ZedBrookes

Category: Production Tips

  • The Meniscus Effect – Blending Digital Audio Analogue-Style

    Many engineers and producers love the sound of analogue, despite (or perhaps because-of) the superb quality of digital audio products. Analogue is felt to be more musical and it seems easier to mix songs done in analog formats. Why is this? Most people, when asked why they like the sound of analogue, focus on things…

  • Over the Top and Back – Avoiding the Uncanny Valley in Music Production

    One of the dangers of nibbling away at mixing songs – commonly with your mouse rather than a dedicated audio control surface or mixing desk, is that it’s easy to be far too conservative when adding effects and the like. What typically happens is you slowly push the level of an effect up until it…

  • 3 Common Mistakes of Lyric Writing

    As a producer, one of the things that is most apparent to me is the difference between an amateur and professional songwriter – even if that amateur is talented and doing well in their career. Many bands and artists come into the studio with what initially seems to be a great song, but in the…

  • The Lucky 13 Song Mixing Tips

    Before I get started I just want to reinforce something I’ve mentioned in earlier posts – sometimes a reduction in parameters actually generates more creativity. Being aware of a set of limitations, or guidelines, can actually allow you much more creative control over your final mix.This could mean limiting the amount of effects that you…

  • Digital Recording Levels – a rule of thumb

    Okay, I mentioned this as one of my tips in a previous post, but there’s confusion and many heated debates out there about the ideal level to record into your digital audio workstation. I’m just summing up the information readily available elsewhere (if you are willing to wade through endless online debates and the numerous…