What format to use? - The ultimate guide to audio recording - Part 3
LearningToday we'll discuss a topic that's very important in the all-digital age, namely which format you should use to record your takes.
The top big brands for guitar effect pedals - The best big brands for guitar effect pedals
LearningDespite the explosion of the pedal market and the appearance of countless small manufacturers, the big names in the effects world continue to implacably dominate the business. Here's a list of the ma…
Plasma Loudspeakers - The Operating Principles of Loudspeakers - Part 8
LearningIn this chapter we'll discuss a not-so-widely spread category of transducers based on very amazing principles. They can make some people dream because they are freed from the mechanical stages of tra…
The gear to use - The ultimate guide to audio recording - Part 2
LearningAs I told you in the previous installment, this new series dedicated to recording is aimed at the average computer musician. Consequently, it would be incongruent to make the sample clips that accomp…
Melodic and harmonic motion - Harmony Basics - Part 22
LearningIn the previous article we discussed inversions within the frame of enharmonic modulations. I will take this opportunity to explore with you in this and the following article the different ways in wh…
A guide to mixing music - Part 102 - Questions to ask yourself before moving on
LearningDarn, is this series dedicated to mixdown long! But remember that Rome wasn't built in a day! Learning a new craft, regardless of what it is, demands a lot of time. That's the way it is, I can't help…
Enharmonic Modulations - Harmony Basics - Part 21
LearningBefore I begin I most warn you that this article might seem a bit grueling for some of you. But if you've been following the other articles in the series up to now, you shouldn't have a problem with …
The best studio headphones for about $100 - The top studio headphones for about $100
LearningYou can get some pretty good headphones for about $150 and while 50 bucks may not seem like much of a difference, it's a bit too much for many home studio owners. But don't worry if you are one of th…
Modulating to neighbor, distant and chromatic keys - Harmony Basics - Part 20
LearningIn the previous articles we saw how you can modulate towards other keys, mainly using pivot chords to guarantee a smooth transition. So, now that we've seen how to modulate, it would be nice to know …
Piezoelectric Loudspeakers - The Operating Principles of Loudspeakers - Part 7
LearningAnother family of transducers, often put down by audiophiles, is that making use of the piezoelectric phenomenon. Sturdy and not particularly expensive, these transducers have found a place in many s…
Acoustic Treatment and Soundproofing for Dummies - Setting Up Your Home Studio - Part 3
LearningAs I mentioned in the last article, the ideal home studio must have good room acoustics and soundproofing. But, what does these two concepts mean? To answer this question we need to dive into some th…
The top studio headphones for less than $50 - The best studio headphones for less than $50
LearningSometimes, $50 for a pair of studio cans might be over your budget, be it because you don't have the money in the bank or you need to buy four at the same time or any other reason you can think of. B…
Using II-V-I and pivot chords - Harmony Basics - Part 19
LearningIn the previous article we saw how to use cadences to modulate to a different key. However, regardless of whether you use a cadence or not, a seamless modulation relies on the so-called pivot chords.
How to use tape machine and mixing console emulators - A guide to mixing music - Part 97
LearningAs promised, this week we'll see how to make the most of tape machine and console-emulating plug-ins.
The whys of using tape machine and console emulators - A guide to mixing music - Part 96
LearningThis week we'll keep on discussing distortion by addressing plug-ins that emulate legendary tape machines and consoles.
How to use harmonic distortion in a mix - A guide to mixing music - Part 95
LearningToday you'll see how to put into practice everything you've learned so far about harmonic distortion.
The Top Tremolos for Guitar - The Best Type of Vibratos for Electric Guitar
LearningFar from being a simple accessory, the vibrato has become an essential element in the playing style of many guitarists. Be it for subtle modulations with clean sounds or dive bombs with fat distortio…
The Top Electric Guitar Tuners - The Best Electric Guitar Tuners
LearningIs there anything more annoying than a guitar that won't stay in tune? Most guitar lovers will say no. While there are several factors to consider, the quality of the tuning machines plays a crucial …
The Role of Cadence and Characteristic Notes in Modulat… - Harmony Basics - Part 18
LearningIt's not uncommon for a composer/songwriter to feel the need to leave the original key of the song he's writing and go explore some other ones. There are many reasons for that: to change the mood (i.…
Getting acquainted with harmonic distortion - A guide to mixing music - Part 94
LearningThis week we'll continue exploring harmonic distortion.
Let's Get Small - Mini-effects pedals make configuring your pedalboard a whole new ballgame
LearningOne of the great things about pedalboards is that they give you the freedom to choose the effects you want for your rig. There is one caveat: Your pedalboard is a finite size, and you can only add ef…
De-Clutter Your Rhythm Guitars - Coordinate your rhythm guitar parts to avoid a chaotic-sounding mess
LearningWhenever you have more than one guitarist playing chords in a song, you risk a cluttered and muddy sounding result if the parts they’re playing are not coordinated in advance. That said, there are pr…
Electrostatic Loudspeakers - The Operating Principles of Loudspeakers - Part 6
LearningAfter our previous discussion of electrodynamic speakers, we'll now move on to describing different categories of speaker transducers, starting with the equivalent of the condenser mic in the speaker…
Using Distortion During Mixdown - A guide to mixing music - Part 93
LearningThis time around, we'll focus on distortion.
The Right Place for Your Home Studio - Setting Up Your Home Studio - Part 2
LearningFrom the corner of a bedroom to the living room or a garage, the home studio always ends up adapting to the elements. As usual, it all boils down to your own needs, means and possibilities.
