Inside The Recording Studio

Music Theory in the Studio: Must-Have Skill or Creative Buzzkill?

Should every musician or producer know music theory? Is it a necessary tool or an outdated gatekeeper? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle one of the most debated questions in modern production: does knowing music theory actually help in the studio—or can it sometimes get in the way?

From beatmakers who can’t read a note to session p...

How to Hear Compression: Training Your Ears to Master Dynamic Control

Compression—it’s one of the most powerful tools in your mixing arsenal. But if you’re not sure what you’re actually hearing, it can just as easily confuse as it can enhance.

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody open up the signal chain and break down exactly how to train your ears to hear what compression is doing. Whether you’re a begin...

The Power of Sidechaining: How to Add Movement, Clarity, and Energy to Your Mixes

You’ve heard the pumping effect. You’ve felt that bounce in the low end. But do you really understand how sidechainingworks—or all the creative ways you can use it?

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive deep into the world of sidechaining, demystifying this essential mixing technique and sharing the smart, subtle, and som...

Ever had someone say, “This mix just needs a little more warmth,” and wondered what that actually means? Or maybe you’ve tried to get that rich, analog vibe in your digital mix and ended up with something that just sounded... dull?

In this cozy, mojo-filled episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody break down the art (and science) of getting warmth in your mixes—from the tools they trust to the techniques they use ever...

Mid-Side EQ Demystified: Clarity, Control, and Stereo Sorcery

Ever feel like your stereo mix is wide but just… not right? You might be missing one of mixing’s most underrated tools: Mid-Side EQ.

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade into the murky but magical waters of Mid-Side EQ, unpacking the science, the strategy, and the occasional sonic mishap behind this powerful mixing technique.

🎧 Inside this...

Organized Audio: Mastering File Management & Delivery in the Studio

Let’s be honest—file management isn’t glamorous, but it can be the difference between a smooth project and a full-blown data disaster.

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody tackle the often-overlooked (and frequently dreaded) topic of file management and delivery workflows in audio production. Whether you’re working solo in a home studi...

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 ...

De-Essers: The Unsung Heroes of Smooth-Sounding Mixes

It’s not flashy. It’s not fun. And let’s face it—nobody gets excited about a de-esser. But when sibilance strikes or harshness creeps in, this humble tool can be the difference between a professional-sounding vocal and a wince-worthy one.

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take a non-sexy but absolutely necessary dive into the world of de-essers—what ...

Clean Tracks, Clean Mixes: How to Prep Your Multitracks Like a Pro

Before a mix can shine, the raw materials need some serious TLC—and that’s exactly what this episode is all about.

Join Chris and Jody as they dive into the often overlooked—but critically important—process of prepping multitrack sessions for mixing. Whether you're the recording engineer handing files off to a mix pro or the one doing both jobs yourself, this episod...

Moving the Faders: How Track and Region-Based Automation Can Transform Your Mixes

Automation: it’s not just a buzzword—it’s the secret sauce behind some of the most immersive mixes you’ve ever heard.

In this week’s episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive deep into the power of track and region-based automation, showing you how to breathe life, movement, and personality into your productions—without lifting a fin...

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 m...

What exactly is the difference between stems and multitrack files—and why does it matter when you're sending a session out into the world?

In this knowledge-packed episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody unravel the often-confused terms and workflows behind project sharing in modern music production.

Whether you're a solo artist collaborating across the globe, a producer prepping tracks for a mix engineer, or someone...

Shiny New Gear: When to Use It & When to Hold Back

We’ve all been there: You finally get your hands on that shiny new plugin, synth, or piece of outboard gear, and suddenly… you want to use it on everything. But should you?

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody wade through the muddy waters of gear obsession to answer some important questions:

Does every song really need that new effect, plugin, or inst...

Dialing in the Low End: EQ Secrets for a Better Bass Mix

When it comes to crafting a solid, powerful mix, few things are more important—or more misunderstood—than EQ'ing your bass tracks. It's the heartbeat of your production, and getting it wrong can sink an otherwise great song.

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody grab their sonic shovels and start digging deep into the frequency trenches of the electri...

Getting the perfect vocal take isn’t just about talent—it’s about technique, positioning, and knowing how to work the mic. Whether you're tracking in a pro studio or recording in a DIY setup, mic distance can make or break your vocal mix.

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody break down the art and science of mic positioning and why finding the sweet spot is crucial for getting that clear, full-bodied, and ...

Chris and Jody wade into the murky depths of audio masking—a sneaky culprit that can turn your mix into a muddy mess. If your instruments are fighting for attention and your mix feels cluttered, this episode is for you!

We’ll explore:

• What is audio masking? The science behind why some sounds disappear in a mix.
• Which instruments are the usual suspects? Find out where masking commonly occurs.
• How to spot (and stop) masking befo...

Ready to settle the score between drum programming and live drums? In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive deep into the pros, cons, and surprising secrets of both worlds. From the unmistakable human feel of live drums to the precision and creativity of programmed beats, we explore:

• Which music styles thrive with live drums and which ones are a match made in heaven for drum programming.
• When to hit ...

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive headfirst into the art (and occasional disaster) of layering similar instruments in a mix. When done right, layering can add depth, texture, and power—but when done wrong, you’re left with a cluttered, phasey mess that no amount of EQ can fix.

We’re tackling: Synths – Can stacking multiple pads create a lush soundscape, or does it just turn into an undefined blob?...

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody take on a critical piece of every mix—the kick drum. Whether you want deep, chest-thumping lows or a sharp, defined attack, EQ is the key to making your kick sit right in the mix.

Here’s what we’re breaking down: Fundamental Low End – How to shape the bass for power without turning your mix into a muddy mess. Low Mids – The trouble zone! Tame the mud or embrace the warm...