[sdiy] Advice

[john mahoney]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "b 111" <popsicko at hotmail.com>
>
> I'm needing some advice. I do everything in my computer. Synths, samplers,
> guitar amps. I'm a laptop kinda guys. The only problem is that I find the
> sound to be a little "unhh" stale? I was wondering if you might have
advice
> on something a newbie could build that I could run tracks thru to fatten
> them up a bit? Oh and if you've got any cool ideas on projects that would
be
> good audio manglers send them my way also.

Brad,
The more specific you are, the better people will be able to help.

Where are you finding the sound stale?
Is your problem with the overall mix? Lead synth sounds? Pads, strings,
horns...?
Are you using any processors and effects? Which?
Which synths/softsynths are you using?
What style of music you are producing? Name some artists or songs that sound
like you want to.

If your synth sounds are stale, have you tried layering, where the same
notes are played by two different synths? Sometimes this works best with 2
sounds that are similar but produced by different synths (ex.: strings),
other times you can blend 2 very different sounds. Pan the 2 sounds
differently to spread them in the stereo field.

There are lots of audio manglers, but they have different applications,
that's why I was wondering where your sound needs the most help.

Compression is hardly a mangler, but it's often missing from home studios.
Few people know how to apply it well and creatively. A good compressor is
valuable, knowing how to use it is invaluable. (I'm no expert, myself.) A
good compressor used properly really fattens things up.

I would not discourage you from building a DIY project. :-) However, you
might be better off reading some good articles on creative mixing, use of
"dynamics processors" (compression, etc.), and use of effects.


No, wait... Before some other wonk says this, forget all the above! The
problem is that you are doing everything digitally. That's why it sounds
stale. Only pure analog can save your sound and your soul. Repent now,
sinner!! </tongueincheek>
--
john