Recording & Mixing

In this episode, David Mellor continues his exploration of microphone polar patterns by discussing techniques for capturing stereo recordings. He examines how the choice of polar pattern and microphone placement can be used effectively to achieve a balanced and immersive stereo image.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction

01:10 - Defining Mono

03:08 - Binaural Recording

04:24 - Defining Stereo

05:28 - Number Of Mics And Placement

06:...

David Mellor discusses how to create custom effects in a DAW without relying on expensive plug-ins. Here he demonstrates his approach to creating a filter pan effect using an EQ with high-pass and low-pass filters, highlighting how custom effects can help give your music a unique edge.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:05 - Pan Effect

03:02 - Mono Pan

04:30 - Static Pan

06:21 - Music Track

06:42 - Creative Pan Effect

09:00 ...

In this episode, sound-designer Eddie Bazil looks at ways of enhancing a variety of individual tracks and full mixes using plug-ins that are designed to achieve the retro warmth and cohesion of tapes and valves.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:32 - What Is Harmonic Distortion

02:32 - Advances In Music Production Quality

04:47 - The Introduction Of CD

05:59 - Triodes And Pentodes Vacuum Tubes

06:47 - Analysing Harmonic Conten...

Paul White delves into the fun world of modelled guitars, amps and cabs, that cannot only make your songwriting and studio sessions more creative and unique, but can also greatly assist with streamlining live performances.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:12 - Techniques For Modelling Amps And Cabs
04:22 - Amplifier Cloning
05:49 - Compression To Improve Tonal Quality
07:58 - Adding Room Ambience
09:41 - C...

In this episode, Paul White looks at some creative ways that you can manipulate the standard plug-ins found in your DAW, using them alone or in combination with one another, to create some unique sounds, effects and rhythms.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:08 - Hard Tune Effect
01:39 - Processing Speech
03:15 - Fast Pitch Processing
04:04 - Using Match EQ On Guitars
06:07 - Distortion And Reverb<...

Paul White and Hugh Robjohns pick their software and hardware highlights from the gear they've reviewed in the last 12 months.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:24 - Lynx Hilo 2
02:49 - Blackstar Polar 2 / Polar 4
03:39 - AEA TRP 3 Preamp
05:40 - Logic Pro 11
07:24 - RME Fireface UFX III
09:57 - Dreamtonics Vocoflex
11:33 - Hum Audio LAAL Limiter
13:43 - FireSonic FireSpacer
14:54 - Crookwood ...

For musicians and producers that struggle to finish tracks, Eddie Bazil explains the benefits of creating musical snippets and gives us some examples as to how we can tap into different moods, use sound design techniques to create something unique that becomes a useable addition to our musical catalogues and create pieces that stand the test of time.

“Snippets and the creating of, serve to strengthen sound ideas, hone mixin...

Paul White and Hugh Robjohns talk us through four essential studio effects that every music producer or mix engineer needs to know for creating an effective mix, placing them in order of importance and giving an insight into how they can be used effectively.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:21 - Effect 1: Reverb
02:11 - Convolution Reverb
04:28 - Reverb Controls
05:53 - Using Aux Sends
08:00 - Effect 2: EQ...

Pro Audio Design Engineer Andy Bereza summarises his impressive career in a chat with Paul Gilby. Andy founded Allen & Heath Mixers before working for TEAC/Tascam, where he conceived the TEAC Portastudio the portable multitrack cassette tape recorder that revolutionised the home recording market in the 1980s. He then co-founded Bandive-Turnkey where he developed a range of budget signal processors and the famous Great ...

Paul White and Hugh Robjohns discuss the basics of a good home studio setup, including choosing the right equipment and setting up your space correctly for achieving the best recording and mixing results.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:14 - Minimum Equipment
00:54 - Audio Interfaces
02:46 - Headphones and Speakers
03:21 - Choosing A Microphone
08:55 - Additional Accessories
12:27 - Desks And Monitor S...

Not everyone has access to a professional studio with bespoke wiring. Here, Paul White and Hugh Robjohns discuss the best practises for avoiding and eliminating electrical noise interference in your home studio.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:21 - Arranging Plugboards In A Home Studio
02:09 - Uninterruptible Power Supplies
03:59 - Grounding Issues In Laptop Systems
07:19 - Radiated Interference
08:54 - I...

Eddie Bazil gives us more pointers on constructing beats, incorporating useful tools such as Drum Replacement Software and pre-constructed Loops, then adding enhancements using timing, pitch and other processing tips.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:33 - Drum Replacement Software
01:41 - Example 1: Using Hit'n'Mix RipX DAW
05:41 - Example 2: Making Loops Your Own
11:36 - Example 3: Enhancing A Kick With Pit...

An introduction to using sample libraries focusing on the string section. Composer and Producer Sam Boydell talks us through selecting an orchestral sound library, creating a simple string motif and incorporating more realism into the finished piece by using a range of techniques, including articulations, dynamics and panning.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:18 - The Tools Of The Trade
03:13 - Choosing Your Sound ...

In the first of a two-part series, Eddie Bazil explains how some simple adjustments in your DAW will help you to achieve more bounce in your drum beats, by adding syncopation, swing and dynamism.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:20 - A Quick History Of Beat Production
01:07 - Early Programmable Drum Machines
04:33 - Defining A Good Beat
05:15 - Example 1: Shifting The Snare To Drive A Beat
07:55 - Example ...

A valuable test for recording engineers, David Mellor gives examples of different mic types to emphasise the importance of knowing your mic collection in detail so that you're using the correct one for the recording task at hand. Cardioid, Supercardioid, Figure of 8 and Omnidirectional are compared.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
00:23 - Testing The Schoeps CMC 6
01:44 - Cardioid Examples
05:39 - Testing With Percuss...

In the first of this two-part series, David Mellor gives us an introduction to mic polar patterns, explaining the best type of mic to use for various recording situations.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
00:43 - Influenced By The EMI Emiguide Tapes
04:08 - What Is A Polar Pattern?
06:46 - Omnidirectional and Figure Of 8
08:43 - Cardioid, Hypercardioid and Super-Cardioid
11:14 - Pressure-Sensitive and Pressure Gr...

Paul White and Hugh Robjohns pick their software and hardware highlights from the last 12 months.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:16 - Universal Audio Waterfall Rotary Speaker
03:25 - Boss GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer
04:24 - Tokyo Dawn Records Simulathe Cut
06:33 - PreSonus Eris 3.5 Studio Monitors
07:32 - Prism Audio Dream ADA-128
10:07 - Walrus Audio Fable Granular Soundscape Generator

10:59 - Blackstar...

In the third and final part of this series, Rob Toulson focuses on recording drums and talks us through the issue of frequency cancellation in a multiple mic setup, details how to choose the recording sweet spot in a room and explains the various stereo mic technique options that are available.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Phase Coherence
03:00 - Time Delays
05:10 - Comb Filtering
07:53 - Flipping Th...

In part 2 of this 3-part series, Rob Toulson explains how to optimise the drum sound for recording by experimenting with drum head, damping system, tuning and drum shell combinations.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:09 - Drum Heads
01:44 - Mersenne's Laws
04:05 - 1 and 2 Ply Drum Heads
05:45 - Damping Systems
07:10 - Centre Dot Drum Heads
09:27 - Choosing Your Timbre
11:44 - Selecting Your Drum Shel...