Digital Recording Pt. 5 Intro To MIDI and Pop Screens
October 17th, 2009 | 
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This show covers the importance of pop screens which are used for microphones and even shows you how to make a cheap homeade one. I also start explaining what MIDI is. Great for the beginning recordist.
Duration : 0:9:10
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OK, so I record all …
OK, so I record all sorts of musicians and myself in my multi-track recording room. Hope that makes you feel better. You may want to open your eyes broither, your missing the real show
Ooops – I …
Ooops – I accidently (Really removed your comment – you had said”It sounds to me as if what you have isn’t really a studio then is it? I mean, let’s face it. I have a mirror, a sink, a toothbrush and some floss but I won’t be telling people it’s a dentist’s office, dig? “
As for the pop …
As for the pop screen, well, all I have to say is that it’s WAY easier to prevent the pops in the first place then trying to isolate them later on. If you feel it’s better to NOT use one, well, then, don’t use one. PS – George Clinton would love my psycho funk stuff lol.
Ha – missed you …
Ha – missed you guys commenting in here – lots of stuff said – the drums I put together will fool even the best of drummers – they are unable to tell whether I am using a drum program/loops or not – besides, the fact that putting a real drummer in my studio won’t fit with the logistics here. Don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing like a real drummer, but for the stuff I’m doing, it works out just fine.
You just came up …
You just came up like ten notches in my book the minute you nailed that Clinton reference. Thats where I heard it and you were right on it.
Amen to that, …
Amen to that, brother.
Ive been under the gun to do in in less than 5. Go from nothing to final mix and finished master, all while on the clock.
But if you can get a cat to go into that room and just lay down some solid groove that you can copy, paste and align to grid, youre still way better off than using a programmed beat, no matter how original or catchy you can do em. Nothing beats that boom, especially if you know how to capture it.
great Clinton quote …
great Clinton quote! i used to watch the history of rock religiously.
i think he was referring to disco being the same stroke. now days programming can be very musical, nuance-filled, dynamic etc.
the masses listen & live to music that’s placed in front of them. i think you’re ultimately making a point of aesthetic value… subjectivity.
we may not like the ultimately-stiff or redundant sound of non acoustic instruments moving air, but few others care.
and i love me some Parlament.
there’s plenty of …
there’s plenty of talent everywhere, but when you have a deadline.. say some1 asked for a quick track in 24hours, you can guarantee i’ll use technology 2 my advantage.
the age of the rhythm section is dead. most pro bands and rhythm sections today are nowhere near the golden age. back when everyone could truely feel the pocket.
i don’t like programmed stuff either. i too prefer a singer who’s trained.
i’m 100% with u on all points.
just sayin that people love to dance to programmed rhythm.
Even the drum …
Even the drum machines and sequencing software which has so-called human element has not replaced the feeling you get from a well laid track performed by musicians that know how to play together. That kind of discipline has not been laid down to all of you young jokers out there that think you know what its all about. Take away all of your modern toys and what have you got? A bunch of useless untalented ball-knobs that cant play. Sad but true.
I realize we are in …
I realize we are in a mechanized age where computers will and do just about everything for us. We hate them when they screw up but we live with their shortcomings because most of the other time they make our lives easier. But we must never, ever forget that music is very much a feel thing. And feel is still something that computers have not quite managed to provide.
I wont go very much …
I wont go very much into the real drums vs. synthetic machine debate here, but
I will tell you that I once heard George Clinton note that there is nothing that will
get on your nerves faster than the same sound over and over again. He equated it to something like making love with one stroke.
I’ve got news for …
I’ve got news for you. A well-trained singer has miles of style. What would make you think that they wouldn’t? Besides, we are talking about mic technique & control. On the subject of manipulation, I’ve done things using both analogue tape and digital that would make your head spin. If you know what your doing, a popped P can be dealt with in both domains effectively as long as it is recorded on it’s own track or isolated well enough to treat without effecting the rest of the recording.
people will dance …
people will dance to anything.
if you sample a car alarm you can manipulate it enough to make people dance.
yes, i love drumming but you can work faster if you’ve got a budget or small time window to record.
it just depends on the situation.
i’ll take a singer with style over a well-trained one any day. you can manipulate sound in all sorts of ways and there’s nothing wrong with having options.
& u don’t HAVE to use it. but it’s nice to have when u need it.
Give me a …
Give me a well-trained singer with good mic technique. Pop screens are bullshit designed to get all you part – timers out there to part with your money. They may look cool, but now your ‘talent’ can’t read the lyric sheet. Panty hose stretched over coat hanger wire works just as well.
Drum loops??? The technology is running you, my friend. You certainly are not running it. Since when do we enjoy dancing to a machine? That’s what disco was all about.
COOOOOOOOOL!
COOOOOOOOOL!
Oh yeah Moosie …
Oh yeah Moosie – I have had to get creative from livin of macaroni & cheese back in the day. On my first 4 track recorder (Analog) I put rice into a pringles can for percussion!
This is getting …
This is getting progressively more interesting, not to mention entertaining!
Again from the cheapskate’s point of view, a little duct tape and/or some rubber bands can turn your camera tripod into a mic stand.
Ultimate toolbox: Duct tape, paper clips, coathangers, visegrips, and a hammer. You’re ready for anything.
Hey JEFF! Thanks …
Hey JEFF! Thanks man!
great analogies, …
great analogies, very through…good job!