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Archive for August, 2010
Friday, August 13th, 2010
I’ve scheduled the next two events for the Vancouver Home Recording Meetup. If you’re in the area, please register and attend.
Meetup # 2 – Home Recording Basics
Covering the basic equipment required for the typical home recording studio.
Venue: Long & McQuade
When: August 21 2010, 3-6pm
RSVP here: http://www.meetup.com/Vancouver-Home-Recording/calendar/14374928/
Meetup # 2 – Drum Recording
Learning how to record drums like the professionals do.
Venue: Nimbus School of Recording
When: September 25 2010, 5pm September 24 2010, 5:30pm
RSVP here: http://www.meetup.com/Vancouver-Home-Recording/calendar/14416864/
Posted in Meetup, Recording, Techniques | No Comments »
Friday, August 13th, 2010
Setting up the multichannel output for Kontakt in Reaper is not the easiest thing in the world. I set it up a few times and it’s not fun. The last time I got it set up perfectly I saved it as a track template and now I can instantly open Kontakt and all the extra tracks with everything routed and named properly. This saves a ton of time!
Because it’s such a pain I’ve decided to share my template with you.
Installation instructions:
Download file: Steven Slate Drums Track Template
Open Reaper, go to the options menu and select “Show REAPER resource path in explorer/finder…”
Navigate to the “Track Templates folder”
Move the file into this folder. Close explorer/finder
Back in Reaper, go to the “Track” menu, select “Insert Track From Template”>Steven Slate Drums Multi-Out
Note- Whenever you load a new kit, you need to push the “Reset Out Map” in the Kontakt mixer section.
I also have a Pro Tools template for this.
Posted in Reaper, Template | 1 Comment »
Thursday, August 12th, 2010
This is a guest post from Geoffrey Granka of Fresh Produce Productions. Find him online at www.freshaudio.ca and @gmgranka on Twitter.
Prior to the proliferation of independent recording studios that seem so familiar to us today, studios were owned by labels. EMI artists would record at EMI studios using equipment designed and manufactured privately by EMI engineers. The same went for Motown artists, Capitol records artists and so on. Some incredible equipment was designed this way (EMI TG consoles, Coles 4038s, Fairchild compressors, etc.) but as time progressed this vertically-integrated model began to make less sense. Recording artists were working stranger hours and desired more control over their recordings (old hat studios like EMI had strict rules for engineers). Independent studios began to pop up to fill this need.
Some of them (like London’s Trident Studios) had the budget and manpower to design their own equipment while others had to contract out to specialized engineers.
Like so many things in history, the legendary Neve 1073 preamp owes much of its fame to being in the right place at the right time. It was introduced in 1970 as a module in a console custom built for Wessex studios. In these days Rupert Neve ran around the independent studios of the world designing equipment for them on request. When Wessex was looking for a new console to satisfy it’s varied client’s needs, Mr Neve was asked to design what became the A88 console.
Rupert Neve designed a solid-state preamp with transformer balanced inputs and outputs (somewhat of a rarity for the time). This was done due to Neve’s history in broadcast and radio electronics where protecting the signal from degradation was critical. Also, because this was a console pre, the amp could not be source selective. It had to sound good on everything.
Wessex Studios was more than satisfied and news began to spread through the independent engineering world. Neve had developed a versatile console that was (brace yourself) affordable. The combination of versatile and cost-efficient resulted in Rupert Neve being a very busy man, installing consoles in virtually all of the independent studios. People began to connect the great sound they were hearing on records to the equipment that recorded them, and the 1073′s infamy grew.
Eventually Neve sold his company (which later merged with AMS) and started Focusrite (where he designed the ISA preamp). He seems to have settled for now at his own Rupert Neve Designs where he still designs extremely professional preamps. None of the amplifiers he has designed since the 1073 have been reached as much fame, except for maybe the 1081, which is a similar preamp to the 1073 with a more involved EQ section.
Recently Golden Age has issued a clone of the 1073 sans EQ (the PRE-73) which it sells for $299USD. Chameleon Labs makes a clone (7602) for it selling for $799USD. Brent Averill makes a clone for $3025USD (the 1028), while what became of the original Neve company (AMS-Neve) sells theirs for around $3000USD. Original Neve modules can cost upwards of $5000USD.
Even though they aren’t so inexpensive anymore, very few people will deny that Neve made an incredible pre that has outlasted its peers of the same era. The 1073 can usually be assumed to be apart of at least one vocal chain on any major label release. Worth $5000 or more? It’s debatable, but it’s legacy is undeniable.
Posted in Classic Gear History, Gear, Preamps | No Comments »
Saturday, August 7th, 2010
Synthesizer Basics 3
Lesson 1 went over the common components of a synthesizer, explained the functions of the Oscillators, and the mixer sections. Lesson 2 looked at the Envelope and filter sections of the synth. This time we’ll get into using the LFO and arpeggiator sections and polyphony options.
LFO
LFO stands for Low Frequency Oscillator. This oscillator typically functions in the 0 to 20Hz range, but this oscillator isn’t a tone generator but actually a control voltage to modulate the other parts of the synth.
There are just three basic controls for the LFO section
⁃ Rate (or speed)
⁃ Waveshape
⁃ Depth
Rate sets how many cycles per second the LFO operates at.
The Waveshape sets how it behaves. The waveshape options will be the same as in the tone generating Oscillators
Depth sets how much effect the LFO will have on the functions it’s assigned to
Often you’ll find the depth controls are on each of the other functions, like the Oscillators, and filter. In this case its very likely that the knob will be labeled LFO and pointing straight up is off. Turning the knob to the left or right will cycle that function down and up, or up and down.
Other synths will just have a single depth knob and some way to assign the LFO to just one parameter.
Enough talking about what it does, let’s here what it can do.
In this example there will be a tone with no LFO, then -50% modulation for oscillator 1, then 50% for the filter with a triangle waveshape.
LFO EXAMPLE
That’s a bit extreme but used more lightly you can add a nice movement to your patches.
Arpeggiator
An arpeggiator is a built-in sequencer for the synth. When you play note or chord it will play each note sequentially. Not all synths will have an arpeggiator.
An arpeggiator has three main controls
⁃ Pattern
⁃ Rate
⁃ Gate
The pattern control chooses how the sequence will be played. Upward, downward, and random are common but you’ll usually have several variations.
Rate is the speed the sequence is played back at. In a virtual synth you can lock it to the project tempo and choose something like 16th notes.
The gate control can shorten the length of each note independent of the release in the amplifier section.
Here is a simple C-Major chord going through the arpeggiator. First set to 1/4 notes, then 8th notes, then I’ll change the pattern from Upward to downward, then I’ll shorten the notes with the gate.
ARPEGGIATOR EXAMPLE
Polyphony
Many synths will have options to control the polyphony or how many notes can be played at once. Some synths are monophonic and can only play one note at a time. Other synths allow you to choose from one to hundreds of voices. The MiniMoog was monophonic and remains one of the greatest and most imitated synthesizers. It’s amazing what you can do with one note at a time.
Portamento
With monophonic synthesizers you can use the portamento function to quickly (or slowly) bend up or down in pitch to the next note without re-triggering the envelope.
Here is an example of that in action:
PORTAMENTO EXAMPLE
That’s it for part 3. We covered the LFO, Arpeggiator, Polyphony and Portamento. Start digging into these functions and try them out.
Have fun!
Posted in Synthesizer Basics Series, Tutorial | No Comments »
Friday, August 6th, 2010
I recently switched from Windows XP to Windows 7 64 bit. The install went surprisingly well considering my usual bad luck with this sort of thing. While there was a lot of reinstalling of software the experience overall was very positive and far less stressful than I feared. Win7 looks and feels and works a lot nicer than XP did with the same hardware so I’m really satisfied. Windows 7 64 bit is strongly recommended. Whether you need more RAM now or not, this is the way forward and will be the standard.
Note – I also updated my MacBook Pro to Snow Leopard, which was even easier but leaves very little to talk about as everything works perfectly as is. If you have questions feel free to ask.
I know some people are hesitant to upgrade, so here are my tips for making the transition.
Pro Tools
Pro Tools 8.0.4 is the first version to be officially compatible with a 64 bit Windows system. When this was announced I knew it was my cue to finally ditch ancient XP for good. At this time there is no full installer for 8.0.4 so unfortunately the installation takes quite a while. Pro Tools 8.0.0 (the retail dvd version) will not work correctly with Windows 7.
The Process is recommended in this order:
- Completely uninstall any previous versions if applicable
- Download and install Pro Tools 8.0.3 Full installer from your AVID account. Do not run Pro Tools yet.
- Download and install Pro Tools 8.0.4 Update
- Optional – Install additional Toolkits (Music Production/DV/Complete Production)
- Make sure ALL your plugins are up to date
Pro Tools should work well at this point. If it does not or you desire improved performance continue to the optimization steps below.
Note – Pro Tools 8.0.4 is 64 bit Windows compatible but is NOT a 64 bit application. For this reason Pro Tools will install to the Program Files (x86) folder.
Optimizing Windows 7 for Pro Tools
Note- These tips are with Pro Tools in mind but will improve the performance of ANY DAW you use.
1 – Windows 7 Optimizations and Troubleshooting – Here is AVID’s guide for setting up Windows 7: http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=349411&NewLang=en
I personally don’t find it all necessary and didn’t follow all of it on my system like disabling graphics effects, disabling other devices. I actually need internet and the internal sound card often while using Pro Tools for realtime collaboration, lessons or tech support. I did do the USB Power thing. Power settings are set to always on exept monitors which turn off after 10 minutes. This is the official guide, if you need tech support this is what they assume you have already tried.
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2 – Microsoft Hotfix Fix311388 – This hotfix has been recommended by a few PT 8/win7 users. I’ve installed on my system with no issues before or after. For some this made a world of difference. Recommended if you use either a firewire audio interface or firewire hard drive (or plan to).
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B981613&x=10&y=14
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3 – W7 x64 optimzations for 8.0.4 – I went through and applied the tweaks in here, but found my internet stopped working and had to revert it all. You can read through the thread but I would skip the the tips in the original post. The best bits of the thread are the next 3 below http://duc.digidesign.com/showthread.php?t=277438
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4 – Ultimate Windows Tweaker – Later in the thread user Shan recommended Ultimate Windows Tweaker. It adjusts windows options easily http://www.windowsvalley.com/ultimate-windows-tweaker-v2-1-released-download-now/
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5 – SMART – Shan also shared another great tool for registry tweaks, I use the “tweaked settings” option. One click to apply general system optimizations. http://www.thewindowsclub.com/smart-a-utility-for-tweaking-windows-7-vista-xp-services
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6 - Menu delay utility – Absolutely install this, removes the delay between clicking a button and the menu appearing in all of Windows. This tiny thing allows you to work faster. http://duc.digidesign.com/showpost.php?p=1635574&postcount=33
Extras
You can set up a key command to launch any program. This is something I started to do to make my life easier.
Here is how I did it for the M-Audio Profire control panel.
- Start>Control Panel find M-Audio ProFire. Right-click and choose ‘create shortcut’ Close the control panel explorer window.
- Go to your desktop and find the new shortcut to the profire control panel. Right click and choose properties
- In the ‘shortcut key’ entry box enter the key command you want to launch the control panel. I use ctrl+Alt + Num 0
- Apply and close the properties window.
I’ve also set this up for my media player and the Sounds control panel to quickly switch the default device.
I also find it handy to have a link to the DAE folder on the desktop to check the plugins and unused plugins folder from time to time.
“C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Digidesign\DAE”
That’s about it at this point, I’ll update the post if I come across any more tips. Everything is working great (other than the slow scrolling bug) on my end, I dare say the best any version ran on the same hardware. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Posted in Pro Tools, Software, Tutorial, Windows | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
Recently Kevin from Anemic Studios launched ProToolsGuides.com.
Looks like it’s off to a great start.
Check it out – http://protoolsguides.com
Posted in Pro Tools, Software, Tutorial | No Comments »
