Recording & Mixing

Explore the world of gain staging as a sound engineer discusses the integral role of preamps in achieving clarity and optimal recording levels. Discover how VU meters can help maintain balance, making mixing smoother. Dive into techniques that merge traditional analogue methods with modern digital workflows to ensure frequency balance. Learn why establishing clear levels for each track can streamline the mixing process, setting you up for audio production success!

David Mellor, a seasoned sound engineer and Course Director of Audio Masterclass, delves into the art of gain staging in audio recording. He discusses the nuances of dynamic and capacitor microphones, and how they affect sound quality. Listeners will learn about balancing mic input and preamps to achieve ideal recording levels. David also shares valuable insights on managing headroom and preventing distortion, enhanced by practical audio examples that illustrate these concepts.

David Mellor, a sound engineer and the founder and Course Director of Audio Masterclass, introduces us to Gain Staging in a brand new series of podcasts. In this first episode he teaches the correct use of terminology and gives his three golden rules of Gain Staging.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:38 - Using The Correct Terminology05:56 - Why Use Gain Staging?11:04 - The Benefits Of Gain Staging15:31 - Working In Digital Audio27:17 - Three Golden Rules Of Gain StagingListen to Gain Staging Episode 2Listen to Gain Staging Episode 3Listen to Gain Staging Episode 4David Mellor BiogDavid Mellor got his start in pro audio through the Tonmeister course at Surrey University studying music, piano performance, acoustics, electronics, electro-acoustics and recording.He went on to work at London's Royal Opera House, with responsibilities including sound design, front-of-house operation, stage monitoring and electronic design satisfying the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Karlheinz Stockhausen. He has also had over 600 works published in the field of production music, including the Chappell and Carlin music libraries (now combined into Universal Publishing Production Music). Notable uses of his music include the BBC's Horizon, Fahrenheit 911, and the Oprah Winfrey Show.David has been actively involved in Audio Education since 1986, teaching students of City of Westminster College and Westminster University, and also returning to lecture at Surrey University. He also worked with John Cage on the International Dance Course at the University of Surrey. David now specialises in online audio education and has been Course Director of Audio Masterclass since 2001.https://www.audiomasterclass.com/Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

Discover the magic of compression and expansion in audio production. Dive into practical examples, from drumming beats to synth lines, illustrating the impact of various compressor types. Learn about sidechain techniques that inject movement into tracks and explore how to enhance vocal textures with advanced processing. Eddie Bazil shares personal insights from his extensive music career, making complex concepts accessible. Get ready to elevate your sound game with practical tips and creative tricks!

Paul White takes us through the history and evolution of guitar synths, from early attempts at creating onboard sounds and audio to MIDI pick-ups, through to using pedals and plug-ins to emulate synth effects. Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:13 - Types of Guitar Synths 04:03 - The Introduction Of MIDI05:19 - Pitch To MIDI Pickups08:04 - Alternative Systems10:38 - Using Pedals To Emulate Synths13:31 - Introducing Plug-ins15:10 - The Future Of Audio To MIDIPaul White BiogPaul White joined the Sound On Sound team in 1991 where he became Editor In Chief, a position he held for many years before recently becoming Executive Editor. Paul has written more than 20 recording and music technology textbooks, the latest being The Producer’s Manual.Having established his own multitrack home studio in the 1970s he’s worked with many notable names including Bert Jansch and Gordon Giltrap. He’s played in various bands over the years and currently collaborates with Malvern musician Mark Soden, under the name of Cydonia Collective. Paul still performs live claiming that as he has suffered for his music he doesn’t see why everyone else shouldn’t too!http://www.cydoniacollective.co.uk/Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

Discover the secrets to maximizing amp simulation software for your guitar tracks. Learn how to capture the perfect input signal and tackle latency issues effectively. Explore the art of using speaker cabinet emulations to enhance sound. Paul White also shares insights on integrating room ambience for more natural recordings. Plus, get tips on experimenting with amp models across various instruments for creative sound design. Tune in for practical advice that can elevate your music production!

Paul White and Hugh Robjohns pick their hardware and software highlights from the last 12 months, plus feature some late arrivals.Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:14 - ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe 02:01 - Boss RE-202 Space Echo / IK Multimedia Amplitube X-SPACE Reverb / Red Panda Particle 2 Granular Delay02:57 - Moogerfooger Plug-ins / UAFX Amp Emulator Pedals04:12 - IK Multimedia Amplitube TONEX Amp Simulation Software04:47 - Arturia Efx Fragments Granular Delay / Eventide Physion II05:25 - PMC6-2 Monitors07:00 - MiMU Jellyfish Granular Synth07:45 - The Great Chip Shortage09:11 - Rob Papen eXplorer-8 Bundle / Sub51 and Soundtrax Drop Pad10:26 - Sonnect Audio Sound Bullet11:46 - Eventide H90 Harmonizer® Multi-FX Pedal / Two notes ReVolt Amp Simulator Pedal13:38 - Waves BB Tubes Plug-in14:27 - Hardware Recorders17:05 - Synth Sounds For GuitarPaul White BiogPaul White initially trained in electronics at The Royal Radar Establishment in Malvern then went on to work with Malvern Instruments, a company specialising in laser analysis equipment, before moving into technical writing. He joined the Sound On Sound team in 1991 where he became Editor In Chief, a position he held for many years before recently becoming Executive Editor. Paul has written more than 20 recording and music technology textbooks, the latest being The Producer’s Manual.Having established his own multitrack home studio in the 1980s he’s worked with many notable names including Bert Jansch and Gordon Giltrap. He’s played in various bands over the years and currently collaborates with Malvern musician Mark Soden, under the name of Cydonia Collective. Paul still performs live claiming that as he has suffered for his music he doesn’t see why everyone else shouldn’t too!http://www.cydoniacollective.co.uk/Hugh Robjohns BiogHugh Robjohns has been Sound On Sound´s Technical Editor since 1997. Prior to that he worked in a variety of (mostly) sound-related roles in BBC Television, ending up as a Sound Operations Lecturer at the BBC´s technical training centre. He continues to provide audio consultancy and bespoke broadcast audio training services all over the world, lectures at professional and public conventions, and occasionally records and masters acoustic and classical music too!Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

In the final episode of this 5 part series, Mark Mynett, sound engineer and senior lecturer at Huddersfield University, gives us an in-depth look at how to process and mix the various elements of a song recorded using live instruments.Chapters00:16 - Introduction01:36 - Mix Preparation: Performance Edits and Mix Groups01:00 - Polarity Summation07:27 - Waveform Edits and Gating09:48 - Multing10:20 - Drum Sample Implementation10:57 - Three Approaches To Mixing12:56 - Master Buss Processing14:28 - Compression and EQ: Signal Chain Order16:07 - Compression Topology19:43 - Drums: Compression, Signal Stability, Transient Design and Colouration32:53 - Drums: Parallel Compression37:09 - Drums: EQ47:45 - Drums: Reverb Processing49:40 - Bass: Compression and EQ54:38 - Acoustic Guitar: Compression and EQ56:19 - Harmonically Distorted Electric Guitar: EQ, Dynamic EQ and Multi-band Compression60:28 - Vocals: Compression and EQ65:46 - Vocals: Effects ProcessingMark Mynett BiogAs well as Senior Lecturer in Music Technology and Production at Huddersfield University, Mark Mynett is a live music front-of-house engineer, and record producer/engineer/mix and mastering engineer. Mainly focused on indie, rock and metal genres, he produces from his own studio - Mynetaur Productions – where he recently completed the latest My Dying Bride album ‘The Ghost of Orion’: referred to by Dom Lawson (The Guardian, Metal Hammer, Prog, Classic Rock) as “…a master class in modern metal production”.Metal Music Manual (instructional book for producing contemporary metal music)Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

Mark Mynett, sound engineer and senior lecturer at Huddersfield University, presents part four of his recording series. Here he details how to prepare a vocalist for studio recording and how to select and set up your recording equipment for optimal results.Chapters00:15 - Introduction00:31 - Preparing For Vocal Recording 05:08 - Recording Vocals At Home06:53 - Microphone Selection14:41 - Microphone Placement24:05 - Printed Compression30:27 - Headphone Cue MixMark Mynett BiogAs well as Senior Lecturer in Music Technology and Production at Huddersfield University, Mark Mynett is a live music front-of-house engineer, and record producer/engineer/mix and mastering engineer. Mainly focused on indie, rock and metal genres, he produces from his own studio - Mynetaur Productions – where he recently completed the latest My Dying Bride album ‘The Ghost of Orion’: referred to by Dom Lawson (The Guardian, Metal Hammer, Prog, Classic Rock) as “…a master class in modern metal production”.Metal Music Manual (instructional book for producing contemporary metal music)Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

Mark Mynett, a sound engineer and senior lecturer at Huddersfield University, shares his expertise on recording guitar parts, emphasizing techniques for both rhythm and lead guitar. He discusses how to manage distortion effectively and the importance of pre-recording preparation. Listeners will learn about double and quad tracking methods, finding a clear midrange tone, and the art of microphone selection and placement. Mark also delves into multitracking tips and the nuances of recording guitar solos while adding EQ during the process.