>/prod/ wiki - still looking for contributors mu-sic-production.wikia.com There's a severe lack of DAW descriptions in the wiki. If you're good with your tool of choice, consider writing a paragraph about it.
Remember to use clyp.it to post your tracks/WIP: posting a clyp.it is just providing sound for a question, posting a Soundcloud link is making self-advertisement and the thread doesn't need that.
Remember to check other peoples' clyp.it links to keep the thread healthy.
I don't think any of us are actual tripfags on Sup Forums or other boards. But If there were a way to have user names in discord, I'd set that as the default. Also, since when /prod/ start having tripfags?
What mics picks up most basic rock instruments and female vocalists well for without costing too much? Preferably something that doesn't need audio interface. Is audio interface a big deal in terms of quality? I have a limited budget
Dylan Morales
>Is audio interface a big deal in terms of quality? I have a limited budget Yes and no. An interface is great because you're not stuck with a one microphone. If you want to switch to a different mic later on, you can plug it in. You can also plug in guitars to a lot of interfaces and they have preamps for them. I'd get one just for future proofing. Most allow for at least two inputs at the same time as well.
>What mics picks up most basic rock instruments and female vocalists well for without costing too much? Preferably something that doesn't need audio interface. Shure SM57 are the standard for micing guitar amps up. AT2020 is a staple for vocals which can probably be okay for acoustic guitar stuff.
I'd save up, get an interface, get an AT2020 and then an SM57. It would help if you gave out the budget explicitly.
Logan Perry
I don't have a specific budget, I wouldn't want to spend more than 150 but if it's absolutely necessary I guess I would. I don't mind a homemade sound but I'm worried if I layer lots of instruments it could get too distorted or fuzzy. Do either of those work without an interface? Thanks so much for your help by the way
Xavier Evans
They don't work without an interface, no. That being said, you'll end up paying more in the long run unless you're gonna end up recording on a cheap USB mic the entire time - both in time wasted trying to get the sound to be better and money because you'll probably stop using it later on since you can't use it in as many scenarios.
If you can make the jump and really want to get serious, I'd invest enough but not more than you need at the moment. You just want a good starting point that will last you a while.
I'd suggest the Steinberg UR22, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, or the Presonus Audiobox. If you want to go lower, you can get the Focusrite Solo but I'd argue against it due to its output limitations (can only plug up to RCA).
For a good condenser microphone, Samson C01 is good, the Behringer B1, the Audio-Technica AT2020 are good for all around. They need phantom power, which those interfaces all provide since it's built in.
If you're looking to record guitar amps, singers that yell a lot, and overall much louder sound, get the SM57 along with one of those condensers to increase your sound palette. That being said, one of those condensers + one of those interfaces listed above will probably be good enough.
Aiden Turner
>spent $120 on this >could have just got the roland ipad app
Leo Rodriguez
what do you guys think of this beat so far? What should I do with it/take it? clyp.it/xngzyw0r
Joseph Brooks
roland cloud, even better
Aiden Hall
>$200 per year
Logan Campbell
they need to just let you buy what you want instead subscribe to use
Henry Walker
where was this sampled from? Enjoy the idea but no idea how you should proceed desu.
got off my ass and got all my shit reinstalled and put this together quickly. clyp.it/qzlhibhx
Jackson Torres
I'm building a small recording studio for recording vox, acoustic + electric guitar, and Mellotron. I need some gear recommendations:
Here's what I'm trying to record: >Taylor 712ce ltd (acoustic) >PRS McCarty 594 (electric) through a Vox AC4HW Hand-Wired (amplifier) >Mellotron >Vocals
1) If I have two channels from 2 of the Neumann mics, one angled at the sound hole, the other aimed at my fretboard, how would I route these two separate signals to the preamp and then out as two signals? Would I need to buy two of these preamps to plug into the interface?
2) Would you suggest that instead of having three separate preamps for acoustic,vox, and electric I just get one big rackmounted unit for all? How would you go about this? What are most people doing here?
Okay, and as far as routing that to the ol' puter, how do I go about that?
My current rig is fairly beefy (intel i7 4790, 32gigs ram) but I've got no soundcard, so USB is really my only option. Would you suggest I upgrade to a soundcard and if so, what kind of connection would you recommend? (thunderbolt?)
You'll need at least a 4x4 audio interface it looks like. That will take all incoming audio and convert it to digital. I prefer thunderbolt, as I like the low-latency. USB should be fine.
Your interface accept analog connections from each mic'd instrument.
source > mic > pre > A/D > file in DAW
Nathaniel Richardson
Now, I have an FLstudio (producer I think?) account, but I'm considering jumping into a protools setup, because I distinctly remember how much easier it was (at the time) for my band to quantize drum tracks and such through protools. The only problem I have is I have absolutely no idea which version to get and looking at their website and checking out their different offerings confuses the hell out of me.
It looks like I could either buy just their software, or perhaps I could buy an all inclusive package that contains a soundcard or adapter that connects to a rack-mounted interface that is designed to work with the software, but I'm not entirely sure.
IF that is the case, I would definitely go with the latter, as I don't want to run into any glitches or incompatibility issues with my interface/DAW and I think that would pretty much guarantee that I don't. What do you recommend?
Gavin Campbell
protools will be more of a headache with their DRM / hardware
Nathan Watson
Okay, so I read that link you gave me about building a series of kit pres, but I'm a little confused. The advantage of doing that would be?
Better quality than what you could buy, and at a lower cost? Is that correct?
I've been known to noodle around with a soldering iron, but mostly as it pertained to switching out pots and guitar electronics... I assume I'd need to dust out ye ol' soldering iron for a project like this? Seems like my project is getting bigger and bigger, but if you think this is going to be a better quality option in the long run, I'm game.
Andrew Campbell
Most interfaces will work with protools. Compatibility isn't really a big deal.
Leo Ward
>where was this sampled from? a magician never reveals his secrets
i like your track, I'd just mix the drums louder
Jeremiah Hughes
what should be my first DAW(im on a fagbook)? also which is the most cancerous DAW in existence, so i know to stay away from it
Asher Gonzalez
best daw is dubturbo
Gabriel Bell
garageband because its free. If you like it, eventually upgrade to logic. If you don't like it then you will find one that you do. The daw you choose doesn't really matter because in the scheme of things, they all do the same thing.
Adam King
Beat Thang is what the pros use
avoid Cubase and Ableton they're kids toys
James White
kek beat kangz
Gabriel Johnson
I like Ableton though. Tried the session view and its comfy. Is it the one?
I'm trying to focus on minimalism and harmony/melody and not really thinking about production at all. All of my tracks end up sounding really monotonous and flat and boring though.
Jason Hughes
>mellotron
why?
Gabriel Roberts
why not?
Andrew Watson
it plays back tape.
Julian Torres
I've been u7sing FL Studio for six months now and I'm still unaware of how to do things like in pic related. There's so much more to the mixer than just effects and it's all so confusing.
I can't trust my speakers, but the bass sounds way too loud in this track for me, but Ableton says the db is super low. Any feedback?
Carson Morgan
Yes it does.
Ryder Phillips
Go through FL's manual and also all the built-in synths and effects and try to understand everything, every little word you see and don't fully understand you look it up and own it.
I think your levels are fine. Really nice track btw.
Isaiah Howard
Thanks for the feedback, I'll tweak it a bit and create more variety and start mastering it then.
Cooper Rivera
While everybody is arguing about DAWs, which is the best platform for working with outboard midi gear? I use Windows and the DAW has to do all the midi routing, ableton seems pretty limited at this as-is.
Eli White
What do you want to do that Ableton isn't capable of? Max4Live will probably have a solution to whatever you want to do.
Jack Watson
Yeah but then you wouldnt have that sweet, sweet hardware.
Just picked up a MU-50 shipped from Japan for $80 myself.
I'm looking for more robust midi routing in general. Particularly sending sysex data to/from specified ports, so I can have concurrent access to real midi ports (memory allocation bullshit) using virtual loopback ports, which would allow me to use an ipad app to control parameters of synths that I'm controlling via ableton.
Apparently Max4Live does have a plugin that could help, but I'm using a bootleg Live 9 distro and it's not an option. I am considering paying for it, but not if I ant guarantee it'll do what I want.
Adam Nguyen
I'm a talentless loser
Parker Parker
I'd say "join the club", but have you seen that fucking line??
Lincoln Lewis
How do I make something like this guy? Is it possible to replicate his roaring bass/synth things digitally? What about the cassette hiss and the drums?
Aw yeah mr. UPS man just dropped off my first midi controller. Pretty awesome. What's a good way to learn how to play keys? (I'm a beginner guitarist).
Noah Smith
Prod, how useless is my audio engineering degree? I'm studying for it right now and want to make it work so bad. I have already made connections with some musicians who are old and young in the Seattle and LA area who are also audio engineers. So when I'm done I'll have some good referrals. My end goal is to work in a recording studio as the sound man. What was your journey to being an audio engineer?
Gabriel Brown
Youtube, but I like learning through physical media. I say pick up some begginer piano books and learn how sheet music works too because you'll run into situations where basic knowledge of sheet music is going to be important as a musician.
Carter Miller
Yes you can do everything digitally. For Cassette hiss get Kramer Tape or something, and for drums, get some nice samples and crush them.
They're not that many, and they all play a unique role.
Just look for piano tutorials on youtube.
Not really useless, especially if you wanna follow that career path.
Aaron Sanders
Oh forgot to mention, it's just a nektar lx49+, so 49 synth action keys. I imagine that's quite different from playing a piano.
Joseph Sanchez
If you reduce this song down to what it is, then it's pretty much bass and drums with improvisational elements all over it. There's not much lead melodies here to speak of. ( I guess you could argue that it is, but it's to chopped up between various instruments to be a solid lead, and even then, the composition leaves alot to be desired.)
And even then, it is pretty much the Ducktales theme from the show, which is a much better song, even though the production is lacking. youtube.com/watch?v=VAAKU9UxOeU
You should study 8 bit and 16 bit music because that it what this is, just with modern production.
It's different because it has less keys and they're non-weighed, but if you figure out which key is which and can play scales/chords, you'll be able to transfer that over to a piano ez pz.
Jace Baker
This isnt rocket science. I've made something up in 10 minutes that is approximately similar to what he's doing in terms of production and sound. clyp.it/gckzwpvf
-For drums: Take any house kick, take any snare, take any hi hat. Make a typical house "4 to the floor" beat. Then EQ the top off, smash into a tape emulator/tape distortion. (optional, roll of the low end for even more lofi sound, but wont be as bassy)
-For synths: I used massive, but really any synth with more than 1 oscilator will do. EQ the same way as drums, smash into tape emulator/tape distortion. (optional, slapp some reverb on for that room sound)
-Smash into a compressor, tweak the attack/release/ratio a bit untill you find a nice balance. Slap a limiter on top.
-Or alternatively, you can just do the EQ/Tape part in the mastering channel, will save you CPU.
-Lastly, take a stereo imager/stereo enhancer and either mono it or reduce the stereo with down to like barely 20% above mono.
Jack Morales
I have a minilogue and don't care much for it, especially the attack/click. Shpuld I sell it and look towards other gear? I've had it since release and have never felt inspired.
I was curious about the Circuit but it looks a bit toyish.
Bentley Turner
Also, here's more tape hiss than you will ever need.
That guy doesn't know what you know so he couldn't do it in ten minutes. Also what you have done is a pale imitation of it, barely a sketch of a track where all the little production details matter. And you'd have to spend lot longer to get it the same, probably have to learn much more about stereoising for one. Which you wouldn't do because it's too hard / tedious. Therefore, it is a kind of rocket science and your pretension is in another galaxy.
Easton Lewis
Chill out friend
Jacob Collins
It annoys me when people think they can just knock something out with production, or think it'll be easy. It is nothing like that. It is all about painstaking rendering, editing, finessing and guys who take shortcuts fill up the internet with dross.
Ryder Gray
Oh sorry I was the only fucker in this thread that bothered to go through the basics for him instead of berating him for his choice in music.
>Also what you have done is a pale imitation of it, barely a sketch of a track where all the little production details matter. As I said, I used 10 minutes on it. Sorry I didnt put my heart and soul into it and made the banger of the fucking century.
Carter Butler
>all those preassumptions I asked for some general pointers and that's what I got. I have no idea why you're assuming I think "i can just knock something out" or that "it'll be easy", I never said that. Thanks for explaining to me how music production works, bro, I never thought that it's actually difficult, you're so smart, man.
Andrew Gray
I'm much more sick of dudes who produce the hell out of a heavily calculated rubbish idea, trying to be the next big EDM/trap producer, when you can tell they don't even care about or like the type of music they produce.
Nicholas Turner
does having two of the exact same track do anything but the same as increasing the volume with one track? that frequency layering shit.
Zachary Perez
>does having two of the exact same track do anything but the same as increasing the volume with one track? Any examples?
Putting two identical tracks on top of eachother does next to nothing but increase the volume. Unless you put one slightly ahead of the other and you get all kinds of phasing effects.
You're better off parallel compressing elements (like drums) if you want more power in your mix.
Juan Parker
thats what i was thinking.
Cameron Peterson
>tfw reaper's pitch shifter can't be used in stereo like protools'
When you layer the synthy drone over the vocal choir thing you pick some really dissonant notes and it kinda ruins it for me. Besides that I really really like it.
Benjamin Hill
JUST
Nicholas Mitchell
Sorry for my bad english. So I have this long wave. But when I play a key it just plays a fraction of it. How do I make it last longer? [spoiler]day 2 ableton user[/spoiler]
Hunter Wilson
Is the sustain at 100% on the volume/amp envelope (under filter/global)?
Alexander Brown
I just putted it to 100% and nothing changed. But increasing Release time helped
Gabriel Flores
The note length needs to be the same as the sample length - ie: if you play only a short note you won't hear the whole sample, unless you have the sample set to play in one-shot mode.
Luke Brown
Switch the play mode from gate to trigger.
David Miller
Are you using a keyboard? Are you holding the key or just tapping it? If sustain is 100% the sample should play until you stop holding the key.
Too many parallel octaves. The last half is too quiet. Sounds too rigidly in time but maybe you like that, the world doesn't.
Asher Stewart
>Too many parallel octaves. Do you mean like parallell octave movement? >Sounds too rigidly in time It's made in flstudio, is there any way to "humanize" it? I don't have a midi keyboard and i can't play piano, so recording is not an option.
Jose Watson
I mean when a bass / chord changes and the higher note is the same
You could try a swing or put a groove if in ableton on the clip/s or that might be too drastic, but perhaps alter with quantize percentage. Maybe other ways online if you look
Jeremiah Harris
and to chip inn here, remember, to make it sound realistic, it has to be possible to play with two hands.
Cant have 12-14 notes going off at once. Your maximum is 10. Unless you use a sustain pedal or more advanced techniques.
Jonathan Long
Taking an electronic music class this semester, any advice?
Tyler Lopez
I wanna get into making music. i have logic downloaded and FL studio but idk which to put more effort into learning. Rap beats are cool and all so maybe FL Studio? Idk how good logic is at electronic stuff/beats
