Getting the Most From RiffWorks

[GuitarSlinger]

You can hear it on riffcaster titled Beta Monkey Business. I left the reverb on because the vintage reverb just works for me. I don't think a delay setting will work for this type of rythm. Anyways thanks for the tips. I'll experiment with filling out the sound with duplicates eq'd differently.

[GuitarSlinger]

In a regular daw you would duplicate a track and offset the timing by like 10-20ms for a big stereo effect, but with riffworks theres no way to do that.

[S_DUB2112]

Something I see that has not really been mentioned is the use of compression. I myself use compresion on every single track I record (usually). When used properly, compression evens out the levels of the different instruments in the mix. In essence, it can make the loud stuff a little less loud, and will make the quiet parts a little more louder or consistent. I generally like the compressor to kick in quickly with a slow release time, unless I'm doing some stacatto stuff in which case I would speed up the release time to avoid the dreaded "pumping" sound some of us have come to know. So my advice would be to spend some time playing with the compressor...you would really be suprised what you can achieve with just that.

[AirmanSwi]

In a regular daw you would duplicate a track and offset the timing by like 10-20ms for a big stereo effect, but with riffworks theres no way to do that.

Yep, I usually use 16ms. This would be an awesome feature for RW to have. Duplicate riff with delay (customizable setting of course). It would be akin to a copy-paste-nudge function in Cakewalk.

[DeathMonster34]

Hey, Gator, can you clarify recording in mono/stereo again in dummy terms hehe. i'd appreciate it

[mickeymix]

Mickeymix, Here is a link to a product review gator referenced:
http://www.studioauditions.com/gearreviewdetail.php?GearReviewID=33

Thanks for the link Ed.....U D man.......

[gatorjj]

Something I see that has not really been mentioned is the use of compression. I myself use compresion on every single track I record (usually). When used properly, compression evens out the levels of the different instruments in the mix. In essence, it can make the loud stuff a little less loud, and will make the quiet parts a little more louder or consistent. I generally like the compressor to kick in quickly with a slow release time, unless I'm doing some stacatto stuff in which case I would speed up the release time to avoid the dreaded "pumping" sound some of us have come to know. So my advice would be to spend some time playing with the compressor...you would really be suprised what you can achieve with just that.

Yeah, somehow we got hung up on mono All good points Shawn! I tend to use some compression on bass almost always, and on vocals to smooth things out if necessary (with me....usually necessary! ) I don't put it on the drums normally, though if you do your mix will have more of a "mastered" sound (we'll get to mastering at some point in this thread I'm sure!). I also don't use it on distorted guitars unless I'm trying to fix something, they are already compressed to start with.

Hey, Gator, can you clarify recording in mono/stereo again in dummy terms hehe. i'd appreciate it

There's a little button on the lower left corner that says "Stereo" and if it's on you are recording the stereo output of your GuitarPort (or whatever). If you click it "off" then you are recording mono.

Mono is a single signal. Stereo is 2 but doesn't appear to your brain as 2 signals, it appears as a 3D "picture" of a soundstage. Several of these "soundstages" on top of each other can sometimes create problems when they run into each other. I'll stop there...does that make any sense?

[ShredRex]

I use EQ and comp on everything........drums/guitars/bass.....i think it makes the final product sound a bit more polished. But that is just me on my speakers, to say Gator it may sound different.

I do plan on using that mono recording thing tho to see if it make my mixing any easier and the final product sounds better. I am not a big effects guy tho....I like verb and chorus maybe delay.......but nothing over the top. So does that mean if I record mono the delay and chorus will not come through as noticeable as it would in stereo?

[gatorjj]

There's nothing wrong with that if it sounds good...there are no rules other than use your ears as your guide! If you are not mastering the track separately then it's probably serving a some of what you would want out of that function.

So does that mean if I record mono the delay and chorus will not come through as noticeable as it would in stereo?

The delay and chorus out of GearBox should end up being recorded mono, like if you put it in your effects chain with a real amp. That's gonna be a choice whether you want it that way or not. I can't answer how the input to the RiffWorks effects chain works, maybe one of the Sonoma folks can chime in.

[DeathMonster34]

There's a little button on the lower left corner that says "Stereo" and if it's on you are recording the stereo output of your GuitarPort (or whatever). If you click it "off" then you are recording mono.

Mono is a single signal. Stereo is 2 but doesn't appear to your brain as 2 signals, it appears as a 3D "picture" of a soundstage. Several of these "soundstages" on top of each other can sometimes create problems when they run into each other. I'll stop there...does that make any sense?

LOL yes it does. So wat ur saying is that when i record in stereo there are 2 guitars being recorded, thus, taking unnecessary space?

[epauley]

Okay gator...enough already with the hinting...when are you going to discuss mixing versus mastering? Please explain.

[gatorjj]

Hmmm...let me see if I can explain the voodoo known as "stereo" in simple terms.

Mono is one signal. If played through a stereo it will be an identical signal in the left and right channel. If it's panned center, your brain will perceive it in the center.

Stereo is two signals. Your brain doesn't perceive them as 2 signals, it perceives them as a soundstage. If you record with stereo effects (like a chorus), your brain sees those 2 signals as a big groovy sound stage because the left and right channels are not identical.

At the end of your mix, you have stereo. Two signals that will make your brain think it hears a soundstage. It's easier to place several mono sources where they make your brain think they are, than to place several "sound stages" over each other and hope they don't conflict with each other.

I don't know if that explains it any better or worse

[epauley]

Or…

Stereo:
Hail the OSU Buckeys Hail the OSU Buckeys

Mono:
Hail the OSU Buckeys

Sorry, I couldn’t resist!

[gatorjj]

Or…

Stereo:
Hail the OSU Buckeys Hail the OSU Buckeys

Mono:
Hail the OSU Buckeys

Sorry, I couldn’t resist!

Yes but...
With OSU perfectly out of phase, it would sound like.....nothing

[epauley]

The soundstage analogy is a good one.

I have heard another parallel which is close: Imagine your band live on stage and pan the riff in the direction of the instrument being represented. For example, rhythm toward the left, lead toward the right and bass centered. Although a bit too simple, this analogy may be easier for some to visualize and thus, be a good point of departure for reaching further understanding.

Also, anyone care to elaborate on the advantages/disadvantages of compression? :/