After listening to your tracks countless times in a row, it’s hard to make precise, objective decisions about the minute details. A mastering engineer has both the experience and equipment to make the various tweaks and adjustments (balance, stereo image, EQ, etc.) that add up to make a big difference. There’s a whole lot more that can be done in today’s modest home recording studio than used to be possible, but there are some things that really are best left to the thousands-of-dollars setups of mastering engineers. For a review of what mastering is, see our post – Mastering a Song – What Does It Mean?
Read more about audio mastering and its benefits here: http://www.audio-issues.com/mastering/audio-mastering-important/
Archives for December 2012
Layering The Electro Snare
If you’re wanting to get the electro snare sound into your productions, there are plenty of complex ways to do it. This quick and easy method of layering the kick, snare, and clap lets you throw together some great sounds in minimal time. While this isn’t the only way to get an electro snare sound, maybe this technique has a place in your tracks.
See an explanation of the process by Cody Jones in the video below.
Staying Focused In The Studio
With the daily bombardment of new information in the computer age, it’s hard not to be excited going into a recording session. There are so many tweaks to make to your process or even whole new techniques to try. Maybe you’re excited about trying some new mixing techniques. That’s all great, but don’t get ahead of yourself. Remember the scientific method from school; don’t make so many changes to your process at once that you don’t know what had good or bad effects on your final product. Stay focused, trying one or two things at a time.
For more ideas, read the full article here: http://therecordingrevolution.com/2012/12/28/the-temptation-to-try-every-technique/
Techno Drum Tools Sample Pack By Samplephonics
Available in Rex2, Apple Loop, and 24-Bit WAV formats, this set of 135 techno drum loops is a great tool to get started with production. These samples show influence from classics including Dave Clarke, Ben Klock, and Umek. Samplephonics also still has a 50% Christmas sale, so even if techno drums aren’t your gig, take a look at their other samples. You won’t be disappointed.
You can get more information here: http://rekkerd.org/samplephonics-releases-techno-drum-tools/
Counterintuitive Mixing Techniques Used By Professionals
Simple solutions to simple problems are great, but sometimes simple solutions create additional problems. Instead of boosting the low end to bring out the bass guitar, try adding more to the mid-range. This will draw attention to the instrument and make it easier for the listener’s brain to process the sound. There are other more technical tips, like using harmonic distortion to make something sound more clear.
You can read more about professional techniques that might make your head turn here: http://theproaudiofiles.com/7-obscure-mixing-techniques/