Embedded Files
Music Production
Music Production
Introduction
Introduction
Within my music production blog, I will be analysing the important skills that are needed for the second term of my course. The production side of the music industry is varied as it is a practice that can form the basis of your creative workflow as a musician. I will be including in my blog different functions such as editing, mixing , and a guide to managing a performer professionally in the studio. For me, the production side of music is my weakest, so it enolves me doing a lot of research in order to eduacte myself.
At the end of this term our bands will be performing a Live stream performance. It is highly important before we go into the TV studio that we have some understandings on what is involved in a live recording performance and how is it different from performing in front of an audience in person.
Performance Blog
Performance Blog
What is a digital mixer?
A digital mixer is a mixing console used to combine, route, and change the dynamics, equalization and other properties of multiple audio input signals, using digital signal processing rather than analog circuitry.
Live Sound PA systems
Live Sound PA systems
For a live performance PA systems are highly important as they "are specially designed mixer, amplifier, and speaker combinations used to communicate with an audience". This website helps to breakdown what actually is a PA system and including all the different effects that come with a PA that makes the overall live sound more professional. "All audio signals are routed from the stage monitor to a mixing desk via cables, where the various low, medium, and high frequencies are combined and equalized. You can even add effects like compression, delay, or reverb".
PA systems are used in any public venue and area that requires them to be heard to an audience. This includes an announcer, performer, etc. Typical applications that will need to use a PA system include sports stadiums, public transportation vehicles and facilities, and live or recorded music venues and events.
For a live performance, sound engineers would typically use a digital mixer over analog due to the high quality and preciseness that the analog does not have. I watched another video on analog vs digital mixers, the guy mentioned a very handy tactic. On a digital mixer, when you want to use a large amount of hertz you can select how many frequencies your dragging down the width. This is helpful when there is one or two frequencies that are causing a lot of feedback, you can quickly adapt it and get rid of it.
What is the difference between Analog and Digital Mixers?
The comparison between Analog and digital mixers would be that "Analog mixers adjust the volume and tone of input audio signals. Most of the control knobs and faders are arranged on the top panel, so it is easy to understand the signal flow and what state the audio is in. Operating analog mixers is normally an intuitive process". The video is very helpful, as this guy goes through the pros and cons of using each mixer. He said with an analog is a very much hands on constant access, instant gratification kind. Compared to a digital mixer, you have that as well but you also have extended features that you can have advantage of. An other point was that with the analog has a certain amount of processing onboard, but would need additional hardware to add different effects. Compared to the digital, a lot of that additional effects is already built into the mixer.
Digital mixers process input audio signals and adjust their volume and tone using digital signal processing technology. Various kinds of tone control that would be impossible using analog equipment can be applied using digital processing. Digital mixers can store the positions of faders and knobs, and recall these positions in an instant. The faders and knobs perform various functions, so the unit itself remains compact, even if the number of channels increases. Generally a digital mixer will require more experience to set up effectively, but will offer far greater functionality than an analog mixe
Analog Mixer
Analog Mixer
Digital Mixer
Digital Mixer
Crossovers and Reverb
Crossovers and Reverb
Crossover
Crossover
For a live performance without loudspeakers, audiences simply wouldn't hear anything from your live set. This following blog I will identify the key speakers to use for a performance as well as the pros and cons.
A crossover acts as a filter that blocks out any unwanted frequencies to a speaker or group of speakers. This is incredibly useful because it allows us to specifically send each speaker the group of frequencies that it will play most effectively. In order for a live and professional sound. I found this article on what are the benefits of using crossovers for a live performance, which has helped me build a better understanding why they are used. "many crossover designs are active, which means that they are designed to work on line‑level signals and are used to feed multiple power amplifiers instead of working on the amplified signal itself".
https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/q-how-do-crossovers-work
There are two types of speakers that are used are the woofer and the tweeter. The woofer is designed to reproduce low frequencies and the do this you will need a speaker with a large diaphragm, while the tweeter speaker does the opposite and reproduce mid to high frequencies. The following link gves some more examples of what kind of woofer and tweeter speakers are best to be used for example "Standard Woofer: A standard woofer produces frequencies from 20 Hz up to 2,000 Hz (2 kilohertz, or 2 kHz). The woofer is often characterized by its bassy sound which comes from the lower frequency sine wave". Therefore the standard woofer speaker would be used for bass guitar and the kick drum on the drum kit. With the tweeters speaker "the trouble is that sound at that frequency is pretty directional, meaning that the highs in your music sound best when the tweeters are pointed right at you". There is a difference between different kinds of speakers for a live performance, these include passive and active speakers. Ive done some research on what the differneces are and what their fuctions are " An Active speakers have an in-built power amplifier and just need a power source to operate, where passive speakers require an external power amplifier to operate. In short, you need an amplifier for passive speakers, you don’t with active speakers. An active speaker is essentially an all-in-one system that powers your speakers, just like a combo amplifier that guitarists or bass players use. The amplifier is built in to the speaker cabinet, so all you have to do is connect the PA speakers to power (or use a battery) and feed a line-level signal into it. This could be a vocal microphone, a guitar or even an MP3 player".
Within the website I found it highly important to give the pros and cons of using each speaker, as it will guide you to use the best equipment for a live performance and have the best sound come across. Overall what i have found out about Passive loudspeakers are speaker cabinets that require an amplifier to power them. That they are highly versatile and are great for crafting precise sound experiences. Active loudspeakers contain an amplifier built into their cabinets. The details are essenyail to know the differneces is becausse of the quality of speakers will determine how much detail you can hear in music.
Reverb
Reverb
Reverb can be a important element for some artists reverb helps to tie sounds together, and gives listeners the impression that they are hearing a real acoustic space. Reverb is also an incredibly important creative tool when mixing music. The process to adding reverb during a live performance undergoes having a productive sound engineer who will communicate with the singer during a sound check before the liver performance. This is highly important, as the singer needs to be happy with how their voice sounds an asking for requests such as reverb. "reverb should be treated as its own element, and you should have the ability to process and affect it as such. Doing so allows you to treat the reverb signal as its own distinct element in the mix. This technique is called mix bus processing and we have a whole tutorial on it if you want to dive in".
Live Stream Research
Live Stream Research
Different platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Spotify etc all use the term streaming where artists live record themselves. I found that a "Large majorities of fans surveyed said that performers talking to the audience and acknowledging individuals’ presence during a live stream performance made them feel connected. The study notes that for this feeling of connection to have full effect, the live stream needs to remain a one-off and live experience, not recorded".
There are many different ways were artists perform to a live audience. It consists of musicians performing in front of a camera rather than an actually live audience in person. The process includes a liev abnd being performed and lievstreamed on the internet. The performance can vary, such as a simple performance in a live studio, or it could be live streamed at a festival and a much larger venue.
This idea was defiantly developed during the Covid period as people were limited to performing in live events. My research will be really helpful for our upcoming performance in the TV studio where we will get to experience another style of performing. Artists heavily turned to social media in order for them to stay creative during a hard period.
Equipment
Equipment
For a professional live stream, equipment can be varied depending on the venue and setting of this live stream. Typically for a professional recording, the equipment would need to be of the right use and would require preparation by a set of specialists. The right equipement is essential in order to have the best quality footage, for audiences to watvh on their own devices.
For cameras you'll need a professional film camera, as you will be shooting from different angles and will need to capture all parts of the musicians performance. A camera that would be great would be the HDTV camera. This is normally used for broadcasting television and providing really good quality shots. The benefits for using this camera include "They offer greater control and precision of image capture due to their larger size. Studio cameras can be placed on a long-distance, articulated arm allowing for complex camera movements. This type of camera also boasts superior image quality and frame rates, making them very popular for studio-based productions". These cameras are brilliant in the fact that you can tilt and pan across the room and checking the focus, especially when you zoom in on a defined detail. Putting on a professional live recording involves many different cameras with different roles.
A live studio recorded performance that I really enjoyed watching on the BBC was an episode called a Stormzy Special, where the rapper and songwriter Stormzy performs an intimidate live recorded performance at Abbey Roads Studios in London. I remember watching this and I found how it was so humble, to watch and listen Stormzy and his musicians play out in a historical place. Not only was he performing but he was telling his audience the stories of his life and what inspired him for each song he is playing. The BBC have done a series called Live Lounge were artists come and perform and its recording so that the audience have an insight into the actual BBC recording studios. The process of BBC Live Lounge Artists are filmed in an intimate radio studio, acoustically, often with little production rehearsal.
Lighting is very important as it helps the camera to focus as well as creating a setting for the live artist. Choosing the right colour palette can reflect different moods. Getting the balance for not being too light or too dark, lighting makes the performance interesting and vibrant, the kind of light that can be used in a live recording could be LED lights. "LED lights use less energy and produce less heat than typical incandescent bulbs. As a result, they are perfect for use in video recording. They will not overheat your set or boost the room temperature. LED lights also provide a very uniform light output, which is essential for producing professional-looking videos". I found this website interesting and helpful, even though it was mainly talking about filmmaking, its still relevant and similar to TV. Finally microphones are vital as well because without a good sound, the live music would not come across. We have all had experience pitting up microphones in a studio, and a mic that we have used before would be the Shure SM7B. Its important that you have a quality sound coming through the monitors, and this mic is effective.
Songwriting for Performance
Songwriting for Performance
Introduction
Introduction
Songwriting is an important process for a live performance. Songwriting is a creative process that involves determination and in many cases making music gives us permission to feel our feelings and process our emotions. , either a lyricicst writes for other artists. The songwriting development is pre-performing and any performance, starting with a melody and a theme that can be transformed into a song.
The process of songwriters for a live performance can start with a single person starting out with some simple lyrics and sharing out an idea to another person in order for another ear to hear a melody come out. A lot of songwriters begin with playing the piano and finding some basic chords that can be expanded, or in other cases a melody can be simple created by an ensemble of instruments, which in my band we have done many times. We found the melody and structure first before the lyrics were made and this works for us pretty well. Inspiration for songwriting can be difficult. I found I really helpful video which gives tips on songwriting and performing on selling your story through your own lyrics, the way this guy delivers this story is really power as it involves how lyrics shape peoples own identites as well as finding themselves.
Another important process of songwriting would be collaborating with other artists. This can expand your network of musicians as well as your own skills to become a better songwriter. This website breaks down reasons why collaborating in music is important and how it can expand your network worldwide. "Collaborating can help in nurturing creativity as it allows all parties involved to elaborate on one another's ideas. While individual ideas can be strong, the input from others can further enhance their quality".
Pre-prodution songwriting is the foundation to building the building blocks to perform and sharing to a wider audience their ideas . I found these videos really easy to watch and how important and how people can share their thoughts and emotions through writing.
https://imusician.pro/en/resources/blog/music-collaborations-benefits-and-challenges
Production
Production
Introduction
Introduction
Within this blog, I will be going through the essential that I will need to develop during this term. These production skills I will research aout in order to find more information, to help me succeed to a higher level in music production. Production is a highly important, as it is a practise that can form the basis of your creative workflow as a musician. Some of the skills include recording equipement, and how to set up for a recorded session. Another part of research includes editing, mixing and mastering which is post production, after the musiicnas have recorded.
Recording equipment
Recording equipment
Recording equipment is really important and essential in order to record and produce in the music industry. Different componenets of recording equipement include Microphones, Amplifiers, Daws, moniotrs, stands etc. All these are essential in orde for a recorded project to comense and be created. I will be going through in this part of the blog in detail in order to show what i need to know. Production is my weakest point in this course, so that is why I am going to go into much detail that I can so that I can undertsand and larn more.
DAWS (Digital Audio Workstation)
DAWS (Digital Audio Workstation)
Daws is a an audio workstation that allows you to edit, mix and master the recorded track that has been created.. There are many examples of Daws that give people access, the examples include the most popualr apps Logic, Pro Tools, GarageBand etc. I have had experience with Daws last term where used the workstation Logic and we created our own tracks and then we were able to mix and make them sound how we wanted. I was able to create my own song which was hiphop inspired, I seetced the instruments I wanted and then my friend recorded a singing part for me. After the process I was able to mix and edit the sound to make it more in the style of the 1990s. I found this really enjoyable in the end, because at the start I was really worried that I was not going to get it straight away, but infact when I got the hang of it by the end of term, it seemed much more starightforward.
Within the studio using high quality equipment, in order to record and then later on mix and edit. The video to the side helps a beginner to undertsand the meaning of DAWs and also helps aspiting producers to be recommened the best software in orer to create the best sounds. I think this part ofthe course is my weakest so this video is definatly something I will be follwing and be guided too.
Before Daws there were limitations and recording and produing music were done "the more traditonal way". "Recording were done to tape in real time and editing menat chopping and overdubbing to that tape.It was a very manual process requirng lots of hardware and at least a few people to make it work"
Logic pro is a popular workstation and can be easily used as well as Garageband. This website gives an insight to what logic is all about and what you can do with the software that makes it enjoyable to play around with. "You can also add Software instrument trcaks for VST synths , External MIDI tracks for hardware MIDI devices and a track type unique to Logic Pro called "Drummer". Each channel comes equipped with Logic's powerful channel EQ, as well as inputs and slots, group indicators etc". Therefore there are many chaarctertistcs that come along with Logic Pro which makes it a professional software over GarageBand.
Microphones
Microphones
Microphones are an essential for recorind, because without them you will not have a way of getting your sound across to the program."Condenser microphones are preferred for their very uniform frequency response, and ability to respond with clarity to transient sounds. The low mass of the diaphragm permits extended high-frequency response, while the nature of the design also ensures outstanding low-frequency pickup. The resulting sound is natural, clean and clear, with excellent transparency and detail".The photo below shows the condensor microphone and how thye give off a professional sound when recording any audio as well as they will rpovide a wider dynamic range. The differences between the dynamic microphone and the condesory microphone, is as followed, the dynamic microphones are typaically used for stage and live performances while the condesory is much more for studios. A professional microphone would be the Shure SM58, which would be a well chosen mic for recordings because of the "minimisation of unwanted background sound". Therefore both microphones have there own fucntions that vary. With dynamic microphones"Dynamic microphones are similar to conventional loudspeakers in many respects. Both have a diaphragm (or cone) with a voice coil (a long coil of wire) attached near the apex. Both have a magnetic system with the coil in its gap".
This video attached runs through which microphone is the best to use, the a dynamic microphone or another name is a moving coil microphone the diaphra and the coil are attacged to one another and the coil is wrapped around the magnetic. The guys means when sound waves interact with the diaphram it causes the coil to move, resulting the an electrical current. Compared with the condesor, the condenser consists of a diaphram, a back plate and an amplifier. When the sound waves interact with the diaphram the space inbetween the back plate and diaphram which differs the results in an electrical current. Its impornat to look at how well the mircophones are kept in good conditions, as if they are damaged it can effect the sound.
Additionally, another type of condesory microphone would be the large diaphram condesor microphone. This concludes of "the main advantages of these mics is that their larger diaphragms generate a higher signal voltage, and in turn, they tend to produce less self-noise". These microphones are good to be used in recording studios because of the high quality sound that it gives off, creating a much larger sound. The comparison between the small and large diaphram condensor. The small condesory "boast an extended low and high frequency response, meaning they can pick up lower lows and higher highs that other mics aren’t as sensitive to. This makes them ideal for recording every detail of a sound source, as the extended frequency response results in a very accurate audio image and a more ‘natural’ sound".
https://rode.com/en/about/news-info/the-difference-between-large-diaphragm-and-small-diaphragm-condenser-microphones
Mixing, Editing and Mastering
Mixing, Editing and Mastering
This is an important process in production music. This essential phase happens after all your recordings have been finished and you are ready to mix and edit your work. There are different stages with mixing and compelting your final peice and it all primarily stats with choosing the right software. You properly would of tried out different options in order to knwo which one your most comfortable with and then you will be reayd to proceed the project. Additionally there will be other elements that you will have to consider. This may include if you need any pluggins to record any additional instruments or vocals.
"Before digital recording technology, mixing required a full studio’s worth of expensive equipment to be done well.Now many of these technologies are available as software plugins inside digital audio workstations.In fact, today’s high-quality audio production software is inexpensive and easy to use. You can learn the basics quickly and build on your skills as you make more music.
Finally, music creation, recording and mixing have become intertwined. If you use a DAW to compose or jot down ideas, you already have the basic skills needed to mix".
Mixing
Mixing
The mixing process is a very important step in music as the main focus when it comes to it. The word literally means to combine and 'mix' together "the process of blending and combining audio tracks so that each element has a pleasing sound and distinct space in a finished stereo recording". When a reocridng is finished and their are multiple tracks". This requires a sound engineer who understand and knows their way around the desk and confidently "They can advise you on recording, arranging, and distributing it and help you in all aspects of your career, because they have seen hundreds of artists like you and thousands of releases like yours. They will tell you what to avoid and what to aim for". Mixing music They will also balance frequencies, brightening some sounds, darkening others, taking some frequencies away, and using depth as another balance tool, to give the listener a sense of closeness or distance of a sound in a space".
The history of Audio mixing began in the early 19th Century and the first recording machines were invented by Thomas Edison and Emile Berliner The method of recording and reproducing itself was completely mechanical, with little or no electrical components. Edison’s phonograph cylinder device used a small horn ending in a stretched, flexible diaphragm connected to a stylus that cut a variable depth groove into the cylinder’s maleable tin foil. The history of mixing is important to undertand and show how far technology has come in the music industry as now there are many ways that it can be done with modern technology.
Within post production in music, this is where mixing is an impact first factor. Making sure that you have everything labelled when you record, in order for you to be organised and prepared to mix. This can be achieved through colour coding and putting name labels on each instrument.
This has always been an important factor for me as I do have to urge to forget espcially in a recoridng suite because of the tamosphere can be a bit overhelming.
Editing
Editing
Editing is process where we are literally editing any sound that we do or dont want in the track, which is an impornat step. Capterra uses a really clear defintiion of what audio editing means "Audio editing is the process of altering recorded sound to create a desired effect". Pirate.com is a really helpful website that targets its audience on beginners and asptirng sound engineer, so I found it impronat for me to delve into what they say. "When it comes to which is the best software to edit, that's very much down to personal preference. Each DAW has its own specific interfaces and quirks. However, when it comes to how to use them to edit audio, the audio editing steps are the same". They mention about howits important to choose the right software to do your editng whether you coose GarageBand or Logic pro etc as there are many to choose from to decide.
Additionally, taking Logic for eample when editing, you have different ways to edit such as the compressor and equalisor are good examples and I have had experience with editng and triming my tracks in order to getbmy goal sound. Additionally the other effects that can be added into the editng process would be gain and distortion on guitars as well as reverb on the vocals, all these effects make your track sound more professional an cleaner, depending on what your end goal is. Aswell as volumes and making an instrument be quieter or louder then the rest. Therefore, I think editng can be a starightforward step, and i have had epeirnece doing it so I have a better understanding wih researcing and finding clearer awnsers that I could use net time whe I use Logic
Mastering
Mastering
Mastering is the final process after the mixing and editng and this is the final step that will need to be done before your songs are released to a wider audience. Landr website was able to summarise in a sentence what mastering actaully menas and consists of." The purpose of mastering is to balance the sonic elements of a stereo mix and optimize playback across all systems and media formats. Traditionally, mastering is done using tools like equalization, compression, limiting and stereo enhancement". I have previosuly mentioned about equalization and compression which is a starightforward step that can be done on Logic Pro.
This video is really clear and it helped me undertnad mastering a little bit moe then I did at the beginning. They mention to think mastering as "the glue and polish that optimizes playback on all devices and mediums". The main overall goal with mastering is always to ensure that you your audio sounds the best to its ability, and the sound engineer would atake sound fro all different devices from an iphone speaker to a full sound system and make it the best sound that they can retreive from that device. There are many things in this video that really sums up what mastering is and even mentions the comparison between mastering and mixing. Mixing is all about combining, while mastering is all about reaching the right sound and adding the final touches before it goes off. Therefore mastering is an imprnat proess which I have learnt and its super vital that you are happy with the righ utcome because you want audiences to hear what you want them to hear because you are proud of the work that has been created.
Managering Performers in the Studio
Managering Performers in the Studio
Additionally, checking that all the equipment needed is there ready to be used. This could include making sure that all instruments are tued and voclaists are warmed up ready to project. If someone needs to bring something in, such as instruments to make sure that person is sorted. As it is much better to be over-prepared then under prepared within a recording space.
Therefore, keeping the space safe for people to use, looking out for anything that may be hazardous or put people in danger. This would push production back if anyone that recoridng in danger.
Preparing performers in a studio helps to prepare for a recorded session, this side of production combines both the performance factor and the production side of the music industry. its vital that the artists have good communications with the sound engineer and other people part of the production. A part of the process begins with a really ipirnat step for voclaists and instrumentalists to "make sure your song is prepared to move next. Before going into the recording studio, it's crucial to practice and make sure your songs are in perfect order, whether you're a solo artist or in a band. This can entail organizing your tunes, practicing with your band, and ensuring that you have all the required chord diagrams or sheet music. Make sure your beats are prepared if you are a vocalist or singer". I found this an important step, that professional musicians shoud be aware of in order to save time for vital recording time.
This is a really helpful website that breaks down the essentail steps in order to prepare an artists or group of musicians for a recorded session.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-prepare-your-recording-session-guide-artists-entwanted-1e
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse