37
votes
14answers
1k views
The most common mistakes for newbies recording
What are the the most common mistakes that new engineers tend to make when recording and mixing down their tracks?
27
votes
4answers
13k views
I want to learn how to make electronic music. Where do I start?
First of all, I hope this is the right place to ask this question.
My desire is to make electronic music; what I have in mind is something between glitch, IDM and ambient. In the last 1-2 years ...
24
votes
4answers
298 views
How to deal with the difference in sound when the audience comes in
For mixing in a small church, with cheap equipment, we have the following problem.
When we set up all equipment and do a sound-check, all levels are good and the sound is just very good. When the ...
22
votes
4answers
2k views
Any reason not to convert WAV to FLAC and save some disk space?
As I understand the technologies, WAV is a raw, uncompressed format and FLAC is a compressed but lossless format.
My research has shown that FLAC files "still maintain all the audio fidelity"src of ...
19
votes
3answers
710 views
19
votes
6answers
3k views
Create a DIY Green Screen / Chroma Key
What are some good resources for people attempting to setup their own green/blue screen, light, record and pull a quality key from it? Particularly on a low budget, or with materials that aren't ...
18
votes
7answers
8k views
Are there any audible differences between 192 and 320 kbit/s .mp3 files?
This is a question that's currently being discussed on skeptics.stackexchange. It was thought reasonable to get some input from the audio experts. So with the author's permission I'm posting it here.
...
18
votes
3answers
363 views
What is/are the first effect(s) I should put on raw vocal recordings?
The main problem my finished tracks have is a poor quality vocal sound. I generally try to apply a dynamic range compression filter first and then add some reverb/chorus as appropriate but I can never ...
17
votes
9answers
697 views
Good open source Video Editors?
Sure, I could Google and find random software. But I rather have the opinion of users that have had hands-on with any open source video editors.
So if you've used one that you like or know of any, ...
16
votes
9answers
1k views
An open source sound editor, but not Audacity?
I am looking for open source/free software for casual sound editing.
I've tried audacity, I know it's capable tool but really I dont like the interface.
Tried snd, can't get it to work.
I am looking ...
16
votes
5answers
4k views
Should I use compression in live settings?
I am running sound on a very limited budget and am wondering if adding some compression to our vocals and/or guitars will help our sound much. I am thinking I would only need 8 channels of compression ...
15
votes
11answers
1k views
Cheap DIY solutions, like using egg cartons
I record and produce as a hobby, so funds are limited. What are some nice do it yourself solutions people have found.
As an example, you can line the walls with egg cartons instead of paying for ...
14
votes
4answers
602 views
Making space in a synth-heavy mix for electric guitar?
I've got a Duran Duran tribute and the band is, obviously, big synth sound heavy. Trying to fit the guitar in to the live mix has been a constant struggle. I've put notch filters on the synth channels ...
13
votes
2answers
315 views
What is Mastering?
Can anyone explain mastering? What is it for and why should anyone care? Should I have all of my recordings mastered?
13
votes
4answers
1k views
Why do weathermen and amateurs use green screens when professional movie makers use blue screens?
I've seen a lot of "low budget" green screen setups. However, when I watch things about professional filmmaking, it seems everyone is using blue screens instead. (e.g. I've seen Industrial Light and ...
13
votes
2answers
800 views
What does the term quantization refer to?
Many DAWs have the option to "quantize" a set of notes. What does it do?
13
votes
4answers
597 views
What is compression and why is it used?
Related to vocal recording, I see some answers that talk about compression.
What exactly does compression do, and why and how is it used?
13
votes
1answer
1k views
How do software algorithms to calculate BPM usually work?
Most music editing programs will tell you the BPM of a song, but how do they calculate it? Obviously they try to find some sort of constant pulse throughout the song, but:
how are they separate from ...
12
votes
7answers
351 views
Where can I find free sound effects?
Free sound effects sites. One per answer.
Please make sure that you are not posting a duplicate. If you see duplicates, please vote them down and comment to let the author know.
12
votes
2answers
907 views
What is side chain compression?
I've heard mention of side chaining or side chain compression in reference to electronic music (specifically Daft Punk). What is it?
12
votes
3answers
532 views
How do I get a mix with two heavy bass elements to not sound muddy?
I often struggle with mixes where I've got two very bassy sounds, usually a very 'big' kick sample and either a hip-hop-style sub bass or a rhythm sample involving low-pitched drums.
What's the best ...
12
votes
4answers
289 views
Vuvuzela silencing techniques
Last year's soccer World Cup in South Africa brought about many vuvuzela silencing tools. What are the characteristics of vuvuzela noise that allow it to be silenced? What are some of the common ...
12
votes
3answers
813 views
What specifications should I look for when buying a budget microphone?
For amateur purposes I might consider buying a budget microphone to record my vocals, as I have the thoughts that my current cheap home headset microphone won't suffice to get some quality.
What ...
12
votes
1answer
260 views
Suggestions for micing violins
I have a session coming up where I will be recording a couple violins. I've done a few violin sessions in the past and never been happy with the violin sound I've ended up with - it's always been too ...
11
votes
8answers
17k views
Free batch conversion from FLAC to Apple Lossless (ALAC)?
I am looking for a free tool that would allow me to convert large amounts of FLAC files to ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) while preserving the meta information and optionally adding new information ...
11
votes
8answers
3k views
FireWire or USB
Which is better for audio recording? FireWire or USB audio interfaces?
I've used USB quite a bit and struggled with a few latency issues (which have since been resolved) but the speeds of FireWire ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
XLR vs USB Microphone
I have a Fast Track Pro (which as an XLR pre-amp) mostly used for DJing tasks. Now, I am in the process of creating a small (really cheap) recording studio in my home. I was looking for cheap Mics, ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
How do I remove mouse click noise
I am using a mac and I am using screenflow software to do a screencast about how my web application works. During the demo I click on a lot of buttons and links. In my screencast I have this click ...
11
votes
3answers
164 views
What hardware units should I have in my arsenal?
I'm an amateur audio engineer who most of the time needs to record choirs or musical theatre productions, but who occasionally does home studio recording of songs.
I don't have a huge amount of money ...
11
votes
3answers
3k views
Microphone windscreens — how effective / necessary are they?
I've done a fair bit of podcast recording using a headset that has a small integrated foam windscreen over the mic. I never thought much about it, until we recently purchased some wireless headsets ...
11
votes
5answers
4k views
Why is Pro Tools the industry standard in high end audio production?
Are there some specific features which make Pro Tools so popular in high end audio? Most comparisons I've found with other DAW's are several years old and are pretty subjective. I'm interested in ...
11
votes
6answers
4k views
Setting up ableton live as a live looper?
I have seen that it is possible to set up Ableton to work as a live looper
How is it done?
11
votes
4answers
3k views
What is the best volume to work with studio monitors?
What is the best volume to work with studio monitors for mastering and mixing tracks?
I own a pair of M Audio Bx8 Studio monitors and I always produce with the volume knob at the middle.... so here ...
11
votes
4answers
402 views
What should I look for when buying a subwoofer?
I've got a pair of studio monitors which I'm very happy with, and am considering matching them with a sub. Since I can only hear the sub in the store, and without the benefit of hearing how they'd ...
10
votes
6answers
568 views
Are there any mathematical advantages for higher sampling rates?
Given that most people can't hear so many frequencies above 20kHz anyways, I've never understood the exact arguments for using sampling rates above 48kHz. At 48kHz, I understand that it is easier to ...
10
votes
3answers
5k views
What does 'Poles' mean in relation to a filter?
Sometimes filters are referred to in terms of dB/Octave (a 24dB/O is a common low pass filter setup, for example), however sometimes they are referred to in terms of 'Poles' (I've seen switchable ...
10
votes
6answers
1k views
Preventing tangled mic cables
It seems like no matter how carefully I wind up my mic cables, the next time I get them out I'm fighting tangles and knots. And untangling mic cables is not one of my favorite things to do in front ...
10
votes
9answers
6k views
Should I use 44.1KHz, 48KHz or 96KHZ sampling frequency for hobby projects?
I use a firewire audio interface with a decent microphone pre-amp and the ability to sample up to 96KHz in 24-bit.
I get why I'd want to use 24-bit for the added dynamic range, especially when using ...
10
votes
7answers
287 views
Audio software with alternative user interfaces (e.g. not mimicking a mixer)
Most audio software mimics a "real" device; most notably, a mixing console. I find this makes things easy to learn and transfer, but is less optimal when using a mouse.
What audio software exists ...
10
votes
2answers
284 views
What is impedance and why do I care when buying a microphone?
I've been researching some mics and aside from reviews I've been looking at the specs. I'm not sure I understand what impedance is and why I care about it when purchasing a mic.
10
votes
3answers
557 views
Does it hurt to send phantom power to a mic with its own power supply?
And if not, why is there a switch on the preamp? Why not just send phantom power all the time?
10
votes
2answers
206 views
0db mono vs. 0db stereo
Let's assume I have a mono track in my DAW software. The track contains an audio file which was normalized to 0 db. If I play the track the volume gauge on the stereo out channel will go up only to ...
10
votes
5answers
27k views
What is the effect of impedance on headphone sound quality?
Most headphones used with portable electronics are low-impedance, around 32 ohms. This is because the power supplied by the device is limited due to it being battery powered, and the low impedance in ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
Two microphone setup to record voice and acoustic guitar
what are some good microphone setups for recording a single singer/guitar player with two microphones? Position, types, levels, etc. Thanks!
10
votes
4answers
2k views
What factors are important for DSLR lenses for shooting video?
I'm about to upgrade my DSLR camera from a Canon XSi (450D) to either a Canon 7D or T3i (600D). I'm largely interested in the video features of the camera. I have several mid/high-end lenses that I ...
10
votes
1answer
128 views
What is this strange second camera?
I don't know is this is the correct place to ask this but ...
I've watched several "making of" of current movies and noticed a thing i cannot explain.
What is this strange "secondary" camera you ...
10
votes
2answers
468 views
How to mic a 50 persons choir standing behind an orchestra
In a certain line-up of a live recording in a classical concert hall, there is a 50 persons choir situated behind a symphony orchestra with quite a few trombones, timpanies and a percussion section. ...
9
votes
3answers
3k views
What is “clipping” distortion? What causes it, and how to avoid it when recording audio?
What is "clipping" distortion? What causes it, and how to avoid it when recording audio?
p.s. please add tags "distortion" and "clipping".
9
votes
4answers
288 views
All-round vocal mic
What should I be looking for when purchasing a good all-rounder vocal mic?
We've dealt in Shure SM58's for years. Are there other alternatives? What qualities should I be looking for when shopping ...
9
votes
2answers
89 views
What does panning do in a stereo system
I use pan a lot, but would now like to understand what it does.
My question is spurred on by being told in a mix (a rock band for example) everything needs to live in its own space. Well, surely it ...
