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Zson

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  1. 3 Easy Steps to Better Sound - Part 3 - High Frequencies - Control Your High end, - give some sparkle and air
    This is the third part of three steps to improve your demo recordings. If you have not read the other two, no worries. You can find them here.
    The Three Steps: click on a link to view that document.
    Part 1: The Low Pass Filter - Less low noise, -this will clean up your sound and make all the parts sound out clearly
    Part 2: Sweep - Find the bad sounds and cut those frequencies from your song
    Part 3: High Frequencies - Control Your High end, - give some sparkle and air

    There is a lot to know about mixing and being a sound engineer. I am not a sound engineer, nor I am a professional with years of work in the studio. Those professionals are part of what you pay for in the studio work. They are well worth it.

    The High Shelf Filter

    What we've done so far
    We've gone through the steps to control the low end. We then found the bad frequencies and brought those sounds under control. We now want to give back a bit of the high end. A little bit of sparkle and air is how I hear it. It will be different for each ear. Listen carefully to what you hear without it and then with the filter in place.

    The high shelf filter looks like the screen below. What we are going to do is to boost the signal about +6 db and then move it to the left to increase the range. As we do this we listen to the difference in the sound. When you find what you like stop and roll it back a bit to the right


    I will do this with a clean EQ, in other words there is no other settings being used for the moment. Why do it this way?

    I do this so that I can get a feel for how much high end I want to boost. You may have heard that you don't boost you cut. Yes that is true. For the most part you really don't want to boost your signal. However, you can do so, and by the way, the pro's do it all the time. Just keep in mind that those pros are boosting very good recordings. If your recordings are on the thin side you should boost in very small amounts. Somewhere between +1db and +3 db. The numbers that I call out and the screens I show are only rough ideas. Your final settings will depend on what your ears say it the right amount.

    Stage 2

    Now that you have an idea of what your high pass filter will add to your sound its time to use it with the tweaks we have used from parts 1 and 2. The screen below has the low pass filter done. The notches are in that cut out the unwanted frequencies. All we have left to do is to add in our high pass filter.



    Place your High Shelf filter around 10 k Hz to start. Again your final setting will depend on what you hear as you adjust it's place to the left and right in the frequencies. How much you boost will also depend on what you hear and what you like.


    My starting place screen below.



    And where I ended up placing it for this song.



    I had it a bit more to the left and then I made the effect less by going a bit to the right. That's it. you are done.

    You can play with this and all the other EQ tricks that I talked about in these three documents. The main idea that I hope you get is to have a basic starting point and then play around. Your ears will be the only real guide for this task. Stay fresh, don't work too long, and enjoy your self.

    With The High Shelf Disabled, all the other tweaks are on.

    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/62908045/Mix%20screens/Hifgh%20Shelf%20Disabled.mp3

    And now I've enabled the High Shelf Filter

    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/62908045/Mix%20screens/Hifgh%20Shelf%20Enabled.mp3


    You can find the full version of this song on my soundcloud


    Closing Words

    I wrote these easy steps with the idea that it could help those of you who create great music but found your final product not sounding as good as it could. These documents are just a small beginning of what might happen in a studio. I wanted to keep it very simple and clear. I hope that it will help you all feel that it's not so hard and that you can control your EQ just a bit better.

    If you have any questions or comments do post them. Send me a pm or two. I'd love to hear from you.


    James
  2. I wanted to post about getting better mixes. I know we all struggle with this. You've got your tracks all recorded. Everything is in tempo and on key. When you mix it your final result is not sounding good. Why not? What Happened?

    3 Easy Steps to Better Sound

    I'll try and give you a three step process you can use as a starting point to get better results. This is not a magic bullet. It will not make your music better than what you recorded but your overall sound should improve in three areas.

    The Three Steps will be;
    Low Pass Filter - Less low noise, -this will clean up your sound and make all the parts sound out clearly
    Sweep - Find the bad sounds and cut those frequencies from your song
    High Frequencies - Control Your High end, - give some sparkle and air

    There is a lot to know about mixing and being a sound engineer. I am not a sound engineer, nor I am a professional with years of work in the studio. Those professionals are part of what you pay for in the studio work. They are well worth it.

    The Low Cost Demo

    That being said we all do need to create demo's of our music.I don't have the money to go into a studio so my solution was to learn enough to let me do a decent job using my computer and equipment at home. How your home computer can do this and how to set that up is not what I will talk about here. I will talk about easy ways to mix your songs to get a result that will give your songs a better sound, just from these 3 steps.

    Please keep in mind this is only a starting point. You should also be careful of ear fatigue, this is important, If we spend too many hours without a break tweaking our music what happens most times is that you end up having to redo the mix. We can only listen for so long before our minds stop being able to process what we are hearing.
    So try to avoid this kind of work path:


    Tired Mind = bad music decisions = redo the work with fresh ear and mind.
    Step 1, Low End EQ Filter
    I'm using Mixcraft 6.0 and Fabfilters, This technique should apply to the software that you use for your EQ and mixes.



    In the above Sceen: The Dark Grey Wave = Original Sound, Light Grey Shows the Current Sound, i.e. what you hear from the speakers.
    In the above screen shot of a Low Cut Filter. Any sound below the 28 Hz frequency will be reduced. The 28 Hz used in the example was just a start point. The number you end up with will vary depending on what you hear as you mix.

    You will use this Eq Filter on your Main Mix, this way it affects all the tracks for your song.




    Once you've place your EQ filter to your main mix you will need to edit the Low Cut Filter.

    Edit while your song is playing....
    Move it slowly to the right to increase how much frequency you will cut. Once you can hear it, roll it back slightly to the left. You want to not be able to tell its there yet still get the benefits from the filter. Very subtle, so take your time and have some fun with it.

    That's it your Done.

    The goal here is to take out all of your unneeded low end. This is one of the reasons the mix can end up sounding dull and flat. With the low end frequencies taken away you should hear a nice improvement of the overall tone of your music

    End of Part 1

    Go to Part 2
    http://forums.songstuff.com/blog/186/entry-1391-how-to-make-your-songs-sound-better-in-3-easy-steps-part-2/


    edit: Changed the screen and added a note about that screen.
  3. I wanted to post about getting better mixes. I know we all struggle with this. You've got your tracks all recorded. Everything is in tempo and on key. When you mix it your final result is not sounding good. Why not? What Happened?

    3 Easy Steps to Better Sound
    I'll try and give you a three step process you can use as a starting point to get better results. This is not a magic bullet. It will not make your music better than what you recorded but your overall sound should improve in three areas.

    PART 2
    This is part 2 of 3 of making your songs sound better in three easy steps.
    You should read part one first but it is not needed nor required. Yet It would be recommended, it will make part 2 easier to understand.

    Remember!
    This EQ plug-in is for the Main Mix Track, this is done so that these EQ changes will be heard for every track in your mix.

    The Three Steps ;
    Low Pass Filter - Less low noise, -this will clean up your sound and make all the parts sound out clearly
    Sweep - Find the bad sounds and cut those frequencies from your song
    High Frequencies - Control Your High end, - give some sparkle and air

    Getting started with 'The Sweep'

    You should now have your low range frequencies under control. Time to get out the stethoscope and do a fine tune check for the 'bad' sounds.

    How do you do that?

    It's pretty simple.

    We start by creating a bell type filter in our EQ plug-in



    2. Now change the bell to look like the narrow spike show above
    3. Now boost it to about +10.

    Make sure your song is playing....
    ...and move this narrow bell filter from the left to the right and back again. Yes, its that simple.

    What you've created is a powerful and focused stethoscope. As you sweep you hear a boosted part of the full EQ. As you move the bell filter, focus on the sound. I'll even close my eyes while I do this.

    You are going to find some frequencies that are creating a sound that you will want to remove or cut. Once you find one you will then cut that frequency by -2 to -6. You can create as many bell shaped filters as you need. In the below screen I've located a frequency to cut.


    This is all about the Ears

    Listen for those sounds that grate on the ear. Go slow, take your time. The more care you take here the better. So take your time.



    Below is a sample of my sweeping. You'll hear the music and then I isolate the frequency I'm going to cut. Again this sample is of my song! Your song will be different but you can use this technique for any song.

    NOTE: Make sure your speakers or headphones are turned DOWN! This is a bit painful.

    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/62908045/Mix%20screens/Sweep%20To%20Bad%2001.mp3

    Below I show what this looks like on my EQ plug-in. The Dark Grey wave form is the original sound. The Brighter grey is the banshee wail.



    You should have some fun here and just create as many of these sweeps as your song needs, again judge how many you need with your ears. These examples are what I found for my songs. You'll find different ones. Maybe more, maybe less. There is no rule to this, just trust your ears.

    You could end up with an EQ that looks like the screen below.




    Two short music samples.

    The first example the EQ filter is OFF. The next one is ON. - Listen carefully for the difference.

    These changes are subtle, it can be a struggle to hear the difference at first.

    When you start doing this for your songs, your first might sound like its doing nothing at all. That's OK! just means your doing it right.
    The effect slowly builds up as you find more of what you need to filter out of your mix.

    Don't worry about losing some of the high end. We are going to address the final stage in part three.

    The EQ plug-in is OFF
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/62908045/Mix%20screens/Sweep%20Off%2001.mp3

    The EQ plug-in is ON
    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/62908045/Mix%20screens/Sweep%20ON%2000.mp3

    You can find the full mixed versions of these songs here

    note: I've had to remove the demo songs-- they are part of a new album and I can't have them out in the public. Sorry
  4. Mission 2.5, Good God! What have they done to the Internet!


    I'm concerned about the current goals. As I look into creating a website I begin to think that its worth a more careful review before signing up to a service . Well, I should really say that its a bit too fast for me without a better review of what I'll get for my money and which registrar will provide a good home.


    Domain name registrars concerns

    I don't know a lot about using the different packages. I do know the if you read the service agreements you'll find very bad business practices. They are really really bad, Namecheap makes you agree to waive your right to a full refund within 3 days if you want to cancel your service with them......but it's a condition set up by the (ICANN)....so you begin to see why I am feeling a bit worried.

    Other things to look out for....

    whois - edit fees and locks
    Every time you register a domain name, the details of that domain registration must be published in a publicly accessible database called Whois.

    One of the functions a registrar is supposed to be providing to you is the ability to change those whois records. Some registrars (especially the bargain basement outfits) register your domain for a dirt-cheap price and then ding you with an "administration fee" when you want to edit your Whois record.

    Some others may also "lockdown" your domain for 60 days everytime you make an edit to your record, preventing you from moving the name out to another registrar.

    These hosting registrar providers are not your friends,

    Some sites will make more money by treating you badly. I know of and had some very bad experiences with them. Go Daddy .....ouch.....they wouldn't let me run a website with dreamweaver. At that time they refused to allow me to connect and manage the files the way I wanted to and the way the software was designed to. Disaster, killed my project before it even got started.


    The Band Name / Brand


    I don't know how it is for others but this is a bit complex for me. I write my music, I create the demos. I want to market and sell my music. So far so good yeah?

    But, If you have been reading all this you'll already know ....

    ....I have a cover band. They are learning some of the material and we do plan to perform and record it. I expect the band version of the music to be much better than my demo work. i.e. Lead breaks, Harmonies, Drums, those aspects should transform the material to a high professional level. If not it would not be worth my time to work with them, and I can say easily that these guys are very good musicians. So I'm not worried long term but I am concerened for the short term. Some of the basics are just not ready.

    Use the Cover Band ?: The Beat 64, a Beatles Tribute Band, I don't want to place my original music under that name, nor do I want to create a website for them at this time.

    Original Music Brand Name

    :Well, I am using Zson as a temp name thingy. So, yes I could create a website for that and I think I should.

    BUT, I've not had time to go over that much detail with the band. All they know right now is that I don't want to continue to use our current name. Even I don't know what brand to go with as yet. I've been working for the last 6 months on getting the music written. I also have to get my personal work going and provide high end service there. I am also doing other organizing projects, plus learning how to play, sing and record and master my own material, and finish the other 19 rough songs, etc .....

    So the goals that I see for myself might look like this:

    1. Research a good domain name registrar
    --------------Good should have the following
    Easy to use
    Clear documentation, i.e. no hidden fees
    Meets Tech spec requirements
    Good Customer Support, check reviews and user reviews.

    2. Band Brand and Product- Are you Ready Review
    Is the name working?
    Do you have product?
    Will you have content?

    I've got a couple of domain name registrars in mind to check out. If we as a group can take a few of them and read through them and give each a report card review we could nail down a good place to host from.


    My quick review shows these guys to be my personal pick so far.
    http://www.gandi.net/whowe/

    Others to check

    http://www.name.com/

    http://www.1and1.com/

    https://iwantmyname.com/

    https://www.hover.com/


    I don't like Go Daddy, nor Namecheap too much tiny text....it would take a full day to read it. Yes I DO read it.

    Now, I may be missing the big picture.

    If we were doing an exercise without the real world contracts and commitments I'd not be as concerned.

    My most important goal is to increase traffic to the music. I want to learn how to do so. I just don't want to create a band with a website and a contract without having more concrete under my feet.

    So I may be missing what we are doing and making assumptions, if so, I am sorry.

    I really want to go forward with small solid steps. I hope to god I make some sense here.

    Once more I've written a small essay....sorry about that

    I suppose I'm trying to give you a good look inside my thinking. I most likely am just making this too difficult. I have a good brain but it gets me in trouble too.

    Know this, I will go forward at a pace that I am happy with. I keep telling myself that.....don't stop, it's easy, don't stop, its easy.

    Phrew.......

    James
  5. Mission 2,

    Do I have the courage?

    I am going to talk a bit about the first online meeting we had today.

    This morning marked the first online meeting for the Music Promo Workshop, hosted by John Moxey, it was full of information and good solid knowledge. I am very happy I got up early to be there.

    We had the meeting this morning, sort of, it was 8 am my time and 1 pm John's time, EST and BST . [ USA-Eastern Standard time, British Standard Time ]

    I almost missed it since I was sure it was going to start at 9 am for me. I woke up early since I wanted a nice cup of coffee before the meeting but before I could get out the door, 'Ding Ding', My computer chimed at me for attention and holy shit, the meeting had started. Damn!

    I grabbed my headset mic, plugged in my headphones and joined in.

    It was a bit strange at first, hearing John speak, he has a bit of an accent and a few times I just lost track of what was said. My ears soon got up to speed and after a while I total forgot about the accent and just tried to keep up. John can talk pretty damn fast.

    I have to say It felt pretty cool to be hooked into this international conference. Talking to the world is a very good feeling.

    The meeting had started and kept going and going. I did begin to feel seriously coffee deprived but I couldn't just leave, John talked so quickly and I didn't want to miss one word.

    Ha!

    I had no coffee and the meeting went 120 minutes easy. John ended up talking until his voice got sore.

    So no coffee but lots of great information, Thanks John!

    Our next goal:
    Create a Personal Artist Website
    Undercover Operation: Create Pen Names and Join Fan websites of artist you like or are in the style you want to be in.

    This is not, as John said, to be sneaky or bad. Its a way to learn how the big music fan sites are inter-connected. What do they have on their site?, what are the fans saying and doing, etc. In other words its a place to learn. Sorta like music, I often use other music to inspire me and help me grow and be a better song writer.
    I think I'll look into joining Wezer and Foo Fighters. I'm not sure I'll stick to that but its a place to start. I'll let you know how it works out .
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Do I have the chops?
    I have a lot of worries about the songs I write, Are they good enough, or in other words, do I have the chops?


    A bit of my music background

    I started guitar when I was 10, but quickly gave up on it...too damn hard to play a big guitar with little fingers!. I then went back to it at 16 and have played on and off ever since. I'm not a great player so I have to work hard to be ok. I mostly play rhythm guitar with a few solos here and there.

    I played in various bands in college and try to make some things happen but I have to say I hit one wall too many and gave up on music. I still played, but only for fun. I did a lot of professional artwork, in the game industry mostly. I just keep that going and let the music slide. Though it always had a place to hideout in my heart.

    Then, about 3 years ago I met the bass player for our band. He was a guy living in the same apartment complex as me. He had gone to every building in our huge complex, something like 100 buildings, and posted a little note on inside of each buildings main door. The note said,
    Wow! I was stunned. I hadn't even thought about playing for years!

    Somehow that note made want to do it. I was very nervous but called.

    We set up a time for the next Sunday to hang out and jam. I had no amp nor electric guitar so the day before the session I went out and bought both amp and guitar. The jam session was great, or at least he was. I really sucked at playing the guitar that day. However the singing was fab. He has an awesome voice and range. The blend of us singing in the harmonies gave me chills. I'd never met anyone who could sing like that with me before.
    We decided to form a band together. I suggested doing a Beatle Cover Band, he was very easy going about my idea and just said 'cool, lets do it.'

    We got my nephew to play the drums. He was a guy who'd only played in his room before. No lessons, no other bands. Just his room. He came over to play and holy mother of drummers was he good. Unreal! That was a win.

    Andy, Bass guitar, said we needed a lead guitar and vocalist. I said sure, lets do an Ad. Andy didn't think we'd get much of a response. I just said lets trust our luck, its been good so far.....

    ....and so I put an Ad on Craigslist for a vocalist and Lead guitarist. We got a lot of very weird guys to tryout. Some close but no cigar guys too.

    When Nathan Fox showed up with a 12 string Rickenbacker, Beatle boots and able to sing harmony and play a wicked lead....well!, we knew we had a very special thing going on.

    It's been a real joy to work with these musicians. I love singing with them and we have so much fun together. Its been amazing to me how important they've become.

    If you want to check out what we look like and sound like you can find the band here

    You can see and here the band here
    http://www.reverbnation.com/thebeat64

    and Here
    https://www.facebook.com/thebeat64

    We've done a few good shows and a lot of small ones.


    For the last year or so I'm been writing original songs.

    I tried not to. I wrote a bunch and then put them away so that I could focus on the Beatle material. I didn't want to be distracted. I'd put in 3 hours, every day, of practice on the guitar for the covers. I'd sing myself horse trying to learn the good tone and notes needed to create my part in the harmonies. [i sing mostly the John Lennon parts.]

    At first it was really really hard. I couldn't hear the notes I needed to sing. I'd practice endlessly so I could learn just my part by sheer repetition. It was tiresome, it was gruesome, it was really hard on my voice....... but I never gave up. I guess the love of the music and how it made me feel kept me going. I can say this now since looking back is 20 20 vision, yet it still falls short of what I felt and why I did it. I don't think I'll ever be able to explain it any better.

    Then it got a bit easier......

    I started to be able hear my notes I needed to sing...
    . Then it got a lot easier.

    Then we dropped our tuning down a half step to make the high end range less straining. That was like a magic wand and all the strain went out of the vocals and they just flowed.

    So, we learned three hours worth of Beatle songs. Phrew...... *cheers for us etc etc.*

    Then the writing bug returned. I started new songs. I started learning how to record them and make demos. The songs started to get better. Its still a struggel but with each song I create a demo for I learn more about how to do the next one better.

    If you like you can hear my demos here
    https://soundcloud.com/jameszarubin
    So, do I have the chops? I can't truly answer that. I think I've written well but I've not gotten them out to enough people to know for sure. I know I've not written the songs that make you stop and go "oh shit, who the hell is that band!"

    And that will be the song with the chops. I don't want to stop till I get there.

    Wish me luck and grant me grace.

    Peace and music,

    James

  6. Mission 1

    By Zson ,

    I'm working on creating a blog as part of a way to help promote my music.

    Great music is only great IF it gets heard. I really want to work hard to create a place where my songs can reach the world.

    I don't know how to get there.


    I hope this blog will be the start of my path to reach my goals.


    Peace,

    James
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