Session at Manifold Studios: Zenph Sound Innovations December 10, 2011
Posted by Damon Sink in : Pro Tools, Studio Profiles, Videos , add a commentOver the summer, we took a video crew to Manifold Studios outside of Durham, NC to document a unique recording session. Zenph Sound Innovations engineers were there fine-tuning two gorgeous pianos outfitted with state-of-the art playback mechanisms. The project was to record what they call “re-performances” constructed from “data” taken from (in this case very) old recordings of these pieces played by the composers themselves.
Now, Zenph has already released several re-performed solo piano recordings (Rachmaninoff, Glenn Gould, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, to name a few), but this time the goal was also to recreate collaborative performances with cello and voice. Zuill Bailey (cello) and Isabel Bayrakdarian (soprano) were engaged in turn to perform (with the “Ghost” of composer Manuel de Falla at the keyboard!) the Siete Canciónes Populares Españolas. The album is called Spanish Masters and is available for purchase directly from Zenph.
Our role (my company, Dal Segno Media) was just to do video documentation for this one. Manifold Studios, as I am sure some of you know, is a brilliant facility. There has been a great thread on gearslutz in which Michael Tiemann, Manifold’s “creator” has documented the process of design and construction. We also had a chance to sit down with Michael while we aere there and I want to post that interview soon. Thanks for tuning in!
Damon
The Studio FIles
Dal Segno Media
Great mic comparison vid from pacificav.com November 4, 2011
Posted by Damon Sink in : Digital home recording studios , add a commentObviously you can’t get a detailed idea of the subtleties with compressed youtube audio, but listening to this industry standard panoply of microphones side by side on the same source is really enlightening. Personally, I don’t think that the C414 fares as well as it should, but I know which mic was my fav. Check out the video and share your thoughts. If you comment on YouTube, please make sure to mention where you found the link.
Thanks a heap to our youtube buddy sprayking for the heads up!
Review: Black Lion Audio Sparrow A/D Converter, part 1 September 14, 2011
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital home recording studios , add a commentThe Black Lion Audio (BLA) Sparrow is a 2 channel A/D converter…
…that every home and project studio should consider during upgrades. (more…)
Mixing in Pro Tools 9 (HD Native) – Part 1 February 23, 2011
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Avid, Mixing, Pro Tools , 3commentsI’ve been up and running with Pro Tools 9 HD Native for about 3 weeks, and I’m loving it. I’m currently working through a massive mix (actually a remix of BJSR’s Follow the Leader – original by our very own Ben Rivet, remix by ‘Be Nice’). I’ve gotten a few emails from people wanting to walk through the mixing process, so here we go – I’ll document the whole process – from getting the files (in a different DAW format), through organization, mixing, and final bouncing. (more…)
Pro Tools 9 (HD Native) Performance Test February 16, 2011
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Avid, Pro Tools, Studio Setup , 3commentsLet’s keep it going with the Pro Tools 9 theme.
Today I’d like to explore the benchmark performance of Pro Tools 9 (specifically Native HD – although since it’s still all native, it should be a fairly valid test of non-Native HD systems as well). For me, the performance has been excellent and robust with few exceptions. (more…)
Trashing Pro Tools Preferences and Databases February 16, 2011
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Avid, Pro Tools, Troubleshooting , 2commentsThis is the first line of Pro Tools troubleshooting: how to trash your preferences and databases.
Most of the time, if you are experiencing a “it used to work and all of a sudden it doesn’t!” situation with Pro Tools, this is the fix. These files are a reference for Pro Tools to see your most recent setup choices and preferences (among other things). By deleting them, you are forcing Pro Tools to start from scratch on those prefs (basically setting it back to Default). (more…)
Avid Pro Tools 9 CoreAudio Bug Problem! February 15, 2011
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Avid, Pro Tools, Troubleshooting , add a commentEDIT: Problem solved – see bottom of the article.
Get the DEET out – we’ve got a bug.
I found this bug yesterday… I haven’t gotten a response back from Avid on a patch to fix it, but I have confirmed that other people are having the same problem. Luckily, I’ve also figured out a workaround. I’ve confirmed this bug on Apple Snow Leopard OSX 10.6.6 with Core Audio, but apparently it’s happening across all versions. I’m not sure on Windows XP or Windows 7 based systems, but I’ll update this post if I get more information.
So, the bug:
Review: Vintech 473 February 14, 2011
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital home recording studios, Mixing, Reviews , 1 comment so farNote: I wrote this article over a year ago, but never posted it at the time. I’ve left the original review as is, but added a new section at the bottom, now that I’ve used the unit for a year filled with tracking and mixing.
The Vintech 473 offers 4 channels of Neve 1073-like preamp with shelving EQ in a 2 space rackmount unit. It uses an external power supply (sold seperately) which can power up to 6 channels of Vintech preamps.
In Use: (more…)
Avid (Digidesign) Pro Tools Compatibility February 11, 2011
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Avid, Pro Tools, Troubleshooting , add a commentI thought I’d put this in a post, because it helps diagnose/solve most Pro Tools problems.
Whether you are having problems on Windows XP, Windows 7, Leopard, Snow Leopard… with Pro Tools 7, Pro Tools 8, or Pro Tools 9 – this is where you need to look to find out whether your computer/OS/plug-ins/software are compatible.
Review: Avid Pro Tools HD Native 9 February 11, 2011
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Avid, Pro Tools, Reviews , 5commentsAs a start to my return from hiatus, I thought I’d review Pro Tools HD Native, which I’m currently running with an Avid HD I/O (16×16 analog configuration).
The Review: Short version – In my experience, Pro Tools HD Native is the perfect stepping stone between high end LE systems and HD TDM systems. So far in use, it has shown itself to be incredibly powerful and robust – with excellent converters and super low latency to boot. Highly recommended!
The Review: (more important) Long version – (more…)
The Return February 11, 2011
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Chit Chat, General Announcements , add a commentHi Everyone!
Well… it’s been quite awhile since I’ve been active on TheStudioFiles.com. It was a busy year – full of world travels and tons of audio work. Luckily, my schedule will now allow me to return to TheStudioFiles.com and resume articles, videos, Q&A’s, and general tech support.
In other news, Avid has gone through some major changes and upgrades while I’ve been gone. Most notably – we have the release of Pro Tools 9 along with a new line of interfaces for all lines of Pro Tools. As you’ll see in upcoming articles, I’ve actually just upgraded to HD Native on an Avid 16×16 analog HD I/O – and I love it.
So – sorry for the hiatus – but I’m back! I look forward to another great year with The Studio Files. If there’s anything in particular you’d like to hear about or see in upcoming articles/videos, please let me know in the comments or via email.
Connor
TheStudioFiles.com
How to delete loops on the Korg Kaossilator December 4, 2010
Posted by PJ in : Digital home recording studios , 2commentsHere is a quick tip for all of you Kaossilator fans out there.
To delete the last loop or phrase you played hold down the LOOP REC/PLAY button and then press and hold the SCALE button.
The screen will display the beat you are currently on in the loop while the SCALE button is held down. For example, for an 8 beat loop you would hold LOOP REC/PLAY and SCALE from the beginning of beat 1 til the end of beat 8.
P.S. Check out this awesome hack that doubles the length of your loop (although IMO you should hook this puppy up to your audio interface and use Garageband or Logic to record your loops!)
http://blogs.oreilly.com/digitalmedia/2008/08/kaossilator-4-bar-loop-hack.html
RIP Digidesign: 1984-2010 April 2, 2010
Posted by Damon Sink in : Digidesign, Digital Audio Workstations, Digital home recording studios , 1 comment so farOK. Now that I’ve got your attention–
Avid has decided to retire the Digidesign name. No big surprise really. Read more here:
[EDIT: Looks like they took down the announcement--maybe a little premature since the Digi brand is so strongly embedded. Especially with DUC, etc. --Damon]
Music for Film in Logic Pro February 23, 2010
Posted by PJ in : Composing, Digital home recording studios, Logic Studio 8, Projects , 6commentsHello everyone!!
In this article I will cover how to use Logic Pro to compose music for film. I’ve been using Logic for over 2 years now and recently I was asked to help write music for a short film. Naturally my program of choice was Logic (I’m still on version 8 but this article should apply to 9 as well). So here I would like to share my experience and provide an intro tutorial for working with video in Logic.
First, we need to get the video into Logic. This can be done easily by navigating to Options – Movie – Open Movie.
Build a Pro Band Website in Minutes: Bandzoogle February 7, 2010
Posted by Damon Sink in : Music distribution, social media , 1 comment so farBuild a Pro Band Website in Minutes. No Web Design Skills Needed.
Hey everyone. I checked this out briefly and it looks pretty cool. The design templates integrate your photos with included “Photoshop” effects. It looks like they have lots of customizable options to help you make a unique statement.
Anyone using Bandzoogle?
DS