4 Mistakes to Avoid When Compressing Vocals
4 Mistakes to Avoid When Compressing Vocals I recently came across a great article by Rob Mayzes at The Pro Audio Files about vocal compression, and the common mistakes people make. The article simplified concepts that can often feel overwhelming. Since vocal compression is something I’m sure most of us could at least use a refresher on, I’d like to go over the concepts brought to light by Mr. Mayzes and include some of my personal experience as well. The vocal sound you are trying to achieve will vary by genre, but a cornerstone of modern vocals is consistency in level and clarity. Most of us recognize a compressor as the solution to this problem, but attempting to achieve a modern, punchy sound with a single compressor can often lead to over-compression. This leads us to our first common mistake: 1. Relying on Compression Alone Naturally, the human voice …
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Native Instruments Traktor 2.11.0 with Ableton Link Update
Native Instruments Traktor 2.11.0 with Ableton Link Update Last week, Native Instruments released TRAKTOR PRO 2.11.0 – a free update that brings new features, more third-party hardware support, and fixes. TRAKTOR’S last update added more stability, this update brings more new tools for creativity. The major update is Ableton Link integration, which truly does open up new doors for TRAKTOR users. Now syncing TRAKTOR with supported audio apps from an iOS app to a desktop DAW, like Ableton or other DJ-software, is as easy as the click of a button. Users will now be able to keep everything in time from a single computer or from multiple computers over WIFI or Ethernet cable. TRAKTOR has also introduced a new Step Sequencer for Remix Decks, allowing users access to 4 rows of one-shot samples to create rhythms in a live setting. The samples are customizable and users can add effects/swing/filters to allow more …
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3 Free Ways To Vastly Improve Your Mix Before You Press Record
3 Free Ways To Vastly Improve Your Mix Before You Press Record Recently, Ross Hughes from Pro Tools Expert went over techniques to improve your records before you even get into the intricacies of what kind of gear and software to use. I felt it would be useful to go over them here since we don’t always spend enough time mastering the basics of making records. And we always need a reminder that our ears are one of the most important pieces of gear we use. Some of the greatest drum sounds, guitar sounds, and vocal sounds ever have been achieved using these techniques, and they’re free! The Room Matters Whether you are in a fully sound proofed, “dead” room or a lively room with all hard surfaces – instruments are going to sound different at different positions throughout the room. Take some time to listen to your instrument at …
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Developing Perfect Pitch – Free Online Ear Training Tools and Tutorials
Developing Perfect Pitch – Free Online Ear Training Tools and Tutorials Why Ear Training? For producers who use reference tracks as a starting point, ear training is a crucial practice that could greatly leverage the producer’s ability to hear the greater details of a track. It also enables producers to quickly transcribe the rhythmic ideas, chords and melodies in their mind. There are many good ear training softwares such as Ear Master 6 with over 2000 pitch and rhythm identification exercises. Another software for synth programming identification is Syntorial. It is a software that teaches subtractive synthesis by training the ear to identify the different stages of subtractive synth programming. Below are a few free ear training websites: 1. The Rhythm Trainer (http://www.therhythmtrainer.com/) The Rhythm Trainer lets the user choose between two different types of exercises. For exercise A, the user selects the rhythms that they hear. For exercise B, …
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3 Important Tips for the Novice Producer
Three Important Tips for the Novice Producer Never has the world of music production been more readily accessible. As music production software and technology continues to evolve and transform across multiple media platforms, this is the perfect time for anyone interested in production to jump right in. With so many powerful and affordable Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), plug-ins and third party content available just a few clicks away, its never been easier to get started making beats. But just as easy as it is to dive right in, it’s even easier to feel very overwhelmed very quickly. For those of you just starting to navigate the world of production, here are three important tips to keep in mind to help you steadily progress as you begin to develop your sound. divider style=”clear” Tip One – Get to know your DAW When first starting out, it’s incredibly easy to fall …
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Led Zeppelin Copyright Infringement Trial
Led Zeppelin Copyright Infringement Trial For those of you who may or may not know, Led Zeppelin, one of the most influential and trend-setting rock bands in the history of music is currently on trial for copyright infringement. More specifically, they are being accused of lifting the opening of “Stairway to Heaven,” arguably their most iconic track of all-time from “Taurus” by Spirit, a late 60’s psychedelic rock group based out of Los Angeles. For all the die-hard rock fans that have been waiting for a Led Zeppelin reunion, I’m certain that this was not what they were hoping for or envisioned, myself included. Because the trial, “Michael Skidmore vs. Led Zeppelin et al.” is still currently ongoing, I feel I must reserve judgement. And considering my love for Led Zeppelin’s music and the sheer talent of the guitar prodigy known as Jimmy Page, it is personally hard for me …
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