Inside The Recording Studio

How to Use Reference Mixes to Instantly Improve Your Mixing

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 personal referencing workflows and recommends plugin tools that simplify A/B comparisons inside your DAW.

Plus, don’t miss their offbeat banter and the latest pick from this week’s Friday Finds.

Whether you're just getting started or you’ve been mixing for years, this episode will help you train your ears, sharpen your instincts, and mix with more confidence.

Learn how to mix smarter by referencing like a pro!

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3 Ways to Use Studio Downtime to Boost Your Career

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 lull, this episode offers clear strategies to maximize your time — from refining your technical skills and organizing your gear to recharging your creative energy and building your business.

Expect smart suggestions like:

• Creative ways to upgrade your mix templates
• How to use reference listening for growth
• Staying visible in your scene even when you're not booked
• How rest is productive — if done right

Of course, there’s also the usual dose of lighthearted banter and studio nonsense, because taking yourself too seriously never helped anyone hit record.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or an aspiring audio ninja, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas to keep your momentum strong — even during the quiet spells.

Tune in to Inside the Recording Studio and learn how to make downtime work for you.

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From Muddy to Magic: Fix These Mastering Mistakes Now

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 EQing blindly, this episode covers the critical pitfalls that sabotage sonic balance and coherence in the mastering stage. Chris and Jody don’t just list the issues — they give you real-world solutions and share stories from sessions gone sideways.

💡 Whether you’re new to mastering or just looking to tighten your workflow, you’ll get practical strategies you can use right away. Expect to hear tips on:

• When to use multiband compression (and when to run away)
• Why reference tracks are your best friend
• How to stop chasing loudness and start chasing results
• Plus a healthy dose of humor to remind you that we’re all learning

If you're serious about elevating your mastering chops — or just want to laugh at a few horror stories from the studio — this episode is for you. Come on inside and take another step toward mastering bliss.

 

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Short on Time? Here’s How to Stay Productive in the Studio

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 the battle-tested tactics that have helped them hit the mark—even when time's running out. Hear about clever plugin choices, effective template setups, and how to keep creative focus without sacrificing quality.

And yes, there’s still room for a little nonsense and the latest edition of Friday Finds, because no crunch is complete without some fun.

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How to Use EQ Like a Pro: Fix Problems and Add Polish

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 frequencies, the duo breaks down when and why to use EQ as a surgical tool during the early mix stages.

 Sweetening EQ: Once the mix is clean, how do you take it from good to great? Chris and Jody walk through subtle boosts, tonal shaping, and the “sprinkle of fairy dust” approach that sweetening EQ can offer — all while staying musical.

 Whether you're battling room problems, poor mic placement, or just trying to add shimmer to your overheads or glue to your mix bus, this episode explores the process value and decision-making behind each type of EQ move.

Plus, the latest Friday Finds may change your plugin folder for good — and yes, there’s the usual side of light-hearted nonsense along the way.

 

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Do You Really Need Music Theory to Succeed in Music Production?

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 players who know every scale in every mode, the creative spectrum is wide—and this conversation explores all sides of it.

 In this episode:

• Should producers, musicians, and engineers be fluent in music theory?
• Does music theory speed up the writing and recording process—or complicate it?
• Can theory knowledge hinder spontaneity and vibe in a creative session?
• What happens when you’re collaborating with someone who doesn’t know theory?
• And: how to find the sweet spot between structure and instinct in your workflow

Whether you're a self-taught genius or a classically trained perfectionist, this episode will give you a fresh take on where music theory fits into today's studio landscape.

And of course, there’s this week’s Friday Finds—plus a bit of good-natured nonsense for balance.

 

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Compression Demystified: How to Train Your Ears to Hear Dynamic Control

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 beginner trying to grasp the basics or a seasoned engineer looking to sharpen your perception, this episode delivers practical insights you can use right away.

 Inside this episode:

• A friendly walkthrough of compressor controls—threshold, ratio, attack, release, makeup gain
• Why extreme compression settings can help reveal what’s happening to your signal
• Pro tricks to help you identify compression artifacts and avoid over-compression
• How to use what you hear to make smarter mix decisions

Expect plenty of real-world advice, go-to tactics Chris and Jody use in their own sessions, and—as always—a dose of Friday Finds and some entertaining studio nonsense.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of compression’s role in your mix—and the confidence to use it to your advantage.

 

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Sidechaining Secrets: Pro Techniques to Add Energy and Space to Your Tracks

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 sometimes surprising ways they use it to bring their mixes to life.

Whether you're using it to duck the bass under the kick, tame reverb tails, trigger FX, or create pulsing rhythmic movement, sidechaining is more than just a trend—it's a mixing power tool.

In this episode:

• What sidechaining is and how it functions in a DAW
• Traditional and creative sidechaining methods
• How to use sidechaining to create clarity, groove, and mix energy
• Best plugins and routing techniques for effective implementation
• Why sidechaining isn’t just for EDM—it works in rock, pop, hip-hop, orchestral, and more

Plus, you’ll hear Chris and Jody’s go-to plugins, real-world applications, a fresh round of Friday Finds, and of course, some unfiltered nonsense along the way.

Whether you're a seasoned producer or just getting your hands dirty in your first DAW session, this episode gives you the tools to sidechain with confidence—and purpose.

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Mixing for Warmth: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Get It Right

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 every day.

We’re talking about that sonic something that makes a track feel full, smooth, and alive—without losing clarity. Warmth isn't about cutting all the highs or slathering tape emulation on every channel. It's about intentional tone-shaping, and in this episode, you’ll learn where to find it and how to apply it (without overcooking the mix).

In this episode:

• Microphones and preamps that naturally add warmth before you ever touch a plugin
• Favorite plugins and analog emulations for tape saturation, tube-style EQ, and transformer character
• Techniques to create warmth without sacrificing clarity or space
• Why “mojo” matters, and how to capture it in both analog and digital workflows
• Common myths about warmth—busted by Chris and Jody’s real-world experience

Plus, this week’s Friday Finds delivers more audio goodies to fuel your obsession—and yes, there's the usual dose of nonsense we all secretly love.

Whether you're chasing vintage vibes or just want your mixes to sound less cold, this episode will help you heat things up the right way.

 

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From Murky to Magical: The Ultimate Mid-Side EQ Breakdown

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 episode:

• Where the concept of Mid-Side processing comes from—and how it's evolved for today’s DAWs
• How Mid-Side EQ actually works in stereo, broken down into digestible chunks
• When to reach for Mid-Side EQ: mastering, reverb control, vocal clarity, and stereo imaging
• Common pitfalls to watch out for—because just because you can doesn’t mean you should
• A few of Chris and Jody’s favorite plugins for Mid-Side EQ and why they’re worth a spot in your toolkit

Whether you’re trying to tighten up a muddy low end or add air to the sides without wrecking your mono compatibility, this episode has actionable tips you can use right away.

And yes, there’s also this week’s Friday Finds and some completely unrequested but always entertaining nonsense to balance out the signal chain.

 

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