• Inside the Studio with Reuben Cohen: Lurssen Mastering Secrets Revealed!



    Mastering the Craft: A Conversation with Reuben Cohen

    In this must-hear episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody sit down with the legendary Reuben Cohen—mastering engineer to the stars—for a deep, insightful, and occasionally hilarious conversation about music, business, and sonic obsession.

    From humble beginnings to mastering some of the biggest songs of the last decade, Reuben shares how he turned his passion into a career, how he built his mastering business from the ground up, and why keeping your ears sharp and your vision clear is the key to longevity in the industry.

    🔥 In this episode:

    • How Reuben got his start and carved out a name in a competitive field
    • The “must-have” gear that’s made it onto countless hit records
    • What mastering means at the highest level—and how it’s changed over the years
    • Behind-the-scenes stories involving Metallica, Pharrell, Distinto, and major film soundtracks
    • Real talk about creativity, business hustle, and chasing sonic perfection

    And yes—there’s this week’s Friday Finds, and as always, it’s not unlikely that a bit of nonsense will sneak into the conversation.

    Whether you’re a producer, engineer, or just a fan of great music and great minds, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and industry wisdom from one of the best ears in the game.

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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 Much Headroom Do You Really Need? The Unsung Hero of Better Mixes



    Finding the Sweet Spot: Why Headroom Matters in Your Mixes

    You’ve likely heard the term headroom tossed around in audio circles—but how well do you actually understand it?

    In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive head-first into the often-overlooked (yet wildly important) topic of recording headroom. They break down what it is, why you should care, and how hitting the “sweet spot” of headroom can make all the difference when it comes time to master your mix.

    🎛️ In this episode:

    • What exactly headroom is in a digital recording setup
    • Why pushing levels too close to zero can do more harm than good
    • The ideal range to aim for when tracking and mixing
    • Why mastering engineers love (and expect) a well-balanced mix
    • Common mistakes people make and how to avoid them

    Whether you’re a home studio enthusiast or a seasoned engineer, this episode helps you level up your gain staging game—without any of the math headaches.

    Oh, and yes—there’s the usual dose of studio nonsense, along with this week’s Friday Finds that you won’t want to miss.

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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

  • Maximize Your Studio Time: Practical Scheduling Hacks You Need to Know!



    Chris and Jody are back with a listener-inspired episode, diving into the art of time management and effective studio scheduling. Whether you’re juggling multiple sessions or trying to fill gaps in your calendar, they’ve got you covered. Learn how to maintain a steady workflow without burning out, avoid the dreaded scramble for new projects, and strike the perfect balance between productivity and downtime.

    In this episode, they’ll share practical tips for tracking your studio time to better estimate session durations and calculate fair rates for your work. Plus, expect a dash of humor and relatable anecdotes as they reflect on their own scheduling wins (and missteps). It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to optimize their studio game while keeping things fun and stress-free.

    And don’t miss their signature banter—it’s as entertaining as it is informative!

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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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