When recording, start with a source you’re happy with. Then tweak. This is the best method to achieving the sounds you want in the studio. Equalizer (EQ) VST plugins support that process. They can help you dial out frequencies you don’t want, add frequencies you need, create vocal “wells,” boost the presence of your vocals…
When it comes to electric pianos, there are few as legendary as the Fender Rhodes. It has a classic, warm, dreamy tone (and bark and snarl when you need it) that’s often emulated but rarely matched. And whether you’re recording rock, jazz, R&B, fusion, or even pop, the Rhodes sound has made many songs a…
Recorded music would not be what it is today without reverb. Various methods and contraptions were employed in early day music production and recording environments to create depth and atmosphere, but now we have all of it right at our fingertips – in convenient, processor-friendly reverb VST plugins that can deliver world-class reverb with the…
If you’re looking to add depth, dimension, and atmosphere to your tracks, then there is no effect quite like delay, which is also the perfect complement to reverb. Besides conveying a sense of space and size, delay can thicken up tracks, push them into the background, create interest across the stereo image, give the tracks…
Chorus is a music production essential. It has a strong association with 70s and 80s guitar sounds, but the truth is that the effect complements most voices and instruments, especially in scenarios where you need to add some smoothness, dimension, and depth. The effect itself is just as it sounds. It’s like adding a choir…
An oscilloscope is a device that show electrical signals visually and illustrates how they change over time. It does so by connecting to a sensor, which is a device that generates an electrical signal in reaction to stimuli like sound, light, or heat. A microphone, for example, is a sensor that transforms sound into an…
Free Bass Amp Simulators are extremely difficult to come by. There are a few, but the most are poor. So, to spare you some time, and because I’ve already done some digging on the subject, I’ll share the ones I discovered that I believe are worth trying. One of the plugins will contain a cabinet…
John Lennon was a big fan of distorting his voice. He requested that his voice sound like “the Dalai Lama singing from the highest mountain peak” for his rendition of “Tomorrow Never Knows.” Engineer Geoff Emerick and the studio staff used a Leslie speaker to record his voice. The effect captivated John Lennon, according to…
We all know how cool it is to have orchestral instruments in our songs, regardless of the genre. They can work incredibly well, even with metal, rock or hip-hop beats. The problem is that hiring and recording an entire orchestra (and getting them to learn and play your music) is generally out of reach for…
The AT2020 does not come with a shock mount when you purchase it, and the quality of the microphone is pretty good considering the price. Hence, does it really require a shock mount for it to work correctly or for it to work better? Let’s find out. Since the AT2020 is a cardioid condenser microphone,…