Sometimes you also have to give back

[Autotune Prophet]

Hi everybody,

I'm a long time reader and finally decided to register to gearslutz.

I have gained so much knowledge from this site (big props and respect to Jules for making it all possible!) that it would have been a damn shame if I didn't register in the end...

So here I am writing my first post and I thought it would be appreciated if I introduced myself: (no worries I'll make it brief):

I live in France at the moment and am your typical bedroom producer striving to make a living out of his passion for music.

I compose hip-hop, rnb, and "pop" music mainly... I sample, I have some (decent) piano skills and I'll plan to learn bass and guitar in the near future...

My setup: DAW + 37 key controller + MPC 2000 XL/Ensoniq ASR 10 (which I bought recently and barely use... more on this later) + Ideas FOR DECADES.

Bottom line is:

in one of her songs Teedra Moses (extraordinary and yet so underrated female rnb singer) said "All you do is take... but you never give back".

So I finally decided to give back to a community that has provided me with so much knowledge (I seriously don't know where I would be as far as mixing is concerned without gearslutz) by signing up... I hope I'll be able to contribute to this forum in the future.

Lastly I wanted to say thank you to people who - through their contributions - have particularly helped me: (out of memory... I'll probably forget somebody)

e-cue (wow... so much experience and never shy to share his techniques), thetrillfactor, sirocco (from whom I have learned some great drum tips), themaestro (I love to see people on the come up), Tony B (for moderating the most dangerous sub-forum on all gearslutz), khameln (who used to post on gs... damn, hands down one of the best producer I've discovered through the internet), phillysoulman (very fresh viewpoints and undeniable experience... it's good to have at least someone going against the grain), and then the super big boys: Ken Lewis, Mike Dean, Samiam, Dave Pensado, JMH... It's nothing BUT incredible to have people that talented at our disposal.

I think that's it.

In my next post: my disapointment about some glorified hardware pieces (MPC, ASR, ...) and my love for software-based setups.

[MYAMS]

How many hits per week does your blog get?

[Autotune Prophet]

What are you talking about? I don't have any blog...

If your remark is a diss: just know that where I come from people introduce themselves. I like to do things that way so that people who will be reading my (future) contributions to this site know how reliable the information I provide is.

But first and foremost: I wanted to thank people who constantly drop knowledge and have helped me so far...

AP

[T. Gundersen]

I'm probably a bit "off" by this forums standard, but I enjoyed reading your post. Welcome!

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by Autotune Prophet

What are you talking about? I don't have any blog...

If your remark is a diss: just know that where I come from people introduce themselves. I like to do things that way so that people who will be reading my (future) contributions to this site know how reliable the information I provide is.

But first and foremost: I wanted to thank people who constantly drop knowledge and have helped me so far...

AP

Glad to have ya.

I like you already.

[phillysoulman]

Originally Posted by Autotune Prophet

Hi everybody,

I'm a long time reader and finally decided to register to gearslutz.

I have gained so much knowledge from this site (big props and respect to Jules for making it all possible!) that it would have been a damn shame if I didn't register in the end...

So here I am writing my first post and I thought it would be appreciated if I introduced myself: (no worries I'll make it brief):

I live in France at the moment and am your typical bedroom producer striving to make a living out of his passion for music.

I compose hip-hop, rnb, and "pop" music mainly... I sample, I have some (decent) piano skills and I'll plan to learn bass and guitar in the near future...

My setup: DAW + 37 key controller + MPC 2000 XL/Ensoniq ASR 10 (which I bought recently and barely use... more on this later) + Ideas FOR DECADES.

Bottom line is:

in one of her songs Teedra Moses (extraordinary and yet so underrated female rnb singer) said "All you do is take... but you never give back".

So I finally decided to give back to a community that has provided me with so much knowledge (I seriously don't know where I would be as far as mixing is concerned without gearslutz) by signing up... I hope I'll be able to contribute to this forum in the future.

Lastly I wanted to say thank you to people who - through their contributions - have particularly helped me: (out of memory... I'll probably forget somebody)

e-cue (wow... so much experience and never shy to share his techniques), thetrillfactor, sirocco (from whom I have learned some great drum tips), themaestro (I love to see people on the come up), Tony B (for moderating the most dangerous sub-forum on all gearslutz), khameln (who used to post on gs... damn, hands down one of the best producer I've discovered through the internet), phillysoulman (very fresh viewpoints and undeniable experience... it's good to have at least someone going against the grain), and then the super big boys: Ken Lewis, Mike Dean, Samiam, Dave Pensado, JMH... It's nothing BUT incredible to have people that talented at our disposal.

I think that's it.

In my next post: my disapointment about some glorified hardware pieces (MPC, ASR, ...) and my love for software-based setups.

Welcome to GS my friend.
Im always willing to help and thanks for recognizing my "against the grain" approach.

Vive le difference

[Noritaka]

Vive "LA" différence
Welcome to the board, I'm french too, and yeah Gearslutz is the only forum where so many talented and skilled guys are ready to share their experience....

THAT IS LOVE!

Sharing some moments of authentic knowledge with guys who are or begin to be at this level of the industry .... this level most of us are willing to be at... this is so inspiring...

This is tribute to Gearslutz thread!!!

[Sirocco]

Thanks for the kind words and welcome!

[Autotune Prophet]

Thanks everybody for the welcomes! It's appreciated.

By the way Sirocco: I have question for you:

(If you prefer to discuss this in private, tell me so and I'll send you a pm.. no probs)

I was going through some old threads here on GS and in one of them (can't remember exactly which though) you were refering to your drum "mult" (eg. parallel compression) techniques.

You specifically mentionned a tutorial you did on that and which got apprently deleted.

Do you happen to have this tutorial stored on your computer somewhere, because I really (REALLY) would like to know your approach on (drum) mults?

If not, do you mind to write another (maybe a little shorter if time is not on your side atm) post on how do you approach mults (eg. creating multiple copies of a same drum and compressing, eqing them differently)?

Big thanks in advance for your time and patience Sirocco.

AP

[Sirocco]

Sure. Be warned this is over 2 years old thought. A lot of techniques of mine have changed but the principle is the same. Audio quality sucks -- take it for what its worth. My newer tutorials out soon will be a ton better - with almost lossless quality.

P.S. the extreme settings I used on the 2buss are not meant to be used in a regular track. They were strictly being used as a drum buss. I was still 17 so excuse the annoying voice..

YouTube - Bangin Kick

[Autotune Prophet]

Oh yeah, I remember this video.

It's funny because at the time I saw this video I wasn't really aware of the fact that what you were doing was essentially "parallel processing" (or whatever you want to call it)... Just taking different kicks and focusing on "attack" (bottom), "body", etc.

(If my questions start to get annoying just tell me... but I'm just the type of person that is perpetually willing to learn)

About this video:

1) At 2:39 you're modifying the shape of the kick WITHIN Cubase. The window is called "******? CURVE"... Is this just an ADSR function that is built in within cubase? If so, what VST plugin do you suggest to do this outside of cubase (eg. in a DAW where you don't have such a function built in)?

2) Don't you think that it's better (for it sounds better i guess...) to modify the shape of kick through compression (eg. by playing with attack/release times)? Maybe do you do it now (see below)?

A lot of techniques of mine have changed but the principle is the same

3) Do you mind elaborating on this a little bit. What has changed? (pm offer stands)

4) For example: I see (tell me if I'm wrong) that you increasingly rely on hardware to make it happen?

Honestly: do you think that a dbx160 or a distressor (which I think you use atm) are hardware pieces that are simply years ahead of any vst plugins (including Waves API, SSL series...)? If not, why use them?

Once again: thanks for the patience.

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by Autotune Prophet

Oh yeah, I remember this video.

It's funny because at the time I saw this video I wasn't really aware of the fact that what you were doing was essentially "parallel processing" (or whatever you want to call it)... Just taking different kicks and focusing on "attack" (bottom), "body", etc.

(If my questions start to get annoying just tell me... but I'm just the type of person that is perpetually willing to learn)

About this video:

1) At 2:39 you're modifying the shape of the kick WITHIN Cubase. The window is called "******? CURVE"... Is this just an ADSR function that is built in within cubase? If so, what VST plugin do you suggest to do this outside of cubase (eg. in a DAW where you don't have such a function built in)?

2) Don't you think that it's better (for it sounds better i guess...) to modify the shape of kick through compression (eg. by playing with attack/release times)? Maybe do you do it now (see below)?

3) Do you mind elaborating on this a little bit. What has changed? (pm offer stands)

4) For example: I see (tell me if I'm wrong) that you increasingly rely on hardware to make it happen?

Honestly: do you think that a dbx160 or a distressor (which I think you use atm) are hardware pieces that are simply years ahead of any vst plugins (including Waves API, SSL series...)? If not, why use them?

Once again: thanks for the patience.

1) Its a EQ.
2) No. Way less flexibility. Compression is good to fit a kick in context with it's surrounding elements, however.
3) Everything. Way too much to go into or type. I will have videos up soon.
4) Hardware is exponentially better than software as far as 'mojo' goes. For transparent processing, such as something like the sonnox equalizer, they are neck and neck -- the software might even be better due the mathematical nature they imply.
5) Don't take this video too seriously - I did it on the fly and it was late -- it's not something you should technically follow - but an avenue to bolster your creativity, if youwill.

[Exmun]

Welcome to GS.

[Autotune Prophet]

Thanks Sirocco

GS is really a great place to exchange ideas... Although I think the clever usage of compression can work wonders when parallel processing sounds.

Man I have so much ideas in my head right now. I defintly will try to combine your techniques with what has already prooved to be working for me.

Last word: I'm looking forward to these videos! I hope you're planning to realease them soon.

[Sirocco]

Originally Posted by Autotune Prophet

Thanks Sirocco

GS is really a great place to exchange ideas... Although I think the clever usage of compression can work wonders when parallel processing sounds.

Man I have so much ideas in my head right now. I defintly will try to combine your techniques with what has already prooved to be working for me.

Last word: I'm looking forward to these videos! I hope you're planning to realease them soon.

A bit after the release of urban fire 4 - and my new company S2 Sounds (modernbeats competitor). They will be freestyle videos off the top of the dome - no planned nonsense). Lots will just be me shooting the breeze about the industry today as well.
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS : Products : Kore Line : KORE SOUNDPACKS : Urban Arsenal

[diggin24seven]

WHERE THE **** IS MY PROPS?!?!!!!

nah i'm jp. welcome to gearslutz.

[ryst]

Originally Posted by Autotune Prophet

Honestly: do you think that a dbx160 or a distressor (which I think you use atm) are hardware pieces that are simply years ahead of any vst plugins (including Waves API, SSL series...)? If not, why use them?

First of all, welcome to GS! Second, I am not Sirocco but I would day yes to the
that (^) question. I'm not sure by how many years but If I have yet to hear a soft comp that can do what a distressor or any other great hardware comp can do. That's just my opinion though.

[Autotune Prophet]

To be honest: I've been mixing my own (unreleased... for the most part) material for the last 2/3 years and somehow I still believe that you can do a great job with plugins only. No question about that, I think I've done it multiple times so far.

Yet I'm really looking forward to applying the techniques I have learned with plugins on hardware eqs, comps, ...

I wonder: will i go like "WOWWWW! I've been loosing my time with plugins all these years! HARDWARE IS THE REAL DEAL" or more like "OH okay... interesting. I can't tell wether it's better or not, but it is definitly something diferrent (sound-wise) than working with plugins only. I like it"...

With a bit of luck, I'll be able to tell all that in a few weeks/months as I plan to be an intern in a studio (Heidelberg, Germany... that's where I have to find a studio to intern).

Hopefully I'll be able to do that while pursuing studies at the same time

[Justice]

Yea and how can you forget "Big Jus"!

The big console/analog king in this biotch!!!!!


Man I'm sooooooooooooo tired of getting hated on!

MPC3G for eva bitches!

Welcome anyway!

[ryst]

Originally Posted by Autotune Prophet

To be honest: I've been mixing my own (unreleased... for the most part) material for the last 2/3 years and somehow I still believe that you can do a great job with plugins only. No question about that, I think I've done it multiple times so far.

Yet I'm really looking forward to applying the techniques I have learned with plugins on hardware eqs, comps, ...

I wonder: will i go like "WOWWWW! I've been loosing my time with plugins all these years! HARDWARE IS THE REAL DEAL" or more like "OH okay... interesting. I can't tell wether it's better or not, but it is definitly something diferrent (sound-wise) than working with plugins only. I like it"...

With a bit of luck, I'll be able to tell all that in a few weeks/months as I plan to be an intern in a studio (Heidelberg, Germany... that's where I have to find a studio to intern).

Hopefully I'll be able to do that while pursuing studies at the same time

I never said or even implied that you can't do a great job completely ITB with plug ins only. You definitely can! But in my experience, hardware wins. I am completely ITB right now. I will eventually become more OTB as more money comes in. But some of my favorite mixers are completely ITB and I love their mixes. In fact, sometimes I love mixing ITB simply for the challenge. And who knows, by the time I can afford a lot of outboard comps, plug ins could reach the level where I am hoping they will. Again, this is just my opinion.

[Electronique]

This reeks of the pungent aroma of Christianity..

[Left Headphone]

Originally Posted by Electronique

This reeks of the pungent aroma of Christianity..

WTF!

[beat you down]

Originally Posted by Autotune Prophet

What are you talking about? I don't have any blog...

hold your paranoid horses...
i think myams replied to this:

Guest Writers Wanted

[Barznbeats1]

Originally Posted by Sirocco

Sure. Be warned this is over 2 years old thought. A lot of techniques of mine have changed but the principle is the same. Audio quality sucks -- take it for what its worth. My newer tutorials out soon will be a ton better - with almost lossless quality.

P.S. the extreme settings I used on the 2buss are not meant to be used in a regular track. They were strictly being used as a drum buss. I was still 17 so excuse the annoying voice..

YouTube - Bangin Kick

That was my first time seeing that vid. Nice work sirocco.

[MYAMS]

Originally Posted by beat you down

hold your paranoid horses...
i think myams replied to this:

Guest Writers Wanted

thats right... my b