Comments on: QandA: How to Become a Professional Music Producer

By: eric

eric — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:12:50 +0000

what program do you recomend i buy next? i have fl 6 right now but want something better.

By: Antwan Flowers

Antwan Flowers — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 06:37:14 +0000

Thank you very much you have been a great help.
Are there any publications that you can refer me to so I can fine tune my audio skills.

By: askland

askland — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 18:10:52 +0000

Antwan, for digital samples you can hit them as hard as you like. Use your ears as a guide. I have worked on Pro Tools files for Aftermath artists that came in with some of the processing and I can tell you this: It is not possible to have too many overdubs, bgv’s on the rap may have 20 tracks overlayed just for one part. Another trick is to use an overall limiter on subgroups. Subgroup all the music and set it to -1.0 DB - This way you’re assured the lead vox will always be 1db on top of the tracks. I don’t think they’ll mind me letting people know about that.

By: Antwan Flowers

Antwan Flowers — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 05:08:16 +0000

Thanks alot that really helped me out alot I have been trying to find out for the longest time how Dr. Dre got his stuff to sound so good and warm. But I heard that he uses ratios like 10.1 on snares. I still learning as I go it is nice for someone to o talk to somone that knows his stuff. I have been trying to figure out how to sidechain my compressor but I have not grasp that concept yet. Are there any publications that you can refer me to so I can fine tune my audio skills.
I really want to get close as I can to that big warm Dr. Dre sound.

P.S I really really thank you for taking out the time to help.

By: askland

askland — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 05:42:00 +0000

Hi Antwan,
I posted some info for you here:
http://www.conradaskland.com/b.....-and-bass/

By: Antwan Flowers

Antwan Flowers — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:10:47 +0000

What type of compression settings should I use as a starting point on the kicks and the snares and the bass. and are there any other tube pre that are less exspensive that can work , I’m on a bit of a buget and I trying to upgrade to an Pro Tools HD rig.

P.S Thanks for your info it nice for you to share this info I like to learn as much as I can.

By: askland

askland — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 04:18:54 +0000

Yes, run all sounds through if possible, but most importantly the kicks and snares. You can run them one or two channels at a time on several passes. If you’re using computer based recording like ProTools, you could run a kick and snare through two channels on the tube pre and just let it run, then keep doing more passes for individual tracks. You should run this on as many individual instrument tracks as possible, not a whole mix.

By: Antwan Flowers

Antwan Flowers — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 04:10:46 +0000

Hi,
Does that mean that you run all of your drum sounds through the Avalon and that also means that you will have to get more than 1 Avalon. If thre are any other tips you have for getting that phat dre sound I would to no.

By: askland

askland — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 23:41:52 +0000

Hi Antwan,
The co-producer I worked with had his samples already processed, so I don’t know what preamp he ran them through. In most cases the rule of thumb would be to use the highest quality tube pre you can get your hands on. I use an Avalon which I consider “high end”, around $3,000. You want to push them pretty hard depending on the end result you want. Easily push to +4db or so for warmth. I did hear a whole set of samples that were distorted on purpose, a novel effect but one I would use sparingly and with intent.

By: Antwan Flowers

Antwan Flowers — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 07:39:24 +0000

Hi,

What type of preamp did they run the MPC through and what do you do if you are using mutiple outs.

P.S send me a link or somthing I would like to here some of your tracks