Three approaches to live looping
From tight grooves to swirls of sound, live looping can open up huge opportunities for musical creativity. These three approaches will get you started. Read the post.
signal processing
Ready to try live looping? Where do you start?
With the right gear, timing, and technique, a solo performer can summon multi-layered sounds that are worlds beyond the limits of a single instrument or voice. Here’s what you need to get started. Read the post.
When it comes to vocal tuning, one size does not fit all
Choose the vocal tuning and pitch-correction tools, techniques, and workflow that will give your music the finished vibe you’re looking for. Read the post.
Working with plug-ins: A beginner’s guide
If you’re new to home recording, or looking to expand your repertoire, using plug-ins might feel intimidating and complicated. It’s really not that hard to start using plug-ins and expand your sonic palette. Read the post.
Meet the Audio plug-in: Your start-up kit
An audio plug-in is specialized software for better music-making with your DAW, and plug-ins serve a variety of purposes to flavor, enhance, and add to the breadth of your home studio recordings. Read the post.
Meet the Vocoder: Make your synth speak and sing
In a musical context, the vocoder often starts with an analog sound and crossbreeds it, in real time, with synthesized textures to create some powerful and versatile musical elements. Read More.
Combining organic and electronic sounds in your recordings
Blending acoustic and electronic sounds can open musical doors and take your songwriting and production in unexpected and adventurous directions. Read More.
Improve your EDM production skills with close listening
Whatever your style of music, understanding how great music is crafted, layer by layer, will help you become a better producer. The technique of close listening can help. Read more.
Add clarity to your audio mix using pre-delay
In this video, engineer Scott Wiggins explains the use of pre-delay with reverb on your vocals and snare drum to help add the desired effect while maintaining clarity and presence. Read More.
Part 2: The evolution of guitar effects pedals – today’s market
Each of the basic effects pedals we covered in Part 1 is still made today, by a variety of manufacturers. That’s one of the things that makes the pedal world so fascinating. New takes on classic effects come out continuously, each offering some sort of variation or wrinkle that can help you further refine your own special sound. Read more.
Guitar effects pedals and the evolution of music – Part 1
In part one, we rewind some of the history of these interesting devices, including links to product pages and demos of effects pedals in action. In part two, we identify some of the current stomp boxes and multi effects units that can help you create signature sounds. Read more.
Music production basics – Part 2: audio compression and panning
One way to control the amplitude of a signal is by running it through a compressor, which turns down the volume each time the signal gets louder than a preset threshold. Understanding the functions of compression and panning are part of music production basics and will help you in the recording and mixing phases of your project. Read more.
Music production basics – Part 1: amplitude and automation
Controlling volume is one of the most important elements in audio production. Understanding amplitude, volume, normalization, and automation are all part of music production basics and will help you in the recording and mixing phases of your project. Read more.
Audio repair and restoration: tools of the trade
When you hear the words “repair” and “restoration,” you might be inclined to think of dusty vaults filled with aging master tapes and records. Some audio repair and restoration projects involve taking old recordings and reviving them, and the same methods and tools used for those projects can be used for a wide range of scenarios. Every time you record audio, there’s always the chance of encountering unexpected and unwelcome audio “guests.” Read more.
Signal Processing For The Home Studio Owner: Part 1, Compressors, Limiters, and EQ
In addition to your microphones, DAW/console, and room, an essential part of any home studio set-up is your signal processing gear. These tools are necessary to create a professional-sounding final product. But for the new engineer, these effects can be fairly mysterious, and a tendency to overuse plug-ins and outboard gear is commonplace, especially for someone just learning the nuances of the art of recording. Read more.