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In this workbook you will start to be introduced to some of the equipment that you can expect to find in a recording studio. Much of this equipment is also simulated in the computer programs that you’ll find yourself using in a sequencer program.Seeing life on the ‘other side’ of the glass will give you all greater understanding of the nuts and bolts of how records are made. Every musician needs to know a little bit about the processes in this day and age. Gone are the days of big contracts and huge studio complexes. Most bands will find themselves making their own demos at the very least...unless you have a great deal of money that is!!!In this workbook you’ll find a combination of small written and observed tasks. (Note: A separate workbook will take a look at microphones.) Identify common recording studio devices.Can you identify the following studios devices and write a description of what they do?IllustrationDeviceDescriptionDigital mixing deskTascam DM3200For mixing the channels on the desk and getting the levels right. Condenser microphone. Large diaphragm. SE electronics gemini.For vocals, acoustic guitars, string instruments and other parts of the studio. This is a tube microphone, so it has a warm sound and is smooth. It uses dual trio tubes. 20hz-20khz. Headphone output. Power play pro-xl. For monitoring your performance whilst recording. Dynamic microphone. Sure Sm57. Unpowered microphone, used for guitar amps and drums. Powered monitors. These are krk's. To listen to your recording with a flat response. This gives you a more accurate/ honest idea of the true sound of your recording. Pre amp- valve. Analogue pre amp creates warmer sounds, so is good for vocals.Analogue desk Has a good visual, but is harder to use as it is a more complex console. Hard disk recorder. Can edit audio on this format, but cannot add effects to recordings. Modern version of a tape machine. Daw. Digital audio workstation. What are you digitally recording into?e.g. pro tools and logic Audio interface. Sends the audio to the computer to be recorded as digital data. Mac pro. Computer used for running the daw, and taking in the interfaces signal. Pro tools interface. No longer a necessary piece of equipment, as pro tools allows Multi effects unit.Lexicon made effects unit, good for reverbs needed on tracks. Give examples of the connections used on domestic, semi-professional and professional recording studio equipment. Draw examples of the following six popular types of audio connector that you’d find commonly used in a recording studio. Write a description of where they would be best used.Diagram of connector and connections:Where you’d find them used:XLRBalanced. Used on microphones.Unbalanced JackUnbalanced. Used on guitars and bass. Balanced JackBalanced. Used on effects units and keyboards. PhonoUsed in stereo units. Light PipeUsed for interfaces. Stereo 3.5 JackOn headphones and mobile devices. Identify fault finding techniques on audio cables and connections.Give three examples of how you might find faults with any audio cables and/ or connection that you have made?Example 1:Tap the end.Example 2:Plug it in.Example 3:Take it apart to check the connectors. Identify production requirements from a brief. Make a brief list in order of setup of how you will run a full band recording session.Turn on computer.Turn on monitors.Turn on desk. Turn on interfaces. Turn on pre amps. Put what mics you are using into the inputs on the multicore. Set the levels on the mixer and eq on the preamps. Open up your daw.Create all the channels labelled as the correct microphones in correspondence to Modern music relies heavily on adding colour to sounds and mixes. The devices that do this type of thing are called effects processors. There are many types ranging from cheap guitar pedals to fully fledged reverb units costing thousands. In this section of the workbook, you will be looking at a wide range of units and finding out what they do, how they sound and most importantly how you can use such devices in your own music. Through a series of practical work, audio examples, research and small written accounts; you’ll demonstrate a good fundamental understanding of effects processors and their use in today’s music. Please make sure that you complete all sections.Identify different effects processors. With the following illustrations can you identify (You may use the internet to help you if you get stuck.)DiagramDescription (Name and use.)Universal audio limiting amplifier, which stops clipping occurring. No peaking or distortion. tc electronics g-force electric guitar multi effects unit, rack mountable. Line 6 pod. Guitar multi effects. Roland space echo. Re-201. This is a standalone analogue tape delay. Lexicon pro, pcm96. Rack mounted effects unit. Great reverbs. Fairchild limiting amplifier. Used to prevent distortion and peeking/ clipping. Behringer composer pro-xl. Digital pre-amp. Tc electronics reverb effects system. High end studio, rack mounted equipment. Identify the inputs and outputs of an effects processor.In the following diagram can you identify the inputs and the outputs?`Identify the main controls on an effects processor.In the following diagrams, can you accurately fill in the labels describing the function of the main controls:Example:Equaliser section – shapes tone Chan Vol- Adjusts volume of guitar94805588900014052558890002138680889000394970060325004908551254760003311525125476000Drive- adjusts amount of distortion Reverb – Adjusts amount of reverb (sound of being in a large or small room etc.)One: 268403820955000Two: this effects processor has controls for the input level, which works as the volume. 3102619136954300440944013112750017430754191000The wet control manipulates the amount or pure effect that is sent through the systems output.The dry control changes how much of the clean/unaffected sound gets put out.Three: Four:Describe the layout of a mixing deskPlease complete the following written part of this unit. It will show you have a basic understanding of how a mixing desk works.What essentially is a mixing desk? A mixing desk is a console that has multiple balanced and unbalanced inputs with gain, graphic EQ, auxiliary sends and balance controls. There are also normally bus sends and pads on each channel. It is used for physically creating as good mix by changing the levels on the different channels. Mixing desks can be used with an interface for use in a DAW, or they can be used for recording straight into an analogue format e.g. Tape machine/reel to reel. How is it used?It is used to manage your mix physically and quickly. It is also for monitoring. What is a channel strip?A channel strip is an input to the desk with the ability to equalize and set it into the mix immediately and effectively. What is the Gain control for?This controls how much power the signal has. How do I know if I have too little or too much gain?You have too much gain if the sound is clipping. You don’t have enough if the sound isn’t defined enough, or is too soft in the mix. How does EQ affect the sound?EQ defines the sound by giving you the ability to alter the right frequencies so as to make the sound heard as close to the real acoustic sound. What is a parametric EQ?Parametric EQ is a equalisation through the use of amplitude, bandwidth and centre frequency of the mix. What does the Pan Knob do?The pan knob directs where the sound is sent to. That being either left, right or in the centre of the mix. What does the Mute button do?The mute button cuts the signal from the mix. What does the Solo button do?The solo button cuts all other signals from the mix. You will only hear the line selected. What is the difference between post-fade listen and pre-fade listen?Pre fade is sent before the master volume.Post fade is sent out after the master volume. What is an Auxiliary Send?An auxiliary send is an unbalanced line out of the mixer. You can send channels to external devices. How is it used?This can be used for headphone monitoring. Or even an effects processor.What is A Buss?A buss is a master for multiple channels. This means you can adjust the volume for multiple channels with only one fader, rather than adjusting multiple channels.How is it used?It is used for quick accessibility of a mix for multiple channels. For example a drum mix, or the mix for multiple mics on an amp cab. What is a mix-down?This simply means to mix all the tracks on the channels through EQ, compression and set the levels.What can you mix-down to?There are many formats. Mp3, Cd, tape, hard disk and minidisk are common formats. Draw a example of a channel strip and label it8077203048000160147015621000147193016510000Work safely in a recording studio.Please write a small list of possible health and safety hazards that you can potentially see in the studio.When in the studio you must be careful of all the cables used, as they are a potential trip hazard. To ensure nobody trips, you can use electric tape to tie the loose cables down. Volume is a potential risk as the pressure can cause loss of hearing over time. To prevent damaging your ears, stay out of the live room unless wearing protective headphones (noise cancelling) or ear plugs. Make sure that the volumes on the dials are turned down before you turn the system on to prevent there being any pop through the monitors, potentially breaking equipment and causing damage to your ears. Don’t take drinks into the studio to prevent water damage and spillage onto the floor which could make the studio an unsafe environment to walk through. Be careful in the way that you arrange the instruments and furniture in the live room and control room, so as not to create obstacles for people trying to reach the exits in the case of an emergency. Please make sure you have completed every section before submitting the work ................
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