The Digidesign Protools Blog

MIXING TECHNIQUES and TOOLS - Just Hit Mute

2006-02-18T08:43:00.000-08:00

One of the best tricks you can learn when developing you mixing skills is how to use the MUTE button. The mute button on your mixer or DAWS virtual mixer should be used for two main purposes.

The first and most important one is silencing unwanted noise from in between section in your tracks. For example if your recorded all three verse in one take straight through to the end there is probably some noise during in the background during the chorus where the action takes place on another track or tracks. You should use your mute button during this section so unwanted noise is not heard underneath everything The most common noises you’ll get rid of are things like some one breathing, a note book page of rhymes being turned or better yet the under lying tone of the room that starts build up as your track count increases. Using the automation of your DAW is essential to this step. Alternately you could edit out noise manually or try using a noise gate but right now the MUTE button is the star so show it some love. Using the automated mutes also makes it look cool when your mixes play back every one will thing you a pro engineer.

The other secret and mysterious power of the mute button is using it to sculpt the arrangement of your track. Use the mute button to turn of sounds during sections of a track. Every instrument in a beat or song doesn’t need to play the entire way through the track. Use the mute button to create breaks in the drum patterns or open up sections of the song. Doing this will help add interest to your mix and bring out the form of the song. Maybe if you just came out of a heavy section of a song like the chorus you could mute out a few instruments at the beginning of the verse so they dynamics of the track change and contrast a bit. Then as the verse continues slowly add instruments back in building back up to the chorus. The possibilities of what you can do with your beats and songs in endless and so are the amount of interest it will add to your mix.

Jazdout
Producer/ Engineer
GNX Music
http://www.gnxmusic.com
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Publish this article in your web page, blog or ezine for free as long as the following text is included with the article along with a link to the GNX Music website.

Producer and Engineer Jazdout is owner of GNX Music. GNX Music provides music engineering, beats, sounds and recording services to Major and Independent Labels, Television Shows and Advertising and Unsigned Artists. Music produced and composed Jazdout has been used by MTV, MTV2, FOX, NBC, the NFL Network and more. HIP HOP BEATS, DRUM SOUNDS, PRODUCTION AND ENGINEERING

Copyright GNX Music 2006

Your Mama uses Protools

2006-01-15T23:11:00.000-08:00

After a conversation with some one today I jsut had to write about this. I think this really sums up how far technolgy hascome in the recording indusrty.

After listening to a demo fowarded to me by my MAnager over at Robec Ent. We eventaully started talking on t he phone about the demo. As iasked how it was produced and record I was shocked to hear the answer. This young artist in her early teens had her demo produced and record by her Mom after she went to the stor and bought an MBOX. The mother bought the Digidesign product brough it home and learned howto use it well enough to record her dausghters demo.

To all the people who have sent me a demo inthe past get ready for some bad news. Thesound quality onthis demo was clean and clear and the voclas were recorded better then anything i think i have been sent this past year. Of course the mixing was not radio ready but over all the sound qaulty was very good.

I think t he bar on demo production had jsut gotten raised a whole lot higher. People really have no excuse. and Ill jsut leave it on that note. That is how far protools has reached and how stringly it is impacted the newrange of talent that is walking iinto the indusrty.

Peace
Producer/ Engineer
Jazdout

GNX Music

Do You Do Mastering? The Mastering Hustle Revealed !

2005-11-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

All though this is not really Protools related. This has been on my mind for a bit now so please allow me to detour.

Do you do mastering? I get asked this question all the time. And first I say "No" \. Then I asked if the music that they want to get mastered has been mixed. The usual reply is yeah, Then i listen to the music and hear that is sounds like crap.

Most clients dont understand that MAstering is not going to turn Garbage into Greatness with the turning a few knobs. I suggest that every one out there working on there new independent album really invest the time and money of their project into the Mixing. Your Album should sound the way you want it to sound when the mixes are done. Mastering is their to take all the songs and put it into a final project and make everything sound consistent from song to song sonically.

Now on to the great Mastering Hustle. A Mastering engineer usually only does mastering. If a studio tells you they do mixing/ mastering ect what they are really trying to tell you is "Wed be happy to take your money"

If you are willing to spend the money to get your project mastered use a mastering engineer not some one with a basement studio. If you do decide to go with a smaller studio that does "Everything" from vocals to mastering do your self a favor and ask to hear some CDS they have "Mastered"

Don't get hustled!

More Mixing - Good Ideas

2005-08-26T00:33:00.000-07:00

WHen yourdone with your next mix its always a good idea to think ahead. What is the music your working on going to be used for? Will it be performed? Is it going to be played on the radio? If you have to take any thought to answer any of these questions you should spend some extra time mixing and "print" a few extra versions fo your mix. Although the "Final Mix" is your pride and glory your going to need a few others aswell. At the very least you shoud run an Accapella or Vocal only version of your mix and an instrumental version as well (No Vocals) This will cover your tail in case of any emergenct edits. remixes ect. ITs also a good idea to get inot the habit of doing a CLEAN version for your song. A msuic supervisor does not want to hear some curse words all day. They wont use it for there shows either. Most Major LAble mixing sessions leave with 1 to 2 CDs or dats full of alternate mixes. Louder Vocal, Lower Vocal, CLean Versions, Drums louder ect. These are all very common and the more your music gets used the more versions of it your going to be asked for. Jsut some stuff to think about before you close the session and back up your latest Protools project.

Peace

Jazdout
Producer/Engineer
GNX Music
http://www.gnxmusic.com

Submiting Demos - Tips to Do It Right

2005-07-25T10:48:00.000-07:00

Although not excatly Protools, this is something that needs to be talked about.

Tip #1 – Put your contact information on everything.
This may sound simple but it is one of the biggest mistakes people make when they send me demos. Use a clear font like Arial or NY Time Roman at decent size.

If you are sending a CD make sure the CD is clearly labeled with your name, phone number, email address and website if you have one.

This same information should appear on your business card if you have one as well.

Make sure if your sending a picture you include your information on that as well. Most professional headshots can have your name and contact info at the bottom of the photo. If you cant afford big time photography at least right your contact info on the back of the picture with a sharpie marker or something.

If your using a folder or some other type of portfolio make sure the information is on the outside of the folder as well.

Important Indusrty Tip. Include your government name on your info especially if your under 18 or still living with some one else. There is nothing funnier then returning a phone call to some one name “Blaze” Or “Murderer”. This is a true story. Ring, Ring . Your mom picks up the phone. “Hello is Murder there” – “Who” There aint no murder here what r you talking about. Is this some kind of sick joke” Then a younger brother in the background yells “that’s Frankie mom hes a rapper.”

Tip #2 – A Good CD Cover.
Unless your Demo is professionally duplicated stay away from a crazy looking CD cover unless you feel itwill really make you stand out from the crowd. Bad CD art work screams “I’m new at this throw my demo in the trash” If your not an art genius or cant get good artwork for your CD then just leave it off. A Clear Jewel case with a nice crisp white label and black text looks pretty professional. Bad covers are a big turn off.

Tip #3 – You got 15 seconds, maybe a minute.
The 15 sec rule is a must. One of the most common mistakes new rappers and singers make is not getting to the point. Most people in the music industry have very short attention spans when it comes to listening to demos. If 30 seconds of the beat have passed by and you have said is “What Whuh, Yeah Uh Uh, Yeah we going to do this.” Its going in the trash. By 15 seconds I should know your stage name and being hearing some lyrics. Do your shout outs at the end of the track. Get to the point. I wouldn’t wait to long to get a hook in there either.

Tip #4 – Good sound quality.
We have reached a point that recording quality is no longer expensive. Studio time can be found dirt cheap in many places. Equipment has also become affordable enough to put your own small studio together on a very limited budget. That said most people demos still sound like crap. Distortion, Static, Noise, cant hear the vocals. The list goes on and on and on. There are 2 ways to solve thisGet some one that knows what there doing or have some one teach you how to do it. If you are going to a studio ask to hear something they have recorded. If it doesn’t sound good or clear then find some one else. When recording yourself I would recommend having some one that is more experienced do the mixing. I would even recommend talking to whom ever your going to have mix your project or tracks before you start recording . Doing this will make life easier for both of you and you’ll end up with a better sounding product.

Most people always ask why is sound quality important? Why cant they just heart my talent? Well part of the answer to that is very often the recording is so bad it is impossible to make out the lyrics, let alone want to listen to. Its also important because your demo is competing with many others that actually do have good sound quality.

Tip #5 – Get help.
If you are putting your demo together and have questions it is better to seek help and do things in a more professional manner then do everything your self and sacrifice quality. Use the people that you have around you for help. Friends can be good at offering you suggestions and its always good to have another view of things. Incorporating your family and friends into your project will also show them you are serous about what your doing and gain there support. Now im not saying you should get your mom to do your graphic design or something but to put out a professional looking and sounding product you will need help and support.

Peace
Producer / Engineer - Jazdout
Email: mail@gnxmusic.com
Website: www.gnxmusic.com

Creator of the Mixtape Toolkit and Hip hop producer and engineer for GNX Music a NY based production, recording and sound design studio. http://www.gnxmusic.com

Notice – You may copy, reprint or use this article on your website as long as nothing is changed and you provide link back to the GNX Music website – http://www.gnxmusic.com
Copyright 2005 GNX Music

Using Protools Pugins - The Biggest Mistake!

2005-07-05T20:23:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts using a digital audio workstation like Digdesigns Protools is the ability to use plugins. Protools comes standard with some good ones like EQs, Compressors, Gates and more. The Plugins can be very powerful if you use them right. If you dont they destroy your music in a flash.

The biggest mistake people make when working with Plugins is iver using them or adding to the mix with out knowing what they really do. If your bass sounds sucks dont just slap a compressor on it cause you read some place you should compress the bass. For every plugin that you open up should be able to explain what that plug in does and know exactly what your reason is for adding it into your mix.

IF your listening to the bass and it sounds a bit to resonant you should open up and EQ to remove the resonance not add more low end or jsut start boosting and cutting any random freqeuncy.

A good way to learn what each plugin does is to take one sound and try each plugin and setting on it and experiment until you are familair with the type of results each one will create. You will find that even plugins made by two companies that have the same FX will not sound the same. A goodexample of this would be the Digidesign compressor and the Bombfactory 1176. They are both compressors but each one has a distinct sound and way of compressing your tracks.

Got questions or comments hit me up at GNX MUSIC - http://www.gnxmusic.com

Start With The Mix

2005-02-24T01:52:00.000-08:00

Mixing is always one of the biggest problems for new engineers, home recordist and protools newbies. Unfortunetly eveybody thinks there is some big dark secret to mixing. Any engineer will tell you their are tricks and techniques, but no secrets. The best way to improve your mix is to improve your recordings. That sounds almost to easy, but it is true. When you first start to record vocals or an instrument with a mic dont just press record. Listen to the signal coming in. Look at the way the microphone is placed. Try changing the distance between the pop filter and the microphone or the pattern of the microphone. Use your ears!

Once you begin to record the worst thing you could do is "Set It and forget it" Things are always changing when your record. Some times a vocalist will get tired and the levels will drop. Other times a vocalist might get louder and louder with each take as they get more comfortable. You have to be mindful of all these things and more to get good quality recordings. Other things that can also cause problems are Jewlery and chains. That G-Unit spinner is gonna cause havoc on on your vocal tracks. There is no need to be iced out in the booth! Make sure hats,arms, hand, legs or anyting else dont hit the microphone or stand while recording.

There is a saying in the studio that goes " Crap in , Crap out" Well guess what? If it sounds good recording it, it will sound twice as good when you go to mix. Hope this helps. Feel free to hit me up with any questions.

Peace

Jazdout
Producer Engineer
GNX Music
Beats, Production and Engineering Services

PS. I am availble to work on projects as well.

Creating Loops Quick

2005-02-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

For those of you recording in the Hip Hop genre Im sure you have heard the words "2 Track" more than a few times. This has become somewhat of and Industry standard (More like a lowered standard if you ask me) with beats for freestyles and demos. Gone are the days of tracked out beats, Now they take the instrumental straight from and audio CD and "Loop It Up".

Looping beats in Protools is a snap if you have the excat tempo of the track and you can work in grid mode. But if you dont know the tempo and your taking a free stab at it things can get tricky. There is an easy solution.

1. Play the track a few times and get the feel of it.
2. Now once your vibin to the track tap the the "Down Arrow" alongwith the beat.
3. When the are you want to loop comes up make sure to hit the "Down Arrow" on the first beat of the loop, Now continue tapping to the beat but instead use the "Up Arrow. Once again make sure you hit it nice and hard on the down beat of the 1st measure after the loop ends.
4. You will see a selcted area highlighted. Now hit "Apple + E" to make your Region.
5. Press play to listen back to the loop.(Make sure you have looped playback checked)
6. If something sounds off Zoom in and adjust.

After trying this a few times this whole process should take you 2 or 3 minutes.I do strogly suggest for anything serious your working on though that you get a hold of the producer and track out the beat so it can be mixed and arranged properly. Most people dont do this cause they dont want to pay the producer for the beat. If thats your philsophy then your in the wrong business.

Peace
GNX Music
Beats, Engineering and Production

Protools For Everyone!

2005-02-19T22:34:00.000-08:00

Who loves Digidesign's Protools. Well, I think jsut about every one except BASF (The company that was making 2" tape) and the big studio owners who cant figure out how to create a new business model for their companies. The internet and the mp3 format have truly revolutionized the future of music distribution. Protools has basically made the same accomplish ment in the recording world.

If your not familiar with Protools it is a Digital Audio Workstation or DAW for you computer that comes complete with software, a soundcard and killer recording and mixing enviroment. What is doesn't come with is experience and knowledge of engineering. With a modest setup and a good engineer you can easily achieve major label results and still have a food budget for your session.

I personally suggest that a modest protools system be a part of every recording artists tool box. At they same time though the money you are saving in expensive studio time, the least you could do is invest in decent engineer to mix and record your music. You'll thank your self after!

Want more information on Protools? Check out Digidesign

Thinking of putting together a Recording system? Got questions, Need an Engineer?

Jazdout
Producer, Engineer
Beats, Production and Engineering Services
GNX Music