More Impressions: Acoustica Mixcraft 4 March 24, 2008
Posted by PJ in : Composing, Digital Audio Workstations, GarageBand , 11commentsPJ here and I’m back with more impressions on Acoustica Mixcraft 4 or as we at The Studio Files call it, Garageband for Windows. If you missed it, you can read my first impressions of Mixcraft here. I left off with an introduction of the impressive collection of software instruments included with the program. (more…)
Video: Using Aux Effects Sends in Pro Tools March 24, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : plugins (plug-ins), Pro Tools, Videos , 3commentsThis video is just like the recently posted Logic Pro video, but now in Pro Tools. I show you how to create aux input tracks, and use them with bus sends to apply effects. First, a reverb, then a delay. (more…)
Make your own acoustic panels: @ Instructables.com March 22, 2008
Posted by Damon Sink in : Digital home recording studios , add a commentMake acoustic panels for your recording studio or home theater:
This tutorial is pretty sweet, and the Owens Corning panels that they are using are the same thing that you would get in some REALLY expensive custom treatments. I could see The Studio Files team doing a video of this really soon to re-treat the space in one of our mixing rooms (you guys down? :))
Acoustic treatments are often used to help improve the acoustics of a room by taming “flutter echoes,” “room modes,” and other problems which arise from a room’s dimensions and construction.
ART Tube MP Mic Pre-amp for cheap March 20, 2008
Posted by PJ in : Digital home recording studios, Preamp, Studio Setup , add a commentThe ART Tube MP Mic Pre-amp that Connor wrote about in this article is now available at Musicians Friend for the awesome price of $29.99. Here’s the details:
The original Tube MP made pro-caliber tube preamping available to ordinary musicians and home studios. The MP Studio goes a step further by adding a VU meter for better level control and ART’s OPL (Output Protection Limiter), which controls and maintains the output peak signal to protect hard-disk recording systems and soundcards. The VU meter reflects the impact of the OPL circuitry when it is activated, which allows more effective fine tuning of the audio signal. It is a valuable tool for recording in project and home studios and can also function as a DI box with impedance matching and preamplification for line-level sources. Includes a 3-year warranty.
More details, specifications and reviews are available here.
PJ
Video: Setting up Aux Effects Sends in Logic Pro March 18, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Logic Studio 8, plugins (plug-ins), Videos , 3commentsThis video will show you how to setup effects sends using aux tracks and buses. I use a sample of my voice and apply reverb and delay using two different busses and aux effects tracks.
Sending Large Files over the Internet March 17, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Computers, General Announcements, Studio Setup , 2commentsPJ’s post gave me the idea to share my experience with sending large files of the internet (Thank’s PJ!). If you need to send session files, wavs, other sound files, omf interchange files, etc… over the internet, its unlikely your email provider will let you attach such large files (plus you will clog the receiver’s inbox). Here are the two ways I like to send files. (more…)
Emailing GarageBand Files March 16, 2008
Posted by PJ in : Digital Audio Workstations, GarageBand, Troubleshooting , 65commentsHere’s a helpful hint for anyone wanting to know how to email a GarageBand project. GarageBand files are saved as .band files, but when you try to attach this type of file to an email, the file will be grayed out and you will not be able to select it. The reason this does not work is that .band files are actually saved as folders. So to successfully send a GarageBand file, you would do the same thing you would with a folder – archive it. Simply right click the .band file and select “Create Archive.” This will create a .zip file in the same directory, which can then be attached to an email. That’s it!
Video: Importing and Exporting OMF, AAF files from Logic Pro March 14, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital Audio Workstations, Logic Studio 8, Videos , 9commentsThis video will show you how to export an OMF interchange (and an AAF) in Logic Pro. Before I get to OMF/AAF, I show you how to export all tracks as audio files. This is a great function to use if you need to transfer from Logic to Pro Tools (since you can’t import an OMF with Pro Tools until you buy the DV Toolkit). Finally, I show you how to import an OMF in Logic (which is basically the same process as importing an AAF). (more…)
Video: Smart tool and Edit Modes in Pro Tools LE March 13, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital home recording studios , 3commentsAfter you’ve watched the Pro Tools video on edit tools, this video will show you the smart tool (which combines the trim, selector, and grabber tools). Then, I show you the different edit modes of Pro Tools and how to apply them (Shuffle, Spot, Slip, Grid, and Relative Grid). When you are done watching this video you will know how to use the smart tool and the different edit modes in Pro Tools. (more…)
Video: Using Tools in Pro Tools March 13, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Editing, Pro Tools, Videos , 1 comment so farThis video will show you how to use all the different editing tools in Pro Tools. This includes the zoom, edge, selector, grabber, scrubber, and pencil tools. (I also talk about the multiple types of zoom tools, the time compression/expansion and loop tools, and also the object and separation grabber tools). Stay tuned, because a video posted later today will discuss the edit modes of Pro Tools (shuffle, spot, slip, and grid/relative grid) and also the Smart Tool (also known as the Super Tool). (more…)
Celemony previews Direct Note Access March 13, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : General Announcements, plugins (plug-ins), Studio Setup , 4commentsWow. Everyone should watch the video link I have posted at the end of this article.
Celemony’s Melodyne plug-in has helped define pitch correction in recent years, but only for monophonic sources. The new Direct Note Access technology lets you manipulate audio from polyphonic sources. Yes, you heard right. Polyphonic audio. Guitar tracks, piano tracks, string quartets, you name it. Where Pro Tools made it possible to edit the timing of audio like MIDI (with the very powerful Elastic Audio), Celemony lets you dissect audio’s pitch like MIDI through Direct Note Access. (more…)
First Impressions: Acoustica Mixcraft 4 March 12, 2008
Posted by PJ in : Digital Audio Workstations, GarageBand, Studio Setup , 1 comment so farPJ here, I am going to give you my first impressions of Acoustica Mixcraft 4 (aka Garageband for Windows)
Acoustica has recently released version 4 of their Mixcraft music creation software. You can download an unlimited 7 day trial of the program here. Once the 46 MB download is finished and installed you will be greeted with the New Project dialog screen: (more…)
Video: Drum Editing in Digidesign Pro Tools LE March 12, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digidesign, Editing, Pro Tools , add a commentThis is a new video, and the problem seems to be solved.
Once you’ve watched our videos on grouping tracks and the introduction to keyboard focus, you are ready to learn drum editing in Pro Tools. I show two types of edits The first is a multi-track edit to fix the timing across all the drums. The second replaces a bad snare drum hit.
Video: Keyboard Focus I in Digidesign Pro Tools March 12, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digidesign, Pro Tools, Videos , add a commentThis is the first video in a series of videos on Pro Tool’s keyboard focus. This is the fastest way to edit in Pro Tools, and anyone using Pro Tools will benefit greatly from learning these skils. In this video, I cover zooming, creating fades, trimming regions, and nudging. (more…)
Video: Grouping Tracks in Pro Tools LE March 11, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Pro Tools, Studio Setup, Videos , 1 comment so farThis video will show you how to group tracks in Pro Tools LE. Grouping tracks together makes both editing and mixing either. Also, like in the Logic Pro video on grouping tracks, I will show you how to turn groups on and off.