recording gear workflow - Inside The Recording Studio

The Ultimate Guide to Headphone Monitor Mixes for Any Studio Setup

Get the Perfect Headphone Mix—Without Breaking the Bank or Losing Your Mind

This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody dive deep into the art of headphone monitor mixes—an often overlooked yet critical part of any tracking session. Whether you’re recording in a bedroom with a DIY setup or outfitting a mid-level or pro studio, this episode delivers practical solutions to help artists feel confident, comfortable, and ready to perform.

From clever “hack” methods for home studio gear, to tried-and-true semi-pro gear setups, all the way to high-end monitoring systems used in top-tier rooms, Chris & Jody break down the options, trade-offs, and workflow upgrades that make a difference. They explore client psychology, how to balance cue mixes, and what to avoid when setting up monitor chains.

It’s a blend of tech insight, budget wisdom, and—of course—some lighthearted nonsense along the way.

Plus: This week’s Friday Finds
Gold Star Word Challenge
Real-world tips for comfort, clarity, and creativity

Whether you’re wrangling vocalists in a closet or prepping a drummer in a commercial space, this episode has recording setup tips you’ll use again and again.

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

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

Mastering ≠ Mixing. Know The Line.

Mastering vs. 2-Bus Processing: What’s the Real Difference?

In this week’s episode, Chris & Jody dive deep into a frequently misunderstood corner of music production: the difference between mastering and 2-bus processing. Both may share the same highway, but they’re driving very different cars—and heading to distinct destinations.

Ever wondered why you’d slap a compressor on your 2-bus during mixing, but hold off on multiband limiting until mastering? This episode breaks it all down: the philosophical and practical distinctions, what goes where and why, and how to avoid common pitfalls that trip up even experienced engineers.

Expect a quick detour through the history of mastering, tips on signal chain decisions, and a dash of good-natured nonsense—because hey, it’s Chris & Jody.

Stick around for their latest Friday Finds (one’s a game-changer, the other might raise an eyebrow), and see if you catch this week’s Gold Star word.

Whether you’re polishing your mix or prepping for the master, this episode clears the fog between the two—and helps your tracks shine on both sides of the fence.