Since a composer/music producer normally is a freelancer, he has to deal with many different risk factors. The first step in minimizing or even avoiding risk factors is to be aware of them.
- By Frank Herrlinger
- In Career
- By Frank Herrlinger
- In Production
Guitars in Rock and Metal Soundtracks
Music genres like rock or metal consist mostly of drums, bass and guitars. This tutorial is only about guitars. We are going to show you how we record guitars for rock and metal music tracks and how we place them in the mix. Music genres like rock or metal consist mostly of drums, bass and guitars. This tutorial is only about guitars. We are going to show you how we record guitars for rock and metal music tracks and how we place them in the mix.
- By Frank Herrlinger
- In Production
Shaping A Note
This tutorial will deal with how to shape your midi note by using continuous controllers (CC) or by using just midi commands. Although our goal is to come as close as possible to the sound of real instruments such as strings, brass, and woodwinds, you may use these techniques with synthesizers as well. By varying different parameters you can prevent the results from sounding static, boring, unnatural or robotic.
- By Adrian Ellis
- In Composition
The Guitar as a Scoring Instrument
The guitar is often typecast in music for film/tv and other media, and called upon only when a particular sound is needed: your cowboy western needs that Ennio Morricone/Bruno Battisti D’Amario twang. Your Bond-esque spy thriller wants that Vic Flick surf-jazz feel. Your hard-boiled cop movie needs a rough, rebellious, raunchy Eric Clapton lead. While the guitar is really useful in slotting in and hitting these (and many more) on the head, I think it’s full potential is actually overlooked.
- By Frank Herrlinger
- In Career
How To Build Up Your Business
I have the impression that many composers who are looking for work actually don’t know much about the business end of it. They don’t know how to start their career, or how important some of the details are. Therefore, I would like to focus on some ideas and thoughts concerning the business side of our work.
- By Editorial Team
- In Interview
The Music of Dead Space 2
Jason is responsible for creating the innovative, unique soundtrack for Dead Space, which has become Electronic Arts’ best-selling original title and called “the scariest game ever made.” Jason’s groundbreaking score has been hailed by critics as a “truly original soundtrack” and “the best score of the year.” I talk to Jason about writing the music for the sequel Dead Space 2.
- By Andrew Charlton
- In Production
How to Use a Compressor
Although a compressor and a limiter are the fundamentals of any producer’s processing locker, they are also one of the most misunderstood and misguided processes out there. The internet is overflowing with articles explaining the characteristics and settings of limiters and compressors, yet when we check the forum threads and blog comments out there the same questions are being asked over and over again. Why is this happening?
- By Frank Herrlinger
- In Production
Pimp My Orchestra – High Strings
When you listen to violins or violas being played live, there are very many nuances going on in the high frequencies. These subtle noises are a result of the bow touching the strings. In most recordings these noises are lacking, which results in a muffled sound that is not very enjoyable to listen to. Therefore, there are many different ways to improve your sound.