AOTD: 11/22/08 November 22, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : AOTD , add a commentPCM – pulse code modulation (a method of encoding and decoding digital audio using a series of points taken from the original signal at an interval determined by the encoder) WAV and AIFF files are PCM files
H/W Buffers – friend or foe?? November 22, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital Audio Workstations, Project Studio, Troubleshooting , add a commentWe’ve all been here:
You are tracking a great band and they are really grooving this take (the best one of the day). Halfway through the song, the sound glitches, recording stops, and the dreaded “H/W BUFFER ERROR” message appears… which is the equivalent of a big middle finger.
What is a H/W buffer (sometimes also called audio buffer)? Why do you need to change it? What’s the difference between a 1024 sample buffer and a 32 sample buffer? How do buffers affect latency? (more…)
Keeping your ears happy and healthy? November 21, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Acoustics, Chit Chat, Project Studio , add a commentHow loud can you listen to music?
Working in an industry where it’s your job to listen to music all day, knowing the safe limits of our hearing system is really important. You only get one set of ears, they need to last! (more…)
Digidesign Pro Tools 8 Upgrade Information November 21, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digidesign, Leopard, Pro Tools , add a commentI’ve had a few inquiries about how to get the Pro Tools 8.0 update. If you (more…)
Human Hearing Physiology November 21, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Acoustics, General Announcements , 1 comment so farOk, I know.
This academic stuff is a tough sell.
But! As boring as this stuff can be, its really important. I’m going to breakdown the complicated human hearing system into three parts to give you a basic understanding of what’s going on. I’m writing this article as sort of a preface to some upcoming posts (about things like safe listening levels and how to protect your hearing). Honestly, if you are working in audio, you should have a basic understanding of your own hearing system. (more…)
AOTD: 11/21/08 November 21, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : AOTD , add a commentAVI – (pronounced like the three letters, A. V. I.) Audio Video Interleaved. This is a Microsoft-based media format. (Its very similar to other audio/video formats out there, such as Apple’s .MOV)
Studio Etiquette 101: Being a good studio musician November 21, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Chit Chat, Project Studio , add a commentWhether you are a seasoned Nashville professional, or tracking your first album with your band, you are a studio musician.
Being a prepared and efficient musician can save money, increase happiness (for everyone!), and help the album prosper musically. Being an unprepared and inefficient musician can cost money, decrease happiness (for everyone!), and put a negative vibe on the album. (more…)
Pro Tools and Leopard (a clarification) November 20, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digidesign, Leopard, Pro Tools , 10commentsI’ve noticed a lot of people running into our site when searching for PT and Leopard compatibility info.
The articles that you may be seeing were posted a few months ago when things were still up in the air.
Pro Tools 8 is fully compatible with Leopard. Click here for more information
Using Automation in DAWs – Part 1 November 20, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital Audio Workstations, Project Studio, Studio Setup , 3commentsAutomation 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…)
On a Budget: Working a Project from Beginning to End November 20, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Mixing, Project Studio, Projects , add a commentEvery project has a budget, whether its a 0$ home studio EP up to a $500,000 major label release. Especially for us towards the lower end of that example, we need to make the most of the budget at every turn. Figuring out where to allocate funds is a tricky task. Is it better to spend money on tracking, mixing, mastering, a producer??? (more…)
Studio Etiquette 101: The Talkback Mic November 20, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital home recording studios, Project Studio , 3commentsOther than astronaut training facilities, I can think of very few working situations where the participants are separated by a soundproof wall and communicate through the pressing of a little button. The recording industry is used to odd areas like the tracking room, where artists sometimes have to yell near the drum overheads to be heard by the engineer…
While the button is physically small, the person who gets to press this tiny non-latching button wields great power. This person has the power to single-handedly shape the mood of the project. There are definitely some things you should and should NOT do while in this lofty position… (more…)
AOTD: 11/20/08 November 20, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : AOTD , add a commentLFO – Low Frequency Oscillator (usually used as some sort of modulator in a synthesizer)
Everything about File Compression: Audio Examples November 19, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Chit Chat, File Compression, Project Studio , 2commentsNow that I’ve told you all about compression formats, let’s do some listening. (more…)
AOTD: 11/19/08 November 19, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : AOTD , 1 comment so farADAT – Alesis Digital Audio Tape (ADAT is a very popular 8-channel digital connection, also called “light pipe”)
Everything about File Compression: Take 5 November 19, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Chit Chat, File Compression, Project Studio , add a commentFLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCC
aka FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec)
Keyword there being: Lossless! No data is removed from the audio. Let’s dive in… (more…)