Pretty much every sampler and virtual instrument these days comes with some sort of factory installed sounds. To me this is a matter of convenience really. A way to demonstrate the capabilities of the sampler or instrument.

One of the many features that makes Reason such a powerful tool is the ability to import your own samples and loops including vocals. Reason has three highly flexible and sonically incredible synthesizers which all generate sound through the use of oscillators, filters and the modulation of these devices.

They have done it again! Digidesign never seizes to amaze me.

So I’m writing this blog to let everyone know that if you have considered taking a class on Pro Tools Artistry, this couldn’t be a better time!

Digidesign as always, focuses on making this software more customizable for everyone’s needs. Each year I have the privilege of going to San Francisco and sitting in a room with other fellow instructors from all over the world and discussing the new features and upcoming releases.

One of my favorite parts of this annual visit is when suggestions are made on the software. The reason I’m saying this is because after looking at the new version I see so many of the request that all the instructors suggest come to life.

Pro Tools Window Configurations

One of my new favorite functions in Pro Tools is Window Configurations. Even though it was a new feature in Pro Tools 7.3, it wasn’t implemented into my everyday workflow until recently. What a timesaver. Window configurations can store Mix Window display settings, Edit Window Display settings, Transport Window Display settings, and Window layouts together or individually.

October 2008 Dallas Class

Every now and again I get the pleasure of teaching a group of Pro Tools students that just seem to be a cut above the norm.

My October 2008 class in Dallas was just such a group. Maybe it was their yearn to learn or the speed in which they grasped all the engineering and editing concepts I kept throwing at them or perhaps it was something a little less tangible that just happened to make proud I donned my teaching robes that day. Whatever it was it did help to reinforce an idea that I harbor and always try to instill in my students.

There are many ways to design soundscapes for many purposes.

I would like to take this opportunity to share a valuable way to get fat sounds using Analog emulation synthesizers.

Now that DSP (digital signal processing) is so fast we are able to use virtual instruments that are rivaling the analog hardware synths. Any of the virtual or Analog synths can produce a custom sound based on synthesis. One of my favorite ways to create my own sounds is based on ADSR envelopes. An ADSR envelope is a component of many synthesizers, samplers and other electronic musical instruments Its function is to modulate some aspect of the instrument's sound— often its loudness— over time.

I’ve had my share of painful Hard Drive moments so ill save the horror stories and get to the point.

If you are using a "Hard disk recording system" (i.e. Pro Tools) your "hard drive" is one of the most important components of your system.

So here are a few helpful tips in hard drive maintenance: