iZotope RX 7 Spectral DeNoise – Slate VMR (FG12 – FG76 – API EQ – SSL 4kE)

    Chris’ Channel Strip: Eventide Precision Time Align – iZotope RX 8 Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX 8 Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2 – UA 1176E

    Master: Soothe 2 – iZotope  Ozone 9 Imager – iZotope Ozone 9 Maximize

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

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