Does size matter to musicians?

[epauley]

Okay, I admit to using a shameless ploy to get you here but this is not spam.

The great concept and beauty of RiffWorks is its simplicity – the true meaning of “Less is more.” However, I’ve noticed that many of my fellow forum members here enhance RiffWorks with other applications like Reason, etc.

Even I - thanks to a suggestion from Scott, downloaded Audacity which I can use to convert wav files created with RiffWorks into MP3 files to upload to myspace.

Unfortunately, a lot of information is a bit cryptic. For example, imagine viewing the product area for Reason over at Line6 out of context. Despite a very funny video (really) and tons of text, they fail to actually state what the product does – at least in layman terms! An inexperienced person might conclude that Reason it is either a device or software (yes, I know it’s not the “controller”).

Speaking of “controller” - another cryptic term probably invented by technicians instead of musicians. Sorry moderators - What about terms guitarist relate to like body, neck and head? Gee, it’s getting warm around here!

Okay, enough frivolity and ranting! The purpose of starting this topic is to gather in one thread our group experience/insights/comments on how to enhance our RiffWorks recordings. Please share your best tip/add-on advice for improving recordings.

[hbursk]

One of the easiest ways to improve your Riffworks recordings is by using a 3rd party audio program, like Audacity, to master your tracks.

The master compressor/limiter on the output of Riffworks is really useful to keep me from clipping while I'm working, but when I want the final mix, turning up that master knob doesn't do it for me. I like to turn it down so that the needles are out of the way of the compression stage. I mix down my wave file, and I import it into Bias Peak. There I trim the front and maybe a bit of the end. Use the included Peak Limiter plugin, and begin to turn up the gain until my track is peaking around 0dB.

I find this to be a general overall improvement to my tracks, since I'm not a big fan of everything I've recorded pumping and breathing because it's all hitting the compressor.

There are free plugins you can download to use with Audacity that will do general the same thing. Blockfish from digitalfishbones is one of my favorite free compressors, though not a limiter.



I also use Reason quite a bit, and sometimes, Reason is where I start a project as opposed to Riffworks. This happens if what I'm doing is keyboard driven rather than guitar driven. Reason is a virtual rack of gear that makes sound. You cannot record audio into Reason. You can record midi notes, either clicked from your mouse or played from a midi controller, and those notes will trigger the devices in reason to produce sound. Those devices consist of samplers, synthesizers, and drummachines. There is no limit to how many of those devices you can use as long as your computer can handle it. Reason comes with a whole lot of sounds for you to use, but you can of course, load in your own.

You'd want to use reason with RiffWorks if you're looking for some keyboard sounds, more flexiblity with Rex loops, you'd like to program beats drum by drum, and many other reasons.

I wrote a riffworks article about using Reason with Riffworks a few months back called So Many Reasons.

http://www.sonomawireworks.com/newsletter_apr_06.php#column

[epauley]

hbursk,

Great article with nice samples that give context to your written words! By the way, thank you for your contribution to this thread (and to many other threads).

I have considered purchasing Reason but compatibility with RiffWorks has been mysterious. This is especially true, in regards to midi technology. Isn’t the issue with the TonePort keyboard, a matter of compatibility because it’s a midi controller? I assume, one can import prerecorded material using other recording applications like Ableton Live Lite but that seems redundant. Furthermore, doesn’t that approach limit tweaking?

Speaking of limited, and as you may have concluded, my experience is limited to recording with RiffWorks will slight forays into Audacity.

Unfortunately, I think in the basic terms of a guitarist using effects through an amplifier. I have detailed knowledge in some areas with big gaps that make putting all the parts together difficult.

[pbbobkanobi]

I highly recommend going to the Propellerhaed website and downloading the Reason demo.

http://www.propellerheads.se/

Watch the video tutorials to get some idea of what this program can do. The Mastering Suite Combinator is amazing...like all the Combinator possibilities. You can basically create a virtual instrument of different instruments and effects all "combined" together. For example: Pick a piano, upright fretless bass, polymorphic synth, saxaphone, trumpet, etc. Then add effects to each instrument and place it in the overall mix of the virtual instrument. You just have to hear it to understand....amazing stuff. Check out this tune I came up with in Reason in about 15 minutes:

http://www.sonomawireworks.com/riffcaster/post.php?/3464

Once you get the basics down and understand how RW and Reason work together you will be hooked

Personally I use my Variax 300, PODxtl, and a ton of software to make my songs. Mostly I start with RW and the Instant Drummer. But sometimes I find myself noodling in Reason and next thing you know I am rocking out on my guitar with RW jamming out to the backing track I just noodled on.

I am a big fan of IK Multimedia's T-Racks 24 for mastering as well as Sound Forge 8.0 and the Izotope Ozone vst plugin to beef it up a bit. I could make a huge list here....so much software out there.

This all is like art and hard to pin down to an exact science...at least for me. Just experiment and scour the internet for free plugins and demos to try out. I think we are all only limited by our imaginations and available time to jam. The software is out there to do just about anything you can think of.

Once RiffWorks has the abilty to let you record MIDI and audio simulataneously, the sky is the limit. Realtime jamming in RiffLink with video would be the Holy Grail of recording software. A guy can dream right?...

[epauley]

Pbbobkanobi,

Thanks! I ventured over to the Propeller site and watched the beginner video which whent a long way in demystifing the Reason software. I also listened to your sample of the nice reggae style melody.

Two quick questions:

1. You didn’t list a controller keyboard along with your equipment and so, am I correct in assuming you don’t use one?

2. (for anyone) I believe I read midi compatibility with RiffWorks is a ways off. At the same time, I think I’ve read that compatibility with the L6 TonePort KB37 is coming soon. Since the KB37 is midi controller, isn’t midi compatibility closer than a “ways off?”

[mickeymix]

I think Bobbo uses Bomes mouse and keyboard for using his computer keyboard as the MIDI controller........but don't quote me .....I know ShredRex does.........

[pbbobkanobi]

Nope....I use an E-MU XBoard49 by Creative....$180 at Guitar Center...excellent controller. I used to use a Yamaha PSR293 portable keyboard but I gave that to my son. A MIDI / USB controller is a must. Bomes mouse KB is cool though for quick ideas.

[ShredRex]

I use a neat little proggy called Bome's Mouse Keyboard. It allows you to use your PC keyboard as a midi controller. I was playing bass and drums parts this way.......it works quite well you would be surprised.

http://www.bome.com/midi/keyboard/

There is even a tutorial to set it all up on the site as well. Check it out!

[dug]

The only incompatibility with the KB37 (and the TonePort-DI) is with the activation code for the RiffWorks Line 6 Edition. They both work just fine as an audio device for RiffWorks Standard right now. The update to fix the issue will be part of the upcoming v2.1. (This release does not include any new support for MIDI or other super incredible big new features, so don't get all excited now:)

The KB37 can be used simultaneously with RiffWorks using as it as the audio interface and Reason using it as a MIDI interface. Reason isn't cheap, but it's a wonderful program and a perfect compliment to RiffWorks with it's excellent sequencer and variety of synths, samplers, drum machines, etc.

The beauty of Reason is it's all-in-one-ness of the instruments and sequencer. They all work so smoothly together. Using other DAWs as sequencers and instrument plug-ins can be less enjoyable due to the extra complexity, but they can give more flexibility for the instruments available. We aspired to achieve some of the same quick and fun feeling that Reason provided for sequencing MIDI instruments when we developed RiffWorks for recording.

Mastering is not something we attempted to put into the original design of RiffWorks. There are many great audio editors and plug-ins that can help you master your tune. The usual procedures accomplished with this software would have added complexity to RiffWorks that we could not incorporate into the original design. Mastering and Recording are two different stages of the recording production process and don't necessarily belong in the same application at all. So I encourage you to play with other applications to use with RiffWorks.

Our new friends at IK Multimedia make an excellent mastering tool called T-Racks 24. It includes tube-modelled EQ, Compression, Limiting, Soft-clipping and essential editing features like Fade-in and out.

Hayden mentioned Peak... Dan, Dave and I all worked at Bias, before starting Sonoma Wire Works. Bias' Peak has been a standard mastering and stereo editing tool on MacOS for a decade. It's basically the photoshop of stereo audio editing.

Before you spend too much time figuring out how to master your recordings. Learn more about mixing them. The best tool anyone can have is a great set of monitors (speakers, not those things you look at, those are displays.) Right after that, figuring out how to make your room sound better is next. I've been itching to write an article about this, but there are also plenty of them out there. I love Recording Magazine and Sound On Sound's articles on these topics.

The amazing thing about this stuff is you can spend your life learning about it and still have more to learn (ahem...), instead of just having fun playing your guitar:)

cheers,
dug

[gatorjj]

Before you spend too much time figuring out how to master your recordings. Learn more about mixing them. The best tool anyone can have is a great set of monitors (speakers, not those things you look at, those are displays.) Right after that, figuring out how to make your room sound better is next. I've been itching to write an article about this, but there are also plenty of them out there. I love Recording Magazine and Sound On Sound's articles on these topics.

The amazing thing about this stuff is you can spend your life learning about it and still have more to learn (ahem...), instead of just having fun playing your guitar:)

I'm quoting this because it's worth reading twice!

[mickeymix]

Yeah Duggy ..............you pretty much impressed this "Junky" with that post..........................sounds like something Gator would have preached and HAS! With Good reason!
Big time KUDOS to you both!!!

[gatorjj]

I probably preach too much LOL

[jamienelson]

I agree, a good mix is the key. Then I use Magix Music Maker 11 Deluxe for Mastering.

I always listen to my mixes on a variety of different speaker systems as well. Headphones, Computer Speakers, my Car Stereo, and any thing else I can think of.

You can hear the difference between a mixed version of a song and a mastered version by clicking on the links in my signature. The Sonoma link is just a mix and the My Space one is mastered.

Jamie

[epauley]

Thanks guys!

I’m beginning to realize that my question is a broad one and does mix apples and oranges. At least, not one has suggested playing in tune.

Reason interests me for the range of sounds/instruments possibilities you can add to a melody. I’ve always been fascinated by Phil Spector’s (music producer and murder suspect) “wall of sound” concept and how it changed rock and pop music. Of course, that idea is old hat but it did cause a chain reaction and moved rock into a new level. Perhaps, Reason can add new dimensions to my tunes.

Despite a long history in rock bands, I have a primitive understanding of midi technology. However, I’m prepared to drive in deep if it can expand my horizons (yes, cliché and a mixed metaphor). After all, if Reason inspired RiffWorks’ development (note dug’s input above), can it be bad? My guess is no!

I agree mixing is key and comes first in the order of priorities. Thanks to gator (is he preaching again!?) I get some objective input. As acknowledged above, he gives the same sermon (note, matching metaphor) as dug.

A good pair of monitors sounds like the next purchase - if they can simplify of process of getting a better recording. My current ritual involves listening to a mix on several devices and taking copious notes.

I look forward to more words of wisdom.

[hbursk]

M-Audio makes some pretty good powered monitors for not too much money. The Bx5A's are a really nice set of good desktop speakers for recording. If you're looking for something more serious, you have to step it up to the 8" model. Now, when you get into the 8" model, you're paying per speaker most likely, and a great pair can run you well over a grand.

M-Audio makes a pair of 8" monitors for $500. The 5" run for $300. God, how I wish this stuff wasn't so expensive.

At my studio, I'm using the Event sp08's and I'm still paying for them. Best advice would be to make a cd-r of songs you know, and bring it to guitar center. They can play your cd and run it into any pair of monitors they have on display. Find the ones that don't aggravate your ears, let you hear things in the mix you may never have heard, and don't devour your wallet.