The Recording Revolution] Mixing With Stock Plugins
Macabeo Eastman
So, I have some free time this weekend where I can play around and get familiar with the characteristics of some of the stock plugins, but the question stands: are they worth using/spending this time ? my go-to mixing/mastering plugins are fairly competent - slate/fab/and the random trendy must haves, but I don't wanna miss out if there's something in there that's pretty solid.
I'm just starting to get into recording and I'm trying to find a kind of masterclass, course or video tutorials which start at zero. I do have a little basic knowledge but I'd like to start in the beginning anyway. I searched a little bit but most videos I've found are focused on electronic music like Rap, Pop or EDM. I'm searching for tutorials which are meant for Punk, Hardcore or Rock music. Something with real instruments.
Hi people.
I consume many tutorials on youtube about mixing and making music. The problem for me is that many of the people on those vids use paid, expensive plugins (usually) and I dont really know how take the value out of it.
To be honest I keep buying required gear to make good sounding music, because I'm really into it, but what's more important for me is to learn making great music with stock plugins (using Reaper) or free plugins at this time.
Does anyone use any plugins that have decent presets for vocals, instruments, etc...? I struggle with producing decent sounding demos when mixing and mastering individual tracks and then eventually mastering the final cut. I was just hoping to find a good plugin to help me. I'm also trying to learn a little more as I go along but there aren't a lot of Youtube resources for the current Cakewalk. Most everything I find is for SONAR.
The path to mixing and mastering nirvana is learning how plugins work. Lots of study, trial and error, and in the case of mastering, objective measurements. Sorry, there's no viable shortcut to the process. Limit the number of plugins you use: one EQ, one compressor, one reverb, and then learn everything you can about them.
Think of a plugin as a tool you use to do to the sound what you think it needs. I am often amazed at how many plugins a person will use in a project. Unless you have a real issue to work on and you can define it then by all means use a plugin if not don't. Many things can be done with a little EQ and perhaps compression used with care. There is no reason to throw plugins at a mix hoping somehow it will sound better. Know what you want then figure out how to achieve it. This often means listening very carefully to the mix as is and individual tracks soloed. Add as little reverb as you can get away with.
Additionally, different engineers dial in plugins differently. Some always approach compression with the attack release ratio threshold pattern. Some always use certain plugins on the master. Some always align the tracks to minimize phase issues. Some work dc offset. We all have our patterns.
Okay, back to our regular programming. The whole topic is very subjective but I make a distinction between mixing and mastering. To me, mixing is about achieving the best possible balance of all tracks, without any processors in the master bus. Mastering is about taking that final mix, making the changes in EQ and dynamics that really make it shine, and mastering to a consistent LUFS reading. I've mastered hundreds of tracks over the years, and ALWAYS ask clients to refrain from mixing with any processors in the master bus.
Graham Cochrane is recording and mixing engineer who has been in the business for over 16 years. Primarily, he has a blog and a YouTube channel where he makes most of his content. He makes money through selling online courses that guide interested visitors on how to record and mix music so that it sounds similar to what can be heard on the radio.
Graham discovered his passion for recording music in high school. On realizing that he could go to school to study music, he decided to get a degree doing just that. In college, he amassed a lot of music-based knowledge, made some records and attempted to get signed as an artist through the connections that he had with little success.
Seeing that Graham continued to channel more of his time and effort into sound mixing, his wife encouraged him to start blogging in order to get the word about what he did with his clients to potentially generate interest and get people to send him files to work on. He also had a lot of friends that were musicians who wanted his advice on everything from the exact equipment they should use in making music to tips on how to improve their sound. These factors led him to venture into blogging as a resource.
With Total Home Recording, Graham shows you how to go from rough ideas to final produced tracks all from a home studio perspective. It is a step-by-step tutorial that shows you exactly how he records bands.
Some of the areas covered include session setup, getting your instruments to sound their best, mic placement, and harnessing the power of your plugins to get better sounding recordings. Here is a sample of what you can expect to find inside Total Home Recording.
When you sign up for the Audio Income Project, you will receive the Audio Income Guide in PDF form. In summary, the guide covers the four steps to follow so as to make an income through recording, mixing, or producing, which are as follows:
Also included are foundational techniques and creative mixing ideas that you can experiment with to enhance your sound. The products are straightforward and easy to navigate even as a total beginner. The only downside of Recording Revolution is that it may prove too basic for advanced music makers, but even then, there are some useful tips that you can use to freshen up your techniques.
My guest on the show today is Graham Cochrane a musician, mix engineer, and audio blogger. Graham has built a very successful career recording and releasing both his own records and mixing for clients in many different genres.
And when you are truly ready to invest in yourself and your recordings you can also check out the in depth training courses that Graham offers. He has created complete video courses called the Rethink series to take you through different aspects of recording and mixing.
A - The first thing I would do is get a job. All I would need is a laptop, a 2-channel usb interface, large-diaphragm condenser and a dynamic mic like an Shure SM57. I would be fine with the stock plugins on the DAW. Then I would just go to where music is happening and offer to record people for free. You need money to stay in this business, so a job is nothing to be ashamed of. Then you can pocket all the profits you make recording.
Like any good podcast you can take this one anywhere with you and it's like having an old friend there. This is largely due to the host Lij's wonderful manner - warm and playful, and self-deprecating almost to a fault. Personality aside, it is clear that Lij possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge extending to all areas of sound, recording and production. He also has a wonderful range of guests on the show, so rather than just listen to engineer after engineer talk gear, you might one day hear an acoustician talking spaces, and the next a songwriter talking processes and giving practical tips. And of course there are a couple of engineers in the mix (excuse the pun). And what might at times seem highbrow and beyond the reach of many aspiring students of recording, Lij is able to condense into simple 'take-aways' - a credit to his broad understanding of all things sonic, but also to the needs of (some of) his audience. Thanks a lot Lij and keep up the great work!
So glad I stumbled upon RSR and this killer community. Lij is an expert conversationalist with a deep love for music and recording (and some incredible guests) - I love the honesty and accessibility of his work. Are you ready to rock???
This is actually the 1st Podcast I'm reviewing (which says a lot) because it's THE BEST ONE FOR RECORDING/MIXING/MASTERING! I've been listening to Lij's Podcast for the past 6 mos or so and I'm hooked! I'm a drummer and have a jam band here in Denver, CO. I started recording my band on a handheld recorded about 6 years ago, moved to multitracking in Garageband and have been a Logic Pro X user for the past 3 or so years. Needless to say, I've caught the recording/mixing bug and my skills have been steadily improving thanks to all those that share their knowledge. Thanks for this Lij!!!
This podcast has proven to be an absolutely invaluable resource. I am slowly filling up a notebook with ideas, websites, interesting people to look up, plugins to check out and all kinds of other amazing resources. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the production side of the music business. Thanks Lij, keep up the good work!
Lij's podcast brings lots of cool studio and recording folks onboard for super-cool discussions and great tips, recommendations and fun, useful anecdotes. A real must for folks who get off on studio stuff. Just the right amount of gear talk mixed in with stories and revealed personalities and a dose of reality that come with the studio life. Super awesome personality from host Lij Shaw brings this podcast into the stratosphere. Couldn't be happier with a podcase than I am with this one. Incredible content!
This is a 10 star podcast!!!Packed with info of the recording studio world. Get you inside the walls of the studio with awesome information on how to start, run and succeed in the music business of studio recording. A very big Thank you Lij
This podcast is by a seasoned audio engineer that really knows what he's talking about and conveys very articulately. Each episode features a different engineer to discuss technique, mixing, tracking, gear, even the business side of music production. And presenter Lij, is very humble and communicates well and interacts well with his guests. Even though the episodes are quite long they're jam-packed with tips and good advice. I learn a lot every episode!Thanks so much Lij!
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