No particuliar order..

* Listening Tip #1 - Check Phase

    When setting up mics for recording or checking tracks while mixing there is an easy way to check phase. Put your monitors in mono and flip phase of the stereo track or double mics you are using. While flipping phase back and forth you will hear that one way will have more low frequencies than the other. This setting will be the appropriate “in-phase” combination.

* Recording Tip #5 - Reducing Sibilance

    I know there are many ways to reduce it after the fact, but hey, stop it before it gets to tape (hard drive). You are a great engineer! So if someone has big “SS’s” (no jokes please), tape a pencil vertically along the front of the microphone. This helps to split the air of the consonant before it hits the diaphragm of the mic. It also works for plosives if they are getting past the wind screen. Nutty, but it does work most of the time...

*Recording Tip #6 - Brighter Vocals

   Alright, this one is rumored to be passed down from Amy Grant before she could drive. Although, I suspect it was discovered in the 60’s or 70’s when someone had the munchies. If the vocal is just not recording with a sparkle or edge and EQ is just not doing it, have the singer eat potato chips. Not too much water to chase it. Liquid does the opposite of the intended effect. Just enough chips to rough up the throat and add a little sheen. Don’t tell your vocal coach though...

* Recording Tip #1 - Keep the band fed!!

    A friend just reminded me of this... Goobstoppers, donuts, burgers, subs, whatever. I get cranky when I get hungry, so keep everyone happy. Plenty of food! This will never Change!

* Recording Tip #2 - Fun For Guitars

    If you want more chug or thump out of your guitars, place the amp face up on the floor! This acoustically couples it to the floor. (I know, big word, braggert) Basically all the sound comes straight up. Set your mic above the amp aiming straight down at it. Vvvroom, now its cranking! Did this once with a small Marshall practice amp because that’s all the player had. When we cranked it, it wouldn’t sit still on the floor, so we duct taped it in place. It ended up sounding like a 4 x 12 cabinet....

* Recording Tip #3 - Multi-Mics to Single Source

    When using mics on an acoustic single source, it is very wise to check phase. Guitars, piano, drums, anything you are using more than one mic in close proximity. It’s best to keep a 1 to 3 ratio from mic to another. exg, If you are using a mic 1 foot from the source, the next mic should be 3 feet from the source. This ratio is a guideline to remember. Then check using Listening Tip #1

* Recording Tip #4 - Recorded Vocal Level

    I know now a days everyone sets the vocal sound and leaves it, just in case you gotta come back and there is not any real engineer involved in the process. What I do, is get a setting on the vocal in the medium level of the song thus setting an average compression & Eq level. Then as I record, I turn up the preamp in soft sections to drive the compression and turn down the preamp in the loud sections to keep the compression where I want it. As an engineer recording a vocal, you are always working the level, no sitting back! The mix engineer will love you for it and so will radio...

Short Video Clips

coming soon..