Quick Tip: Drum Variations with Clips in FL Studio
“Playlist clips in FL Studio can be sliced up and rearranged, which is an easy way to add fills and syncopated variations to drums. Once we have some variations, we can merge the clip slices and then clean it up a bit in the piano roll.”
Using Guitar Amp Simulators 101, Part 2
“In the first part of Guitar Amp Simulators 101, we looked at the fundamentals of choosing, setting up and getting started with an amplifier plugin. In this second part, we’re going to get our hands dirty and really get to grips with how to get the best out of our software amps.
“As before, and largely for the sake of practicality, I’m working primarily in Guitar Rig, but many of the techniques we’ll look at can be applied to whatever software you’re using. Feel free to share your own software specific tips and tricks in the comments!”
Seven Steps To Writing Memorable Melodies – Part 3
“Welcome back to Part 3 of our mini-series in ‘Seven Steps To Writing Memorable Melodies’. If you missed the previous parts, then I do urge you to pop over and read those first, as there is a natural progression of the steps as we build on information learned from each previous stage. You can read Part 1 here, and Part 2 here.”
Quick Tip: Realistic Solo Orchestra Instruments with Keyswitch Articulations
“Performers who play orchestral instruments often use multiple playing styles throughout a piece of music. Therefore, knowing when to switch articulations is important for computer composers who want to achieve a realistic sound. Fortunately, many orchestral VSTi have a feature that helps us do this, called keyswitching.”
Mastering Elements Part 3: Multi-band Compression
“As many of you will know by now mastering is a subject with many facets. Learning how to successfully treat your tracks after your mix is complete generally requires a good amount of experience but some solid technique will get you going in the right direction.
“To get this essential theory embedded I have decided to chop a typical mastering chain into nice bite-sized pieces. This way we can focus on each processor one at a time. At the end of the series we’ll look at the whole chain in action. This tutorial looks at multi-band compression and what it can do for you during a mastering session.”
Quick Tip: MIDI Translation – MIDI to Keystrokes
“There are certain function and keyboard shortcuts a musician would like to use during a mixing or a live session that are not MIDI mappable. In this tutorial I am going to show you a way of mapping virtually any keyboard shortcut to your MIDI controller extending the functionality of your live set or mixing session.
“We are going to use a program called Bome’s MIDI Translator. The classic edition of the software is free for personal use (PostcardWare). For more info on what PostcardWare is click here. You can download Bome’s MIDI Translator Classic from here. There is a Pro edition of the software with more capabilities. The classic version will do for our purposes. The is also a beta version for OS X that Mac user can use.”
“SONAR is a Windows-only MIDI sequencer and digital audio workstation developed by Cakewalk. Roland acquired a majority share in the company in 2008, and their logo was changed to “Cakewalk by Roland”. The program runs on Windows Vista (including 64-bit), and version 8.5 is the first DAW for Windows 7. It is also the only major DAW to have a scripting language.”
Imitate Guitar Techniques With MIDI Part 1 – Glissando (2 Semitones)
“An arranger often needs to create a guitar solo track. When there is no guitar (or guitarist) available, he needs to apply various VST instruments, samplers, and so on. His hardest task is imitating live guitar playing techniques with controllers. Especially the most unique and “tasty” guitar sounds – those made with string bending and glissando (sliding up and down the neck).
It is important to understand the difference between imitation of these two techniques. Usually, bending imitation is achieved while playing MIDI-keyboards using the pitch wheel in real time. Definite skills are required here, and we’ll discuss them in the upcoming tutorials. Imitation of the sliding technique with the pitch wheel, on the other hand, is rather difficult, as the pitch is not altered slowly, but quickly and unevenly (imitating the sliding finger as it comes into contact with each fret on the guitar neck).”
Quick Tip: How to Use DXF Patches in East West Quantum Leap Orchestra
“Do you have high standards about achieving realism with orchestral sounds? DXF Patches in East West Quantum Leap Orchestra are controlled via the mod wheel and they can help you achieve better realism when sequencing orchestral music in your DAW.”
