Electronic Music production

Reverb Effect

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:43:00 +0000

   In this article, intended primarily for beginners, I will consider all aspects of the most popular effect in the process of creating music.
   Starting with the basics of the theory of reverberation, we pass to a brief history of its use to the digital age, consider what are reverbs, then proceed to study the types and adjustable parameters of reverb, and finally finish on practical advice on its application.
   Reverberation is accompanied by any sound originating in the natural acoustic environment. There is the reflection of sound waves from any obstacles and return to the point of listening. Therefore, in the perception of acoustic sound is present its direct source and multiple reflections from nearby surfaces - obstacles.In the audio reverb gives a sense of deep space. Source sounds with a more pronounced effect of reverberation subjectively, like it is located at a distance from the listener.In the process of natural reverberation the spectrum frequency of sound changes . High frequencies are attenuated faster than low, so the tone of the reflected sound in comparison with the original has a soft, muted character. The value of the loss of high frequency components of the spectrum depends on the distance traveled by the acoustic wave, and the material properties of reflecting surfaces.
    In any modern digital reverb, you can select several programs that simulate real conditions of different plays or synthesizing some fantastic situation for special effects. Following is a brief description of the most popular examples.
Hall- simulates the acoustics of a concert hall. Deep reverb with a large decay time. Subjectively, as it separates the sound source from the listener. Room - a small room reverb. Suitable for application to acoustic instruments in the chamber atmosphere. Live (Stage) - simulates a live performance on stage, it is believed that this type of reverb is well suited for solo instruments.Plate - a simulation of a plane electromechanical reverberation metal plate as described above. Apply for vocals and percussion instruments.
Spring - lo-fi reverb, imitating the above-mentioned spring-electromechanical design. Chamber - an imitation of earlier described the premises to record the reverb. Gate - Reverb with cutting off the final phase of damping. Gives the sound of a certain dynamic character, and is used for percussion instruments and, in particular, for the drums. Reverse - the type of artificial reverb with inverted envelope, It grows slowly at first, then ends abruptly. A similar effect can be obtained by inverting the sound editor, applying a standard reverb and reverse inversion. In this case, reverb begins even before starting the main sound. Specific effect, is sometimes used for vocals.

Compressors

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:09:00 +0000

Compressor relates to dynamic processors. These processors are designed to change the dynamic range of the signal. Dynamic range is the difference in decibels between the quietest and loudest sound of the signal. The wider dynamic range, the greater the difference between quiet and loud sounds.

The task of the compressor is to narrow the dynamic range of the processed audio signal. Compressor makes it more quiet, loud peaks of the signal and increases the volume of the quiet ones, thus reducing the difference between their levels.

Compressor has the following objectives: Removal of wavelets volume, which can make a significant distortion in digital audio;Error correction singer ,drops the volume of singing, which arise from the inability of some singers to keep the microphone at all times at the same distance from your mouth;Increase the overall level of entries in the data.

Consider the adjustable parameters of compressors:Threshold -specifies the level at which the compressor will begin to process the signal. This parameter is specified in decibels below the peak value. That is the threshold value of -4 dB means that the compressor will handle the signal if the level of the signal at 4 dB less than the calibrated value is 0 dB. In digital systems, 0 dB - the highest level of the signal. Ratio-this parameter determines how the compressor affects the signal. For example, the ratio of 2:1 means that if the signal exceeds the threshold, then the level of this signal should be reduced by half. If the signal level exceeds the specified 1 dB, then after compression, it will exceed the threshold only 0.5 dB.
Attack-this setting determines how fast the compressor will begin to process the signal.
Release-his parameter specifies the duration of the signal processing after the start of the signal. Like the attack value, decay sets in milliseconds.
Gain-with this option you can specify the level of the signal at the output of the compressor. The value is in decibels. Since the compressor, typically reduces the overall level of the signal, then using this option, you can restore it to its original.

Ableton Live 8

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:57:00 +0000

This program was made to produce music on your computer and mix tracks as well.Ableton is very popular among modern dj's and has also become competitive in the creation of music.This program is the opportunity to work with Midi, that means you can connect external MIDI instruments and use vst instruments,plug-in tools also.Live supports Rewire protocol which means that you can combine it with other programs such as Reason,Cubase,Logic,Pro-tools.Ableton was created for musicians who are seeking the most effective way to compose and improvise using a computer.The developers have done a good job making the program convenient and easy to use.Also Live provides unique opportunity to create computer music with unlimited complexity and diversity.This product that has appeared thanks to the participation in the development and testing musicians with new ideas and technologies.This product that has appeared thanks to the participation in the development and testing musicians with new ideas and technologies demonstrates in which direction industry of creation and managing music with computer will develop.

Digital audio workstations

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:30:00 +0000

There are many digital audio workstations on the market, in this post i will describe some of them.Ableton Live is a very powerful virtual studio.This program gives the musician a full set of tools necessery to create music from scratch.The standart package includes a large number of audio and MIDI effects and several multi-synthesizers.If you are not satisfied with standart set you can use VST-plugins as well.Ableton probably is the best program for live perfomance.That's how it is used by alot of famous musicians and dj's of different styles and trends.Full list of them you can find on the official site of the program www.ableton.com.Steinberg Cubase is one of the best programs for writing music using your computer,it has excellent sound quality and a huge set of virtual instruments.Cubase is very good for people who prefer to work with MIDI instruments.You can record melody note signs as on paper.There is opportunity to create music in a multichannel system 5.1.Next one is Fruityloops studio this digital audio workstation aloows you to do same things as in previously described programs but you can squeeze the sount of it a little bit faster.There are gorgeous set of samles,effects and instruments for you in this DAW.It is perfect for creating an electronic club music.FL Studio is always a lot of disputes , some think that a serious studio may not have such an interface.This software is very good for beginners because it is easy to learn.Another one is Reason , it has everythig needed to create a fully complited musical composition.It provides virtually unlimited opportunities for writing music.Naturally this does not describe all of the digital audio workstations, but basically the difference between them is not so big.Remember that advantages and disadvantages of this programs are subjective, you can choose any DAW that you like.Have a good luck!

Produce music using your computer

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:05:00 +0000

If you decide to compose music, it's better and more correct to study , composition, arrangement and improvisation with the teacher, who not only familiar with the scientific data and theory, but he applies them in practice. If not, many computer programs will help you in this difficult matter.First you need to choose one of many programs can be present at market.These are Fruityloops Studio, Reason, Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic or Protools.All of them were made to write music but they have differences .For beginners I would suggest Fruityloops or Reason this programs will help you to get your first experience in producing music on a computer.After that you can either stay with these programs or try other products on the market or combine them together, as do many musicians do.While you are making your first steps,you need to learn how to make drum loops,synth parts,compose melody,use vst instruments and vst effects.Also you need to know what is propper mixing,finalizing your tracks and mastering.To achive good sound quality on your computer you should at least buy a propper sound card and monitor speakers.Further i will give more detailed information regarding to music production.

Tempos of electronic music

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:21:00 +0000

Techno - a genre of electronic music, was born in the mid 1980's in Detroit and its suburbs, and subsequently seized by European producers. It is characterized by artificiality of sound, focusing on mechanical rhythms, frequent repetition of the structural elements of musical composition. For the typical pace of techno from 135 beats to 145 beats per minute.

House - a genre of electronic music that was born in the early 1980's in Chicago. House is created by mixing relief percussion bass genre Disco and a new kind of electronic music (bass, beats, various sound effects, etc.). So far not recorded on the origin of the name of the style. But for the moment the central version is that the name comes from the Chicago Club Warehouse. Tempo of this music is pretty static. It usually hovers around 130 strokes.

Trance - a style of electronic dance music that evolved in the 90's. The distinctive features of style are: the tempo of 130 to 150 beats per minute (bpm). Entranced commonly used straight bits.

Drum and bass - a genre of electronic music. Originally an offshoot of the British rave scene and breakbeat, Drum and bass arose when musicians began to mix bass of reggae with accelerated breakbeats of hip-hop. In general, significant differences between the terms «drum and bass» and «jungle» no. Some call jungle old record first half of the 90-ies, and drum and bass feel greatly evolved jungle with the new post-tehstepnymi elements. For many people initially difficult to deal with the tempo of this genre due to broken beats. The spread of tempo in this area probably one of the biggest. Drum and bass sounds ranging from 150 beats per minute and can reach as much 200. Rate this style can be easily identified by the snare drum.

Breaks - characteristic feature of this genre are broken beats.This energetic music is played at a tempo of approximately 125-140 bpm.Gambling on