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Recording & Production Features

iOS 18 Tips, Tricks, How-Tos, News

How To: Use the sends & returns in Ableton

Nick from Primeloops shows how to most effectively use the effect sends in Ableton Live. He explains how most people use the effect send, and why that may not be the best way to go. He covers the basics of dry audio and wet audio and how to manage them for optimum effect. If you watch this short video, you can learn the basics of sends and returns and find out how to apply effect settings to multiple tracks which is of great benefit if you want to save time and cpu power.

How To: Pan your drums in Ableton

In this video, we learn how to pan your drums in Ableton. First, load an impulse and lay out your drum pattern. Play it back to see how it sounds. Then, pay attention to panning the individual elements of your drum track. When you click on the bottom, you will be able to see where the panning is. Pan in a way so the sounds on the track play off of each other. They should be panned opposite of each other so when you play it back you will be able to hear how the track plays much more smoothly. ...

How To: Route FX using StudioLive

In this video, we learn how about routing FX using the StudioLive with Brandon Hays. To recall an effect, select the effect button and then page down to gt the list of effects for A and B. Once it's been selected, hit the recall button and then find the mono delay for the vocalist in B. Now, send the channels to these effects and add a snare drum to channel two. Then, add send different levels of drums to channels six and seven. You have sixteen channels to assign different effects to. As soo...

How To: Record guitar

Want to record guitar? Learn from the professionals at PreSonus while host Bill Gibson shares his techniques for recording guitar with this instructional recording video. Discover the typical mic choice for recording an acoustic guitar and how to mic the speaker with this recording tutorial video. Record professional sounding audio quality of your music for your guitar by learning the various types of microphones to use.

How To: Use the effects in Garageband

Learn to use Garage band like a pro in less than ten minutes with this step by step guide to the program. Create the exact sound effects and beats you've been looking for, right from the comfort of your own home without any expensive classes or equipment. Add echoes, stop sounds for a more dramatic effect or bring out hidden sounds to the forefront. Anyone can create unique music with this tutorial guide, so get ready to get up and dance to your own dance beats!

How To: Create atmospherics using the arpeggiator in Ableton

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to create atmospherics using the Arpeggiator in Ableton Live. In this tutorial viewers are shown how to create useful arpeggiated effects using the Arpeggiator in Ableton Live. Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW. The Atmospheric effect gives a deep, low fade out that can be used for breakdowns or a harmonic background in music tracks. This video will benefit those viewers who produce music and would like to learn new music e...

How To: Use a sidechain gate on synths & drums in Ableton

In this video, we learn how to use a sidechain gate on synths & drums in Ableton. First, drag a gate device onto your synth track. This will turn down the volume of the synthesizer device very quickly. Once you do this, you will have a sidechain view, turn it on by clicking the green button. Then, bring the attack down to 0 ms and bring your hold down to 3.9 ms. When this plays, you will hear an electronica type of beat. This is a simple way to make your synth lines more exciting. Save this w...

How To: Build a home recording studio

In this series of video clips you’ll learn how to build a music recording studio in your own home. Expert musician and studio engineer Arie Pytel shares tips on the various types of microphones, monitors, headphones, and computer recording software that are available. He takes you step-by-step through the process of connecting the mics, MIDI components and other devices you’ll need to start recording your own music. By following the simple steps in these free videos you can build a home recor...

How To: Record the acoustic guitar in mono with one mic

This instructional recording video will show you how to record the acoustic guitar in mono, using 2 different microphones in 2 different positions. It also shows you a few simple steps on how to make a stereo signal from a mono recording. Record better sound quality and learn how to record the acoustic guitar with one microphone by watching this tutorial video.

How To: Create your own podcast and publish it

Podcasting is a great way of doing your own form of radio broadcasting, among other forms of other recorded media from the comfort of your own home! But, you don't need to have an iPod to do it or listen to it (a common myth). In this video you will learn what a podcast is, how to create one, publish it and then get subscribers!

How To: Cut monitor feedback with StudioLive 16.4.2

In this video, Rick show us how to cut monitor feedback with StudioLive 16.4.2. First, assign your microphone to ox 1. Then turn it up and go to the master output of Ox 1 and turn it up until you hear feedback happening. Then, hit the select button on Ox 1 and you can change the compression for any channel. Take out low rumble by putting the low band on and putting it in shelf mode. This will create a high pass filter. Take out frequencies below 130 hertz and then go back to ox 1 master and t...

How To: Make and use a pop filter to record audio

Check out this instructional podcast video that demonstrates how to use the pop filter or pop shield to record audio. A pop filter helps control your voice while recording it. It's a little device that goes between you and the microphone to eliminate the air in your voice so your voice is recorded accurately. This tutorial contains step by step video instructions that will help you make a pop filter. Record better sound quality by learning how to make a pop filter.

How To: Use the Mastering Suite in Studio One

Two books were presented as suggested reading. One was by Bob Katz: Mastering audio; art and science. The other was Bob Alginski: the Audio Mastering handbook. Mastering takes a collection of songs and makes them sound like they belong together by making certain technical changes. The project page in Studio One is where the mastering is done. Drag in your sound content that you will be working with. Make sure you have the most recently updated version. If you are using multiple tracks, you mu...

How To: Mix with the step sequencer in Ableton Live 8

This video is an informative packed tutorial in the new Ableton 8 sound mixing software and shows a new work flow improvement upgrade from earlier versions of the program. It shows you how to use the new sequencing feature within the "piano view" instead of the traditional xox sequencing from earlier Ableton programs. This tutorial also shows you how to add notes easily in the sequencer in the "piano view" with a few clicks of the mouse. It also shows you shortcuts within the sequencing feature.

How To: Build a vocal booth on a budget

To build a quality vocal booth in your home you'll need to first clean out your closet. Take everything out of the closet including the pole. Wash the walls, sweep and mop the floor making sure everything is clean. Then go out and buy some foam. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on studio foam it would probably be better for you to go to Wall-mart and buy some foam that will be much more affordable. Cut the foam according to the measurements. Do not put it up with duct tape but with sm...

How To: Program Roland TB-303 or TR-909 synthesizers

The Roland TB-303 and TR-909 synths are two of the four most important pieces of gear in the history of electronic music, but every year they get older, more cranky, and further away from our contemporary ideas of what an interface should look like. They can be really hard to figure out how to use, but fortunately for you this video will teach you how to program both instruments and start creating the phat tracks these devices were made to create.

How To: Program a TB-303 synthesizer

The TB-303 is nothing short of legendary on the electronic music scene. It is possible there would be no such thing as house music without it. They are rare and extremely complicated, so if you're lucky enough to have one you should pursue whatever help you can get on playing it properly. Enter this video, which will teach you how to quickly and easily program your 303 and get on your way to making phat old-skool tracks.

How To: Mic a guitar

Check out this instructional recording video that shows you how to mic a guitar. This installment focuses on guitar recording techniques, covering the basics of acoustic and electric guitar recording and some of the options you as an engineer have after the recording is done. Any recording has to start by getting it right at the source. When recording guitar, new strings are a must. Having the instrument set up properly so that it plays well in tune is also important. Once the guitar plays an...