Audio Geek Zine

Checking drum tracks for phase issues

When working with a multi-miked drumkit recording you need to be aware of phase issues and how to correct them.

Recognizing the phase issues will take some practice but if you go step by step you should have no problems.

Before doing any processing or even setting levels, go through one mic at a time and check the polarity.
What you’re listening for is improved punch and low end.

• Starting with the overhead mics check, that those 2 mics are in phase. It’s rare but not unheard of.
• Next add the snare top mic. Bring up the volume and then try inverting the polarity, listen if the low frequencies change, decide which way it sounds best, with the most low end or punch and continue to the next mic.
• If you have a mic on the bottom of the snare pointing up it’s very likely it will need the opposite of the snare top mic.
• Add the kick mic, toms, room mics and close miked cymbals.
• Then you can move on to panning, balance and processing.

Here is an example of the kit before and after checking the polarity of each mic using this process.

Drums Example 1
Drums Example 2

In this case one of the kick drum mics and the snare top needed to be flipped.

There is no preset for this, every time you record or mix drums you’ll need to check this and compensate. You’re going to have to use your ears!

If you layer and blend samples you should check they’re all working together in phase as well.

Changing the timing of individual mics like you might do with multi-miked guitar amps is not something that I mess with when it comes to drums. It’s not something that you should need to do.

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Synthesizer Basics – Lesson 3

Synthesizer Basics 3

Lesson 1 went over the common components of a synthesizer, explained the functions of the Oscillators, and the mixer sections. Lesson 2 looked at the Envelope and filter sections of the synth. This time we’ll get into using the LFO and arpeggiator sections and polyphony options.

LFO

LFO stands for Low Frequency Oscillator. This oscillator typically functions in the 0 to 20Hz range, but this oscillator isn’t a tone generator but actually a control voltage to modulate the other parts of the synth.
There are just three basic controls for the LFO section
⁃    Rate (or speed)
⁃    Waveshape
⁃    Depth
Rate sets how many cycles per second the LFO operates at.
The Waveshape sets how it behaves. The waveshape options will be the same as in the tone generating Oscillators
Depth sets how much effect the LFO will have on the functions it’s assigned to
Often you’ll find the depth controls are on each of the other functions, like the Oscillators, and filter. In this case its very likely that the knob will be labeled LFO and pointing straight up is off. Turning the knob to the left or right will cycle that function down and up, or up and down.
Other synths will just have a single depth knob and some way to assign the LFO to just one parameter.
Enough talking about what it does, let’s here what it can do.
In this example there will be a tone with no LFO, then -50% modulation for oscillator 1, then 50% for the filter with a triangle waveshape.

LFO EXAMPLE

That’s a bit extreme but used more lightly you can add a nice movement to your patches.

Arpeggiator

An arpeggiator is a built-in sequencer for the synth. When you play note or chord it will play each note sequentially. Not all synths will have an arpeggiator.
An arpeggiator has three main controls
⁃    Pattern
⁃    Rate
⁃    Gate
The pattern control chooses how the sequence will be played. Upward, downward, and random are common but you’ll usually have several variations.
Rate is the speed the sequence is played back at. In a virtual synth you can lock it to the project tempo and choose something like 16th notes.
The gate control can shorten the length of each note independent of the release in the amplifier section.
Here is a simple C-Major chord going through the arpeggiator. First set to 1/4 notes, then 8th notes, then I’ll change the pattern from Upward to downward, then I’ll shorten the notes with the gate.

ARPEGGIATOR EXAMPLE

Polyphony

Many synths will have options to control the polyphony or how many notes can be played at once. Some synths are monophonic and can only play one note at a time. Other synths allow you to choose from one to hundreds of voices. The MiniMoog was monophonic and remains one of the greatest and most imitated synthesizers. It’s amazing what you can do with one note at a time.

Portamento

With monophonic synthesizers you can use the portamento function to quickly (or slowly) bend up or down in pitch to the next note without re-triggering the envelope.

Here is an example of that in action:

PORTAMENTO EXAMPLE

That’s it for part 3. We covered the LFO, Arpeggiator, Polyphony and Portamento. Start digging into these functions and try them out.
Have fun!

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New Pro Tools Tutorial Site – Pro Tools Guides

Recently Kevin from Anemic Studios launched ProToolsGuides.com.

Looks like it’s off to a great start.

Check it out – http://protoolsguides.com

Posted in Pro Tools, tutorial | 1 Comment »

Synthesizer Basics – Lesson 2

Synthesizer Basics – Lesson 2

Lesson 1 went over the common components of a synthesizer, explained the functions of the Oscillators, and the mixer sections.
Now let’s have a look at the Envelope and Filter sections.

Envelopes
The envelope section allows you to modify the shape of the waveform when a note is played. Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release are the controls you’ll find.
Sometimes there are more than one set of envelope controls. There is usually a dedicated envelope for the amplifier, and then the other can be assigned to filter or something else.

• Attack adjusts the start of the waveform, this will allow you to fade the sound in over time. Think of this as a way to control the volume of the tone from zero to full over a short period of time. From instantly on, to a very slow ramp up in level depending on how this control is set.
• Decay is a time control to set how long before the sustain level is reached.
• Sustain is the level the sound will be while the note is held.
• Release is the opposite of attack. When a key is released the sound fades out over a period of time set by this control.

Here is an example of a tone using a fast attack, fast decay, medium sustain and fast release.
ENVELOPE EXAMPLE 1
Now lets slow the attack way down, set medium decay, low sustain and slow release.
ENVELOPE EXAMPLE 2
Hopefully you can hear each of the controls at work in those examples.

Filter
The filter is a powerful part of the synth, with just two main controls, this can really shape the sound quickly. The filter section is where you will find the most variation. The design and functions and resulting sound will be different from one synth to another in both hardware and software.
The two main controls for a filter to pay attention to are Frequency or cutoff and Resonance. Some synths will let you choose what type of filter, Hipass, low-pass or bandpass.

• A Hi-Pass filter removes all frequencies below the cutoff frequency. (removes Low frequencies)
• A Low-Pass filter removes all frequencies above the cutoff frequency. (removes High frequencies)
• A Bandpass filter removes everything above and below a range around the cutoff frequency.
• The frequency or cutoff control you see in the filter section determines the range which the filter operates in.
• The resonance control will take that cutoff frequency and amplify it making the sound more aggressive.
• Often there is a control to set the steepness or curve of the filter, usually this is 12dB or 24dB.

Here’s an example of the filter in use. First the unfiltered sound, then the filter will sweep down to 10%, then the resonance will be brought up to 70% and swept back up. Then the curve will be changed from 12dB to 24dB.
FILTER EXAMPLE 1

Next I’ll use the second envelope in this synth and use it to control the filter automatically.
FILTER EXAMPLE 2

There’s another way to control the filter, using the LFO, but I’ll leave that for another lesson.

At this point you should be able to make some interesting sounds. If you know how to assign controls to knobs on your MIDI controller keyboard, start assigning some of the parameters you’ll need most often. Attack, Release, filter cutoff and Resonance. These are some of the controls you’ll usually reach for first when tweaking a synth, better to reach for a knob than the mouse.

Part 3 will be about the LFO section and some of the other fun things.

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Reaper Explained by Kenny Gioia

Last week Groove3 released the new tutorial video Reaper Explained. This is the first ever full length (4.5hrs) training video for the DAW software Reaper.

DON’T FEAR THE REAPER!

Reaper is fast becoming a truly powerful and efficient DAW, are you up to speed on it? The amazing Kenny Gioia breaks it all down for you in this awesome, in-depth series of video tutorials focusing on Cockos Reaper.

You’ll learn about project creation, templates, routing, editing, using plug-ins, automation, rendering and exporting, MIDI, markers and regions and so much more. After viewing this collection, you’ll be able to work and navigate Reaper like a seasoned pro. More and more people are switching to Reaper everyday, don’t get left behind, and don’t fear the Reaper!

Product Hightlights

• 26 Tutorials / Over 4 Hours Total Runtime
• For all beginner to intermediate Cockos Reaper users
• Tutorials written by multi-platinum selling producer Kenny Gioia
• Simple to use video control interface for Mac & PC

I went through the tutorial over the weekend and I was thoroughly impressed by just how much is covered in a short time. I have been using Reaper fairly heavily (almost daily) for a few months now but never had any formal training. Reaper was a hard DAW to learn. This video really helped solidify my understanding of how various functions work in Reaper as well as teaching me a ton of stuff I hadn’t even seen yet (like the routing and grouping matrix). The section on Toolbar customization alone will improve my workflow immensely.

I don’t usually give ratings to products (maybe I should?) but I can’t stress enough how great this video is.

Rating: 9/10 Groove3 sets the bar high for quality tutorial videos and this one exceeded my expectations. This video is essential training for every Reaper user.

Groove3 Reaper Explained

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