Where "Big Al" Brings The Heat On Home Studio Recording!

An Alternative Mac Mini Powerhouse DAW Computer

I just received an interesting suggestion from Steve Currington, also known as @kiwicomposer on Twitter.

He has an interesting suggestion for another configuration using a different Mac Mini model than in my example in this previous post.

Apple Mac Mini ServerIn the not too distant past Apple introduced a Mac Mini Server.

It eliminates the DVD drive in favor of housing two hard drives, comes with Snow Leopard Server installed and 4 Gigs of RAM right out of the gate. It also has the larger 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo processor.

Steve’s idea is to remove the system drive (one of two 500 Gig internal drives) and install the OWC Mercury Extreme Enterprise Class SSD 100GB SATA 3.0GB/s Solid-State Drive in it’s place. Then you’d have a speed demon of a system drive and a second internal drive with which to record and mix your tracks, all in one little enclosure.

Nice idea Steve! Hmmmm…

Let’s look at how the price compares to our last example.

In Steve’s configuration we don’t have to buy the extra RAM and we don’t need a second, external drive, so there are some savings there. Here’s the break down.

The Mac Mini 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo:     $999.00
100 Gig Internal SSD: $399.99
 
TOTAL:     $1,398.99

And here’s the breakdown of my original idea…

The Mac Mini 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo:     $599.00
Additional 2 Gigs of RAM: $57.99
100 Gig Internal SSD: $399.99
50 Gig External SSD: $299.99
23″ HP Widescreen Monitor: $229.98
 
TOTAL:     $1,586.95

Steve’s machine would certainly be a tough little workhorse. I will point out that with my configuration you’re also getting a second SSD with which to record and mix your tracks as well as a nice 23″ widescreen monitor – all for only $200 more.

Good on ya’ Steve for this killer idea for an alternative configuration!

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An Interesting Idea For A Powerhouse (Yet Affordable) Mac DAW Computer?

After seeing and hearing tech news from a few different sources, I had an idea for a pretty cool, powerful and affordable Mac computer for your DAW that would be quite a performer, or so I postulate.

First the base computer.

Apple Mac MiniThe Mac Mini 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo: $599.00

This is the entry level dual-processor Mac Mini, but I think it’s more than enough (with a few choice upgrades) to do what we want with any modern DAW. I don’t think there’s enough return on investment to spend another $200.00 to move up the Mac Mini 2.53GHz. However, if money is not that much of a consideration, apply the Big Al Rule Of Gear Acquisition, “You’ll rarely be disappointed when you buy the best.”

Next, the upgrades.

Additional 2 Gigs of RAM from MacSales.com (OWC): $57.99

Now, here’s the kicker that I think makes this REALLY go over the top…

OWC Mercury Extreme Enterprise Class SSD 100GB SATA 3.0GB/s Solid-State DriveOWC Mercury Extreme Enterprise Class SSD 100GB SATA 3.0GB/s Solid-State Drive – 100 Gigs: $399.99

This is a solid state drive that is offered in the 2.5″ form factor that slides right into the Mini, and it’s a DOOZY of a performer.

As you may know, solid state drives are pure silicon, no moving parts (no noise either). And, because of that, they’re FAST (over 260MB/s)!

Just for giggles, let’s add an external Firewire 800 solid state drive for recording and mixing our tracks.

OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro mini 50GB Enterprise Class SSD – 50 Gigs: $299.00

HP-W2338H-23-Inch-Widescreen-MonitorThis drive doesn’t need to be so large as we’ll only being working on current projects on it. We’ll save currently inactive projects to a less expensive USB external drive.

How about a really cool monitor that gives you a nice loooong timeline to work with in your edit window?

HP W2338H 23-Inch Widescreen Monitor: $229.98

Imagine how little space this entire setup would take, and how little noise it would produce. :)

So, what’s our total?

The Mac Mini 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo:     $599.00
Additional 2 Gigs of RAM: $57.99
100 Gig Internal SSD: $399.99
50 Gig External SSD: $299.99
23″ HP Widescreen Monitor: $229.98
 
TOTAL:     $1,586.95

Not bad for a SCREAMIN’ MEEMEE of a little machine with a nice big monitor!

Of course, the 100 Gig internal SSD isn’t necessary. If you’re recording to an external drive (like you always should), the stock 160 Gig, 5,400 RPM drive should work just fine.

You can also substitute a standard Firewire 400/800 external in place of the 50 Gig external SSD and still be fine (while saving about $180.00).

That would bring the cost of the whole standard setup down to just about $1,000.00.

But what fun would that be? ;)

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Get Steven Slate Drums EX For Just 20 Bucks!

yem_ss-ex-h_sm.jpgAudioMidi.com is running another great group of “No-Brainer” deals, and Steven Slate Drums EX for $20.00 is one of them. You can find right on the front page of their site.

This offer is apparently VEY popular and the authentication and download servers are running really, really. sloooow. Be patient, and keep trying!

Here’s the official rundown of this edition of Steven Slate Drums:

OVERVIEW:
Steven Slate Drums EX Contains 10 drumkits including the famous “Old Zep” kit (an authentic Led Zeppelin model recorded in a stone castle) as well as five hybrid kits, which use multiple layers of kicks and snare to acheive highly unique sounds.

This EX drum suite is the most complete digital drum suite on the market, conquering all your digital drum needs with an RTAS/VST/AU and standalone MIDI plugin, instant presets for all Roland VDrum Modules, hundreds of easy-to-use MIDI grooves in our unique SONG form.

KITS:

  • Absolute Rock Kit
  • All American Kit
  • Chunky Rock Kit
  • Classic Vintage Kit
  • Cracky Metal Kit
  • Nashville Fat Kit
  • Old Zep Kit
  • Old Zep Kit A
  • Ringy Hit Kit
  • Sizzle Kit

Hybrid Kits:

  • Funky Dry Hybrid Kit
  • Lazy Rock Hybrid kit
  • Metal Hybrid Kit
  • Slate’s Hybrid Kit
  • Three Snare Rock Kit

EXPAND your EX:
As your drum needs expand, so can your Steven Slate Drums EX library! With six EX packs, add additional Steven Slate classic drum sounds for a very small price. You’ll also be able to access the famous modeled kits, as well as some well known samples used every day on top albums by the world’s best artists.

SAMPLES
At the heart of any drum library are the actual samples. Steven Slate has been called the master of drum sounds. In the early 2000’s his original drum sample disc was in high demand amongst many top Hollywood producers and mixers. By 2006, when he publicly released his first official drum sample disc, his sounds could already be heard in many top billboard hits. Today, the airwaves are filled with Steven’s samples, as used by top mixers such as Mike Shipley, Chris Lord-Alge, Dave Way, Jeff Juliano, Jay Baumgardner, and more!

Steven has recorded only the best drums, all tuned to perfection. Every drum and cymbal has been recorded first to two-inch tape, enhancing their unique rich sound. Every drum and cymbal was recorded with multiple velocities and multiple hits per velocity to ensure the most natural recreation. Then the samples were transferred to digital via high-end A/D converters at 24 bit/ 44.1kHz. The samples were then processed by Steven Slate using some of the most classic analog gear from both past and present. The result are drums that sound like you’ve always dreamed of, with punchy transients and smooth decays. By listening to the audio demos on the homepage, its easy to hear why many pros call Steven’s samples the very best sounding digital drums available.

SSD VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT
The SSD Virtual Instrument, powered by Kontakt Player 3, is a standalone or RTAS/VST/AU plug-in that is easy to use and integrate into your DAW environment. It contains both maps for keyboard and a universal mapping for Roland V drums. With its custom velocity and remapping features, users can also customize their own maps.

New in version 3.5 is the “Advanced AMG” anti-machine gun mode for more realistic fills. This new algorithm is physically modeled to sound like a real drummer, playing real drums. Advanced AMG lets drums to play with an extreme amount of realism as well as detailed response and sensitivity.

MODELED KITS
While you’ll probably find many of the drumkits on Steven Slate Drums are reminscent of drumkits you’ve heard from various bands over the years, thirteen kits have been authentically modeled for a sound so close, you’ll think it’s the real thing! The initial EX pack contains the now famous Old Zep kit, modeled after the classic sound of Led Zeppelin. Upgrading with EX expansions lets users add all of the modeled kits, including: Steely Dan, Motley Crue, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Dream Theater. Keep in mind, these drumkits model the finalized mixed sounds that you have become familiar with, not just raw recordings of the drummer’s kits.

ROOM MICS
The Steven Slate Drums collection contains two unique sounding sets of room mics. The first set is from a large warehouse with concrete walls. These room mics were processed with heavy doses of compression, EQ, and even modulation to create a larger then life, deep, wide, expressive room sound.

The drums were then sampled in the famous NRG Recording Studio A, known for being one of the top drum rooms in Los Angeles. It’s been home to bands such as Linkin Park, Foo Fighters, Deadsy and more rockin’ bands who frequently refer to each other as “dude” and “bro”. The room mics have been left unprocessed and contain the signature depth and space of this beautiful sounding room.

Click here to visit AudioMidi.com

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Ronan C. Murphy’s Aphorisms On Recording

Ronan C. Murphy

Ronan C. Murphy

If you don’t know Ronan C. Murphy, GET TO KNOW HIM! :)

He’s a great engineer/producer and has a great video podcast, Ronan’s Recording Show.

He also conducts the famous Home Recording Bootcamp all over the globe.

I found Ronan’s list of Aphorisms Of Recording, and immediately thought to myself, “What the @$&* is an ‘aphorism’? Is that anything like a ‘trueism’?”

Interwebs to the rescue! (Dictionary.com)

aph·o·rism (āf’ə-rĭz’əm)
n.

  1. A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage.
  2. A brief statement of a principle.

Well, I was close. :)

Here’s what Ronan has to say about the genesis of this list of adages…

“I began writing this collection of Aphorisms while living in England working on several King Crimson albums with Robert Fripp. Robert had written a large collection of aphorisms about art and life and I decided to write a collection that focused on recording.”

Without further ado…here they are. Definitely pearls of studio wisdom.

Aphorisms and apparent truths about making records.
(a work in progress by Ronan Chris Murphy)

  • There is no such thing as over-production, only appropriate and inappropriate production.
  • Emulation is always a compromise.
  • The only endearing elements of emulation are found within the artifacts of its failure.
  • The quality of a recording is governed by the performance.
  • Sometimes people who know less than you about making records are right.
  • There is often an inverse relationship between the sound quality of a pop rock mix and the number of times over 2 the drummer strikes the snare drum per bar.
  • The sound of a mix is seldom the most important element.
  • Snare drums that ring are pitched instruments. Just like flutes.
  • The abstention of studio effects is an effect.
  • Guitars over-driven from digital racks or amp emulators will dominate or be submissive to the group. There is seldom a middle ground.
  • Great records are made by great people, not great studios.
  • If you don’t have the answer to a recording dilemma, the music probably does.
  • If the music does not have the answer it is probably not music.
  • What you can throw away is often more important than what you can add.
  • The factual integrity of a recording decreases exponentially with every mic and tape track used
  • There is always a producer(s) on a record.
  • Some of the records you loved when you were younger sound horrible and you never noticed.
  • You are making the soundtrack to some one else’s life.
  • If you require academics to defend your music, you have already lost Music as an ally.
  • Recordings without goals usually go no where. Recordings with goals rarely go where you plan, but they get there.
  • Good “composition” does not always result in good music.
  • Many people mistake “drums sounds” for “production”
  • The fact that the “CD” can hold over 73 minutes of music does not mean that the “album” wants to.
  • The general pubic thinks records by famous people sound better then those by non-famous people.
  • Perfect recordings seldom make for perfect records.
  • Production and adding effects are not synonymous.
  • Sometimes not participating is the greatest contribution you can make
  • A good producer knows that sometimes going away is a contribution.
  • Appropriate production is bringing to the project what it needs, clearing away what it doesn’t, and not touching the rest.
  • The question “Why?” should be asked before “How?” or “When?”.
  • The music is more important than any one in the studio.

While we’re at it, here’s the latest episode of Ronan’s Recording Show as of the date of this post:

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DIY Suspension-Style Microphone Shock Mount

The crew over at Rickshaw Records has been known for (among other things) their DIY Austin Ribbon microphone project.

Now they have a companion DIY project for making a suspension-style shock mount for it. I’ll bet it would fit a few other mics as well! Have a look and enjoy giving it a try if it strikes your fancy.


Using a screen reader? Click here for the video

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