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Recording

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    Using Linux For Recording & Mastering

    Mirror Image Studios

    An established studio in the USA is planning to rely on software that can be freely downloaded from the Internet. Are they crazy, or do Linux-based recording applications offer a real alternative to the established Windows and Mac packages?

    Techniques Feb 2004
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    Classic Tracks: Natalie Cole & Nat 'King' Cole 'Unforgettable'

    Producer: David Foster • Engineer: Al Schmitt

    Half a century in the business has seen recording engineer Al Schmitt reach the very top of his profession, but even a man of his experience can find himself faced with new challenges. So it was in 1991, when he was called upon to turn a classic Nat 'King' Cole recording into a duet with Cole's daughter Natalie...

    Techniques Jan 2004
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    Dizzee Rascal & Cage

    Recording Boy In Da Corner

    Teenager Dylan Mills (aka Dizzee Rascal) captured the headlines in 2003 by winning the UK's Mercury Music Prize with one of the most uncompromising albums of recent times. Dizzee and engineer/manager Cage describe how they made Boy In Da Corner.

    People Jan 2004
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    Q. Is it safe to apply phantom power to dynamic mics?

    I did a recording session recently using a mixture of dynamic and condenser mics, and realised my desk does not have switchable phantom power for each channel — they're either all on or all off. Luckily, I had some external channel strips which I ran the condensers through, but is it safe to apply phantom power to dynamic mics?

    Sound Advice Jan 2004
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    Q. Do I need to address the gain structure differently in digital and analogue consoles?

    I was told by a sound engineer that, when mixing, it is not a good practice to have all the channel volume faders way up and to have the master fader down, and that this applies both to analogue and digital consoles. Is this true?

    Sound Advice Jan 2004
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    Classic Tracks: The Doors 'Strange Days'

    Producer: Paul Rothchild • Engineeer: Bruce Botnick

    Engineer and producer Bruce Botnick recorded some of the greatest artifacts of West Coast psychedelia, among them the first five albums by The Doors. Here he describes the making of their influential second album and its title track, which saw them develop their live sound through radical experimentation in the studio.

    Techniques Dec 2003
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    Andy Barlow: Recording Between Darkness & Wonder

    Lamb

    Since Lamb first came to prominence at the height of the mid-'90s trip-hop movement, Andy Barlow and Lou Rhodes' distinctive blend of electronica and organic songwriting has gone from strength to strength.

    People Dec 2003
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    Rich Costey: Producer

    Recording Muse's Absolution

    With their number one album Absolution, British three-piece Muse have established themselves as one of the most ambitious and innovative rock bands in the world — and in Rich Costey, they've found an engineer and producer who understands their aims and encourages them to experiment.

    People Dec 2003
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    Backing Vocals header artwork.

    Q. What's the best way to produce a double-tracked rap vocal?

    How do you get that double-tracked vocal sound you hear on rap records? Are there any plug-ins I could use?

    Sound Advice Dec 2003
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    Classic Tracks: Cliff Richard 'Move It'

    Producer: Norrie Paramor • Engineer: Malcolm Addey

    This month, Sound On Sound begins a major new series, looking back in detail at the engineering and production behind some of the most historically significant recordings ever made, with the story of the first and greatest British rock & roll record.

    Techniques Nov 2003
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    Demo Doctor

    Reader Recordings Analysed

    The Doc proffers diagnosis and suitable cures for another batch of reader-submitted meisterwerks.

    Techniques Nov 2003
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    Kevin 'Caveman' Shirley

    Mixing Led Zeppelin's Live DVD & Recording Iron Maiden

    When Jimmy Page decided to mine a massive archive of decaying Led Zeppelin live footage for a DVD and double CD, the epic task of restoring, editing and mixing the audio went to rock specialist Kevin Shirley — who has gone on to help veteran metallers Iron Maiden return to the upper reaches of the charts.

    People Nov 2003
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    Mouse On Mars

    Jan St Werner • Organic Electronica

    Over the last decade, Mouse On Mars have become one of the leading names in European electronic music. Their experimental approach brings together analogue and digital, lo-fi and hi-fi, real instruments and samples to create an organic-sounding whole.

    People Nov 2003
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    Studio SOS: Balance & Tonality

    The Harding Family

    Musicality isn't everything when you're trying to make a decent-sounding recording at home, even if you're as talented as the multi-instrumentalist Harding family. So the SOS team travelled north to help them get their engineering techniques up to scratch.

    Techniques Nov 2003
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    Q. What's the difference between audio and data CD-Rs?

    What is the difference between audio and data CD-Rs? Surely digital audio is just data?

    Sound Advice Nov 2003
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    Berlin Woodwinds' flute ensemble: (L-R) Yasuko Fuchs, Klaus Schöpp, Silvia Careddu.

    Q. How do I mike up woodwind instruments?

    I'm going to be adding some woodwind parts to a track, recording flute, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophones one at a time. Can you offer any advice on how to mike them up?

    Sound Advice Nov 2003
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    Q. How do I solve my phasing problems?

    I have recorded an acoustic guitar into Cubase SX, both with a mic and DI'd. As I had expected, there are some phase issues...

    Sound Advice Nov 2003
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    Q. Should I believe my meters?

    I read that the level meters in most DAWs don't give a true indication of when audio is peaking, and that audio which looks like it's below 0dBFS may actually be peaking above it, causing distortion when played back. Is this true?

    Sound Advice Oct 2003
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    David Bowie & Tony Visconti

    Recording Reality

    For the 2002 album Heathen, David Bowie and Tony Visconti revived one of the greatest artist/producer partnerships in pop history. Following the success of that project, the duo have again worked closely together on Bowie's new album, Reality.

    Techniques Oct 2003
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    Sam Phillips: Sun Records

    The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll

    With the death of producer Sam Phillips, the music industry has lost one of its greatest pioneers. In an interview given towards the end of his life, he looked back on his work with greats like Elvis Presley, Howlin' Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash, most of whom were unknowns before they signed to his Sun Records label.

    People Oct 2003
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    Liam Watson & Toe Rag Studios

    The White Stripes

    Liam Watson went against the grain to build a studio with the retro sound he loved. And now that sound is back in fashion, he's had a number one album with the White Stripes.

    People Oct 2003

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