Clear Lake Recording Studios

Category: Clear Lake & Fever Studios Updates

  • AI Is Powerful — But Not Perfect: What Musicians Should Really Watch Out For

    AI Is Powerful — But Not Perfect: What Musicians Should Really Watch Out For

    Clear Lake Recording Studios — Los Angeles, CA

    Artificial intelligence is crashing into the music world from every angle. Artists are using it to spark lyric ideas, producers are leaning on it for sound design, engineers are automating parts of their workflow, and teams are tasking it with writing everything from press releases to TikTok captions. The promise is obvious: more speed, more output, more “always-on” creative support.But like any tool, AI has a shape. It’s brilliant at certain things and surprisingly fragile in others. In a field like music—where feeling, timing, culture, and trust matter more than anything—understanding those edges isn’t optional. It’s how you keep your art authentic while still taking full advantage of what the new tech can do.At Clear Lake Recording, we’ve been watching technology reshape music since the late ’80s. Tape, ADAT, early DAWs, plugins, Atmos, and now AI. The pattern never changes: the artists who win are the ones who understand the tech, but don’t hand the steering wheel over to it.

    Where AI Really Shines for Musicians

    Let’s start with the good news: there are areas where AI can make your life as a musician genuinely easier and more creative, with very little downside—as long as you stay in control.

    1. Turning Creative Blocks into Momentum

    Staring at a blank session can kill a day. AI is excellent at breaking that stalemate. You can feed it a loose concept and let it spit back lyric fragments, themes, metaphors, or even alternate song titles. None of that has to be “the answer,” but it can get you from zero to “okay, now I’ve got something to react to.”

    The same goes for chords and arrangements. Ask for variations on a simple progression, or for ways to reharmonize a chorus, and you’ll often get a couple of ideas you might not have reached on your own—especially when you’re tired or under deadline.

    Use AI here for:

    • Expanding a half-formed idea into multiple options
    • Reframing a song concept from different emotional angles
    • Generating possible structures (intro → verse → pre → hook, etc.)
    • Exploring “what if we took this into a different genre?” questions

    2. Cleaning Up the Technical and Workflow Side

    Most musicians don’t get blocked creatively—they get buried in technical friction. Routing, templates, recalling patching, organizing sessions, naming files, figuring out why the phase looks weird on a drum recording… AI is incredibly helpful as a “second brain” for that stuff.

    You can ask it to explain what your compressor is doing, how to set up a tracking or mixing template in Pro Tools or Logic, or how to structure your folders so that future-you doesn’t hate present-you. Those are all areas where AI’s broad training and pattern recognition shine.

    3. Marketing, Content, and Staying Visible

    The modern music grind doesn’t stop at the record. You’re expected to be a content machine, a brand, and a marketer on top of being an artist. AI can dramatically lighten that load without taking away your voice.

    You can use it to sketch out a rollout plan for a single, draft an email to your list, generate three variations of a show announcement, or optimize a blog post for search without feeling like you’ve taken on a second job.

    Smart AI marketing use cases include:

    • Drafting social captions you tweak, not copy-paste blindly
    • Turning a studio diary into a polished blog post
    • Summarizing streaming and social analytics into “what should I actually do?”
    • Helping keep your website or EPK up to date with clean, consistent copy

    4. Vocal Production and Pre-Production

    AI is starting to play a real role in vocal production—not as a replacement for artists, but as a way to move faster and explore more options. You can use vocal tools to generate harmonies, sketch doubled parts, or create reference vocals that help you hear an arrangement before you pull the singer back in.

    In a professional studio context, like at Clear Lake, these tools are most powerful when they’re treated as “assistants.” They help you hear possibilities quickly, then you decide what’s worth chasing in the live room.

    Where AI Struggles (And Where You Should Be Skeptical)

    For all those strengths, there are hard limits baked into how AI works. Ignoring them can lead to bad advice, weird decisions, or music that feels polished but empty.

    1. The Knowledge Cutoff Problem

    Every AI model has a point in time where its “education” stops. It doesn’t naturally know what happened after that date. Some systems can browse the web to fill in the gaps, but many answers you get are still coming from a static, older snapshot of the world.

    In music, this matters a lot more than people think. Streaming payouts change, social algorithms shift, legal rules around AI and copyright evolve, and new platforms rise and fall quickly. If you ask an AI about “what’s working on TikTok right now” or “the latest Spotify playlist rules,” and it’s drawing from outdated information, you could base a release plan on yesterday’s reality.

    The fix is simple: if you’re making a business, legal, or platform decision, make sure the AI is citing current sources or double-check what it gives you against real 2025 information.

    2. Confident… and Wrong

    One of AI’s weirdest traits is that it doesn’t show doubt the way humans do. It will give you a clean, well-written answer even when it’s guessing or straight-up wrong. That can be dangerous in areas like mixing technique, gear advice, or anything that touches contracts and rights.

    You might get a very convincing explanation of a plugin feature that doesn’t exist, or a “best practice” that no working engineer actually uses. When something sounds a little off, that’s your cue to push back, test it in a session, or ask someone with real-world experience.

    Good rule of thumb: Use AI to propose ideas. Let your ears, taste, and team decide.

    3. No Lived Experience, No Real Emotional Gravity

    AI can describe heartbreak, joy, rage, or hope with impressive language. What it can’t do is actually feel any of it. That gap shows up most clearly in lyrics and melody.

    Left to its own devices, AI will often write “correct” lyrics that scan well but don’t say anything specific. They feel generic because they are. When you feed it your story and your details and then rewrite what it gives you, it becomes useful. When you let it write the whole song, it usually sounds like a polished demo for nobody in particular.

    The same thing is true in performance. An AI-generated vocal can be eerie and impressive, but it doesn’t replace a real human in front of a mic, in a room, on a day when something actually matters to them.

    4. Clueless About Human Politics

    The music industry is a web of relationships, subtext, and unspoken rules. AI doesn’t read body language, doesn’t know who’s bluffing, and doesn’t understand that sometimes the safest thing to say in a meeting is nothing.

    It can help you rehearse a pitch, or clean up an email to a label or manager. But it can’t tell you if the label is serious about your project, if your co-writer is quietly checking out, or if your bandmate is about to quit. That’s still all you.

    5. It Still Doesn’t Replace Trusted Ears in a Great Room

    AI can analyze frequency curves, dynamics, LUFS, stereo width, and more. Those are powerful tools. But they aren’t the same thing as feeling a song move air in a real studio, with real monitors, and with a producer or engineer who knows when something is “done” versus just “loud.”

    This is why artists still book rooms like Clear Lake. The tech helps, but the combination of a tuned space, world-class gear, and human experience still beats any plug-in preset or AI “mastering” pass.

    Legal & Ethical Landmines Around AI in Music

    One area where you really want to keep your eyes open is the legal side of AI. The laws are playing catch-up, and the stakes are your voice, your likeness, and your catalog.

    Voice models and style-mimicking tools raise real questions: Who owns the result? What happens if someone trains a model on your vocals without permission? Is the beat or topline you got from an AI tool truly “yours” to license?

    On top of that, a lot of AI systems train on massive amounts of music they didn’t license in a traditional way. That battle is just getting started in courts.

    Practical safety tips:

    • Avoid uploading unreleased or sensitive stems into untrusted tools.
    • Read the terms of service for any AI platform you rely on.
    • Be cautious with vocal cloning—yours or anyone else’s.
    • When in doubt, talk to a lawyer before you stake a release on AI-generated material.

    The Real Sweet Spot: Artists + AI + Real Studios

    None of this is an argument against AI. Used wisely, it gives independent artists an advantage that used to be reserved for big-budget teams: instant assistance, fast drafting, endless iterations, and a way to keep up with the content treadmill without burning out.

    But the records that last—the ones people still talk about ten or twenty years later—come from a blend of tools and humanity. A human voice in a great room. A band locked in together. A producer making a call based on instinct, not just meters. Those ingredients still matter, and probably always will.

    AI is power. You are the direction.

    When you combine:

    • Your taste
    • Your story
    • Your performance
    • AI speed and flexibility
    • A professional studio environment

    …you get something you can’t buy as a preset.

    Want to Use AI in Your Music — Without Losing Yourself?

    At Clear Lake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, we help artists blend new tools with real-world experience every day. That can mean anything from simple AI-assisted harmonies to fully hybrid analog/digital workflows for albums and Atmos releases.

    Some of the ways we can support you:

    • AI-assisted vocal harmonies, doubles, and pre-production ideas
    • Hybrid analog/digital mixing and mastering workflows
    • Dolby Atmos production in a purpose-built room (learn more)
    • Analog tape recording on our Studer 827 for a truly human feel (analog tape sessions)
    • Guidance on release strategy and content so your music actually reaches people

    If you’re ready to experiment with AI but want to keep your sound, your story, and your standards intact, get in touch with Clear Lake Recording. Let’s make something powerful—and human—together.

     

  • Clear Lake Analog Print Lab — Coming Soon

    Clear Lake Analog Print Lab — Coming Soon

    Coming Soon

    Why Real Analog Still Matters — and How You Can Now Access It from Anywhere

    Announcing the Clear Lake Analog Print Lab — remote analog processing for stereo mixes and stems, with optional tape and console summing.

    I’ve spent my career watching plug-ins evolve from rough imitations to convincing emulations of analog gear. They’ve come a long way. But when you’ve worked on real consoles and racks, you realize the difference isn’t just tone — it’s behavior.

    Analog doesn’t just process sound; it reacts to it. Transformers saturate in small, musical ways. Tubes breathe with the rhythm of a song. A console’s crosstalk links sounds together in a way no plug-in fully nails. Those little imperfections are what make a mix feel alive.

    At Clear Lake, we’ve spent decades chasing that feeling and preserving it in a world that’s gone mostly digital. Now we’re opening it up to anyone, anywhere with the Analog Print Lab — a service that lets you send us your mixes or stems and get them back with real analog depth, glue, and movement.

    Why This Matters for In-the-Box Mixers

    Working entirely in the box has real advantages — total recall, flexibility, speed. But digital sound is perfectly consistent, and that consistency can be part of the problem. Every time you hit play, you get the exact same signal. It’s precise, but it can also feel static.

    Running through real analog gear changes that. The signal interacts with the circuit — resistors, tubes, transformers — in small, nonlinear ways that stack up to something musical. It’s the subtle compression of a transformer when the kick hits. It’s the way the Trident’s bus amp gently folds transients together. It’s how tape glues a mix without touching the fader balance.

    Those things don’t make your mix different — they make it better: more natural, more dimensional, and easier to listen to. That’s why we still use this gear every day at Clear Lake. It doesn’t just add color. It adds character.

    What I’m Offering

    The Analog Print Lab gives you access to the same gear and signal paths we use on major-label projects — without booking a session or patching a single cable.

    • Upload your stereo mix or stems and include a few notes or reference tracks.
    • We design a hardware chain that fits your material — not a preset, not a template.
    • Processing options include:
      • Analog outboard — real compression, EQ, and tube saturation for tone and control.
      • Console summing — SSL Duality or Trident 80B for width, glue, and space.
      • True tape printing — Studer A827 (2″) or Otari MTR-12 (½″) for warmth and movement.
    • Capture is aligned and gain-staged through mastering-grade converters.
    • Delivery includes 24-/32-bit WAVs and notes on the exact chain used for recall.

    Whether you want a clean, modern polish or something dripping with analog color, we tailor the process to the mix you send.

    Why Analog Adds What Digital Can’t

    • Stereo image opens up and feels wider.
    • Transients soften just enough to make the top end smoother.
    • Vocals and instruments sit forward without extra EQ or limiting.
    • Low end feels deeper and more musical, not just louder.
    • Reverbs and delays blend more naturally into the mix.

    It’s not hype — it’s physics. Analog circuits add harmonic content and compression in ways digital doesn’t. Combine that with console summing and tape, and the difference is instantly audible.

    Analog Summing

    • SSL Duality — 48-channel SuperAnalogue summing with VCA bus compression. Tight low end, detailed top, punch for modern pop, hip-hop, and R&B.
    • Trident 80B — 30-channel transformer-balanced summing with midrange energy and musical color. Rock, indie, and organic styles feel glued and alive.

    Analog Tape Saturation

    • Studer A827 (2″ 24-track) — multi-stem or bus prints for depth and warmth.
    • Otari MTR-12 (½″ 2-track) — final stereo prints at 15 or 30 IPS (NAB/IEC). Fresh reels on request.

    Our Analog Arsenal

    (Unified inventory for the Analog Print Lab. Stereo configuration noted.)

    Compressors / Dynamics
    • Urei 1176LN (×3 mono / stereo-linkable)
    • Universal Audio LA-2A (×2 mono / stereo pair)
    • Tube-Tech CL1B (mono)
    • Empirical Labs Distressors EL8 (×2 stereo pair)
    • Empirical Labs Fatso Jr. (stereo)
    • Stamchild 670 — Fairchild-style (stereo)
    • Allen Smart C2 (stereo)
    • Avalon AD2044 (stereo)
    • Spectra Sonics 610 (stereo)
    • ADR Compex (stereo)
    • Valley People Gain Brain (×2 mono)
    • Valley People Keypex II (stereo gate/expander)
    • DBX 160X / 160A (×3 mono linkable)
    • Daking FET II (stereo)
    • Manley Variable Mu (stereo)
    • Aphex Expressor (stereo)
    • SPL Transient Designer SD2 (stereo)
    • Signal Audio Workshop Gainrider (stereo)
    • SSL Fusion (stereo processor)
    • SSL Duality Bus Compressor (stereo)
    Equalizers / Tone Shaping
    • Pultec EQP-1A (×3 mono / stereo pairs available)
    • Pultec MEQ-5 (×2 mono)
    • Tube-Tech PE-1B (mono) & PE-1C (×2 stereo)
    • Tube-Tech ME-1A (mono)
    • Manley Massive Passive (stereo)
    • GML 8200 (stereo)
    • SSL Fusion EQ (stereo)
    • CBS Filter (stereo)
    • Neve 1073 (×2 vintage mono) + BAE 1073 (×6 mono hand-built clones)
    • Trident 80B channel EQs (mono per channel)
    • SSL Duality channel EQs (mono/stereo)
    Effects / Time-Based Processors
    • Eventide H3000 D/SE and Eclipse (stereo)
    • Lexicon 300L (stereo)
    • Lexicon PCM 70 (stereo) and PCM 96 (stereo)
    • TC Electronic 2290 (stereo delay)
    • TC Electronic D-Two (stereo delay)
    • TC Electronic Fireworx (stereo multi-FX)
    • TC Electronic System 6000 (stereo reverb engine)
    • Sony R7 (stereo reverb)
    • Yamaha SPX90 (×2 stereo FX)
    Tape & Capture
    • Studer A827 (2″ 24-track)
    • Otari MTR-12 (½″ 2-track)
    • Denon cassette deck (reference)
    Consoles / Summing
    • Trident 80B (30-channel transformer desk)
    • SSL Duality (48-channel SuperAnalogue console)

    Client Use Examples

    Artists & producers at home: finish your in-the-box mix with real analog life. Upload the mix, pick a chain, and we’ll handle the rest. It’s the fastest way to get the feel of a big-room chain without booking time.

    Professional mixers: keep your digital workflow, outsource the analog bus. Send the print, get it back with the cohesion and width you want — recallable and consistent.

    Mastering engineers & labels: add console summing or a tape pass before mastering. Subtle or obvious; either way, you get reliable, documented results without managing patch bays or scheduling rooms.

    Why Choose the Analog Print Lab

    • Access to a six-figure analog rig — on demand.
    • Hand-patched, customized chains for every order.
    • Fast turnaround — as quick as 48 hours (premium).
    • Detailed notes and recall sheets included.
    • Real engineers, real hardware, real results.

    What’s Next

    We’re finishing the online portal now. Soon you’ll be able to upload your files, select your chain, pay securely, and get your analog prints delivered within days.

    Want early access? Email contact@clearlakerecording.com with your name, song count, and whether you want summing, tape, or both.

    © Clear Lake Recording — North Hollywood, CA


  • Top 10 Reasons to Consider an Analog Recording Studio in 2023: Spotlight on Clear Lake Recording

    Top 10 Reasons to Consider an Analog Recording Studio in 2023: Spotlight on Clear Lake Recording

    In an era where the music industry often gravitates towards digital, there’s a surge of interest in the warmth and depth that only analog can deliver. For those seeking that authentic sound, Clear Lake Recording Studios in North Hollywood stands out as a gem among the best recording studios in LA. Here’s why:

    1. Unparalleled Depth and Warmth: Analog tape machines, such as the revered Studer 827 at Clear Lake, offer a warmth and fullness that digital often can’t replicate. The Studer remains one of the most revered 2” analog recorders thanks to it preserving the classic analog sound while maintaining a low noise floor, an extended high-frequency response, rock-solid durability, and advanced features like being able to sync with Pro Tools.
    2. The Vintage Factor: In an age of plugins and emulations, there’s nothing like the real thing. The Trident 80b console, vintage Pultec EQP1A3s, Neve 1073 modules, and multiple Urei 1176s at Clear Lake bring a timeless character to recordings.
    3. Historical Legacy: When you record with equipment that has seen countless hits, you’re partaking in history. Clear Lake, a top Los Angeles recording studio, has an arsenal of vintage microphones. Some of our more notable vintage tube and solid-state microphones include a Neumann U67, the stereo tube Neumann SM2, Neumann U47 Fet, and a pair of tube Sony C37As. These vintage microphones and the rest of our extensive mic locker have played vital roles in capturing the sonic excellence of classic albums.
    4. Character and Authenticity: The ADR Vocal Stressor and Spectrasonics 610 found at Clear Lake can impart a unique harmonic coloration yet unparalleled versatility, setting the studio apart from many recording studios in LA.
    5. The Clear Lake Touch: This North Hollywood recording studio’s Otari MTR-12 2 track 1/2″ ensures the final mix will have that distinct touch of analog magic. It also allows our clients to record and mix an entire project using only analog equipment. Working within the limitations and utilizing the processes that nearly all recorded music prior to the 1990s used creates a unique atmosphere for our clients. This atmosphere can help bring out the best in many musicians and artists because they know their part can’t be manipulated or compiled from a massive list of alternate takes. Everyone knows the stakes are higher, and it’s a fulfilling accomplishment to know your recordings are purely your own artistic expression.
    6. An All-Encompassing Experience: The tangible nature of analog, from adjusting knobs to seeing reels spin, offers musicians a tactile and immersive recording experience.
    7. A Step Away from Over-processed Sound: In a digital age, many productions can sound overly polished. An analog recording studio in Los Angeles, like Clear Lake, brings back organic imperfections that can deeply resonate with listeners.
    8. Unique Room Acoustics: It’s not just the gear but also the space. Clear Lake’s studios, designed by renowned acoustician George Augspurger and originally built as an analog studio, make it a prime music production studio in LA for recording to tape.
    9. A Hub of Creativity: Located in the heart of North Hollywood, Clear Lake is surrounded by a community of artists, writers, and producers, fostering a creative atmosphere unparalleled by other studios.
    10. Keeping the Tradition Alive: Choosing to record in an analog environment is also a nod to preserving the traditions of music production. While technology advances, there’s an art to analog that deserves to be celebrated and continued. Furthermore, Clear Lake can synchronize our Pro Tools system to the tape machine so that we can utilize the best of both worlds!

    In conclusion, while we always maintain the latest, state-of-the-art computers, converters, and Pro Tools Systems, a functioning analog studio like Clear Lake stands as a testament to the timeless quality and artistry that recording to tape can provide. Furthermore, it creates the opportunity to blend modern and vintage tools in infinite ways and allows our clients to develop their own unique sonic palettes. Whether you’re a budding artist or a seasoned musician, the lure of a top-notch analog recording studio in Los Angeles is hard to resist. If you seek depth, warmth, and authenticity in your recordings, Clear Lake Recording Studios awaits.

  • Most Useful Quick Keys in ProTools

    Most Useful Quick Keys in ProTools

    Most Useful Quick Keys in Pro Tools

    Why is it important?

    Being successful as an audio engineer requires you to be flawless in your designated DAW. These quick keys for Pro Tools, an industry standard, guarantees engineers speed and precision that provides a time-effective and proficient session for them and their clients.  Quick keys speed up your workflow, with accessible shortcuts that allow you to access tools and features right from your keyboard without having to click through lengthy menus or leave your workspace. 

    These are some essential Pro Tools quick keys to learn quickly to hit the ground running!

    The Essentials:

    • Spacebar: Start/stop playback
    • Command + =: Switch between edit and mix windows
    • Shift + Command + N: Create new tracks
    • T: Zoom in
    • R: Zoom out
    • Enter: Returns timeline selection point to the beginning of the session
    • 3(Numeric Keypad) OR Command + Spacebar OR F12: Record
    • Command + S: Save
    • Command + Z: Undo
    • Shift + Command + Z: Redo
    • Command + C: Copy
    • Command + V: Paste

    Having a numerical keypad is a necessity that allows multiple quick keys to be accessible that would not be available otherwise.

    Numeric Keypad:

    • Enter: Create new memory location
    • 0: Start/stop playback
    • 1: Move timeline selection point back 1 bar
    • 2: Move timeline selection point forward 1 bar
    • 3: Start record
    • 4: Enable/disable loop playback
    • 5: Enable/disable loop record mode
    • 6:Enable punch record mode
    • 7: Enable/disable metronome
    • 8: Enable/disable count-in
    • 9: Enable/disable MIDI merge

    Quick keys used for editing greatly improves speed and functionality. A faster workflow can improve a client’s session by providing a smoother recording experience. 

    Editing and Mixing:

    • A: Trims everything before the timeline selection point
    • S: Trims everything after the timeline selection point
    • D: Creates a fade from the beginning of a clip up to the timeline selection point
    • F: With a whole clip(s) selected, will add short fades to the beginning and end
    • G: Creates a fade after the timeline selection point to the end of the clip
    • Command F: Batch fade
    • P: Move the timeline selection point and/or a clip selection up a track
    • ; (semi-colon): Move the timeline selection point and/or a clip selection down a track
    • , (comma): Nudge a clip to the left (based on your chosen nudge value)
    • . (period): Nudge a clip to the right (based on your chosen nudge value)
    • Command + E OR B: Separate clip based on current selection
    • Command + H: Heals a separation
    • Command + T: Trims clip to the current selection
    • Command + B: Removes current selection
    • Command + U: Opens strip silence
    • Command + G: Group the selected tracks
    • Shift + Command + G: Suspend all groups in the session
    • Option + Command + G: Group selected clips together; opt + cmnd + U will undo the clip group

    Other Favorites: 

    • Control + \(Backslash): New playlist for a selected track
    • Shift + Command + I: Import audio
    • Shift + Command + K: Export clips as files
    • Tab: Move to next clip edge
    • Option + Tab: Move to previous clip edge
    • Tilde: Cycle Though edit modes
    • Option + Shift + D: Duplicate 

    We hope you take advantage of these quick keys to significantly enhance your skills in ProTools for your next recording, editing, or mixing session!

    Polish Your Sound at Clear Lake Recording Studios & Fever Recording Studios

    Contact us at Clear Lake Recording Studios and Fever Recording Studios to learn more about our comprehensive assortment of recording services.

  • Best Trap Splice Packs

    Best Trap Splice Packs

     Best Trap Splice Packs

      

    Over the last five years, trap-infused production has become ubiquitous in studios of all sizes. Pounding 808s and flittering hi-hat loops reverberate from bedroom studios to powerhouse main monitors and everywhere in between. If you need to upgrade or update your trap sample library, these Splice packs are an excellent start. Check out our top five picks below! 

     

    1. UZ – Real Trap Samples

     

    Megastar DJ and cultural influencer UZ offers one of the best trap packs in the Splice catalog. The pack is full of diabolical synth atmospheres, searing basses, and larger-than-life 808s. The snare rolls in this pack are particularly useful if you’re looking to save time: simply drag and drop one at the end of your phrase to get a crispy transition (cue cymbal crash on the downbeat). This pack is a great place to start for foundational trap sounds, with plenty of obnoxious kicks and snares to bring a smile to your face as you turn them up.  

     

    1. SOPHIE Samples

     

    Another pioneer in trap and pop was the late SOPHIE, who passed away in January 2021. Her production credits speak for themselves, including Charlie XCX, Madonna, Cashmere Cat, Vince Staples, and a range of other talented artists. Known for her “hyper-kinetic” take on pop and trap music, SOPHIE has crafted a pack that delivers metallic synth glitches, massive subs, creepy textures, and some of the most innovative percussion one-shots we’ve ever heard. Take a listen for yourself above. 

     

    1. Naderi’s Secret Sauxe

     

    Sydney-based producer Naderi has amassed quite a track record, engineering and remixing for the likes of Flume, Skrillex, Trippie Redd, and The Killers. In his “Secret Sauxe” pack, Naderi has included inspirational synth arpeggios and quick, echoing vocal phrases that serve as outstanding ear candy when combined with panning automation. The closed hi-hats in this pack are all processed in a way that makes them smack harder than the hats in your average trap pack. This is a go-to selection for sprinkling unique trap flavors on top of your track.  

     

    1. umru: sound cache

     

    umru’s “sound cache” presents some of the hardest-hitting drum samples on the Splice market. Scrolling down the samples, each percussion hit somehow seems to hit you in the chest more than the last. The Estonian-American producer, well-known for his remix of Lido’s “Citi Bike”, has gifted the Splice community with his mix of knocking kicks and disrespectful snares, which are familiar enough to hook listeners but also different enough to maintain their interest. This pack is a great place to start if you are looking for the backbone of your trap drums.  

     

    1. KRANE Samples

     

    With seven volumes in total, KRANE’s sample packs display versatility and thoughtfulness that will leave any producer satisfied. The cracking snares are the highlight – they sound fantastic and will make your drops punchier while giving them edginess and attitude. They also function well when layered on the twos and fours. Aside from the snares, these packs boast a range of crafty percussion loops, huge bass one-shots, and rich, emotion-infused arpeggios that will leave you downloading volume after volume. 

     

    We hope you enjoyed this list, but why pigeonhole yourself into one genre? Check out our top five indie Splice packs here.

    https://splice.com/

     

    Polish Your Sound at Clear Lake Recording Studios & Fever Recording Studios

    Contact us at Clear Lake Recording Studios and Fever Recording Studios to learn more about our comprehensive assortment of recording services.

     

  • Creative Uses for Your Free Plugins

    Creative Uses for Your Free Plugins

    Producers and engineers of all skill levels can get caught up in wanting to purchase the latest game-changing plugin. Unfortunately, many of these new tools have a tendency to break the bank. For the budget-conscious producer, we’ve identified several unorthodox ways that free plugins can add character and life to your tracks. Check out the full list below! 

     

    Camel Crusher on Synths

    Camel Crusher was once a staple distortion plugin for major EDM acts, primarily to fatten basslines and lead synths. In 2015, Camel Audio was acquired by Apple, discontinuing the line of Camel products. For those who are willing to search, Camel Crusher is still available and can have wondrous effects when its distortion, filtering, and compression capabilities are applied to synth material. Take a listen to the example below – by adjusting the Mech and Tube Distortion settings and automating the filter cutoff, you can easily transform a synth in seconds. 

    Regular Synth:

    Camel Crusher Synth: 

     

    Tal Chorus LX on 808s 

    The Tal Chorus LX, a standalone version of the chorus implemented in the larger Juno 60 emulation plugin by TAL, sounds great on just about any source. It shines on pads and synths, creating a gooey width and depth that instantly gives them a lush feel. A more uncommon use is to create width on the top of your 808s. Try creating a send, hi-passing everything up to 130 Hz with an EQ, and then place the Tal Chorus LX after it with the stereo width and the dry/wet knobs at 100%. Be judicious with this one! 

    Regular 808:

    Tal Chorus LX 808: 

     

    OTT on Vocals 

    OTT, or “Over The Top” Compression, is typically used on instrument sources, such as synths in massive EDM drops, or pianos that need to poke out of the mix. However, when applied subtly at the end of a direct vocal chain, OTT helps a vocal sound more front and center by lifting some high frequencies and boosting the gain a touch. This application can be a game-changer if your vocals are competing for space in the mix, and also works great on vocal chops. 

    Regular Vocals: 

    OTT Vocals: 

     

    Slicers on Melody Loops 

    Logic, Ableton, and FL Studio all come with built-in slicers (if you’re in Pro Tools, try Structure Free). These plugins allow you to slice a sample of audio into smaller pieces and trigger them in any sequence you please. If you’re a loop maker, try throwing one of your finished loops into a slicer and messing with the timing and order of your audio sample! Get creative and make a whole new loop. Oftentimes, these textures and flips are great ways to spice up different sections of your song. 

    Bonus tip: try pitching individual slices up and down, or duplicating certain slices and stretching them out to double their length (the popular “half-time” effect) to layer underneath your new loop.

    Regular loop: 

    Slicer loop: 

     

    Dimension Expander on Electric Guitars 

    The Dimension Expander is a standalone plugin based on the “Dimension” feature that comes standard inside Serum by Xfer Records. The plugin has two controls: a dry/wet knob and a size knob. The magic of Dimension Expander is on full display when it’s placed as an insert on an electric guitar track. With the size at 100% and the dry/wet around 33%, the plugin transforms the dry signal into one with a unique depth hard to achieve with other plugins. Hear the difference below: 

    Regular Guitar:

    Dimension Expander Guitar: 

     

    If you want more of these tips, be sure to check out this article for creative ways to use other plugins in your collection! Happy producing. 

     

    Polish Your Sound at Clear Lake Recording Studios & Fever Recording Studios

    Contact us at Clear Lake Recording Studios and Fever Recording Studios to learn more about our comprehensive assortment of recording services.

     

  • “Music Is Organized Sound”: The Job of an Audio Engineer

    “Music Is Organized Sound”: The Job of an Audio Engineer

    Merriam-Webster defines an engineer as, “a person who carries through an enterprise by skillful or artful contrivance.” In the case of an audio engineer, art and skill are certainly involved in equal measure. What exactly is the job of an audio engineer and how does it shape the final product?

    What Does an Audio Engineer Do?

    In a nutshell, an audio engineer controls the technical aspects of sound, whether in a recording studio or during a live event. While this involves nuts-and-bolts activities such as working with equipment, an audio engineer is also responsible for achieving the sound an artist is looking for. 

    An audio engineer has a more narrow range of duties than a music producer, but the position frequently serves as a launching pad into a career in production. Here’s a breakdown of the major tasks that make up the job of an audio engineer:

    • Recording, Mixing, Editing, and Mastering Sounds
      The primary purpose of an audio engineer is to capture vocal, instrumental, and ambient sounds on physical or digital media and manipulate these sounds to come up with a finished recording. This includes everything from regulating volume levels and adjusting balance to overlaying tracks and matching sound to video.
    • Handling Mic Selection and Placement
      For a lay person, this may seem like a no-brainer. In fact, microphones can make or break a sound recording or performance. First, there are three primary types of mics (condenser, dynamic, and ribbon) that have different applications and an audio engineer needs to know when to use which one. Second, mic placement makes a huge difference. Moving a mic one inch in any direction can have a significant effect. While there are general rules of thumb, an audio engineer uses instinct and experience to determine optimum mic placement.
    • Equipment Setups and Checks
      In a studio setting, much of the audio equipment is already set up, but an audio engineer will usually arrive well ahead of recording time to test mics, check cables, and ensure everything is in working order. The job takes on a larger scope at a live event, where the audio engineer takes charge of making sure all equipment is set up properly. Many bands have a dedicated sound engineer who travels on tour with them. This person has a familiarity with the band’s set, enabling them to smoothly apply special effects and other tricks at the appropriate times. In a pinch, an audio engineer may also be called upon to repair malfunctioning equipment.
    • Collaborating with Artists and Producers
      The artist has a vision, and the producer is responsible for bringing it to fruition. It’s up to the audio engineer to work closely with both so everyone is on the same page regarding the project at hand. When it comes to achieving certain sounds, artists and producers will often rely on the audio engineer’s expertise about the best techniques to use, so an engineer should be prepared to offer advice and suggestions as needed.
    • Troubleshooting
      During the recording of the iconic charity anthem, “We Are the World,” producer Quincy Jones and the audio engineer were baffled by a recurring noise heard in playbacks. They finally discovered that the sound was coming from Cyndi Lauper’s clanging bracelets. It’s an amusing story now, but audio engineers may find themselves faced with similar problems that they are expected to solve.

    Create the Sound of Success at Clear Lake Recording Studios

    Clear Lake Recording Studios and our newest facility, Fever Recording Studios, offer state-of-the-art equipment and full-service amenities at cost-effective prices. Contact us to learn more.

     

  • Best Indie Splice Packs

    Best Indie Splice Packs

    Splice has revolutionized producers’ access to high-quality samples, making your new favorite sound just one click away. However, with hundreds of thousands of sounds in the Splice arsenal, it can be tough to know where to start. We have you covered! Check out our top picks for indie Splice packs below. 

     

    5. nicopop: sounds of summer vol. 1

     

    Los-Angeles based producer Nicolas DiPietrantonio offers a meticulously crafted set of indie dance-pop sounds, ranging from punchy stomps to light, mix-ready claps. The vocals in this pack are perfect for sprinkling into the stereo field to add ear candy in sparse productions, or as tonal beds for choruses. The keys offer great starting points for that summery, poolside feel. 

     

    4. Memory Palace: Bedroom Pop

     

    This well-rounded pack, put together by multi-instrumentalist Ben Bromley, features nostalgic guitars, homemade percussion samples, and a range of ethereal Serum presets geared toward the modern bedroom producer. A unique combination of synthwave, indie rock, and lo-fi influences, the pack draws on inspiration from artists such as Tycho and My Bloody Valentine. Notably, the ambient, hazy melodic loops in this pack are super evocative and give songwriters plenty of room to explore. 

     

    3. That Sound

     

    While technically a label rather than an individual pack, That Sound offers best-in-class human drum one-shots and loops. Trusted by everyone from Justin Stanley (Prince, Eric Clapton) to Ned Cameron (Lil Wayne, Migos), these libraries are composed predominantly of live performances and retain a beautiful dynamic range that will add a human spark to your percussion. Highlights include Boots + Claps, Mammoth, and Indie Aesthetic. 

     

    2. Organic Electronics by J. Views

     

    A twice Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter, J. Views’ pack contains creative foley and organic textures perfect for a wide range of indie music. From snares made from cabbage to stomps made from ice, these sounds will introduce natural, fresh elements into your recordings. The textures in this pack are frequented by Illenium and SaidTheSky, who chop them up and use pieces of them as percussive elements to fill space in the mix. The companion packs, Organic Electronics 2 and 3, are also worth a deep dive. 

     

    1. Travis Barker Drum Kit

     

    If you want punchy drums from one of the best drummers on the planet, look no further. This kit, which comes straight from the drumsticks of world-renowned drummer Travis Barker from Blink-182, is filled with cracking snares, thick rock kicks, and thunderous crashes. This pack especially shines when it comes to fills. Boasting 38 of them, they are sure to liven up any transitions in your drums and give your track a professional edge.

     

    Polish Your Sound at Clear Lake Recording Studios & Fever Recording Studios

    Contact us at Clear Lake Recording Studios and Fever Recording Studios to learn more about our comprehensive assortment of recording services.

     

  • Check Out This Article From Mix Magazine on Our Use of Adam Monitors

    Mix Magazine recently posted an article to their website about our choice of monitoring and why it’s so important!

    Below is an excerpt, to read the full article please click the link at the bottom of the quote!
    http://www.mixonline.com/thewire/hollywood-s-clear-lake-recording-studios-counts-adam-monitors-do-it-all-their-eclectic-client-base/426592

     

    “In a commercial studio, a monitor needs to do it all – be honest, revealing, loud and soft, and still sound good. That’s a tall order and there are monitors out there that do a few of those things really well, but not many that do them all. The S3X’s were the first pair of midfields that did all of that. If your mix isn’t right, you’ll hear it on these speakers; the level of detail is astounding,” he says. “I was honestly skeptical the first time I heard the ADAM’s because I thought they sounded too good! When I started mixing, on them, I realized that my ears did not get fatigued, I could zero in on very minute details with ease, and when I got my mix in place, it translated very well. In a professional studio, you need to have everything because when a client is sitting in the room with you, you don’t have the luxury of waiting until mix down to have an excellent sounding recording.”

    – See more at: Mix Online – Why Clear Lake Recording Studios Relies on ADAM Monitors

     

    Polish Your Sound at Clear Lake Recording Studios & Fever Recording Studios

    Contact us at Clear Lake Recording Studios and Fever Recording Studios to learn more about our comprehensive assortment of recording services.

  • Clear Lake Recording Upgrades to Pro Tools 12.4 and HDX

    Clear Lake Recording Studios is a high end multi-room facility serving North Hollywood and the Greater Los Angeles area. 

    Since our founding in 1987, Clear Lake has always prioritized staying inline with the cutting edge of reliable recording technology. Starting with our investment in the Studer 827, the most technically advanced analog tape machine of its time, to our early adoption of ADAT technology, followed by our employment of the earliest 24 track Pro Tools system, Clear Lake has always made a point to have the most relevant and reliable recording medium available to our clients.

    In keeping with this tradition, we have now upgraded our Pro Tools system to version 12.4 powered by the greatly enhanced DSP power of an Avid HDX card. While HDX and version 12 have been available for over a year, it was not until the release of Pro Tools 12.4 that we felt the added features and stability made the upgrade appropriate and reliable. We will also maintain our Pro Tools 10 HD5 system for any clients who prefer to stay in a familiar environment.

    With this upgrade, Pro Tools is now working in an entirely 64-bit processing environment. This allows the DAW to utilize the power of our computer to its fullest potential. We can now support sessions with up to 256 voices and have exponentially more processing power for plugins and virtual instruments. Furthermore, by upgrading from Pro Tools version 10 to 12.4, we gain the following features:

    • Creating offline bounces (this means saving massive amounts of time creating stems or bouncing)
    • Freezing tracks or committing tracks to free up processing power
    • Enhanced visual elements such as clip transparency
    • Multiple metering options
    • Click here for a full list of new features in Pro Tools 12.4

     

    In addition to our Pro Tools HDX upgrade, we have upgraded our old Digi 192 interfaces to the new Avid IO interface.

    The added clarity and precision of these converters represents a substantial step forward in fidelity and stability.

    Read more about the advantages to the new Avid IO interfaces

     

    Lastly, we have made significant improvements to our selection of plugins:

    Waves Mercury + Studio Classics Bundle

    Plugin Alliance Everything DSP Bundle (Includes SPL, Tube-Tech, and many other high end emulations)

    Fab Filter Total Bundle

    Sound Toys 5 Everything Bundle

    McDSP Emerald HD Bundle

    Lexicon PCM Bundle

    Altiverb 7

    Autotune 8

    Melodyne 4

    VocALign Project

    Slate Digital: Virtual Mix Rack, Console Collection, Tape machine, Buss Compressors, Trigger 2, and FG-X

    Avid Pro Series package

    Omnisphere 2

    Komplete Ultimate 10

    hdxweb2

     

    Polish Your Sound at Clear Lake Recording Studios & Fever Recording Studios

    Contact us at Clear Lake Recording Studios and Fever Recording Studios to learn more about our comprehensive assortment of recording services.