We’re excited to share that we’ve added a major update to our TH-U Slate Edition amp modeling software.
Proudly offered in partnership with Overloud, TH-U Slate Edition offers a collection of virtual amps, cabinets, and effects that will have you reimagining your dream guitar tone.
TH-U Slate Edition brings over 100 faithfully modeled amps, cabs and effects to the All Access Pass and Complete Access Bundle. Presently, users have 39 amps, 39 cabinets & 35 FX pedals and modules at their disposal.
This new update delivers some long-awaited enhancements that help TH-U Slate Edition stand out in comparison to similar plugins, i.e. seven new amps, four new effects, new cabinets and over 1,700 new IRs. Moreover, users also get access to the SuperCabinet Fluid IR processor, as well as official IRs from Jensen. (Learn more about Fluid IR here.)
Craft a new primary tone! Experiment with sound design and effects processing! Swap tubes, adjust mic placements, and create completely custom pedal chains! This amp modeler has everything you need so you can reinvent your tone however you see fit.
The updated version of TH-U Slate Edition is available now for All Access Pass and Complete Access Bundle subscribers.
If there’s a perfect representative for the term ‘jack of all trades,’ it’s Kyle Brownlee.
Brownlee is the drummer of the metalcore band Counterparts and founder of Soundblind Drums, his pandemic project turned legitimate business that captures all the depth and dimension of his devastatingly heavy drum kit. Oh, and he plays guitar too.
Since he started drumming as a child, Brownlee has found success as a recording artist, a songwriter, a plugin programmer, a sound designer, a YouTuber, and a Rock Band gamer. Somehow, he was able to find time in his busy schedule to talk to us about his past, his present, and what his future (hopefully) holds.
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Kyle in action on the road.
Drew Van Buskirk: Let’s kick it off real easy. Tell us a little about yourself. Who is Kyle Brownlee?
Kyle Brownlee: Oh I don’t know–I’m just a guy who plays drums in a screaming band and also makes little plugins and sample packs here and there.
DVB: Take me back to the beginning: where did your musical journey start?
KB: I think the breakthrough was my cousin, who was a drummer and instrumentalist. I came over to his house one day, saw his drum kit, and thought, “OK, that’s kind of sick. I want to do that.”
DVB: Do you remember how many pieces the kit was?
KB: He had a decently sized kit. I think it had three rack toms, maybe two floors, a bunch of cymbals, but what really sold me was the double-kick pedal. That blew my mind.
DVB: Talk about formative memories. When did you join your first band?
KB: I started my first band with my friend Billy in the 9th or 10th grade. It was called Majesty, named after a Black Dahlia Murder live DVD. We played for a few years and actually weren’t terrible! I’m still proud of that.
DVB: Stealing the names of favorite albums or songs for your own band’s name felt like a rite of passage in high school, especially in the MySpace era.
How long after Majesty did Counterparts come into play?
KB: So, there’s a running joke among fans: ‘Who hasn’t been in Counterparts?’ I first filled in for them in 2012 when they were looking for a drummer after their original drummer left. At that point, I was transitioning from doing video game stuff on YouTube to real drum content. I put a cover of one of their tracks on YouTube, and Kenny, their merch manager, saw it. They hit me up, and I filled in for their headline tour.
DVB: When did you officially join the band?
KB: I fully joined in 2016. So, it’s been eight years now, which is insane to think about.
DVB: Time flies when you’re having fun! What Counterparts records can we hear you on?
KB: I started with “You’re Not You Anymore” in 2017. I’ve been on three full lengths: “You’re Not You Anymore,” “Nothing Left to Love,” and “A Eulogy for Those Still Here,” plus all the EP and B-side stuff from those sessions.
DVB: Even considering your previous experience with the group, what was the writing process like for you as a new member of a pretty well-established band?
KB: It’s a mix. When I filled in in 2012, I had to learn the songs note for note because they were so intricate. Now, we do drums last when recording, so I have time to sit with the demos and adjust stuff. I have more creative freedom now to do something crazy and put my own spin on it
DVB: Do you have any favorite records or tracks that you’ve worked on?
KB: Some of the sleeper hits on “Nothing Left to Love” and “A Eulogy for Those Still Here” are really cool. ‘Sworn to Silence’ is a favorite where I kind of ripped off one of my favorite bands. [Editor’s Note: We didn’t ask Kyle to snitch on himself here. Whoever he ripped off is none of our business.]
The current faces of Counterparts: Kyle, Brendan Murphy (vocals), Tyler Williams (bass), and Jesse Doreen (guitar)
DVB: You mentioned a moment ago that before your drum videos, you were making video game content. Could you elaborate on that?
KB: Yeah, I played the game Rock Band as a professional gamer. It was legitimately my job when I was in high school.
DVB: Wow, that’s incredible. How did that start and eventually transition into YouTube?
KB: It all began when Rock Band came out. I remember playing it at a friend’s house, probably after skipping school that day just to try it out. I thought, “I can play drums; this is going to be easy and fun.” But I actually sucked at it initially. So, I bought the game and every day after school, I would grind it out until I got to the point where I was number one on the leaderboard.
DVB: How did your experience with Rock Band videos translate to YouTube?
KB: Back then, YouTube was still in its early stages, especially for rhythm games. My videos would get pushed up in the algorithm and gain a lot of traction. I used a small, crappy digital video camera and taught myself some basic editing software to add overlays. I was just in my basement playing Rock Band, and I realized that if I could do this for a video game, I could probably do it for real drums too, showing people that I wasn’t just a guy hitting a plastic kit.
DVB: Was your audience receptive to that transition from Rock Band videos to real drum cam videos?
KB: There was definitely a drop-off because some people were there for the specific type of content. That said, I still have fans who have followed me from those early days. Sometimes, at shows, people come up to me and recognize me by my old Xbox Gamertag. It’s cool to see that long-time support.
DVB: What ultimately got you into production and eventually creating sample packs?
KB: After going to the studio for the first time with my high school band, I thought I could figure it out. I struggled in front of Reaper for a long time, learning from YouTube. Eventually, I started making drum tracks by chopping up sections of songs. During the pandemic, with no shows or touring, I went to the studio, filmed drum playthroughs, and decided to sample my kit. It started as something for me to use when writing Counterparts songs but evolved into Soundblind.
DVB: That’s a perfect segue: what is Soundblind?
KB: Soundblind is my project for creating drum sample packs. During the pandemic, I had a lot of time, so I went to the studio and sampled my kit. I didn’t have a mentor or guide, so I learned by doing, figuring out how sample packs work. It evolved from there, and now it’s something I’m really proud of.
DVB: What was your approach when you first started creating these sample packs?
KB: I kind of went in blind. (laughs) I knew what I wanted but had no idea how to achieve it. I spent a lot of time researching, watching YouTube tutorials, and trial and error. Eventually, I figured out how to get the sounds I wanted and started building my packs from there.
DVB: What’s the response been like so far?
KB: It’s been overwhelmingly positive. I think people appreciate the attention to detail and the effort I put into making them as high quality as possible. It’s been really rewarding to see other musicians using and enjoying something I created.
DVB: Have you collaborated with any other artists or producers on your sample packs yet?
KB: Not yet, but I’m definitely open to it. I think collaboration can bring new perspectives and ideas to the table, which is always a good thing. I’m excited to see where Soundblind goes in the future.
DVB: Since we’re getting into production-talk, I’d love to know how you use Slate Digital plugins in your day-to-day workflow.
Kyle’s first step on every channel: Virtual Mix Rack and VCC Channel.
KB: Oh, absolutely. I use Slate Digital plugins extensively. My starting template for every track is built around Slate Digital’s Virtual Mix Rack (VMR) with the Virtual Console Collection (VCC).
A big part, if not all, of my drum sound for live drum cams and studio work comes through Slate Digital stuff. Every single track’s baseline processing is VMR with VCC. I’m printing saturation through VCC immediately; that’s the first step I do for every track.
I also stack two VCC instances on every channel, cranking the drive with the Brit 4K and Brit N consoles, just really hammering my tracks. And the Gates in VMR are untouchable—they’re the best gates you can use.
The Custom Series EQ and FG-Stress are huge go-tos for me, too. The Custom Series EQ is incredibly effective and often overlooked, but it adds so much with minimal effort. The Virtual Buss Compressor (VBC) rack is on every shell bus; sometimes I’m not even running it as a compressor, I’m just using its analog recreation. Slate Digital plugins are literally all over my tracks, from the kick drum to the master bus.
DVB: It sounds like you have a pretty firmly established and natural workflow, it’s very exciting to know that we’re such a big part of it.
KB: Definitely. Even before the subscription model, I would buy every new plugin because they consistently provide the best sound quality. The new SD-PE1 is great, too, especially the low end, which really stands out compared to others I’ve used.
Some of Kyle’s go-to guitar processing plugins.
DVB: Ok, I’ve kept you long enough—I think we should wrap up this lovely conversation with some words of wisdom. What advice would you give to aspiring drummers or musicians?
KB: Just keep at it. It’s a long and often difficult journey, but if you’re passionate about it and willing to put in the work, it’s incredibly rewarding. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. And most importantly, have fun with it. Music is supposed to be enjoyable, so don’t lose sight of that.
DVB: Any other parting words you’d like to share?
KB: Just a big thank you to everyone who’s supported me and Counterparts over the years. It’s been an amazing journey, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. And if you haven’t checked out Soundblind yet, give it a look. I think you’ll like what you hear.
DVB: Thanks so much for your time, Kyle. It’s been great chatting with you.
Armed with a killer ear and a love for all things music, JESSE RAY ERNSTER’s journey began in the heart of Minnesota. Born into a musical family, the Grammy winner started honing his craft early, starting in local studios before branching into his own engineering exploits.
Since then, he has exploded onto the scene, working with everyone from indie darlings to chart-topping pop sensations, securing several platinum records and major accolades in the process. Overflowing with Midwest charm and even more talent, Jesse Ray Ernster has quickly established himself as a go-to guru for shaping your songs to perfection.
SLATE DIGITAL: Okay, first things first. For those who don’t know: who is Jesse Ray?
JESSE RAY ERNSTER: Well, I am a 32-year-old musician, record mixer, music lover, and California outdoors enthusiast. I come from the cold Midwest. I was born in Canada but raised primarily in Minnesota. My folks were musical, so this was the world that I came up in. It’s been a lifetime of music and working on the craft. It’s what I obsess about. It’s the only thing I can think about and the only thing I want to be doing at any point throughout the day, on any given day.
SD: I was reading an interview that you did where you talked about renting a cabin straight out of high school that you used to record your friends and bring people in, and that the vibe in that space was just really kind of unique. Can you talk a little bit more about that process and that whole experience?
JRE: I would love to! Nobody ever asks about that.
I called it Echo Cabin. It was a 900-square-foot one-story cabin with two bedrooms and a basement that had a laundry room and a brick garage. The upstairs was an all-pine interior, so the walls and the ceiling were pine and then the floors were made of oak and this was part of the deal that I would get to move in and rent.
My buddy was the landlord. I told him I’d rip out all the old rotten carpet and refinish the flooring. I wanted to turn it into a vibey recording house, so I did all that work in exchange for a good deal on rent, specifically $400.00 a month on this unbelievable lakefront property. Right out the window was Buffalo Lake. I could walk out the back door down the steps and I’d be right at the water. It was amazing.
It was such a valuable experience. I was terrible at making records; this was literally my first place after I left my dad’s studio. I’d been getting my feet wet on his antiquated Pro Tools set up, so I was eager to rebel against that and do everything the opposite way.
I got different monitors, my trusty NS10’s. I used a different DAW and pivoted to Logic Pro 9. I was trying to forge my own path and figure it out. I had a drum kit in there that was mic’d up at all times, some guitar amps, a vocal mic and a little vocal booth I’d set up. I also had mics down the stairwell to pick up the ambience of the space.
That place was incredible, because it‘s where I got to learn how to engineer. I was working with a lot of country bands and some rock bands, and even a lot of college acapella projects. That was a gig I got pretty good at, so I kept getting calls.
SD: What are the core differences between an acapella mix session and a Burna Boy mix session? Are there any significant adjustments you need to make between the two?
JRE: You’d be surprised how similar they are! But one thing that was so specific about those sessions was this: let’s say you have 12 people in the acapella group, and we’re usually quad-tracking every single part. That’s about 50 vocal tracks just to make up the body of the core supporting vocal. Then there’s always a lead in the middle, and then there’s the percussive tracks, just so many stacks of vocals.
When I attacked those stacks with compression, even applying just a DB of gain reduction, I found that it was a nightmare for noise and hiss. At first, I thought it was just the room we were recording in or the way we were recording. But when we eventually ended up going to a professional room that had a proper vocal setup, we ran into the same issue. That taught me early on that compression isn’t going to achieve the vocal leveling effect I’m looking for. I have to go through and level those vocals out with manual automation and ignore compressors. They can quickly do more harm than good.
SD: You strike me as a person who is very appreciative of history. The history of music in Minneapolis and across Minnesota is so rich and deep, it feels like it gets lost in comparison to the more widely renowned histories of Detroit or Memphis. What was it like for you as a developing musician growing up in that environment?
JRE: Well, obviously, that song “Funky Town” was written about Minneapolis. When you think about the history of funk and the role Prince played, it was all really influential. My favorite way to connect with that history was to go down to Bunker’s [Music Bar & Grill] on a Sunday or Monday night and listen to the house band Doctor Mambo’s Combo, which was Michael Bland and Sonny T, just the most unbelievable group of musicians that would play. It was really inspiring.
More recently, another Minneapolis guy Cory Wong has gone on to completely dominate the universe. And another dude, Jeff Braun, this great country mixer who does, like, everything now. He grew up like 15 minutes from where I grew up. We both grew up doing this and being interested in music, but it took until we both ended up living in Nashville for us to finally be like ‘Hey, we’re from the same city!’
SD: Something else I learned that stood out to me while I was prepping for our conversation was that you’ve ditched the traditional mixing desk for a more on-the-go sort of workflow. Is that still the case?
JRE: Yep. I went through a phase of needing to have a spaceship desk and needing to validate my worth as an engineer in the form of having a rack full of gear and equipment, which is funny because now, I don’t think that there’s a correlation there at all. And frankly, when I got rid of the spaceship desk and all the stuff that was sitting between me and the speakers, it ended up sorting out the acoustics and alleviating a lot of the sonic issues I’d been struggling with forever.
Jesse Ray working in his custom mixing studio environment, surrounded by his trusty NS10 monitors.
I think it’s really empowering to promote using limited gear or budget gear to get pro results. That’s the main message I want to send to anyone doing this: you can do this without breaking the bank or putting yourself into an uncomfortable financial position. I’m speaking from experience because I do not come from a place of financial prosperity. I had to save up every single penny to buy the things that I have.
You can do the job with some NS10s and mixing in the box with great plugins. Just keep it simple and worry about getting the room right, getting the right monitors, etc.
SD: How did the Burna Boy connection come about?
JRE: We were connected through my manager right around the time that my manager Matthew signed Burna to Atlantic. I reached out to him and his team and said, ’Hey, I would love to meet with you and talk about you and your company Bad Habit managing me.’ We got together, and they were like, ’Yep, this seems like a great fit. Now let’s see if you can execute.’ The very first thing that they put me on was the first Burna Boy EP that we did and that went great.
So then right after that, they put me on the full album project, which was the “African Giant” album, which was the very first full-length label album I had ever mixed. I’m very grateful to have worked on this album that became significant for the culture and has become a widely celebrated record in many parts of the world.
SD: What does your workflow with Burna look like these days?
JRE: He has an engineer, Otis, who does all the recording and takes care of all the sessions. Then when it’s ready for mix, they send me that stuff and then I mix it. I’ve never recorded Burna, I’ve only ever been the mixer, but there was a stage between “African Giant” and “Twice as Tall” where they didn’t even have a recording engineer. Somebody would record him, and they would send me blank vocals.
We built the whole “Twice as Tall” album over the pandemic over Zoom over Audiomovers. Burna was over there, I was over here, and we built the sounds for every single song, trying new things and getting creative. We got to produce his vocal sound from the ground up on that album, so the fact that it won a Grammy is awesome.
I think that the way you achieve [a] Zen state over time is by repeatedly facing that fear and learning, ‘I’m OK, I’m safe.’ …You just keep going. You just gotta focus on the things that matter.
SD: With an artist like Burna or Doja for example, or any project with major label expectations attached, do you feel any added pressure when you’re working on a major label project, or do you feel the same pressure regardless of the, for lack of a better word, ‘stature’ of the artist?
JRE: Really good question. Early on I would get very psyched out when the stakes were high. If it were label or a big artist, or there was a big opportunity or a spec mix like a test mix to try out, you know I would get psyched out and I would overthink it, and the results are almost always worse in that situation.
I’ve gotten to a point now where I’m really getting comfortable with my monitoring and with my workflow and I think I’m starting to get results that I’m pleased with. So now when I get a project, whether it’s big or small, I’m generally just diving in and tackling the problems and approaching it and just trying to have a really good time doing it.
Ultimately, if I can keep my equilibrium and keep overall pressures low, then things go well: when I don’t overthink it, I can just have a good time. It’s almost like the fear of messing up an opportunity can influence me to head in the wrong direction.
SD: How do you achieve that calm and stay focused on the moment?
JRE: I think that the way you achieve that Zen state over time is by repeatedly facing that fear and learning, ‘I’m OK, I’m safe.’ And it’s true. I’m not running through the jungle being hunted or fighting for my life; I am just working on music. That’s all it is. And the worst of the worst of the worst consequence is that maybe you’re not the right fit for the gig and you don’t get the gig. And like, yes, that would be terrible. But guess what: I have lost so many gigs.
I talk about this a lot. I’ve lost huge gigs that could have put me on a better path than I’m on. And that could be really upsetting, but it’s just not my style to dwell on those alternate timelines or those potentials. You just have to focus on the things that you can change, and remember that there’s always gonna be opportunities. There’s always more. You just keep going. You just gotta focus on the things that matter.
SD: So since this is a Slate Digital interview, I have to ask: are there any SD standbys that have existed in your workflow?
JRE: Yeah! I have Transient Shaper in my template. I’m using that on drums, but also as a de-esser on vocals as well. And a new favorite of mine has been Heatwave. It’s just beautiful.
SD: Can you talk a little bit about your Transient Shaper de-essing technique? I don’t know that anybody’s ever talked about using it that way.
JRE: So I’ll use the Focus feature to target the upper quadrants of the frequency range. I’ll listen for those transients that cut through and turn them down, and sometimes I’ll turn the warmth up to add some extra overtones and density to T’s.
I’ll also sometimes pick the exact same focus range in the Sustain section and turn that dial down too. A lot of the time with ‘S’ sounds, the issue is that they get sloshy. Being able to focus on where the sibilance is and turn both the transient and sustain down produces an effect that really helps.
SD: Is there anybody you haven’t gotten to work with yet that you’d like to do some more stuff with?
JRE: Oh yeah, 100%. I really want to work and collaborate with Stewart Copeland on something. Even if it’s just like a session, like getting him to track on something, or maybe we make some piece of software together, I don’t know. I just really, really want to connect with Stewart Copeland.
As far as more modern pop-leaning stuff, there’s Dua Lipa, but that’s my buddy Gudwin’s gig. Or Ice Spice! But that’s my buddy Teezio’s gig.
SD: He’s having a real moment right now, isn’t he? Teezio’s been getting a lot of attention.
JRE: Can you put this in the interview? He has worked for this. He has earned it. He deserves it.
SD: It’s in.
JRE: Teezy goes crazy.
SD: I guess we can leave off with your standard end-of-interview question: What’s next on your calendar? Anything cool we preview or highlight?
JRE: Yeah, I just worked on the mix for a new G-Eazy record called “Femme Fatale” that’s pretty rad. Otherwise, I’m just going to keep my head down, keep making music, and try to stay out of trouble this year. You folks do the same.
SD: Thank you, Jesse! We will. — Listen to Jesse Ray Ernster’s work below:
In the realm of home recording, achieving professional-quality results doesn’t always require expensive gear or a state-of-the-art studio.
With the right techniques and practices, you can capture stunning audio recordings that rival those produced in top-tier facilities. Whether you’re setting up a home studio, have limited resources, or are totally new to recording, understanding best recording practices is essential for success.
Getting Started
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best recording practices tailored specifically for home studio enthusiasts.
Creating an optimal recording environment doesn’t necessarily mean constructing a soundproofed studio from scratch. Instead, focus on minimizing external noise and controlling reflections within your existing space:
Choose the Right Room
Select a room with minimal background noise and ambient distractions. A bedroom, basement, or even a closet can serve as a suitable recording space with a few adjustments.
Reduce Reflections
Hang blankets, curtains, or acoustic panels on the walls to absorb reflections and minimize reverberation. This simple step can significantly improve the clarity and fidelity of your recordings.
Isolate External Noise
Close windows and doors to block out external sounds, and consider investing in a good pair of headphones for critical listening and monitoring.
Position Your Microphone Correctly
Proper microphone placement is crucial for capturing clean, balanced recordings with minimal unwanted artifacts. Follow these guidelines for optimal microphone placement:
Maintain Consistency
Keep the distance and angle between the microphone and the sound source consistent throughout your recording session to ensure uniformity across tracks.
Experiment with Placement
Don’t be afraid to experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot for each instrument or vocalist. Small adjustments can make a significant difference in the overall sound quality.
Mind the Room
Pay attention to the room’s acoustics and adjust microphone placement accordingly. Position microphones away from walls and corners to minimize reflections and achieve a more natural sound.
Use Proper Gain Staging
Gain staging is essential for ensuring a proper signal-to-noise ratio and avoiding distorted recordings. Follow these steps to achieve optimal gain staging:
Set Input Levels
Adjust the input gain on your audio interface or mixer so that the loudest parts of your signal peak just below 0 dBFS. Make sure to Avoid clipping, as this can result in irreversible distortion.
Monitor Levels
Keep an eye on your levels throughout the recording process to ensure they remain consistent and within an appropriate range. Use your recording software’s metering tools to monitor signal levels in real-time.
Avoid Overloading
If your signal is consistently clipping or distorting, reduce the input gain and adjust your recording levels accordingly. It’s better to record at a lower level and boost the volume later in the mixing process than to risk clipping during recording.
Pay Attention to Room Acoustics
Even in a home studio environment, room acoustics play a significant role in the quality of your recordings. Here are some tips for optimizing room acoustics on a budget:
DIY Acoustic Treatment
Consider building your own acoustic panels using affordable materials like fiberglass insulation, wooden frames, and fabric. There are plenty of online resources and tutorials available to guide you through the process.
Strategic Furniture Placement
Arrange furniture and other objects in your recording space to help break up reflections and diffuse sound waves. Bookshelves, sofas, and curtains can all contribute to a more acoustically balanced environment.
Experiment with Mic Placement
Use microphone placement to your advantage by positioning microphones to minimize room reflections and capture a more direct sound from the source.
Embrace the Power of Editing
Even the most meticulously recorded audio can benefit from a bit of post-production editing. Here are some basic editing techniques to enhance your recordings:
Trimming and Cutting
Remove any unwanted noise, clicks, or pops from your recordings by trimming the audio waveform using your recording software’s editing tools.
Equalization (EQ)
Use EQ to shape the tonal balance of your recordings, emphasizing desired frequencies and cutting out unwanted resonances or harshness.
Compression
Apply gentle compression to smooth out the dynamics of your recordings and ensure a more consistent volume level.
Reverb and Effects
Experiment with reverb, delay, and other effects to add depth and dimension to your recordings. Just be sure to use them sparingly and tastefully to avoid overwhelming the mix.
Invest in Quality Equipment Wisely
While you can certainly achieve great results with budget-friendly gear, investing in high-quality equipment will make a significant difference in the long run. Here are some essential pieces of equipment worth investing in:
Microphones
Invest in versatile, high-quality microphones that can handle a variety of recording tasks. Look for mics with transparent sound reproduction and durable construction.
Audio Interface
Choose an audio interface with low-latency performance, high-quality preamps, and ample input/output options to accommodate your recording needs.
Monitors and Headphones
Invest in a pair of studio monitors or headphones with accurate frequency response and comfortable fit for critical listening and monitoring.
Room Treatment
Allocate some budget for acoustic treatment materials to improve the sound quality of your recording space and minimize unwanted reflections.
Setting up a home studio on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on quality.
Conclusion
By following these best recording practices and techniques, you can achieve professional-grade results without breaking the bank. Focus on optimizing your recording environment, mastering proper microphone placement and gain staging, and embracing the power of post-production editing to enhance your recordings. As long as you prioritize the right things, you’ll be making pro-level recordings in no time.
Whether you’re a musician, a podcaster, a streamer, or a content creator, choosing the right studio microphone is crucial for capturing high-quality audio regardless of recording space, especially if you’re trying not to break the bank.
In this short guide, we’ll explore the different types of studio microphones available, essential points to consider when buying, and what to prioritize when working with a limited budget.
Understanding Studio Microphone Types
Before diving into specific features and considerations, let’s first understand the basic types of studio microphones:
Condenser Microphones
Known for their sensitivity and ability to capture detailed sound, condenser microphones are common in studio settings. They require phantom power to operate, which comes from audio interfaces or mixing consoles.
Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are rugged and versatile, making them ideal for recording loud sound sources like drums and electric guitars. They don’t require phantom power and are less sensitive than condenser microphones.
USB Microphones
These microphones have built-in analog-to-digital converters and connect directly to your computer via USB. While convenient for beginners and those with limited space, most may not offer the same level of audio quality as traditional studio microphones.
What to Look For
When shopping for a studio microphone, here are some essential things to keep in mind:
Versatility
Look for a microphone that can handle a variety of recording tasks. Versatile microphones can save you money in the long run by eliminating the need to purchase multiple microphones for different purposes.
Durability
Whenever possible, make sure to examine a microphone’s build quality before you buy to ensure it’s sturdy and well-made. Pay close attention to the details: you’ll want to learn what materials were used in its construction, and it’s always good practice to get a sense of the microphone’s overall feel in your hand before bringing it back to the studio.
Frequency Response
A microphone’s frequency response determines how accurately it reproduces different frequencies. A flat frequency response is ideal for accurately capturing natural sound. Microphones with tailored frequency responses, meanwhile, are better suited for specific applications, like recording vocals or particular instruments.
Polar Patterns
When buying a microphone, you should also think about its polar pattern. This refers to a microphone’s sensitivity to sound from different directions.
Here are the three most common polar patterns you’ll encounter in a recording environment:
Cardioid microphones are most commonly used in studio settings, as they only capture sound from sources placed directly in front of them.
Figure-8 microphones pick up sound sources from the front and back, which makes them great for duets or interviews with minimal bleed.
Omnidirectional microphones capture sound equally from all directions. This makes them ideal for capturing ambient sounds or group recordings.
Sensitivity and SPL
Check the microphone’s sensitivity and maximum sound pressure level (SPL) capacity before you buy it. Higher-sensitivity microphones are great for detailed captures of quieter sounds. Conversely, microphones with high SPL thresholds can handle louder sounds without distortion.
Compatibility
Finally, ensure the microphone you’re considering is compatible with your existing recording equipment. Check the connection type (XLR or USB) and ensure it will work with your current audio interface, mixer, and computer.
Our Favorite Studio Microphones
While there are many affordable studio microphones on the market, the Slate Digital ML-1 microphone and Virtual Microphone System offer exceptional value and versatility for the price.
The ML-1 Modeling Microphone
The ML-1 is a high-quality condenser microphone that delivers professional-grade sound reproduction at an affordable price point. Its flat frequency response and cardioid polar pattern make it perfect for a wide range of recording applications, from vocals and acoustic instruments to drums and guitar amps.
The Virtual Microphone System (VMS)
The VMS software complements the ML-1 microphone by emulating the characteristics of classic microphones and preamps. With a selection of meticulously modeled microphone and preamp combinations, the VMS allows you to achieve the sound of vintage studio equipment without the need for a large budget or extensive gear collection.
By combining the Slate Digital ML-1 microphone with the Virtual Microphone System, you can access a diverse palette of sonic possibilities without breaking the bank. Whether you’re recording vocals, instruments, or podcasts, the ML-1 and VMS provide professional-quality results that rival much more expensive studio setups.
Conclusion
Choosing the right studio microphone for your home studio doesn’t have to be a stressful or super-expensive process. Stay mindful of your budget and specific recording needs, and you’ll find an affordable professional microphone that delivers professional-grade audio without sacrificing quality.
With the right microphone in your arsenal, you’ll be well-equipped to unleash your creativity and produce amazing recordings regardless of your studio space.
The concept of ‘online mastering’ doesn’t have to be scary.
The process of music-making is extensive. From the writing to the arranging to pre- and post-production, the road to a finished piece of music is a long one.
And fittingly, awaiting your arrival at the end of said journey is the most feared, mysterious step: mastering.
Understanding Mastering
Mastering is the art of refining and enhancing certain sonic characteristics of a song to ensure a universally high-quality listening experience.
Traditionally, mastering is done by professional engineers in professional studios. However, with the rapid development and democratization of professional-grade music production software, the mastering process has become more accessible than ever.
Through online mastering platforms, artists of all experience and financial levels can give their songs the professional polish they deserve. In this quick guide, we’ll look into the world of online mastering, exploring its benefits, drawbacks, and everything in between.
What is audio mastering?
Mastering is the last stage in the music production process before distribution. Its primary goals include enhancing clarity, optimizing volume levels, and ensuring consistency across tracks within an album.
The process typically begins with careful listening and analysis of the mixed tracks. The mastering engineer evaluates aspects such as tonal balance, dynamics, stereo imaging, and overall cohesion to identify any areas that may require adjustment.
Main mastering objectives
One of the primary objectives of mastering is to achieve optimal loudness and dynamic range. This involves using tools like compressors, limiters, and equalizers (‘EQs’) to balance the mix while preserving the original sound.
Another essential aspect of mastering is ensuring compatibility across various playback systems. This includes addressing issues such as frequency balance, stereo width, and phase coherence to ensure that the music translates accurately across different devices and environments.
In addition to technical adjustments, mastering also involves creative decision-making to enhance the emotional impact and sonic character of the music. This may include adding effects like reverb or delay, fine-tuning the stereo image, or making EQ adjustments to highlight certain elements of the mix.
The Shift to Online Mastering
In recent years, there has been a notable shift towards online mastering services. This shift is the result of several factors, particularly recent advancements in the capabilities and accessibility of digital music technology.
Online mastering platforms, like our VIRTU Assisted Mastering platform, allow musicians to upload and process their tracks remotely without the need for expensive studio sessions.
Additionally, online mastering services offer a level of convenience that traditional studios cannot match. Musicians can collaborate with mastering engineers from anywhere in the world, saving time and money on travel expenses.
The Pros & Cons of Online Mastering
While online mastering offers many advantages, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before diving in.
Pros
On the positive side, these services are often more affordable than traditional studio sessions, making the mastering process accessible to independent artists and small-budget productions. The availability of online music-sharing tools also makes it easier for projects to get done quicker.
Cons
However, using an exclusively online mastering solution isn’t without its drawbacks. Without an unbiased ear listening to your music, you might not be getting the most reliable results. You may also find you struggle with significant quality differences from platform to platform. However, most artists find that despite its flaws, online mastering is an effective, accessible way to give their mixes that professional touch.
Tips for a Successful Mastering Session
For musicians looking to take their first step into mastering their music, here are some things to consider:
Firstly, it’s essential to prepare your audio files properly before submitting them for mastering. This means making sure your mix is balanced and that there’s no audible peaking in your final mix (unless it’s intentional).
A clear sense of artistic direction is also crucial throughout the process. Even in the early stages of sketching out your track, having a sense of where you’d like to take it can help inform stylistic decisions down the road. With VIRTU, for example, you retain control of deeper creative decisions, like tweaking your overall EQ curve or spreading your mix a little wider.
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Making music is all about taking creative risks and learning from them.
Conclusion
Online mastering is a convenient and accessible solution for musicians looking to elevate the quality of their recordings.
Whether you’re an independent artist or a seasoned professional, there are a host of online mastering platforms that provide a range of options to suit your various needs and budget. By understanding the basics of the mastering process and exploring the various online mastering options available, you can unlock your music’s true potential.
Slate Digital is thrilled to introduce SD-PE1, our brand-new passive EQ plugin.
A welcome addition to the Virtual Mix Rack ecosystem, SD-PE1 is based on one of the most coveted and beloved passive EQ units ever made. SD-PE1 delivers all the signature tone and color that made the original hardware unit so beloved, with some extra features sprinkled to make it even more useful.
At a Glance:
Passive EQ plugin
Digitally modeled off legendary outboard unit
Additional frequencies for deeper processing
Stepped and incremental frequency selection
Toggle traditional tube-stage saturation on/off
Perfect for drums, bass, vocals, and mix bus
The original passive EQ that inspired SD-PE1 first appeared in the late 1950s. Immediately beloved for their notably warm quality, the earliest units were all made by hand by the company’s founders. This strict attention to detail resulted in superior build quality that has led to many of these original units still working more than 60 years later.
Built-In Vintage Warmth
On passive EQ units, the processed signal is output at a significantly lower volume than the input signal, requiring an additional clean boost step to hear the results of the processing. To remedy this issue, the original hardware also featured a built-in tube makeup gain stage that boosted the outgoing signal back to the desired level while adding an extra dose of saturation to it.
SD-PE1 captures all the iconic richness and tone of the original unit—with a twist. The plugin features the same tube stage, but as a switch that can be toggled on and off. This feature allows you to keep your crafted EQ curve without any additional coloration from the tube stage.
Unique EQ Curves
The original unit gained fame for its distinctive low-end boost and attenuation capabilities, especially in the sub and low-mid frequencies. Its renowned “kick trick” simultaneously boosts and attenuates the same frequency, creating a unique resonance that enhances clarity and depth without compromising warmth or punch.
This feature has established the EQ as a must-have in mastering studios, where it enhances recordings with weight and presence while preserving a natural, transparent sound. Ultimately, the SD-PE1’s EQ curves deliver a timeless and unmatched sonic character, cementing its status as the best passive equalizer plugin for achieving professional-grade audio results.
Further Frequency Selection
SD-PE1 also adds several additional frequencies that the original unit didn’t allow for. The high shelf control can now reach 3kHz on the low end and 30kHz on the high end. The high bell can now boost 1kHz and 2Khz, and the low shelf can affect 40Hz and 70Hz. These extra frequencies further enhance the sonic flexibility of the plugin without sacrificing the experience of using the original module.
To take things a step further, where the original hardware’s frequency selection was stepped, SD-PE1 allows for both stepped and incremental frequency selection. This means you can use the plugin both exactly as the original hardware was intended and as your own unique custom passive EQ.
Making the Plugin
In the video below, hear from our DSP team about how they built SD-PE1 and translated all the essential nuances of the original unit into this new plugin.
Availability
SD-PE1 is available NOW in Virtual Mix Rack for All Access Pass and Complete Access subscribers. It is also available for purchase at $149 as a perpetual license. Learn more and try it today here.
Rob Ruccia is the epitome of a lifelong musician. After a lengthy career that touched every conceivable corner of the music industry, Rob has maybe made the biggest name for himself in the credits of your favorite plugins and music creation tools.
Fluent in Pro Tools since version three and always striving to be ahead of the tech curve, Rob has become a go-to engineer for some of the biggest names across the entertainment spectrum. His resume includes everyone from legendary jazz musicians like Daryl Jones and Wallace Rooney to YouTubers like Rob Scallon and Andrew Huang.
A few months ago, Rob was kind enough to talk to us from his home base at Uptown Recording in Chicago, where he has been the chief engineer for over 20 years. We talked about the early days of recording tech, the dark side of the music industry, and the one lesson you have to keep learning the longer you live in the studio.
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How are you doing on this wonderful Wednesday?
Pretty good. It’s going to be a busy evening for me, I’ve got a bunch of video syncing I have to do.
Fun stuff. Let’s get right into it: for those who don’t know, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well, I’m a musician first. I became a recording engineer as a way to facilitate getting my music out there. I became a professional touring musician and made a couple of records on major labels, then fell back into the studio and never looked back.
Do you remember when you first fell in love with the music-making process?
Growing up there was a piano in my house, so there was always something to push and make noise with, whether it was a pitch noise or a rhythmic noise. My parents allegedly complained about it, but they also fueled it by never taking the piano away. They eventually got me lessons, and even got me a trombone when I wanted to start to play in the school marching band or orchestra.
Orchestra taught me how to read music, and then I started playing bass. That led me to a metal band, which got me a record deal…and then I realized that it cost way too much money to make records on a record deal, so I learned to do it myself.
What was the first thing you saw in the studio environment that made you think, ‘This is it’?
When I saw moving faders for the first time in maybe 1993-1994. I thought I was tripping for a second, like my mind was playing tricks on me. Now of course I know it was MIDI-based automation, and very archaic compared to what’s available now, but it was one of the things that led to me getting bitten by the tech bug.
It helps that I was already into the computer side of things, and that was where audio was headed at that point. I got in on Pro Tools at version three, which was a lot easier to navigate than a four-track or a cassette-deck recorder, or even analog tape. It was a matter of just finding the fastest way to get my music out. It was a means to an end that led me to this particular end.
Did it purely start as a means to an end, or was there something specific you loved about the process from the beginning?
I fell in love with Pro Tools because it was like the visual side of music that I was never able to access on tape. Before Pro Tools, you couldn’t see the music you were working on. I know it’s “best practice” to primarily listen while you’re working, but I can read waveforms like a language. I look at a screen and see where the ‘words’ are—they don’t look like words to anybody else, except for people who can read them like I can.
It’s a passion that I got into because, first and foremost, I like being able to control things and have them automated. Between majoring in acoustic science and my career as a professional musician, I understood the basic premise of how to treat rooms and make things sound good. I eventually started to realize that if my professional music career wasn’t going to make me the rock star I thought I would be, then maybe I could be the wizard behind the curtain.
How did you end up majoring in acoustic science? Was that always the plan?
Luckily, Columbia also had a pretty well-known local acoustician running the acoustic science program. Since he wasn’t someone I’d be interning for, I decided to study with him. I really wanted to learn about what made sound ‘good’, as well as what made it dangerous and exciting. My final paper was on sonic warfare and the research for that project blew my mind. There are so many ways to destroy stuff with sound. [laughs] But I use it to create.
Had you worked in studios or recording before you went to college?
Yeah. My band in high school did our first recordings on an 8-track reel-to-reel, and then it upgraded from there. I had my own Portastudio, then moved to ADAT recording on tape. At that time, computers and digital workstations were super unreliable and very risky to work with—basically, if you didn’t want to lose your whole project, you worked with tape. That was kind of my path to the future of the recording process.
Was it specifically that element of control and being able to visualize all of it that drew you closer to the studio?
I really wanted to be able to control what I heard. I’d learned that paying other people to try and get the sound I had in my head was a futile effort. At a certain point, I felt like I was just spinning my wheels. I started to say, ‘What if I could do it myself and get it to sound the way I want?’
Eventually people were willing to pay me to get it to sound the way they wanted. Low-budget projects often came with unrealistic expectations at first, but the bigger-budget projects gave me the kind of control I wanted, so they could have the vision in their head come out in the speakers.
That’s really where the control factor comes in. Not to say I’m a control freak or anything—it’s just really nice to be able to control every aspect of what ends up going out. A lot of people listen to my work, so it’s rewarding to see the sound I worked on enjoyed by hundreds of thousands or even millions of people.
“There’s always gonna be the need to have somebody record your stuff and get it out there…After I left the stage, people came to me because they knew that I knew my stuff. I made good-sounding things because I came from a world of good-sounding bands and good-sounding recordings.”
That’s actually a perfect segue into my next question: how did First of October get started?
First of October was born by accident. I did a project with Rob Scallon before he was a YouTuber. When I first met him, he was just the bass player in a band that came through Uptown Recording. He was just out of high school, maybe even still in high school, at the time. From there, he had me master some of his other projects, and then he eventually brought in a couple of his own YouTube channel projects to do here at Uptown.
Rob and Andrew [Huang] just decided they wanted to get together and make a record in a day, and they asked me to helm it. They didn’t tell me that they hadn’t written anything at the time, though. I thought they had a record ready to go and they were giving themselves just one day to record it, which is a challenge I would expect from YouTubers, but no. Nothing was prepared—they just kind of came in and went for it. Sure enough, it became a viral thing that led to a second year and then a third and a fourth, going on to the fifth one now.
Any big plans for the 5th anniversary?
This upcoming year we’re going international again. I can’t spill the beans on it yet, but as an engineer, I am gonna weep when it starts. We’re going to be working in the holy grail of studios.
That’s a really fun teaser. Do you feel like a third member of that band at this point?
Yeah, and they consider me that. That’s why they brought me to Canada instead of getting a local engineer, and that’s why we’re going on another trip this year. The two of them also now have a new series that came out on April 1st called Sonic Boom. We made 12 episodes in a week up in Canada at this studio called Noble Street, which is a really awesome facility.
Oh that sounds very cool, talk a bit more about that.
The show is like a mini First of October. Each episode is a challenge, with ideas flying around at a breakneck pace until they’ve got something. They rely on me to help them make it happen, because I know what to expect from one of their sessions. At the end of the day, when they’re done throwing a thousand things at me, I can still make it sound like a record.
Speaking of First of October, the “Album in a Day” process is so high-octane and frenetic, yet you never struggle to keep up. Were you always naturally adept at navigating a studio environment, or was it a more gradual development to the point where you were able to handle a session like that?
Well, the studio environment has naturally adapted to the needs of the people operating them—they’ve gotten increasingly ergonomic, and things are always within reach.
In the first studio I worked in, I was intimidated by everything. Patch bays, moving faders, microphones on stands with giant counterweights that I had never seen before and wondering why before realizing they’re worth more than my car, that sort of stuff. But always being willing to grow with and adapt to the technology allowed me to get as fast as I am with Pro Tools, which helps facilitate projects like First of October. The days of the 14- to 15-hour studio sessions are kind of gone.
Can you talk a bit about the process of becoming the head engineer at Uptown Recording?
My first paid studio gig as an assistant engineer cutting tape at a studio in Illinois called Sound Video Impressions, they were the first studio to have a 16-track tape machine in the ’70s. That was when Pro Tools and this other platform called Sonic Solutions were the first DAWs that people were using to do professional editing from analog dumping. I ended up diving so deep into Pro Tools that my name is actually in the credits of the software because I’ve been a tester for so long.
I was between 15-16 when I started learning on a four-track, was learning how to automate by 19-20 years old, and then paused at 25 to go on tour with huge bands like Godsmack, Deftones, even Nonpoint, who I still work with now. Then, in about 2002, I fell into Uptown Recording and sort of just made myself chief engineer.
When Uptown was founded, there wasn’t anyone there who had the same intimate knowledge of Pro Tools and more modern recording technologies that I did, nor did anyone have a clientele as large as mine. The studio needed business and a chief engineer, so I just jumped in and never looked back.
Was leaving the stage for the studio always part of your plan?
Yeah, the studio was always part of the plan; the plan was just accelerated when the music industry chewed us up and spit us out, as it does. We were coming from Chicago at the exact time Disturbed got signed, and they’re one of the biggest metal bands that ever broke from Chicago. There were seven other metal bands that got signed at the same time, and they’re the only one that still plays stadium tours. We all got thrown against the wall, and almost all of us fell off the wall.
That’s what got me thinking more about the behind-the-scenes side of the business. There’s always gonna be the need to have somebody record your stuff and get it out there, and the one that does it better is gonna be the one that gets the business. That definitely translated. After I left the stage, people came to me because they knew that I knew my stuff. I made good-sounding things because I came from a world of good-sounding bands and good-sounding recordings.
Thinking about all the artists that you have worked with, are there any particular sessions that stand out?
I’ve worked a lot with a pianist and music director named Robert Irving, he was Miles Davis’s music director for 10 years. The sessions I do with him are awesome, he brings in incredible musicians. There’s a bass player he brought in named Daryl Jones who played with Miles and has played bass for the Rolling Stones for a long time. He’s also brought in some guys from Earth Wind and Fire, one of the original singers from the Emotions, just a huge collection of killer, old school, real musicians. They never need any editing—you get a bunch of takes and suddenly you’ve got 19 great options to pick from.
Those sessions are packed with invaluable information. I remember Wallace Rooney, an amazing horn player who used to work with Miles Davis, as well, gave me all these different tips about mic placement for horns to get the same tone as Miles. That kind of stuff can’t be found in a textbook.
“I like being able to do things that you can’t actually do in reality.”
Were there any moments working with these legendary musicians where you found yourself in a state of shock, or have you had enough experience where you’re able to just get right into the job?
Oh sure, there were definitely moments early on where it was like, ‘Oh my god, these are musicians I’ve looked up to my whole life, and now I’m the guy recording them.’ It’s even more surreal as an engineer when these people are giving me compliments and telling me I’m one of the best they’ve worked with. But mostly, I don’t let it faze me. I think that comes from being in a national touring band and running into every major musician at festivals. You can’t be starstruck, because you’re peers at that point.
In the studio, I’m here to serve them in a way. I go out of my way to make things easy and comfortable for them, even down to making sure their headphones aren’t too loud. Those extra details mean a lot, because seasoned vets will bring up horror stories from other studio spaces they’ve been in. As long as I don’t become the subject of one of those stories, I’ve done my job.
All right, let’s switch gears. You have a lengthy history of testing products for Pro Tools and other companies, but you’ve been a tester for Slate Digital for a very long time too. Do you remember the first Slate Digital product you tested?
It was the ML-1 mic. I got Nonpoint to come in in February 2016 to do their first album on Universal. It was huge for me because they booked the entire month. The version of the ML-1 I used with Elias [Soriano, singer for Nonpoint] was a beta version. There’s an album out there with that early ML-1 on it, all just because I was testing it at the right time.
Eventually, testing the mics got me beta licenses for the entire Virtual Mix Rack, and the rest is history. I love testing hardware—it’s fun to actually physically see the growth in the product.
Do you have a favorite of the virtual mic models?
The 67. When I did Sonic Boom with Andrew and Rob up in Canada, Noble Street had a pair of real 67s. I had never used real 67s before, only the models, and I was really pleasantly surprised when everything sounded like I expected it to. They sounded just like my ML-1s.
Speaking of the mics, I remember hearing you talk about a technique you discovered with the ML-1 where you’d automate switching between different models, depending on what kind of sound you wanted in different parts of the song. Could you talk a little bit more about that?
Yeah, that’s the best accident. I just thought about it in my head: instead of EQ’ing or using things like Soothe or other plugins that are out there to kind of smooth out harsh transients, I figured a darker mic might help. Sure enough, the issue got better, and I didn’t have to automate EQ or anything.
I just got creative with it. I like being able to do things that you can’t actually do in reality. You wouldn’t be able to run into the room and switch mics in-and-out that quickly in real-time; and even if you had two sets of mics on the overheads, they wouldn’t be in the same positions, so you’d have some weird timing shifts or phasing shifts happening.
That’s one of my favorite things about the ML-1: no matter what mic you’re emulating or if you’re setting up a stereo pair, you’re still dealing with individual mics, so understanding how to place them equally and correctly is still important. More and more things are getting removed from the skill set of an engineer because the software can take care of it for you; in this case, I decided to flex my technical know-how and use the software to make the previously impossible, possible.
I do it with horns too: I just did a session where I duplicated all the horn tracks, and then changed the mic on the duplicates and blended the takes between a ribbon mic and a dynamic mic. In the real world, I would never be able to get those in the same or optimal position in front of my horn while keeping everything in phase and time-aligned. It’s just really a helpful tool to experiment with.
With that in mind, do you take a hard stance on either side of the “Analog vs. Digital” debate?
I honestly use whatever sounds best. I often think back to something Chris Lord-Alge said, maybe even in an Academy video, where he said, “Nobody’s gonna die if you turn your treble up to +15.” It’s true. I’m one of those naturally cautious engineers who came from the analog hardware world, so I don’t want to blow up my preamp or have it fail on me because I’ve run some super-hot signal into it. In the virtual world, it literally doesn’t matter. Producers and engineers every day are exploiting the fact that you can have a Neve glowing all day long and it’s not going to die.
Perfect example: when I was working on Sonic Boom, Rob and Andrew had a real RCA 44 from the late 1930s or early 1940s. It was a super expensive mic, and I felt so nervous touching it. I would never take that mic anywhere or put it in front of anyone I didn’t trust. Meanwhile, with an ML-2, you can get something for $150 that sounds just as good as the original when the software’s applied. That’s a big reason I’m so keen to always be on board and a little ahead with the new stuff:. if it sounds just the same as the vintage, what’s the difference?
Are there any pieces of advice you’d offer to newer, up-and-coming engineers who are hoping to develop a portfolio as extensive as yours?
It’s so key as an engineer to have infinite patience. That’s something I find myself struggling with more and more as time goes on. With technology making things so quick and seemingly effortless now, clients expect results so fast, but you have to have the patience to get there. Getting a good result at the end of the day is what the job is all about, but you also don’t want to move so quickly that you’re leaving tons of studio time on the table. As long as you remember to be patient and capitalize as much as possible on the available studio time, you’ll find success in your sessions.
That feels like as good a place to wrap up as any. You already gave us a couple of nice teasers, but is there anything that you can actually preview for us before I let you go?
Sure. I’m getting ready to do more Nonpoint recording. They’re going to be working with Chris Collier, who did the last Korn record, so that’s a pretty big deal. I’ve actually turned him on to a bunch of Slate Digital stuff, he’s been using the ML-1 a lot.
I also got one for Elias from Nonpoint so he doesn’t have to come to the studio to record vocals. That technology was especially key during the COVID lockdowns. Singers could track at home and send me their stems, and I could still use them. It’s nice to work with because while most of the magic is happening in the software, you’re still dealing with hardware. It’s not like an AI coming up with a new Drake and The Weeknd song.
We’re thrilled to introduce Transient Shaper, our latest free addition to the Virtual Mix Rack ecosystem. Perfect for tightening drums, boosting bass hits, taming string instrument peaks and gluing sounds together, Transient Shaper is a must-have tool for producers of any genre or experience level.
Though Transient Shaper lives inside the Virtual Mix Rack, you don’t have to be an analog loyalist to make it sing. Transient Shaper is an incredibly flexible sound sculptor that gives you precise control across the entire frequency range of your source.
How Does It Work?
Transient Shaper does exactly what you expect—and more.
The plugin gives you control over both the transient and sustain of your source sound. Its interface is split into three processing sections: Transient, Sustain, and Output.
The Transient section features a Gain control to adjust the gain of detected transients. Transient detection is level independent, so you can change the overall level of the track without affecting its behavior. The Warmth knob then adds saturation to the transient. This control is independent from the Gain, so you can add bite to your sound without maxing out your levels.
The Sustain section features a Gain knob of its own that will either boost or cut the detected tail of your sound. The Transient and Sustain sections are also equipped with Focus sliders that filter the signal and sidechain signal being processed.
The Output section has its own set of parameters. The Time knob lets you adjust the length of the detected transient or tail of your sound, and the Listen button routes a specific signal path to the output: Transient, Sustain or Out, with all the different processes applied to each portion.
Check out the official trailer below for a quick preview of the plugin, then click here to learn more.
Transient Shaper is available now in Virtual Mix Rack, exclusively in the All Access Pass. To learn more, click here.
If you’re looking for authenticity, look no further than Will Yip.
Born and raised in Philadelphia and co-owner of the famed Studio Four in Conshohocken, PA, Yip has amassed a very impressive catalog in his time behind the boards. Having worked with everyone from the endlessly enigmatic songstress Lauryn Hill to metal wunderkinds Code Orange, Yip’s fluency in human connection has translated into a body of work that is defined as much by its sonic variety as it is its collective vulnerability.
“I care about you, and I care about your record,” he shared via video call. Listening to his work, that much is clear. Through his hands-on, personal connection with every artist he works with, each session with Yip is focused on capturing the artist exactly as they are in that given moment in time, as if each record were designed to be its own emotional time capsule.
Speaking to us from Studio Four, we dug deep with Yip for a wide ranging conversation covering (among many things) his humble beginnings, the records that defined his journey, and his undying passion for his hometown—a city and community that never fails to keep him inspired.
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Good morning! Happy Thursday. How’s your day so far?
Yo, good morning to you, man. I’m doing well. Busy. This is a busy time, but I’m grateful for it. Can’t complain too much, you know?
Let’s just jump into it. For those who don’t know, tell us a little about yourself. Who is ‘Will Yip’?
That’s a loaded question…eh, we have time today. My name is Will Yip. I’m a music lover, a music fan, a music creator…I just love music, you know. Ever since I picked up a pair of drumsticks for the first time at 11 years old and then started my first band a few years later. That first band put together all of our collective savings—$100 at the time—to record a two song demo at a studio in Northeast Philadelphia. The same way I felt while holding drumsticks for the first time was the same way I felt on the production side of walking into a studio for the first time. Even though it was still like a very humble basement studio. I walked in, I was like, ‘Oh…this is what I want to do.’
When did you get your first studio gig?
When I was 13. I went to the head of that same studio and was like, ‘Yo, can I just hang out and get you coffee, clean your bathrooms, whatever you need.’ I just wanted to be in the studio. It was that obsession with being in the studio to absorb music getting made that led to my apprenticeship running the rehearsal rooms.
From there, I started getting into the software and understanding signal flow, and I started building a little home studio in my mom’s basement. I used to hustle, man. I remember a lot of hardcore bands from Philly would rehearse there and record these demos on a cassette. One of those bands was Blacklisted. I went to them and said, “Hey, why don’t you let me record you for free?” And they did. And then they did it a few more times. Soon enough, I was recording a lot of bands’ demos.
Skipping a few steps, I got an internship at Studio Four in college, and I went back to Blacklisted and told them to demo there for free. I paid for the recording sessions myself because I wanted them in that space. So I recorded the demos, and they called me one day and said, ‘Dude, we’re doing the record with you. We’ll release the demos if we have to.” That record [2009’s “No One Deserves This More Than Me”] was the record that changed my life. That Blacklisted record was the one that brought Title Fight in, which was the one that brought Balance & Composure in, which was the record that brought The Wonder Years in, and so on. Without the people that gave me those opportunities, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today.
The way you speak about Studio Four with such reverence all these years later makes it feel almost meant-to-be. Tell me a little bit more about how it first came into the picture.
It was always my dream to be at Studio Four. Growing up in Philadelphia, I grew up on Fugees records and Lauryn Hill. So many classic hip hop and R&B records were tracked in Philadelphia back in the day, whether it was at Studio Four or elsewhere. And again, I was a studio junkie even when I was 12 years old. I grew up just devouring album credits. I saw the name Studio Four in Philly and was like, ‘Alright, that’s the goal. I’m going to work at Studio Four, and I’m going to die at Studio Four.’
But Studio Four wasn’t the first internship I had at Temple [University]. I originally started interning at this other studio called Indre.
Oh, ok. Then tell me about that internship first.
I actually tell this story to a lot of students to really drive home that point that you really can’t ever take ‘No’ for an answer in this industry. You just have to keep grinding. This studio Indre, they were huge. They were doing all kinds of stuff with the big alternative radio station back then, Y100. They were always doing events with artists like Jimmy Eat World, Mötley Crew, just any and every big rock record you can imagine. Naturally I’m like, ‘Get me in there,’ you know?
I emailed the student manager to tell them I’d be starting Temple in the Fall and asked if I could intern, or really do anything for free. I just wanted to be there. The reply was just, “No, I’m sorry, we’re full.” That was it. No ‘Check back later,’ nothing. That just didn’t sit right with me. I needed to get into that studio, by any means necessary. So I took my life savings, probably like a thousand bucks at that point, determined to get into that studio and meet those engineers. I booked a session so they could master a record for me…but the record was already mastered. It was probably my best sounding thing at that point.
I brought it in and the engineer put it up and went, “Holy shit, man. This sounds pretty good. Where did you track this?” I’m like, ‘In my mom’s basement.’ He goes, “What? This sounds better than most of the stuff we grab in the A room.” I told him if he ever needed help, I would take care of it for free. He asked if I was available to run the preamps for a live session he was doing that weekend. That session was in ‘06 for a band called The Fray.
So I kind of parlayed that to Studio Four. This is proof that Phil’s the best. He said “It’s an open door policy. Just show up.” I showed up that day. I’d never been to Conshohocken before in my life, but I drove there and waited for them to show up. And I never left. Before I knew it, in 2013, I bought half the studio and became a partner.
The studio just became a part of me, man. I never knew it would bring me this far. From working with Atlantic Records for six years and now having an imprint with them to owning a drum company, to partnering up with incredible brands and being able to co-write, produce and play on hundreds of records by now is pretty nuts.
It was right around that moment of you establishing yourself as a permanent fixture at Studio Four that you were, perhaps unknowingly, shaping the sound of alternative and emo music that would define the early 2010’s. Hindsight being 20/20, do any sessions from all those years ago stand out as particularly foundational to your career path?
I would have to say in 2012 when I got two specific records out of nowhere: Title Fight’s “Floral Green” and the first Circa Survive record I did [“Violent Waves”]. That was really a life-defining moment for me as much as it was a career-defining one.
Even though I knew I was gonna be making records for the rest of my life, “Floral Green” was the first record where I felt my confidence grow in being the music collaborator that I always wanted to be. I really felt like I was coming into my own at that point. That was the first record where I truly felt like the fifth member, and I was like, “This is everything I want out of making music.”
Then right after that was Circa Survive. “Floral Green” really primed me for that experience, because at that time, Circa was one of the biggest bands in the space. They just got off a record with Atlantic Records. Before Circa and Title Fight, I’d never done anything by myself that big, aside from helping on sessions for Lauryn Hill or The Fray. These were the first records that were wholly our records.
Did those stakes add a level of pressure that was higher than you might have anticipated, or did you not really have time to worry about that?
Oh I definitely felt pressure, but I always live like that. For me, every record I do is the most important thing I have to do. That’s how I go into every record. But after those two back-to-back, I felt like I could make any record I wanted to.
It seems to me that the ethos at the core of the Philly scene is one of ceaseless energy. The way bands from that area approach every phase of the process seems so molecular, their drive is so intense. Do you see that hard-nosed mentality manifest in the studio in a way that is unique to people who come out of that space?
I do, and it’s special. And for better or for worse, I feel like I definitely fall into that category. I always tell bands, if we’re gonna do a record, just know I’m gonna outwork you. That’s my goal. I’m gonna make sure I’m the hardest working person in this room, because I care about you and your record.
I’ve always believed your external environment influences your inner environment, you know what I mean? I’ve spent a lot of time making music on the West Coast, I love it out there. I spend a lot of time making music down South, in the Midwest; I’ve done three records in Chicago, for months at a time. And everywhere’s different—Chicago reminds me a good bit of Philly, in terms of their vibe. But that Philly grind, man, it’s a real thing.
For a while in the mid 2010s, it was like ‘Why are all these bands coming out of Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, like, what’s what’s going on over there?’ The answer is nothing. If I grew up in New York, I’d be partying all the time as a kid. If I grew up in LA, I’d be out on the beach chilling. But in places like Doylestown…what the fuck else is there to do other than what you’re passionate about? For a lot of those people, they’re passionate about making records.
Let’s talk about making records, specifically some of the more technical stuff. When you think back to that home recording space, do you remember the first piece of gear that you invested in?
I do! I had a computer and I asked my mentor, like, ‘Where should I start?’ He said I needed an interface. So at this point, again, I had basically no money. I cobbled together what I’d made from those $5 an hour sessions and spent what I had.
The first piece of gear I bought was an M-Audio 1010LT sound card with eight analog inputs. I bought that, a Beta 52, an SM57 and I bought this really crappy little live mixer, I don’t even remember what console it was, and that’s how I recorded everything at that point. It was just a 57 and a kick. In fact, I still have that Beta 52, and I use it to this day. It’s on every record I’ve made, which is kind of wild to think about.
With such an early connection to analog, do you have a preference between working in the box vs. out of the box, or are you all about using whatever fits the session best, regardless if it’s hardware or software?
You know, funny enough, I’m working on a session right now and have some Slate Digital plugins up. They’re literally on my screen right now.
Oh, sick. Can you tell me what you’ve got pulled up?
So right now I’m editing some drums, and I’m looking at my Virtual Mix Rack, which is on the shells. I literally just have an FG-Stress and a Custom Series EQ on it, and that’s it. The Distressor has definitely been an integral part of my taste in recent years, both the hardware and software.
I also have FG-X 2 on my mix bus, which has become my favorite maximizer. In fact, when we send things to mastering engineers without FG-X 2 on it, they ask me to send back another version with the FG-X 2 back on because they like what it’s doing. Really it’s just part of the mix now. That’s become a big part of my workflow.
Yip in the Studio Four control room.
How has your workflow evolved since you first started at Studio Four? When you first started running sessions, was there any part of studio time that you gravitated towards the most? Is there a favorite part of the recording or mixing editing process that you still look forward to?
I have two favorite parts, and they’re both a little more on the song-centric side. First of all, I love the pre-production phase. Artists come to me because my goal is to be the architect of the pre-production. It’s a very extensive part of what I do. I love the big picture.
I compare it to being an architect because my goal the second we get in the room is to draw up the plan. We play the song, we sing the song, and then we kind of go, how do we make this better? As an engineer, your job is to take what’s great and elevate it. So, we’re thinking, ‘Does this need to change? Does a key need to change? Do we need a new chorus? Do we need a new melody?’ I really love that part of the process; even though I am an audio nerd, I’m more of a song nerd. For me, the song comes first.
That doesn’t mean that the production and the engineering aren’t a really close second, but the song is paramount. I don’t like moving on until we’re all fully sold on a song. We’re investing a lot of money and a lot of time, and you’re gonna be playing these songs for the next forever, so let’s make sure you’re happy playing these songs. Let’s map it out, and take this record song by song. Once a song is written, we pre-pro it and put it on a grid. After the first day or two of hearing two songs fully done, you kind of already know what the record is going to be. That part’s really fun for me, I’m getting excited just talking about it.
The other part of the process I love most is finally hearing the top line and tracking vocals. Most of the time, especially on a rock record, the final stage of the song is grabbing this vocal, grabbing the top line and saying, ‘Holy shit, this is it. This is the song.’ Those are my favorite moments. Anthony Green and I talk about it all the time. We used to do a song a day, that was our goal; write a song and capture it, or finish engineering and producing a song. By the end of the day, we had to be hugging high fiving. If we weren’t, we didn’t do our job…but we always did. Every day we’d be like, ‘This is the best song we’ve ever done! Let’s do another one tomorrow.’
When you look at your work with bands like Turnstile or Turnover, their sound has morphed considerably with each release. What is it like seeing these artists blossom in that way, and how much does your role in the process foster that progression?
That’s honestly one of my favorite parts about collaborating with human beings. You know what I mean? I’m not the fool to say, ‘Let’s do something different just to be different.’ That’s not what I’m about. I’m all about, ‘What record do we want to make right now?’ Of course the music should grow, and I welcome that. I don’t run away from it. As long as the songs are good, it doesn’t matter. Let’s make the best songs we can.
For example, on this new Turnover record, we listened to a lot of psychedelic music and a lot of disco. I’m like, all right, this record is going to feature a weird hybrid of sounds and influences, but I also know the songs and the hooks are still gonna be there, because that’s what we do. My job is to see what they’re inspired by and build the sonic experience that they want. The experience that Turnover wants to create now when they’re pushing 30 is different than it was when they were 16, as it should be. If you’re making a record with me, I just want to capture the natural growth that you’re experiencing. I want each record we make to be a classic, timeless timestamp of your life.
Since the goal is to put these individual life timestamps to tape, is there any part of the process that manages to translate pretty similarly from artist to artist? Or is it an inherently unique experience every time?
I would say more so the latter. The singer from Turnover and the singer from Turnstile are very different people, so the same process won’t work for two minds like that. That’s valid and important for me to remember. They’re artists just like myself, so it’s my job to make sure that we’re doing the thing that’s gonna be most conducive for maximum creativity for the person in the room.
I learned that from working with Lauryn Hill. She never wanted to move on to another song without finishing the one we were working on. Like, her mind couldn’t leave that thing until she was done. I really respected that. It made sense to me, like let’s live in the song. I remember growing up and making punk records like we all did: we booked studio time, recorded all the drums, then the bass, then the guitars…and I’m like, yo, that’s not how people make hip hop records. No one’s just programming all their drums for a whole album, that doesn’t make any sense. Instead, it’s about maximizing how good each individual song is.
All of that to say, not only am I approaching each artist differently, I’m approaching every song differently, you know what I mean? I treat rock songs the same way I treat making hip hop beats, looking at what each song needs. That’s why I have 125 guitars in my collection; on Turnover’s “Peripheral Vision,” there were songs that had like 15 different guitars on it because one wasn’t right. Probably the only thing that’s consistent from band to band is the Neve console I’m recording them on, but the processes are consistently different.
Thinking about your approach to pre-production and your arms-wide-open embrace of artistic progression, I’d love to talk about Code Orange for a second. The album “Underneath” is a totally unique listening experience. What was the recording process like working with those musicians and experimenting with so many different styles and sounds?
I say what I’m about to say with love, and we talk about this all the time…Code Orange is the most stressful band that I’ve ever worked with.
When you get guys that have a lot of big ideas, quite often there’s not that much vision behind them. With Code Orange, it’s the opposite. Jami [Morgan, Code Orange’s frontman] is a genius, he has so many ideas. That’s why he has a co-production credit on all those records, because it really is coming from his mind.
He has out-of-this-world ideas, but they always have intention, they always have a path. Jami won’t suggest an idea without knowing how we can achieve it. He really pushes me as an engineer, and we work really well together. “Forever”, the record beforehand, was kind of that first step into exploring all of these ideas he had—“Underneath” was like that on steroids. He wanted to make a record that was unlike anything else.
Can you tell me a little about what the songwriting process was like for that record?
“Underneath” was probably one of the wildest record making experiences I’ve ever had in my life, in the best way. There were no rules with Code Orange. Jami wanted something that headbanged like a Travis Scott record and had more effects and keyboards than a Nine Inch Nails record, but was still a metal record that had more bite than any metal record. I’m like, how do we put all this together while still having real drums in there? It was this puzzle that, at times I wasn’t sure we could figure out, but we didn’t stop.
We spent five weeks doing the pre-pro, basically recording the record the first time. Then, we came back here for finishing touches and mixing after they went to Nick Rascal in Nashville to track the basics. I forget how long that second phase of making the record took, but it was longer than the pre-pro stage, because so much of the production stuff happened in the mix. Everything was so meticulous. We set up their brilliant guitarist/keyboardist/producer Shade in the SSL room with Omnisphere, and he would spend upwards of six hours working on sounds based on references Jami and I gave him. Every single sound you hear on that record had that much intent behind it.
Let’s talk about intent behind sound design for a second. One reason I’ve always gravitated towards your work is that, even though each record in your catalog sounds distinctly different, they all have a signature warmth and color to them. Is that a deliberate effort on your end? Is that a sort of natural signature that comes out of your process?
I think it’s just what my ears gravitate to, you know what I mean? I could talk tech for hours but I’ll try to keep it brief. We’ll take the Neve 1081, for example. I’ve used millions of pre amps in my life…my ears don’t react the same way to those as they do to the 1081. It has this character that I just love. There’s a unique, gooey midrange to records that were tracked through there that sounds more musical to me.
In a world where everyone runs from mid-range, it’s not that I necessarily lean into it, I just really like its color. I think when people scoop your sonar frequency and people scoop your 600 Hz, that’s cool, but that doesn’t mean the 750 Hz should go with it! There’s a lot of music there. And that’s what makes you an engineer, man—being able to really get surgical and find these spots that are tasteful and dripping with feeling.
I’m never gonna run away from what my ears tell me, and my ears want me to make what Lauryn Hill called “human music.” There’s records out there, you know, that are larger than life and very bombastic, and that’s cool; some of my own records lean in that direction. But at the heart of everything, all I want to know is how the music’s gonna touch someone’s soul the quickest. Whatever the answer, that’s how I want it to sound.
What’s some ‘human music’ that you’ve worked on recently that you’re particularly excited about?
We’ve got some big stuff in the works over at Memory [Music, Yip’s record label]. We just released two brand new Balance and Composure tunes in April, so that’s huge. Webbed Wing is coming up too, that’s a new project from the Superheaven guys. We put out a new EP a few months ago, and they went from 20,000 to almost a hundred thousand monthly listeners overnight, you know, because people heard it and said, ‘Oh shit, this is special.’
We’ve also got this band that’s just rolling out right now called Flycatcher, they’re so catchy, so good. They also have a new EP out that I think people will fall in love with.
Let’s see…I recently did a live session with a band called Heart to Gold whose energy is just undeniable. Oh, and I just finished a record with a band called Scowl where we took a big creative leap that people are loving and respecting so far. They’re gonna be a powerhouse, that band.
Well, we’ve covered a ton of ground here today. I guess to leave things off, what’s, what’s next for you that you can share with us?
Next up for me is to continue growing everything we’ve started. I’m never stagnant, I make records every day. I treat every record like it’s the most important thing in my life. We have a lot of things coming up that I never thought I would have the opportunity to do. Owning a drum company, running a record label, signing bands, then helping those bands build records…I think that’s just a testament to the strength of our community. I never wanted to be pigeonholed as just an engineer or producer, just like a lot of people in bands don’t want to be pigeonholed as just a “band guy.” We’re all music makers, and I just want to be making music.
I’m really stoked about some new stuff we’re working on in Philly. People forget that Philly is the indie rock and alternative capital of the world. Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, War on Drugs, Menzingers, Mannequin Pussy, Tigers Jaw, the list goes on…two or three years ago, they were all living in Philadelphia, making music in Philadelphia at the same time. This city is special because it’s a place where musicians can still invest in themselves without sacrificing the music. They don’t have to mortgage their lives for their art the way they might in other big cities. You still invest in your lives while, you know, having a scene to build from.
That’s why my goal is to give Philly even more resources, so that maybe your next Menzingers doesn’t have to leave; so that if someone wants to do writing or collaborating sessions, that there is a community to do it here. My big thing right now is sharing my resources and helping other people make great music. I want to do whatever I can do to help people make the best music they can.