Audio Info & Education

Playing Along with Pre-Recorded Tracks

September 30, 2022

Modern recordings can be complex and hard to duplicate on stage. Whether it’s because you’ve layered four guitars and only have one guitar player, you’re using loops and sampling creatively, or the sounds you make in the studio are impossible to create with live instruments, you may find yourself struggling to figure out how to recreate a beloved recording on stage.

Preparing for an Outdoor Show

September 15, 2022

There’s just something special about outdoor music. The positive vibes, the fresh air, the potential for big audiences. There’s nothing like starting when the sun’s out and aligning the perfect intimate moment with sundown or watching kids run around and dance.

Still, outdoor gigs can present challenges that indoor gigs don’t, so it’s best to give a little extra thought to your preparation.

Do You Need a Sub in Your Studio?

September 02, 2022

Debate has long raged about what’s needed in a studio to create great tracks and when it comes to subwoofers this is no exception. The truth is, whether you need a sub in your studio depends on a few key factors including your gear setup, your goals, your room, and your preference.

Here we’ll talk a little about why you may or may not want a sub in your studio.

Recording Drums with Limited Mics

August 26, 2022

It’s become common for engineers recording drums to take a more is more approach, miking up every single element for pinpoint control of every element. But this isn’t always possible, and it’s not always the best way to get a great drum sound, as too many inputs can be overwhelming, create phase issues, and get generally muddy and unwieldy.

So, here we’ll talk about a few ways to mic up a drum kit with very few microphones.

How a Column Array Can Streamline Your Stage

August 18, 2022

Not so long ago, it took a pretty big system to reach a large audience. With big speakers, bigger subs, and an array of power amps, set up for even moderately sized shows was lengthy and stages cluttered. This made the efficient setup of a stage difficult, and playing to growing audiences meant finding an established venue, limiting reach for some bands.

Managing Studio Fatigue

July 27, 2022

It’s a notion as old as recording – the all-night lockout. Or the week-long lockout. Recording musicians love to go hard, working and working and working until inspiration runs out. Some famous producers even prefer to work when exhausted – they say it gives them access to that hyper-creative place beyond conscious thought.

Useful Non-Music Skills for Musicians

July 21, 2022

For any musician, whether professional or amateur, music skill isn’t quite enough to get the job done in today’s landscape. For pros, a host of business and creative skills are necessary, and even for hobbyists, certain non-musical skills are quite useful in keeping things going. Here, we’ll discuss some of the more useful non-music skills you can have as a musician.

5 Reasons Not to Sing So Loud

July 10, 2022

For many new singers – and some veterans too – having a huge voice feels crucial, as if it were your only claim to fame. It is true – proving that you can belt it out so loud you don’t even need a mic can be impressive – and it can be handy in acoustic situations where you need to get heard.

Drum Replacement Primer

June 30, 2022

A great drum performance isn’t always easy to come by. Neither is a great drum recording. In the best of circumstances, the two come together to form the perfect drum track, which results in a great drum mix. Many times, though, a great performance is recorded well enough, but not quite perfectly. Often this is discovered in the mix, when you just can’t get one (or many) of the drums to fit right.

Recording an Acoustic Set with One Mic

June 20, 2022

Typical recording setups are complex these days – even solo performers often find themselves surrounded by mics or doing overdub after overdub. But many of the best acoustic recordings were done simply, using old school technique and an abundance of performance talent and skill.

Using Dynamic EQ

June 06, 2022

When it comes to more advanced mixing techniques, dynamic EQ is a tool not often talked about, but it can be really handy in a variety of situations. From fixing harsh vocal notes to taming boomy notes on a guitar, dynamic EQ can be a lifesaver when traditional EQ, compressors, or even multiband compression falls short.

Understanding Sound Reinforcement: When NOT to Mic Things Up

May 15, 2022

With high quality live sound gear more available than ever, it’s easy to get caught up in equipment fever and go overboard at gigs – especially small ones. Whether it’s having more mics than you know what do to with, way too much front of house mixing, or just being too loud for a venue, using your sound gear wisely is the key to making each show really pop.