MPA 408 Lab 04/23/10 Finishing Vocals!

Finally we've come to the end of tracking. Today we extended time in the studio, which we used to completely finish all tracking. First we went through and put the final touches on all lead vocals, then once we were satisfied with our takes, we moved on to ad libs. We learned a valuable skill about handling interpersonal issues today. It seems that the pressure that we were putting on Shannon seemed to give her an uneasing feeling about the session. So after a five minute sabbatical we came back and tried a different approach. Later in the session I was given the opportunity to go and place any last minute alterations that I seen fit for the project. At this point I went through each track and added a bunch of extra sound effects, much of which will probably get edited out in the mixing phase. Once all the recording was complete for the day, we discussed album concepts once again, and possible mass production options. I look forward to beginning the next phase of the album.

For more blogs from this week, check out:

MPA 408 Lab 04/19/10 Tracking Vocals Still...
MPA 408 Lecture 04/19/10 Compressing Out The Box
MPA 408 Lecture 04/21/10 Elastic Audio

MPA 408 Lecture 04/19/10 Elastic Audio

Drum replacement
1. Create new audio track below desired drum track

• Copy the track down
• Highlight preferred parts
• tab to transient

Note (quick keys)
Apple + or - moves highlighted region right
option + or - moves highlighted region left
Apple U = strip silence
Apple C = copy
; goes down to track below
p goes up to the track above

Elastic Audio
to use elastic audio choose from the five preset settings
polyphonic
rhythmic
monophonic
vair speed
x form

Note after creating event markers
option click removes markers
double click adds markers

MPA 408 Lab 04/19/10 Tracking Vocals Still...

Just as we have been doing for the past two weeks, we continued tracking vocals. After being unavailable to record due to illness, Shannon began laying vocals. Our setup remained the same as previous vocal sessions. We used the CM7 mic, patched in through the neeves, and then into pro tools. Once the recording session was prepared, we started tracking Shannon's tune "Understand". Unfortunately I had to leave a little bit early, because I had a prior engagement. But I was told that the session stalled out shortly after because Shannon's singing voice got tired. We rescheduled a four hour session for Friday, it is our goal to finish all vocals by that point.

MPA 408 Lecture 04/19/10 Compressing Out The Box

New Headphone Setup

1. Create 4 Aux stereo tracks
2. B1, B2, B3, B4 Out
>Patch channels to 1,2,3,4
>patch channels to room
3. In send section send buss's to each channels in

hp Drums - bus 1-2 input
hp Bass - bus 3-4 input
hp Guitar - bus 5-6 input
hp Vox - bus 7-8 input

Memory Locate

1. To Select a screen shot press Enter (on numeric keypad)
2. When dialogue screen pops up select parameters you want to save
3. To access screen shots press Period # Period
. 1 .

note: To bring up select window press Apple 5 then, to select options use the arrow in the top right corner.

Parallel Compression

1. Patch Protools out in to Line 1 inputs
2. Place all faders @ Unity Gain
3. Activate Line 1 at top of channel & Turn up pot
4. Remove mix master button in main console strip
5. Select Group 3-4 @ Top of channel
(and remove mix button also @ top of strip)
6. Pan group

7. Repeat grouping process for Group 5-6
8. Patch Group 5-6 insert send to disstresors & Return signal
9. Turn up dry signal (Group 3-4) then turn up compress signal (Group 5-6)

2 Stage Compression

Cont. process...

10. Send Group 3-4 through Millinia using insert then...
11. Return to two new channels on the board
12. Patch new channels in to Group 5-6

MPA 408 Lab 04/16/10 Lab Canceled

My group decided to reschedule our lab time since more than half the group was unavailable. Therefore I used the time to practice some of the techniques we've discussed during class...

For more from this week check these blogs:

MPA 408 Lecture 04/14/10 Automation
MPA 408 Lab 04/12/10 Tracking Vocals cont.

MPA 408 Lecture 04/14/10 Automation

Today we covered the whole array of automation, from Real Time (writing) to Auto (graphic setting).

To begin the process we click Apple 4 To bring up the Automation Window

Then we went through each button in the window... most were self explanatory. We established early in the process that in order to write automation, the channel that was being automated must be set to automate the same feature. For instance if the Automation Window Pan is lit then the channels Pan must be opened as well. Same goes for all other desired functions.

Note

This feature is most common amongst Volume, Panning and EQ. Plus sign on left hand side of channel displays automation in their own track view.

Quick Keys:

Apple C (or c) = Copy Highlighted Region
Apple D (or d) = Duplicated Highlighted Region
Aple. + Option + Ctr. = creates new Automatable send On desired channel.

When groups are highlighted then all automation applies to the group. If You would like to automate a single channel then you must deselect the group.


Note

To copy Automation from one section to another (pan to volume), Select edit in the top menu. Copy Special. Paste!!!

MPA 408 Lab 04/12/10 Tracking Vocals cont.

Today's lab center a great deal around wrapping vocals (or at least my portion of them). Throughout the process of recording this album thus far, much of the music has been traditional. By traditional I mean it in the sense that there was something that I could reference it to or somewhere I could find a similar song to help me get started. However, this changed a great deal in conceptually approaching Josh's song. Perhaps it was the sped up tempo of the choruses or the extremely slowed ebo intros in the verses but, the exact reason for the complexity is beyond me. Non the less I took a little time out over the weekend to pen my ideas for the piece, after playing both the concepts for the group they chose the one that best fit the albums current fell. Then we dissipated and Josh and I sat down and delved further into the song. He explained in a very impassioned way about how he really wanted highlight the Ebo... and how i should sort of dance around it. Then we sat down and choped down the amount of actual words that I would be saying within the verses. After our sit down we began to track the lyrics in the same fashion that we did on Nicks Tune (punch Ins). Upon the listen back I started understand Josh's vission and appreciated the song more due to slight changes we enacted. Unfortunatly, Shannon couldn't make lab so we didn't get to hear the song in its entirity however, it is in strong contention for my favorite group song!!!

MPA 408 Lab 04/09/10 Working On Our Day Off

Furlough Day... Fortunately, we were still able to go around the red tape and get to work. After being informed that vocals should begin winding down within the next couple days, I pitch the idea of still holding our lab session (if it were at all possible). After, making a few calls Nick returned with a positive verdict. Regarding setup we continued with the same arrangement that we've been using all along (CM7 / makeshift mic booth). Because Shannon was unable to attend the impromptu Lab i use the entire time to knock my remaining contributions. This included 3 verses on one of Shannon's songs (Take You To Another Level) and 1 verse on the other (Understand). Next we tried an experimental approach to lacing lyrics on Nicks Tune, to help facilitate the process we recorded the verse in takes (live comping? a technique often employ at home on pre production material). Once recording culminated we went back and looked over the album material thus and found aesthetics for improving. I believe we were in and out in about 2 hours flat, it was a very productive lab.

For more post from this week check out:

MPA 408 Lecture 04/07/10 Presentations cont.
MPA 408 Lecture 04/06/10 Presentations (make up class)
MPA 408 Lecture 04/05/10 Presentations
MPA 408 Lab 04/05/10 Tracking Vocals cont.

MPA 408 Lecture 04/07/10 Presentations cont.

We held our final day of presentations today which saw displays from AJ (covering the Beatles), Lucas (San Francisco recording studios of the 1960's), Matt (Trident studios), and Sean (Abby Roads). Due to time restraints, each person had to condense their presentations a great deal. Therefore they were only permitted enough time to touch on key points and innovations.
Beatles: started with two track recordings, encouraged leakage of their music to give it a more live sound, I particularly found it interesting that they ruled the number one billboard charts for nearly a year, until their follow up album was released. The last real group album was the white album.
San Francisco recording studios of the 1960's: Origional Coast Records, Commercial Records, Columbus Records, Golden State Records, Misc. Recordings, New San Francisco Coast, Pacific High Recordings and Wally Heider Recordings.
Trident Studios: established in 1967. It was ranked one of three best studios in England. Recorded the highest selling single, "Hey Jude". The most interesting tidbit of info that I picked up was the idea that the studio was able to completely lose a grand piano.
Lastly, we looked at Abby Roads studios, much of the information here had already been covered in previous presentations. Sean spoke in great lengths about the Beatles, and George Martin. He also stated that it was here that Flanger and ADT were established. All in all, it was a pretty info intensive class. I look forward to the prospect of placing these presentations online so that I can later revisit and take my time to absorb the info better.

MPA 408 Lecture 04/06/10 Presentations (make up class)

Today we had an impromptu class session to make up for one of next weeks classes. The class span was from 9:00pm to 11:00pm, unfortunately I was pretty much dead by the time I arrived, Since Tuesday is already my longest day. We covered three different presentations, first James did his presentation, and he covered analog to digital conversion. A couple key points he illuminated upon surrounded the nyquest thereom, sample rates, and a number of different ways to transfer information via chords. Next, Chad went into detail about Phil Spector, he touched upon a number of his personal situations and many of his technical concepts. The thing I found most interesting was the fact that he was inbred. Usually when you hear about the children of incest its usually some type of horror story, however this time it proved to be a some type of amazing concoction. Lastly, I did my presentation, on Chess Records. After being corrected on certain aspects of my research I went back and reread my sources and understood how I might have gotten confused.

MPA 408 Lecture 04/05/10 Presentations

We continued our in class presentations today and covered three more topics; Live Sound Reinforcement, Microphones and studio (pricing and setup). First Danny illuminated the technical dilemmas and pertinent information that goes along with mic'n and recording venues. He touched on the perception of volts (potential electric force) vs ohms (the resistance of electric force), current flow (direct current, ect.) and attenuators. Next Andrea took center stage and covered an array information on a handful of near by studio's. The most pertinent info I picked up was the importance of comfort-ability in the recording arena. While each studio boasted its own go to equipment and DAW's the universal theme in each arrangement focused a great deal on the performer. Lastly, Nick covered mic's and their perspective uses in regards to their polarity patterns. Much of the info was useful review...

MPA 408 Lab 06/05/10 Tracking Vocals cont.

Today was another session devoted to recording Vocals. Once again we used the the same the setup, Cm7 inside the midi-lab with a make shift vocal booth. In regards to engineering we took turns manning the boards for each of our perspective songs. We began with Nick Song since it was the most vocally intense, however this time around we nixed the idea of using loop recording. For the most this proved to be a much better approach. Considering we not only worked on that song but we also finished Shaun's song and cleaned up my two as well. After all tracking was complete we delved into deeper conversation on the album arrangement and artwork. Then we setup a check list of our outstanding work, as it currently stands we need to complete 3 more songs before the tracking is all done...

MPA 408 Lab 04/02/10 Tracking Vocals

Today we continued on our path of recording vocals. To do so, we used the wounder cm7 patched through the neeves, then into Protools. Inside the midi lab we used a makeshift booth, that had already been setup. For the most part the studio session preceded extremely smooth, however at one or two points we ran into slight setbacks. The first affliction that we encountered regarded editing. For some reason the system would not let us execute fades or clips, so to override the issue we copied the session to the desktop, then re-opened the files and continued our work. The next issue that arose involved receiving feedback in the microphone. Because the cm7 was extremely sensitive we had to mute out the kick drum to avoid feedback bleeding through.

In regards to our work ethic as a group I feel that we are still proving to be extremely productive. Therefore allowing for me to take a more active role without compromising the position of the project. Techniques that we experimented with today included signal generating and loop recording. One important tidbit I picked up was about the dangers of using this method, after allowing Shannon to loop record a number of parts in the composition (that we were recording today) fatigue began to set in. Had we stopped when we had elicited a great take this may not have happened.

For more blogs from this week check out:
MPA 408 Lecture 03/28/10 Presentations
MPA 408 Lab 03/28/10 Tracking Vocals