Inside The Recording Studio

Chris and jody take on the topic of making use of loops in creating productions. Be it drums, percussion, instruments, vocals, etc, all kinds of loops. Is it considered cheating? Can you be creative with them? A little bit of history about loops also comes a long way in this episode. Plus a word to the wise about copyrights and sampling to make loops. It's all in here. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

Chris and jody bring on special guest Raymond Gronvall to talk about live sound as compared to sound in a recording studio. Ray also divulges stories from touring and how he gets the gigs he gets. It's a fun filled show with a proven live sound veteran of the music industry. Also there will also be some nonsense discussed.

Chris and jody discuss their top 5 desert island must have plugins for writing, recording and mixing. From amp sims to synths, to channel strips to mixing. The reasons behind the picks and possibly even skirting their own rules for the picks of their top plugins. Of course they also reveal their Friday Finds for this week. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

What steps are needed to create a home and or mobile recording rig? Chris and Jody walk you thru the trials and tribulations of setting up a recording system from scratch. The do's and don'ts of what can get you up and recording quickly with the least amount of hassle and cost. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

A deep dive into the API 550a EQ, an classic and oft used EQ from the Automated Processes Inc company. We look at the history of it invention and go thru the inner workings of how the EQ works. Who bought one of the first ones? What frequencies does it cover? What kind of EQ is it? It's all right here. Plus the Friday Finds with what Chris and Jody have found for you this week. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

Guitar players are an opinionated bunch. Jody and Chris discuss the differences between passive and active pickups. What are the differences? What should you be using? Is one better than the other? Listen and find out. Don't forget there are Friday Finds inside. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed. Whatever you do, don't leave your guitar plugged in while not playing.

Chris and Jody dive in on a question sent in by listener Ignacio. He asked about using pre-amps for tracking things at home with limited inputs. What type of things is he recording? What kind of pre-amps did they suggest? It's all inside for your listening pleasure. What are this week's Friday Finds? (one is based on a major classic for guitar players) And, what is this episode's Gold Star word? It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

Chris and Jody take a journey thru the history of the Fairchild compressor. One of the most sought after compressors. Who made it? Where do they get used? Who makes them now. The type of music and instruments they get used on. Of course there's also the Friday Finds for this week. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

Chris and Jody pull into the percussion train station with a discussion about the use of percussion in productions. What it is, what might be used, how it gets used, and more. Live percussion, sampled and looped percussion also join in the conversation. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

Chris and Jody walk thru the steps of dealing with High Gain guitar sounds. Which amps are good choices? What if you're using amp sims? Mic'ing an actual cabinet, or using IR's? Why too much gain may hurt you, why you should consider a Tube Screamer, and how the mid's can actually be your friend. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

Chris and Jody got asked to talk about the steps they take when getting hired to mix a project for someone else. Beginning with talking to the client thru the finished mix. What to ask about, what to watch out for, and what order they tend to work in. Find out what Friday Finds Chris and Jody have this week. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

Chris and Jody kick off their first anniversary episode with an interview of Mastering and Recording Engineer extraordinaire George Leger III. There's a really good chance you've heard his work somewhere somehow. Learn how he got his start and some of the interesting twists and turns his career has taken. Find out some of the lessons he's learned and what Barry Manilow and Frank Zappa have in common. Plus we get an additional voice for our Friday Finds this week. It's also not unlikely that...

This week Chris and Jody dive into the how's, why's, and when's for using recording & writing templates. A little history of templates in DAWs and what to put in such a template, based on your workflow. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed. Plus what did Chris and Jody discover this week for your recording pleasure. It's all right here, it's all right now.

Chris and Jody tackle the subtle but canyon sized differences between what is mastering and 2-Bus processing. Yes, there is a difference. Sit down, strap in and get ready for the ride of what is mastering (plus a brief little history of it) and what / why things might get used on a 2-Bus during mixing. Find out what Chris and Jody have come across this week for Friday Finds. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

Chris and Jody jump into the fray about what it's like to burnout with producing, mixing, being a musician, etc. What it takes to recognize it. Then what are options and ideas to get over burnout. What do we do in order prevent immediate burnout and also how to prevent it over the long haul. This is certainly something anyone who loves what they do for work struggles with, including us. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

Chris and Jody jump on the topic of which DAW should you use. Dealing with the question of does it really matter. We chat up workflow, GUIs, and platforms. Additionally there's talk of do DAWs actually sound different. Should you choose a DAW because of your friends? It's all in here. It's also not unlikely that there will be some nonsense discussed.

Chris and Jody tackle several common recording myths. Common whataboutisms of recording get exposed. Do you need great gear? What about amplifiers and EQs? Oh and those pesky sample rates, should I always be using the highest available one?!? Plus you might hear about Audiothing, Spotify, CJ Vanston, Jeff Scott Soto, Eric Valentine, Dave Pensado, and Sir George Martin. It's also not unlikely that some nonsense will be discussed. To top it off, what are this week's Friday Finds. It's all in...

Chris and Jody dive into the world of big, giant, background vocal production. What types of background vocals there are, the kinds of genres they work in. Along with some examples of producers and bands that used them. What is more important: timing, rhythm or pitch? How to deal with tons of background vocals, what kinds of effects, etc... It's all in here. Plus find out what Chris and Jody found this week to improve your recording/mixing chops. It's also not unlikely that there will be...

Chris and Jody do a mini dive into the world of sample rates and what they mean. What exactly is a sample rate? Why we choose certain sample rates. Should you upsample after recording at a lower sample rate? A short history of how digital gear got better with sample rates over time. How did "they" arrive at their sample rates initially. Drawbacks of higher sample rates are discussed. Plus the ONE thing you shouldn't do when recording in relation to sample rates. It's all in here. It's also...

Chris and Jody tackle the concept of recording Guitar using Direct Input techniques. Generally reserved for electric guitar, but can also be used for acoustic guitar if it’s equipped with pickups. They talk about the different methods of DI that you can use. Plus the how’s and why’s of doing DI type recording. It’s also not unlikely that some nonsense will be discussed. Shoutout to: StudioDevil, Redwirez, CJ Vanston