This is another less than exciting task but also super important to your mix prep stage: Gain staging. This is when you make sure each audio file is sitting a healthy level. What is healthy? Well there are tons of forums and debates about this... but the main thing is this:

1. Don't let the input come in too hot... ie peaking the meters.

2. Don't let the input be so soft that there is no way to turn it up enough even after jacking up the fader.

A good general level to aim for is -18 to -10 db. But don't stress about it too. much.. not too loud and not too quiet. : ) 

An easy way to meter this is with Pre Fader metering... that will give you the best picture of what the audio file is actually coming in at. 

From there you can use Clip Gain to adjust the level until its sitting in a good place. 

NOTE: Gain control in Logic is a little weird. You can find it the inspector but there is not really anything next to it. So you have to click and drag in the blank...

Sometimes you might be working on a track and the Hi Hats need a little excitement. Here are a few tips to get things going. 

In this video you will learn about:

Adding Chorus for WIDTH

Using a tremolo plugin as an auto pan for MOTION

Adding Reverb for DEPTH

Check out the video and try it out for yourself!!

Now GO MAKE MUSIC

5 Steps to a BIG FAT SNARE

Step 1 - Tune the Snare

To do this you must first know the key of the song then you listen to the snare and find its natural fundamental. This song is in Em and the natural snare resonate is in F. You can use your ears and a piano or synth to listen and fins the key from there you can transpose the sample to fit the note you want. using the first pitch of the key (AKA the tonic) is always a safe bet. In this case its E. You make have to use fine tuning as well to get it just right, but mostly use your ears!

Step 2 Stack the Octaves

Once you get the snare tuned you stack the octaves one above or one below or all three.. experiment here. You might have to do some math during the process of tuning 12 semi tones. I believe in you!

Step 3 Boost the Fundamental

Now that you have the stacks its time to boost the fundamental again use your ears or an EQ analyzer (usually in the plugin) or a frequency chart to find the frequency you want to boost....

In this video I take you through a mini masterclass in compression using a midi piano as our sound source. I will talk about all the controls of a compressor and how to use them to get the sound your want.

Are you working on pop rock or hip hop music that needs a piano to sit well in the mix… Meaning not jump out too much but also not get lost but at the same time feel close and intimate in the soft sections???

Compression is the way to go.

(04:50) We will dive deep into attack time and how much that can change your sound.

Ever wanted to know the difference between a “squishy” piano and a “plinky” piano??

Well here’s your chance! : )

The video is about 12 minutes long so I suggests pulling up your favorite piano instrument and giving yourself about 20 minutes after this video to play around with the concepts inside and see what you discover!

For more in-depth training with compression check out my compression masterclass HERE

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