• Top 5 Must Have Plugins For Writing, Tracking & Balance



    Stranded on a Desert Island… With a DAW? These Are the Plugins We’d Bring

    What if you could only choose five plugins for the rest of your music-making life? In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody unpack their top 5 desert island plugins—the essential tools they swear by for writing, recording, and mixing, even if marooned in a remote, coconut-shelled control room.

    From amp sims to synths, channel strips to creative FX, they reveal which plugins make the cut and why. Expect heated debates, a few self-imposed rule bends, and some good ol’ fashioned plugin lust. Whether you’re building your own minimalist toolkit or just love a good showdown of gear opinions, this episode offers tons of recording setup tips and hard-earned wisdom.

    You’ll also catch the latest Friday Finds, and—as always—a healthy dose of lighthearted banter and probably some nonsense. Because if you’re stuck on a desert island with just a laptop and headphones, you might as well laugh while you’re EQing.

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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 Build a Recording Rig from Scratch



    Build Your Rig Without Losing Your Mind (or Wallet)

    Ever dream of building a home or mobile recording setup but don’t know where to start—or worse, where to stop? In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris & Jody dive into the essential steps (and hilarious missteps) that go into crafting a recording rig that actually works. Whether you’re tracking at home, on the road, or from your van parked in front of a taco truck, this episode’s got you covered.

    From choosing the right audio interface to cabling conundrums and power supply pitfalls, they break down the gear and know-how you need to get up and running—fast and frustration-free. You’ll learn the do’s, don’ts, and recording setup tips that will save you time, money, and maybe even a little sanity.

    And yes, there’s some classic Chris & Jody nonsense thrown in, alongside this week’s Friday Finds to keep your ears (and studio) fresh.

    Plug in, press play, and learn how to record smart—not just hard.

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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

  • Best Percussion Techniques for Building Groove in Your Tracks



    Cracking the Code of Percussion in Music Production

    Whether it’s a conga, a cabasa, or a cleverly chopped loop, percussion adds the magic between the beats—and this week, Chris & Jody are riding the rhythm rails straight into its world.

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, the duo explores how percussion fits into music productions—from live shakers and ethnic textures to sampled loops and one-shot FX. You’ll get practical insight on how to choose the right tools, where to place them in a mix, and what not to overdo (spoiler: it’s the cowbell).

    Learn how smart percussion use can build tension, widen grooves, and subtly transform a track—plus tips on layering, panning, and where percussion can accidentally clash with your core rhythm section. Whether you’re a hands-on bongo slapper or a MIDI grid magician, there’s something in here for you.

    Oh, and naturally, there’s a healthy serving of Chris & Jody-style nonsense too—because learning shouldn’t be dry.

    Stick around for this week’s Friday Finds, where the guys share fresh gear and tools worth hitting play on.

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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 Get Killer High-Gain Guitar Tones in the Studio



    Taming the Gain: How to Dial in Killer High-Gain Guitar Tones

    Cranking the gain might feel powerful, but if your tone turns to mush—don’t blame the amp just yet.

    In this episode, Chris & Jody plug in and break down the real art of shaping high-gain guitar sounds that cut through the mix without becoming a fizzy mess. Whether you’re using classic tube amps, amp sims, mic’d cabs, or impulse responses, they’ve got practical recording setup tips to keep your tone tight and articulate.

    Learn how too much distortion can actually bury your part, why the Tube Screamer still rules, and how midrange EQ is your best friend (no matter what your scooping tendencies may tell you). Plus: best practices for capturing killer takes, navigating noise, and choosing the right tools for the style—whether you’re going for modern metal, vintage thrash, or just a huge wall of sound.

    From studio cabinets to digital rigs, this episode has what you need to get your high-gain game dialed in. And of course, Friday Finds is here too—because new toys are always welcome.

    Grab your headphones. Dial back that gain knob. Let’s rock smart.

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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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