All Questions
9
votes
7answers
2k views
What are some disadvantages of audacity?
I've been using Audacity for a while and it seems like the perfect recording studio: free, open source, great features, easy to use, its easy to fall in love with. However, I want to have a more ...
9
votes
4answers
248 views
What production tools should we look at for a weekly podcast
Back in the day, right at the beginning, we had a podcast and we each recorded seperate audio through our mics and had our land-lines going as we are in different locations - then we emailed the audio ...
9
votes
2answers
569 views
What's the difference between an Engineer and a Producer?
People seem to be making a point of the distinction of the role of Engineer and Producer. What's the difference?
9
votes
2answers
145 views
What does an active DI box offer that a passive doesn't?
I heard that an active DI box doesn't amplify the signal at all in anyway so what is the benefit over a passive unit and is it always preferable?
9
votes
3answers
109 views
What should I look for in microphones for home audio monitoring “nanny audio cam” system
When building a home monitoring "nanny audio cam" system, the main component seems to be microphones/sound pickups.
The qualities that I think I need for such microphones for this system seem to be:
...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
How does the MIDI data for polyphonic aftertouch differ from “normal” aftertouch?
From what I understand, aftertouch in MIDI is a parameter (like a continuous controller) that a synthesizer can respond to. I have heard that some keyboards can send polyphonic aftertouch data, where ...
8
votes
5answers
325 views
Miking a grand piano
I have a SM57 and RHODES NT1 microphone and I was wondering what the best way to mike a grand piano was. I tried opening the grand piano and pointing the SM57 at the strings and then placing the ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
Why are all my recordings fuzzy and quiet!?
I originally thought I could just record my guitar using my laptop camera/mic, like I assumed many of the very-non-professional Youtubers I saw do. This (just the first part) was the result. I then ...
8
votes
1answer
516 views
What's the difference between a synthesizer and a sequencer?
In an attempt to determine the difference between the two, Wikipedia left me confused. Can you help?
8
votes
1answer
148 views
Can opening closed speaker cabinets for service affect the sound?
I have two pairs of speakers that could do with opening them up to investigate problems--one decades-old set of Celestion hi-fi speakers that has developed a rattle, the other a set of M-Audio ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the best order in which to record instruments?
I am teaching myself home recording using GarageBand. I play guitar and piano, and have a Korg padKontrol to enter drum data.
My question is, what is the best order in which to lay down tracks? ...
8
votes
4answers
5k views
Do new speakers require a “break-in” period?
Some speaker manufacturers* claim that one must "break in" their speakers for a given period of time before they sound optimal. This sounds fishy to me. Is there any reason speakers should need a ...
8
votes
2answers
354 views
How can I stitch together several m2ts video files into one large file?
I have recorded several community theater productions with a Panasonic TM900 camera. The settings on the camera were to record at 1080p @ 60 FPS. However, I noticed that the camera produces several ...
8
votes
3answers
4k views
Convert a 60 fps video to a 24 (film) video - is it possible?
This may not be as simple a problem as it may seem at first, so read carefully.
When I set my (Canon 60D, but this doesn't really matter at all) camera to record at 24 fps (I think it's actually ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
How do you get a job in a recording studio?
I have no idea, so any advice would be helpful. The research I've done shows that opinion is divided.
As an idea of my current situation, I have just graduated with an MMath from Oxford, and I'm ...
8
votes
5answers
412 views
Achieving uniform level in lengthy spoken word recordings
I often make lengthy recordings of spoken word for Internet distribution - lectures, public debates, etc. The resulting wave files have a highly uneven level - from whisper-quiet (questions from the ...
8
votes
1answer
109 views
Fixing acoustics in a glorified hallway
We have a small radio studio that is essentially in a hallway. When on air, you can definitely hear the room coming through the mics. It sounds like there is a lot of standing wave.
Our budget is ...
8
votes
2answers
310 views
Editing/Mastering workflow for a podcast
I'm creating a podcast with two voice tracks and some intro/outro music, and I'm trying to decide on a general workflow for editing and mastering. Specifically, I'm not sure if some of the effects ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
What is a good mastering chain to use in a DAW?
I realise that there is no one 'correct' answer to this (so maybe this can be marked community wiki), but as a hobbyist with a small home studio I would be interested to hear how others set up their ...
8
votes
1answer
392 views
Is it possible to record directly to a computer's CD drive?
I'm working with a client who needs to minimize the time between when recording is done and when the finalized audio CD ejects from the drive.
All of the computer recording software I'm aware of will ...
8
votes
1answer
661 views
Equipment setup for recording a podcast
I'm helping a non-profit set up a podcast and want to make sure I pick out the right types of equipment. The podcast will usually have 2 people talking. I'd like to put together two different ...
8
votes
1answer
363 views
Which Choir library would be recommended for film scoring, regardless of the price?
I'm looking for a good choir sound library to use in film scores.
Tonehammer's Liberis and Requiem Pro choral libraries seem to deliver quite an outstanding and realistic performance (if used ...
8
votes
5answers
383 views
Freeware Virtual Instrument VSTi's
What freeware virtual instrument VSTis can you recommend? Please link to just one instrument per answer so we can vote for favourites.
Useful information for each plugin includes:
link to download
...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
Rules of thumb for EQing?
I often create tracks that consist of lots of layered (electronic) sounds. This gives me a hard time EQing the tracks so that the mix still feels right.
Instead of forming a solid wall of sound, It ...
7
votes
4answers
243 views
Is it a good idea to use headphones for audio production?
Is it generally a good idea to use headphones in the production/mixing of audio?
And what can I do if my speakers are terrible (e.g. laptop speakers), and I'm on a shoestring budget?
7
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the difference between Autotune and a Vocoder?
A friend of mine mentioned that he had read somewhere that Autotune is actually not a vocoder. Is this true? If so, what is the difference?
Thanks,
Adrian
7
votes
5answers
335 views
Headphones to block outside noise
In a live recording environment, what "style" of headphones should I use to monitor what I am recording - in other words which block out the outside sound best.
Are in-ear headphones completely ...
7
votes
3answers
3k views
General rules for panning?
I'm working on a family project right now. Most of the songs have the following tracks:
4 kids (on separate tracks of course)
strings/pads
acoustic guitar (on about half the songs)
electric bass ...
7
votes
4answers
479 views
What is the difference between an amateur and a professional camcorder?
It is known that professional photographers use SLRs & regular users use point & shoot camera. What kind of cameras do professional videographers use & whats the difference?
7
votes
5answers
4k views
How do you use gain effectively?
Have read a few descriptions and understand basically what gain is, but I am quite the novice with audio work.
I've never heard gain or it's usage described by those who are really familiar with it ...
7
votes
3answers
187 views
Potential problems with chaining mic cables?
Will connecting several mic cables together impact the quality of the recording? Obviously with every additional cable there's an added risk of a loose connection, but assuming my cables and ...
7
votes
2answers
527 views
What codec will my Youtube uploads be output in and what codec should I use to upload?
Related to What codecs/formats are appropriate for full motion video recording for youtube? I'm wondering exactly how I can expect Youtube to handle my videos. I know they have a rather zealous ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Ableton Live synths: Analog vs. Operator
I've been researching Ableton Live 8, and I'm wondering, what is the main difference in sound and limitations between the Analog and Operator instruments? I'm looking for an industrial rock type synth ...
7
votes
2answers
251 views
How do mp3 encoders compress audio?
I know they remove certain sounds, like extreme highs and lows, but how does this really work?
What information is decided to be thrown out? Is it just done by frequency and typical human hearing ...
7
votes
3answers
185 views
Noise removal vs. adding bed noise
I've been recording podcasts and screen casts for a while now. I've always ran all my audio through Audacity and used the noise cancellation to clean up the audio. I've been happy with the results ...
7
votes
2answers
675 views
Soft synth vs. hard synth
I did a lot of project work about 15 years ago. Due to a limited budget, I arranged most of the drums, bass and keyboard tracks on a MIDI rack synth. I became increasingly annoyed with the process ...
7
votes
5answers
213 views
How can I manually emulate the sonic abilities of the NES?
I am interested in recreating chiptunes in a NES (8 bit) style
A google search has shown that the original NES had 2 pulsewave, a triangle, noise, some sort of sampling channel and that emulations of ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there any format for videos like RAW format for photos?
Like the RAW format for photos which stores the exact image information that is of great use for post processing, are there any similar formats for video?
7
votes
3answers
306 views
Getting the kick drum to really come out in the mix?
When I get done with a mix, no matter how much I work on the bass drum it barely comes out. I'm mainly working with metal bands, so I was wondering if anyone could give me pointers/ suggestions/ ...
7
votes
3answers
3k views
Record Skype conversation with Audacity
I want to record a conversation I am having with a single person over Skype using Audacity. I looked around and found plenty of resources on the Web suggesting it can be done. There were two methods, ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
Sound system noise from lighting system
I'm doing a lot of work in a relatively old theatre this year. The space is part of a church that probably hasn't put any money into maintenance and upgrades for the theatre (except for light bulbs, ...
7
votes
2answers
160 views
how can I smoothly move a camera without a dolly?
I have a small camera and this is the first time I'm filming anything that is serious. I'm wonder if there is a cheap way I can smoothly shoot footage in a room while moving without a camera dolly.
7
votes
3answers
733 views
Are dialogues recorded separately while filming?
Usually when filming, are the dialogues being recorded together with the scene of the shots or are the dialogues usually re-recorded by asking the actors to speak and record over the footages in a ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Linux digital recording - Audacity or Ardour?
We're evaluating options for a live recording setup in a church. Because the budget is tight, we're looking at running Linux with two Delta 1010's.
So far I've Audacity and Ardour. So far I'm leaning ...
7
votes
1answer
232 views
Has anybody tried using GIT version control for session control of audio recordings?
Has anybody tried using GIT version control for session control of audio recordings?
I have used GIT in programming and it works very well, and is easy to use too. It works great for collaboration, ...
7
votes
1answer
140 views
Imitating a phone call?
I was wondering if there was an easy way to do a voice over of a phone call with it actually sounding like someone on the phone instead of just a voice over?
7
votes
4answers
320 views
How to remove cigarette smoke smell from synthesizer?
I bought an Alesis Ion over the internet and forgot to ask if it was in a smoke-free studio. It wasn't, and this thing smells absolutely terrible. What's a good way to deodorize it? I'm very close to ...
7
votes
1answer
647 views
What exactly is a “bus” on a Behringer Xenyx mixer?
I'm looking to buy a Behringer Xenyx 802 which is an 8-Input 2-Bus mixer.
My question is.. what does it mean by "2-bus"?
I understand the concept of the word "bus" in this context as to mean ...
7
votes
2answers
4k views
How do song recognition services (like Shazam) work?
Seems kinda difficult to do that, especially when I am recording songs off the radio, using different hardware for both playing and recording (for example playing from a radio in the car and recording ...
7
votes
4answers
280 views
Are outboard processors dead?
Do outboard processors such as compressors, reverb units, etc. have anything distinct advantages in any area today? I'm especially thinking of analog units because of the added D/A-A/D round-trip and ...
