Jake Weston

Brian May of the band Queen has partnered with IK Multimedia to come out with a new app called the AmpliTube Collection. This app can also be bought as a DAW plug-in for music producers and it gives you an emulation of Brian May’s guitars, amps, cabinets and pedals that he uses. The goal of the app is to provide “ultra-realistic sound” and it features 2 amps, 3 cabinets and 6 stomp boxes. It also features and treble booster and Brian’s patented red guitar. You can get the app on iOS for a price of $20.

Key Takeaways:

• IK Multimedia has an app and plug-in for any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that is customized to famed guitarist Brian May.
• The package in the AmpliTube Collection contains amplifiers, cabinets, stomp boxes, and presets based on Queen’s music.
• The app is called AmpliTube Brian May and is available in the US for $19.99 on iOS and $99.99 desktop.

“There’s also a selection of presets that are based on Queen’s discography – so you can dial up the guitar tone of the Under Pressure riff instantly.”

Read more: https://www.musictech.net/news/gear/ik-multimedia-queen-brian-may/

Are you looking to buy a MIDI controller that is portable and has many useful features? You might want to consider MicroLab, a new product from Arturia. The company MIDI controller offers a whopping 25 keys in an appealing slim design. The MicroLab also has appealing design characteristics that will thrill the user, such as a hold button and slim keys that are sensitive to velocity. In addition, MicroLab is encased in a rubber shell that can handle scrapes and bumps.

Key Takeaways:

• Microlab, a new MIDI controller from Arturia has 25 keys in all.
• Microlab’s helpful design features include slim keys and a hold button.
• The small MIDI controller has a rubber shell that is bump resistant.

“On the hardware front, MicroLab comes in a rubberised shell that’s resistant to “bumps and scrapes”, according to Arturia. It also boasts recesses on its side – to stow its USB cable – and has recessed keys that are designed not to get caught on other items in your bag.”

Read more: https://www.musictech.net/news/gear/arturia-microlab-controller-25-keys/

Did you know that the use of side chain compression can greatly improve your mixes? Side chain compression is beneficial for controlling different instruments and even use it to help isolate a voice on an audio track so it shines better. When you listen to a track with side chain compression versus one without it, the difference is quite noticeable. In particular, you will notice how much better the vocals sound on a track that has been run through the side chain compressor.

Key Takeaways:

• A side chain lets us use a different channel to trigger a compressor.
• A side chain compressor’s main goal is to help you control something that is in the way of another thing.
• Side chain compressors aren’t a cure all for everything though, so the other steps need to be done correctly too.

“In essence, what the sidechain does is allows us to trigger the compressor with a different channel instead of the source that it’s actually on.”

Read more: https://www.musicianonamission.com/side-chain-compression-tutorial/

What brands are the best studio headphones under 200 dollars? For starters, headphones with a closed-back work to isolate sound better than opened-back. Sound quality and level of comfort should also factor into your choice of headphones. With those things in mind, there are four headphones that will give you a great listening and recording experience without breaking your bank account. Sennheiser HD280 PRO, Beyerdynamic DT 770, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, and AKG K240 MK II all fit the listed criteria.

Key Takeaways:

• Headphones should be considered for their design shape (open or closed back), comfort, quality, and durability.
• Industry leaders in headphones for studio work require closed-back design.
• The best options for studio-quality headphones under $200 are from Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic DT 770, and AKG

“Open-back headphones will not block out noise and they will not keep the music contained within the ear cups. They bleed, which is great for mixing music because you get a bit of crossfeed, but it’s bad for recording as the bleed will get picked up in the mic.”

Read more: https://www.audio-issues.com/home-recording-studio/home-recording-equipment/best-studio-headphones-under-200/

There are many tools available for a pro mixer to use, and many complex and varied plugins for their equipment. However, sometimes the solution to the problem at hand is quite simple, and can be easily solved with a basic adjustment. At the lower decibels, the structure of the track begins to fall apart. The mix will often begin to derail around -40db and cause problems. Once you learn to diagnose the problem however, it becomes easy to spot the signs, and the fix is quick and simple.

Key Takeaways:

• A very simple and easy fix for some problems is to check the volume output.
• At lower decibels, the track sometimes begins to fall apart, and lose its form.
• If you know what to listen for, you can quickly and easily identify the issue.

“A lot of times a mix will fall apart when you pull the volume way down, say -40db. That’s a problem.”

Read more: https://www.recordingrevolution.com/the-low-volume-mix-trick/