Jake Weston

Recording 50s Style

April 30, 2017 by Jake Weston Leave a Comment

Many oldies now-a-days feel that nostalgia that hits back at them. When I mean oldies, I mean VERY old fellows. The music back then, in the 1950’s, was very much different – and of quality, apparently, as people are actually trying to recreate the sound. To be frank, I am not surprised as the 1950’s was a unique time, especially for music. To recreate it, you have to get the microphone placement JUST right, and you have to have the right brand and quality of instruments. Vocal compression is also a variable for the sound. Overall, the sounds of the 1950’s were very awesome, like I said, if people are really trying to recreate it.

Multiband Compressors: They Doesn’t Have to Be Confusing

April 27, 2017 by Jake Weston Leave a Comment

In audio recording, a compressor limits the input above a certain volume. A multi-band compressor does the same, but only to specific frequencies, not to the whole audio channel. For instance, you can use this to even out the low notes and make the bass more constant, or to select out stray sounds, to clean up vocals, fix bad drum noise, or add umph to your mid-ranges. You can make these changes without having to select out entire frequency ranges, the way you would with an equalizer. Otherwise, you can play with all the other settings you find with regular compression: attack, ratio, release, etc.

Key Takeaways:

A multiband compressor will allow the user to specify what frequency to compress.
An experienced audio tech can us a multiband compressor can be used to control gain.
A conservative configuration in your compressor is the best way to start.

“But once you have a grasp of the basics, and the 7 ways to use a multiband compressor in your mixes, the clouds will clear.”

Ducking Vocal Reverb

April 27, 2017 by Jake Weston Leave a Comment

A website for people who work with the digital audio workstation software program Reaper features an account about how to work with the process called reverb. Reverb is an echo sound effect that is produced by electronic means. The video covers how to compress this sound effect, a process called ducking. The instructor plays examples of a song sung with and without this compression. The account has screenshots of the program. There are various related links listed at the end.

Key Takeaways:

Adding ducking to the reverb helps in controlling the mud fill space and in adding depth.
Valhalla Vintage verb and ReaComp are two great reverb creating devices.
A nicely devised reverb fills in a song, around the words and phrases, without overcrowding the vocals.

“Applying sidechain compression (ducking) to the reverb track allows you to have a nice big deep reverb tail without getting in the way of the actual vocal.”

Superbooth 2017: Novation Unveil Circuit Mono Station Synthesiser

April 26, 2017 by Jake Weston Leave a Comment

There’s a new product on the market called the Circut Mono Station created by Novation. This is actually the second product added to the brands groovebox segment. This product has all types of cool features such as two oscillators that you can individually control, one multi-mode filter with various control levels and three distortion modes. In the United States, the Circut Mono Station will cost $499.99 plus tax and is available for purchase on the Novation website.

Tools to make critical listening easier

April 22, 2017 by Jake Weston Leave a Comment

Critical listening is a great skill. It will really help you to get the most out of what you are listening too. There are some tools that you can get that will really help you to make the most out of your critical listening. Check out what ones might be the best for you. Try Blue Cats Gain Suite, Flux Stereo, and others that you might get some use out of. Check it out today and see.