Pro Tools: diY 909 Kick!

Beat Producers: Now it's time to roll out the 909, since we hit the 808 kick drum sound in the last tech tip. Here we cover the 909 kick, building one from scratch in Pro Tools! Little history, the original 909 kick drum sound came from a Roland® TR-909 Rhythm Composer drum machine.

This is where the 909 kick gets it's namesake along with other new generation 909 sounds coming from the TR-909. Rumor has it that the infamous 808 kick sound actually started life off as an acoustic wave generated from a "tom" sample and altered through eQ'ing and mixing in low-freq sub-harmonics with the sample in the 50-100 hZ range to come up with the super low sub sound.

ProTools: 909 Kick Drum»

Open a new Pro Tools session,

+add new "kick/fx/master" tracks,

and import or record a new acoustic

kick drum sample into the session..

drag new import kick sample into track..

in the mix window,

buss the kick drum on

"aux-send" to "fx" aux-track

[ie: bus17 in this sess],

insert a signal generator

+gate on the "fx" channel,

and set the buss send from

kick channel to unity gain..

open signal generator plug-in,

and adjust settings on oscillator tone

[example: 90hZ tone @-9dB sine wave]..

gate the kick with normal kick settings

[high ratio comp, fast attack, slow release]

and click "sidechain" to allow

key input from kick track..

hit "play" on transport to hear 909!

sample1:
naked acoustic kick drum w/eQ»

wow-kix12bar - minddelay

sample2:
909 kick w/90hZ +boost tone!

<

wow-909KiCK12bar.90hZ.wav

In your project studio, open a new Pro Tools® session and manufacture your own 909 kick samples for awesome low-end on any demo/cd. Homemade 909 samples boost the LOW END of any project studio or professional release.

Tip2: to get an original 909 sound, eQ the kick [-drop mids @250-400hZ/ +boost hi's @3-6KhZ] and mix in the signal generator/oscillator boosting the 90-150hZ range, sweeping the freq to find the sweet spot. Adjust the settings to find YOUR sound..

and go kill it w/909!

Mike the audioK9

indie audio engr

For more details on ProTools session signalflow,

go2» Pro Tools: diY 808 Kick!

Pro Tools: diY 808 Kick!

Music Producers: If you are a fan of the 808 kick drum sound, here's a tech tip on building one from scratch in Pro Tools! The original kick drum sound came from a Roland® TR-808 Rhythm Composer drum machine.

This might be where the 808 kick gets it's namesake number in addition to the new generation 909 coming from the TR-909. Rumor has it that the infamous kick sound actually started life off as an acoustic wave generated from a "tom" sample and altered through eQ'ing and mixing-in low freq sub-harmonics with the sample in the 50-100 hZ range to come up with the super sub sound.

808 Kick Drum Tip:

open 1 mono audio track for an acoustic kick sample..

import audio acoustic kick drum sample..

select track..

select "region bin" to import audio..

audio file pops up in region bin..

drag kick sample from bin to mono track..

kick sample in track..

open aux "fx" track and insert gate on channel..

open gate and adjust settings for kick drum..

click "sidechain" to key gate from other track..

insert "signal generator" on FX track..

open signal gen and adjust settings to taste

[set frequency to low sub range 50-150 hZ]..

buss kick to fx track through send

[example: bus17 on an aux send]..

kick track

channel..

bring aux

send fader

to unity..

signal flow»

expand/gate

= post

signal

gen..

"key input" on gate» set to same "buss"

as aux send from kick track

[here it's bus17 input]..

hit "play" on transport and listen to new 808 sound!

adjust settings on signal generator..

adjustments:

match the sound to your kick drum»

play with the sound w/boost @ 100hZ tone +/- 50

experiment here between 50-150hZ frequency range

and make adjustments on the signal generator [oscillator]

check the samples below

1» naked acoustic kick drum and

2» kick w/50 hZ tone +boost

now go mix and have some 808 fun!

Mike the AudioK9
indie audio engr




Naked KiCK drum [acoustic drum only]

NakedKiCK-24barBNC - minddelay

808KiCK [mixed w/50hZ tone]

808KiCK-24barBNC.wav -

Pro Tools: Edit Tools

Today we will venture into the microcosm of Digidesign® Pro Tools 'EDIT TOOLS'. This is a continuation of software series for quick startup into the life of digital recording with computer-based audio gear.
Above is a screenshot from the top of a new Pro Tools® session- showing the 'edit tools' close to the transport section. Now for the quick start break down..

To explain the 'edit tools'- it's easier to just open up a new pro tools session- here's 1 with a 909 kick sample. The highlighted portion is a pre-recorded region with the 909 kick played from a Roland® Dr. Rhythm DR-770 drum machine.


And here's a shot of the Digidesign® Pro Tools LE 7.3 editing tools you will use to cut up and manipulate audio files in your session, once you get going.


With the 'selector' tool, highlight the region to edit..


Right click [CNTL click] the selection and click "cut"..


now click in a spot in a new track and CNTL click, "paste"..


the copied region shows up in the track at that exact spot..


use the "grabber" tool to slip/slide the region around in the new track- and grid mode provides a visual guide to align beats with any song tempo set in transport bpm..


with the trimmer tool you can extend the region for more sample..


the "zoomer" tool will allow you to zero in or focus on a specific portion of the audio region that you select while using the zoom tool..


here is what the new zoomed region looks like..



Next, let's break down the "edit tools" section on the pro tools edit window..

1 "EDIT TOOLS"»


2 "ZOOMER" tool»


3 "TRIMMER" tool»


4 "SELECTOR" tool»


5 "HAND" tool»


6 "SMART" tool»


7 "SCRUBBER" tool»


8 "PENCIL" tool»


EDIT TOOLS at top of edit window..

• shuffle/spot/slip/grid section
• horizontal/vertical zoom section
• EDIT TOOLS section
• transport section on edit window

QUICK BUTTONS at below edit tools section..

• "Tab To Transients"
• "Keyboard Focus"
• "Link Timeline and Edit Selection"
• "Link Track and Edit Selection"
• "Mirrored Midi Editing"
• "Grid"
• "Nudge"
• "Cursor" position

TRANSPORT [floating window]


Tip: Hit the "PLAY" button to hear region playback!


Now go follow the "new session" quickstart guide article to get a recording session going, start recording a guitar track with a click track or play in some samples from a drum machine, and start playing with the EDIT TOOLS. Once you get started editing your own audio region files in a Pro Tools session, the knowledge will just ooze from your brain into you mouse-clicking finger tips. And you will soon find yourself well on your way to editing madness!

Have fun editing your way to digital geek heaven- and check back for the next installment of digital recording with the dog.. "How2 get a good input volume".


Peace out homedogs!
Mike the AudioK9

Pro Tools: New Session

This micro-blog is a continuation of the digital recording series. Since I'm a Pro Tools guy working on a Mac, most of the dialog will be in the Digidesign Pro Tools environment. However, most of the technique and tips can be applied to any hardware/software/platform..

Assuming we have an artist/band in the project studio ready to plug in and jam, we will strictly talk about the tech end of opening up a session. We have also taken the quantum leap of guessing most musicians/producers know how to turn on their gear and plug it in! So without further ado, let's jump in the shallow end of the tech pool.

Turn on computer/hardware/gear and..

Pro Tools: New Session
follow this quick start guide:

1 open Pro Tools recording software

[click on the Digidesign icon genius!]

2 start a new session

3 new session window pops open

4 open new tracks to record onto

5 new tracks appear in edit window

6 name your tracks for audio file management

7 track names show up in edit window

8 open a click track

9 click track opens in edit window

10 set bpm/tempo of song

11 assign i/o: input for incoming signals and

output normally to stereo buss analog 1/2

12 arm the tracks

13 record enable the session

[click the record button on the transport]

14 click "PLAY" and start recording your 1st song

15 audio file(s) write to disk and appear in track

If you're still reading this- congrats you should now see an audio file(s) recording! Next stop» EDIT TOOLS and CUT/COPY/PASTE in the edit window..

Til then, peace out homedogs!

Mike the audioK9

Mike's digi003r studio

Big Bear, Cali

tracking vox on MBox2-mini

Hollywood, CA

tracking bass w/Josh

in EastLA garage studio

[Mind Delay EP]

Mackie Onyx800R Interface

For an extra 8 tracks of digital recording with pristine sound at a great cost, check out the Mackie Onyx800R. And piggyback the Onyx800R to the DigiDesign Digi003R for a streamlined mobile recording rig..

This setup gives you 16 channels input/output with 8 Onyx digital pre-amps and 8 Focusrite pre's on the Digi003. If tracking local garage bands is your thing, this is plenty of i/o for an audio engineer/producer in a project studio. Basic session setup will most likely pan out to 8 tracks for drums, and 8 ins for vox, gtr, bass, and keys. This setup will vary for each session, but that's the basic idea.

Any project studio environment can extend it's track count by using an array of Onyx digital interfaces alongside the basic digital recording setup of DigiDesign or other recording gear manufacturers.

So, optically hookup the Onyx800R to your

digital interface like a Digidesign Digi003R..

and add the digital gear to the rest of

your computer-based recording setup..

next add some drum mics..

and maybe a sub-kick or 2..

and throw up a decent vocal mic..

..and you're off to the races, recording demo/cds in your project studio! Don't forget to come back for the next blog article in this series to learn how to "open a new session" in Pro Tools on a Mac. Til then- peace!

Mike the AudioK9


check out the Mackie Onyx 800R stats:

Onyx 800R Technical Specifications

Frequency Response
Mic Input to Line Output (Gain @ unity):
+0, –0.1 dB, 20 Hz to 30 kHz
+0, –3 dB, 10 Hz to 170 kHz
Mic Input to Digital Output (AES, 192 kHz sample rate):
+0, –0.2 dB, 20 Hz to 85 kHz
+0, –1 dB, 10 Hz to 90 kHz
Distortion (THD & IMD)
Mic Input to Line Output (@ +4 dBu output):
THD+N: <>123 dB (Mic In to Line Out)
>113 dB (through A-to-D converters)
Noise
Signal-to-Noise (A-weighted):
>103 dB (ref. +4 dBu, Mic In to Line Out, Gain @ unity)
Equivalent Input Noise (E.I.N.), 20 Hz to 20 kHz Bandwidth,
150Ω source impedance:
–129 dBu @ +60 dB gain
Residual Output Noise:
Line Out: < –102 dBu (Channel Gain at unity) Digital Out (AES, 48 kHz): < –113 dB FS
Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) Mic In: >60 dB @ 1 kHz, Gain @ maximum
Crosstalk
Mic Input to Line Output:
< –100 dB @ 1 kHz, +10 dBu signal on adjacent input,
150Ω source impedance Input Gain Control Range
Mic In: 0 dB to +60 dB Line In: –20 dB to + 40 dB
Phantom Power +48 VDC Equalization
High-Pass Filter: 75 Hz @ 18 dB/octave
Rated Output Line: +4 dBu
Maximum Rated Output: +24 dBu @ Balanced Line-Level
Outputs AC Power Requirements Power Consumption:
45 watts Universal AC Power Supply: 100 VAC 240 VAC,
50-60 Hz Physical Dimensions and
Weight Height: 1.75 in/44 mm
Width: 17.75 in/451 mm (main body of unit),
19.00 in/483 mm (with rack ears)
Depth: 14.38 in/365 mm (including front knobs and rear BNC jack)
Weight: 10.6 lb/4.8 kg

Maximum Input Levels
Mic Input: +22 dBu, Gain @ unity Inst
Input: +21 dBu, Gain @ –20 dB
Line Input: > +22 dBu, Gain @ –20 dB
Input Impedance

Ch 1 and 2 Mic Input:
300Ω, 500Ω, 1.3 kΩ, or 2.4 kΩ balanced
Ch 3 through 8 Mic Input: 2.4 kΩ balanced
Inst Input: 1 MΩ
Line: 20 kΩ balanced, 10 kΩ unbalanced
Output Impedance
Line: 100 Ω balanced
Signal Level LEDs
–20 dBu, 0 dBu (normal operating level), OL = 22 dBu
Sample Frequency Selections
32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz,
176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, External
Bit Depth Selections
24-bit (full range from converters), 16-bit (dithered)
Analog Input Connectors
Eight balanced XLR mic inputs
Two 1/4" TS high-impedance instrument inputs
One DB25 connector with eight balanced line-level inputs
Analog Output Connectors
One DB25 connector with eight balanced line-level outputs
Digital Input Connectors
One BNC connector for external word clock input
Digital Output Connectors
Two Toslink Optical Connectors
Both transmit channels 1-8 at 44.1/48 kHz operation
One transmits channels 1-4 and one transmits
channels 5-8 at 88.2/96 kHz operation
using S/MUX standard
One transmits channels 1-2 and one transmits
channel 3-4 at 176.4/192 kHz
operation using S/MUX standard
One DB25 Connector
Transmits AES/EBU or S/PDIF formatted digital audio
with single-wire/dual-wire options available at all
sample rates

Digidesign Digi003R Factory

Digidesign Pro Tools Software

eQ Tips 4project studio

This micro-blog is in response for eQ/mix help on home project studio recordings. EQ and other tricks in the tracking sessions can make or break an original digital audio file. The right or wrong technique.. used in record/mix mode including everything from mic set-up to eq'ing the track, can render a song's mix with clean, pristine tracks or an utter mess of digital clips or distortion.

This can be broken down into several different topics. For sake of brevity, today we'll just cover the problem areas of a mix and add more tips later.

During playback of a new Twitter friend's mixes/recordings- some tech issues were noted..


artist: The Illtronics

DrowniNg tHe SouNd

issue #1: clean female vox [vocals] but some distortion noticed on male vox! this issue was not notable yet slightly noticeable to a trained ear.

issue #2: "boxiness" in kick drum sound- slight rattle noise from kick drum sounding similar to a "cardboard box" when beat, picked up during natural recording atmosphere of acoustic kick drum [this issue common with snare/kick/toms].

issue #3: "muddy" bass sound in song mix associated with overload of bass frequencies.


mixer/engr:
what to do?
BigDogMike

FiX tHe MiX!

tip1: male vox over compression/clipping can cause distortion in your mix..

so check several things to combat this issue- physical proximity of vocalist to the microphone [use the "one fist rule"], stick a pop filter in front of the mic to eliminate/reduce the amount of wetness/drool the singer spits on the mic, check the input level on the track so it's not clipping and set @aprox -3dB down max to prevent nasty digital overloads [distortion], and good mic technique from the singer helps the track by staying "on-axis" and consistent!

translation1» play with different mic techniques to find "your sound"!

tip2: eQ w/plug-in and pull out [attenuate/cut 3-6 dB] Lo-Mids from the kick [in the 300-400hZ range +/-50hZ] and boost Lo freq's +3 to 9dB [in the 60-80hZ range] plus boost the +Hi freq's [in the 3-6k hZ range]..

translation2» boosting LO's will give "thump", cutting LO-Mids will take out "cardboard box" sound, and boosting Hi's will add "beater" attack sound!

tip3: eQ on bass, try to cut [-] lo-mids [in the 150hZ range +/-50hZ] to take some "mud" out of the bass guitar mix, and play with Hi-end eQ [in the 5K hZ range +/-] to boost some string action!

translation3» subtractive eQ'ing bass frequencies in LO-Mids will clean up the bass track and allow more of a pocket for the LO-Mids on rhythm/lead electric guitar tracks [this prevents something called "frequency masking" or drowning out specific tones from similar instruments] and allows for something engineers refer to as "mixing in pockets"!


That's it in a nutshell for today! This might shed some light on possible record/mix solutions for the project studio.


Mike the audioK9
indie audio engr




audioK9 comments: love the recordings- great mixes! clean sound and nice mix w/808kick on 1song.. did you record acoustic drums or use samplz? like the samples on 'all wanna do' +clean female vox.. personally like to use fx on mix, depending on style.. male vox clip? otherwise great mixing on illtronics songs [trax/vol/pan].. like the "hifi-fx" on 'so high'!

author's sidenote: on 'mind delay' project i prod/engr/mixed in hollywood apt and recorded original tracks in an eastLA garage» MindDelay music

Digidesign Digi003R

Today AudioK9 starts a series on music demo recording for garage bands and other indie artists. In this series we will discuss basic hardware, audio software, and project studio tips/techniques for new audio engineers or artists to put to work. Major labels might still run sessions/mixes though a professional studio geared up for pro-sound. However, there's a ton of new fun digital gear for the rest of us to capture a great project studio sound.

To start off this tutorial we will bring in the Digidesign Digi003R Rack Factory digital interface for Pro Tools. I'm mainly a Pro Tools guy on a Mac, however this audio info can be adapted to almost any hardware/software/platform configuration. This is a great piece of hardware for starting out in the world of digital audio- with many options for signal flow in/out. You can record the entire band in your home/project studio, garage, or even live! Digi003® Rack+ Factory is ideal for musicians, recording engineers, and producers looking for a pro music recording and production solution that’s basically inexpensive and mobile to boot.

Digi003R Specs:
• Mic Inputs 8 balanced XLR jacks
• Mic Phantom Power: 48V
• Frequency Response: +0.0 / -0.25 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Dynamic Range: 103 dB / 106 dB A-weighted
• Gain Range: +18 – +65 dB
• Line/DI Inputs 8 balanced 1/4" jacks
• Aux Inputs 2 balanced 1/4" jacks
• Digital Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
• S/PDIF: 2-channel optical or RCA jack pair
• Digital Optical: TOSLINK max 48 kHz rate
• MIDI: 5-pin MIDI DIN connectors 1 i/o
• Line Outputs: 8 impedance balanced 1/4" jacks
• Monitor Outputs: 4 balanced 1/4" jacks
• Headphone Outputs: 2 unbalanced 1/4" jacks
• Word Clock: 2 BNC jacks
• Host Connection: 2 IEEE-1394a (FireWire400)




Pro Tools LE 8.0 Software:
• Pro Tools® recording, editing, and mixing
• 48 simultaneous stereo audio tracks
• FX plug-ins and virtual instruments
• MIDI sequencing w/editor window
• Elastic Time/Pitch
• Beat Detective™ LE groove analysis and tool
• ReWire support for app's
• Support for the Digidesign C|24™ and Command|8® control surfaces
• 3rd party plug-ins and software options
• Mac and PC compatible



To get a basic session set-up going for a demo recording, here's a screen shot from a pre-production Pro Tools garage band session. One song off this session ended up on a demo cd for the artist. In the setup below you can see the mic/input track assignment is extremely basic and minimalist- not so much to save hard drive space but more importantly to save time in the studio!

Tracks in this demo session setup:
• kick
• snare
• o/h-left
• o/h-right
• scratch vocal
• guitar
• bass

+add a track for click, o/dub vox, and master fader!





This type of 'basic demo recording' cuts expensive time in the studio track/mixing. And new artists need to save money for things like promotion, buying gear, and scouting prospective record labels. Track the band/artist on 3-4 songs allowing them to jam and experiment with song structure- nailing down arrangements to record and play live.

With this easy track setup, new engineers can figure out mic placement and routing to the back of the digital interface. Kick in 1, snare in 2, overheads 3/4 and so on. Search the input options upon opening tracks in the new Pro Tools session and match the mic input list with the new track you add in the edit/mix window. Now arm the tracks, adjust the input volume to prevent clipping, and you're off to the new world of digital recording.

More extended instructions for new session setup, opening/arming tracks, and understanding the mix/edit window- coming soon in future lessons here on the AudioK9 Blog and DigiPro101..

AudioK9