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Andrew Tintle
July 25th, 2013
Time In: 5:00 PM
Time Out: 9:00 PM
Lesson #: 13
Today's lesson was focused on learning about compression and practicing with different plug-ins. I spent a lot of time working on the console and working with the drum tracks of a session that had been worked on earlier in the evening. Tonight I starting connecting a lot of dots in my head and really seeing how different features of Pro-Tools work. This is really exciting for me - Pro Tools is a huge program and there is a lot to learn so feeling a breakthrough at this point is really awesome.
Discussing all the different compressors available in Plug-In format actually has me really interested in having actual hardware versions of some of the different effects someday. The great thing about the digital Plug-ins is they are much more affordable and more within my reach right now. As I build my dream studio adding hardware versions will be critical for realizing my vision.
One of the compressors that Shine On has is a DBX 566 dual compressor which has been modified to sound more like it's vintage predecessor, the DBX 160. This is a tube compressor, and when we turned up the gain the distortion that came out of it was very pleasing to the ear, unlike the distortion that might come out of a digital version of the compressor.
In addition to the work on Plug-Ins, David is always ready to give me advice for my own recordings. I recently built my first isolation box for my amplifier. I am recording with an Egnator 1x12 cabinet, a Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 18 head, and an Ibanez JS1000 guitar. I used 3/4" MDF board for the shell and 2" acoustic foam for inside the box. I have attached photos (After taking these photos I decided to put a lid on the hinge to help create a better seal). It was really challenging to get this project done in my apartment, but I am really pleased with the final result - it works amazingly well except some of the bass frequencies are leaking out the bottom into the floor. David suggested I either build a sandbox or use soft pillows (under the cabinet and under the wheels) to isolate the sound. I am going to give the pillows a try first. Hopefully it will work well enough so I can crank my amplifier up to 11 and start recording!
I am being featured on a compilation album with 21 other artists and am recording my original instrumental song, "Triumph" for this project. I am going to be experimenting with different microphone placement within the box, but my plan is to use my Sennheiser e609 on the front of the cabinet and my Shure SM57 on the back of the cabinet closer to the cone. I will be using the Sennheiser for my main guitar tone and will be blending the SM57 into my lead tone to help boost the tonal quality. I am very excited to be working on this recording. What better way to break learn these new skills and use this amazing software than to record my own material!?
