• Compression In Mixing: How To Use It Without Ruining Your Track



    Compression 101: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Use It Without Wrecking Your Mix

    Compression — it’s either your best friend or your worst enemy in the studio. This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a high-level look at this mystical mixing tool and break down what it actually does, why it’s so often misunderstood, and how to use it with purpose.

    Whether you’re new to home studio gear or have been twisting attack and release knobs for years, this episode gives you a better grip on compression’s core functions: threshold, ratio, attack, release, and make-up gain. You’ll walk away with practical recording setup tips and insights that can help demystify that “squashed” or “glued” sound we all chase.

    And of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Inside the Recording Studio episode without some Friday Finds, a Gold Star word drop, and a dash of Chris & Jody-flavored nonsense to keep things entertaining.

    If you’ve ever slapped a compressor on a track and hoped for the best… this one’s for you.

    p.s. A premonition for the next Tuesday Tip is also within this podcast.

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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

  • What Is Phase Cancellation? How It Affects Your Mix and How to Fix It



    Phase Cancellation: What It Is and Why Your Mix Might Hate You

    This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive into one of the most subtle yet mix-killing topics in audio engineering: phase cancellation.

    Whether you’re miking a guitar cab, tracking drums with multiple microphones, or layering synths, phase issues can sneak in and hollow out your sound — even when your levels and EQ look just right. Chris and Jody break down what phase cancellation is, how it happens, and what it actually sounds like when it’s ruining your tone.

    They’ll walk you through the science behind waveforms clashing, show you how to recognize phase problems in your DAW or monitoring environment, and most importantly — how to fix or avoid them with smart mic placement, polarity tools, and good ol’ fashioned listening skills.

    You’ll come away with real-world recording setup tips and insights into how phase impacts not just instruments but entire mixes. And yes — expect a bit of Chris & Jody humor and some light nonsense along the way.

    This one’s a must-listen if your tracks sound thinner than expected or your snare suddenly vanishes when you solo the overheads.

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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

  • Recording Setup Tips: Clarifying Roles For Better Workflow



    Producer vs. Mix Engineer: Who Does What (and Why It Matters)

    This week on Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take on a listener-submitted topic and unpack one of the most commonly misunderstood distinctions in music production: the difference between a Producer and a Mix Engineer.

    What do these roles actually mean? Are they interchangeable? And what happens when they blur — or clash — in a session?

    Chris and Jody trace the traditional “old-school” definitions of both roles, and explore how the responsibilities have shifted (or expanded) in today’s modern, often home-based, recording setups. Whether you’re working with an entire team or wearing multiple hats yourself, understanding these distinctions can sharpen your workflow, improve your collaborations, and make your final product more cohesive.

    You’ll also hear some classic studio anecdotes and personal insights into how Chris and Jody approach these roles in their own work — all with their signature wit, wisdom, and a dash of nonsense.

    Plus: this week’s Friday Finds are packed with practical picks for producers and mixers alike. And yes, the Gold Star word is in there too — are you listening closely?

    Shoutout to: James Clear

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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

  • Get Your Gain Right — Everything Else Follows



    Gain Staging: The Unsung Hero of Clean Recordings

    In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody unpack the ever-important — and often misunderstood — concept of gain staging.

    What is gain staging, really? Where did it come from? And why does it matter whether you’re tracking vocals, mixing drums, or dialing in your outboard gear? Chris and Jody explain how proper gain structure helps avoid distortion, noise, headroom issues, and mix imbalances — and why it’s essential for anyone serious about producing professional-quality audio.

    They break it down in simple, usable terms: from preamps to plugins, converters to compressors, you’ll learn how to manage levels at each stage of your signal flow. You’ll also hear Jody’s personal “aha” moment with gain staging, and how it changed the way he works in the studio.

    Also in this episode: the latest Friday Finds, your chance to collect the Gold Star word of the week, and a teaser for the upcoming Tuesday Tip. And yes, as always, a dash of light-hearted nonsense rounds things out.

    So, if your tracks are too hot, too cold, or just a little too messy — this is the one to tune in for.

    Shoutout to: Aerosmith

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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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