As a music producer, you’ve probably encountered the burning question: should your beats be mastered before selling them online? This debate has sparked countless discussions in forums, studios, and among artists. Mastering can seem like an optional step, but its impact on the perception and success of your beats is significant. In this article, we’ll […]
Mastering is the final and critical step in the music production process, where the goal is to enhance and polish a mix to its highest potential. As an audio engineer, I rely on a combination of precision tools and creative techniques to achieve professional audio mastering. One of my go-to solutions is the IK Multimedia […]
Managing sibilance to achieve a good vocal mix is very important. As an audio engineer, I know how crucial it is to tame those harsh, hissy sounds that can ruin an otherwise perfect vocal recording. Vocal sibilance can be a major headache, but thankfully, the right de-esser plugin can make all the difference. We have […]
Sibilance describes those sharp, hissy noises produced when a vocalist articulates consonants such as “s”, “z”, “sh”, “ch”, and “t”. These high-frequency sounds can become overwhelmingly prominent and distracting in a recording, particularly if the singer has a tendency towards sibilance or if the recording equipment, like microphones and preamps, accentuates these frequencies. When left […]
As an audio engineer who’s relied heavily on Antares’ suite of tools, the announcement of their latest plugin, the Vocal De-Esser, has me genuinely intrigued. Known for their pioneering Auto-Tune technology, Antares has now stepped into the realm of AI-powered vocal processing with a de-esser designed to smooth out harsh sibilant sounds without compromising the […]
When it comes to adding analog warmth and saturation when mixing, Soundtoys’ Decapitator stands out as a top choice. This versatile plugin is more than just an effect; it’s designed to be inserted on every mixer channel, much like Slate Digital’s Virtual Console Collection or Sonnox Inflator, offering a level of analog authenticity that’s hard […]
Studio speakers, often referred to as studio monitors, are fundamentally different from conventional Hi-Fi speakers. Their primary goal? Unadulterated, precise sound reproduction. Unlike Hi-Fi speakers, which often “beautify” the sound, studio monitors offer an honest insight into your mixes. In this article, we dive deep into the heart of every home studio: the studio speakers, […]
The Teletronix LA-2A compressor is a legend in the music industry, known for its warm, smooth sound that has graced countless recordings over the decades. With its unique tube-driven electro-optical attenuator system that allows instantaneous gain reduction with no increase in harmonic distortion, the LA-2A levels audio signals like no other compressor ever made. Teletronix […]
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to produce a new beat in FL Studio only to have your PC start freezing, making strange sounds, and feeling like it’s about to explode. Don’t worry; there are several settings you can adjust to make FL Studio run smoothly again. In this article, I’ll walk you through a […]
Mastering is the final step in the music production process, providing the polish and power your track needs to compete in the professional arena. With the advent of AI music mastering technology, achieving high-quality sound has become more accessible than ever. However, the effectiveness of AI mastering is contingent on the quality of the mix […]