Studio Rats Podcast

In this episode, I discuss the importance of backing up your files.

In this episode, I discuss varies ways to remove click track bleed.

In this episode, I critique a mix submitted by listener Doug Darrell of the band Triangle Exception.

In this episode, I discuss my methodology for dialing in compression settings…thanks to the excellent book, Mixing With Your Mind.

In this episode; more critical listening, the evils of various lossy encoders, Fletcher-Munson curves, monitoring levels, headphone mixes, a listener question, tracking with compression, and more.

In this episode, I discuss various ways to improve your critical listening skills using a variety of source material.

In this episode, I discuss the creative use of equalization to improve your mixes, adding character to digital delays and reverbs, and more.

In this episode, I talk about an audio restoration project involving a World War Two veteran and how I used iZotope RX to clean-up the recording.

In this episode, a follow-up email from Bandcamp regarding 24-bit Apple Lossless downloads, hardware/software limitations, a Waveburner rant, Wave Editor, and more.

Studio Rats Podcast #16 - Commit! A discussion about getting good sounds from the get-go.

Some additional discussion regarding Bandcamp, lossless files, dither, and nulls tests.

In this episode, I use a Neil Young interview regarding the quality of digital music available to consumers (24-bit vs. mp3) as a springboard for further discussion.​​​​​​​

In this episode, I talk about leveraging your home studio to get the best possible performances.  In other words, take your time! 

In this episode, I try recording the podcast while on the road.  Literally.  Topics include; NAMM product announcements, Nord drum, Moog Minitaur, simple user interfaces, iZotope Ozone, and of course, workflows.

This episode is going to be a bit guitar centric - so I apologize to you non-guitar players out there.  But, I think this information will also be valuable for all engineers that record guitars...and who doesn’t.

In this episode of the podcast, I discuss colored vs. transparent mic preamps.

In this episode, I expand a bit on our discussion last week about gear shootouts.   I think it’s time well spent to shootout gear you already own - not only for discovering what gear sounds the best, but also from a workflow perspective.  In other words, what gear gets you the desired sound quickly and with minimal fuss.

In this episode of the podcast, I evaluate a handful of software limiter plug-ins, including; Logic Adaptive Limiter, Sonnex Oxford Limiter, Flux Pure Limiter II, and iZotope Ozone (Loudness Maximizer). Click here to download the limiter test files mentioned in the podcast. Thanks for listening.

In this episode of the podcast, Jeff and I discuss topics that are only sometimes tangentially related to the topic! Along the way, we mention; Mumble, Crane Song HEDD, George Lucas, the excellent book by Howard Massey called Behind The Glass Volume 2, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, stereo and mono guitars, panning, stereo delay instead of double tracking, the importance of arrangements, American Idol, networking, BARMMAP, AES, EARS, Steve Hindalong of The Choir, and finally, spontaneity and inspiration. Special thanks to Mark Marshall for providing the music.

In this episode of the Studio Rats Podcast, Jeff and I discuss recording the acoustic guitar. We touch on topics such as microphone placement, the merits of recording that really horrible sounding direct output found on most acoustic guitars these days, and emulating the Beatles white album acoustic guitar sound.  Additional topics include; our take on Apogee’s new Symphony I/O, the Ovation guitar as a paddle, why I remind Jeff of his Aunt, mixing Mumble, and King Never rehearsals. Special thanks to the band Triangle Exception for providing the music.

In this episode of the podcast, I review the Studio Six Digital RTA app for iPhone. Don't have an iPhone? No worries! I also touch on the following topics; calibrating your monitors (how to article by Bob Katz, Fletcher-Munson curves, Radio Shack SPL meter, Fuzz Measure, iPhone mic frequency responses (Faber Acoustical articles here and here), and more. Special thanks to the band Chute for providing the music.

In this episode of the podcast, Jeff and I discuss recording the electric guitar.  Topics include DI vs. mic'ed cabinets, wet or dry, favorite microphones and placement, the merits of double tracking and more. In no particular order, we mention the following gear: AKG 414, Shure SM57, BLUE The Ball, AT 4033, Shinybox 46, Electro-Voice PL80, Apogee Duet and Ensemble, MOTU 2408, M-Audio Fastrack Pro, Euphonix MC Mix and Avalon 2022.

Matt McCabe and Jeff Elbel interview Will Willard from the band Willard Marcell Theory. We discuss the Space Modulator, vintage Shure 57s, recording the Chapman Stick, guitar synths, eBows, printing effects, cheap recording software, composing via email, and more.

Matt McCabe talks with Jeff Elbel about his trip to the 2007 TapeOp Conference, crazy micing techniques, mastering, and the grunge hose!