Producer/engineer Jesse Cannon on mixing, mastering, an… - Engineering in the Trenches
LearningAn interview with producer/engineer Jesse Cannon (Animal Collective, The Cure, The Misfits, Man Overboard) where he discusses mixing, mastering and his upcoming free online seminar.
Best Large-Diaphragm Condenser Mics from $150 to $300 (… - The top large-diaphragm condenser microphones between $150 and $300 (€100 and €200)
LearningAn indispensable tool in any studio, condenser mics allows us to record vocals as well acoustic instruments. Today, many brands offer large-diaphragm FET condenser mics for home studios on moderate b…
The Best Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics Under $150/€100 - The Top Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphones Under $150/€100
LearningAn indispensable tool in any studio, condenser mics allows us to record vocals as well acoustic instruments. Today, many brands offer large-diaphragm FET condenser mics for home studios on limited bu…
Levels in The Digital World - Understanding the Different Level Standards for Recording Music
LearningdB VU, dB FS, Peak, RMS… The misunderstanding of these concepts is at the core of many of the issues affecting most home studio owners. It's about time we shed some light on the matter.
The Home Studio Owner Library - The Best Books on Audio Engineering
LearningYou don't know which book to take with you to for the morning commute? Here are some inspiring reads regarding audio...
How to Prepare a Mixing Session - Organizing Before Mixing Audio
LearningThe art of mixing requires technical competency as well as a good dose of creativity. However, often times such characteristics don't get along well inside our brain...
Going Further with Vocal Warm Up - Consistency and Range Transition in Vocals
LearningIt's time to retake our vocal warm-up process, which we started with 10 minutes of thoracic diaphragm and vocal folds relaxation. Our purpose this time is to go one step further and deal with one of …
Taming a New Studio - How to Control a Monitoring System
LearningRegardless of whether you're mixing in a studio you don't know, just bought a new monitoring system or moved into a new flat, it's crucial for you to get used to your listening environment before sta…
The 10-minute Vocal Warm-Up - A Quick Vocal Warmup
LearningTo get the best possible vocal performance (and to avoid breaking your voice during the first song), singers should warm up, just like sportsmen do. Many different schools offer different techniques …
Reverb Parameters - How to Set a Reverb Processor
LearningUnless you're living in a tent in the middle of the desert, you are exposed to numerous natural reverberations every day. Our ears perceive reverberations that our brain interprets automatically to i…
Sidechain - How Does a Sidechain Work?
LearningBack in the analog area, audio effects with a sidechain circuit were rare and usually among the most expensive. So sidechain was used only in big productions to fine tune the processing of certain re…
The Real Blind-Test - Everything About the ABX Test
LearningWhen you want to compare two audio samples, it's often hard to tell if you are actually hearing a difference or if your ears and your brain are cheating you. In fact, hearing is a somewhat unreliable…
Insert Effects and Aux Effects - What is the difference between insert and aux effects?
LearningTo avoid connection errors, it's important to distinguish between insert and aux effects. Their operation is different, so their integration in the audio path is different too. That's why it's import…
Getting Ready for a Recording Session When You Are a Dr… - How does a drummer get ready for a recording session?
LearningThe best sound engineers on earth can testify that it is quite a challenge to get the Bonham or Chad Smith sound! However, that is no reason to be depressed. Even without a big production, there are …
How to Set an EQ - Understanding EQ Parameters
LearningAn EQ changes the level of frequencies in an audio signal. It allows you to define one or more frequency bands to amplify or attenuate them. In order to achieve this, the EQ uses different filters.
What is Reamping? - Reamping: How Does It Work?
LearningIf you're a guitar player and have started to think about recording your instrument, you may have heard about reamping. But what is that exactly?
Parameters of a Compressor - How to Set Up a Compressor
LearningA compressor basically serves to reduce signal dynamics, that is to say the difference between loud and quiet signal parts.
Which speakers should you buy? - How to choose studio monitors
LearningThe time has come to buy a pair of monitors for your home studio, but you don't know which ones you should choose? Do's and don'ts.
Comparing Monitor Speakers - How to listen to monitor speakers and compare them
LearningSo, you have made a first selection of several speaker models, you have found a shop (or a friend) who has them and now you only have to listen to them... But what should you listen to?
Setting Up Studio Monitors - Tips on How to Set Up Studio Monitors
LearningSo, your studio monitors are in place, now you just have to connect and adjust them. Here are some tips to help you out.
How to position studio monitors - Tips to get the best studio monitor placement
LearningHere are a few recommendations for optimizing the placement (and therefore, the sound) of your home studio monitors.
Top 8 reference dynamic microphones - The best dynamic microphones
LearningHere is a selection of 8 dynamic mics for recording drums, guitars, voice and any other instrument.
A Survey of Kick Drum Microphones - The Mighty Kick Drum Microphone: Part 2
LearningOur survey of kick drum microphones through the years continues....
A Love Affair With Channel One - The Mighty Kick Drum Microphone: Part 1
LearningThough there are other conventions, it is generally agreed that the kick drum goes into the first channel of the console, and for time immemorial, inordinate efforts have gone into tediously adjustin…
How to Acoustically Treat Your Home Studio - Acoustic Treatment for Small Studios
LearningWhether you’re a self-recording hobbyist or a professional mixing engineer, studio work is about making decisions. If the room you’re making decisions in isn’t a reliable listening environment, then …
