We’ve been talking about our own presents past and future, but what if you’re someone else buying for the engineer in your life? With gifts big and small, here we present the non-engineers’ guide to what they really need…
5 Fresh Music Production Ideas You Should Try
In a rut? Need to find new ways to express your musical ideas? It happens to the best of us, sometimes it can simply be that you’re not exercising all your musical muscles and so you’re not able to stretch your ideas as you would like. Here, we offer five techniques that might not be staples in your current repertoire but hold the potential to transform your approach to music production.
My Fantasy Audio Christmas Present - Chandler Limited TG Microphone Cassette
With a number of delectable consoles making it onto the Experts’ ever growing list of favourites, here Luke talks about a rack-dwelling console channel to tickle anyone’s retro Christmas fancy: Chandler Limited’s TG Microphone Cassette.
Book Gifts For Audio Engineers And Producers 2023
If your loved ones are asking you for gift ideas then you may have missed this list we compiled from members of the community over the years. It has some great books on there including some of our favourites, updated for 2023.
5 Pieces Of Audio Gear I Wish I Had Got Sooner
With so many amazing things vying for new engineers’ attention, knowing what to get first is never easy. With more audio choices on the table than ever before, here Luke talks about what would have made his life easier sooner.
We Compare Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen With Vocaster One
Taking the two smallest interfaces for creators from the Focusrite stable, each has similarities despite appearances. If you’re a solo warrior which should you go for? We go through their features and what they mean for you.
Being Good At Every Audio Production Skill Is A Myth - Here’s Why
The availability of amazing audio tools makes it easy for anyone to get hold of anything. With audio production bringing together a number of skill sets, we discuss why it might not be possible to excel at everything even when we think we’re fully equipped…
How An Analogue Workflow Might Benefit You In A Digital Environment
William Wittman is a Grammy Award-winning independent Producer/Engineer/Musician/Songwriter. In this article, William is going to explore three techniques you can use to help you create an analogue workflow in a digital production environment.
How Safe Is Focusrite Clip Safe?
As well as Auto Gain level setting, Scarlett 4th Gen has its own antidote for those unexpected level jumps that hit the red lights. See and hear Clip Safe in action as we check it out for ourselves to see how well it works.
Auto Tune Isn’t Just For Vocals - Check This Out
With many engineers relying on Antares’ Auto-Tune Pro X’s pitch rehab for vocals, fewer might be aware of its uses that reach beyond the top line. Here we show how Antares’ magic can also bend other sounds’ meanderings into shape…
Audio Production Things We Loved In October 2023
Whether summer seems like a distant memory, or you’re finally waving goodbye to longer, colder nights, engineers the world over had some formidable choices on the table in October. Here we list some of our favourites…
Reaper 7 - We Take A Look At New Features
Users of other DAWs will be aware of Cockos’ slightly ominously named REAPER. Following the recent announcement of its seventh incarnation, here we run through the new features that make it anything but scary…
Real Drums Or VI? From A Drummer's Perspective
As drum virtual instruments fast approach parity with the real thing, increasingly acoustic drums can be justifiably left in their cases. Here Luke talks about what each can bring and why even now, the decision on which to use still isn’t clear cut.
Can Commercial Studios Learn From Top Hotels?
Recording studios and top hotels cater to different industries, but they share the common goal of providing exceptional customer service and an unforgettable experience. After a recent trip to one such hotel, it made one of our team wonder if recording studios could learn from the best in customer experience?
How To Capture The Best Possible Performance When Recording
Recording music is about capturing performances - some might even say that the gear is secondary. Here we talk about some practical ways to aid creativity, to make the process of recording disappear for artists, and to catch the magic when lightning strikes…
Read This Before Pressing Record On Your Next Project
There’s never been an easier time to record audio, we have technology to ensure it’s recorded well, such as autogain and even no gain options using 32bitfp. Even when it isn’t recorded well, we can use AI and other tools to fix it. So why are so many recordings still bad? In this article we explain why technology may be distracting us from great recordings.
We Take A First Look At Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen
Following a recent update, Focusrite’s little red boxes promise even more performance for small productions and million-sellers alike. With the previous boxes already cramming in the features, can the new ones offer anything new? We find out.
Sonnox Voca Tested - The Vocal Tool Pros Might Love
Combining a serious quartet of tools for vocals in one window is Sonnox’s Voca. Simple to use, and promising comprehensive processing, here we take a look to see what it is that could make Voca the pros’ new best friend.
We Compare The Cost Of Analogue Gear With Digital
Despite virtually all studios running digital rigs, for some the drive persists to run the kind of analogue gear associated with classic pro studios. With cost being a major factor, what is the financial reality when it comes to using analogue? We find out…
How To Minimise Spill In Live Recordings
Despite some sonic advantages and the creative potential that layered recordings can bring, the magic of recording bands playing live in the studio can be hard to beat. Here we share our tips for keeping wandering sounds under control.