• iZotope Neutron Explained: How To Get A Clean Mix In Minutes



    A Sneak Peek at iZotope Neutron

    Mixing is equal parts art and science—and sometimes the right tool can bring those two worlds together. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody crack open the brand-new version of iZotope Neutron, giving listeners an early look at one of the most flexible and modern channel strips on the market.

    Neutron isn’t your run-of-the-mill EQ or compressor. It’s a suite of powerful modules that lets you sculpt your mix with precision and creativity. Chris and Jody walk through the nitty-gritty of each component—from EQ, compression, and transient shaping to the unique spectral tools and assistive AI features that set Neutron apart. With tons of permutationsavailable, this channel strip feels less like a single tool and more like an entire mixing ecosystem packed into one plugin.

    But the big question remains: how can you make it work for your productions? The guys explain how Neutron can simplify decisions, streamline workflow, and open up creative possibilities—whether you’re deep in pro-level sessions or just experimenting with home studio gear. They highlight practical recording setup tips for integrating it into your DAW, discuss common mixing challenges that Neutron helps solve, and even point out a few hidden features in studio gear that might surprise you.

    And because it wouldn’t be Inside the Recording Studio without some personality, expect some laughs, a little nonsense, and this week’s Friday Finds—spotlighting more tools and ideas to keep your mixes fresh.

    By the end of the episode, you’ll understand why Chris and Jody call this plugin a “Neutron Star” for mixing, and you’ll have real strategies for dialing in pro-level mixes with confidence.

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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 Use New Gear – Do You Need It?



    The Right (and Wrong) Way to Use New Gear

    Few things get musicians and producers more excited than cracking open a new piece of gear. Whether it’s a shiny plugin, a boutique preamp, or something as simple as a set of sleigh bells, the temptation is real: use it on everything. But should you? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade into the muddy waters of how to approach new gear—and when to recognize the difference between a want and a need.

    When you add a new toy to your arsenal, the impulse is to throw it on every track. That new compressor? Suddenly it’s on guitars, vocals, drums, and maybe even your neighbor’s cat. But Chris and Jody break down why restraint can be just as valuable as enthusiasm. Sometimes new gear solves a problem, enhances workflow, or unlocks a creative sound you couldn’t get before. Other times, it’s just adding clutter.

    You’ll hear discussion around practical questions like:

    • Should every song have sleigh bells just because you bought them? (Spoiler: probably not.)
    • How do you decide whether to buy gear for a want or a genuine need?
    • What role does workflow play in determining whether new gear is actually helping?
    • How can you balance exploration with efficiency in your home studio gear setup?

    Chris and Jody also touch on the psychology of gear acquisition. From the “honeymoon phase” of a new plugin to the drawer full of forgotten pedals, they highlight the traps we all fall into. You’ll also get recording setup tips for integrating gear wisely, and even a few mentions of hidden features in studio gear that you might already own but aren’t fully exploiting.

    Of course, in true Inside the Recording Studio style, there’s humor, a dash of nonsense, and the weekly Friday Finds, where Chris and Jody share something fresh and inspiring for your creative journey.

    By the end, you’ll have a better handle on how to approach new gear with both excitement and perspective—so your mixes improve instead of turning into a playground of half-baked experiments.

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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

  • New EQ Technique for Electric Bass: How to Boost and Cut with your Ears!



    EQing Electric Bass Tracks

    The electric bass may not always steal the spotlight, but it’s the glue that holds the entire mix together. Get it right, and your track feels powerful, steady, and alive. Get it wrong, and suddenly the song feels hollow, muddy, or out of balance. In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody explore the world of EQ for electric bass, breaking down the frequency spectrum and showing you how to shape your bass so it sits perfectly in the mix.

    They start in the sub frequencies, where rumble lives. Do you want that deep foundation that rattles the room, or is it overwhelming the kick drum? Then they move into the fundamental low end—the meat of the bass tone. Too much here and things get boomy; too little and the track loses its weight.

    From there, the guys tackle the low mids, often the “mud zone” where clarity disappears. You’ll learn how subtle cuts can clean up a mix without robbing the bass of warmth. The conversation then shifts to the upper mids, where definition and attack live—the frequencies that help your bass line be heard on smaller speakers. Finally, they touch on the surprisingly important role of air and high-end content, and why even bass tracks can benefit from a touch of sparkle.

    Along the way, Chris and Jody don’t just talk numbers—they share their own workflow preferences, the reasons why you might cut in one track and boost in another, and how recording setup tips can make EQ decisions easier from the start.

    And, of course, it wouldn’t be Inside the Recording Studio without some friendly banter, a dash of nonsense, and this week’s Friday Finds—spotlighting new tools and creative sparks for your studio sessions.

    Whether you’re producing in a world-class room or experimenting with home studio gear, this episode gives you practical insights to make your bass sound full, tight, and mix-ready.

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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

  • Vocal Mic Distance: How Close is Close Enough?



    Tracking Vocals Like a Pro

    When it comes to making a song connect, few things are more important than the vocal. But capturing a great vocal isn’t just about a good singer—it’s about technique, mic handling, and knowing the quirks that can make or break a performance. On this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dig into the practical (and sometimes overlooked) details of tracking vocals.

    How close should you actually be to the mic? Too close and you risk plosives, boominess, and overwhelming proximity effect. Too far and the vocal loses intimacy, presence, and clarity. Chris and Jody talk through these issues and share recording setup tips to help you find the sweet spot for every singer and every song.

    But what about the singers who insist on holding the mic in their hand? It might feel natural on stage, but in the studio it introduces handling noise, inconsistent distance, and a whole lot of headaches. The guys weigh the pros and cons, offering strategies for dealing with this common request without sacrificing quality.

    And then there’s the proximity effect—a powerful tonal shift that happens as singers move closer to directional mics. Sometimes it’s a problem to manage, other times it’s a creative tool you can embrace. Chris and Jody explain how to recognize it, control it, and even use it to your advantage.

    Along the way, you’ll get clear advice that applies whether you’re working with high-end gear or just starting out in a home studio gear setup. Expect to hear about the issues you run into when the basics aren’t right, practical fixes, and how to avoid wasting takes on problems that could have been solved before hitting record.

    Of course, it wouldn’t be Inside the Recording Studio without a little Friday Finds, where Chris and Jody share cool tools, plugins, or resources to spark your creativity. And yes—some good-natured nonsense makes an appearance too.

    By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to position singers for better recordings, how to avoid the most common tracking pitfalls, and how to make sure your vocal takes sit in the mix with authority.

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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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