Can you have a career in audio without a degree?
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- Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024
- ➡️➡️Click here to learn more about building a career in audio without a degree: producelikeapr...
➡️➡️Today's FAQ Friday Questions:
➡️Will I ever get to a point where I can refer to myself as a recording/mixing engineer without a degree? How do I know when I’m skilled enough for that? 0:39
➡️I’ve heard that distorted guitars don’t need compression, is that true? 14:21
➡️In what order do you track instruments? 15:47
The featured question from today’s video is: Will I ever get to a point where I can refer to myself as a recording/mixing engineer without a degree? How do I know when I’m skilled enough for that?
This is a great question, and a very important one!
When you look at some of the best producers, engineers, and mixers in the industry, you may think that they all have some sort of formal education or something extra that got them where they are, but that it not necessarily true. Many of them did not go to school and get a degree in music, they simply started making music and kept working wherever they were at in order to learn more and get better at what they wanted to do.
I am one of those people as well! I do not have any sort of formal education in music production, I simply started making music with the instruments and equipment that I had access to at the time, and over time I developed my skills and was able to get some better equipment and just kept progressing like that. Whether you are currently learning online, are shadowing someone in a studio, or wherever else you may be learning and developing your skills, just keep at it! You don’t have to go to school, you simply have to be passionate about what you are doing and be constantly willing to learn from anyone.
In the end, no one buys a record or streams a song because of the education the producer/mixer/engineer has, they buy it because it is a good song! So don’t feel like you are less than someone else or you are not as good as someone else because you have different education or have learned your trade in a different way. What matters most is your creativity! The most important skills you can have are your creativity and your ability to support the artists you are working with and produce the best song possible.
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Leave your FAQ Friday questions below!
I was involved in a conversation the other day (well, more in the middle of) about traditional mastering versus "stem mastering" with the two opposing sides of the conversation making all sorts of bold claims about their preferred method. I just left with my head spinning.... Would you be able to shed some light on the differences, benefits and drawbacks of "Traditional Mastering" versus "Stem mastering"? Thanks Warren.
@@ragingchimera8021 haha I've been in that one as well! My personal experience has been I prefer traditional which has maintained the integrity of my mix, however, I know people use stems because they are able to correct issues in the mix. There are many reasons given, however, that seems to be the predominant reason.
@Jesse Sanford very interesting question indeed!!
A friend's band is growing in popularity. How do they get their songs on the radio?
Hi Warren - this week Sonarworks put out an article advocating "Top-down mixing" (starting with the master bus and working back to individual tracks). I've heard you explain why NOT to do this and I get it, but since other 'name' channels are advocating top-down I'd love to hear you talk about it some more. Pros and cons? Variations? It might be too broad for a FAQ Friday, might require a whole video. ;) As always, thanks for doing what you do!
"Never feel less than" this is a fine example of why I watch your channel Warren.
Thanks ever so much Raging Chimera!!
I've got a national diploma in popular music, I learnt more in 2weeks going through channels like yours. Thanks.
Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much my friend!! You are very kind! I'm so glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
@@Producelikeapro Cheers, love your work. I have 1 condenser Mic and a Focusrite audio interface going into my laptop. The audio world is now my oyster, great times.
@@TheLastMoomin that's amazing to hear!! Congratulations!
Real question is can you have a career in audio WITH a degree
Well played.
Correct answer no, doesn't matter what degree you have, if you don't have the experience to go with it, then no. I don't mean working in your college, during the degree program, but with people outside, who may not know you. Interesting fact, most adult film artist have degrees in some of the most top colleges, and yet they're doing adult films. Degree doesn't promise, you anything. Experience does. Instead of learning, simply do.
Haha interesting perspective Derek! I firmly believe in the Education that works for you! Some people thrive at Colleges and some don't! All that matters to me is the end result, getting the knowledge the way that suits you best is pf paramount importance!
Produce Like A Pro thanks for the response, I love your channel.
Obviously my response was meant to be snarky, but the debt from my education has been a huge problem for me. I learned a lot, it was “valuable” - but I’m not sure it was worth it for the debt I took on.
@@DJABEATS I laughed, good form.
I feel like an audio recording education is inevitable every time I watch " Produce like a Pro ". Thank you Warren!
Aw shucks! You are very kind my friend!!
21:33 "The rules are there are no rules" That's my whole philosophy when it comes to making music, I love that kind freedom.
When it comes to music, I feel that rules are a unnecessary creative restriction.
I've learned more about production and mixing trough this channel than i ever dit, this last half year.
Thanx for that Warren, keep up the good work.
Yes, indeed Michel! Creativity is king!
@@Producelikeapro Thank you Warren, I had a bad week and this just made my day :-)
Great point on the song being the key, you can't polish a turd
Absolutely Dylan!
My first recordings were using my Dad's stereo (with input fader) and his boombox for playback, while I added a new track. Still have 'em on cassette even though they're 35 years old.
Thanks ever so much Michael!! I appreciate hearing your insight!
Ive worked with some great guys without degree's, ive also worked with a few degree holders who do not get their hands dirty and dont even like cabling mics up...
I agree Paul! I've experienced every version myself! The person behind the job is the most important part, the qualification isn't. Thanks for your great message!
Genuine humility. Wat a wonderful mentor!
Aw shucks thanks ever so much Joe!!
Warren: Your humility, and ability to convey your thoughts through your videos is nothing short of outstanding. I've watched quite a few of them, and thank you for sharing your thoughts on production. This particular video hit me in the feels. I'm late to get in the game, don't have much gear, but really want nothing more than to help local musicians make great sounding records. Thanks a lot for helping pull my head out of my arse and get my head back in the game. What can you recommend to someone like me just trying to make a name for themselves for trying to get local artists interested in seeking out production help for their recordings? In this day and age, it's easy for bands to record, produce, and release their projects themselves (which is perfectly fine). How do we, as folks looking to get out there producing in our local scenes, attract these musicians into working with us? Some music scenes can be awfully clique-ish, and it can be difficult to get out there... Thanks again for all you do!
Wow! Thanks ever so much Sean! That is extremely kind of you! I would definitely go to shows and offer to mix a song for free, if they like they can pay you for more! I've done that for song production as well, produced a song for free!
Yes Sean Trottier I've been pondering these same things too. See my post
3:30 Thats exactly what I did too! I even played my overdubs really really badly too!
Haha I hear you Paul!!
Love the character! Great individual
Thanks ever so much Joe!!
Sound on sound technique! Started there too! Mostly I got the most recent take plus a lot of noise...
Great stuff Adrian!! Thanks for sharing!
I love this channel because it is so encouraging. Thank you Warren!
Thanks ever so much Michael!!
I think when choosing a producer my first question to them would be "What's your opinion of Raw Power?" And if they don't appreciate that album's beautiful flawfulness, I would have to choose someone else. PS: That's a really nice shirt.
As long as they don't praise the Iggy Pop 90's mix.
Haha indeed! Yes, agreed, there's albums that are considered 'wrong' that are just so right! The Beatles 'Let It Be' is my favourite album of theirs and is often considered by experts as their worst! Music is more than EQ and compression and balances, it's guttural, emotional and so much more!
@@Producelikeapro I feel the same way about Let It Be. What gets me is how immediate it is. When you close your eyes, you practically see them in the studio together, like they're right in front of you, each of them with their distinct personalities, and you feel that strange dynamic between them at this point in time. It's not just a collection of songs, it's a document of a moment in their lives. Even when listening to live recordings or watching videos of them playing, I don't feel as close to them as when I'm listening to Let It Be. And I think the imperfections in the production play a big part in that.
Knowledge and experience is power.All good things take time.I think what you are doing is great and help starting new engineers/musicians.
Thanks ever so much AJ!! I appreciate your kind words! I'm so glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
IMHO, you can call yourself an engineer as soon as you start doing it. The market will tell you when you're good enough.
Price your services at a level where you can sleep at night knowing that you're not screwing your client. If you can't get clients at that price, reduce it. If you're flooded with work, raise it.
Great advice that i'm going to absorb, thanks man.
That's a wonderful statement John! Thanks ever so much for sharing! I'm so glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
@@djboomatl yes, indeed.
thats the most straight forward epic way to put this.
I think the difference is that if you went to school you got your credentials on paper but if you're self taught your credentials are entirely based in your body of work.
Great point indeed!! Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful insight!
Thanks ever so much!!
Absolutely spot on.
What matters is knowing the techniques and being able to use them creatively in order to make the recording process happen. Doesn't matter where they were got, as long as they were got.
We have very similar backgrounds regarding how we got started on recording stuff - cassettes and stuff. Forty-odd years later, I'm fitting out the bedroom in my few flat as a 24/32-track studio with two Zoom R-16s (one borrowed from a pal!). Done the four-track years, which taught planning. Done the eight-track times - and learned not to be scared of all that space! :D
Hi David, thanks ever so much for sharing your insight!
@@Producelikeapro
No worries, Warren. I have little offer now that I'm this ill, but I can at least confirm what you say from one of my professional backgrounds.
I should do a video about the set-up I used for my CSE music project ... had to solve a sync problem, and devised a solution that was almost worthy of the late, great Geoff Emerick. ;)
Bear in mind, though, my version of engineering solution is this:
Problem: bought baskets for cables, but baskets do not fit into cupboard.
Solution: take the doors off the cupboard.
😆😆😆😆
I started out playing with a Teac stereo mic, Teac Model 2 mixer, and my Teac 3340 4-channel Reel to Reel, back in the late 70’s. Life got in the way, so my mixing was put on the back burner. When I retired, I wanted to finally got back to mixing. I worked for a small studio for 3 years before I realized the owner never really finished anything! I went back to college and took their studio program, but after completion, I realized that I NEVER got anything I did evaluated! I worked as a computer programmer and never had as hard of a time learning anything as learning music. PLAP has been the best money spent in my journey to learn mixing music! Thank You Warren, for everything you do. You are the closes that I will get to working/learning in a studio!
Hi Warren, very wise words, thank you for inspiring us all to create awesome music, have a great day, all the best.
Thanks ever so much Darren! You Rock!!
I think a lot of factors are involved: 1. how passionate you are about music. 2. How is your ability to learn new things. 3. How creative are you?. 4. How intelligent/flexible are you?. 5. Are you a people person aka social skills. 6. How in balance are you mentally?. 7. How much discipline do you have to do things, to have structure in your life?. 8. Can you think top down and in details?. 9. In what kind of environment are you grown up musically? 9. Do you have a positive view on life, or does life controls you negatively? 10. Can you think in an original way/outside the box? A degree is a paper with a timestamp on it, reality is: Real pros become AND pro and students their whole life...So, yes, without a degree but with minimal those 10 points you CAN have a career. Keep it up Warren!!!! :)
It,s the same with Conservatory of music: I did that back then, but was superbusy with bands in all kinds of styles, practising drums, listening music, reading psycho-analytic books, snaredrumtechniques that even an artschool like the conservatory told me: You are an informationjunky and a schoolsystem is nothing for you, go to the real life things...:) And study short with several drumteachers....I love that kind of honesty, instead of telling me bullshit and to break me down...Deep respect for them!!! It,s simple: Just be yourself, and if the world needs you you will know it...No judgements...
And yes, I should learn to have short answers,hahahaha..:)
I started out pretty much like you. It's very creative. Then I could afford a 4ch cassette porta and that was a revolution! Then it was Cubase 3.71 and so forth!! Great!!!
Thanks ever so much Mark for sharing your insights and experiences! It really helps a lot of people!
@@Producelikeapro Big thanks for the fast reply Warren. Keep up those great and educational videos. Absolutely great. Hope you're doing marvelously well, as well! Peace And Love!!!
"Know when to get out the way of the artist" ! Great Warren ! As "sound engineers" we have to sublimate but not interfere. My masters always taught me : "Less is more, worst is better"
Liked what you said in this video very, very much ! Thx
Thanks ever so much! Yes, that is a quote from Dave Jerden! I learned such a huge amount from him!
Best advice I've heard from you is that, as a producer, it's about being a creative and working with the artist(s) and bringing out the best of them. I've come across a ton of people who get too focused "on the mix," yet they don't really know much of anything besides music. I've tried to work with people, and I'd hear them say stuff to me "I want a guitar to sound like this," and when you deliver it, they respond with "but not like that."
Most people don't know how to convey what musical idea they want, and they think it can "just be fixed in post production." I read about a guy (Mixer) on Reddit who had a person he mixed for (Music Guy). Mixer had to pretty much fixed Music Guy's songs (voice and guitar) because his voice would be way flat, and the guitar wouldn't be in time with the vocals. Mixer asked what to do, and pretty much everyone told him something like this: "EIther charge the guy for mixing work and fixing stuff," OR "Talk with the guy, and get him to get his best takes of the music."
i love this long-form videos!! learned a lot from listening to you for 22 straight minutes, the unedited power
I grew up in construction and my father used to say when evaluating somethings worth, "Yeah, but how many sheets of drywall can it hang?" I think now that robots (or the equivalent) have taken up much of what is mundane in the tasks our jobs burden us with we can find true meaning in what it is we create and I'm glad to hear Warren has a grasp on what it is that truly produces value. What makes a profession is the product of the outcome of your choices and the definition of music it the creation thereof. So if your doing anything make sure the outcome of your knowledge is producing the product of your profession and success becomes trivial. What a deep topic how knowledge can empower our abilities and skill can complement it and creativity can make it special ;)
This was the greatest episode you have ever done!! Thank you!! This was marvelous!
WARREN, YOUR TRACKING PROCESS BLOWN ME AWAY. it is so plot-twisting ahahah. i'm definitely gonna try to record over the scratched ideas!! wow such a gem.
Bob Clearmountain is one of my "heroes". It's the little things that can elevate a production to make it truly "sing", and he's a master at it. So you can imagine how happy I was finding the long interview with him here. I'm still very much learning, and this channel is a great source of inspiration :)
Hi Peter, yes, indeed! Bob is the mixers mixer! Everyone I admire admires Bob! I'm so glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
A degree don't determine if you good and prepared for the job...but it opens up opportunities. Just saying.
Hi Isaac, yes, for non Engineering/Production and Mixing gigs I agree! I cannot tell you if any of my Production/Engineering and Mixing friends have a degree in their chosen fields! I don't know if the world's greatest mixer Bob Clearmountain has been to school, maybe? I don't believe so, however regardless it's never been a consideration for anyone to who hires them to know whether they have a degree. I hope that clarifies? Many thanks Warren
I also did the old 'two cassette players' overdubs and also two old two track recorders to turn a whole album into a micro blip. That was in the 70s. Only now in 2020 do I have all the power I need to do everything in a laptop. I love your videos, you're a cool dude with a lot of knowledge you actually sound a lot like me with the creative advice you're giving people. I too am self taught, watching engineers and having the desire for good production and imaginative mixing, which you can hear in my work (if you've heard my work). One thing I'm ALWAYS telling people is that there is no 'right' way to do things, don't be afraid to make a glorious mess, and that the most important aspect of a mix is it's balance of levels and frequency (no matter what the level of production) oh yeah, and the one thing we don't need in this business is EGO. ps. just a mention to my most valued piece of kit, my Lexicon PCM 80 which STILL knocks spots off of ANY computer effects I've heard. ; )
Warren, I think I can very honestly say this is my favorite FAQ you have done. Your humble advice is thought provoking, honest and spot on. Best to you
A related question: If I, as home studio engineer am learning from yourself, Glenn Fricker, Grahm Cochrane, and other youtube tutorials, would it be disingenous to try to sell myself to clients as being a student of yourself, Glenn Fricker, Grahm Cochrane, etc.? Particularly if we have never had a personal mentor-like or student-teacher relationship, but your guys' knowledge and videos is where all my knowledge and skills are derived from?
judging from the glaring lack of response to this question here as a comment, I'd say keep your eyes on FAQ Friday for your answer.
Great video. We are all students of music at every level. From beginner to Grammy award winning pro's. Always having a thirst for new ideas, new techniques and again, being a student of the art makes us better.
I am currently doing a BA in audio and music tech and this has been on my mind for some time now. I feel like in the end you have to let your work speak for you instead of a degree but knowledge is knowledge no matter how you aquire it. Keep on grinding guys. Work for it like your life depends on it and you will make it. Make mistakes and learn from them, keep your head down. It will pay off.
My father was a successful audio engineer with his own studio, and no degree. As he says, "That's great you went to Berkeley; but can you play the part." This has always been a big motivator for me.
Also, this field is huge. You can be successful, but you must find where you can be successful. Passion Vs. Paycheck is all relative. It's always a learning process.
Genuine humility. Wat a wonderful mentor!
This makes me feel much better, thank you!
Hi thuyet muu thuyet thanks everyone so much my friend!!
You truly are inspiring Warren! Thank you so much for your humility. And special thanks for EVERYTHING you do in Produce Like A Pro Academy!!!! You rock!
I am very happy to hear what you say here with recording ideas!! I get the riff right, send it to my singer, then send it to my bass player and last send it to the drummer!!
Hi Matt Kirschner fantastic to hear!!
Been recording and mixing as my full time job for 15 years now. No degree, just lots of hard work in the field, making mistakes, and learning. I do have an HND in Audio tech mind you, but honestly I learned more from my first six months of just going out and recording bands than I did in two years at college. Ironically, the band I'm recording right now has a guitarist who DOES have a degree in sound engineering/audio tech etc. and he works in an office.
I think it's great that you don't NEED a degree to do this job. It means that you are judged solely on your work and ability rather than a certificate. When I worked in regular jobs there would always be at least one guy hired at management/team leader level simply becasue they had a degree, and they would either be awful at their job or they would ask unreasonable things because of no ground level experience.
I think having a degree is great. However, some jobs will only hire a person if they have one, but they don't care what degree it is. They're not looking at your knowledge or skill set - it's just plain snobbery. Thankfully, the audio recording field still sees a degree as a bonus rather than a requirement.
Thank you Warren! Really nice questions (and answers!). Have a rockin' weekend!
Extremely inspiring, thank you again 🤟😎🍻
Thanks ever so much Alec! I'm glad to be able to help!
Great video! Warren, I would like to suggest that you interview Lee Sklar. I would love to see an episode with him!
Hi Natasha Nyxx yes, that would be amazing!!
Thanks Warren. 💛
You're very welcome Audrey!!
AYEEE! It's friday!
Yes, indeed Michael!
Thank you so much for your wonderful opinions and tips. I am from India and I have learned and tried all your tips and techniques in my mix master. Through your opinion I bought Audient ID 44 and done some mixes which is well appreciated so once again thank you for your valuable tips and become great fan of you 👍🏽
tl;dr my advice is to be bold and just ask organizers of concerts for opportunities. Even if you dont make any money at first, you get a name for yourself and you get contacts.
Long read: I just finished a project for the local music college: very semester they have a concert where their vocal students perform their self-written songs: one band, several singers, a multitude of genres. I just asked the organizer if I could work on recordings of this semester's concert, and he was more than happy. So, i organzied with the location to put up some extra mics and ended up with a 22 track recording session that I worked on. For me, it was a perfect practicing opportunity, so i didn't charge anything, but we agreed that, if my mixes are used commercially, i would get a share of the income. The most beneficial outcome, however, was that I made myself known amongst the students (and staff) of a renowned music college: some of the artists already signaled that they want to work with me in the forseeable future. In hindsight, I would say that this self-inflicted assignment was the start of my professionalization as a producer.
Such wise wordt! You went all in on the first question, so inspirational
I liked your opinion or fact about mixing and producing with experience. I got late in the game and didn't start recording my music till I was 36 yrs. old. I am loving every minute of it and I cant quit and have made 36 songs in five years. I am improving as an artist and producer and engineer. I read how to get better and always study. But No I don't have but a intro to Berklee college of music with being an artist and producing. I do think people need to consume as much knowledge no matter what of means of income. Cause just like tutorials on you tube yes you can learn and read books. That's is more likely free for poor and middle class incomes. And yes that's how you learn from the greats. Thank you for your video and I have subscribed to your channel and recently Remixed a song of CLO for Blackout song for your competition. Your channel is fun.
I am now doing professional photography at fashion shows. I don’t have a degree in photography but lately, I am going to school for studio photography and I am learning from the senior photographers such as Len Delessio (KISS, Smokey Robinson, Alice Cooper, Leonard Skinner). Len has been a nice teacher and I do write to him on social media. My current course with another teacher is Fashion Photography. I do get it on this video blog and t is true in other professions too.
Hey Warren! Once again, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and such valuable insight! I sure feel that watching your channel makes it less and less tempting to go get a degree instead of simply following your tips and just have more fun and better results when recording!
I have two questions for you:
1. What are your go-to frequencies when high-passing a signal? I know it always depends on the context and the instrument, but do you have certain frequencies that you keep going back to? I tend to always start at 100 Hz and then adjust from there. What's your approach to this?
2. How do you know when the time has come to upgrade your studio monitors? Or is it one of those pieces of gear that are not necessarily a priority? I have a pair of Yamaha HS7's that I enjoy quite a lot, but I tend to always keep an eye out for second hand Genelecs, Focals and the like. Am I loosing my time?
Thanks!!!!!!
It's so brilliant to hear that other people started out making stuff on two cassette recorders too!
You’re the man!
Hi Blake Jackson you’re very kind!
Love your channel. What you talk about, is always very informative. Also, it is good to know that my natural approach to recording is very similar to what you do and suggest. I too put the drums on last, at least most of the times. I am a singer/songwriter and I could agree more with what you said about all of that. I would add that "for me" the Bass is very very important. It is important because it can "drive" the song or accentuate a certain aspect of the song. Lastly, I have to be careful to not Over Engineer a song and put too many things on it. That part is probably the hardest part, "knowing when to quit".
warren, i am one of the people that is always thinking about the mix while writing.
it makes it easier for me to write layered harmonies.
"where will i fit this guitar? where will i place this reverb's depth limit?"
i liken it to orchestration.
Going through RUclips engineers and producers I've noticed a lot of people with degrees that are sellling information products and having done anything i've heard of before.
Here I found someone who's worked with bands I heard of and can easily check the work, not much plugging of courses/tutorials.
Some of those guys with degrees are definitely skilled and decent teachers, but it feels like they spend more time reselling their syllabus or pursuing income streams then working in the studio. I'm just trying to break out of the cycle of reading/watching and focus more on doing with what I have picked up knowledge and gear wise.
great stuff warren and yes i couldnt agree with you more on the whole uni thing, such courses didnt even really exist in our day, tho thats not to take anything away from the people who take them, indeed any learning and experience by any means is what its all about :)
Brilliant information on how to produce good music 👍🔊🔊🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶💛✌️🎸
As someone who did music production at uni years ago, can whole heartedly say there's much better information on todays online courses, you can learn from best (like warren), I barely feel like I learned anything at all by comparison! A degree won't do much for you, as warren says all about working well with the clients and understanding what they want.
Warren, roughly how much (percentage?) of the bands / musicians you work with don't, in reality, need help with parts, composing and the like? Extreme example, but I would doubt Chick Corea (e.g.) requires too much compositional advice. :-) That's not intended to minimize nor dismiss anyone else's skills or knowledge, I'm just curious how many recording musicians / artists "need" musical help. Great channel, BTW.
As someone currently studying a BSc in music tech, you tend to find that the majority don't actually go down a production path. I went through college on the premise that "I don't like maths I just want to produce music" and I'm looking to do my honours project on machine learning algorithms of all things. I know so many more people with a fraction of the education I've had, that are 10x the producer I am. However, Ive saved a lot of money booking out rooms at uni and mixing things myself lol
I can totally identify with recording from cassette to cassette before working on 4 track porto studio.
Inspirational! :-)
Hi Chris Ibbetson thanks ever so much!!
I’d definitely say yes, I have a degree in Music Production and I hasn’t helped me secure a job. I’d also say the more pertinent question would be can you make a career in Music if you don’t have any connections or someone to pay the bills while you intern or build a portfolio.
I remember about 10-15 years ago the discussion was whether you could build a career WITH an audio degree and professionals often recommending to not mention FS etc on your resume if you went there etc.
I have a (probably) stupid question. Since I've started making music not even a whole year ago, all by myself, something's missing I guess. I try to follow very good advice from very good people in what's my opinion, and "don't mix while producing" sometimes is mentioned. However, when I produce, I realize that maybe, without mixing, the song could gain a totally different hue, if not genre, and I think it's too hard to keep in mind all the ideas for a certain kind of song, or just write it down on notes. So I was wondering if some mix has just to be done while producing, obviously roughly I mean. I also saw Timabaland producing music, obviously he had a team and all, and experience, so everything that went out of their heads or devices could be changed in the blink of an eye and gain a particular effect. I am craving for an advice on this. (From whoever knows!) Thank you.
nobody writing a song or in the rehearsal room...is thinking about the mix....thank you
Hi Toilet-Tunes yes Sir!! Agreed 100%!!
Produce Like A Pro QUESTION: A year or two ago I heard you giving rave reviews about a particular chair you like for sitting long hours mixing. Which one was it? I am in the market for a nice studio chair. Thank you again for all you do!
I used to take the player's (cassette deck) motor's pitch control out and attach it to the outside so I could adjust the speed and not have to re-tune every time, because of the speed difference between machines. It seems like a whole load of us came up with the same idea independently, uh!?...
Well, I've been doing it since 1978. (Live audio). So, yes. You can.
Absolutely
Have you been asked to produce audiobooks? Maybe not your voice, but as the engineer? What's your experience with it, if any?
Hey Warren, sorry for going off topic, but I'd really like to know your take on Dr Dre's mixes. Have you heard them? If yes then, what's your take on them? Thank you ;))
Hi Warren! First, I want to say that I really enjoy watching your videos here on RUclips, they are one of the best resources on the internet for me when it comes to shared and trusted information about mixing audio. My question is as follows:
I moved into a new room with my mixing and recording setup recently and since I managed to get it all set back together and started mixing again I discovered a kind of low frequency humming in every song I record and start to mix, which at this point is absolutely frustrating for me.. in my old room, i didn't have this problem. it is at about 110 Hz. the room is in an L-shape and about 25 m²..
What are your suggestions on how to get rid of this annoying "undertone"?
I've already put carpets up on the walls and around my mixing space, which is located in the small piece of line of the L, the one you draw to the right when you write an L. Do you think rockwool could be an answer to this issue, or would you say it is hopeless anyways in that king of room with that shape??
Thank you, for posting all tis good stuff on here and please keep it growing! Greetings from Düsseldorf :)
WOW started recording exactly as you did with a cheap cassette recorder. Mine started sounding badly right after the firs rerecord. My first real multitrack recorder was a TASCAM 4 track cassette recorder.
What do you give a drummer to listen to when you track them first? Do you have a way of giving them something other than just click to play to so they can get in the groove more?
I could watch a whole episode just nerding out on the first Black Sabbath record!
WARREN - QUESTION! ... how would you/how did they ... record a vocal like 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney? I would be s**t scared of not hitting record on her perfect take, or clipping the signal. Would she have done straight takes or dropped in in places? How far would you get her to stand from the mic? I swear at the start I can hear a bit of popping and in the key change a bit of distortion? WDYT? Surely recording a vocal like this would make any engineer sweat!!! Thanks in advance for any tips! :)
I notice you have your monitors on a shelf over the desk, do you use and decouplers? I have read that good speaker stands are better than a shelf, whats your advice?
Hi Rola, thanks for the question! That's specifically designed for the SSL, it's probably hard to tell. however it is fitted for the console and has a rubber mat on it. I also have speakers to the side that are on stands and have specifically designed 'decouplers' they have also been above the console. I got the same results from either location! I hope that helps clarify?
This guy looks like Tobuscus!
Also, great video :P
Loved this because I’m on the fence about going to school at SAE for production. I actually posed this question last week and it was awesome to get Warrens take on this. I’m an artist that wants to produce my own material at as high of level as I can so I bring a lot to the table when working with other producers, artists and songwriters. I know I’m capable of making really great pieces of music. Very grateful for all that I am learning....
I’m actually worried for the opposite reason, however. I can go to a school for a reasonable price for their one year program, but I’m wondering if there is a more savvy way to learn to produce for the bed room...
I suppose my question would be: if you were a musician/songwriter at the beginning stages of learning production in today’s modern world, where would you start....I have a basic understanding of pro tools and studio one, but a lot of things I don’t know about recording in DAWs or recording in general....I have some of Graham Cochrane’s “Recording Revolution” courses and would like to join your community, but is it set up so a begging could learn without feeling in over their head?
Ryan Clark hey Ryan, strongly recommend you give the Produce Like a Pro academy a shot before blowing cash on SAE. Nothing against SAE at all but for a significantly lower outlay you’ll get regular access to not only Warren, (of course), but also a large number of amazingly talented people at various stages of ability. Some who are lucky enough to be involved in music as a career and some who just do it because we love it. There’s also a huge amount of material to learn from. Yes, I’m an academy member. Jump in, the water’s fine!!
Paul Motion can I hear some songs you’ve produced somewhere? How long have you been learning the skillsets?
Paul Motion do y’all ever work together on songs or have meet ups in person and work together?
I find that it is common for people who went to school for something to think they are an expert when really you learn on the job. School is really a waste of money but that is an opinion i hold.
Now in my 40's the option to study fulltime for audio did not make sense. So for the past Several years I've studied up online from books magazines websites etc Warrens channel helped too!!. It was just a matter of going to the credible places to find the credible information. Having a business degree majoring in management still did not make me a manager in the workplace and seemed to be worth nothing in reality. So getting an audio degree was an even riskier and more costly decision. My business mind is struggling to justify doing this for an occupation locally, having studied entrepreneurship in my degree. For many reasons i've looked into when formulating a business plan.
Interesting question. Derek DJA Allen turns it around in a way which took me thinking. Is it possible that a degree is standing in the way of the creative process. I don't have a degree in it and didn't start the course, so I can only follow my feeling. I think yes and no. As mentioned in a previous video you need to work with the artist, it can work against it because they learn how to record/mix. So it depends a lot on who are the mentors. On the other hand they learn the students tricks to solve issues by listening and ways to correct the problem. So I'm not sure which way is the best. The most important aspect I think working with/inspiring/listen to the artist. You have mentioned that also in a previous video, if the artist's performance isn't that great you make it a lot harder on yourself to get an acceptable result. If the artist has a great performance, it makes it a lot easier and less work correcting it.
Most of the time when you mix you have to "forget the knowledge" so you do not get limited in any way ... Sometimes the most primitive, simple "move" is the answer and than you know you are almost at the pro level:)))
I learnt a lot off RUclips. Plus common sense. As they say... No rule book in music. The sound you like in a mix, someone else won't. So, it's personnel taste. I feel.
Is thunderbolt really now a viable technology for instrumental performance processing and looping within a live DAW environment? Is Thunderbolt 1 effective with creating natural response of audio through a DAW and back out to speakers or is the Thunderbolt 2 or 3 required for a seamless live performance experience?
Hello Warren, hope you're having an excellent day. I have one question for ya! How do I avoid to get the reverb on a snare, to get to much left, or right and thereby peaking? Has it something to do whether the reverb is mono or stereo? And how do I adjust that? Best Regards Mark E Gunnardo
Your first question - just to play devil's advocate - many more people as a fraction of populations today have a degree. Are your examples from the past, when genuine on the job training was much more of a reality, relevant to the same extent? You're really doing a fantastic job to help people along and I'm sure that some of them/us will succeed all the same.
do you have a video of EQing mixing of Drums Rooms?
As a relatively new producer with minimal equipment. What is the first piece of analog gear you would suggest for making hip hop beats?
i have a question about monitors, in professional studio you ntoice that they have near, mid, and far monitors and each one is placed a bit further, are they doing it by calculating something, to have an equilateral triangle from one spot or are they just doing for no reason at all, cause i noticed that your monitors are all placed on the same distance
Hi Dulla, marvellous question! My monitors are all tilted differently so the listening position is the same for each pair of mentors! I hope that clarifies?
@@Producelikeapro yes it absolutely does, thank you for all the advice of you've been giving on this channel
Hi Dulla Bills glad to be able to help! I’m so glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
I have a question, do you think it's possible to be both a producer and an artist? I Rap, I'm currently learning music production (a lot of electronic stuff, sound design, mixing etc.) and I wanna learn the guitar as well. Do you think that that is possible? Is it too much?
well the great thing about music production, is you dont have to pay a university establishment huge sums of money to learn things, people like warren give all their knowledge away for free.
Sound advice sir, I was listening to a demo of song I created years ago around a live acoustic guitar and vocal track just tapping my foot to keep time then tracking a band around it. It sounds raw and live if a little unfinished but really captured how it sounded in my mind as an idea if you know what I mean. Do you find that capturing the initial spark from a fresh demo is one of the hardest things to do without over working the song, so it may sound better but the you somehow lose the essence of it?
i went to school but i have friends that have recorded and mixed platinum records that didnt go to school
I've been working in the broadcast engineering field for over 20 years. No college degree.
Wonderful! Congratulations!!
I have a question can i use melodyne in a live recording situation with background noise bleeding through the mic or will it not work. this is on the vocals mic of course