Archive for September, 2008
Tech Tuesday: Compression
So I have we always have to give it up to people doing big thing in the dance music community, and the people over at Beatportal usually are sitting top of the list. The article bellow goes into how to utilize compression to liven up a track, make a mix cd more clear, or just give an overall higher quality of sound to what ever you are working on. For those of you who especially use Abelton, this article directly impacts you as Abletong is the key software focus of this article.
In our first installment on audio processing tools, we’ll tackle one of the most basic – yet seemingly arcane – tools in a producer’s arsenal.
The compressor.
Correctly applied compression is one of the most useful techniques for bringing a track to life, adding impact and character to everything from bass and drums to an entire mix.
The underlying principles are actually pretty easy to understand, once you familiarize yourself with the various parameters and terminology.
So let’s do that.
How compressors work
Compressors affect the most basic aspect of sound: Volume.
In studio parlance, we use the term “dynamics,” which is just a fancy word for how a sound’s volume changes over time, like the immediate crack of a snare or punch of a kick.
Another example might be a chord progression that varies slightly in level as the sound evolves.
By applying a compressor to these signals, we can modify their dynamics to bring them in line with our production objectives.
The essential concept in understanding this process is that a compressor lowers the volume of a signal when that signal’s volume exceeds the level determined by the compressor’s threshold setting.
The amount and rate of that volume reduction is determined by various other parameters with names like ratio, attack, and release.
Finally, many compressors offer different options for modifying the character and performance of the process so that it can be fine-tuned for a wider variety of production applications.
With names like peak, RMS, soft knee, hard knee, lookahead and sidechain, it’s easy to see why so many producers just turn the knobs till things sound “good.”
But actually knowing what each knob does is the domain of the pros, so here’s an overview to get you started.
Compression parameters
Threshold
This is the key parameter that governs the overall behavior of the compressor.
Threshold determines the volume at which compression kicks in.
Simply put, when a signal’s level exceeds the set threshold, the compressor activates and begins lowering the volume.
Ratio
Next in importance is the ratio parameter.
This determines how much the compressor will lower the volume once the threshold is exceeded.
For example, if a compressor’s ratio is set to 6:1, then when the threshold is exceeded by six decibels, only one decibel will pass above the threshold.
Extreme settings, like 10:1, allow only one decibel to pass for every ten.
Note that for many producers, any setting above 10:1 is considered “limiting.”
That is, at the highest settings, a compressor turns into a limiter, which serves the same essential function, but in a much more extreme manner.
Attack
As with synthesizer envelopes, the attack parameter determines how quickly a characteristic changes.
In a compressor, the attack parameter controls how quickly the processor lowers the volume after the threshold is exceeded.
Here’s a practical use: If you’re using a compressor on a drum and you want some of that drum’s original attack to cut through, set a slower attack so the compressor doesn’t clamp down too quickly.
Release
Once the signal passes back below the threshold, the release parameter determines how long it will take for the compressor to stop manipulating the volume.
At this point, you should take a few moments and experiment with all of the above parameters, paying close attention to the attack and release amounts with high ratio settings.
If you’re not careful with these parameters, is all too easy to take a wonderful, lively sound and squish it into a lifeless mess, so spend some time learning how these parameters affect a wide variety of sounds.
Use drums. Use bass. Use vocals, pads, or any other instrument that’s part of your style.
Once you have a basic grasp of your compressor’s sound, the next round of parameters will make a lot more sense.
Peak/RMS
Many compressors include a Peak/RMS switch.
This affects the behavior of the threshold control.
In peak mode, the threshold reacts quickly and strongly to sudden volume changes, which can be quite handy for drums and percussion.
RMS mode causes the threshold parameter to adapt to the overall average of the volume shifts, which is useful for more consistent signals like voice, pads and even full mixes.
Knee
Another common parameter that shapes the sound of a compressor is the colorfully titled “knee” parameter, which is so named because it changes the shape of the threshold response – looking a tad like a knee.
The screenshot on the right shows Live 7’s compressor with a softened knee setting.
Hard knee compression is the usual default, but soft knee mode is a much more pleasing sound for many producers.
Here’s why.
When soft knee mode is active, the compressor gradually kicks in as the signal approaches the threshold rather than simply engaging instantly as the threshold is crossed.
Again, there are valuable uses for hard knee mode, like drums and compression.
But when you hear producers talk about “transparency” there’s a good chance they’re referring to a soft knee mode – often in conjunction with the RMS mode mentioned previously.
Lookahead
Lookahead is a parameter that’s found exclusively in compressor plug-ins, since implementing it in hardware would defy the laws of physics.
What lookahead does is analyze the sampled audio before it arrives at the compressor, thus giving the compressor a “heads up” that a loud signal is on its way.
Like an audio crystal ball, of sorts.
Ableton Live’s Compressor device includes a lookahead function that can be set to 1 millisecond, 10 milliseconds, or “off.”
For what its worth, I just leave it in 1 millisecond mode and forget about it.
Maybe I’m just lazy 
Sidechain
And now, the moment many of you have been waiting for… Sidechaining.
Sidechaining is one of the coolest features on any compressor, since it allows a second signal to control the compressor’s behavior as it processes the primary signal.
What the heck?
Here’s the most common use for sidechaining: kick and bass.
Since many kick drums share the same frequency range as the bass line, it’s quite common for the two elements to get in each other’s way.
By using your compressor’s sidechain function, you can use the volume of the kick drum signal to lower the volume of your bass sound every time the kick drum hits, thus creating room for both instruments in a push-pull manner.
In doing so, you’ll immediately be rewarded with a sound that you’ve heard on countless tracks to great effect.
We highly recommend spending time experimenting with this specific technique, so to get you started, check out the screenshot to the right.
And don’t just stop with bass, either. Try using a kick drum as a sidechain input on sustaining sounds like pads, as this will give those tracks that “bounce” that defines tons of trance and progressive house classics.
Now go compress something.
No commentsRemix Hotel Atlanta 2008
So this last past weekend the Mix Rev crew headed down to Atlanta to attend Remix Hotel and check out some of the newest dj products, listen to some seminars and just check out the over all scene. This years event was held over three days at the at the SAE music facility in down town. As we were driving down Peachtree road (by the way ever road in atlanta is called Peachtree road so look out). We saw one of over favorite kilers Dj Klever and a slew of hipters/sneaker heads teenagers all swarming him for a picture so we knew we were close. After parking the car we walked around for a while til we found the exact entrance to Remix Hotel.
We signed in, took the elevator up to floor three and were instantly immersed in music and mayhem. Every where you looked there was something going on, seminars, lectures, and demos. But what we notice about this remix hotel was the fact that the theme was networking. You really got a sense of community amongst these ATaliens. After walking around a little and checking things out we went into the Pioneer room where low and behold we ran into our good friend Davey Dave who a dj and one of the big dawgs over at Pioneer. He along with a couple of the other guys from Pioneer showed us the new Pioneer SVM-1000 dj mixer. What more can we say but sick. Imagine you have the already super powerful Pionner 800 mixer. Now add in the capability to have video mixing and editing. To say Pioneer is taking djing to whole new level with that mixer is an understatement.
After we kicked it with the pioneer guys we walked around a little more and headed into the Serato Room. Nothing new with regards to hardware from Rane. We did though get a chance to meet up with Atlanta’s own Cristo and talk to him about the scene in Atlanta and his residency at Rob Wonders El bar. As well as chillin out to the tunes of Prince Presto.
We couldn’t help it, we had to show you the goods.
Remix Hotel Atlanta 2008 was a great event, we can’t wait to head down to Miami for Winter music conference and Remix Hotel Miami 2009.
Larry Tee Mix Tape
In 1989, Larry tee moved to NYC with fellow Atlantan’s RuPaul and Lady Bunny and quickly took over the NYC club scene with his epic party Love Machine. He hosted the infamous DISCO 2000 of Party Monster movie fame’s hot body contest, and also DJ’ed the ROXY weekly. During the 1990s, he became a more prominent DJ by playing at highly regarded venues such as Palladium, Twilo, and the Roxy. In 1992 he Co-wrote the top 40 song by RuPaul ‘Supermodel (You better work). In 2001/2002 Larry created the term ‘electroclash’ and coined it where it is now in the Oxford Dictionary[4]. Helping launch the careers of such people as fischerspooner, Peaches, Felix Da Housecat, and many more. To say he has made a mark on the New York Night life is an understatement. Bellow is the track listing and download link to his latest mixtape.
Tracklisting
1. Let’s Make Nasty (Xmas in July Mix) — Larry Tee feat. Roxy Cottontail
2. Louis Vuitton (Santiago and Bushido mix)– Larry Tee feat. Jeffrey Starr
3. That’s Not It — Larry Tee feat. KIM
4. Pussy Beats (Jeff Doubleu mix) — Larry Tee/Jeff Doubleu
5. My Pussy (Mom and Dad mix) — Larry Tee feat. Amanda Lepore
6. I Love U (Bart B More mix) — Larry Tee
7. Get Your Grind On (Xmas in July mix) — Larry Tee feat. Christopher Just
8. Black Pussy Suprise — Larry Tee feat. Tobell von Cartier and Christopher Just
9. Clap That Ass (Tomboy mix) — Larry Tee feat. Tobell von Cartier
10. Hipster Girl — Mel Merio feat. Larry Tee
11. Summertime Love — Christopher Just w a lil help from Larry Tee
12. Licky (Herve Goes Low) (Larry Tee re-edit with Santogold) — Larry Tee feat. Princess Superstar
Music Mondays: Them Jeans Diesel Mix
Them Jeans Is an LA Based dj who spins weekly at Cinespace each Tuesday night with Steve Aoki, DJ AM, and Dan-Oh. Them jeans is also in charge of the art work/flyers that are created for each of the Dim Mak/ Cinespace parties.
Here is the track listing for his latest mix which Them Jeans has made for the Diesel Partry in Bangkok next month. This mix is quick 40 minute mix and is a nice insight into the mind of DJ Them Jeans.
Track listing:
Our Thoughts and Prayers Go Out to the Family’s of DJ AM and Travis Barker
Travis Barker and DJ AM were among six people aboard a Learjet that crashed upon takeoff from a Columbia, South Carolina, airport after midnight Friday. The four others onboard were killed.
Barker, an ex-drummer for the rock band Blink 182 and the star of the MTV reality show Meet the Barkers, had performed at a free Friday-night college event with former Jane’s Addiction singer Perry Farrell, Gavin DeGraw and DJ AM.
Barker, 32, was taken to a burn center in Augusta, Georgia, about 75 miles southwest of Columbia, and was listed in critical condition Saturday morning – as was DJ AM (real name: Adam Michael Goldstein), 35, say officials at the facility.
“Both Travis Barker and Adam Goldstein are in critical but stable condition,” Beth Frits, spokesperson for the Joseph M. Still Burn Center, tells PEOPLE. “Goldstein was airlifted here and Barker was brought by ground transportation. So they arrived separately.”
If you would like to show your support, feel free to copy and paste this image that has been circulating around MySpace…
Annie Mac Fall 2008 Mix
Annie Mac is hitting the road again with her Annie Mac Presents tour — highlighting all our fav artists like Little Boots, Fake Blood, Crookers, Yuksek, Frankmusik, A-Trak, Simian Mobile Disco, etc, etc and etc. To help promote and celebrate she’s created a new mixtape highlighting some of the artists. Now all we can ask Ms. Mac — bring it to America pleaaase.
Tracklisting
M.I.A – Sunshowa’s (S’N’P remix) – (White Label)
Mujava – Township Funk (Sinden remix) (This Is Music)
Roots Manuva – Let The Spirit (Toddla T remix) (Big Dada Recordings)
DJ Technics – Mr Postman – (White Label)
Little Boots – Stuck On Repeat (Fake Blood remix)
Style Of Eye – The Clown (Pickadoll)
Action Man – Under Your Skin (Cheap Thrills records)
Bagraiders – Turbo Love Tough Love remix (Bang Gang Recordings)
Justice – Waters Of Nazereth (Erol Alkan Rework (Edbanger )
Phonat – Learn To Recycle
MUSIC MONDAYS ARE MAD DECENT
This week, we showered the internet in search of all the MAD DECENT Music, Mixes, and Mayhem we could find. Up first is the most recent mix by MIA Switch and Diplo. This Mix was recorded for BBC Radio 1.
Track Listing/ and Download Here
Diplo, Switch & M.I.A Takeover
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Unknown – ‘Boeke’ (White)
Crookers – ‘Burning Spear’ (Mad Decent)
Unknown – ‘Untitled’ (White)
Unknown – ‘This is Ska’ (White)
Busy Signal ft MIA and Rye Rye – ‘Tic Toc’ (Mia Remix) (Test)
Switch & Rusko ‘Untitled’ (White)
Benga – ‘26 Basslines’ (Tempa)
Can – ‘Vitamin C’ (United Artists)
Major Lazer – ‘I’m an Indian Too’ (White)
DJ Mujava – ‘Township Funk’ (This is Music)
Steve Angelo – ‘Gypsy’ (This is Music)
J Dilla – ‘Oxtapus’
Major Lazer – ‘Lazer Theme’ (White)
Busy Signal – ‘Cool It Down’ (VP Records)
Black Star – ‘Let Me Hump You’ (Test)
Isaac Hayes – Ike’s Rap II, (Enterprise)
Tame Impala – ‘Remember Me’
John Legend feat. Andre 3000 – Green Light (Diplo Dade County 1988 Mix)
Diplo posted his own “Green Light” remix on Thursday, dubbed the Diplo Dade Count 1988 Mix. Once you read that title, you probably have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the track: an up-tempo, bass-heavy remix in the vein of Miami Booty Bass from the late 1980s and early 1990s. There’s a lot more going on in this track than the title would have you think though.
Track Listing/ and Download 1988 Mix Here
(White)
No commentsThe Weekend Comes…Yeah The Weekend Comes…The Bangers & Classics
This is a simple post I hope to recreate ever prior to ever weekend. The following are tunes you should throw into your set to keep the dance floor “En Fuego!”
EDM DUDES
The Latest and Greatest: RIGHT CLICK LINK TO DOWNLOAD
le castle vania & computer club (Courtesy of Le Castle Vania & iheartcomix):
The MessiahListen and Download it Here
The Messiah (Radio Edit) Listen and Download it Here
For more dope dance tunes, head over to BEATPORT.COM and check out their charts!
The Classics:
Tocadisco – Nobody Likes The Records That I Play (Get it at Beatport)
THE MAINSTREAMERS
The Latest and Greatest:
Trey Songz – Paper Planes Freestyle
KANYE WEST – LOVE LOCKDOWN (FLUFFTRONIX EDIT) (320kbps) DOWNLOAD IT HERE
Young Jeezy – Put On (Remix) ft. Jay-Z, kanYe West, Ludacris, Chamillionaire, David Banner, Wale & Z-Ro (Courtesy of Sit Up Stand Down) Download It Here
If someone plays all 12 minutes of this remix, then you are this Weekend’s King! I dare you!
The Classics:
It’s not really a classic but a remake of one (Courtesy of the Fluokids):
The Pack – Da Dip DOWNLOAD IT HERE
And for more fine tunes just head HERE and HERE
HAVE FUN THIS WEEKEND!
Peace,
NOVA
A-Trak Flashing Light
Last week A-Trak started a new weekly in Brooklyn called FLASHING LIGHTS with my partner in crime d’amies DJ Ayres and Jubilee. The first one featured Atlantas’ own Klever, as a special guest . For those of us who lived in Brooklyn, we salute you. For everyone else you can Download the mix here and check the tracklist bellow.
Track Listing: Flashing Lights Mix #1
Funky Green Dogs – Fired Up (DJ Ayres “Pre Dave Nada” demo edit)
Maurice – This is Acid (Radio mix)
Salt n Pepa vs Wink – Push It Higher (DJ Ayres Crooklyn Clan mash)
Matty C – Sooo Real
Puzique – Don’t Go
Dirty South and Axwell – Open Your Heart
Paul Johnson – Feel My MF Bass
Douster – This Shit (Jim Sharp ‘This is That’ remix)
Alan Braxe – Addicted
A-Trak – Say Whoa (Boys Noize Remix)
Henrik Schwarz, Ame & Dixon – D.P.O.M.B.
Lil Bo Tweak – Dub Be Good
Roland Clark & The Montanas – Music Talking (Fred Falke Remix)
Nacho Lovers – Acid Life (Eli Escobar Remix)
DJ Sega – Brighter Days
Christian Martin – Elephant Fight (Justin Martin’s Jungle Remix)
Claude Von Stroke – Blow The Whistler (Hookerz & Blow Edit)
Jesse Rose & Sinden – Me Mobile (Duckbeats Ringtone Riddim)
Hijack – Party People
Human Resource – Dominator (Hostage Ravemix)
Lil Mama – No Music (Starkey Refix)
Bassbin Twins – Woppa
Rico Tubbs – Born To Bounce
Coki – Spongebob
Hippity Hopping: New Tunes
We tend to get into the same vibe that everything other DJ music blog does right now, posting dance remixes from some unknown bedroom producer. I was beginning to think we were forgetting all you Hip-Hop Heads. So I scoured the webs today to bring you some of my latest favs for you to place in you sets this weekend and a nice hip hop mix from DJ Ayres of THE RUB. Here you go:
Big Boi- Dubbz DOWNLOAD LINK 1/LINK 2
Charles Hamilton – Free Download DOWNLOAD HERE
Estelle Ft. Sean Paul – Come Over Remix DOWNLOAD LINK 1/LINK 2
Beenie Man – Gimme, Gimme, Gimme DOWNLOAD LINK 1/LINK 2
Kanye West – Love Lockdown DOWNLOAD LINK
(Maybe for the club or not but you will find it interesting regardless.)
Ludacris (ft. T.I.) – Wish You Would DOWNLOAD LINK 1/LINK 2
M.O.P. – Monster DOWNLOAD LINK 1/LINK 2
Last is the dope mix I told you about from DJ Ayres, check the RUB site and get the Podcast, Listen and Download the Mix Now!!!
DJ Ayres – Houston For Dummies
To get the track list click here to Read more
1 comment