Archives for March 2018

Line 6 Helix Native Review – Not Just An Amp-Modeller – MusicTech

March 23, 2018 by Jake Weston Leave a Comment

Line 6 Helix Native Review – Not Just An Amp-Modeller – MusicTech

The newest Line 6 Helix Native amp-modelling tools provide music producers with an array of new features and capabilities that previously were more difficult to attain. The seamless transition and integration between hardware and software makes it immensely efficient, while also compatible with a wide array of different equipment. It has outlets for 16 microphones to be connected at once, 62 amplifiers, and boasts a wide range of 104 sound effects for music producers to let their imaginations run wild.

Key Takeaways:

Line 6's Helix Native Key amp-modeler has the ability to transition from hardware to software, 37 cabinets, 67 amplifiers and 104 effects.
The Helix Native also has no less than 16 microphones, besides supporting third party impulse responses.
It also has a rack unit with optional foot controller and fully featured LE pedalboards.

“Line 6 has some history – that’s an understatement – with guitar-amp-and-effect modelling, in both hardware and software.”

10 Tips for Mastering if You're Not a Mastering Engineer

March 23, 2018 by Elaine Sy Leave a Comment

Mastering is the last thing that happens to your song once it’s recorded and mixed. If you’re interested in what it even means to master a song, see our post – Mastering a Song – What Does It Mean?
In a nutshell, once you’ve mixed your song down to a single audio file, you’ll want to make sure it’s optimized for whatever system it will ultimately be played on. It will need to be balanced across the EQ spectrum, and sound good whether someone is listening on a car stereo, or on headphones through a mobile device.
If you can afford to have an actual mastering engineer do the mastering on your songs, you should really try to do that. But not everyone has the time or money to pay for that. So what then? Well, here are some tips for you from iZotope on doing your own mastering
Read more here: https://www.izotope.com/en/blog/mastering/10-tips-for-mastering-if-you-are-not-a-mastering-engineer.html

Output Releases ANALOG BRASS & WINDS – Blurs Line from Powerful Orchestral Sounds and Legendary Synths | MuseWire – the Synth Magazine

March 22, 2018 by Jake Weston Leave a Comment

Output Releases ANALOG BRASS & WINDS – Blurs Line from Powerful Orchestral Sounds and Legendary Synths | MuseWire – the Synth Magazine

A new software that has been released by Output Inc has taken digital music making to an entirely new level, providing producers with tools and capabilities never before seen. The software provides an array of brass and wind sounds to get whatever atmosphere you want, and blends the traditional with the non-traditional to produce sounds that work perfectly in sync with the lyrics, and are sure to take those who hear it for a pleasant surprise.

Key Takeaways:

Output Inc. has announced its release of a new virtual instrument, dubbed,”The Next Level Air Instrument,” called Analog Brass & Winds.
Output Inc, CEO Greg Lehrman notes,”we live taking something traditional and flipping it on its head.”
The company's intention was to build a VST that was part synth and part ensemble, so the result is detuned and raw,

“The meticulously sampled recordings range from traditional techniques to wildly unusual ones.”

Tips for Mixing the Low End

March 21, 2018 by Elaine Sy Leave a Comment

Imperfect rooms, monitoring and lack of experience are some of the factors that affect mixing the low end. Here are some concrete tips and tricks and tools that we can use to accrue experience in managing low end.
One tip is to listen for frequency masking which occurs when two instruments are fighting for the same frequency space. You can detect this by placing the Neutron’s equalizer module across your bass elements, turn on the masking feature, and assign the elements in question to monitor each other.
Read more about this here: https://www.izotope.com/en/blog/mixing/7-tips-for-mixing-the-low-end.html

Why Just A Little Mastering Knowledge Can Be Dangerous

March 21, 2018 by Jake Weston Leave a Comment

Why Just A Little Mastering Knowledge Can Be Dangerous

The intricacies and details of mastering music has seemingly become a forgotten art among new musicians in the digital age, as various tools and software have given the ability to make it a do it yourself project. However, the fact of the matter is that the subtleties which exist in mastering music are often overlooked by these newcomers, and thinking they know about the concept and not getting professional help can truly damage the quality and feel of their songs.

Key Takeaways:

Digital and technology is becoming a core component of the musical industry.
The art and necessity of proper mastering on each track has become lost as people now use software.
Believing that one knows all about mastering based off these programs is a dangerous thing.

“But others, myself included, tend to feel that mastering and stereo bus processing in general may be better as a separate, final stage: the more traditional approach.”