Novation Launchpad Pro Tools edit template

Just saw this posted on the DUC, a Novation Launchpad template keystrokes for Pro Tools commands.

Sounds cool if you have Launchpad. Personally I’m a little afraid of using Novation or Automap with Pro Tools but it seems to work for some.

Clever naming

When sessions get big or when you need to go back to an older session to find something specific, you’ll be much happier if you have taken the time not only to name tracks properly, but also named them after a system.

By a system I mean in a way where you’re consistent. My system isn’t exactly rocket science, but I have a few pointers that I mostly follow. For instance:

  • Every track has a number after them. Even if there’s only one acoustic guitar it’s called Acoustic guitar 1. This is because if I decide to add another one later there are no issues with the file naming and so on.
  • MIDI tracks has an M in the name, i.e. Organ 2 M.
  • Tracks that started as virtual instrument but later recorded to audio tracks has an R in the name. For instance Pad 1 R. I never delete the original instrument track either, I’ll just disable it and hide it. This way I can always go back to it if I need to.
  • Instruments with many MIDI tracks sent to them are written in capital letters, KONTAKT instead of Kontakt.
  • I use capital letters in the beginning of most words, depending on how it looks in the mixer. Track names such as Acoustic Guitar can disappear a little in the mixer, but the first letters of each word will always be there and it will be easier to discern something like AcoGur than acogur or however Pro Tools will shorten it.

And in case you don’t know:

Always name tracks before you record!

This way the file and region names won’t be a mess.

Mid-side microphones techniques explained

I’m currently experimenting a little with various stereo microphone techniques and stumbled across these two videos that I thought some might find interesting.

Episode 5 – Stereo microphone techniques (Mid Side)

Mid-Side Microphone Technique. This is longer, more educational in a slightly disturbing way.

Levels and loudness when mixing

Found these two articles written by Holger Lagerfeldt. Great stuff.

Levels in digital audio (pdf)

Loudness when producing and mixing (tips)

The second one is actually a post on Gearslutz. Holger goes on and answers some questions in the thread as well.

Recording Pink Floyd

As was mentioned in the comments for the Recording Nirvana post, this is videos from the same series, showing the recording of Pink Floyd – Darkside of the moon. I’ve actually watched these videos more than once. Love that record.

Part 1.

Part 2.

Part 3.

Part 4.

Part 5.

Tommy Emmanuel – Recording Technique – Mics

Tommy Emanuel showing what types of mic’s he use for his recordings, as well as placement of them.

Dr Bob Moog demonstrates the Minimoog

A video showing the late Bob Moog demonstrating the Minimoog. Serves as a very basic introduction to subtractive synthesis.

A chat with Malcolm Toft

malcolm_toft

At Musikmesse I had the chance to sit down and have a long chat with Malcolm Toft. It wasn’t an interview or anything, just a friendly chat, but it inspired me so much I’d like to share some thoughts with you.
Read more →

Jack Joseph Puig: Mixing Tips – Instinct vs. Intellect

Jack Joseph Puig on using your instinct. Watch out, this one is loud.

The story of the funk

bootsy1

I saw Bootsy Collins at NAMM (the blurb on the blurry picture) and that got me thinking: do you guys know about the funk?

Oh, you mean you were looking to actually learn something of value from this website? How about learning about making funk. Below are two pdf’s that will get you at least half-way.

Shitty is pretty 1
Shitty is pretty 2

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