Sound Engineering (Studio) B: Genre Samples (Guitar)

I chose to pick some electric guitar samples. I went for melody/lead type sounds.

Blues
http://www.box.net/shared/h154ke0740

Metal
http://www.box.net/shared/j73xvmz7cj

Rock
http://www.box.net/shared/ap5l2st1ul

Enjoy.

Music Tech Forum: I always thought they would be more palm trees in Paradise

This week we visited Paradise studios which were located behind an adult toys manufacture in Hendon. Clearly. No tape machine here, but still clearly we are getting the idea that most professional studios have a whole heap more outboard gear than we're likely to get our hands on this year. I found that although it was similar to Mixmasters last week you could tell that the atmosphere was quite different and if you spent a whole heap of time in one studio you might have trouble getting to know the other one. I mean that would easily be true for ever studio across the state but I've only seen two so far.

There was no tape deck here, everything was running into pro tools through the desk and again we got the idea of running through nice outboard gear on the way into pro tools to get a nicer sound. The patch bay here was pretty definitely something to be feared, I'm not sure exactly what it was patched for hopefully that wasn't just getting sound to the speakers. I really enjoyed hearing about the computer matched AKG C414B's. I touched one... ohhhh.

Another good point touched on today was the idea of having breaks and being relaxed. I think that having a relaxed atmosphere is crucial to getting a good recording. I mean it's important in any area where there is pressure and stress, but when the result will represent both the artist and the engineer for as long as it's around it's very important to get it sounding as good as possible. In this respect it's clear the majority of people will perform best when relaxed so taking breaks to maintain a good level of relaxation could make the difference between a good performance and a great one.

This time I was smart enough to bring along something to get some feedback on. Although 'That was really good' is flattering, it's mabye not as helpful as I had hoped, but I didn't ask any questions so thats really my own fault. Hearing it through the big system I could pick up some things I hadn't picked up before, it was really quite useful.

Links: http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/29853

A site selling a matched pair of AKG C414Bs

Sound Engineering (Studio) B - Only Outtake

I didn't do a whole heap really. I grabbed one of the muted parts at the end of one of the playlisted vocal tracks and then added a distortion effect and mastered it to make it loud.

Link:
http://www.box.net/shared/8votcysas2

Music Tech Forum: Mixmasters

This week was our first studio visit. We headed down to Mixmasters in Hawthorndene and after actually finding the place we made our way inside. Being inside an acual up and running studio was interesting for many reasons, but I suppose the best part was getting another professionals opinion on some of the different areas of recoding and mixing today.

Seeing all the old equipment and hearing some of it in action was particularly impressive, and it was good to see a set up the was using a whole heap of outboard equipment and how they used the patch bay to get between them all. I found Mick’s explanation of the difference between recording to tape and digital recording very fitting. He explained that he thought the on tape the instruments melded together better, which is something I could understand the concept of.

The main recording room was very interesting and seeing all the old ribbon mics was cool. The room was specially constructed and the walls filled with carpet, but it was interesting to hear the room was not constructed with any specific acoustic design in mind but rather just an idea was what might work. I suppose maybe a little more interesting to find out that it did.

It was good to hear some more of peoples work and great to get some feedback on it, however I missed out. This week I will hopefully remember to burn my work to a cd instead of just bring my hard drive. The desk was just downright impressive and I hope to one day be working with something like that.

Music Tech Forum: Enter Grice

Well this is Semester 2

And what have you done

First semester over

And a new one just begun

And so this is Semester 2

I hope we have fun

The near and the dear one

The old and the young

A very merry Semester 2

Happy something that rhymes with fear

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear

We've started the second half of music tech forum and to celebrate I decided to ruin a great song. Sorry John. This week we got a rundown of what to expect this semester and started to listen to everyone's studio projects. Lucky for me we haven't done mine yet. Visiting studios sounds like it's going to be great, and getting professional feedback is really excellent. I think I'm going to bring along some drum recoding as that's something I'd really like to improve on.

Listening to everyone's studio projects made me wish mine was a whole lot better, especially Ben's who has done the same band. Rowan told an interesting story about the troubles of getting everyone together to actually do their stuff and be prepared for it. The vocals were a bit lacking, but I think he got really good guitar and drum sounds so I really enjoyed it. Ben just like myself recorded Bad Bodine, and to be honest I feel he did a better job of it. The singer and snare were a little soft, but having worked with the band I think he did a really good job of capturing their sound. Brendan had a really interesting mix, I had heard it before he mastered it and I could hear the difference. I think he got a really great piano sound on this track and he already knows I'm stealing his method of getting it.

Scott H had the band I would've liked to record. I'm not really sure why as I don't really get into that kind of music but for some reason recording it seems like fun. As I was quick to announce in class I think the production really suited the music here. The standout thing for Stuarts track for me was that he really got a great sound out of the vocal harmonies in his track, the drum level could have been more consistent though. Josh recorded myself, Jake, and Brendan and boy am I glad I went home before having to sing. It should be noted that all takes here were done after 2am so we maybe could've played a little better...

The song we heard of Laurens was produced really well, when the drums came in the snare and kick drum sound was great. Next week should be great, it will be good to be in a decked out studio. The week after that is more projects, mine will probably come up so sorry Stuart in advance.