Home Studio Tips

For those of you who don't have 55 gigs to spare using BFD2, Fxpansion is creating a product called BFD ECO. BFD ECO is a streamlined version of BFD2! Weighing in at around 4 Gig, so it is great for using on a laptop. BFD ECO comes out in about a month.

An easy but powerful software instrument for acoustic drums. BFD Eco is a streamlined, fun and affordable software instrument for acoustic drums, based on the award-winning BFD2 engine. Optimized for flexibility and power while being incredibly easy to use, BFD Eco is provided with an extensive built-in library of drum sounds and patterns, and is also compatible with the wide range of FXpansion and 3rd-party add-on expansions.

Check it out at http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?page=103

A look at FXpansion's DCAM Synth Squad analog modeling software synthesizers.

Editors Keys now offers recording equipment in addition to their cool editors keys. They were nice enough to send me a Dual Layer Pop Filter. I was using a single layer pop filter before, and I still had some issues with some of my "P"s. Maybe it's my big lips?

Anyway, the new dual layer pop filter is awesome, way better than the single layer. I no longer get any annoying pops, it seems to catch everything so far.

The dual layer pop filter runs for around $30 and features:

• Two layers of high quality nylon filters
• Fits all mic stands
• Easy assembly
• Removable head
• Fully adjustable arm
• 100% greater efficiency compared to standard pop filters

Editors Keys surveyed producers and found:

"From a survery of 200 audio producers, 187 agreed that a dual layer pop filter is the most effective way of improving audio recordings and preventing pops and hisses."

I would recommend the dual layer pop filter, it's your second line of defense against unwanted pops and ssssss. Check it out.

REAPER is a powerful Windows application for multi-track recording and editing of audio.

Quick video showing you guys how to open Superior Drummer 2.0 & route every drum to a separate channel. I also show you how to audition grooves in EZPlayer Pro & create a template of your kit for faster setup.

The New ORIGIN Processor Engine By Rain Becomes The High Performance, High Reliability Brain Of The New Waves SoundGrid System For Live Sound And Mixing

Rain Computers announced the unveiling of ORIGIN Processor Engine at Musikmesse in Frankfurt, Germany. Designed in collaboration with Waves, ORIGIN is engineered to provide high performance processing and mission-critical reliability for the Waves SoundGrid System. Waves has introduced a network-enabled audio processing system called SoundGrid, set to transform live sound and mixing for pro audio. SoundGrid uses audio processing over Ethernet to combine the power of multiple processor cores and provide low-latency, real-time audio processing.

To ensure the highest quality, performance and reliability, Waves tapped Rain to create a rack-mounted processor engine. Working in collaboration with Waves technicians, Rain designed a quad-core processing engine able to provide enough power for multiple low latency plug-in instances, plus balanced component architecture to prevent the data bottlenecks that lead to dropouts and glitches. Professional sound engineers can also combine ORIGIN with Rain's award-winning LiveBook Mobile Audio Workstation running Waves MultiRack software for a tightly integrated solution they can rely on in any situation.

"We're proud to work with Waves on their SoundGrid project. With some of the most talented software engineers in the industry, it's an honor to collaborate with them to create a complete solution that will change live sound and mixing forever," said Rain Computers CEO Kevin Jacoby.  Read More »

Sorry I'm on a BFD2 kick. Here is a BFD2 tutorial showing how to map your edrum kit's variable hi-hat.

A tutorial that covers MIDI Mapping within BFD2.

A complete walkthough for mixing a drum kit inside BFD2. 

The FXpansion BFD 2.0 virtual drum library gives you a staggering 55GB of rare, vintage, boutique, and classic drum sounds that will punch up the quality of any recording. The BFD 2.0 sound library, which was recorded at London's legendary Air Lyndhurst studios, features each instrument captured in immaculate detail with multiple mic setups. Within the user interface, you have complete control over the mics like you would in a mixing situation. If you want to assemble your virtual dream kit, look no further than BFD 2.0!

This video is an in depth look at the BFD2 Kit Piece Inspector.This is part 1 of a 2 part series.Part 2 can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=314oJZptAB0&feature=related

The nice people at Fxpansion sent me a copy of BFD2 to review. After finally freeing up some space on my hard drive, I was able to give it the once over...and it was impressive!

Fxpansion BFD2 is an acoustic drum software that runs as a plug-in with your DAW. BFD2 provides full control over tuning, velocity, damping, ambience, response and more. With BFD2 you can configure the drums to sound like a custom drum kit.

BFD2 comes with a library of 55 gigs of sounds. Yep, you heard me right...55 gigs!! If you can't find a drum sound you like out of 55 gigs, you're in trouble. BFD2 also includes a mixing console which allows you to blend, route and submix channels as if each drum was mic'ed separately. There are also effects that you can add and adjust such as distortion, filters, flanger, compression, ring mod, delay as well as dynamics. There are also presets available to save you time.

There are plenty of high-quality instruments and sounds to choose from to create your perfect drum kit, from Zildjian and Sabian cymbals to Ludwig and Gretsch kicks and toms, Pearl and DW snares to an Oberheim DX Drum Machine and human group claps.  Read More »

Exculsive interview with Mike Patton in his home studio.

Ever wanted to see inside Serj Tankian's home studio? Now is your chance as he shows us where the magic happens!

Gucci Mane and Zaytoven are some of Dirty South Hip Hop's Biggest names!  So, we went to the streets of  Eastside ATL to channel their club bangin dirty south styles and the result is the  Thug State Eastside Loop Sets!  

• 20 Multitrack music loop sets with 313 individual loops total!
• Inspired by the hit tracks of Gucci Mane and Zaytoven.
• This massive collection is mapped out into verse and hook for each music loop set.
• Each music loop has an average of 15 parts.
• All parts are seperated including Bass, Guitar, Synth and Gated Synth,  Organ, FX, Vocal Chants, Drums and more!
• All tempos and key signatures are provided.
• All music loops from P5Audio are Royalty FREE!

Orion music tutorials for newbies - Making a song from scratch part 1. How to make music with the Orion Music Production Software. 

The Portable Vocal Booth Home Edition could be the answer to all poor home recording acoustic conditions and guarantees perfect home recordings every time.

Home recording is now more popular than ever, with people becoming incredibly creative and software now more affordable than it’s ever been.

The one thing that hasn’t changed is that most home recording artists suffer with the problem of very poor room acoustics.  Luckily the new Editors Keys Portable Vocal Booth Home Edition eliminates this problem once and for all!

The vocal booth easily attaches to any microphone stand and creates an acoustic shield around the vocalists microphone, preventing both external sound sources (such as air conditioning, traffic or computer noise) entering the microphone, as well as preventing the performed vocals bouncing off the walls, back into the microphone.

The Vocal Booth Home Edition is part of the new home recording equipment range from Editors Keys, a new cost effective version based on the successful Pro version, which comes with a built in stand.

“We talked to over 3000 recording artists and asked them what common problems they faced. Getting good quality vocals was the biggest problem, and was one of the main reasons otherwise great tracks, only sounded good at best.” said Mark Brown, company director of Editors Keys.com

The company gave away over one hundred units to professional and home recording artists all over the world to try out free of charge and 97% agreed that the vocal booth improved recordings greatly.

"The Editors Keys Portable Vocal Booth just blew me away with just how much of an improvement to the audio it provides, it did an incredibly good job at preventing audio reflection, providing dryer and cleaner audio narration than I have ever gotten before” – Steve Douglas – Reviewer and Award Winning Cameraman – kenstone.net  Read More »

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A basic overview of how to use KitCore to create an acoustic drum track.  

The second in a series of Reason music production training videos available in full at SonicAcademy.com. In this tutorial they show you how to create a bass line for your track.

P5Audio is proud to introduce it's newest Multitracked Drum Loops!  Bangin RnB Multitrack Drum Loops are P5Audio's answer to your RnB Drum needs.  This massive collection of drum loops ranges from the RnB club Banga to the Draw Droppin sultry ballad.    Whatever your RnB style, we have the drum tools you need for your music production.

• 50 Multitrack RnB Drum Loops with nearly 200 individual loops total.
• All Drum parts are separated including kick, snare, hat, percussion and drum fx.
• In the styles of Major RnB artists Trey Songz, Usher, Jason Derulo, Ne-yo, Maxwell, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Mary J Blige and more.
• These Royalty FREE music loops are avaliable in 16 Bit Acidized WAV, Apple Loop,  REX (Reason Refill), 24 bit WAV

Check it out at http://www.p5audio.com/bangin-rnb-multitrack-drum-loops-p-228.php

This video shows you how to use Antares Harmoney Engine with and without using Antares Autotune. The video sounds like it was created by an 11 year old little kid.

IK Multimedia has given me a copy of AmpliTube Fender to giveaway to one lucky Home Studio Tips member. This software is fully legal with serial number and everything, AmpliTube Fender normally sells for around $200.

All you have to do is meet the following criteria:  Read More »

Getting started using Reaper a very powerful DAW www.reaper.fm. Reaper is a fully featured multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing, and mastering environment. Reaper is reasonably priced, requires no dongle, has no copy protection, and can be evaluated with full functionality.

When you are recording in your studio do you take notes on what you are doing? If not, you should. It's a good idea to at least keep track of what songs you worked on, that way when it comes time to backup you know what has changed.

Also, if you are recording a track it's good to jot down what mic you used, placement, instrument, amp, eq and compression settings, etc. You don't want to be asking yourself two months from now "How did I get that killer guitar sound?" because you'll never be able to reproduce from memory. Sometimes, I'll even go so far as to take digital pictures of mic placement so I know exactly where they were placed.

Other things to keep track of would be what effects you added to tracks, raised level of X during mixing, bounced to X, who played on what track, anything and everything that you might think you may need later.

It may seem like overkill, but it is a good idea to keep notes when you are in the studio, you'll thank yourself later on.

Learn how to get the perfect take using the Loop Record mode in Pro Tools 8.

IK Multimedia was cool enough to send me a copy of AmpliTube 3 for a test run. I'm already a huge fan of their products, but was really blown away by AmpliTube 3. AmpliTube 3 contains over 160 modeled vintage and modern amps and allows you to tweak everything to your liking and create your own effect combinations.

Some of the new features in AmpliTube 3 include:  Read More »

This Fruity Loops tutorial shows you how to make a Hip Hop beat Timbaland style in FL Studio 9 using sounds and loops from P5audio.com.

P5Audio is Bringing in the Big Rock Guns with Big Studio Rock Live Multitrack Drum Loop Sets! Add live drums to your tracks with these seriously ROCKIN Drums. Tempos range from 75 to 200! All tracks recorded by Darren L. Elpant at Eggplant Studios among who's credits include Ne-yo.

This Series comes in Two Volumes and a Producers Pack. 

Big Studio Rock Live Multitrack Drum Loop Sets Vol.1 contains tempos 75 - 95.
Big Studio Rock Live Multitrack Drum Loop Sets Vol. 2 picks up the pace with tempos 95 - 200.
Big Studio Rock Live Multitrack Drum Loop Sets Producers Pack contains the entire contents of both Vol. 1 and 2.  Read More »

DCAM Synth Squad An Introduction to Cypher, part of FXpansion's DCAM Synth Squad. For more information visit www.fxpansion.com.

I've always thought that a good producer can use any software to make decent sounding recordings. I still think this is true, you don't need to spend $10,000 to make great recordings. I have the latest copy of Magix Music Maker 16 loaded on my pc, which lists for under $100 and proves my point. Geared more for novices, this software should be all you need to make great recordings.

It comes standard with some great help videos to help you get started. Magix Music Maker 16 includes thousands of sounds, realistic instruments, and great effects to create explosive drums, crunchy basses, and super melodies. MAGIX Music Maker 16 includes over 1,500 sounds and loops. Sounds and loops can be easily cut, edited, copied, and arranged into your own song.

Magix Music Maker 16 comes with awesome new sounds and effects. The guitar amplifier Vandal is the one of the coolest new features of the software. It also includes the option to play instruments on your pc keyboard, that way you don't have to buy a separate MIDI keyboard.

Magix Music Maker 16 features:

• Multitrack recorder
• Sounds and loops from all styles
• Professional sounding plug-in synthesizers
• Good selection of effects and plugins
• External plugins like synths or effects via directX
• Ability to draw effect curves on every track
• Powerful mastering suite with parametric eq and multiband compressor

Magix Music Maker seems more geared towards the novice than the exptert. So if you are just starting out in the world of digital recording, it is worth checking out. More experienced producers may want to look at more sophisticated products.  Read More »

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AmpliTube 3, The New King of Tone. More Gear, More Feel, More Power, More Tone. AmpliTube 3 gives you More. A massive upgrade of the leading guitar and bass tone gear-modeling software! AmpliTube 3 raises the industry standard for sound variety, realism and creative power - with over 160 precisely modeled pieces of vintage and modern gear available in one package - it is the ultimate tone gear collection for players, producers and engineers.

Just got my copy today. Can't wait to play with it. I will be posting a review shortly as well as a video demonstration. Stay tuned.

Appreciate any and all info. - Thanks 

I have a brand new copy of Magix Music Maker 16 that I'm giving away. Yep, you heard me right...giving away!! Fully legal, in the box, with serial number and everything.

All you have to do is meet the following criteria:

• You must be a member of Home Studio Tips
• You must have at least 100 Home Studio Tips points
• You have to agree to write a review of Magix Music Maker 16 on Home Studio Tips within a week after you have received it

That's it...first person to contact me that meets the above criteria, get's it.

Good luck!!

ps. to check your points, login to Home Studio Tips, Click on My Account at the top and scroll down to the bottom fo the page.

Earning points is easy. You get 10 points for a blog post, 5 points for a video, 5 points for a news link, 5 points for a comment, 5 points for an image, 5 points for an event, 5 points for a poll, and 10 points when you get someone else to join the site.

In this tutorial, a Guitar Rig 3 preset is built from scratch. It takes only a few basic components to emulate a legendary southern rock sound.  

Demo video of Native Instruments Battery 3.

A video introduction to the Arturia Minimoog V.

In the final part of a series of three films on computer-based audio recording, media composer Steve Fairclough talks about essential technology for the media professional. With Intel Core i7 processors in Scan Computer workstations, Steve takes a close look at external soundcards, hardware controllers, monitor speakers and data backup.

Film, TV and radio media composer Steve Fairclough presents part two of a series of three films about computer-based audio recording. Using Intel Core i7 processors and workstations from Scan Computers, Steve demonstrates how to optimise a PC by minimising latency, tweaking the OS and making older PCs productive. He also tackles the tricky question of sampling rates and recording bitrates.

Digital Audio Workstation Configuration. Media composer Steve Fairclough works in film, TV and radio. In part one of a series of three films about computer-based audio recording, Steve offers advice on configuring a dedicated PC, demonstrating the advantages of Intel Core i7 processors, lots of RAM and the benefits of a 64-bit OS. He also looks at professional soundcards and, with help from Scan Computers, eliminating system noise.

Since we have been covering Digital Audio Workstations lately, here's a quick video which shows you how to add more RAM into your computer. It's a bit on the old side, but it the process is still the same. Make sure you go to Crucial.com to find out what your machine needs before you buy any RAM.

That is the million dollar question, which contains many variables. What software are you running, what operating system, do you record full bands, orchestras, etc.

Setting up a digital audio workstation can seem very daunting, challenging and expensive. You may be able to get by with that old Compaq 1.4, 512 RAM and 40 gig hard drive. But if you start loading a ton of loops and samples, VST instruments, etc. that hard drive is going to be full in no time.

My philosophy is bigger is always better. In my opinion, your most important piece of hardware in your studio is your computer. You may want to splurge and spend some extra money up front. It all comes down to processor, memory and hard drive, everything else is just not that important, with the exception of soundcard/interface. Quiet fans and drives is also an important consideration, but that's another story.

In a perfect world I would find something with multiple processors, getting the fastest processors you can afford. Memory is the same way, get the most that you can afford. If your computer can handle 8 gigs, get 8 gigs. Hard drive is the same, get something with 2 500 gig drives or better yet 2 1 terabyte drives.

When shopping for your digital audio workstation think about the future. Get something that you can upgrade. For instance, don't buy a pc that can only handle 1 gig of RAM. That thing will be outdated next week. If you can only afford 2 gigs of RAM right now, that's fine but make sure your computer can handle at least 8 gigs in the future when it comes time to upgrade.

Recording music takes a lot of horsepower and space. Make sure you get something that can handle it, and make sure it is expandable.

I found this video which offers a quick overview of the new Magix Music Maker 16. The video covers some of the new features that are included. I am looking forward to giving Magix Music Maker 16 a try, just have to find the time.

I found this tutorial which explains using XLN Audio Addictive Drums in Pro Tools and some of the features Audictive Drums has to offer. Check it out!

Another tutorial explaining how to use XLN Audio Addictive Drums. This one focuses on getting started on the kit page and how to use the mixer. Love me some XLN Addictive Drums. Check it out!

Lately, I have been toying with quite a few drum programs. I found this tutorial on XLN Audio Addictive Drums. There are a few other tutorials as well which I will post later. If you are new to Addictive Drums these tutorials should be helpful in getting started. Check it out!

I am also wish to a keyboard for setting up a home studio with my PC or Mac book but want something that stand strong like a grand piano not a portable synthesizer. My spend will be around $800.

Can anybody recommend something for me?

This is just a little friendly fore-warning. I urge every member of Home Studio Tips to get their points up. I am going to be announcing something next week that will be based on Home Studio Tips user points. You should also upload a profile picture while your at it.

Someone is going to be very happy! I may or may not be GIVING SOMETHING AWAY.

Stay tuned, big announcement coming next week.

You get 10 points for a blog post, 5 points for a video, 5 points for a news link, 5 points for a comment, 5 points for an image, 5 points for an event, 5 points for a poll, and 10 points when you get someone else to join the site.

I found this cool video which shows John Emrich demonstrating how to use the impressive features of BFD2 and the midi controllers Zendrum and Guru. This is a really impressive video. A must see. Check it out!

In the past I have been using a Boss Dr 770 for all of my drum parts. The kick and the snare are great but everything else sounds pretty bad. So, lately I've been toying with getting one of these sweet drum programs, but I can't decide if I should go with EZdrummer or Addictive Drums. I've tried the demos of both and they both seem like they'd do the trick.

Has anyone tried both of these or use one of them regularly that could give me some input on which direction I should go? I record many genres of music such as acoustic, rock, hard rock, funk, metal and even techno.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Recently, I needed to add more memory to my DAW. I hate adding memory because I always seem to somehow get the wrong stuff and it's a pain in the butt. I recently found this tool over at Crucial it scans your machine and tells you what kind of memory you need, how much your computer can handle and the best memory configuration for your machine. Awesome!

Whether or not you buy the memory from Crucial is up to you, but at least you can be confident you are getting exactly what you need and getting the max amount into your DAW. Check it out!

Antares Auto Tune tutorial. Jeff Dykhouse shows us how to use MIDI to tell Auto-Tune which notes to tune. In addition, you can use this technique to create harmonies.

Native Instruments presents the first winner of the Guitar Rig Hero contest 2008 Jayme Gutierrez from Spain. This video is awesome, everything is done in real time without any cut aways. Makes me jealous, this kid has got some chops and is very creative. Makes me want to spend more time learning how to use Guitar Rig.

This is a quick little video that explains Fxpansion Guru and how everything works.

Here is a little tutorial about how Magix Music Maker studio works.