I'm in the realms of a 12" vinyl deep cut, where the track takes up most of one side. I need to shorten it, but I'm still not finished with my ideas I wanted to get in there. And, I'm lost in the settings of my CX-80 plugin, playing with sound.
Not that it matters, but I've been a Reaper guy for years. There are so many DAWs, and many of them do the same thing... but there is one exception. Pro Tools.
Pro Tools is a standard in most pro studios in my experience here in the US. Yes, I've used it professionally too, but I never bought it. It's so expensive... cost prohibitive in a way when you consider the other options available. But, there are certain functionalities and additional tools available within ProTools, some specific to mastering. Not to mention the advanced ATMOS and spatial audio tools for mixing/mastering in surround.
Have any of you purchased ProTools in the last few years? Anyone know of a great way to get ProTools at a discount?
I know two other producers with years(sssssss) of experience that also share Rob's preference towards MAC's for audio production. I can't argue. I just hate Apple. Even my Surface Pro CAN'T hold a candle to my custom-built desktop...
But that said, they would all tell you to buy a Mac. 16 Gig minimum for RAM, 32 Gig would make life easier by a LARGE amount, 64 Gig would make you do a happy dance. The moral? Never skimp on RAM.
I would say build a mini-tower with 64 Gig of RAM, ASUS motherboard, and special M.2 lightning quick hard drives that are are the next gen of SSD (with something-like over 300 Mbps transfer rate), and the fastest processor you can afford. But, I'm super biased... and I'm not giving up my PC games.
I take that back... I forgot this was in Rob's library
https://www.producertech.com/staff-picks/59/complete-guide-to-stereo-width
Start there. (My apologies Rob)
Check what comes with you DAW. Reaper has a spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope under JS- but Reaper has a steep learning curve if you are new. Some DAW's come with some form of imaging analysis software.
If you invest in IZotope, they have AudioLens (comes bundled with other tools is the best way). Reference tracks are already loaded, and you can add any you want for comparison.
I know there are a number of freeware pieces out there that can do this, but I have no experience with them. This is a good start though.... learn Stereo Imaging first, then move to full spectrum analysis using a detailed multiband EQ, and then into spatial audio (ie. ATMOS). That's a three step course plan that will make you a pro.
https://www.flux.audio/project/stereo-tool-freeware/
https://www.sageaudio.com/blog/mastering/what-is-stereo-imaging.php
Hmmmmmmm....... Bzzzzzzz...... Tssssssssssssssssssss...... Shshshshshshshshsh.......
"Nope, I still hear it," me listening in the production room.
"Well, I've rewired ALL power, swapped cards, replaced 8 strips, and all I can say is... you're going to have to DEAL WITH IT!" screams the engineer.
"Is the board plugged into the UPS?" lightbulb goes off above my head.
"Well, the board would HAVE to be plugged into the... DAMMIT!! OF ALL THE STUPID..." engineer screaming about making stupid mistakes.
It always makes me laugh that we have pluggins now to ADD the little audio gremlins that we were always bitching about to the engineer to fix in the analogue era... just sayin'
Not sure about which tutorial it may be...
1. Get a great waveform visualizer
2. Grab your reference track and play it! And it better be the BEST quality possible, a lossless .WAV or Apple's equivalent. Best option is to buy a SACD (used mostly... Super Audio Compact Disc, another lost format), or online from someone that specifically sells lossless audio files (don't skip this step).
For rock, you can't do better than a remastered "Owner of a Lonely Heart" by YES (do I like that song? not really... but the mix is perfect). For Dance/House: "American Dream" by Jakatta (same reason). Jazz/Ballad/Vocal heavy: "Black Crow" by Diana Krall (a perfect song...)
3. Analyze it... peaks, width, consistency with style of music, balance... I could go on for hours. But, that's what it takes. Hours spent with ears open. And then going to listen to the same song on mp3, vinyl, cassette if it were possible... perfect reference headphones (Sony MDR7506) and shitty dime store emergency earbuds... what's there and what's lost? Learning how to hear the difference is INVALUABLE. Can't stress that enough.
or
Get IZotope mastering software, watch guide on applying reference tracks, learn how and why the software works, and apply. Monthly $$, purchasing the software... $$$$
Sort of a PtP shortcut.
Was there a Phrygian video or am I crazy?
SOOO.... I was going to just do this for me. But, that's wrong. Here's the audio from the intro to the video, cleaned and scrubbed without all the background (ship) noise. The computerized voice suffers slightly but Zpor is much clearer. 48K, stereo, 24 bit .wav
Enjoy
https://community.producertech.com/betterledproductions/uploaded_audio/357/scrubbed-intro-for-get-your-wriggle-on
I would like to be involved if this continues
