Inside The Recording Studio

Apple’s MainStage is more than a shiny logo—it’s a performance powerhouse. In this episode, Chris & Jody break down why MainStage is the unsung hero of live rigs and home studio gear alike. From navigating its role as a flexible plugin host to uncovering hidden features in studio gear, they cover how this tool streamlines touring setups and enhances recording workflows. You’ll learn which instruments thrive inside MainStage, ho...

What’s it really like to make a living behind a drum kit? Chris & Jody corner Christopher Allis and get the dirt—from his first bash at the skins to rubbing shoulders (and sticks) with big-name acts. Expect road stories, studio quirks, and a few laughs about the less glamorous side of the music grind. This is Part One of the chat, and it’s loaded with tasty fills, candid confessions, and enough inspiration to make you dust off ...

Duck. Breathe. Pulse. Repeat.

The beat hits, and everything else steps aside. In this episode, Chris & Jody journey into the hidden choreography of sound—where one signal controls another, and side-chaining becomes more than a trick. It becomes feel.

What starts as a lesson in DAW setup and MPC Live integration quickly morphs into a deconstruction of space, impact, and the rhythm behind rhythm. Compression is the hammer. Side-c...

Referencing Your Way to a Better Mix

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody break down the power of reference mixes—why they’re essential tools for mixers and how to use them effectively in your workflow.

From understanding tonal balance to making better decisions about EQ, compression, and stereo width, reference tracks can be your secret weapon for more polished, competitive mixes. The duo shares their per...

How to Stay Productive During Studio Downtime

What should you be doing when the session calendar is quiet and the console isn’t lit up? In this insightful and entertaining episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive into 3 essential categories of activities to help you stay productive when you're not tracking, mixing, or mastering for the hottest band in town.

Whether you’re between big projects or facing a creative...

10 Common Mastering Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mastering isn’t just about loudness — it’s about finesse, clarity, and translating your mix to every playback system. In this enlightening (and slightly irreverent) episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody walk you through 10 of the most common mistakes made by beginner and intermediate mastering engineers — and how to steer clear of them.

🎛️ From over-compressing to...

Deadlines don’t care how creative you're feeling—so Chris and Jody are jumping into the fast lane with an episode all about navigating tight studio deadlines. Whether it's last-minute sessions, surprise client changes, or an unexpected "we need it yesterday" scenario, the guys share their real-world strategies for staying productive under pressure.

From prioritizing tasks in your DAW to smart time-saving workflows, they'll give you...

Corrective EQ vs Sweetening EQ: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

In this episode of Inside the Recording Studio, Chris and Jody dive headfirst into the often-blurred line between corrective EQ and sweetening EQ — and why understanding the difference can elevate your mixes from passable to polished.

 Corrective EQ: What exactly qualifies as “fixing” a sound? From removing muddiness and taming resonances to addressing harsh f...

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...