Articles Archive

 

Music on the web – with quality! The MP3 rage has dominated file swapping, but many feel their recordings suffer from the loss of dynamic range and frequency response. The problem: loading uncompressed files onto web sites takes up heaps of storage space and makes for server-clogging long downloads. What to do?

Elemental steps. Ever wondered why some recording artists and producers are more successful at accomplishing their goals than other people who are equally or more talented? Barry Rudolph shares what he sees as the keys to their success.

Analog tape care. The best way to take care of analog tapes is to keep them in a cool and dry place. Moisture is the worst thing for tape. It can absorb it, which further aggravates existing problems. Understanding the basics can save some heartache down the line.

Inside mic modeling. Does mic modeling really work? Can one really turn a C3000 in to something like a U87? There are some related questions, such as, “Isn’t modeling nothing more than fancy EQ?” and “If mic modeling can make an SM58 sound like a large diaphragm condenser mic then why do people still spend thousands on such mics?”

Getting some Tracktion. Tracktion is a new software DAW for recording audio and MIDI in a direct and intuitive way within a single GUI page. Studio veteran Barry Rudolph just finished taking a thorough test drive of Tracktion - what did he find? Well... You'll have to read more to find out!

Microphone self noise. “I’m looking for a microphone to record sounds in nature. I’ve determined that I want to get a mic with very low self-noise. Most good mics have a rating for this, and I assume lower numbers are better, but I don’t really understand the specification."

Positive direction for webcasting royalties. For recording producers and engineers, the Internet has complicated an already challenging task: getting paid. But SoundExchange has recently acknowledged the producer’s right to participate in webcasting royalties. Legal expert Chris Castle reports.

Royalty Issues. If an artist sells hundreds of thousands or millions of records around the world, it would be the rare record company that could move that many pieces of product without making a mistake. What do you - as a production person - need to know about the process to make sure you don't get caught short?

Fletcher’s take on mics. Rec Pit’s own Fletcher, who also heads up Mercenary Audio, responds to a question about his favorite microphone, and then goes into his views and attitudes on gear/hardware in general.

Architects of perfection. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, better known as Steely Dan, are among the most influential bands in the world. Take a walk inside their sophisticated, off-center songwriting and meticulous production and recording.

A Halloween classic? Dee Snider and Joe Franco have teamed up to create “Van Helsing’s Curse,” a disc that could become an autumn staple. Take a behind the scenes tour of the recording/production process.

Common sound myths. Over the years, Harvey Gerst has been told a lot of things about sound purported to be true... but no! The actual truth gets buried in history and that's the way legends are born. It's charming, but inaccurate.

Interview: Geoff Emerick. The most revered and respected pop music of all time is, indisputably, that made by the Beatles. Behind the console for all the milestones was Geoff Emerick, an engineer who hasn't been accorded due respect. Until now, that is, with this interview/profile!

Micing vocals & acoustic guitar . Looking for ideas on recording a person playing acoustic guitar and singing simultaneously? The gang in Bob Buontempo’s Rec Pit Forum recently weighed in with suggestions!

Using what you got. Yes, it can be done. Micing drums effectively with a fairly limited mic collection, smartly applied. The gang in Harvey Gerst’s Rec Pit forum will take you through the process.

Overcoming the studio “dead zone”. Some studios are designed to NOT have any acoustic influence, which can annoy (and sometimes even freak out) musicians. But Barry Rudolph has devised a way to overcome dead acoustics, while making musicians happy and enhancing the recording!

Dynamics processing primer. What is dynamic range? Does it vary by musical style/genre? When and where should you apply it? What about noise gates? Answers to these questions and more.

Anatomy of a hit record. There’s no way to say what makes a record a success. Many factors are involved, including the recording process. For example, a look at how a song by the Eurythmics recorded in a dingy attic on an 8-track became a huge hit.

Rick Sanchez: Hot Tuna and Hollywood Trailers Postprodution engineer Rick Sanchez started out in the music world, doing many tours with Hot Tuna, mixing dance records, and working at the Record Factory. Eventually he entered the niche market of promotional trailers for mainstream movies, working with major voice-over talents.

Need a “Reason?”. Propellerhead just released Reason 2.0, it’s latest “virtual studio rack” software for Windows and Mac, including OS X. It offers other enhancements, including new synthesizers and sequencers. Downloadable demos available.

Mic pre in Wonderland. Ralph Sutton, chief engineer for Stevie Wonder’s Wonderland studios, provides details on using a Phoenix DRS-2 mic preamp for vocal recordings to his Pro Tools HD system.

The Yamaha DM2000. The new 24-bit, 96kHz console is nine times more powerful than the 02R, with the first unit now at work with Steve Lukather’s latest solo effort.

The Art of Recording. Three complete chapters from Dr. William Moylan’s essential book, "The Art of Recording: Creative Resources of Music Production and Audio."
Part1: The Artistic Elements of Recording Production
Part 2: Preliminary Stages- Defining the Materials of the Project
Part 3: The Process of Evaluating Sound

Classic EQ and modules. Fletcher continues his series on classic gear, looking at console and outboard EQ modules - with plenty of opinion!


Oscar Time. Chris Munro’s sound for “Black Hawk Down, recorded on a Fostex PD-4 portable DAT machines, received an Academy Award. Now Munro’s recording sound for the new Bond film on DVD-RAM.

Mackie Gets Small(er) with HR624. How Roger McQuinn used Cool Edit Pro to capture field recordings that were compiled into a Grammy-nominated folk album.

Mr. Waters' portable studio rigs. Nick Griffiths explains the concept and gear in three identical compact and easy-to-assemble recording rigs that travel with Roger Waters.

Treasures from the road. How Roger McQuinn used Cool Edit Pro to capture field recordings that were compiled into a Grammy-nominated folk album.

Getting That Old 140 Plate Sound. Elliot Schiener recently passed along the observation that the sound of the old 140 plate can be attained with Yamaha’s SREV1 digital reverb, and offers further details.

This Guy Goes to 11!. Producer/engineer Jason Carmer tells Keith May about his background and the process of recording platinum albums for Third Eye Blind, as well as why unorthodox mic choices and a wee tad of distortion can liven up a mix.

Shelly Yakus: Band, Morrison and Lennon. The word “legendary” is barely adequate for Shelly. Starting out with ageless albums by the Band, Van Morrison and John Lennon, Shelly’s credits continue through Tom Petty, Steve Nicks, U2 and Bob Seger—among others. Part I covers the early years. Shelly Yakus II: Torpedoes & Beyond

Ainlay on Analog/Digital, Part II. Noted Nashville engineer Chuck Ainlay discusses his innovative “hybrid” analog-digital recording techniques, with a focus on Mark Knopfler’s latest release For Part I of the Chuck Ainlay interview, click here.


A Chat with Charlie Chadwick. Nashville’s Fireside Studio is steeped in country music history (Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Charlie Rich) but now Chadwick is moving the sound into a more eclectic mix. Sven Anderson has the story.

Inside Tape Op’s Jackpot! Studio. Larry Crane is best known as editor of Tape Op. But in the Northwest, he’s also known as the owner/engineer at Jackpot!, the hottest studio for the region’s alternative/indie rock scene.

Tracking the Stones. The Rolling Stones have recorded dozens of hits, but none more enduring than “Brown Sugar”. Muscle Shoals engineer Jimmy Johnson captured the Stones at their peak in these fabled 1969 sessions.

Toast Studios. While other San Francisco studios were falling by the wayside, the new kid known as TOAST came into being, and after remix work supported their beginning stages, they landed REM, Third Eye Blind and other major projects. Keith May is on the case and tells us about how TOAST came in under the radar.

Glory Days: Muscle Shoals 1972-80. Stones. Dylan. Aretha. Rod Stewart. Paul Simon. Wilson Pickett. Dire Straits. They all made their pilgrimages to the sleepy backwaters of north Alabama. They all came away with some of the biggest hits of their careers. Read the inside story, based on exclusive interviews. Glory Days: Muscle Shoals 1967-1972 | Muscle Shoals Equipment List

Larry Treadwell. Musician/producer Larry Treadwell tells Keith May about his "Simple Roger" studio in Sun Valley, CA, his organic metamorphosis into studio work, and his history as a guitarist and songwriter.

Ocean Way Nashville. A career arc that began in New York City's Electric Ladyland studios, and moved through years of touring with Prince and being part of his Paisley Park team, has brought Sal Greco to his current post as head tech of Ocean Way Nashville. Sal welcomed PSW's Chris Kathman.

Peter Rafelson. Studio owner, producer and songwriter Peter Rafelson describes his experiences, including co-writing a worldwide #1 hit for Madonna, "Open Your Heart," and growing up in Hollywood as the son of the Monkees' creator, film director Bob Rafelson.

NAMM Fast Picks. Music City USA hosted Summer NAMM again this year, and Barry Rudolph was on hand to ferret out the hottest new products for recording musicians. Check out what’s coming soon to your favorite gear retailer.