Tid bits I took from this vid: 1. I love the grid :] 2. Don't go looking for something to edit...because you'll always find it. 3. How do we know when we're done (story of my short recording life) 4. I've spent lots of time in the rabbit hole. Overall, my new goal is to be very mindful of the 'point of diminishing returns' Thanks man :]
I became a subscriber during the first 5 minutes. Thanks so much for spending your time so freely to help so many people learn the art of recording. I've been doing it for 40 years and this lesson brought me back to how I used to do it. We only had 16 tracks to work with when I started. Then came 24 tracks. Think about how many tracks the Beatles used and they still play it on the radio today. I think the most important part is a good song then capturing it properly by recording it well. I waste a little more time than I should now but I like it because I'm working with great artist and have the time. But working on a prodject and every part of it without a deadline can be deadly to the track. Preconceptions instead of just living the moment is also a killer and that's what you'll run into. Great lesson. I'm going to watch more of them so I can share them with clients who don't know what I am doing so they at least get a little on the same page as me making my job easier not having to deal with what i find to be ignorant bothersome questions I haven't time for.
My advice for mixing is to do all of the grunt work (eq, pan, comp, levels, effects) on your own. Do the best mix you can do in a reasonable amount of time (which depends on the individual). Then, bring in someone whose skill and taste you trust to help you tweak all of those aspects and finalize the mix. I've personally found that two sets of ears are much better than one. A lot of times the person who is not at the controls can focus much better on listening.
My Father worked as a mixing engineer for over 30 years and he managed to record an entire professionally produced song in one take with two musicians, three mics, and four compressors. THAT'S IT. It truly is in how well you know the equipment you're using; that is the measure of the engineer.
Hi, Graham. Just stopped to say that sater watching about a dozen of your videos in these last couple of days, I feel like I've learned a whole year amount of stuff. Kudos for creating these lessons and getting right to the point, sharing this raw knowledge that comes from an obviously fruitful career.
You give some great advice but if i told some of the vocalists I get at my place they have only 2 chances to get the vocal take they would tell me fuck clean off!
Glenn Boulton (Digital image studios UK) Which has nothing to do with your original comment. What music have you produced? Post the links or I don't give a fuck.
sorry, your utter lack of intelligence is no longer funny. Check reading comprehension and then walk in front of a bus... it's the compassionate thing to do.
I have a natural plug-in limitation in the form of my CPU! 40 tracks with 3-4 plugins and my computer starts exploding! I now see there can be a positive side to that! It also forces me to comp down tracks and keep my mixes as simple as possible! :) I hadn't thought of it that way!
Mixing in mono and balanced volume levels have been critical for me, also reduction in plugins. less is truly more, thanks for the basics Graham, it's what we all need.... A Reminder to stick to
Great advice! just starting out my own home studio and the tips you have stated in the long run are going to be really helpful. I spent most of night last night EQing, a snare hit, I gotta say snare solo land was very painful now I can pick up and move on and follow your steps. Thanks again!
Man! I really needed to watch this video, if only because I'm recording a guitar/vocal CD at the moment and I was starting to doubt if it was sounding good enough because I was making it as simple as possible. I decided to record both box and guitar together so there's lots of bleed. I was thinking of getting two figure 8 mics but I know that would crazy. Great advice on here, and great communication. Like the recording version of Henry Rollins! Thanks for your help. God bless dude.
Great stuff here! Thanks. I am recording my self and learning as I go. Mic placement is everything. Especially on an acoustic guitar! I always start at the 12th fret and aim it slightly toward the body.
Your so modest,...you never act like you know more then us,...your very sincere about teaching,...you have major experience but never talk yourself up. Very good guy.
I totally get the over-editing and never-ending mixing thing!! I am a perfectionist too and it's so easy to go on and on eventually you just end up trying to fix problems that aren't even there!
I completely agree. I only use 24 tracks if I'm recording/mixing something with orchestra instruments. Loving this. Gonna download the book. Right now.
Throughout the years of practicing, I also came to a somewhat similar conclusion. However, hearing it so nicely summarized is pretty darn cool. Thanks dude, keep up the good work!
I'm a recording newbie and your vids are fantastic. Super cool of you to share your knowledge. I do realize that your focus is on 'recording', but do you also have any advice for 'performing'? Meaning, I want to ensure that my recordings sound great, but I'm equally concerned about my live sound. How do I ensure that my audience is hearing the music the way I intended? How does my live sound relate to my recorded sound? My goal is to achieve a sonic quality both live and recorded.
I totally agree all what you say. I'm a film sound mixer and sound designer. I always keep in my mind, 1. Organize the workflow to save time.. 2. Limit the tracks… 3. Limit plug-ins… 4. Organize the DAW neat… 5. Spending time all day and night without enough sleeping won't get the good result. act.. btw. I like your video.
I can do up to 300 tracks. Consider an orchestra can be 100 instruments then for each instrument to have 2 or 3 variants then it starts to add up. But that said, I totally understand the 'restraint'
Just like to say like everyone else, your videos are awesome. You really tell it how it is, and there is no pretention in you message. You explain all the concepts in simple terms that beginners like me can understand. You definitely are the leader of the revolution.
awesome videos bro. it's good to hear some "just get the shit done" advice, cuz i tend to get a little picky on the actual sounds myself. tweaking the notches on massive or adjusting the eq on superior etc. just some generic feedback on your videos though, you're going 200mph ALL the way, but the picture doesn't change that much. either add some segments, like when you said editing, just add a header, or pause after saying something important. let it ring. the sip of coffee was great for that.
I use Mackie MR8 MKII's which are 2-way 8" monitors with a bass/air port at the back of the enclosure. They're pretty sweet for what I do, but I love the sound of Event 2020 speakers. Tried them at work a couple times and they are incredible for a mid-priced monitor. Something like $350 a speaker in the states but dont quote me on that, I'm from New Zealand.
Great video. I use the intro version of Ableton so I'm automatically limited to 16 tracks but I find it has helped me learn how to really use the daw in a much more meaningful and thought out way which builds character in your music. Good stuff
Graham, what you're doing is incredible and the way you do it is as well. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Your tips are very very useful. I have so much respect for you. Greetings from Brazil.
Thanks for this man. I promptly got rid of my 3rd Guitar track on all the recordings for this EP. It was there because I wanted it, not because I needed it, and it was causing undue stress and burnout.
+Adam Lewis Probably better described as the best investment. It's not perfection, but it doesn't sacrifice too much quality at the end of the day if you had taken the perfectionist path, and it's also much more stable.
This is gold. You don't have to take everything Graham says literally. He has formed his own judgements based on his previous sessions, his life experiences, worldview, etc... You will too. That's what makes you you as an engineer. The truth is that we have too many options, these days. This can be great, but it can also be detrimental, and in my experience-because I'm somebody (sarcasm)-it's more often detrimental. Probably because we're mere humans, this unlimited set of choices encourages us to delay decision making. The more decisions we delay now, the larger the stack that we end up with becomes, and the more shit we have to do before we can actually make the art. Alternatively, the more options we stack (the channel strip rabbit hole), the more we tend to take things too far, and that's simply due to the number of variables involved, which increases exponentially with each option. In record-making, it is most often true that less is more. Graham speaks the truth. Listen to the big picture of what he's saying and apply it in your own way, in as many places as possible in the process of making a record (or, shit, in life!). Options tend to lead to distraction and wasted time. If you need all those options to begin with, you are lacking in the skill department. (It's a painful truth we must all face!)
yes! that's what I do when I get a project to mix for rappers who have 100+ tracks of music and vocals. I group whatever I can. sometimes I'll group all claps with snares and group all kicks with bass and eq them on a buss. good point.
most will tell you KRK. but it depends on what genre of music you're working on and your budget. Dynaudios are a VERY good pick for budget stuff. If you're on lower budget though, Mackie Mr5 mk2's are pretty great as well as Krks. Anything higher is up to your setup really. I personally like Genelec 8040B. but anywho. Dynaudio is the go-to for not to expensive and good for everything.
Hi, this may seem like an odd question but whats the brand/name of the desk you use? I forever have been using a small desk from when I was 10 and I have gotten to the point where there is no space left anywhere and am looking to upgrade to a good music desk that will last me for years to come. I like the way the one you have looks any insight would be greatly received! Thanks.
Nice, A great way to simplify the endless requests/possibilities of the session! I love hot keys. I think you attack a real problem of over editing with no GRAND editing direction.
Hi Graham! Really nice to find your channel. My channel covers similar topics in German. I have a similar approach to mixing and simplifying everything to the max is my mantra. Very cool to see someone sharing this mindse
Could u do a review of how to adjust "the right recording volume" , do´s and don´t in this process, importance of the samplerate, buffer size ? THX in advance. Yr doing a great job sir. Much appreciated.
Hey are you using those foams wrong? I'v seen so many videos where those foams under your krk's are different position. They got their tweeter pointing more their chest or throat or what ever :D Are you using foams like that because you like the sound in that position?
Tweeters - Produced High Frequencies - High Frequencies are directional - to get the full frequency response of these tweeters they must be pointed to your ears. Acoustic foam is used to naturalise the sound of the monitors bass response - it decreases the resonating rate produced by the KRK's.
I feel like I'm in kindergarten, "What is the number one rule of home recording? Class?". …"Limit your options like your life depended on it!" Hahaha! "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci
Graham, take that foam down, it does nothing but making your acoustics worse. Get some bass traps with Rockwool. You can make ones that are just as good as the ones you buy for under 500 euroes. Rockwool absorbs low frequencies which are the most important to get a nice bass response in your room. Foam only absorbs some high frequencies, and are usually much more expensive. It will improve your mixes like 200%. I garantee!
what kind of speakers are those? minimal tracks, good deal. this might seem weird but why did you use dampers for behind your monitor desk? don't tell me why I should do that. tell me why you do that and what it does for the sound quality that you're hearing because you can't hear for me.
Concerning 100+ tracks, I've heard many pro engineers say time and again that they (or rather, their assistants) consolidate most of those tracks. Most of those tracks come down to additional effects, like claps, oo's and oh's, etc. A lot of engineers also start pulling out things that aren't helping. Producers tend to go a little crazy when it comes to track count, so the mix engineer has to reign it back into reality.
You, my friend, have hit so many nails on the head with this video that it has inspired me to beyond extent. I found myself nodding in agreement to 90% of the things you have brought up, and whether it be the coffee boosting your communicable precision or the shear experience in your field or just plain both factors, not only have you earned an instant sub but you have instilled in me the ambition to do what I love most and to make a living doing it. Thank you, and cheers to a bountiful music career!
Thank you Graham! Ur totally right! We live in area of unlimited options but they limit us! We forget about the time ) we have to be focus on creativity )
I agree in part with that, but I still think recording vocals is about capturing the performance, not a specific part or line. That's how I approach it. Pre-production is key, obviously, but I would sooner kill myself than try comping 30-50 vocal takes to get the best parts of each. Screw that. Maybe it's because I think like a musician (because I am one), but there has to be a balance between "engineering" and "performing". A good performance trumps a good take any day of the week IMHO.
Don't always agree with your 'limit the choice' approach, but I have to say it is great advice. I've had many times where something fruitful came from searching, but often there is not time to go 'on the hunt'.
that desk, did you do the same thing i did and buy the legs and shelving from ikea, if you did what did you get for what the monitors are sitting on. never saw those before.
Great singers are hard to come by. Back in the days of Sinatra, it was ONE take. But fortunately comping a vocal is a lot faster these days. In professional studios, it is common for as many as 30-50 takes for a commercial release. 2 Takes is fine for demo material but not in a professional scenario unless you are working with a singer like Alicia Keys, Adele or Amy Winehouse. Great engineers work fast. Most can comp a vocal before the singer is finished with the session.
Yes! Keep it simple. That has always been my approach. Even the complex stuff should be made as simple as possible. But two takes for vocals? I'm rarely satisfied at that level. Often I hear stuff when recording that I didn't hear before and need to work out. I'm sure there are great singers that will do a great job in one take, but I'm sure not one of them. Guitars however I usually don't need more than two takes.
GOD bless human beings like you,from following your videos and read the E-book I have accumulated a ton of knowledge that has made me more confident in the studio.Thanks.
I understand what you're saying and the message of the video, but I don't fully agree, nor do I fully see how limiting your options like crazy actually helps all that much. Not all the time, at least. Taking a chance and trying stuff is part of music, after all. ._.
There is one thing that always bugs me when it comes to listening to my mixes... most of the time I just don"t hear any difference, when I try do these small adjustments in the mixer. But when I watch music production videos..People seem always to hang on to these ridiculous small adjustments, which make absolutely no difference to my ears.
Train your ears bud. I used to not be able to hear that stuff, this guy is so good because he knows that their isn't one thing you can do to make your mixes better. It's all the little adjustments that add up to the great professional sound. But it starts with you being able to hear the difference in these adjustments.
Yeah, I guess it's up to train my ears afterall. I remember when I used just to listen to music. Nowadays I listen way differently and I can distinct all the different Instruments.
Man The way you explain things makes me wanna come back for more!!You keep in interesting all the way =) Big UP =) Peace from Israel Keep 'em coming =)))
13:01 It's so true that it hurts; I waste most of my time just listening to tracks. For as much as I like to talk about minimalism and artistic limitations, it seems I'm a hypocrite when it comes to limiting the time it takes to complete a task.
ahahahahahah "yay i love this song" lolol dude..gram..your effin awesome. you should be a motivational speaker!! this turned out to be the longest, and most helpful, and funniest videos ever. turned out more like the 50 number one rule of recording. haha kick drum solo land...FOREVERRRRR!!! lol
hey man, loved this video. I mostly agree and was laughing along (at myself). that said, one of the greatest benefits of being an artist is that you can spend as LONG (or short) as you feel until YOU are happy with the result. Make yourself happy with the result and learn as you go along, I think that is what matters most :)
Perhaps you should google "white krk" first. Those are special edition. I got them at last year's black Friday sell at guitar center for $100 a piece--Probably the best value purchase I've ever made.
Tid bits I took from this vid:
1. I love the grid :]
2. Don't go looking for something to edit...because you'll always find it.
3. How do we know when we're done (story of my short recording life)
4. I've spent lots of time in the rabbit hole.
Overall, my new goal is to be very mindful of the 'point of diminishing returns'
Thanks man :]
A great summary, this guy really knows his stuff!
I thought the #1 rule of music production was don't talk about fight club.
+Reza No, no, silly. That's the no.1 rule of fight club.
+politicsequalsgarbag And you just broke it.
+Reza Don't let this get back to Tyler!
Reza Good, cuz I'm not in Fight Club.
I became a subscriber during the first 5 minutes. Thanks so much for spending your time so freely to help so many people learn the art of recording. I've been doing it for 40 years and this lesson brought me back to how I used to do it. We only had 16 tracks to work with when I started. Then came 24 tracks. Think about how many tracks the Beatles used and they still play it on the radio today. I think the most important part is a good song then capturing it properly by recording it well. I waste a little more time than I should now but I like it because I'm working with great artist and have the time. But working on a prodject and every part of it without a deadline can be deadly to the track. Preconceptions instead of just living the moment is also a killer and that's what you'll run into. Great lesson. I'm going to watch more of them so I can share them with clients who don't know what I am doing so they at least get a little on the same page as me making my job easier not having to deal with what i find to be ignorant bothersome questions I haven't time for.
My advice for mixing is to do all of the grunt work (eq, pan, comp, levels, effects) on your own. Do the best mix you can do in a reasonable amount of time (which depends on the individual). Then, bring in someone whose skill and taste you trust to help you tweak all of those aspects and finalize the mix. I've personally found that two sets of ears are much better than one. A lot of times the person who is not at the controls can focus much better on listening.
My Father worked as a mixing engineer for over 30 years and he managed to record an entire professionally produced song in one take with two musicians, three mics, and four compressors. THAT'S IT. It truly is in how well you know the equipment you're using; that is the measure of the engineer.
Hi, Graham. Just stopped to say that sater watching about a dozen of your videos in these last couple of days, I feel like I've learned a whole year amount of stuff. Kudos for creating these lessons and getting right to the point, sharing this raw knowledge that comes from an obviously fruitful career.
kinda blew my mind when he said a hundred.. but 24 is a standard track numbers? Dang i only use like 5-10 ..
You give some great advice but if i told some of the vocalists I get at my place they have only 2 chances to get the vocal take they would tell me fuck clean off!
+politicsequalsgarbag i charge by the hour :)
Glenn Boulton (Digital image studios UK) Which has nothing to do with your original comment. What music have you produced? Post the links or I don't give a fuck.
+politicsequalsgarbag i really dont have time to validate myself to someone i dont know or care about. Move on troll!
+politicsequalsgarbag What are you talking about? free channel?
sorry, your utter lack of intelligence is no longer funny. Check reading comprehension and then walk in front of a bus... it's the compassionate thing to do.
I have a natural plug-in limitation in the form of my CPU! 40 tracks with 3-4 plugins and my computer starts exploding! I now see there can be a positive side to that! It also forces me to comp down tracks and keep my mixes as simple as possible! :) I hadn't thought of it that way!
Mixing in mono and balanced volume levels have been critical for me, also reduction in plugins. less is truly more, thanks for the basics Graham, it's what we all need.... A Reminder to stick to
Great advice! just starting out my own home studio and the tips you have stated in the long run are going to be really helpful. I spent most of night last night EQing, a snare hit, I gotta say snare solo land was very painful now I can pick up and move on and follow your steps. Thanks again!
Man! I really needed to watch this video, if only because I'm recording a guitar/vocal CD at the moment and I was starting to doubt if it was sounding good enough because I was making it as simple as possible. I decided to record both box and guitar together so there's lots of bleed. I was thinking of getting two figure 8 mics but I know that would crazy. Great advice on here, and great communication. Like the recording version of Henry Rollins!
Thanks for your help.
God bless dude.
Great stuff here! Thanks. I am recording my self and learning as I go. Mic placement is everything. Especially on an acoustic guitar! I always start at the 12th fret and aim it slightly toward the body.
Your so modest,...you never act like you know more then us,...your very sincere about teaching,...you have major experience but never talk yourself up. Very good guy.
I totally get the over-editing and never-ending mixing thing!! I am a perfectionist too and it's so easy to go on and on eventually you just end up trying to fix problems that aren't even there!
I completely agree. I only use 24 tracks if I'm recording/mixing something with orchestra instruments.
Loving this. Gonna download the book. Right now.
kick drum solo land.....FOREVERRRRR
got to remember this haha
lol been down that solo land...
Fuck that place, fuck that place.
Throughout the years of practicing, I also came to a somewhat similar conclusion. However, hearing it so nicely summarized is pretty darn cool.
Thanks dude, keep up the good work!
I'm a recording newbie and your vids are fantastic. Super cool of you to share your knowledge. I do realize that your focus is on 'recording', but do you also have any advice for 'performing'? Meaning, I want to ensure that my recordings sound great, but I'm equally concerned about my live sound. How do I ensure that my audience is hearing the music the way I intended? How does my live sound relate to my recorded sound? My goal is to achieve a sonic quality both live and recorded.
Use your recording software on a laptop and take it with you and mix it all like you normally would,
This was really helpful, especially while I've been considering more plugins.
I totally agree all what you say. I'm a film sound mixer and sound designer. I always keep in my mind, 1. Organize the workflow to save time.. 2. Limit the tracks… 3. Limit plug-ins… 4. Organize the DAW neat… 5. Spending time all day and night without enough sleeping won't get the good result. act.. btw. I like your video.
Great Video, some good advice on how to 'think' about your work flow. It's so easy to get lost in a million different options.
I can do up to 300 tracks. Consider an orchestra can be 100 instruments then for each instrument to have 2 or 3 variants then it starts to add up.
But that said, I totally understand the 'restraint'
Excellent tutorial, straightforward, relevant, clear and well presented.
Many thanks
Great advice! I've learned a lot of this stuff the hard way. I love that you've got a clear mind and a way with words.
Just like to say like everyone else, your videos are awesome. You really tell it how it is, and there is no pretention in you message. You explain all the concepts in simple terms that beginners like me can understand. You definitely are the leader of the revolution.
awesome videos bro. it's good to hear some "just get the shit done" advice, cuz i tend to get a little picky on the actual sounds myself. tweaking the notches on massive or adjusting the eq on superior etc.
just some generic feedback on your videos though, you're going 200mph ALL the way, but the picture doesn't change that much. either add some segments, like when you said editing, just add a header, or pause after saying something important. let it ring. the sip of coffee was great for that.
I use Mackie MR8 MKII's which are 2-way 8" monitors with a bass/air port at the back of the enclosure. They're pretty sweet for what I do, but I love the sound of Event 2020 speakers. Tried them at work a couple times and they are incredible for a mid-priced monitor. Something like $350 a speaker in the states but dont quote me on that, I'm from New Zealand.
Thanks for having made this video. I will keep your advices stuck in my mind.
Great video. I use the intro version of Ableton so I'm automatically limited to 16 tracks but I find it has helped me learn how to really use the daw in a much more meaningful and thought out way which builds character in your music. Good stuff
You are the definition of a good guy. Giving hundreds of dollars worth of info for free! Thanks your guides have helped me a lot!
Graham, what you're doing is incredible and the way you do it is as well. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Your tips are very very useful. I have so much respect for you. Greetings from Brazil.
I have respect for guy you really push it out with your busy schedule.
***** Lol. Your busy with all of that where is the sleep time.
Thanks for this man. I promptly got rid of my 3rd Guitar track on all the recordings for this EP. It was there because I wanted it, not because I needed it, and it was causing undue stress and burnout.
I love this approach! I think it applies to MUCH more than music production. Thanks man.
yea, but is simplicity best, or simply the easiest?
+Adam Lewis
Probably better described as the best investment. It's not perfection, but it doesn't sacrifice too much quality at the end of the day if you had taken the perfectionist path, and it's also much more stable.
The human brain also likes simple music patterns, it's pleasing to the brain. This is why so many popular songs have simple patterns.
This is gold. You don't have to take everything Graham says literally. He has formed his own judgements based on his previous sessions, his life experiences, worldview, etc... You will too. That's what makes you you as an engineer. The truth is that we have too many options, these days. This can be great, but it can also be detrimental, and in my experience-because I'm somebody (sarcasm)-it's more often detrimental. Probably because we're mere humans, this unlimited set of choices encourages us to delay decision making. The more decisions we delay now, the larger the stack that we end up with becomes, and the more shit we have to do before we can actually make the art. Alternatively, the more options we stack (the channel strip rabbit hole), the more we tend to take things too far, and that's simply due to the number of variables involved, which increases exponentially with each option. In record-making, it is most often true that less is more.
Graham speaks the truth. Listen to the big picture of what he's saying and apply it in your own way, in as many places as possible in the process of making a record (or, shit, in life!). Options tend to lead to distraction and wasted time. If you need all those options to begin with, you are lacking in the skill department. (It's a painful truth we must all face!)
yes! that's what I do when I get a project to mix for rappers who have 100+ tracks of music and vocals. I group whatever I can. sometimes I'll group all claps with snares and group all kicks with bass and eq them on a buss. good point.
most will tell you KRK. but it depends on what genre of music you're working on and your budget. Dynaudios are a VERY good pick for budget stuff. If you're on lower budget though, Mackie Mr5 mk2's are pretty great as well as Krks.
Anything higher is up to your setup really. I personally like Genelec 8040B. but anywho. Dynaudio is the go-to for not to expensive and good for everything.
Thumbs up if you've ever been lost in "kick drum solo land"
We all have an artist that we NEED to use this recording philosophy with. Thanks!
Hi, this may seem like an odd question but whats the brand/name of the desk you use? I forever have been using a small desk from when I was 10 and I have gotten to the point where there is no space left anywhere and am looking to upgrade to a good music desk that will last me for years to come. I like the way the one you have looks any insight would be greatly received! Thanks.
the #1 rule of music production is there are no rules
Writers BLOC No.
So I can use bassdrum samples as snares ?
Of course you can, if it still sounds good
hey graham what kinda desk is that? and great video by the way!!
I love your stuff and watch your videos constantly! Where can we hear some stuff that you have mixed?
Bro like the desk where did you get it? Ps lovin the vids!!! ~Long time artist new home studio head, JDUB
Nice, A great way to simplify the endless requests/possibilities of the session! I love hot keys. I think you attack a real problem of over editing with no GRAND editing direction.
Hi Graham! Really nice to find your channel. My channel covers similar topics in German. I have a similar approach to mixing and simplifying everything to the max is my mantra. Very cool to see someone sharing this mindse
this is classic! every engineer can relate. Absolutely awesome advice bro.thank you
Could u do a review of how to adjust "the right recording volume" , do´s and don´t in this process, importance of the samplerate, buffer size ? THX in advance. Yr doing a great job sir. Much appreciated.
Talking about mixing, mine improved so much thanks to you!
Handling a lot of tracks is pretty difficult but you can always sum it down to aux tracks and handle the mix from there.
Hey are you using those foams wrong? I'v seen so many videos where those foams under your krk's are different position. They got their tweeter pointing more their chest or throat or what ever :D Are you using foams like that because you like the sound in that position?
Tweeters - Produced High Frequencies - High Frequencies are directional - to get the full frequency response of these tweeters they must be pointed to your ears.
Acoustic foam is used to naturalise the sound of the monitors bass response - it decreases the resonating rate produced by the KRK's.
Graham, do you mix in your DAW or by an outboard mixer? Thanks! God bless!
I feel like I'm in kindergarten, "What is the number one rule of home recording? Class?". …"Limit your options like your life depended on it!" Hahaha!
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci
OMG that desk looks nice...Where could i buy one like that???? Plz respond!
Graham, take that foam down, it does nothing but making your acoustics worse. Get some bass traps with Rockwool. You can make ones that are just as good as the ones you buy for under 500 euroes. Rockwool absorbs low frequencies which are the most important to get a nice bass response in your room. Foam only absorbs some high frequencies, and are usually much more expensive. It will improve your mixes like 200%. I garantee!
what kind of speakers are those? minimal tracks, good deal. this might seem weird but why did you use dampers for behind your monitor desk? don't tell me why I should do that. tell me why you do that and what it does for the sound quality that you're hearing because you can't hear for me.
Concerning 100+ tracks, I've heard many pro engineers say time and again that they (or rather, their assistants) consolidate most of those tracks. Most of those tracks come down to additional effects, like claps, oo's and oh's, etc. A lot of engineers also start pulling out things that aren't helping. Producers tend to go a little crazy when it comes to track count, so the mix engineer has to reign it back into reality.
Damn. I record endlessly, every detail of my instrument and vocal needs to be perfect. Verse at a time, line at a time.
Hi! Could you,please, tell me the name of those monitors behind you? Polk audio?
You, my friend, have hit so many nails on the head with this video that it has inspired me to beyond extent. I found myself nodding in agreement to 90% of the things you have brought up, and whether it be the coffee boosting your communicable precision or the shear experience in your field or just plain both factors, not only have you earned an instant sub but you have instilled in me the ambition to do what I love most and to make a living doing it. Thank you, and cheers to a bountiful music career!
awesome vid, where did you get your sound damping pads from?
Thank you Graham! Ur totally right! We live in area of unlimited options but they limit us! We forget about the time ) we have to be focus on creativity )
When I waist time like that I don't have as much creativity
Hey Corey, I really think that a lack of creativity can be overcome! What kind of music do you make?
I agree in part with that, but I still think recording vocals is about capturing the performance, not a specific part or line. That's how I approach it. Pre-production is key, obviously, but I would sooner kill myself than try comping 30-50 vocal takes to get the best parts of each. Screw that. Maybe it's because I think like a musician (because I am one), but there has to be a balance between "engineering" and "performing". A good performance trumps a good take any day of the week IMHO.
Thank you for your hard work and for sharing with us. God bless you and your family.
Great Video! Im A Perfectionist When It Comes To Mixing And Especially Recording Vocals! This Really Helped Me Out!
Don't always agree with your 'limit the choice' approach, but I have to say it is great advice. I've had many times where something fruitful came from searching, but often there is not time to go 'on the hunt'.
I also spent too much time on a kick drum myself and overdose on plugins,Sound Advise !!!
that desk, did you do the same thing i did and buy the legs and shelving from ikea, if you did what did you get for what the monitors are sitting on. never saw those before.
Great advice. I bought all types of gadgets now I am the owner of many and master of none.
Great singers are hard to come by. Back in the days of Sinatra, it was ONE take. But fortunately comping a vocal is a lot faster these days. In professional studios, it is common for as many as 30-50 takes for a commercial release. 2 Takes is fine for demo material but not in a professional scenario unless you are working with a singer like Alicia Keys, Adele or Amy Winehouse. Great engineers work fast. Most can comp a vocal before the singer is finished with the session.
Yes! Keep it simple. That has always been my approach. Even the complex stuff should be made as simple as possible.
But two takes for vocals? I'm rarely satisfied at that level. Often I hear stuff when recording that I didn't hear before and need to work out. I'm sure there are great singers that will do a great job in one take, but I'm sure not one of them.
Guitars however I usually don't need more than two takes.
Do you teach the business part of being a producer, like all the stuff we need to know about the business instead of the mixing?
GOD bless human beings like you,from following your videos and read the E-book I have accumulated a ton of knowledge that has made me more confident in the studio.Thanks.
The lowest number of tracks for me is 55. is it good or bad???by the way, i love what you are doing Graham. Big fan.
limiting to 10 or less helped me so much
I understand what you're saying and the message of the video, but I don't fully agree, nor do I fully see how limiting your options like crazy actually helps all that much. Not all the time, at least. Taking a chance and trying stuff is part of music, after all. ._.
Great videos Graham, you're very generous in your instruction!
Why did you get new monitors? Where the old ones done? Does a monitor/nearfield speaker deteriorate in the course of time? And what time is that?!
LOVE your reality based approach. Breath of fresh air.......
What is your book called and is it sold at Barnes and noble?
Are you using aurelux foam?
God bless your heart Graham! I didn't know you had 2 little girls. they must love there dad. good for you. thanks for what you do. its help A LOT!!!
Mate where did you get your desk from?
Very great a valuable advice you are giving that really no one else gives. very pratical and helpful tips. thankyou
Looks like an IKEA Galant desk with two additional table extensions on top (using IKEA's Capita legs).
This is a really great video. Not sure I agree with the only 2 takes things tho.
its true, sometimes you need 24 tracks, cuz even for the below-mid-range music i make i needed about 16 to 24 tracks
Hi Graham. Can you suggest me an entry level laptop for a beginner like me for a music production?
Such a great video. Thanks for taking time out of your life to share this knowledge with us.
There is one thing that always bugs me when it comes to listening to my mixes... most of the time I just don"t hear any difference, when I try do these small adjustments in the mixer. But when I watch music production videos..People seem always to hang on to these ridiculous small adjustments, which make absolutely no difference to my ears.
Train your ears bud. I used to not be able to hear that stuff, this guy is so good because he knows that their isn't one thing you can do to make your mixes better. It's all the little adjustments that add up to the great professional sound. But it starts with you being able to hear the difference in these adjustments.
Yo man, pagan meditation in your profile picture is pagan and evil is the end of it.
A former atheist.
Yeah, I guess it's up to train my ears afterall. I remember when I used just to listen to music. Nowadays I listen way differently and I can distinct all the different Instruments.
Yeah try do hear diffrent frequencies also that helps
Man The way you explain things makes me wanna come back for more!!You keep in interesting all the way =)
Big UP =) Peace from Israel
Keep 'em coming =)))
Where'd you buy your desk??? I'm looking for one just like that
13:01 It's so true that it hurts; I waste most of my time just listening to tracks. For as much as I like to talk about minimalism and artistic limitations, it seems I'm a hypocrite when it comes to limiting the time it takes to complete a task.
They're Auralex MOPads (They're back side front in the video)
ahahahahahah "yay i love this song" lolol dude..gram..your effin awesome. you should be a motivational speaker!! this turned out to be the longest, and most helpful, and funniest videos ever. turned out more like the 50 number one rule of recording. haha kick drum solo land...FOREVERRRRR!!! lol
your awesome man! this was extremely helpful! I am gonna try to apply this advice. Thanks
Loved the coffee moment. haha! Thanks Graham for another great video!!
hey man, loved this video. I mostly agree and was laughing along (at myself). that said, one of the greatest benefits of being an artist is that you can spend as LONG (or short) as you feel until YOU are happy with the result. Make yourself happy with the result and learn as you go along, I think that is what matters most :)
Perhaps you should google "white krk" first. Those are special edition. I got them at last year's black Friday sell at guitar center for $100 a piece--Probably the best value purchase I've ever made.