by Elias James | Dec 20, 2017 | Live Sound, Mixing and Mastering, Project Ideas/Resources
One of the most extensive mixing resources I’ve come across that doesn’t cost a dime is a free library of multi-track wav files, hosted at Cambridge-mt.com. The resources originally accompanied Mike Senior’s “Mixing Secrets for the Small...
by Elias James | Nov 13, 2017 | Education/History/Traditional Skills, Live Sound, Mixing and Mastering, Recording Audio, Studio Gear
Every rookie gets caught at some point twiddling EQ knobs on a console or forever sweeping through a digital parametric for just the right sound. I’m always on the lookout for great teaching tools, especially when they can be used even in an online class. This...
by Elias James | Nov 11, 2017 | Education/History/Traditional Skills, Mixing and Mastering, MTS.org Admin Posts, Recording Audio, Studio Gear
More than any other Beatles album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band had to be perfect. Paul McCartney said, “It had to be just right. We tried, and I think succeeded in achieving what we set out to do. If we hadn’t, then it wouldn’t be out now” (Spangler, 1997)....
by Elias James | Nov 8, 2017 | Business Ideas, Education/History/Traditional Skills, Electronic Music, Film/Game Audio, Mixing and Mastering, MTS.org Admin Posts, Recording Audio, Studio Gear
There are a lot of ambisonics/VR/AR primers out there from an audio engineer’s perspective; this one is a bit more inclusive, including industry facts, what businesses are doing, and educational considerations and examples. The Utah Digital Entertainment Network...
by Elias James | Sep 7, 2017 | Mixing and Mastering, MTS.org Admin Posts, Studio Gear
You may have noticed by now that the term “channel strip” can mean different things—three to be precise. There are channel strips on your mixer (both hardware and software), channel strips mounted in your rack, and plug-in versions in your DAW. These all have...
by Dave Zimmerman | Jul 14, 2017 | Guest Posts, Mixing and Mastering, Recording Audio
With recording budgets constantly being downsized, it becomes increasingly important to use studio time as efficiently as possible. Through many years of experience watching musicians and bands come to the studio to record, I have several suggestions that will save...
by Elias James | Jun 28, 2017 | Acoustics and Treatment, Film/Game Audio, Mixing and Mastering, Music Marketing, Recording Audio, Studio Gear
Since social media emphasized video, it’s important to learn how to produce stellar music videos. One of the simplest ways to get the job done is to set up inside a recording studio and film the session. The example below explains the complex aspects of even a...
by Elias James | Jun 27, 2017 | Electronic Music, Mixing and Mastering, MTS.org Admin Posts, Studio Gear
Tone shaping is when an engineer alters the frequency content of audio, usually to add body or clarity, or to match tone with other instruments in a piece. It’s usually accomplished with a mix of equalization and harmonic reinforcement. The following...
by Elias James | Jun 8, 2017 | Electronic Music, Film/Game Audio, Mixing and Mastering, MTS.org Admin Posts, Recording Audio
Instruments Used: NI’s Komplete Ultimate—Massive, Evolve, Kontakt Factory Library, FM8 Symphonic Studio Strings Claps, Shaker and Felicia James on lead vocals recorded at Melody Rose Media. Key Plug-ins: NI’s Transient Master, PreSonus Multiband...
by Elias James | Jun 8, 2017 | Acoustics and Treatment, Mixing and Mastering, Recording Audio
Sound on Sound is one of my favorite sites to find gear reviews and studio tips. In 2006, Paul White penned an article about basic room treatment, with monitoring specifically in mind. It is a good second to what I wrote here and here in Tech Beginnings. Some key...