I applied a few software updates the other day, and bought a few upgrade expansions for Sonar (the "expanded" upgrade, and new compressor and gate/expander plugins). Nothing too big. Spent a little bit of time starting out a track tonight. Wasn't feeling very creative, so I focused more on learning the new software... specifically making sure I was familiar with side-chaining in Sonar. I also familiarized myself with controlling arbitrary software controls with midi controller input. Now that I can do this on the fly, one of these might be in the near future... perhaps a present to myself in a month or so when work pays out our yearly bonus: http://www.sourceaudio.net/products/hothand/midi_exp.php
I've slacked lately, I still haven't finished reworking my patch bay. I think this will be my next big time project in the studio. Why have I slacked? Because I've been playing my guitar in my free time. I forgot to mention it on the blog here, but it arrived in late October... and it is *AWESOME*. They're not the best pictures, but check it out here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/114893420197958007648/NewGuitar?authkey=Gv1sRgCPDE6bj60fzMpAE
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
New equipment & patchbay rework
I've been facing a dilemma. Every now and then the screen would start flickering on my digital mixer, sometimes staying unreadable for minutes if not hours on end. The mixer serves as the main audio "nexus" in my studio... so it's rather important. It still passes sound perfectly in this state, but being an early gen digital mixer, much of the functionality is lost (I can't pan, route busses, adjust EQ or compression, etc). I considered working to repair the gear, but it's old equipment and replacement parts are iffy at best, my studio would be out of commission during that work time, and there's no guarantee it would work at all.
Aside from all of that, the digital mixer is currently the limiting factor in my signal chain, the lowest common denominator at 16bit/48khz. So I decided I'd replace it. Instead of going with another mixer, I figured I'd keep working towards the software route... since it's come such a long ways and seems to show a *LOT* of promise. I got a Mackie Blackbird Onyx sound card (8 analog ins, 8 adat ins), and a Mackie MCU-Pro control surface for my DAW. I'm starting to feel a bit like a Mackie gear whore... but I've always been happy with the build quality and performance, so I figured I'd give them a shot.
Anyways, I still have a lot to do to complete the setup. The patchbays have been ripped apart, and are halfway put back together... I still have a lot of learning to do on the MCU control surface too. But already I really like what it brings to my workflow. In the end, once digital I'll be 24bit/96khz capable, with some *rocking* preamps on the sound card.
Aside from all of that, the digital mixer is currently the limiting factor in my signal chain, the lowest common denominator at 16bit/48khz. So I decided I'd replace it. Instead of going with another mixer, I figured I'd keep working towards the software route... since it's come such a long ways and seems to show a *LOT* of promise. I got a Mackie Blackbird Onyx sound card (8 analog ins, 8 adat ins), and a Mackie MCU-Pro control surface for my DAW. I'm starting to feel a bit like a Mackie gear whore... but I've always been happy with the build quality and performance, so I figured I'd give them a shot.
Anyways, I still have a lot to do to complete the setup. The patchbays have been ripped apart, and are halfway put back together... I still have a lot of learning to do on the MCU control surface too. But already I really like what it brings to my workflow. In the end, once digital I'll be 24bit/96khz capable, with some *rocking* preamps on the sound card.
Monday, September 26, 2011
New track
I've been making myself create, just to get back in the habit of it. I was feeling really uninspired tonight, so I spent a good bit of time relearning/practicing songs on the piano I hadn't played in a *very* long time.
Date: 2011-09-27
Track(s): 2011-09-27
Notes: Ambient track/loop. Like what's there so far, but it needs to go somewhere else. This is another one using only software synths, so save myself some power and heat if I pull it up again.
Date: 2011-09-27
Track(s): 2011-09-27
Notes: Ambient track/loop. Like what's there so far, but it needs to go somewhere else. This is another one using only software synths, so save myself some power and heat if I pull it up again.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
New track
I made a new random track last night. I was supposed to be working on my end-of-quarter self assessment for work, but I *really* needed a break.
Date: 2011-09-19
Track(s): 2011-09-19
Notes: I started off with the intent of making this an "ambient" track... but the mangled drum beat and bass turned out a bit harder sounding than I expected. So far it's mostly just a skeletal loop, melodies and/or samples are still needed.
This track is entirely produced with software synths and effects. This will make dumping the track down much easier. Also I can minimize power draw, noise, and heat by shutting off all of the unneeded equipment. I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the quality of some of my software synths, and the bundled samples. I have a feeling I will be relying a lot less on my hardware synths in the near future, I just need to get used to a different work flow.
Date: 2011-09-19
Track(s): 2011-09-19
Notes: I started off with the intent of making this an "ambient" track... but the mangled drum beat and bass turned out a bit harder sounding than I expected. So far it's mostly just a skeletal loop, melodies and/or samples are still needed.
This track is entirely produced with software synths and effects. This will make dumping the track down much easier. Also I can minimize power draw, noise, and heat by shutting off all of the unneeded equipment. I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the quality of some of my software synths, and the bundled samples. I have a feeling I will be relying a lot less on my hardware synths in the near future, I just need to get used to a different work flow.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Misc minor updates
One month and one day until my new guitar is completed... not sure it's arrival date yet, but needless to say I can't wait.
New magazine subscriptions purchased: Mix and Electronic Musician.
On Wednesday two of my coworkers came over and helped me tear out the door to the "closet" aka mic room and turn it around so it opens outwards to leave more room. It's hung, and functioning perfectly. It still needs some caulking to clean up the seams, but the hard part is done. The shelves are cleaned off, and I'll be pulling them off the wall tomorrow.
The monitor stands came in on Wednesday too. It's nice not having to stand up to hear my mix. Here's a pic:
New magazine subscriptions purchased: Mix and Electronic Musician.
On Wednesday two of my coworkers came over and helped me tear out the door to the "closet" aka mic room and turn it around so it opens outwards to leave more room. It's hung, and functioning perfectly. It still needs some caulking to clean up the seams, but the hard part is done. The shelves are cleaned off, and I'll be pulling them off the wall tomorrow.
The monitor stands came in on Wednesday too. It's nice not having to stand up to hear my mix. Here's a pic:
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Random track, new desk, cleanup/prep work
I decided to start a random uninspired track and see where it went. I only have a short loop so far, but it's a pretty decent loop IMHO. The bass line and chord progression are nothing original... but I'm making myself create just to get back into the swing of doing this regularly.
I also spent some time straightening up the studio. I had a friend/coworker come by to take a look at the door to the closet, which is soon to become the vocal/guitar mic room. I want to turn the door around so it opens out rather than in... since the closet is limited on space. We're planning on starting and hopefully finishing the project tomorrow. If I can remember while we're working, I'll take pics of the process.
If I could pre-date my posts, I'd say something about all of the work I did (some with Lego's help) setting up the new desk. A friend donated his old desk, so I spent the better part of two days moving equipment, furniture, and cables to get it all set up. Tonight was my first real session working with it, and I have to say I'm pleased with the outcome. I don't have my speakers setup yet, because this "smaller" desk doesn't really have somewhere to put them... but I have a set if speaker stands on order that will hopefully arrive soon.
Date: 2011-09-13
Track(s): 2011-09-13
Notes: This track uses the first two outputs of the proteus 2 module, so 5&6 on the 1604 need to be un-muted for a change. A few of the synth sounds are rough picks... particularly the bass. I need to spend some time trying other options and tweaks... First experiments with intentionally broken looping on percussion tracks... good enough for now, but I'm not entirely sold on my result.
I also spent some time straightening up the studio. I had a friend/coworker come by to take a look at the door to the closet, which is soon to become the vocal/guitar mic room. I want to turn the door around so it opens out rather than in... since the closet is limited on space. We're planning on starting and hopefully finishing the project tomorrow. If I can remember while we're working, I'll take pics of the process.
If I could pre-date my posts, I'd say something about all of the work I did (some with Lego's help) setting up the new desk. A friend donated his old desk, so I spent the better part of two days moving equipment, furniture, and cables to get it all set up. Tonight was my first real session working with it, and I have to say I'm pleased with the outcome. I don't have my speakers setup yet, because this "smaller" desk doesn't really have somewhere to put them... but I have a set if speaker stands on order that will hopefully arrive soon.
Date: 2011-09-13
Track(s): 2011-09-13
Notes: This track uses the first two outputs of the proteus 2 module, so 5&6 on the 1604 need to be un-muted for a change. A few of the synth sounds are rough picks... particularly the bass. I need to spend some time trying other options and tweaks... First experiments with intentionally broken looping on percussion tracks... good enough for now, but I'm not entirely sold on my result.
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