Digital recording is the process of converting your music performance into a digital audio file on a computer. This is done using an analog to digital (A/D) converter, often called an interface. Recording is the bread and butter of the music production process and there are practically unlimited ways as to how it can be done. From everything to mic placement techniques to new gear and how to use it, our aim is to give you practical tips you can use to make better recordings in your studio. Generally, recording audio can be broken down into two categories: analog and digital. While digital is by far the most popular and cost effective today, some producers prefer to still record using older analog formats, like tape. They do this because they feel it makes a warmer, fuller sound. There is some truth to that claim, but digital recording still sounds good and is also in a state of evolution as high fidelity audio systems have become more commercially appealing and affordable. We hope to cover both types of recording for you, but will talk about digital recording primarily because it’s more prolific.
If you’ve ever been made curious or confused by a plugin, you’re not alone. At one point or another, we’ve all looked at a plugin and not known what the settings or functions meant, or what they did. Although some functions are the same from plugin to plugin (i.e. ratios on compressors, or bands on […]
The SSL and 1176 compressors have been wildly popular since their inception. That’s why it’s so surprising that two of their most unique characteristics have often gone without mention. If you’ve used these compressors, or intend to do so in the future, read along to know some strange but incredibly important facts about how they […]
Lo-fi can be difficult to define. It’s typically something you can identify once you hear it. Simply put, lo-fi is a production sound or style opposite to what we perceive to be a high quality recording. Since recording technology is changing, and we base our notion of high definition on the recording technology of […]
Sampling and pitch shifting often go hand in hand. Altering a sample’s pitch to give it a unique characteristic is great in theory. If used excessively, the quality of the sample can degrade quickly. With a bit of planning, and the use of a 96kHz. file, clean pitch shifting can be accomplished. Alter Your […]
In this video we’ll describe how to set release times for compressors in a way that makes more sense musically Now by musically I mean that the release time corresponds to the bpm, or the beats per minute of the song with which your working, and in turn contributes to the overall musicality of your […]
There’s a fair amount of talk in the audio world, regarding how to minimize the negative effects that jitter, electric pops, hisses, and plosives can have on a recording; however, little is said about an issue that is far more pervasive than any of the aforementioned noises. It’s so rarely mentioned in articles or in […]
Everyone wants to make hit records, but little do they know of the hundred small steps that go in to getting a client and taking them to a finished mix that is ready to be sent off to mastering. One of the most common pitfalls that new and even seasoned engineers run into is having […]
Although the possibilities of working with a lot of virtual instruments are incredibly vast, one of the pitfalls is that your music can start to sound inorganic and manufactured. Drums especially can lack character when every note is a quantized sample. Here are three tips that you can use to make your sampled drums sound more realistic and more musical.
Having enough headroom from recording is essential to the mixing and mastering process. Also, there’s no better way to add headroom than from recording your tracks properly at the start. Here’s why headroom matters, as well as two tips for creating headroom in your mix in the recording process.
Producing an EP can be one of the most challenging and rewarding projects for an independent artist. It can also be the stepping stone into professional music. Here are three tips that will help you achieve the sound and quality you desire, regardless of your budget.