McDsp MC2000
The MC2000 plug-in has the power and flexibility to emulate a wide variety of compressors in two, three, and four band configurations. But when the honeymoon of multi-band vintage emulations ends (if that were possible), the numerous uses of the MC2000 become apparent.

Eleven Rack is here

Avid or Digidesign has introduced Eleven Rack (it’s hard to tell who, there isn’t a logo on the unit). The word was out fairly quick after Avid/Digidesign announced they were going to make an announcement, and yes, it was as expected somewhat of an Eleven integrated with an LE interface.

Flux Syrah is here
Finally, after weeks of teasing from Flux, their latest dynamic tool is here – Syrah. Well, teasing for you, I’ve been using it for some time now.

Syrah is not at all like the Pure Compressor or any other plug-in from Flux. This is a completely different beast with a very different approach. Lets first have a listen to what Flux has to say about it, after which I will provide you with my own insight.

Melodyne Editor with DNA now available in public beta

After a long wait, the Melodyne that rocked the recording world a few years back with its wicked presentation of what Celemony called “Direct Note Access” is now available for you to try out. It’s not up for sale yet, but an open beta is available to registered users. And yes, this includes owners of Malodyne Essential, meaning that people who bought a Pro Tools system not too long ago will be eligible to download it.

If you’ve missed DNA – or Direct Note Access – entirely, it could be explained as letting you alter individual notes in a chord, as opposed to just single notes that has previously been possible.

MIXING TECHNIQUES and TOOLS - Just Hit Mute
One of the best tricks you can learn when developing you mixing skills is how to use the MUTE button. The mute button on your mixer or DAWS virtual mixer should be used for two main purposes.

The first and most important one is silencing unwanted noise from in between section in your tracks. For example if your recorded all three verse in one take straight through to the end there is probably some noise during in the background during the chorus where the action takes place on another track or tracks. You should use your mute button during this section so unwanted noise is not heard underneath everything The most common noises you’ll get rid of are things like some one breathing, a note book page of rhymes being turned or better yet the under lying tone of the room that starts build up as your track count increases. Using the automation of your DAW is essential to this step. Alternately you could edit out noise manually or try using a noise gate but right now the MUTE button is the star so show it some love. Using the automated mutes also makes it look cool when your mixes play back every one will thing you a pro engineer.

Digidesign announce announcement to be made September 23

Have you seen the latest announcement at Digidesign? They state it’s time for guitarists to change their game. We’ll see about that.

Feel free to speculate…

In the meantime you can sign up to their newsletter and have the chance to win whatever their announcement is. Only citizens of US and Canada are welcome. Actually, Quebecians are not. Maybe Digidesign doesn’t like french-speaking Canadians?