sE Electronics sE1000a Sets An Open Course 4 The Virgin Sea

This video features the sE1000a, sE Electronics' entry level condenser. Don't let that bit of info fool you -- the diaphragm and electronics are still hand-built on these bad boys. Owen O'Malley honors local Chicago heroes Styx (they'll always be The Tradewinds to me) with his rendition of "Come Sail Away" to see if the sE1000a can withstand nearly unimaginable levels of musical genius. See more on gearwire.com

Microphones - Home Recording How To

We talk about the difference between different types of microphones. We talk about the Nady CM-88, MXL 990, Audio Spectrum AS-400, Shure SM-57, Shure SM-58.

Mixcraft 4

Mixcraft™ is an affordable multi-track audio and MIDI recording studio that enables you to compose original music, record your band, create a podcast, or remix a song.  Use it as a multi-track recorder or as a music loop remix program. 
As a multi-track audio recording program, Mixcraft allows you to record and play multiple tracks of audio and MIDI virtual instruments at the same time.  Add effect processing such as reverb, delay, guitar amp simulator, flanger or any 3rd party VST™ or DirectX™ effects.  Hook up a MIDI keyboard and you can play a whole studio full of virtual synthesizers!  As remix software, it supports Apple Loops™, Acid Loops™ and our own custom loop format.  Mixcraft’s Song Kits allow you to create your own song in dozens of styles to sing along or rap to.  Creating your own loop or extracting a loop from a well known song is a few clicks away.  With Mixcraft, you can always be on the beat!

Microphones - Hypercardiod or shotgun for indoor audio

What mic do you need to capture high quality audio indoors? It's not always a shotgun. Here is a few tips on recording interviews inside. You might not know the best kind of microphones to use but this video will show you some options.

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ProTools - How to get started

Here is a quick video showing the basics of starting a protools project. I know I do not use ProTools in my seminars, but it is one of the most popular DAW's in professional studio. The local recording studio that I work at is one of the only ones in town that doesn't use ProTools. If you ever go to a recording school, this programs is the main part of their course. Enjoy the basics of opening up and setting up a project, I have been having a few questions about what software to use so I found this video.

Pro Tools LE Creating a New Session Lesson

Reason 4: Thor Polysonic Synthesizer

Taken from the "What's New In Reason 4" tutorial, (available at www.HowAudio.com), Jeff Dykhouse goes through the Controller Panel in the Thor Polysonic Synthesizer.

For an in-depth tutorial on Reason, check out Jeff's tutorials on Reason 3 and What's New In Reason 4 available at www.HowAudio.com.

Also check other titles on Propellerhead software as well as tutorials on Ableton LIVE, Line 6 and M-Audio products, EQ's, miking techniques, Podcasting, MOTU Digital Performer and the most comprehensive ProTools available

Cubase 4: Stacked Mode 2 Recording

Stacked mode is one of my favorite feature in Cubase 4. Cubase 4 Audio Cycle Mode Recording - taken from HowAudio.com's Cubase 4 tutorial, Matt demonstrates the power of Stacked Mode 2 Recording. This feature allows for recording on multiple tracks while playback can be taken from segments of each individual tracks.

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M-Audio - From the Stage to the Studio (The Crystal Method)

This is an M-Audio video: "From the Stage to the Studio", featuring The Crystal Method.
It shows how they usually work with some M-Audio products.



Gear used in this video.

Need to buy some recording gear?

RecordBetterAudio.com is now offering links to zZounds.com.
This website will offer you all that you need for your next recoding equiptment and musical instrument needs. Check it out!

Plugins - Which ones do the pro's use

Famed engineer-producer Eric Thorngren shares his knowledge and experience in the field of audio recording. This video talks about Eric's favorite plugins. There is a list of them under the video. To be honest the plugins are the usually suspects that are used in every studio.

- Waves
- McDsp
- Massenburg
- TL Space
- UA

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Fxpansion Guru - Browser

Your beatbox dream come true. Advanced step sequencing, groove manipulation, sample editing, and beat slicing -- an inspirational, all-in-one workstation. Based on an enlightened approach to drum loop creation, Guru makes building that perfect beat faster and easier than ever.

Guru's architecture is perfect for anything from straight-up breaks and stomping floor-fillers to complex polyrhythmic, multi-layered grooves. The powerful built-in FX and graphical parameter automation allow you to mutate your beats into new, unheard forms, or create subtle variations. Mash up your sounds with pitch modulation, repeat triggers, start-point and timing manipulation, resonant filters and much more. Everything from precision funk to disturbing sonic mangling and glitch beatscapes is at your fingertips.

Breathe new life into your loops with Guru's unique intelligent loop slicer, which categorizes slices as kick, snare, hihat or percussion hits, letting you use any audio material effortlessly and in the context of your pattern, or extract individual hits and the timing feel from loops. The extensive editing and processing tools then allow you to tweak samples and slice points, or layer more sounds.

Guru gives you back the hands-on feel which you crave... Record performances with the mouse or a MIDI controller, fire off sequences with a MIDI key, layer multiple engines, drop parts in and out and switch grooves on the fly. Guru is a complete sample workstation environment, ideally suited for live use or for intuitive composition in the studio.

Features:
Advanced Step Sequencer - 128 steps, 16 channels, 24 memories per engine, full graphical automation, MIDI remote control, independent tempo multipliers, real-time and step recording with undo

Automated sample slicing, classification and pad mapping (kick, snare, hat, percussion) with manual slice-tuning capability

Can load audio loops (WAV/AIFF/REX), MIDI loops, single-hits, complete kits, pattern banks..

8 Engines, each comprising:
- 16 MIDI-triggered Sample Pads
- Powerful step-sequencer with up to 128 steps
- 24 MIDI-triggered Patterns
- Three Aux effects units
- Master effects unit

Intuitive mixer view offering a convenient overview of all 8 engines

Flexible groove/shuffle control for patterns - take the groove of one MIDI file and apply it in real-time to another

Comprehensive Pad Editor offering individual control of the following for each pad:
- Gain, pan, coarse/fine tune
- Resonant filter blend between LP/BP/HP
- 3 Aux sends and an Insert effect slot
- Start/end point adjust
- Amp/FX envelope
- 8 velocity cross-fade layers
- Cut groups (choke groups)

Includes library of over 2GB of professional sample content, featuring material by Yellow Tools, Wizoo, Gearshift and others.

Eight stereo outputs, flexible routing.

Built in midi mapping allows you to quickly setup GURU to work with your hardware groove box / drum triggers."

Stand-alone application, ReWire device, and VST, DXi, AudioUnit, RTAS plug-in formats, available for Windows 2000/XP and Mac OS X.

* (Such as Akai MPC/MPD series, Alternate Mode DrumKat, Korg MicroKontrol, M-Audio Trigger Finger etc.)
Technical Info
System Requirements
iLok compatible

800 MHz Pentium III or Athlon cpu (for Windows platform)

733 MHz G4 cpu (for Mac OS X platform)

384MB RAM (512MB recommended)

DVD-ROM, DVD-R or DVD-RW drive (for installation)

Windows 2000 or XP, or Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther" or 10.4 "Tiger".

500MB free hard disk space

Click to learn more.

AWS 900 from Solid State Logic - Intro

Solid State Logic's AWS900 is described in detail. Owners discuss what they like about the workstation and Ryan Hewitt (a producer) talks about how he uses the AWS 900 to make music.

GarageBand 3 - Easy Audio Recording in

A screencast on how to make a simple audio recording using Apple's GarageBand 3. There is a newer version of Garageband that just came out, but here is a quick video for beginners and this great audio recording software pack. I use GB to finalize all my video seminars that are on Record Better Audio YouTube page.

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Cubase 4 - How to Record

Here is a quick video about recording in Cubase 4. I have been using Cubase 4 since it came out and love the program.There is 2 versions of the programs.

Cubase 4

and

Cubase Studio 4

. Click the links to check them out.

New entry level DAW Steinberg's Sequel

Steinberg has announced a new DAW that I believe window based podcasters should be excited about. I do not know the exact release date, but the price is very competitive. This program has a very similar look and feel with Apple Garage Band. There will be more blogs written about this exciting new program as the release date comes near. Click on the picture to view a demonstration from Sonic State.

Entry-level music creation and performance software with innovative user interface launched

Mastering: Mid Side with the Fairchild 670 Compressor

The Fairchild 670 is a great mono and stereo compressor, but did you know that it has a unique feature that lets you compress the mono signal separately from the stereo signal? Watch the video to learn how.

ProTools

I know that I just posted a blog about the mbox family. Since then there was a neat addition to the family.

As the much anticipated answer to one of the top requests from Pro Tools users, ultra-small Mbox 2 Micro enables Pro Tools users to edit, sequence, and mix sessions created on Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, and Pro Tools M-Powered systems on the go, as well as compose music with virtual instruments and loops.

About the size of a typical USB flash drive, Mbox 2 Micro offers high-quality 24-bit / 48 kHz sound, a 1/8-inch stereo output for headphone or speaker monitoring (no audio inputs*), and a convenient volume wheel, providing you with the freedom of true editing, sequencing, and mixing mobility. Whether you’re looking to work on studio-created or live sound Pro Tools sessions on the go, or create loop-based or virtual instrument-driven music, Mbox 2 Micro lets you work wherever inspiration takes you.

Hardware
Mbox 2 Micro sports a slick yet rugged anodized aluminum casing that’s small enough to fit in any size pocket, making it the ultimate mobile Pro Tools® editing and mixing solution.

Ultra-portable, anodized aluminum design for on-the-go editing, mixing, and music creation

High-quality sound up to 24-bit, 48 kHz (higher sample rates require pre-conversion)

1/8-inch stereo output jack for headphone or speaker monitoring (no audio inputs*)

Convenient volume wheel for quick headphone adjustments

Powered by USB (USB 1.1 connection, includes USB extension cable)

Microphones - Tony Berg, music producer

Being a finatic for vintage tube microphones, find out more about which mics Tony Berg appreciates

*There is swearing in this video.

Some SE Microphones.

Quick Music in FL Studio

Learn how to create generic music in FL Studio. if you need a quick song, this is an easy way to do it.

eJay - Easy Music Studio

eJay is loads of FUN, so simple you can learn to use it in minutes, drag and drop editing of sound bytes (comes with a load, or get more online, or make your own.

Home Recording Studio - How to Build

Learn tips on how to build your own home recording studio, including advice on microphones, recording software and more in these free video clips. You can now make a recording studio for almost any budget. This video is about different types of microphones for the studio. Remember that there is a chain of events that take place when you record audio. There is the microphone, cables, interface, computer, DAW, etc. Make surethat you have quality gear for each link in the chain. One cheap cable could make a $2000 microphone sound bad. The better the whole chain the better the recording.

Recording Software

I received this question from Petar

In which software do you show this seminars???
Is that cubase,or what? Which software do you prefer?

Hello Petar
I use Cubase 4 in all my seminars, I really like the work flow of it and how it is user friendly. As for audio software they all are the same, just where is the button to do it. I notice that Cubase is more popular in Europe, while Protools is more popular in America. They are the two most used DAWs (to my knowledge) You need to decide what features you what and what hardware you need, then you can decide what software works the best for you. There is lots of options at any price range. Let me know what you are interested in recording and I can make some recommendations for you.
Thanks 
Adam Smith
www.recordbetteraudio.com

AKG Perception 400 Mic

The Perception 400 from AKG lives up to the company's hard-earned reputation. Watch this video review of the mic from Performing Songwriter Magazine, now celebrating our 100th issue! For more exclusive web articles on songwriting and music technology, please visit www.performingsongwriter.com

The Perception 400 is a multi-pattern large-diaphragm, true condenser microphone with outstanding build quality and a unique combination of excellent performance, deluxe features and high value. The Perception 400 delivers a classic warm, transparent, yet detailed sound and it conforms to the stringent standards defined for AKG recording products, based on the company's 60-year heritage of know-how.

The Perception 400's dual diaphragm 1 in. large-diaphragm capsule allows a selection of cardioid, omnidirectional or figure-eight pickup patterns for flexibility in use. The switchable bass roll-off and pre-attenuation pads enable its use close to sound sources and in high SPL environments up to 145dB.

Perception 400's chassis is made of precision-tooled zinc/aluminum alloy and has a stainless steel grille screen that is dent-resistant. It comes complete with a spider-type shock mount in a metal carrying case.

Features:
Professional condenser microphone for general purpose applications

Dual diaphragm 1 in., large-diaphragm, true condenser capsule

Switch-selectable cardioid, omnidirectional and figure-8 pickup patterns

Switchable bass roll-off switch

Switchable ?10 dB pre-attenuation pad

High 28mV sensitivity and 145 dB max SPL capability at less than 0.5% THD

Rugged metal housing with stainless steel grille

Spider-type shock mount included

Metal carrying case included

Click Here To Learn More

MC Control

MC Control is loaded with power features to speed up and enhance your creativity with any media application.

Effortlessly switch between multiple applications and workstations at the touch of a button.
The MC Control's high-resolution touch-screen interface, motorized faders and arsenal of rotary encoders, soft keys and transport controls instantly snap to the selected application to put multi-format metering, plug-in parameters, track information and much more at your fingertips.
Most importantly, software developers like Apple, Steinberg, MOTU and others have worked closely to integrate native support for Euphonix' EuCon control protocol into their DAWs to deliver an unmatched editing and mixing experience.

Isa One by Focusrite

ISA One features the classic vintage microphone pre-amplifier topology from the original ISA110 module, including the Lundahl L1538 transformer and bespoke zobel network. (The original 110 pre amp formed the cornerstone of each channel of Focusrite's legendary Forte console.)

The pre amp is complemented by a line input (XLR and TRS Jack) and an independent D.I. channel, complete with dedicated gain control, active or passive impedance switch, a TRS Jack output for routing to an amp and an independent XLR output on the rear. This flexible independent D.I. makes the ISA One ideal both for engineers wishing to blend a D.I.’d guitar signal with a mic’d guitar cabinet, and for demanding performers who require a single classic solution for both guitar and vocals.

Omnisphere - Spectrasonics previews new flagship virtual instrument

JANUARY 2008 — After many years of development, Spectrasonics previewed their brand new flagship virtual instrument Omnisphere® at the Winter NAMM show. The revolutionary ‘Power Synth’ breaks completely new sonic ground by combining a wide variety of hybrid realtime synthesis techniques, an epic library of remarkable ‘Psychoacoustic’ sounds, and many innovative features that have never been seen before in any hardware or software synthesizer. The new instrument is the first to be based on Spectrasonics STEAM Engine, the company’s newly developed core technology. Omnisphere is set to be released September 15, 2008, the MSRP is $499 US and 399 Euro.

Duende Mini - Namm 2008

Here is a product that I got very excited about, the new Duende Mini. It's much like the UAD Xpander (Another piece of gear on my hardware.) with a small rug-et profile and designed to help with the DSP processing. Duende puts the legendary SSL sound within your DAW and Duende Mini makes owning your own slice of SSL sonic magic more affordable and portable than ever. Mini is a stylish little ‘one third rack width’, all metal construction, desktop box that hooks up to your computer via Firewire. This compact rugged unit is ideal for small studios or laptop based DAW users. Mini makes a stack of DSP processing power available to drive up to 16 mono channels of plug-in processing (at sample rates up to 96kHz) within your host application. Duende Mini is upgradeable to 32 channels of processing power and you can run two Duende units on a single computer system for up to 64 channels of processing.

Duende is based on the powerful DSP technology behind SSL’s acclaimed C-Series digital consoles and Mini ships with the ‘EQ and Dynamics Channel’, a plug-in developed by SSL to provide an EQ & Dynamics processing solution with all the power and processing flexibility of an SSL console channel.

Key Features

• The legendary sound of SSL for your digital audio workstation
• 16 channels of console-grade SSL EQ and Dynamics processing (upgradeable to 32)
• Powerful DSP engine based on SSL's award-winning C Series mixing consoles
• Relieves the plug-in processing burden on your computer's CPU
• Single FireWire connection for fast set-up
• Run two Duende Minis for up to 64 channels of processing

Duende - Mix your music on an SSL.

Reason 4 Introduction part 1 and 2

James Bernard runs through the basics of getting to grips with Propellerhead Reason 4.

www.propellerheads.se/ www.ProducersEdgeMagazine.com

<--- Click to Buy Now.

Reason has reached the next level. Stronger, swifter and smoother to work with, Reason 4 will alter the way you create your music. Reason's new devices and features will not only inspire you to produce great tracks, they will provide you with new ways of doing so.



Highlights in Reason 4:

Thor Polysonic Synthesizer
Thor is a semi modular synth with interchangeable oscillators and filters. With its six oscillator types, four filter types and endless modulation possibilities, this synth comes with a sound like nothing else on the planet.

RPG-8 Monophonic Arpeggiator
A powerful arpeggiator with multiple play modes, pattern function and much more.

ReGroove Mixer
ReGroove mixing is a way to work creatively with grooves, timing and feel in real time. Hands-on access to 32 channels of groove parameters will make this an essential tool for any musician who is serious about their beats programming.
The New Reason Sequencer
With a whole new look, a ton of fresh features and a completely new way of handling sequencer data, the Reason sequencer still offers the streamlined workflow Reason is famous for, but with a new level of sophistication.

About Reason
Reason comes in the shape of a classic studio rack, packed with all the gear you could possibly need: Samplers, Analog synths, Graintable synth, Vocoder, Mixer, Step time drum machine, Arpeggiator, Compressors, EQ and Effects – as many of each as your computer can handle.
A realtime multi-track sequencer provides full control over every detail, letting you create and edit your music quickly and intuitively. Reason is an all-in-one music production environment, complete with a massive soundbank containing sounds, loops and patches for all possible styles of music.

Sounding good has never been this easy
Whether you’re a big time producer or a bedroom DJ, a pro musician or an absolute beginner, this application provides all the necessary tools for you to create, edit and mix the music of your choice, all within the comfort of your own computer.