Saturation vs. Distortion: How to Enhance Your Mix With Grit
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
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36:00
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36:00
MainStage Secrets: Hidden Features in Studio Gear You Need to Know
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
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35:40
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35:40
Life Behind the Kit: Christopher Allis on Being a Career Drummer
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
#LifeBehindTheKit
#ProDrummerInterview
#InsideTheRecordingStudio
#StudioSessionTips
#LivePerformanceInsights
#DrummerLifeUnplugged
#MusicCareerJourney
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1:10:10
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1:10:10
Sculpting Silence: Side-Chaining Secrets from Inside the Recording Studio
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.
#SideChainSecrets
#StudioAlchemy
#SonicSculpting
#MixingWithEmotion
#HomeStudioCraft
#AudioMovement
#InsideTheRecordingStudio
#CreativeMixing
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28:08
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!
#InsideTheRecordingStudio
#MixingTips
#ReferenceMixes
#MusicProduction
#AudioEngineering
#MixLikeAPro
#DAWWorkflow
#PluginTools
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