Music Recording

How to Match Loop Tempos In Reaper

October 10, 2016 by Ken 2 Comments

Reaper is great for working with loops.
Open the Media Explorer window in a Reaper project and you can audition any loop. When you find one you like, just drag it onto a track!
But what do you do if your Reaper project is set to 120 beats per minute (BPM), but you really want to use a loop that is set to 130 BPM? Do you have to edit the loop to make it faster and then bring it into your song? Or is it just not possible to use that loop with your song?
Thankfully, the answer to both of those questions is a resounding NO!

Reaper’s Tempo Matching Tool

Reaper makes it super easy to mix and match loops of all different tempos. While you are auditioning loops in the Media Explorer window, you’ll see a drop-down menu on the bottom of the screen that says “Tempo Matching Off.” That is the default setting.
All you have to do is click on the menu and choose “Tempo Matching On.” Do that before you drag a loop onto a track.
Then when you DO drag and drop the loop, its tempo will automatically change to whatever the tempo is in Reaper’s Project Settings for your song!
How awesome is that?
See just how to do it in the short video below. The video is so short because actually matching tempos is so easy:).
Enjoy!

Say No To Muddy Mixes, Here's How

October 4, 2016 by Elaine Sy Leave a Comment

Having problems with your mixes? You can bring life to your lifeless mix with these tips and it won’t cost you a $500 plug-in. Everything you need is already with you, and it’s right under your noses. Yes, it’s already in your digital audio workstation (DAW).
I believe the keyword here is understanding, knowing what you already have and working from there. Proper usage of EQ and compressors are vital to achieving the proper mix.
When you do start to explore your EQ you fill know the sounds you are actually looking for, instead of just sweeping around your EQ learn to dig and find that perfect sound.
Read more here: http://www.audio-issues.com/music-mixing/are-you-sick-and-tired-of-muddy-mixes-that-sound-squashed-to-death-washed-out-and-lifeless/

Neutrino – A Free Spectral Shaping Plug-In From Izotope

September 27, 2016 by Elaine Sy Leave a Comment

Matt Hines, product manager for iZotope, discusses Neutrino with Sweetwater’s Mitch Gallagher. Hines describes Neutrino as a “mix sweetener.” It is a subtle way to add a little more kick to your tracks.

So what is it?

Neutrino is a free plug-in you can download at https://www.izotope.com/en/products/mix/neutrino.html It’s a “Spectral Shaping” plug-in created to add fine details and touch-ups to your tracks.
Neutrino is intended to be added to multiple tracks (or busses) and not across the master mix track. The idea is that the subtle processing shapes and lightly evens out certain things on an individual track. Then the results will add up across all tracks to elevate your total mix to a higher quality.
Hines shows Gallagher how easy it is to download and use.
Watch more here: http://www.sweetwater.com/insync/izotope-neutrino-plug-in-overview/

Dronar Guitarscapes Easy To Use Guitar-Based Pad

September 22, 2016 by Elaine Sy Leave a Comment

Guitarscapes is the latest installment to Gothic Instrument’s Dronar series, a powerful and easy to use guitar-based pad and atmosphere creator. It provides guitar enthusiasts with quick and easy ways to express themselves using their guitar.
“It is when you start to play with the controls that you realise the power of Dronar, particularly when you consider what can be done with automation, or even a simple tweak of the mod wheel.” quoted from Future Music Magazine.
Guitar enthusiasts can now create wide ranges of guitar-based textures at the same time explore different areas and sounds of music with the help of Dronar Guitarscapes.
Read more here: http://www.musictech.net/2016/09/dronar-guitarscapes-released/

SOLO Alto Saxophone Library For Kontakt Available Now

September 18, 2016 by Elaine Sy Leave a Comment

Cmusic Production recently announced the release of SOLO Alto Saxophone Library. The Engineers from Cmusic used four microphones to record the library combining natural sound while maintaining sensitivity. The said library was created for Kontakt a ready to use musical toolset for producers, songwriters, musicians, and music enthusiasts.
Configuring the four microphones as two pairs enabled Cmusic to achieve the perfect recording for the said collection, it allowed balance adjustments between the two pairs. They combined it with technique and it enabled the impression of a realistic live performance. A wide variety of alto saxophone recordings available now for Kontakt.
You can find out more here: http://www.kvraudio.com/news/cmusic-production-releases-solo-alto-saxophone-for-kontakt-34482