EQ Magazine - May 2008 - (Page 27)

are “themed,” which can help narrow your search (although sometimes, it helps to break the rules . . . for example, a lot of “world music” libraries have lines that work great with other types of music). One way to speed up the auditioning process is to install an extra CD/DVDROM drive in your computer (or use an external USB/FireWire drive) so you can put in two sample CD/DVDs at once and extract potentially useful files from them. What works for me is to do very quick auditions of loops, and if something seems even remotely useful, it gets dragged into the project at hand. I’ll often end up with 40–60 files, even if I only expect to use a dozen of them. Then comes the whittling-down process. Play loops against each other; some will fit well, some will clash. (Note: Sony has released several loop libraries in their Artist Integrated series, which are designed to work together across titles—sort of like a “meta-construction kit.”) Remove the weaker loops until you’re left with a really strong collection for your sonic palette. EXPRESSIVE DRUM LOOPS: AN OXYMORON? If you think that the solo demo approach isn’t interactive, well, you’re right—that’s one of the biggest drawbacks when relying on loops. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try to increase the level of interplay among instruments, as well as employ techniques that make loops more expressive. Here are some ideas on how to make drum loops—the foundation of most pop music tracks—as expressive as possible. The Pot Luck Audio Conference is a can’t-miss, one-ofa-kind event. Building on six years as TapeOpCon, we offer an experience unlike anything in pro audio. This year we are conducting over THIRTY-TWO AUDIO AND RECORDING WORKSHOPS. Our main panels cover how great records are made both today and in the past. Our real-time working studios include our main Pot Luck Studio where we will record a New Orleans classic track from basics through mixing and mastering, a dedictated mastering studio, and a practical micing and tracking studio. Our tabletop-only exhibitor room features the top gear designers and distributors and is the best place to check out today’s most sought after studio and recording equipment. This year we are proud to be holding all of our conference at the Sheraton New Orleans. We have secured three floors of meeting space and a fantastic rate of $109.00 per night. CAN LOOPS REPLACE MUSICIANS? Well, who do you think created those loops—accountants? You are using musicians. To me, using a loop is like hiring a session musician. For example, I don’t play sax. When I did a tune that needed a few sax phrases for atmosphere, some sax loops came through when the deadline was down to the wire. I would have preferred a “real” musician, but try telling that to the twin gods of Time and Budget. No one noticed anyway. . . . A more valid complaint is that loops may have the “look and feel” of music, but the lack of interaction with other musicians prevents the sort of magic you get with good players. While I generally agree, it’s possible to apply the sounds you use creatively, which personalizes your work and lets you interact in a sort of virtual way. Loops and samples are just another tool. Tunes that are all loops and samples can be pretty deadly, but throw on some hot solos, some clever editing to keep the loops fresh, and a good mix, and you can end up with something very cool. THANKS TO THIS YEAR’S TITLE SPONSORS! REGISTER NOW AND BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN AUDIO TREATS AND MORE! FIRST PRIZE – A Universal Audio LA-610 Signature Edition! SECOND PRIZE – Audio Technica ATH–M50 Headphones THIRD PRIZE – Three nights’ accommodations during the conference at the Sheraton New Orleans, French Quarter! Go to www.potluckcon.com for workshop and panel descriptions, conference schedule, and registration information. www.eqmag.com MAY 2008 EQ 27 http://www.potluckcon.com http://www.potluckcon.com http://www.eqmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EQ Magazine - May 2008

EQ Magazine - May 2008 Contents Talk Box Sounding Board Jamie Lidell, What the New Model of Record Deal Means to You, Part II, Andrew W.K. Tool Box Aerosmith Fast Tracks Guitar Trax Bass Management Key Issues Drum Heads Vocal Cords Mix Bus Cheat Sheet DigiDesign Pro Tools LE 7.4 Cakewalk Sonar 7 Line 6 UX8 Studio Projects CS5 Art Tubefire 8 Jazzmutant Dexter MCDSP Emerald Pack Overloud Breverb KRK Exposé E8B Mackie MR5 Blue Sky Exo Monitor System Big Fish Audio Around the World in 80 Raves East West Fab Four Virtual Instrument Sony Matt Fink- Starvu Session Keys Room With A VU

EQ Magazine - May 2008

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