Recently I’ve been seeing a lot of people asking how to create space and depth in their mixes, so I figured it was a good time to write down my thoughts on the subject.  When I talk about depth and space, I’m referring to that 3 dimensional aspect of a song, where some instruments sound like they are farther away …

Recently I decided to get a new guitar to replace the Ibanez S540FMTT I’ve been using for almost twenty years.  Honestly, the S540 is my baby, it’s been through thick and thin with me, but I was just feeling the urge to get something new.  Been taking a break from strictly electronic-based music, and I really wanted to focus on …

Recently a discussion on the Ableton forums about what daily routines people should do in order to become a better producer got me thinking.  What sort of things could you practice if you wanted to become better at writing songs?  Especially if you’re always getting disappointed when comparing your songs to those of your favorite artists? It almost seems like …

I have to admit something.  Every time I see a new software synthesizer released these days, a small part of me runs weeping to the corner and cries for days.  Tears and tears of frustration, I literally own stock in Kleenex thanks to software synths. Ok, maybe it’s not that bad, but it seems like over and over again I …

It’s easy in today’s online marketing driven world to think that one’s tools are inferior, and that the latest and greatest new THING will help us all become better producers.  It seems like not a week goes by that there’s not some new “leak” of a revolutionary new product just around the corner.  (and on that note, the trend of …

Ridgeline – Downtempo – 02-09-2011 New track I just finished up, downtempo one this time (err… as usual maybe).  Beats were all from Stylus RMX, synths were Omnisphere and Synplant, edited, arranged, and mixed in Logic.  No real reason I used Logic versus Live, it was the first DAW I opened this time.  :)  WAV and FLAC versions available at …

One of the most common emails I get from people, generally goes along the lines of “hey man, can you listen to my song and let me know what you think it needs?”. I always freely offer mixdown advice to my clients before they come to me for a mastering job, but it’s just not something I can do for …

One of my favorite ways of coming up with new ideas for songs, is to limit the options or tools I use during the composition process. I’m sure a lot of this is born from earlier times when I first got into music making, as I just didn’t have the money to spend on a lot of gear (and back …

As most of you know, one of the valued members of the Ableton forums (Martin Brown, aka Leedsquietman) passed away unexpectedly in December, leaving behind his wife and three kids.  Further adding to the tragedy, his mother passed away while preparing to attend his funeral.  To raise money and help out his family, a number of us from the different …

Before I get started with the topic this week, it appears I need to make a clarification on the purpose of this blog.  As with my Production Guides, this blog’s only purpose is give me somewhere to voice my thoughts on different topics.  I’m not trying to say my ideas or working methods are the “right” or only way to …