III. All about Dynamics // JAN 25
After you've created your perfect track with the editing techniques we've discovered in the second live stream, we will explore how we can elevate our recording with different plugins, especially with a compressor and an equalizer!
Please use this thread if you have any questions concerning the workbook or general questions concerning All about Dynamics!
Click here to access Session 3: All About Dynamics // Jan 25th (Live!)
Find the other sessions here: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4 | Part 5
Download the third workbook here
I will post the answers to the questionnaire on Jan 31th!
After the livestream, submit your assignments by replying to this thread!
Time Stamps (with courtesy of philip.1 )
Spectral Peaks. (13:45)
Line Audio CM4 position (23:30)
Editing fast moving pieces. (26:45)
Purpose of spectral analysis. (27:50)
Mixing (30:00)
Mix bus (36:00)
Compressor (42:00).
What is a compressor? (57:20)
ReaComp (1:06:00)
Poll Result. (1:19)
Compression different to limiter. (1:20)
Ride the faders. (1:26)
Outboard Compressors. (1:30)
EQ (1:34:30). FX: ReaEQ
Cut low freqeuencies: High Pass to 56 Hz
Removing String Squeaks. (1:51:00)
Boxiness. (1:56)
Reverb (2:02). FX: ReaVerberate
Limiter. (2:17)
Export recording. (2:26)
De-noising. (2:37). FX: ReaFir.
Normalizing. (2:40:30)
Answers to the Questionnaire:
1. What is normalizing?
Normalizing is maximizing the highest peak in your file to 0db without any dynamic compression. If you're highest peak is at -6db, normalizing will boost your signal with 6db gain, but this will also bring up your noise floor +6db. This is why we need to adjust our input gain levels to peak about -12db to -6db during soundcheck to ensure the highest signal to noise ratio possible!
2. How do we reduce low bass rumble?
A high pass or low cut filter will reduce every frequencies below a point of your choosing with a slope of 6db/octave or steeper! In classical music, we usually use flatter slopes as higher slopes (like 24db/octave) will mess with the phase of your signal.
3. What is displayed in the EQ?
The EQ displays the frequency spectrum of the audible channels if the plugin is inserted in the master channel. If you insert it only one the left channel, it will meter only the left channel. The visualization is also capable of showing frequency spectrum post-EQ and pre-EQ.
See you tomorrow, where I will dive deep into YOUR recordings!
-
Hello Martin and all,
Here is my edit of Klangbild 1 with dynamics effects included. I used a subtle reverb effect (I think). I found that if I made it heavier it didn't sound natural, to me at least.
Attached is a wav file of my recording and screenshot of the plugins I used.
It's possible I may not be able to attend the livestream on Monday, but I'm hoping to make it.
Thanks,
Rick Ankney
-
Hi. Martin. It´s being hard to keep pace with recording, Sor´s challenge, studying, etc. Plus, my nails are making every noise possible this week (I´ve been trying a new shape and it doesn´t work) so I´m sending the same song this week, but this time with all the make-up. Although I´m far from getting the result I want, I´m learning a lot in this course, so THANK YOU!
On the other hand, last week I asked you about recording more than one guitar, but didn´t explain myself. My question was about recording at home different parts one by one and then mixing them. Any tips on this?
BTW thanks a lot, Philip, for the time stamps.
-
Hi Martin,
I am a non-expert Ableton user, but I wanted to try Reaper for this course, and still not get used to it yet. My biggest problem was latency. You can check my settings if it is wrong. Should I decrease the buffer size? Latency decreases then, but I don't know what happens if I do that.
So I made my recordings with Ableton. I recorded mono with a cardioid conderser microphone (Audio Technica AT2020). I used built in effects, EQ Eight and stereo maker.
By the way, do you recommend stereo maker plugins? I used default settings for the stereo maker and I still don't know how to use it. I couldn't see that in Reaper effect list. Do you recommend any plugins? (preferably free)
I still don't understand the reverb settings of Ableton, and didn't like the results of Reaper, so I used Audacity which is simpler. But I lost volume a bit after reverb, is it normal?
See you at the workshop.
Thanks,
Gokce
-
Hi Martin,
Here is my piece, recorded on a Zoom H6. I didn't use compression as I felt there wasn't a huge dynamic range in my recording, but I've used some basic EQ, reverb, and used the limiter to boost the signal. I have included a screenshot showing my FX settings. Any advice for improvement will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Barry.
-
Hi, I am not sure where I should have posted my first recording and edit - because I am a bit behind and have not applied the stuff from the 3rd session. So I put my mp3 (mono record and a bit of editing) into the thread of the 2nd session. I hope that it is in the right thread there and that it is not too late to be considered at that level of the 2nd session.
-
Hi Martin
Here's my stab at a bit of dynamics editing. Attached are screenshots for compressor (not sure there's enough dynamic range but had a play without really hearing what I was doing. Equaliser I think helped with general boomy muddiness. A bit of reverb for the hell of it and nothing with the limiter as I didn't know what I was doing from the PDF and haven't had time to re-visit the video session. The threshold dB was already at -0.1dB at if the reduction fader is one of the things at the sides that bounce about then it was never still!
-
Answers to the Questionnaire:
1. What is normalizing?
Normalizing is maximizing the highest peak in your file to 0db without any dynamic compression. If you're highest peak is at -6db, normalizing will boost your signal with 6db gain, but this will also bring up your noise floor +6db. This is why we need to adjust our input gain levels to peak about -12db to -6db during soundcheck to ensure the highest signal to noise ratio possible!
2. How do we reduce low bass rumble?
A high pass or low cut filter will reduce every frequencies below a point of your choosing with a slope of 6db/octave or steeper! In classical music, we usually use flatter slopes as higher slopes (like 24db/octave) will mess with the phase of your signal.
3. What is displayed in the EQ?
The EQ displays the frequency spectrum of the audible channels if the plugin is inserted in the master channel. If you insert it only one the left channel, it will meter only the left channel. The visualization is also capable of showing frequency spectrum post-EQ and pre-EQ.
See you tomorrow, where I will dive deep into YOUR recordings!
-
Ok, here's my attempt. I've included a screenshot with the plugin settings (and some last-minute edits ). This time I recorded (quite some takes of) Landslag III. I tried several recording positions with my H4N Pro and lowering the recording level to 80. Bringing it in way closer and reducing the recording level lowers the noise a lot but it's still quite high. So that definitely needs some more work. I also see that I accidentally disabled number 4 of the equalizer. Oh well. Really need to get some sleep.