Recording & Production Features
How To: Write a song with structure
It's OK to break the rules of songwriting, but know the structure of a song first so that you can break the rules intelligently. Learn how to write a song in this free music video. Structure is important in every aspect in life, so why not your song?
How To: Add drum and percusion to hip hop beats using Reason
Check out this video from Berkleemusic.com and watch as Berklee professor Mike Hamilton illustrates how to add additional drum and percussion parts to a hip-hop beat using Reason software.
How To: Create a wobble / fidget effect in Reason
Musicians who want to take their music to the next level, will want to learn how to create an interesting wobble/fidget effect for the bass. The video takes us through the steps of using Malstrom software to create a wobble/fidget effect that is commonly heard in fidget house music. In order to create this effect, you must have already created a dirty electro bass synth. Once this effect is created, it can be added or combined with just about any other effect at varying frequencies for intere...
News: If Shaq Can Conduct an Orchestra, You Can, Too
Doesn't look too hard, right? Step 1: Perfect your basketball skills. Step 2: Reach Shaq fame so the Boston Pops will request you as guest conductor. Step 3: Just a brief primer in conducting and you're ready to go.
How To: Use hyperscribe in FInale 2007
In this episode we will hear from music transcriptionist Rachelle Randeen (www.MusicTranscription.com) on using the tap mode within hyperscribe. We will also hear from Emmy nominated composer and session guitarist Bobby Hartry on the Seek-Wah pedal by ZVEX.
How To: Record a drum set
Check out this instructional recording video that demonstrates a few basic steps you need to know to record a drum set. You will learn microphone placement and the 3 to 1 rule. Record better sound quality and learn how to properly record a drum set by following the tips outlined in this tutorial video.
How To: Chop up orchestral loops in FL Studio
This how to video describes how to use Fruity Loops to chop up orchestral loops and integrate them into your project. First you take a sample and adjust the knobs on the Fruity Loops interface to achieve the desired result. This video is great for anyone who is learning Fruity Loops Studio or simply learning how to create songs from smaller orchestral samples. The video itself lasts about ten minuets and will help you achieve the musical prowess you desire.
How To: Bring vocals into Reason with no timing problems
Josh shows how to correctly add vocals into Reason software without timing or drift audio issues. The purpose of learning how to do this is to be able to add additional creative flair to a song, which Josh shows in a separate tutorial. To learn how to do this, you can begin in GarageBand or any other digital audio software program. To successfully do this, make sure you begin and end on a measure and export on a one into Reason. This ensures a seamless addition. In the next step outlined in t...
How To: Mic and record a live drum kit in stereo
Capturing a live drum kit is arguably the most challenging aspect of recording a band. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one, which presents a detailed, easy-to-follow overview of the recording process. This series addresses microphone choice, placement, overheads snare and toms.
How To: Enter keyboard notes in the Pizzicato music software
Learn the art of notation in Pizzicato. Pizzicato has three different levels of music software: Light, Pro and Beginner. And with this video tutorial you can learn about entering notes with a MIDI keyboard. You just have to have a MIDI keyboard and the right hardware to connect it to your computer, then learn about all the shortcuts and tools to get your music on the page quickly.
How To: Master tunes in Reason 4.0
Learn how to master tunes using Reason 4.0 software to get a more effective sound. The first step is to make sure the outputs are not in the red. If they are in the red, that means the sound is not that good, and you don't want to work with a bad mix. The next step is to add a McClass mastering suite to your mixer. As per the guide in this video, everything should be below 100 to 175 Hz mono. However, this is a personal preference and you should do what you feel is best for the sound of the m...
How To: Learn EQ essentials in Pro Tools
Balance the frequencies in your mix using the EQ plug-ins in Pro Tools and get your recordings sounding top notch.
How To: Set up a home recording studio
Setting up a home recording studio is daunting, but these tips on software, costs, and equipment are great; learn to build and manage your home recording studio in this free video on recording music. Set up a home recording studio - Part 1 of 15.
How To: Record streaming audio as MP3 with Replay Music
Replay Music makes it possible to record audio from the web. No longer do you have to listen to streaming audio on the web and have to go back online to revisit your favorite moments. Replay Music enables you to download any audio streaming on the web straight to your computer so you can listen to it whenever you want.
How To: Build a home recording studio
In order to build your very own home studio, you'll need the following: a microphone, drafting tools, paper, contractors, the Internet, and recording equipment.
How To: Organize your drum tracks in Pro Tools
Stay organized and get a rockin' drum mix by controlling and editing your drum tracks using the Track Groups feature in Pro Tools.
How To: Make the beat to the Nicki Minaj song "Your Love"
If you're interested in writing pop songs these days, you pretty much have to know how to create a sick beat on your computer. What better way to practice than replicating the beat of a popular song and learning it's tricks? This video will teach you how to make the beat to the Nicki Minaj hit single "Your Love" using Sony ACID. Watch and learn!
How To: Straighten bent tube pins
Use care replacing your pre-amp tubes. If you bend a pin, carefully straighten
How To: Beef up your bass sounds in Reason 4.0
If the bass sounds in a song need to be amplified, learn how to beef up the bass using Reason 4.0 with this video tutorial. Nick from PrimeLoops shows how this process can be done first by creating a copy of the bass patch that can be altered with a filter and reverb. This new sound can then be mixed back into the original bass sound. Nick shows step by step what to do in Reason 4.0 to create the desired effect.
How To: Use clip playback in Ableton
In Ableton, you can set follow actions to tell clips to do something on a timed basis. The time can be immediate or random, but it is automated. This is more efficient than doing the follow actions manually. Go to clip view, type "L". This launches the settings which gives the space of time in which the follow action happens. You can set more than one follow action. You can determine when and how often the action will take place. You can determine when the clips occur automatically. The clips...
How To: Use plug-ins in Logic Pro for mixing
Create your own mix with the music software program used by Dr. Dre and Kanye West! Learn how to use Logic Pro 8 plug-ins to make music in this free music production tool from a professional audio engineer.
How To: Set up a home recording studio
Jesus Cardoso shows us how to set up a home recording studio in this series of videos. Part 1 of 27 - How to Set up a home recording studio.
How To: Use advanced techniques on a Moog analog synthesizer
The Moog is the original and arguably still the king of the analog synthesizers. It looks like an old phone switchboard, and can create a dizzying variety of unique, warm sounds. This video will show you some advanced features of the Moog, including how to use the sequencer to add filters to your tones.
How To: Make beats in Adobe Director
This six-part video tutorial, goes over how to make beats in Adobe Director. The six different videos go over the following:
How To: Use clip envelope modulation in Ableton
In this tutorial, we learn how to use clip envelope modulation in Ableton. This allows you to change parameters over time. You can access this by selecting your audio clip, then hitting the "E" button in the lower left hand corner. Now, you will see the envelope section where you will be presented with drop down menus. These will allow you to choose parameters and modify the tuning or position. This is an easy way to do extreme tuning changes in your audio. Continue to play around with the cl...
How To: Write a hit song
According to hit recording artist Zosia, writing a song is much like telling a small story. The first verse of a song should draw your listeners into the story. Next you'll want to build into a unique and catchy chorus, which will relate your main message. The second verse reveals more of your story and flows into the bridge. In your third verse, you'll want to bring the story to a resolve and summarize the feeling and tone, while leaving a lasting impression on listeners.
How To: Make basic, simple sounds with the Moog analog synthesizer
The Moog synthesizer is the most intimidating instrument ever made from a playing standpoint. Sitting down at one, it is possible that without prior knowledge you would be unable to make any sort of sound with one. Fortunately, this video for analog synth beginners will show you how the basics of making sounds using a Moog. Many of these techniques work on other old analog synths as well.
How To: Get your music heard by a producer w/ Irv Gotti
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to get their music heard. To get their music heard, users should create a mix tape of their best songs. They need to have connections with a music producer or have friends that have connections with a music producer. This will allow the friend to introduce you to the music producer. Users also need to put out their records on their own in public places such as clubs or parties to allow any nearby music producers to listen. This video will benefit thos...
How To: Use & understand compression when digital recording
This tutorial video will show you what the purpose of compression is and how compression works through its parameters. Your instructor illustrates a drum beat and a plucked guitar line. Beginning with how to compress the drum beat, take (download) a drum sound pack without compression and to add compression using the software right click on the drum machine, choose create, and then choose combo on compressor. The virtual compressor has all the dials and adjusters found on any basic compressor...
How To: make a metronome with a candle
Umm. The metronome was invented by Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel in Amsterdam in 1812. So by my calculations Wolfgang Amadeus missed the boat by exactly 21 years.
How To: Set up the Voltz effect pedal power supply
This video offers a quick way to set up your Voltz effect pedal board in one minute.
How To: Write a song
Have you ever heard a song on the radio and thought, "I'd really like to write my own song?" Well, you can. Learn how to write a song from a professional artist in this free music video series.
How To: Convert Digital Performer tracks into MP3s
Check out this video from Berkleemusic.com and learn how to export audio files in Digital Performer and expose your music to the world in today's most accessible format, the mp3.
How To: Use loops in Garageband
PrimeLoops teaches you how to use loops on Garageband. There are 2 different types of loops - regular and Apple. The last come in .aiff proprietary file format and the information contained has more information than a regular .wav file. To access them click on the small eye symbol in the lower part of the program window. You can switch to music, podcast and all loops. You also have a Favorites tab and you will see the loops that you mark as a favorite. You can also search for all loops in the...
How To: Add a guitar track in MOTU Digital Performer 5.1
n this episode Academy and Grammy Award winning engineer Les Brockmann will share a little from his upcoming HowAudio.com title on MOTU Digital Performer 5.1. Here Les is talking about the audio set-up.
How to Use Logic Pro: Screensets
In this tutorial, we learn how to use Logic Pro: Screensets. First, open up the score editor in a separate window to do your editing. Then, open up your arrange menu and edit the piano part of the music. This is a good approach because the windows can both be large, but it can get cluttered quickly. Screen sets allow you to set up windows and save them as a screen set at the top of your screen in the software. When you do this, it will stay locked so those windows always stay the same. Set th...
How To: Write a bio for your band's website and promo materials
Band bios have a cherished place in the world of band promotional material. A killer one can do wonders for cultivating your image among your fans and potential employers. This video will give you tips for writing a killer band biography that will get you noticed.
How To: Create a "sweep" in Reason 4.0
Reason 4.0 enables you to make all kinds of edits and create effects for the audio you record and edit with the program. One of these effects is to create a "sweep" in your track. You can achieve this effect by using a noise oscillator. There are many options for noise oscillators. The one used in this example is the low bypass filter version, which produces the richest noise available. This video will show you how to add a "sweep" effect in Reason 4.0 by using a noise oscillator.
How To: Use GarageBand
This is a great video series that addresses all the wonderful possibilities that you can do with GarageBand. Our expert, David Jackel, walks you through everything step by step and shows you just how easy it is to start a new session and either use the built in loops that come with GarageBand or how to record your own instruments live. He shows you how to edit the loops and the real audio from your instrument and also how to add video to the audio you have created. GarageBand is the perfect t...
How To: Improve sound quality on a L1 Classic Model 1 Bose Mic
Ken Jacob from the Live Music Technology Group at Bose will show you how to improve sound quality on a L1 Classic Model 1 Bose Mic. If you've got one of these L1 Classic Model 1 microphone, and you're confused on how to get the best sound quality, then this video tutorial will get you on your way. Improve sound quality on a L1 Classic Model 1 Bose Mic.