recording electric guitar – Inside The Recording Studio

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

How to Record Guitar Using Direct Input: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Plug It In: DI Guitar Recording Demystified

This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive into the electrifying world of recording guitar using Direct Input (DI). Whether you’re tracking an electric guitar straight into your interface or experimenting with an acoustic guitar equipped with pickups, DI recording can be a powerful, clean, and flexible option—if you know how to use it right.

From classic DI boxes to interface inputs and reamping strategies, the duo breaks down the essential gear, signal chains, and recording setup tips to get the most out of your tone. They explore the pros, the cons, and the creative uses that might surprise even seasoned engineers. Spoiler alert: it’s not just a backup plan.

Expect useful guidance, real-world anecdotes, and a few laughs along the way. And yes—as always—there’s the Friday Finds, the elusive Gold Star word, and a healthy dose of studio nonsense.

If you’ve ever wondered how to capture a guitar tone that’s flexible, clean, and ready for mixing magic, this episode’s for you. Tune in, DI in, and let Chris and Jody be your tone tour guides.

Shoutout to: StudioDevil, Redwirez, CJ Vanston, Paul Jackson Jr.