john

Hey What do you guys include in any demo packages you send out? Would an article on this be useful? Cheers John

Thanks Tom, I'll check it out! Cheers John

Hey Welcome to Songstuff! Well it's a big subject. Basically it's a good idea to get a decent microphone for a start (You could do worse than a Rode NT2), a decent channel strip with phantom power and decent EQ capability (Focusrite and Joe Meek both do some excellent gear), and I would recomend an outboard compressor (For budget check out the Behringer Composer), and a noise gate. Other than that in either software or hardware a decent reverb unit (Rev 7 or later model second hand), a muli effect unit (Yamaha SPX90 or SPX 900 etc) are always handy. You could also look at Antares Autotune for some useful features, and an aural exciter (Aphex). There are lots and lots of decent PC based software effects programs too. If you are using a PC as your recording platform, I would still consider the outboard noise gate and compressor. You should also look at a good audio editor, like Soundforge, or my preference Wavelab. So how do you get a good sound? Well for a start don't record at too high a level. Leave yourself some headroom to work with. Try and process the track on playback where you can, and leave the original untouched. Most untrained singers have little control on their vocal dynamics, and little or no mic technique. Use a pop-blast screen (buy one, it makes a difference, or if you can't afford it -use a metal coat hanger and some nylons/stockings). Use your compressor on a soft knee setting to level the vocals out subtly. Treating vocals is dealt with in several articles on Songstuff from EQ, to compression etc. You can read them in the Music Recording and Music Technology section... (in the menu bar on the left of the main site pages) I hope this helps! Cheers John

Hey Any recommendations for a good CD duplication company? and Can you recommend an online CD program that includes printing of artwork, CD pressing and distribution? Cheers John

Hey Anyone using Cakewalk Sonar Producer? Do you think it's any good? Cheers John

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0434/soti.php

Hey Nick_E Thanks! And welcome to Songstuff! Cheers John

Hey mooneyes Was the the kind of answer you were looking for? Cheers John

Hey http://news.independent.co.uk/business/new...sp?story=553694 Cheers John

Hi An interesting article about online Music: http://us.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/08/18...view/index.html Cheers John

as usual.

Hey It refers to the Roland TR 808, a hardware rhythm sequencer with in-built percussion sounds. Cheers John

Hey Ok, I don't have much time right now, so I'll post a fuller answer later (if you want a fuller answer). Sequencers are used to hold sequences of midi messages. You can get hardware sequencers, but nowadays most people use software sequencers. You can read a description of midi messages in the midi section of Songstuff. You can edit these sequences of messages and the content of the messages themselves. Cheers John

Come on nowm stay on topic, stay on topic...

Hey Nigel I use Cakewalk Sonar as my sequencer, and record and master audio with wavelab. Both pretty good packages. What are you intending doing with the package? All real instruments, sequencing with live vocals? Just voice recording? Cheers John

Hi I found this little morsle http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/main..../ixteright.html Cheers John

Have you thought about a Taylor? There are some nice models...

Hey Marc Any other home made instrument tips? Cheers John

Hey Just so you don't think the post has been ignored! I can't help though... Cheers John

By ground loop isolator, you mean through the mains? i.e. noise from the mains is spilling onto your audio card through the main board power supply?

Hel Sal Welcome to Songstuff and sorry to to reply sooner. Ok an SM58 is a versatile microphone, and useful for live vocals, but for recording consider something like the Rode NT2 or a similar microphone. It's a bit more expensive than the shure, but it's a reasonable studio microphone. Get a boom mic stand for studio versatility. Depending on your microphone you might need to get a mixer with a 48v phantom power supply (it provides power to microphones). This would be good idea anyway to allow that possibility in the future. For a budget mixer look at either Behringer or the Soundcraft Spirit range. For a sequencer package I'm confirmed Cakewalk user, but I have used Cubase before. To be honest either package is pretty good. I currently use Cakewalk Sonar. For a sound card, there are a many good ones. The main thing that would affect any recommendation is your budget. Can you give a ball park figure? A list of instruments, skills and existing equipment would really help too. I hope this helps! Cheers John

Hey http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-08-...a-targets_x.htm Do you think the RIAA are right or wrong to pursue individuals? Cheers John

Hi If anyone is interested in contributing an instrument specific article to Songstuff, please PM me or send a message through the Contact Songstuff link on most site pages! Thanks! John

Hey Did you get this sorted out? Cheers John

Hey RIAA win their court challenge... http://www.pcmag.co.uk/news/1156997 Cheers John