Who says distortion is just for shredders in leather pants? This week, Chris & Jody are here to spill the beans on how creative distortion in mixing can spice up any track. Think of it like hot sauce: a little goes a long way, but sometimes you just want to drench everything.

They start by serving up the obvious—guitar tones that roar and scream—but then they ladle distortion all over the mix. Bass that rattles, vocals that snarl, even drums that sound like they’re trying to escape the speakers. It’s chaos, but the good kind.

Along the way, you’ll get recording setup tips for pulling this off with your home studio gear without blowing up your interface (unless you want to). They’ll also expose a few hidden features in studio gear that can surprise you when you push them past polite levels.

And of course, no episode is complete without their signature nonsense, wisecracks, and a Friday Find that will have you itching to experiment the moment you hit stop.

This isn’t “Distortion 101.” This is distortion with swagger.

#CreativeDistortion #MixingTips #HomeStudioGear #RecordingSetupTips #ProAudioLife #HiddenFeaturesInStudioGear #FridayFindsMusic #MixingWithAttitude

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, how to optimize your recording setup tipsto prevent mid-show meltdowns, and why producers are quietly sneaking it into their sessions. Of course, Chris & Jody sprinkle in their signature humor, a few cautionary tales, and wrap it all up with this week’s Friday Finds—gear gems you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a road warrior, a bedroom producer, or a gear junkie, this episode shows why MainStage may just be your next secret weapon.

#MainStageTips

#HomeStudioGear

#RecordingSetupTips

#LivePerformanceRig

#PluginHostSecrets

#HiddenFeaturesInStudioGear

#ProAudioWorkflow

#FridayFindsMusic

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 that snare you’ve been ignoring. Spoiler: yes, we talk about home studio gear and the weird things drummers pack on tour.

#CareerMusicianStories

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-chaining is the sculptor. Basslines yield to kicks. Pads inhale and exhale.

You’ll learn the how, sure. The routing. The thresholds. The tools. But more importantly, you’ll learn the why—the artistic intent behind the technical choices.

Oh, and the usual chaos? It’s there. Along with Friday Finds that might just blow a few fuses (in the best way).

Plug in. Tune out. Let the side-chain lead.

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!

#InsideTheRecordingStudio

#MixingTips

#ReferenceMixes

#MusicProduction

#AudioEngineering

#MixLikeAPro

#DAWWorkflow

#PluginTools

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:

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.

#InsideTheRecordingStudio

#StudioDowntime

#ProducerLife

#AudioEngineerTips

#MixingAndMastering

#CreativeMomentum

#RecordingStudioHacks

#MusicCareerAdvice

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:

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.

#InsideTheRecordingStudio

#MasteringTips

#AudioMastering

#MixingAndMastering

#StudioMistakes

#MasteringEngineer

#DAWMastering

#SoundBetterMastering

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.

#InsideTheRecordingStudio

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.

#InsideTheRecordingStudio

#CorrectiveEQ

#SweeteningEQ

#MixingTips

#MusicProduction

#HomeStudioHacks

#EQTechniques

#AudioEngineerLife

#FridayFinds

#ProducerMindset

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:

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.

#InsideTheRecordingStudio

#MusicTheoryDebate

#MusicProductionTips

#MixingEngineer

#HomeStudioLife

#ProducerMindset

#StudioWorkflow

#FridayFinds

#RecordingLife

#CreativeCollaboration