When you see someone using a MIDI controller, it looks like the unit is producing the sound that is triggered, and it is also easy to assume that it is coming from inbuilt speakers. Are MIDI controllers sophisticated to include all of this? Are they truly all-in-one solutions or do you need to connect other…
There are so many different types of cables available these days that music studios can end up a tangled mess. Although many of these cables are necessary to get equipment to work, if we can get a chance to reduce the number of cables this can only be a good thing. Bass and Guitar are…
To anyone new to the world of music production MIDI can be a confusing thing to get your head around. Particularly for anyone who, like me, already knew how to play the piano or another instrument. But once you learn to understand MIDI you begin to unlock an extremely powerful (and arguably essential) tool in…
After realizing they don’t really know where to start with vocals on the album, this week Jack and Rob look for some expert advice on vocals. That expert advice comes from vocal coach Mary Zimmer who has the Youtube channel VoiceHacks. We chat about where to start, being realistic with what can be achieved in…
If you are relatively new to synthesis, you might notice that many synthesizers have similar controls and designs, and assume that they all have the same characteristics. Do all synths sound the same? What actually determines the sound a synth makes? To understand this we need to look a little bit at how synthesizers work…
Musician’s HQ writers Rob Wreglesworth and Jack Edwards are writing, recording and producing an album from scratch in one year. And they are documenting it for your enjoyment in podcast form. In the latest episode, despite making good progress with the demos, Jack and Rob feel like they have hit a bit of a wall….
Ableton Live is arguably one of the best music production softwares out there, especially for electronic musicians and DJs, in part because of its ability to be used as a live instrument in and of itself. Ableton is relatively pricey but well worth it if you’re looking for a super mailable and creative audio workstation….
After receiving multiple requests to stop talking and play some more actual music (fair enough!), in this episode Jack and Rob decided to take a look at one of the tracks they have been working on for the album. Jack talks through how he approached this track and how it progressed, from messing around with…
Limiters are included in a number of amplifiers, or available as separate pedals to place in your audio signal chain. A lot of bassists don’t fully understand the role of a limiter. Why do we use them and how do they impact upon the sound of your playing? A limiter effectively lowers the sound when…
Ableton is undeniably one of the most popular DAWs on the market, but it is quite pricey. If you are just getting started with music production it can seem like a big investment, but is Ableton worth the money or is it superfluous? Can you get the same elsewhere for cheaper? Why do people consistently…