While we’on on compression, have you ever wondered what the Lookahead menu is all about? This value specifies how large of a buffer Compressor uses. A larger value means that the device has longer to analyze the incoming signal, which means that the attack can be more accurate. The nature of analog compressors is to […]
SUBTRACTIVE EQ
There’s a common rule about using EQ in mixing: cut instead of boost. Like many rules, there are about a million exceptions. This one isn’t even really a rule. For me, it’s more of a workflow: first improve the sound of the mix by removing frequencies that sound bad or aren’t necessary, then boost to […]
MID-SIDE EQ
One very cool thing about Live’s EQ is it’s Mid-Side mode: This allows you to apply different EQ settings to the middle and the sides of a stereo signal. If you’re not familiar with Mid-Side, the concept is pretty simple. The Mid is the mono information in a signal – the stuff that’s identical in the […]
MID-SIDE WITH UTILITY
Another way to get some Mid-Side processing into your life is with Live’s Utility device. Have a look at theWidth control: When Width is set to 0%, Utility will eliminate the sides of a stereo signal and pass through only the mono information. At 200%, the middle is discarded and only the purely stereo information […]
THE MID-SIDE RACK
If you really want to get busy with Mid-Side processing, your best bet is to build a Rack. All you need is an Audio Effect Rack with two chains: Drop a Utility device into both chains. Set the Width of the one in the Mid chain to 0% ….and the Sides chain to 200%. Now, […]
THE SIDECHAIN FREEZE
Special thanks to Francis Preve for suggesting this tip many months ago…if you’re not familiar with Francis, make sure to check him out. He makes great music and is a terrific educator – he’s the author of the Remixer’s Bible and countless articles for Keyboard magazine. If you’ve ever tried to freeze a track that […]
THE SIDECHAIN FREEZE, pt. 2
Once you’ve frozen a track that requires a sidechained effect, you’re faced with a decision. Do you need to keep the track frozen, or can it be flattened? If you’re prepared to flatten the track, it’s very simple. Flatten the track, then drag the sidechain device from the track you temporarily parked it in back […]
THE SIDECHAIN FREEZE: STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
The prior tips for freezing a track containing a sidechain device assume that you’re fine with the device being at the very end of the effect chain. For example, what if you’ve got a sidechained Compressor sitting before EQ and distortion? If you move the compressor out of the track, then add it back after […]
THE SIDECHAIN FREEZE: THE CATCH
When you render\export a track with a sidechain effect, you need to bear in mind that it becomes possible for the rendered effect to become out of sync with the sidechain source. That’s the problem with rendering sidechain effects, and the very problem that was mentioned in the first tip on this topic. Therefore, when […]
BEATING THE SIDECHAIN CLICK
You may have noticed that Live’s Compressor sometimes produces an audible clicking sound in the signal when the sidechain is activated. There are two easy ways around this. Turn up the Knee: This applies the compression more gradually and often stops the clicking. Or, switch Mode to FF1: FF1 tends to be the most lo-fi […]
