Archive for 'Gear'

The sooner you realize that gear is not your problem, the sooner you can get on with making better recordings and mixes. I honestly want you to know and believe this, because it’s true. More gear is not the solution. Your current gear is not the problem. Lack of experience is the problem. But nobody wants to hear that.

I Get The Same Questions Every Day

I can preach about setting up a a studio for only $300 till I’m blue in the face, but I will continue to get the same questions from well meaning audio peeps. Questions like: “What microphone is the best for under $500?”, “Which plugin bundle do you recommend?”, “I have some gear from [insert budget brand], and I know it’s not quality so what should I upgrade to?”

Questions like these clearly illuminate a pervasive thought in the home and project recording studio world: that cheap (i.e. affordable) gear is the problem and high end gear is the solution. Nothing could be further from the truth and that’s what kills me!
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If you use any one of the Saffire audio interfaces from Focusrite and are trying to setup headphone mixes, this video is for you. Coming from the Pro Tools world where we never used an in between software mixer with our interfaces, I was more than confused when I first opened up the Saffire MixControl with my Liquid Saffire 56. I’ve since figured out a solid workflow between the interface and my DAW. This video will explain how to setup zero-latency headphone mixes. Let’s dig in…

With so many crazy sales happening around the web this “Black Friday” season (at least in the US), you didn’t think I wouldn’t jump on board did you? No sir. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. So today only, I’m offering a ridiculous 50% off any of my video tutorial products! Yep, half off!

Today Is Your Day

You guys are the absolute best readers on the planet and your support for my video tutorial products has been unbelievable. But if you’ve been reading the blog or watching my free tutorials on YouTube for a while, but have never purchased one of my in depth videos, today is your day.

With video tutorials on EQ, compression, editing, mixing, mastering, producing vocals, drums, and even how to use Pro Tools, I’ve got you covered. And today you can pick up any or all of my products for only half the price!
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Do you play in a band and ever wish your live show could sound as full and produced as your recorded albums and EPs? It’s not uncommon at all these days to see bands taking many of the extra production elements from their studio albums like keys, loops, and even extra vocals and having them “play” alongside the actual band in a live performance.

And if you thought this type of accessibility was reserved for only top label touring acts, think again. If you have some extra tracks on your recordings you’d like to incorporate on stage you’ll need only a handful of things: a DAW, a cheap MP3 player, a stereo 1/8th inch to split 1/4 inch cable, and two DI boxes. That’s it! No laptop required.

Enhance Your Show The Easy Way

Before we go any further, you need to know that this only works if your band uses in-ear monitoring and is comfortable playing to a click (metronome). That’s right. Just like you typically (and should) record to a click track in your studio, you will need to start playing to a click track live (heard only in your ears, not through a floor wedge). It’s not nearly as hard as it seems, but it will take some practice. It’s the only way to ensure the loop elements from your studio will “play” in time lined up with the band.
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Sometimes I like to setup false limitations when recording or mixing to push my creativity. My band’s most recent recording was such an experiment. I purposely wanted to record us all live, at one time. This of course would be opposed to recording each band member, one at a time, overdubbing our way to a final product.

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Did you know that just because a new version of your DAW comes out, you don’t have to upgrade? What a crazy thought! In fact, you can continue to use your perfectly good version of software to make great music all day long. No upgrade needed.

That being said, a couple of weeks ago, two major DAWs dropped new versions on the world and people are angry as all get out. So please pardon me while I rant for just a minute about the psychology of software upgrades.

These Companies Need To Make Money

In case you didn’t know, software manufacturers are in the business of making money. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Companies like Avid, Apple, Steinberg, PreSonus, Propellerhead, Cockos, all make great tools for musicians and engineers and they charge money for said tools. Makes sense so far.

That being said, if they never make a newer and better version of their DAW, then their only way to make money to sustain the business is to sell to new customers who currently don’t have their product. But wouldn’t it be easier to simply improve their existing product, fix things, add user requested features and then turn around to sell the software again to CURRENT customers as an upgrade? So that is why these companies drop new versions of their DAW every few years. No big deal.
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In its most basic form, a recording studio need consist of only a microphone, cable, audio interface, computer, software, and headphones. In fact I’ve recommended a couple of singer/songwriter studio rigs for only $300 that allow you to get professional tracks in a bedroom studio. But as you save up a few extra dollars and are wondering what (if anything) would be a useful upgrade to your studio, let me suggest a few not-so-glamorous studio essentials that will only cost you around $100 USD.

Furman M-8 Power Conditioner – $65

One of the least exciting things you can spend your hard earned money on is what seems like a glorified power strip. I mean, who cares what you plug your gear into, right? If you’re just getting started, then it doesn’t really matter of course. In one sense, power is power. But when you’re ready to upgrade your studio just slightly so you’re getting the best out of your gear, one of the first things you should grab is a simple power conditioner.
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What is it about the lure of other plugin bundles that makes us loathe the stock plugins that shipped with our DAW? My guess would be probably some great marketing hype mixed with confusion on the part of a newbie mixer. We’ve likely all been there, but today I want to address a recent reader question I received as I think it is relevant to many of you.

I am a Sonar X1 user and it came with lots of plugins for mixing. I’ve been thinking about getting a Waves plugin bundle, but I’m not sure if it is going to make a huge difference in quality of my mixes. The sales rep at “XYZ Guitar Store” said these plugins sound is a lot cleaner then any stock plugin. Should I invest in this plugin bundle or stick with my hosts plugins. I am confused please help…

To answer this question, I pose a few questions of my own.
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Two years ago this week I humbly began what would become The Recording Revolution. Starting purely as a reference to point my friends and fellow musicians to when they would come to me for recording and gear advice, that simple blog has grown to a massive online community that is reaching across over 40 countries, helping people make better music in their home and project studios.

Building A Recording Philosophy

With over 300+ blog posts and over 100+ free video tutorials I hope you’ve found your time at The Recording Revolution valuable and enjoyable. I hope that you not only have learned more about your craft, but you have gone and applied that knowledge to actual recordings. We only truly learn from experience and I can’t magically give that to you.
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Most of us are recording and mixing on a computer these days. Whether Mac or PC, these machines (partnered with incredible software) act as our tape machine, outboard gear, and mixing console all in one. The power in today’s computers is stunning compared to what many of us dealt with just one short decade ago, but they don’t come without their problems. Today I want to give you a couple of helpful “rules” to live by when it comes to your music computer.

Fill It Up With RAM

No matter what software you are running, the best thing you can feed your audio computer is RAM. More RAM means more power in the moment to record with virtual instruments and amp simulators and more power to mix with the all of your dazzling plugins. Yes CPU speed is crucial, but most of us can’t change our CPU after we bought the computer. RAM is both cheap and easy to upgrade. Fill your Mac or PC up with the most you can fit (and afford). Your DAW will thank you!
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