Set Up for Success – 3 Steps for a Simple Mixdown
Set Up for Success – 3 Steps for a Simple Mixdown Music producers (especially those of us just starting out) often see mixing as one of the most frustrating aspects of finishing their next track. The mix of a song can be responsible for making it a hit or leaving it lifeless. There are certain methods which are key to perfecting this craft so here are some factors that you need to keep in mind while working on your music: 1: Knowing What To Listen For If you’re anything like me, when you first started producing you probably had extreme narrow EQ boosts, tons of sub information from multiple instruments bleeding together, and sharp high end on a few of your instruments that “weren’t coming through the mix”. Honestly, that’s great. Why? It means you were making music and that’s goal for getting better at listening. It’s just practice. The more …
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Harmonize It! – 6 Tips for Recording Better Background Vocals
Harmonize It! – 6 Tips for Recording Better Background Vocals If you’re making music with vocals and want to spruce it up a bit a good place to start is by adding background vocals. Background vocals can play the supporting role, be used for call and response, beef up a chorus, or simply add harmony to choice parts of a song. No matter how you use your background vocals, there are many different ways to actually record them and each method will warrant specific results. su_divider top=”no” divider_color=”#d2d2d2″ size=”1″ 1. Layering Tracks The most common technique (and simplest) is using the same microphone your lead just used, then layering the tracks, this technique is especially useful if you are limited to one microphone. Even if you only have one microphone that doesn’t mean you have to have the same exact sound as your lead, if you have more than one option …
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Getting in the Groove – 6 Tips for Programming Realistic Drums
It's a great time to be a music producer. You can produce full songs with nothing more than your laptop and a DAW. While getting good drum sounds is easier than ever with more and more options expanding beyond the limitations of old drum machines, even with good drum sounds your tracks may feel like they are missing something. That something is often the groove, with your rhythm locked in so tight to the grid that your drum programming feels programmed as opposed to feeling played in by a real human being. We've got some tips below to help you spruce up your drum programming even if you aren't a good drummer yourself.
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VCV Rack – FREE Open-source Virtual Modular Synthesizer
The makers of VCV Rack have released the most recent update to the beta version of the open-source virtual synthesizer. VCV Rack was released earlier this year and has been receiving frequent additions to its lineup of modules. There are 14 modules that are included with the download as a group referred to as 'Fundamental'. These modules are, naturally, fundamental to creating a basic modular synthesizer and allow you to create increasingly complex routings for crazier sounds.
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VHS Drums – Retro Drum Pack from AfroDJMac
AfroDJMac released a drum pack for Ableton Live this week featuring 600 samples of drums recorded to VHS tape and back into the computer. VHS tape is known to have colored audio in a unique way, often adding saturation and the occasional pitch drift. The samples were collected from vintage drum machines, synthesizers, and acoustic kits. The pack features 30 drum racks appropriately named after 80's icons and sound beautifully reminiscent of the era. The drums are also organized into folders by type (kick, snare, cymbal, etc.) and even in selector kits for quick experimentation.
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Beat Lab Beat Cypher – Open to Public
This Friday, December 8th, we are opening our Beat Lab Academy Beat Cypher to the public! Come flex your beatmaking skills with us by trying to complete a beat in 3 hours, the person with the hardest beat will win a FREE download of Polyverse's new plugin Gatekeeper. Gatekeeper is an extremely powerful tool which "can act as an LFO, envelope, step sequencer, sample-accurate volume automation and more." Join us Friday to participate in the Cypher and your chance to win.
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