Clear Lake Recording Studios

Tag: professional recording studio

  • 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

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  • 5 Things To Do Before You Enter A Recording Studio

     So you’ve written a great tune, you’ve put the final touches on the lyrics, and you’re pretty sure you’ve got that vocal thing nailed. You’re ready to record, but just how prepared are you? Studio time isn’t cheap. Preparedness will not only make your life easier, it could also wind up saving you a few bucks. Here are five things to address before you enter the recording studio.

    Throw a quick demo together

    You don’t need much. A guitar or keyboard, a microphone, and a way to record it quickly. It doesn’t have to be high-tech. As a matter of fact, the more low-tech the better, for a bare-bones demo is like a blank canvas with only a hint of an outline. It’s up to you to add color and texture to the piece. Listen to the song in your car. Listen to it alone with the lights turned off. let the song dictate to you where it should go. The most incredible bursts of inspiration can happen in those moments when you least expect them. Make a list of the ideas that come to you.

    Have an arrangement plan

    They say the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson was able to envision an entire complex arrangement for a song, and was therefore able to book a complete roster of musicians for the gig. That kind of gift is rare. Besides, there is great freedom in having an entire orchestra at your fingertips, thanks to modern technology. And there is great pleasure to be had in coming up with fresh ideas on the spot and trying them out. Nevertheless, recording studio time is most certainly money. Having an idea of what you want before you go in can save you a ton of both. An arrangement plan is a bit like an ingredients list for a recipe. Try sketching out a grid of your song with columns for song sections and rows for instruments used throughout the song, and X’s marking where those instruments will appear.

    Practice your parts, and use a click track

    It happens to the best of us. Take 67 and you still can’t get the lick down. It’s OK. If you practice your parts over and over again beforehand, and play along with a click track or a metronome, you’ll greatly reduce the possibility of having everyone stare at you while you try to nail that ascending pentatonic scale just one more time.

    Know what kind of sound you’re going for

    This isn’t exactly the same thing as an arrangement plan, but it’s similar. You have an X factor that you’re driving toward. Only the magic of the studio can transport your song across this dimension and take it from good to great. This is where a good engineer comes in. More than just a guy twisting knobs and pushing buttons, a recording engineer knows how to work with the producer to translate artistic ideas into reality. It helps immensely to bring along actual recorded examples of bands or songs you want to sound like as a reference for your producer and engineer.

    Take care of little things

    Restring that bass. Tighten those skins. Have some backup sticks and strings and whatever else you may need. For all its control of the environment, the recording studio can have all the unpredictability of a live show. Here’s where it helps to be a boy scout, i.e. be prepared.

    To discover how you can bring out your sound in a professional studio environment, feel free to contact Clear Lake Recording Studios.

     

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

    Are you ready to record now? Contact us at Clear Lake Recording Studios and Fever Recording Studios to learn more about our comprehensive assortment of recording services.

  • 3 Reasons Recording in a Professional Studio Can Save You Money, Time, & Stress

    Just like the art of making music, recording music is also an art – and a science.  If not recorded with the same level of expertise, skill, passion, and creativity as when an artist’s lyrics and chords are first composed, the end result that the world hears will never, ever reflect the musician’s true vision and voice.

    Whether you are an independent musician who wants to freshen up your bedroom demos or you’re a major label artist who can make his own Lucille weep between lyrics like B.B. King, capturing your indisputably-unique sound and essence in the recorded form is an undertaking that demands an attention to detail and expertise above and beyond that of a gifted songwriter or talented musician.

    No matter what size session you require, securing the services of a world-class major recording studio is truly the only practical and affordable way to get your music ready to share with the world.

    Here’s why:

    A major recording studio will save you money

    Although the initial investment may seem like more than you want to spend today, over the long run, the final product always ends up being less expensive than going to a fly-by-night studio or trying to get your sound just right on your own.  By working with a team of top-notch music recording professionals from the moment you enter an acoustically tuned space and a professionally designed studio no time is wasted.  From the engineer’s end, it’s done right the first time. Should you decide to tweak it, improvise, or change it midstream, you have a talented team manning the controls who can both go with the flow or offer suggestions.  Since not all major recording studios are financially accessible to independent artists on the brink of making it big, it is important to find one that respects and appreciates working with every serious musician ~ from the still-unknown solo artists to the mega rock and pop stars.

    A full-service recording studio will save you time

    Your most important commodity in your life is your time.  Instead of spending countless sleepless nights trying to figure out the best way to record your music on your own, it’s a sound business decision to just hire professionals to take care of that feat for you. It doesn’t mean you can’t do it, it just means you’d rather spend your time writing even more music and leave the recording in the hands of professionals who do it fulltime – 24/7.

    An established, state-of-the-art recording studio will save you stress

    Some musicians make themselves so stressed out trying to record their own music, that by the time it (finally) gets done, half of the band has quit, no new tunes have been written, or the spark that was once ignited by the songs seems to have gone out. You already spend every minute of each day’s 24 hours writing, creating, practicing, or performing your craft. You talk about music, study it, and often wake up in the middle of the night having dreamt about it. And that’s how it should be.  Don’t make yourself frustrated trying to record it all on your own now.

    Choosing to record your music in a professional full-service recording studio filled with top-of-the-line recording gear, a highly-skilled and experienced engineering and production staff, quality instruments, and an inspiring and creative environment (versus recording your latest (or first) magnum opus at some rented house, your  buddy’s basement, or worse – your garage) will not only save you lots of unnecessary expenses, time, and frustration, but also provide you with a phenomenal finished product beyond your expectations.

     

     

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

    Does any of this apply to you? If so, Contact us at Clear Lake Recording Studios and Fever Recording Studios to learn more about our comprehensive assortment of recording services.