Instrument

Computer

Sound card (external vs. internal)

Programs

Necessary computer

Virus threat

Required performance and graphics performance

Passive and active graphics card

Required RAM

Back-up strategy

Monitor size

Using a laptop computer

Internal and external sound card

Sound card quality

Sound card inputs and outputs

Signal level, signal quality and latency

48 volts phantom power

Guitar input and limiter

Headphone input

USB and firewire interface

Resolution vs. equipment

Microphone, pop filter and stand

Channel strip

Open and closed headphones

Speaker and music stand

Different sequencer software (Logic, Cubase, Sequel, Garage Band)

Mastering programs (Wavelab)

Free mp3-taggers

Workstation keyboard for non-keyboard players

Drums on the keyboard

Virtual guitarist and virtual drummer

Playing samples and sound sets

Old vs. new operating systems

Working drivers

Workplace ergonomics

Workplace lighting

Computer volume

Adjusting the sequencer

Keyboard commands

Default setting

Hardware and software freezes

Buying used hardware

Value retention of hardware

Older software versions

Muting strong signals

Compressor threshold

Attack and release

Ratio and signal densification

Stable signal strength level and amplitudes

Adjusting the various tracks

Improving the sound

Using a side chain

Using the release-control

Compressor and ducking effect

Blanking playing music

Multiband compressor and analyzer

Sound mastering

Changing wave band compression

Raising the bass range

Special kind of compressor

Using the limiter

Headroom and Distortion

Digital clipping and limiter

Compressing single signals

Filtering and presence

Harder and softer compression

Compressing snare drum (drums)

Compressing vocals

Raising the volume

Improving the signal

3 db below zero as headroom

pumping the signal

Plug-ins vs. external hardware

Analogue control loops

Durability of analogue devices

Plug-ins in the sequencer

Tidy, transparent mix

Punch for bass drum and bass

Overmodulation and ducking

Recording vocals

Compressor and limiter

Microphone technology and volume

Using a Vocoder

Virtual instrument track and language

Creative usage and distorted sounds

Experimental music

Song example Talking Turtles (Instrumentals) at Download My Music

Increasing stereo spread

Phase distortion

Limited use

Bigger sound

Equalizer (EQ) changes signals

Different kinds of equalizers

Graphic equalizer (EQ)

Parametric equalizers (EQ)

Q-factor, volume and frequency

Low shelving equalizer (EQ)

Operating digital graphic equalizers (EQ)

Operating digital parametric equalizers (EQ)

Multiply parametric equalizers (EQ)

Frequency, Q-factor, gain

Shelving equalizer (EQ) with gain and frequency

Slew rate

High Cut Equalizer (EQ)

Song example Captive of My Mind (Barricades) at Download My Music

Voice alienation and telephone effect for vocals

Voice alienation male and female voices

Filtering single signals and instruments

Creativity and using the equalizer (EQ)

Bending sounds and creating unnatural sounds

Equalizer (EQ) as musical tool

Bass drum as song foundation

50/100 herz rule

Testing on bass-heavy system

Testing in the car

Filtering vocals

Filtering deep male voice

Integrating vocals into whole mix

Filtering in different musical styles

Filtering backing chorus singing

Angelic sounds

Song example All over (Sooner or later) at Download My Music

Fricative S and De-‘s’ing

Narrow-band filter

Creative possibilities of digital delay

Delay on snare

Delay and alternating the stereo signal between left and right

Stereo delay, triplets, and feedback

Delay on vocals

No delay on bassand bass drum

Analogue and digital correlation meters

Mono test and mono compatibility

Phase-fastness and phase deletion

Deleting vocals from a song

Digital vs analogue mixing desk

Checking the correlation meter

Recording with various inputs

Phase shift in cable

Reverb and echo

Acoustic signals in a hall

Echo on vocals

Echoing bass drum and bass

Space Designer

Internal and external hall processors

Authentic sound

Ambience effect

Uses for a compressor

Compressor generates pressure

Signal substance and volume

Threshold and compression ratio

Gain regulation and limiter

Attack and releaser regulator

Compressing single signals

Changing volume and integration into mix

Compressor and volume

Tremolo with guitar

Changing a note’s volume

Difference tremolo and vibrato

Variation of pitch

Vibrato: periodic pitch variation

Vibrato uses

Equalizer (EQ) is a filter

Analyzer is visible audio

Mixing only by ear does not work

The ideal analyzer curve

Overlaying frequency components

Arrangement too full and not transparent

Disconnecting the signals is important

Equalizer and drums

Adjusting bass drum to bottom frequency range

High filter slew rate causes precise filtering

Equalizer and drums

Decide whether bass drum or bass is to have lower frequencies

If beat is to be accentuated, bass drum has lowest frequencies

Middle: Overlaying bass and bass drum

Transparent instrument sound

Fewer instrument can be allowed more space

For many instruments: separating ranges

Individual instruments play one octave higher or lower

piano or keyboard and bass shouldn’t overlap

Piano and keyboard heavily filtered

Adjust piano volume

Adjusting strings with filter

Adjusting volume of all filtered instruments

Percussion often too prominent

Total adjustment of all equalizers (EQ)

Space for more instruments or vocals

Analyzer for bass frequencies

Simple and complex analyzers

Analysis of stereo signal

Ideal curve and bass transition

Bass, bass drum, snare drum, vocal curve

Multi-band compressor

Mixdown as creative process

Every signal separately

Mixing ratio

Effect plug-ins

Filter with equalizer (EQ)

Using compressor

Ratio bass drum and bass

Headphones for stereo picture

Mixing at room volume

Testing the mix with more channels

Near field speakers and big speakers

Song structure and composition

Number of simultaneous instruments

In-song transparency

Tidying up the middle

Extreme levels with single signals

Foundation bass drum and bass

Two possibilities for drums

Creating groups

Setting volume

Sub groups and reverb use

Reverb and echo plug-in

Using busses

Song example Pride of Creation (Barricades) at Download My Music

Careful usage of reverb

Readjusting reverb

Solo piano and reverb

Near field monitors

Mono broadband speakers

Testing with analyzer

Using the automation

Sum compressor and sum limiter

Headroom for mastering

Fade-in and fade-out during mastering

Manual fading

Progressive fader

Fading with headphones

Fade-out and relation to the beat

Tired ears and mistakes

Checking phase correlation

Song example Mountains (Barricades) at Download My Music

Using environment sounds

Audio montages

Dithering algorithm

Connecting stereo source to mixing desk

Mixing desk panorama setting

Gain regulation

Fader and level settings

Definition and explanation of MIDI

Replacement by USB and network connections

Data amount in midi and audio

Midi event and event editor

Well defined standard

MIDI and pitch bender

MIDI as sequencer protocol

Virtual reproduction of instruments

Rendering in real time

Analogue and virtual synthesizers

Monophonic synthesizer and several voices

Portamento-effect for bigger leaps

Virtual e-pianos and piano reproductions

Drums and sample player

Virtual guitar effects and guitar sounds

Changing guitar sounds

Virtual mixing desk

Virtual equalizer, sequencer, compressor, etc.

Complete studio environment for Home Recording

Definition and use of sequencers

Piano recording and playing

Track looping

Drum recording and playing

Quantization to sixteenth values

Bass recording and playing

Audio recording

Changes in channels

Includes equalizers and compressors

How do different instruments sound?

Piano, e-piano, and organ

Acoustic bass and electric bass

Strings (legato and staccato) in pop songs

Pizzicato strings

guitar and guitar chords

Song example Hell freezes over (Barricades)

Sound effect and synthesizer

Acoustic and electronic drum kit

Drum machines