Blogs and Articles
Changing Short Term Dynamics
A video on poke and hang, using pink noise to show how compression can reduce masking.
What the Heck is Up With Transformers?
The physics behind a transformer are complex, but the effect they have is pretty simple to understand.
Poke, Hang, Compression and Saturation
Here’s a different way of thinking about how to get something to “sit” correctly in a mix: Is it poking through? Does it need to hang around longer?
Trouble Shooting: Ideas and Explatives
Troubleshooting problems in the studio is an essential skill. Here are some ideas on how to approach it and how much you should curse.
Compression, Saturation and Distortion
Engineers use terms like Distortion and Saturation almost interchangeably. This post discusses that, and offers ideas on how to think about this stuff while recording.
At Last! Gain Staging
Gain Staging is actually a no brainer. Here’s how to do it for tracking.
Nominal Level and Meters
You must understand the relationship of nominal level to the meters on your equipment.
Dynamic Range, Headroom and Nominal Level
This is the Ultimate Audio Treasure, in terms of knowledge. If you get this stuff you can solve any audio recording situation or problem. Knowing this will improve everything.
Noise in Audio Engineering
Noise is anything you don’t want to hear. But in terms of how audio gear works and audio engineering, it’s not quite that simple.
What Causes Harmonic Distortion
Understanding what causes harmonic distortion is essential engineering knowledge.
Harmonics and Harmonic Distortion
A simplified explanation of harmonics and harmonic distortion. Knowing this stuff is essential if you want to up your engineering game.
What the Heck is Bias?
Bias is a critical adjustment that often makes all the difference in the proper operation of analog audio equipment. This article is a non-technical explanation of bias and demonstrates how it is implemented on Korneff Audio plug-ins.
Hearing Different Reverb Types
If you can hear the difference between different reverb types, it is much easier to make decisions on your recordings.
Do You Put the Damn Compressor Before or After the EQ?
Compressor before or after the EQ? Here are some ideas and guidelines to help you develop your own thinking about this.
Use the Pawn Shop Comp Backwards
Dan approaches using the Pawn Shop Comp from a very different angle. Here’s why he does it, and here’s how to do it.
The Three Reverb Set-up
Nailing the reverb and ambience on lead vocals can be really tricky. This is a fast way to do it that is nearly foolproof for any genre of music
A Cool Snare Trick
A really useful mixing trick for snare drums using two instances of the Micro Digital Reverberator. This one is courtesy of Dan Korneff.
Pumpkin Spice Compressor?
It's fall! Need some spice in your audio life so it goes well with your pie? Then the PSC is your guy.
Practical and Impractical Reverb
Dan Korneff shares his thoughts on using reverb in a mix to create space and as a special effect.
Write in Character
Some ideas on how not to write the same old thing you usually write. With some guest appearances by David Bowie, the 10CC and the incomparable Nina Simone.
How Not to Wreak Your Mix
Wanna wreak your mix? Spend a lot of time on one stupid aspect and lose your view of the whole thing. Read this to find out how NOT to do something that damn dumb.
30 years of music: by Dan
30 years ago Dan was a kid who loved music, but had no idea where it would lead him. 30 years ago he took the first steps on a journey that brings us all here.
Fix that Dumb Love Song’s Ass Right Proper
Even a dumb country love song can have cool lyrics. This post is the start of a bunch on production ideas, starting with songwriting and lyrics. 8lbs 4oz Baby Jesus, try not to make it all about you.
Masterfading 2: Riding the Masterfader
Improve the interest and dynamics of your song by moving the masterfader a little bit here and there during your mix. It’s easy. It’s fun. It won’t stunt your growth.
Talkback Limiter = Bass Amp???
It’s all about breaking the rules. Dan K. shows you how to do it for bass sounds in this short video.
Masterfading 1: Better Fade Outs
Fadeouts on a record can be a work of art, or they can sorta suck. Here are a bunch of ideas on how to up your game at the end of the song.
How to Win
Much can be learned when an unpronounceable hurricane takes out your power and you need to get your generator fixed. And it applies to audio! Surprise surprise!
How to Screw-Up
Mistakes will be made, in the studio and in life. Get beyond them. They mean you’re moving up and forwards in your career. Learn the lesson now!
Ye Shall Be Released... Understanding Compressor Release Time
The release is the hardest parameter to set on a compressor, making it just as hard to explain what it is and how to set it - but here we do just that.
Slap, Punch, Transients, Compressors, Oh my!
Having issues getting your mix punchy? You probably aren’t setting the attack time right. This article covers exactly that, with a really clear explanation of how to do it, and some video examples.
Limiters, Compressors and Walking Dogs
We are talking about compressors for the next few weeks. It all starts with understanding the differences between Compressing and Limiting. Not as it is described in text books, but as it occurs in the studio.
Working Studio: block capitals, neat handwriting, Sharpies
You should get in the habit of labeling everything with a piece of Artists Tape and writing in block capital letters with a Sharpie.
Drums, Limiters, Gates, Hugh, Pete and Phil, etc.
Drum bus compressors have become a big deal. What follows are some ideas, some things to try, and some history to know about drum bus compression.
The Book that Changed my Life
Books can change your life if you read the right ones. Home Recording for Musicians changed Luke's life in the late 1970's.
Eddie Kramer's Drum Sound Secret
Engineering God Eddie Kramer is in the studio down the hall, but he won't let anyone see his drum mic set-up. What's an up and coming engineer to do? Sneak in, of course!
How the Pawn Shop Comp Came to Be
People love the Pawn Shop Comp, and they keep asking Dan, "How did you ever come up with this thing??" Read about the Pawn Shop Comp's labor and eventual birth!