Production Techniques

INTRODUCTION

In this page, you will find all of my production techniques that I have learnt. Starting with the recording equiment, then guide tracks, tracking,

[AKG C1000]

First I am going to talk about the condenser microphone. The AKG C1000. In the session I had in the studio, I used this overhead condenser microphone called the AKG C1000. The role of this microphone is to go overhead a stage or studio drum kit. It is used for recordings and live-sound appliances and video productions. With this microphone I managed to use the appropriate cable management by wrapping the cable around the tall microphone stand so that people aren't tripping over the cable. This ensure a better environment of health and safety in the studio.

[Rode M5]

The RODE M5 is a miniature, small-diaphragm condenser microphone that can be employed to capture acoustic instruments, ensembles, and other accurate sound sources with fidelity. It is cardioid in polar pattern, which will isolate the sound source with rejection of the ambient noise. The M5 provides natural and uncolored frequency response, thus making it highly suitable for the recording of instrumental details like guitars, pianos, and strings, and drum overheads and choirs. It runs on phantom power and is used in stereo pairs to produce more realistic and balanced sound. RODE M5, which boasts a high-sensitivity and low-noise floor, is a studio and live recording favorite, delivering professional-level sound at an affordable price.

[AKG D112]

The AKG D112 microphone is a dynamic microphone that is used for picking those noises of lower frequencies, such as the kick drum and the bass guitar, because of the SPL capacity, SPL meaning Sound Pressure Level, and Punchy EQ which averages around 80Hz to 200Hz.

When setting up this microphone, you want to make sure that you put it inside of the kick drum, with the windscreen is facing the beater of the kick, or slightly of centre to the left of it.

This microphone is popular for recording the kick drum because the D112 is designed to handle the higher SPL that can be produced by the kick drum. The D112 is dynamic microphone

[Shure SM57]

Shure SM57 is a dynamic mic that is well known to be tough, all-purpose, and able to record loud and clean sounds. It has a cardioid polar pattern that allows it to capture the sound source in a broad area and reject the ambient sounds, thus ideal for live concert and studio recording. The SM57 is applied on all occasions of snare drum miking, guitar amp miking, and brass due to its controlled frequency response in the midrange and high sound pressure level handling with no distortion. Its internal pneumatic shock mount reduces handling noise, offering a clean signal in high-scene-action environments. Renowned for its toughness, the SM57 is the benchmark of pro audio gear, much sought after for its reliability, affordability, and consistency of performance in whatever task it is tasked.

[Shure SM58]

The Shure SM58 is a dynamic microphone that's the live vocal standard of the industry because of its clean, warm tone and rugged reliability. It has a cardioid polar pattern that picks up the voice of the vocalist and rejects ambient feedback and noise, and is well-suited for live use and sound reinforcement. Its spherical wind windtunneling and pop filter in the SM58 minimize wind noise and plosive sound, as well as deliver smooth vocals evenly. Its pneumatic shock mount system minimizes handling noise since it is a durable option for high-energy performance. Its durability and ability to handle sound pressure level have made the SM58 a top-selling microphone for musicians, public speakers, and entertainers across the globe for decades.

[Layering]

Music layering is a mixing technique whereby a number of different sounds or instruments are layered to create an richer, more complete, and dynamic sound in total. Layering is heavily used to provide depth, texture, and impact on such as drums, synths, vocalists, and guitars. Piling up sound on top of one another to back each other in tone, frequency, and timing allows the producers to maintain a more nuanced and professional-sounding mix. Successful layering also involves bringing together sounds of varying types—such as balancing a bright, staccato synth with a warm, pad-like synth—to produce an equal and harmonious sound. EQing, panning, and volume are all critical considerations when layering in order to keep each element unique and from creating mud in the mix.

[EQ]

Music production EQ or equalization is a fundamental tool utilized to balance and shape the frequency content of sound signals. It allows producers and engineers to boost or cut certain frequency ranges in order to add clarity, eliminate unwanted noise, and create an even-toned mix. EQ is typically divided into different bands—low frequency, mid frequency, and high frequency—each of which may be adjusted in order to achieve the desired tonal balance. Some typical EQs are parametric, graphic, and shelving EQs with different control over the sound. In a mix, EQ is used in an attempt to make space for individual instruments, and in order to prevent frequency masking when multiple sounds struggle for a single range.

[Compression]

Music production EQ or equalization is a fundamental tool utilized to balance and shape the frequency content of sound signals. It allows producers and engineers to boost or cut certain frequency ranges in order to add clarity, eliminate unwanted noise, and create an even-toned mix. EQ is typically divided into different bands—low frequency, mid frequency, and high frequency—each of which may be adjusted in order to achieve the desired tonal balance. Some typical EQs are parametric, graphic, and shelving EQs with different control over the sound. In a mix, EQ is used in an attempt to make space for individual instruments, and in order to prevent frequency masking when multiple sounds struggle for a single range.

[Panning]

Panning, in music production, is a term used to describe the way audio signals are distributed in the stereo field, the positioning of sounds from left to right of a mix. Panning helps create space, distance, and segregation between instruments, hence creating a more realistic and interesting-sounding mix. Through the employment of strategic panning, producers avoid sounds conflict in the center and give every instrument sufficient space in the stereo field. The vocals and the bass, for example, would usually remain in the center for stability purposes, while the guitars, backing vocals, or percussion would be to the left or right to create width. Experimental panning techniques, auto-panning or LFO-controlled panning, will add motion and interest, both of which make their way into electronic and psychedelic music. The effectiveness of these techniques, executed well, adds clarity, realism, and overall listening enjoyment.