Transcripts
1. Introduction: Sound is a very important, yet a very complicated
part of life. Everything comes
alive with sound. But what differentiates noise and sound that actually makes sense and which is
understandable. well, it has a lot of
science behind it. Hi, I'm Kushal Patil. I'm an audio engineer, music producer, and
an entrepreneur. and welcome to the Audio
Engineering:Beginner to Pro. A beginner's guide
to the world of sound. In this course, we're
going to look into the fundamentals of sound,
equipment used in a project, how audio is recorded as
well as mixing and mastering. You also get 2 bonus
videos on foley and music business
where you are going to learn about the
music industry. We are also going to break down a project and analyze the mix, digging deeper into
the plugins used. After finishing the course, you will be able to record
clean vocals or instruments, mix a song from scratch
using stock plug-ins, master your final mix and get the project ready
for distribution. And that will be the
class project. Record, mix and share the project with me in the project
section below. I really hope to see you in the first module with
a notebook and pen. Happy learning!
2. Module 1: Understanding Sound: Welcome to Module one,
understanding sound. What exactly is sound? Sound can be defined as vibrations that travel
through a medium. For this course,
Let's keep air as the constant medium when
an object vibrates. The medium around
it also vibrates. And that causes a wave. This is sound wave, and sound waves are always
longitudinal waves. Next, we're going to talk about how sound acts in a closed room. As you know, a room has a lot of flat surfaces like floors,
ceilings, and walls. When sounds strikes
the surfaces, it tends to bounce off until and unless it's not
absorbed or diffused, which is scattering of sound. It keeps on creating reverberations,
echoes, and diffusion. Now there's a question
that comes to your mind. How do we get rid of
these reflections? Well, we've got acoustic panels which helps in
absorbing and diffusers, which help in diffusing
or scattering the sound. We've got absorbers made
up of Rock-wool and foam sometimes made up of fiberglass and other highly
absorbing materials. Sound enters the panels
and gets trapped. That's how these
absorbing materials work in eliminating
these reflections. Whereas a diffuser helps in scattering the sound in
all different directions.
3. Module 2: (Part 1) Condenser Microphones: Welcome to Module
two, audio equipment. Let's dive into the
world of microphone's. Well, what is a microphone? Microphone is a device
that captures audio and converts the sound waves
into an electric signal. There are two main categories in microphones, condenser
and dynamic. There are ribbon microphones, but they also come under
dynamic microphones. What exactly is a condenser mic? Condenser mics get their
name from the capacitor inside that converts acoustical energy
into electric signal. Well, condenser is the old
name for a capacitor. Condenser microphones are
delicate and way more accurate. They have way less coloration, which makes them
ideal that record vocals and instruments
in studios. You need 48 volt phantom power to run a condenser microphone. And you don't need
to be super close to the microphone to
get clean audio. There are two types of
condenser microphones. Large diaphragm and
a small diaphragm. A large diaphragm microphone,
such as this one, has a slightly larger capsule, which is great to
record voice sound recorded on a large diaphragm microphone
sounds more realistic. That's the reason why most studios, if not all, use a large diaphragm condenser
microphone to record vocals. Small diaphragm microphones are
usually shotgun microphones, and these microphones
are used in films. We're going to cover
shotgun microphones and lavalier microphones in
the upcoming classes.
4. Module 2: (Part 2) Dynamic and Ribbon Microphones: The second type of
microphones are dynamic. Dynamic microphones
use electromagnetism to convert mechanical wave
into electric signal. These microphones
are very simple, super cheap, and
resistant to hand noise. That's why these microphones
are used on stages. They don't need any phantom
power or batteries to work. There are two types of
dynamic microphones, moving coil and ribbon. A moving coil microphone has a coil of wire that
surrounds a magnet, which is connected
to a diaphragm, which vibrates in response
to incoming sound waves. Whereas a ribbon microphone or ribbon velocity microphone, uses a thin sheet of
aluminum or nano film of electrically conductive ribbon placed between the poles of a magnet to produce a voltage
responding to a sound wave. A quick story. In the previous class,
we were talking about condenser microphones
being used as the primary vocal microphone and all the studios, basically. But do you know this? Michael
Jackson used SM7, which is now
rebranded into SM7B, which is a dynamic microphone. He used the microphone to
record vocals on Thriller. Well, this is just to
show that people also use dynamic microphones to record
vocals, Not just condenser.
5. Module 2: (Part 3) Polar Patterns: Let's move on to
the next concept. Polar Patterns. Polar patterns, or pickup patterns are the patterns which represent the direction from where the sound is picked
up by a microphone. There are a lot of different
microphones and there are six types of polar patterns. Let's see the first one. Omni-directional. Omnidirectional microphones
have a pickup pattern, which actually allows sound to enter the microphone
from all directions. A Lavalier microphone
is a great example for an omnidirectional mic. This is an omnidirectional
microphone. No matter how you
place the microphone, It's going to sound the same. The second type of polar
pattern is cardioid. Cardioid is the most
common polar pattern. The name cardioid derives from the pattern which
is heart-shaped. In this microphone, the sound is captured mainly from the
front and the sides, and the rejection
is from the back. The third and the
fourth types of polar patterns are totally dependent on the cardioid basis. You can call super
and hyper cardioid as cardioid on steroids, they narrow down the direction
from where the sound is captured and increase rejection. The fifth type of polar
pattern is Uni-directional. A microphone with
this polar pattern has the highest directivity. The last type of polar pattern is bidirectional
or figure eight. This microphone is
really interesting because it tends to reject sound coming from the sides while capturing the sound coming
from the front and back.
6. Module 2: (Part 4) Audio Interface: Now that we've learnt
about microphones, how do you connect these
microphones to a computer? For this, you need
an audio interface. What is an audio interface? An audio interface is
a piece of hardware which helps in connecting
devices to a computer. Audio interfaces have
input and output channels. In the input channel, you can connect microphones
and instruments, and in the output channel, you can connect
headphones and speakers. How does an audio
interface work? An audio interface has two
different hardware systems. An ADC, analog-to-digital
converter and a DAC digital to
analog converter. Analog-to-digital converters
convert electrical signal into a binary one, which your computer
is able to read. ADCs are used to
record microphones, instruments, and send analog
data to the computer. Whereas a DAC,
digital to analog converter converts a binary signal
into an electrical one. DACs are used to send output to speakers,
amps, and headphones. Audio interfaces also
have a built-in preamp. What is a preamp? Preamp helps you amplify
a weak signal into a strong and a noise tolerant signal which is required
for a recording. Most audio interfaces provide you the 48 volt phantom power, which is required to run a condenser microphone
like this one. This is a standard two input
to output audio interface. The first input, we can see
that they have integrated and XLR and a Line-level input into a single piece of hardware. Beside this input,
we can see that they have given a left
and right channel for your studio monitors and a USB-C Thunderbolt port connect this audio
interface to your computer. The front section of
the audio interface, we can see the second input
which is a line input. this input helps you to connect
electric guitar, acoustic guitar,
and bass guitar. Also some dynamic microphone
to your audio interface. We can see a switch
which helps you to turn on and off the 48 volt
or phantom power. And beside that, we can
see a headphone output. This is the knob
which helps you to adjust the gain levels
on the first input. This is for the second input. This knob helps you to adjust the volume levels on
your studio monitors. This knob isn't available
on all audio interfaces. This knob basically helps you
decide the output stream, whether you want the output from the computer or directly from the interface for monitoring your microphone or instruments. Lastly, this knob helps you to adjust the volume levels
on your headphone output.
7. Module 2: (Part 5) Cables and Connections: Now let's see how do you
connect these devices together? That is, cables and connections. Now there are two types of
cables, analog and digital. Let's see the types
of analog cables. The first one, XLR cable. XLR connector is a type of electrical connector primarily found on professional audio, video and stage
lighting equipment. Now, let's just
limit this to audio. They can be very long without
any noise interference And they are most
commonly used to connect microphone's,
such as this one. The second type of analog
cable is a quarter-inch cable. 1/4 inch Cables are
typically used for analog signals, Primarily audio. These cables are commonly
used on headphones, amplifiers, instruments,
and speakers. Let's move on to digital cables. The first one, MIDI cable. What is MIDI? Musical Instrument Digital Interface technology
standard allowing electronic musical
instruments to communicate with one
another and with computers. Lot of people say that
Medicaid rules are outdated, but still a lot of
people use them. The biggest benefit
of midi is that you can easily edit
performances note by note change their articulation or even alter or replace the
sound that plays them. Let me show you an example. As you can see, even though I'm pressing the keys on
my midi keyboard, there's no sound or output
coming from my DAW. But it accurately
shows the chord I'm playing on my keyboard as it's sending the
midi information. If you want your desired output, you have to choose
an instrument. You can literally choose
anything, even drums. The last type of digital cable, which is really
important to connect the audio interface to
the computer itself. A USB cable. Usb cables have been super common
in audio production. They are on midi keyboards, audio interfaces, modern
synthesizers and drum machines. Most of the USB-A
and B devices are now replaced by
USB-C Thunderbolt. My audio interface also uses a USB-C Thunderbolt port to
connect to the computer.
8. Module 3: (Part 1) DAW: Welcome to module three. Recording, before we can start learning
about recording, let me show you what a DAW is. DAW-Digital
Audio Workstation, is a production software
that allows users to record audio and
music on a computer. I personally use Logic Pro, but you can use any
DAW you want and apply the techniques that I
show you because this is a very foundational
and basic course. Some of the most
commonly used DAWs on a PC are FL studio, Ableton Live, and Cubase.
9. Module 3: (Part 2) Gain Staging and Proximity Effect: Before we can start recording, we have to know more
about gain staging. What is gain staging? Gain staging is the process where you set your
gain levels so that the signal to noise
ratio is at its best and the
distortion is reduced. Before you can start recording, make sure you are at a safe distance from
your microphone. I would say around 12 inches, but not all microphones
are the same. The main reason why
you have to keep a safe distance from your
microphone is proximity effect. Proximity effect leads
to an increase in low frequency response as you move closer to the microphone. This is an example
of proximity effect. Now I'm going to snap my fingers near and far away
from the microphone. You can see a bump in
the low-end frequency. When I'm near to the microphone, make sure that your
peaks are between -6 to -12 decibels.
10. Module 3: (Part 3) Sample Rate, Bit-Depth and Mono-Stereo: Now, let's learn
about sample rate. A computer or an audio
interface has to read or sample and analog signal to convert it into
a digital one. The number of samples
of audio read and recorded every second by a
computer is called sample rate. It is measured in kilohertz. There's another term, Bit Depth. What is bit depth? The number of bits of information
available in a sample. The higher the bit depth, the lower the noise floor and the cleaner the audio comes out. Audio is recorded
in mono and stereo. What is mono? Mono is when one channel is used to convert a
signal to a sound. Whereas stereo is when
multiple channels are used to convert multiple
signals to sounds. But in a mix, mono
describes a mix in which all sounds are mixed together into a single channel. And stereo, is reproduction of sounds using two or more
independent audio channels.
11. Module 4: (Part 1) Mixing and Mastering: Welcome to Module four, mixing and mastering.
What is mixing? Audio mixing is the process of combining multiple tracks
and recordings and optimizing them into
a final mono, stereo and surround sound project. The process of combining
these separate tracks include application of
effects such as compressors, equalizers, delays,
and reverbs and more. What is mastering? Mastering is the final stage
of audio post-production. This is the process of putting finishing touches on
a song or project, enhancing the overall sound, creating consistency
across the track, and preparing it
for distribution.
12. Module 4: (Part 2) Setting up a Mix Session: Before you can start mixing, you have to set up
your mic session that is organizing
your arrangement. Firstly, make sure to increase the buffer size so that the
load on your CPU is minimum. Always label your attracts. You can color-code them to delete empty or
unwanted tracks. Make sure that the
peaks of all tracks are between minus six
to minus 12 decibels. Input the right tempo, time signature, and
key of the song. Lastly, if you have
a reference track, import them into
your mix session and listen to them throughout
the mixed process.
13. Module 4: (Part 3) Compressor and Dynamic Range: Now, let's start learning about the plugins and effects that
were used while mixing. Plugins are usually the digital copies
of analog hardware. This is a basic costs, so I'm going to use
stock plug-ins. There's no need to buy
third-party plug-ins. First, let us learn
about dynamic range. What does dynamic range? Dynamic range of a sound is the ratio between the loudest
and the softest part. It is measured in decibels. The plug-in that works
best in altering the dynamic range of a
song is a compressor. A compressor as an
audio signal processor, which reduces the volume of loud sounds and
amplifies quite sounds, does compressing
an audio signal. A compressor works
like this sponge. Whenever the audio signal is trying to exceed the
threshold level, the compressor
detects and attacks the signal and brings it
below the threshold value. The shoulder value is the minimum value that
the signal should exceed in order for the
compressor to start working. The attack setting controls how long the compressor takes
to compress the signal that has the release
setting controls how long the compressor takes to
let go of the compression.
14. Module 4: (Part 4) EQ and Frequencies: Let's move on to
the next plug-in. Eq. Eq helps you manipulate the frequency content
of your recording. An average human beings
hearing range is from 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz. And equalizer helps us to manipulate all
these frequencies. The frequencies between 2250 hertz are low in frequencies. The frequencies between
215 to 2 thousand, amidst the frequencies
above 2 thousand, our highs, we have
two types of EQs. One is visually EQ. You can see the frequencies. Second one is the analog one, which is now printed
as a digital copy. Here you have knobs exactly
like an analog one.
15. Module 4: (Part 5) Reverb, Delay and De-esser: Let's move on to
the next plug-in or set of plug-ins,
reverb and delay. As you know, we've learned
in the first module, Jeevan is nothing but sound
bouncing off the walls. You are hearing sound. Delayed. Deliberations is created when a sound or signal is reflected, causing numerous reflections
to build up in the room. Reverb plugin simply tries to manipulate the same
two abbreviations, giving different spaces. If you want a cathedral effect, if we have a plug-in for that, if you weren't a chamber effect, we've got a preset for that. If you want an empty road, they've got a preset for that. Delay is an audio effect, often called as an echo, and sometimes confused
with a reverb. Delay is an audio signal processing technique
that your gods and input signal to a
storage medium and then plays it back
after a period of time. Rhythmically, the delayed signal maybe played back
multiple times, are fed back into the recording. Another plugin that I want to introduce to you guys is a DSA. Dsa reduces the siblings, the ss and ts, which are really strong and
unwanted in a recording.
16. Module 4: (Part 6) Analysing the Mix of a Project: Welcome to mix analysis. Here, we're going to
analyze a mix and apply the plugins that you've
learned in this course. That is compression, EQ, reverb and delay, and a new
plugin. Which connection? First, let me show you the piano and
what I've done to it. Let me turn off the master plug-in that is
ozonide elements. This piano was really flat, so I had to boost the
low-end frequencies. After that, Here's my
vocal without any effect. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful imperfections,
every angle. Now let's start to
process this vocal. Now, I can see that that is
a lot of low-end presence. So we're going to eliminate
the low-end here. This is a low attain. This does the job of this one. This is called as the
high-pass filter. It only allows high frequencies and cuts off low frequency. That is what I've done. This 7.5. Let's switch on and switch
off to see the difference. Right now it's turned off. Beautiful, beautiful,
beautiful imperfections. Every angle. You can see that a lot of bass, the low-end is gone. Now let's apply a compressor. Because it's not so loud. Beautiful, beautiful,
beautiful, beautiful. Well, if you're already a
imperfections every angle. After looking at this, I thought that this makes
hard a lot of boxes, the vocals had box in his in it. So I went ahead and trim down this frequency
around one kilohertz. One kilohertz is where a
lot of boxing, it says, now, beautiful, beautiful,
beautiful, beautiful. Now I saw that there
was a lot of siblings. So I used a DSO. Reduce the siblings. You already have imperfections
every angle both act. Now, which connection? This song is in D major and a half pitch
corrected. This vocal. Therefore, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful imperfections
every angle. Because this vocal
is pretty dry. I had to put a huge
reverb on this. Have used the 4.42 big plate, which is again logics
stock reverb, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
beautiful imperfections. Every once you've mixed
the vocals properly, you have to set the
levels pretty equally. You have to match the
volume of all the tracks. And that's what I did.
Everything is balanced. Perfections goes with Gucci. In. The mix is sounding good. Now we have to master it. Mastering is nothing but adding final touches on the final mix. And mastering also helps you enhance the audio
for distribution. That is, sometimes the final mix is not as loud like this one. This is not at all as loud as the songs on Apple
Music and Spotify. This is ozone nine elements. And you have a lot of presets
already available here, like focused center, full
master harshness reduction. I have used a warm
definition which applies this EQ and
this is a grid. Let's just listen to it. I have applied a limiter
so that it gets louder. Beautiful. Now if I remove all
the effects and show you the initial
result before mixing, It's horrible, It's decibel. This is how the song would sound without any mixing and
mastering. Let's go. It's really, really clean. You have to have
all these effects to make this sound beautiful.
17. Module 5: Foley: Welcome to Module five. Fully. What is fully in
film-making folly is the reproduction of
everyday sound effects that are added to films, videos, and other media in post-production to enhance
the quality of the sound. One of the pioneers of the broadcasting
world, Jack Folly, was the first sound
artists to break into the film industry
using this technique. Folly is so common
that it's used in every movie and
every TV show.
18. Module 6: Music Business: Welcome to module
six, music business. Music business
does not only mean selling records,
singles, and albums. Music business also includes
the recording industry, working of music
distribution industry, streaming live and during industry licensing,
artist management, publishing industry, radio,
and audience fan attention, and digital marketing agencies. Let's learn about
releasing a song. How does an artist released a song on all major platforms? That are two ways to do it. First is distribution. Second is signing
to a record label. Music distribution
company distributes your music to platforms like
Spotify and Apple Music. In return, you have to pay
a small subscription fee. Are, they're going
to take a small cut of revenue out from
your royalties. This is the most inexpensive V, and most independent artist distribute their music through
a distribution company. Whereas a record label helps in publishing, managing,
production, manufacturer, distribution,
marketing, but emotion, copyright of sounds
and regarding and making music
videos for the artist. In return, they get more than 80% of the royalties
of the artist's song. The label provides a huge
amount of money in loan even before releasing
a single song when the artist is signed. This helps the artist
to invest money in, could get good music producers, good songwriters,
and good marketing. These record labels have their own music studios which
the artists get access to. Some of the major
record labels are, UMG. He knew us in Music Group, Sony Music and
Warner Music Group. Now, let's learn about
music streaming platforms. These platforms are
online applications and websites that help users, are subscribers, listen to their favorite songs with ease. These platforms Bay
artists as royalties. What are streaming royalties? Trial D's are the fees
paid to the artists, record labels, songwriters,
and publishers. Every time a song is played on these music streaming
services such as Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. These fees at a vital source of income for songwriters
and artists, will be uploading the
music business masterclass in around two weeks. Stay tuned for that.
Kushal Patil, Audio Engineer, Entrepreneur
