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LABORATORY
SOUND BWOY
I tried some small experiments on my
sequencer but I can’t manage to find that
real fat analogue sound. Can you give
me some tips what to use to produce fat
analogue sounds which is essential in
d&b? I’m looking for a softsynth
(because I’m on a tight budget) but if it’s
only possible with hardware I would like
to know too.
Thanks, Erwin Granger
Erwin, If you are looking for a softsynth
SOUND BWOY TECHNOLOGY
If you don’t have a multi-band compressor, but are using there are quite a few around. Personally
GUEST WRITER JIM MOTLEY EXPLAINS a normal compressor you can still tighten your mix. Set the I’d recommend either Pro-52 or
‘HOW DO I TIGHTEN MY MIX?’
ratio to around 2:1, and the threshold to -6dB. This should Mercury-1 if you are looking for phat
catch most of the peaks but not flatten the dynamic of the bass. There are a few others worth
Many of us own hardware boxes or software programs that claim to
track. Make sure that you use the make-up gain of the checking like Model-E, Reakor and
put “that professional polish” over your mixes, but how do you use
compressor to boost the signal to as close to 0dB as Waldorf Attack. However, just like every-
them? Why do the CDs you burn at home sound much quieter than
possible without peaking. Compression actually removes thing it is your creativity and techniques
commercial CDs? Have you had a track badly pressed onto vinyl?
volume from a signal, so sometimes we have to add a
that will give you the sound you want.
There are a few simple tricks that can be used to make your mixes
little back in.
Use the force! Sound Bwoy
sound just as full and phat, and they can be simply done without too
much cost. Peak limiting, compression and a little EQ can turn a
Setting the attack and release times of the compressor
weedy mix into a full-on low-end nightmare so read on, and really
can also make a difference. If you set these wrongly you
give your mixes “that professional polish” they talk about.
will get “pumping”. This is where the track gets louder and
COMPRESSION IS ONE OF THE MAIN FACTORS,
quieter as the compressor starts and stops working.
SO HERE AREA FEW HINTS...
Pumping can be used as an effect. It gives the “sucking
If possible get a multi-band compressor. Multi-band compressors act
the air out of the speakers” sound as the compressor
like three separate compressors; one for the treble, one for the mid
pumps in and out. However, be careful with this, as it can
and one for the bass. This allows you to control the energy in the
ruin a track making the level vary wildly. Set your attack
bass to stop those big sub notes from drowning the mix and
times fast, and your release times slow. This means that
distorting. Try setting the bass compression ratio a little higher than
the compressor comes in quick - catching the downbeat,
SOUND BWOY
the other bands - say around 3:1 for the bass, 2:1 for the mid, and and then goes out slowly - so longer fading sounds like
I’m trying to decide between the Mackie
1.5:1 on the high bands. This will keep your hi-hats nice and crunchy, cymbals and pads keep their volume constant.
24x8 and the digital one. Money is not a
and your bass punchy but not overpowering. Set the thresholds to
big factor but it is one nonetheless. What
around -8dB (-6 on the high band), if you’ve mixed properly that Compression is possibly the most important tool in
are the pros and cons of both? Is the
should catch all the peaks. Programs like Waves L1 Ultramaximiser shaping a mix, but there are other tricks we can use. Read
type of music I’m recording a factor? I’m
and TC Works Spark can do this for you, as can hardware boxes like next month’s article to find out the best way to mix a track
mostly hip-hop, but I do live percussion
the DBX Quantum, Focusrite Mixmaster, and TC Electronic TripleC. to be pressed up on vinyl.
and live instrument as well. What
outboard equipment is recommended for
hip-hop? Would you recommend
different equipment for different types of
SAMPLE CDS
music, or does it depend on how I use
the equipment?
ABSTRACT HIP-HOP
(E LAB) AUDIO CD & WAV CDR
Those of you familiar with e lab CDs will know these people only deal in the highest
I almost have everything to start off with
quality and these new CDs are no exception. ‘Abstract Hip-Hop’ is a full bodied flava-some
but I can’t seem to decide on a recording
CD jammed full of to quality loops, break, sounds and FX and simply oozes class. Kicking
device. ADAT was my initial plan but I
of with inspiration kits this is a very vibesome selection of short grooves with individual
was advised against it by three of my
loops, hits and sounds afterward. Next up is an excellent section of grouped drums with
regular engineers, now I have no Idea
edits and effected loops ready for arrangement. Then it’s a large selection of music loops
what to get. I need 16 to 24 tracks and
at 90 and 100 bpm. These loops have a very deep vibesy feel, I think these could be well
unfortunately I’m not ready for Cubase...
used not only in hip-hop, but also drum & bass and just about any deep dance music. Then
Yet. Stone
comes many more drum loop groups, these are very original sounding breaks. Next up is
a wicked section of sounds, chords, riffs and vox FX. These stabs and atmospheric sounds
Stone, these are some searching ques-
create a deep jazz funk vibe for the 21st century. It rounds off with a hefty selection of kicks,
tions and just like all aspects of studio
snares, hats and other percussive sounds. Highly recommended.
technology there are many competing
products to choose from. Your require-
NU GROOVE RNB
ments are what will drive your choices. I
(E LAB) AUDIO CD & WAV CDR would recommend any Mackie desk but
Nu Groove RnB is jammed full of the phattest RnB breaks around. Mostly concentrating on as to which one, it’s all dependant on
drums this CD excels in the realm of breaks with hefty kicks and cutting snares leading the your budget and whether you really want
charge. There are many varied rhythms ranging from 60-111bpm. There are loads of full automation. Personally I always go
percussive loops to layer and mix and match. This CD is a wicked source for clean hip-hop/ for simplicity so I got a 32x8. As for
RnB drum loops for all types of production, especially commercial style RnB (I think I hear recording devices, I think that computer
Mel B in there!). The CD is intelligently laid out with 79 groove kits of drum loops with recording using Logic or Cubase is the
variations and layers plus individual hits - this gives instant access to any kick or snare you most flexible way to do it.
like even if you don’t like the programmed rhythm. The next section is loop tools, a large
section of grouped drum loops ranging from phat punchy RnB to lively percussion loops. E-mail your questions to:
The CD round off with a section of kicks, hats and snares to feed your sampler with.
soundbwoy@knowledgemag.co.uk
74 KNOWLEDGE
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