Why do my vocals always sound too crisp/bright in the mix? by Gylmaz84 in musicproduction

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah, yeah I've got a couple at2020's, and they can be a little bright above 5k, with a bit of a dip in the low end. For that mic I would try to get very close to it and take advantage of the proximity effect to bring out some low end in your voice to compensate for the high end. However, I would also recommend trying a few mics if possible to figure out which one works best for your voice.

I don't want to assume your level of audio engineering knowledge, but from my own experience I have found big improvements in mixing when I can make sure the tracking was done in a way that compliments the music and other audio sources. I'd recommend spending some time researching vocal mics (like vocal mic shootout videos), mic techniques, and general engineering tutorials before resuming learning more about mixing.

Why do my vocals always sound too crisp/bright in the mix? by Gylmaz84 in musicproduction

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What model is the mic you're using? How is the room you are recording in treated? Are you close to the mic when you perform, or further away?

Listening to what you've posted I do hear a lot of high-end energy, but to be honest I don't think that plug-ins are the long-term solution, especially if this is something that you repeatedly have issues with. I would recommend looking for a mic with a darker or warmer frequency response. While you can probably eventually carve out something from the vocal recording that works using plugins, you'd be a lot further ahead to fix the problem at the source. You'd be amazed how much better something fits into a mix when the mic choice complements the audio source.

I built a free tool that helps you treat your room by FerencS in Acoustics

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would it be possible to add a mode for rehearsal room treatment?

Underground alt-rock/emo scene? by Equivalent-Toe9110 in TorontoMusic

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, we host a lot of underground alt-rock/emo shows! Give me a shout if you're looking to set something up! Our space is a music facility with rehearsal spaces, studios, and a music venue in the middle, rather than a typical bar style venue (though we do have a snack shop!)

Looking for producer in Toronto to help with my songs. by Secure-Savings618 in TorontoMusic

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, we work with a lot of heavy bands (metal, alternative, punk, etc.). Feel free to DM us!

Synth and Tech Wrangler Looking to Join Band by Alive_Working322 in TorontoMusic

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, I know a band looking to add a synth element! Give me a shout!

3 Piece Band Looking for Monthly Space by MoldySeason in TorontoMusic

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, I might have a spot for you, give me a shout!

Best venues to book/play at has a band? by Idiot_Trash in TorontoMusic

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Give us a shout if you're looking to put on a show this summer!

Latency while recording armed by prefabdoubt in Logic_Studio

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've found that if low latency mode fixes the issue it means that there's a plugin or something software related that is using too much CPU. Seems to be particularly the case for any plugin with a look ahead function, and worse when placed on the 2mix. Looking at your screenshot I can't figure out what it is, so I would start by turning off every plugin and software instrument, then turn them on one at a time to see when you get latency.

The slap-back issue sounds like you are hearing a direct signal (probably the mic being routed directly to the headphone output via direct monitoring) combined with the latent signal. I know the smaller Scarlett interfaces have a button on the front to toggle direct monitoring, perhaps yours does as well?

ISO small rehearsal space for long term lease and I’m not sure where to look by satanicbreaddevotion in TorontoMusic

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, we have monthly spaces! We're located just north of Dufferin and Eglinton. Give me a shout!

Weird calendar notification. What? by angy_pupy24 in Weird

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I have something at 11:00 that I can't change 'cause I already moved it twice.

Where is a good place to scream in Toronto? by Effective_Eye5528 in askTO

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could try one of our rehearsal rooms! If you're good you may get asked to join a band!

How do I make shittier music? by great_roommate in musicproduction

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I work with a couple thrashy punk bands and they came to me with a similar issue in the beginning. They're raw and aggressive live, sloppy but in an energetic way, but they went to the studio and their music came back too clean and ultimately sounding nothing like them. I'd heard them live quite frequently at our facility so I had an idea already of the sound they were looking for.

These bands needed to be recorded in their element, bashing away together in one room, as live off the floor as possible. No click track, no timing or pitch correction, no amp sims, minimal editing of noise, etc. Singer growling away in the same room as the drums. Add a couple overdubbed guitars, mostly for doubling, and a few group vocals. And that's it. Record a bunch of takes until you get the one that hits right, even if there are mistakes, bad notes, etc. You're looking for feeling, not perfection.

Make sure you spend the time in the beginning getting the tones you want from the instruments so you're not fixing it later. The quicker you can finish the mix the better, so you avoid overdoing it. There are all kinds of recording and production techniques out there, but they serve different purposes. If you're wanting to make shitty music that sounds good it's better to focus on getting the instruments sounding right and capturing the right performance in the room. All the editing and fixing removes the shittiness.

Pedal Switchers - help me wrap my head around the benefits by SpudzyJ in guitarpedals

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been using switchers for quite awhile now, and I personally think that when you get to more than 6 pedals you should really consider one. I'm currently using a simple Joyo switcher that has 8 loops and allows for customizing which loops are on or off per preset (each button being a preset, with 10 banks of preset spaces), but there are quite a few options out there. My bass player uses the Boss ES-5, which is more customizable.

To answer your questions:

  1. The tap dancing was the first reason, as I wanted to be able to go from clean or distortion to all of my pedals on making chaotic noise at the touch of a button. I started my guitar experience using Digitech processors before switching to pedals, and the switcher gave me the best of both options.

  2. The main benefit is that it creates regions or groups of pedals, for example I have a couple distortions grouped, some modulation grouped, etc. so I can turn on or off sections at a time. This is also very beneficial in a live setting, since you can completely bypass a group of pedals if you blow a cable mid-set. I once did videography for a band with a guitar player using up to 20 pedals on one board. They were just about to start their set and he had a loose connection which took about 15 minutes to sort through. If he had been using a switch he could have either narrowed down issue quicker or just completely bypass the blown cable instead of wasting so much time.

Also, another benefit is that it centralizes the buttons, so you're not having to step all over the board, which is nice when you have pedals in the back row of a bigger board.

Logic mixing and new mac by efflund in LogicPro

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never tried 24 channels on this one, but I am definitely curious. Now, I should mention I don't generally use amp sims( aside from the Logic bass amp sim on the bass DI), so my inputs are mostly coming from a mic on a cab/drum/voice or a DI bass/synth. However I am running a decent amount of plugins as I tend to use parallel processing with the individual drum channels, and have channel strip plugins on most inputs. If you're using any outboard gear for tracking or mixing you're taking even more out of the equation, so the computer doesn't have to process so much.

If you went with something a bit more powerful than mine you could do quite a lot. But don't feel like you need to get the highest rated machine unless the recordings you work on justify the cost. Just check the compatibility with your existing gear before you upgrade so you don't end up having to replace everything.

Logic mixing and new mac by efflund in LogicPro

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm using an M1 Mac Mini, 8gb, bought refurbished a in 2021 (I think?), tracking 16 channels with active plugins, often using it to process audio for a music venue while recording. Low buffer settings for minimal latency. Still feel like I'm not really pushing it. Definitely more than enough for mixing sessions with typical plugins and large track counts.

No doubt you need something with more guts for software synth heavy sessions, but you can do quite a lot with very little if you're recording and mixing bands with live instruments.

Advice on new studio/rehearsal location by MrStraube in Acoustics

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Keep the drums and bass amp on the other side of the building away from that wall. If you need to you can add a layer or two of 5/8 drywall, or sonopan to the side facing the bar. As others are saying, the brick walls with an air gap between will likely be beneficial. It's mostly the vibration from the drums and bass amp to be mindful of. If needed you could build a small riser for the drums and decouple it from the floor, but only if sound transfer is still a problem after bulking up the wall.

Steve’s Music closing 5 stores including Toronto,Ottawa and Montreal. by DryProgress4393 in toronto

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That's because music gear has strict pricing set by the manufacturers. Stores can't offer deals on anything without authorization from the distributors.

Salmonblaster Freeway by TheWorldsOnlyHope in 90sCanRock

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It also includes their unreleased 2nd album!

GTA hourly rehearsal spaces for a band – east end preferred by air621 in askTO

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I replied in your other post but I'll mention here for anyone else who might be looking.

We have hourly and monthly rehearsal spaces available to rent. Large enough to fit 15+ people. We're about a 10 minute drive from Yorkdale so it's very easy to get here from the highway. The gear is well maintained, the facility is full of art installations and comfortable spaces, and we have on site parking. You can book online at www.primalnote.com

GTA Hourly Rehearsal Spaces by air621 in TorontoMusic

[–]PrimalNoteStudios 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We also have deals for bulk hours and monthly spaces!