Commentary

These days, high-quality yet affordable hardware synths are what we expect. Whether you’re looking for a pocket-sized instrument, a module or a keyboard, you can get a whole lot of instrument for your money. You can take your pick when it comes to sound engines, too. Analogue is undoubtedly so hot right now – and well-represented at the budget end of the market – but make sure you check out the digital synths that are on offer, too. In some cases, you don’t even have to choose between the two.

Key Takeaways:

• This year’s hardware winner isn’t analogue – but boy is it a technical marvel. The Montage is pretty much the synth to end all synths, with an incredible engine (or two), brilliant onboard effects, hundreds of sounds and an amazing touchscreen that sets it apart from anything else out there and makes it a joy to use.
• Montage is huge, not just in terms of its size (the 88-note in particular) and its sonic arsenal, but also in terms of its scope.
• Yamaha knows that its digital synths have to deliver – and this is the new mothership that promises to do just that, with hands-on controls, with huge sounds, with two synth engines, with a Motion Sequencer and with a massive and brilliant screen at its centre.

““It’s full of great analogue character, rock-solid in stability with the new v1.2 firmware, and is nothing short of a joy to use.”

http://www.musictech.net/2016/12/goty-11-hardware-instrument/

Since way back in the 90’s, when home recording first started… And the earliest versions of the modern DAW began emerging… People have always argued about which one is best. And as the options continually improve, the debate rages on. For beginners starting out, that makes for a tough decision, doesn’t it? So to help you guys with the all-too-common problem… For today’s post I’ve created an in-depth guide covering the best DAW’s of 2016.

Key Takeaways:

• But while this year only saw tweaks, some of them were significant, with Ableton Live nudging up to 9.7 with enhancements that make it even more intertwined with the rather great Push 2 controller.
• I’ve been using the 9.7 beta for some time and, by the way, it’s been very reliable in my setup, said reviewer and Live expert Martin Delaney.
• I was personally a little lukewarm about Push back in the early days, but it really is growing into the monster it always promised to be.

“It consequently has a huge fanbase and regularly tops our Best DAW category.”

http://www.musictech.net/2016/12/goty-12-daw/

Are you searching for the right equipment to get your home studio up and running like a professional? Or maybe its just time to upgrade the equipment you already have. Whatever the case, picking the right Interface and Mixer is an important aspect of any studio. Check out these reviews of the top Interface/Mixers of 2016 and find the one that’s perfect for you!

Key Takeaways:

• We’ve decided to merge the mixer and interface categories, as there are so many products now available that blur the lines between the two.
• More often than not, interfaces feature multiple ins and outs plus mixing software or conversely, mixers feature USB connectivity and double up as interfaces.
• Read on to see which stunning interfaces and hardware mixers the experts at MusicTech think are best.

“More often than not, interfaces feature multiple ins and outs plus mixing software or conversely, mixers feature USB connectivity and double up as interfaces.”

http://www.musictech.net/2016/12/goty-7-interface/

The upright bass can be a tricky instrument to properly mic. It produces extremely low tones that are outside the ranges of some mics, can transmit sound directly to the floor via its endpin, and suffers from the resonance inconsistencies of all acoustic instruments. But several mic techniques can resolve these and other problems. Try placing your bass on a rubber matt; don’t mic too close to the bridge, as the tone will come out too aggressive; and consider a small-diaphragm mic, which will make the bass more prominent in mixes of contemporary music.

Key Takeaways:

• The upright bass (aka double bass) is an instrument from the string family.
• It is the lowest-pitched bowed string instrument, normally going down to E1 (41 Hz) but it can even go down to B0 (31 Hz).
• Read on to learn more about this exciting instrument!

“The upright bass (aka double bass) is an instrument from the string family.”

http://en.audiofanzine.com/recording-mixing/editorial/articles/recording-a-bowed-upright-bass.html

When it comes to the resonant frequency in the low-mids, what you do with that—if anything at all—depends on what you are going for (how big the resonant peak is), and what sound you are going for. If you want a big classic snare sound, you might want to notch some of that resonant frequency out to fill out the spectrum.

Key Takeaways:

• Solid and simple tips that help you fix a problem and get on with the rest of the mix.
• Join the community and ask questions if you have any small problems you need solved.
• Solid and simple tips that help you fix a problem and get on with the rest of the mix. That’s what I’ve always been about with Audio Issues so I’m glad the community is sharing their own practical audio tips.

“That’s what I’ve always been about with Audio Issues so I’m glad the community is sharing their own practical audio tips.”

http://www.audio-issues.com/music-mixing/how-to-use-eq-to-reduce-annoying-resonances-from-a-snare/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AudioIssues+%28Audio+Issues%29