Pro Tools a…z Mode?? December 14, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digidesign, Pro Tools, Studio Setup , add a commentI’ve noticed a few people ending up on the site while searching for this^^
Those buttons (located at different parts of both the edit and mix window) turn on/off keyboard focus, which is an editing mode that greatly reduces the need for modifier keys (like ctrl, option, and command). Each editing command is set to a single keystroke.
Try checking out this page for an article explaining keyboard focus
Click here for a few more related articles and videos (more…)
Sending Your Music to Another Engineer 101 December 13, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital Audio Workstations, Studio Setup , 1 comment so farThe availability and low cost of DAW-based recording sessions allows nearly everyone to record their own music right in their living room. While you can just mix and release your music yourself, its often really beneficial to send your session file out to a more experienced mixing (and/or) mastering engineer. In this article, I’d like to discuss some ways to prepare your session file for that engineer. I mix a lot of projects via “distance” like this, and getting a session organized and ready can really help to speed up the nitty-gritty, leaving much more time for the artistic and creative decisions.
While this article is aimed at artists and music producers who are passing files to an engineer, these techniques will also make over-the-internet collaborations much easier. AND – these are things that will help a lot even if you are seeing the project through until the end. ?Good session organization is applicable in any recording situation, analog or digital.
Tis’ the Season to Upgrade Your Home Studio! November 7, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital home recording studios, Project Studio, Studio Setup , add a comment…so the holidays aren’t here for over a month, but now is a good time to start deciding on what new studio goodies you’ll be looking for.
Upgrading your recording setup is a very tricky and important process. Spending the right amount of money on the right piece(s) of gear can be daunting. The last thing you need is to be in debt on a piece of gear that you don’t actually need or to get an awesome deal on an insignificant upgrade. (more…)
DIY Acoustic Treatment: Gobo, part 4 March 20, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Acoustics, Project Studio, Studio Setup , 4commentsThe final installation of the DIY gobo – the outer frame and base (more…)
DIY Acoustic Treatment: Gobo, part 3 March 20, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Acoustics, Project Studio, Studio Setup , add a commentFilling it up!
DIY Acoustic Treatment: Gobo, part 2 March 18, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Acoustics, Project Studio, Studio Setup , add a commentThe start of the gobo: the inner frame (more…)
DIY Acoustic Treatment: Gobo, part 1 March 18, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Acoustics, Project Studio, Studio Setup , 3commentsWhile planning for some recording projects this summer, I realized that a few gobos (mobile, often absorptive, sound isolation barriers) would really be of benefit. However, I began searching online and found out I would have to spend more than $400 for each gobo… ouch. I decided to build some myself. (more…)
DIY Acoustic Treatment: Introduction March 15, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Acoustics, Project Studio, Studio Setup , add a commentArguably the most important element of making awesome recordings has nothing to do with tubes, transistors, or electrons moving through copper.
Your room’s acoustics are extremely important! Even the most expensive signal chain in the world can be greatly hampered if not used in a great sounding room. Project and home studios can benefit greatly from even a small investment in treatment (such as absorption for first reflections and parallel surfaces plus bass trapping)
To make your acoustic dollars stretch even further (and to have a bunch of fun!), you can build the treatments yourself. (more…)
Backing up your system – a must! February 23, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital home recording studios, Project Studio, Studio Setup , 2commentsMaking a backup of your files is of critical importance in the audio world. Hard drives crash all the time, and losing a client’s (or your own) project files can be disastrous. Not only can you lose time and money, but you also lose reputation and credibility. (more…)
Pro Tools Tips: Using Your Mixer Notes Wisely February 18, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digidesign, Pro Tools, Studio Setup , 1 comment so farThe “notes” section in the Pro Tools mixer window is a resource often overlooked. Jotting down notes here can keep a session organized and flowing. Here are some suggestions: (more…)
Review: Cascade FatHead II Ribbon Microphones February 1, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Microphone Techniques, Reviews, Studio Setup , add a commentThe FatHead II is a figure-eight ribbon microphone from Cascade Microphones
Cascade Microphones’ FatHead II is sonically the same as the original FatHead. However, the FatHead II has slightly different stylings, a larger body, and comes with a shockmount. Specifically in this review I will be discussing the FatHead II Stereo Pair (street price: around $400). A single FatHead II retails for around $219. The FatHead II is a figure-eight ribbon mic, and because of its symmetrical design (unlike earlier FatHeads), it has an identical frequency response on each side. The FatHead II also comes in three different color options.
Video: Organizing a Session Before Mixing January 31, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital Audio Workstations, Studio Setup, Videos , add a commentOnce you are done tracking a session and are ready to mix, its a good idea to spend a few minutes doing some organization and routing. This video will show you how to color code tracks (in Pro Tools 8), how to create aux tracks and sum like-instruments together, and how to create a mix bus with an aux track.
When/What to upgrade? Part 1 January 28, 2009
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital home recording studios, Project Studio, Studio Setup , add a commentAs a home/project studio owner, upgrades and equipment purchases need to be as effective as possible (as we often don’t have the biggest of budgets…). Knowing when to upgrade and what piece of gear (or software) to upgrade first can be a huge benefit.
Using Automation in DAWs – Part 1 November 20, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital Audio Workstations, Project Studio, Studio Setup , 2commentsAutomation is arguably one of the most advantageous features in Digital Audio Workstations (whether it be Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, etc…)
Complete control over ANY parameter of of any channel, plug-in, effect, aux (etc) is an incredible tool. Many of us who started after the days of 2″ machines through big boards (myself included) don’t really have a grasp of what it was like before the days of full automation.
Here are some suggestions on structuring your workflow around automation as well as some commonly used techniques. (more…)
Line 6 GearBox Gold Bundle: First Impressions August 19, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Reviews, Studio Setup, plugins (plug-ins) , 2commentsWell, I jumped for the GearBox Gold Bundle when it dropped to 100$. Originally up near $500+, it seemed like too good of a deal to pass up. I wasn’t completely happy with the Amplitube demos that came with my Pro Tools setup, so this seemed like a safe upgrade. Registering/getting this to work wasn’t the simplest thing in the world, but once that’s done, its a great product.