Is high-end studio gear still worth it today?
For this milestone 600th episode, Bobby welcomes back fan-favorite Dennis Moody, a world-renowned studio and live mixer who’s appeared on every 100th episode since the podcast’s launch. In this revealing conversation, Dennis opens up about the biggest shifts he’s seen over the last decade in music production, gear, touring, and what truly matters when it comes to crafting a great sound. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just gear-curious, this episode will change how you think about tools, tone, and tech.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Vintage mics aren’t essential anymore
• Knockoff gear quality has drastically improved
• MP3s still don’t match WAV file quality
• Touring travel strategies for pros
• Studio vs live mixing philosophies
• Managing loudness requests from artists
• Smart tech choices can rival big-budget gear
• Why stage volume is lower than ever
• The power of mixing through preamp adjustments
• Why Dennis is choosing creativity over money
BEST MOMENTS

00:02:26. “Yes. Because I wanted to be, but... hoping to be even a little more level up, which seems to be now.”
00:03:16. “I'm seeing a lot of really, call them knock off companies, like, my favorite warm audio.”
00:07:26. “That's amazing. The difference. But people, that's just the way it is now.”
00:10:18. “Thing's been around, circumnavigated the globe at least 12, 14 times.”
00:15:29. “Once the show started, it just was the most fun ever.”
00:21:25. “It turned out perfect. There were 8500 people there, and it was just absolutely amazing.”
00:27:31. “I would have done more of that for me. More for my stuff, you know.”
00:33:50. “If you want to have an interesting life, you have to make it interesting.”

Explore The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for modern mixing: https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL

This edition adds chapters on intelligent processor plugins, saturation and distortion, and mixing in small studios. Learn to use reference tracks, mix in Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA, and master modern techniques like MS processing, frequency-based panning, and sidechain compression, all to make your mixes sound pro.

Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.
📌 Explore Bobby’s best-selling books:
https://bobbyowsinski.com/best-selling-books/
📘 The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook (6th Edition), the go-to guide for nailing that polished, pro mix sound:
https://a.co/d/eEEpPrL
🎧 Free “Magic Frequencies” mini-course, learn the EQ secrets behind pro mixes: https://www.bobbyowsinskicourses.com/magic-freqs-registration
🎙️Nail that pro vocal sound: clear, upfront, and mix-ready.
Learn how in Bobby’s Vocal Mixing Mini-Course: https://tinyurl.com/bdhud2bv
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