Archive for tag: eq
How to Group Tracks to Save DAW CPU
March 8, 2008 DAWs, MixingThis post focuses on how to group tracks to save CPU or DSP processing. When I first started mixing using a computer, I would throw up inserts on everything. Everything was processed independently. As you might imagine, my mixes were insanely CPU intensive and hard to manage. Soon I realized that many of the tracks [...]
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Vocals: Finding the Golden Signal Path
March 1, 2008 UncategorizedThis post focuses on the process of getting the vocal chain right for the given performer. The signal chain for vocals is probably one of the most important production choices in pop music. Of course, it helps to have a healthy selection of devices to choose from. Every voice has unique qualities, some of which [...]
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Blending in DI for Clarity
February 29, 2008 DIsThis post focuses on the topic of using direct injection/input to bring clarity to traditionally recorded tracks. When you were first starting out in the world of audio, you probably tried something along the lines of plugging a guitar or bass directly into your audio interface or mixer. I know I did this and [...]
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Tracking a Band in a Single Room…
February 16, 2008 TrackingThis post focuses on the classic challenge of how to record a band in a single room and not have it sound completely awful. Lots of us have small production studios and tons of bands have single room practice spaces. Inevitably the question arises: “How can I record the band live in a single room [...]
Read More »EQ Crash Course
February 5, 2008 UncategorizedThis post focuses on the basics of equalization. Equalization is something that most people are probably pretty familiar with on a basic level, having some EQ capacity in their car stereos and portable players. Essentially, EQ is cutting or boosting of frequencies or frequency ranges. There are fundamentally two kinds of equalization: graphic and parametric. [...]
Read More »Convolution: Untangling the Qualities of Sound
January 28, 2008 UncategorizedThis post focuses on convolution as it applies to audio – the capturing and reapplication of the qualities of sound. A few years ago some new-fangled audio processing engines started to leak out of the lab and into the market involving a process called convolution. The name convolution comes from the type of math involved, [...]
Read More »How to Record a Snare Drum
January 27, 2008 UncategorizedThis post focuses on tracking the snare drum, both on its own and as part of a kit. I’m going to do a series on recording various instruments, from drums to woodwinds, and I’ve decided to do the snare first. Drums are a tricky bunch of instruments. They’re loud, bleed like hell, and generally don’t [...]
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Noise Reduction: Less is More
January 21, 2008 UncategorizedThis post focuses on the process of removing noise that has made its way into your content using digital processing. While it’s always best to avoid noise in ther first place by recording in a quiet environment, using well grounded equipment, and using balanced cables, it’s sometimes unavoidable that some noise will have crept its [...]
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Thump and Bump: Balancing the Kick and the Bass
January 9, 2008 UncategorizedThis post is going to focus on getting a solid balance between the two main sources of bass in pop music: the bass and the kick drum. Few things are better than mix that gets the low end right. It can be really tricky to accomplish (or downright impossible if the environment isn’t right). But, [...]
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