June 2009
2 posts
4 tags
Organizing Files! The nightmare tamed!
There are two things I really hate… paper and cables! These things clutter my life more than anything else. It happens less now that I’m not doing so much arranging, but I still hate paper… how it piles up. Cables, how they get tangled and messy and how they never wrap up just right. A close third on my hate list is FILES! Files are a necessary evil for us all (all of us who...
3 tags
When the chorus gotta pop the bass gotta drop!
OK the title is pretty gay but it’s just something I thought about doing (and had heard before but forgot about). Try duplicating your bass track in order to process the low end differently on the verses and the choruses. The idea is to decrease the low end by a few db in the verses so when the chorus comes in there’s an added amount of low end! Short post but I thought you might...
May 2009
1 post
3 tags
Buss Compressors and Parallel Compression
There are SOOOO many ways to use compression. I consider Michael Brauer a genius when it comes to mixing with compression. He is unbelievably innovative and has worked long and hard to develop his fantastic technique. I remember hearing Coldplay’s “Violet Hill” and being so impressed with its unique sound only to find out that Brauer mixed it (he’s mixed a LOT of Coldplay...
April 2009
2 posts
2 tags
Thoughts in my head while mixing
I consider this to be my most revealing blog post yet. While mixing, I’m constantly having remind myself of fundamental mixing techniques that lead to good mixes. I have a horrible memory so I started to write many of my techniques down so that I could reference them when I was having a bad day. I may not do these things all the time, but in those times where I’m struggling with a...
1 tag
When Pro Tools gets buggy
Every computer program gets bugs, even Pro Tools (go ahead Pro Tools haters… now’s your chance ;0) If you ever come to find Pro Tools is just acting a little funny or crashing often if can be helpful to clear out the preferences, clear the cache, etc. I can never remember where these folder are exactly so I always end up searching google for the answer. A fantastic mixes and...
March 2009
1 post
5 tags
Understanding Digital Audio Clocking
I get asked about sample clocking all the time. YES, I do think that it’s important and I do think that some clocks are better than other. Yes, I do think you can hear a big difference. This is a great 10 minute tutorial about clocking. It will give you an idea what’s going on with word clocks and digital sample clocking.
February 2009
2 posts
3 tags
Good Music
OK, this will be a short post. No pictures, no flare, no nothing. I’m not even gonna put links… google it!! ha. I’m obviously a lover of music, songs, artists, sounds. Here’s a short list of music I really love right now…. Singer/Songwriter Gabe Dixon Dave Barnes Matt Wertz Rock Kings of Leon Oasis Pop John McLaughlin Pink Vintage Queen Electric Light Orchestra...
2 tags
The difference between the talented and the...
I have the pleasure of calling some VERY successful people in the music industry my friends. These friends teach me a lot and I thoroughly enjoy being around them. I covet their friendship because we always have something to talk about. They are often recording geeks like myself. They can talk for hours about music like I can. I learn a lot when I’m with them. They are just great...
January 2009
6 posts
2 tags
Imogen Heap and her crazy mind!!
Hey guys. I have a lot of “favorite” music. In all actuality, I don’t typically single out many favorites because I just love music. It seems like whenever someone mentions an artist I know, I’m like “I love ________ they are one of my favorites!” I do that because I love a LOT of music. For real, Imogen Heap is one of my favorites. She’s a cut above...
5 tags
Have to post this...
If you’re not a major audio nerd just LEAVE NOW. I had to post this because it had a lot of sense and I had not heard (read) this. The topic is harmonic distortion. Harmonic distortion is added by tubes and transistors and adds harmonics on top of the sound fist in octaves, then in fifths… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_series_(music) Even order harmonics are more pleasing...
5 tags
Have to post this...
If you’re not a major audio nerd just LEAVE NOW. I had to post this because it had a lot of sense and I had not heard (read) this. The topic is harmonic distortion. Harmonic distortion is added by tubes and transistors and adds harmonics on top of the sound fist in octaves, then in fifths… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_series_(music) Even order harmonics are more pleasing...
4 tags
TOP 10 PRODUCER MISTAKES (I know, I've done them...
I notice things about producers… things that people do over and over again that I notice. I notice them because I used to do them, or struggle with these things myself. I thought I’d compile a list of some of these things. Here we go… my top 10 producer mistakes… (in no real order) #1) Caring more for creating cool, technical band arrangements at the expense of the song...
2 tags
Programming the Neko
I’ve really been enjoying the Open Labs Neko we just got at Saddleback. I can’t wait to get my own!! Maybe I’ll start collecting dimes until I have enough saved up. I’m scheduled to play keyboard at FUSE tomorrow night and so I thought that’d be a good chance to break Neko in. I spent today installing all of my sounds and plugins. Since I was installing some...
3 tags
The Beatles
OK. I have an unhealthy obsession with the Beatles. When I was a kid I had a toy record player and I would play my dad’s records (I’m 26 and I DO know what a record player is!). One record I remember was a 45rmp of “Help!” I recall being totally fascinated with that song. I loved that I could sing it (I learned all the words). I loved how energetic it was! I loved...
December 2008
5 posts
2 tags
Jazz great, Freddie Hubbard passes
Freddie Hubbard was a tremendous jazz musician. Actually, if I’m not mistaken my friend (and boss) Tony Guerrero gave him a trumpet lesson once ;) Right Tony? (It’s a funny story… maybe he’ll tell it on his blog.) Anyway, since I’m a trumpet player who marvels at good jazz (‘cause I’m not that good at it) I felt the need to mention Freddie’s...
5 tags
Hearing Loss
Hey guys. I thought I’d post this article I found. I have a great amount of hearing loss in my left ear. The high end is gone and my stereo image is off. It bothers me a great deal because I wish I had been more careful. So, I plead with you… turn down the monitors, get a sound pressure meter for your studio and protect your ears against loud noises. ...
2 tags
Keith Everette Smith and Timbaland
Hey guys. I just had a chuckle to myself. I’ve recently begun working with a company called Open Labs. These guys make fantastic keyboards! Their Meko and Neko series keyboards are actually fully functioning studios based around a powerful PC computer. Anyway, Saddleback used our new custom Neko during our Christmas special for the Fox Network. I was interviewed for their website. I...
4 tags
If I could only have 2 plug-in bundles!
I am a talker… especially when it comes to recording. I could go on for hours about new toys, techniques and music. What I don’t want to do is make you salivate over all the stuff you can’t afford. No one’s spouse likes us spending money we don’t have. BUT if you are mixing your own music there are a few plug-ins that I believe every musician should own. At this point, I literally could not...
2 tags
Composers and Inspiration
I played a concert for the Presbyterian Church of the Master Sunday night. It was fun. It was pretty much a classical gig playing trumpet. I really miss classical music. That used to be most of what I did. I played in orchestras, concert bands and many brass ensembles growing up. Though my personality ultimately didn’t fit in with this crowd, as a trumpet player, I am probably best...
November 2008
2 posts
3 tags
Pro Tools 8
Even though I’ll wait a good long time before upgrading, I’m REALLY excited about this release. I actually may try out Sibelius because of this new version. We’ll see :) Check it out! PRO TOOLS 8
