Recording Ninja Workshops

Dec

2019

Recording Drums with Bloodfeast Ritual

Some sessions are brutal and then some sessions are BRUTAL!

Metal maniacs Bloodfeast ritual entered the studio to start recording their debut EP. Initially we did 6 days of tracking. 4 for drums and 2 for guitars and bass (they were loooong days!).

The drum sessions were really fun. Tom Tierney brought in his monstrous Tama Birch Babinga kit which is a gorgeous kit. We put all new Evans heads on everything before the initial tracking and tuned everything just right.

Our goal was to capture the actual drum sound for the EP live and not rely on samples to define the sound. To do that we spent a decent amount of time tuning and dialing in the tones.

With a kit this size it can be challenging to capture everything evenly so we spent a lot of time going around the kit to make sure everything was represented.

Once that was done it was all about getting Tom a good headphone mix and hitting the record button.

I’ll leave the rest of the details to the video but suffice it to say we had a TON of fun.

Be sure to subscribe to the Ultimate Studios, Inc Youtube Channel!

Happy recording,
Charlie

About Ultimate Studios, Inc

Ultimate Studios, Inc is a full service recording studio, mixing studio and band development resource located in Los Angeles, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Panorama City, CA 91402
https://www.ultimatestudiosinc.com

We believe EVERYONE deserves great sounding music!
Ultimate Studios, Inc is a boutique production facility for artists and bands to collaborate, create, and record.

Led by Producer/Engineer Charlie Waymire, our team assists artists through the entire creative process including recording, mixing, mastering, and video production.

Our ultimate goal is to help bands and artists build a strong brand for a lasting career!

Dec

2019

Wiring A Recording Studio: Connecting the Console to the Computer

I get a lot of questions about how I get sound from the console to the computer. And while every console/mixer is a bit different it’s really a pretty simple setup that I’ll explain in this video (with some cool animations too!)

I will also answer a common question I get from some of you about using budget mixers not necessarily meant for recording. Some don’t have the necessary outputs to do a full multi-tracked session so what can you do? We’ll discuss that in this video too!

Studio wiring doesn’t have to be super complicated at first. As you start adding more outboard gear it can get messy but with a basic understanding of what you’re doing and a little planning it’s possible to get a smooth setup that makes all of your sessions run smooth.

Please be sure to subscribe to the Ultimate Studios, Inc YouTube Channel!

About Ultimate Studios, Inc

We believe EVERYONE deserves great sounding music!
Ultimate Studios, Inc is a boutique production facility for artists and bands to collaborate, create, and record.

Led by Producer/Engineer Charlie Waymire, our team assists artists through the entire creative process including recording, mixing, mastering, and video production.

Our ultimate goal is to help bands and artists build a strong brand for a lasting career!

Dec

2019

Mixing Tips! Parallel Compression on Drums

Quick drum mixing tip!!

While minimal miking setups on drums can be very, very effective they can sometimes lack focus or excitement that is needed for modern music production. I want to show you a great way to add some thickness and attitude to any minimally miked drum set. How? With Parallel Compression!!

Parallel compression is a staple for most mixing engineers. Why? Because it’s so effective in helping make certain elements of a mix stand out or feel bigger. I use Parallel compression ALL the time on multiple areas in my mixes.

For this tutorial I’m going to use stock Logic Pro X plugins only. I want this to be about the concept and not the gear. Once you understand the concept use the gear you have. Analog or Digital. Go to town and have fun!

Be sure to subscribe to the Ultimate Studios, Inc YouTube Channel!

Happy Recording,
Charlie

About Ultimate Studios, Inc

We believe EVERYONE deserves great sounding music!
Ultimate Studios, Inc is a boutique production facility for artists and bands to collaborate, create, and record.

Led by Producer/Engineer Charlie Waymire, our team assists artists through the entire creative process including recording, mixing, mastering, and video production.

Our ultimate goal is to help bands and artists build a strong brand for a lasting career!

Sep

2019

Microphone Monday EP2 – Heil PR30

For episode 2 of the new Microphone Monday series I decided to make 180? turn and pick one of my favorite dynamic mics. The Heil PR30.

If you have followed my videos you already know that I love the PR30. It’s quite possibly my favorite tom mic ever and also gets used on guitar cabinets a lot. The nice round low mid, tight low end and forward mid-range make it easy to work with in a mix.

Plus it has fantastic off-axis rejection. That comes in real handy when you are miking a tom and there are cymbals in close proximity.

Besides toms and guitar cabs I’ve had great luck with the Heil PR30 on overheads (especially in a live situation), hi-hat and bass cab. Wait till you hear the bass in this video! It’s tight and punchy.

Recording bass at Ultimate Studios Inc recording studio los angeles — Recording bass with the Heil PR30

Another place I’ve had great luck with the PR30 is vocals. The smooth but pronounced mid-range make it a no brainier on a vocal. Heil Sound also make a handheld version called the PR35.

Without further ado let’s get to Microphone Monday EP2!

Happy recording!
Charlie

Please subscribe to the YouTube channel!

About Ultimate Studios, Inc

We believe EVERYONE deserves great sounding music!
Ultimate Studios, Inc is a boutique production facility for artists and bands to collaborate, create, and record.

Led by Producer/Engineer Charlie Waymire, our team assists artists through the entire creative process including recording, mixing, mastering, and video production.

Our ultimate goal is to help bands and artists build a strong brand for a lasting career!

Aug

2019

New!! Microphone Monday EP1: AT4047

recording bass with 1 microphone — Audio-Technica AT4047 recording bass

I’m really excited about this new series on the Ultimate Studios, Inc YouTube channel. It’s called “Microphone Monday”. Ernesto and I will record a short little ditty using only 1 microphone at a time. We tracked drums (using only 2 mics!), bass, guitar and piano.

Every Monday for the next 6 weeks we’ll feature a different mic from the mic locker at Ultimate Studios.

This is something I’ve wanted to do for quite sometime now and we are finally doing it.

Why have I wanted to do this?

recording electric guitar with 1 microphone — Audio-Technica AT4047 recording guitar

First off I love the challenge of recording something with only a few tools. It puts more emphasis on the player and makes the engineer focus on the best mic placement possible.

Second, I was really interested in hearing how each mic would contribute to the overall sound when being used on ALL of the instruments.

And thirdly, to hear each mic on every instrument at the same time was also a great reset for the ears. Like many engineers working on a daily basis we tend to fall into patterns that we know work. Using one mic on all of these sound sources and then another and another was a great way to really hear the difference in how they capture a source.

This really helps in knowing what tools to use for a particular color or vibe. After all microphones are basically paintbrushes for an engineer.

The approach

recording piano at ultimate studios inc los angeles with 2 microphone — Audio-Technica AT4047 recording piano

We setup each mic in pretty much the same position for each take. There are a few differences but the setups are very similar. There are multiple ways we could have approached each mic but we felt it was best to setup them up as close as possible. It seems to have worked well and makes it possible to get an idea of how each mic works.

To kick off the new series I chose the Audio-Technica AT4047. It’s a fantastic microphone and one of my favorites. Check out the video below and please subscribe to the YouTube channel!

Happy Recording,
Charlie

Feb

2019

Drum Room Miking – Using The Wall!

Using a wall for Drum Room Miking

I LOVE experimenting with drum room miking. I also love finding techniques that can work in any room, provide some extra vibe and give me extra options during mix down. That to me is a win win!

In our last window we used an amp to create a vibey room sound but in this video we’ll use a wall!

One technique (or trick if you will) that I have used for a long, long time is miking the wall. Yes, miking the wall!

My mic of choice for this is the ubiquitous SM57 and by placing the mic as close to the wall as possible, so a business card can barely fit between the wall and the mic, the 57 is turned into a boundary mic. The 57 is already filtered on the top and bottom by nature and the wall tends to add to that.

I like this because that can help soften the cymbals a little as well as smearing the transient in a really cool way. This is what allowed me to get a “room sound” in my old studio that was pretty small and didn’t actually sound great. Add a little compression and you can get some real excitement out of this one microphone!

Now every room is different. As always I highly recommend experimenting in your room to find the best placement. And don’t forget the floor is a wall too!

Check out the video below and let me know how this works for you!

Happy recording!
Charlie

Ultimate Studios, Inc is a full service recording studio, mixing studio and band development resource located in Los Angeles, CA.
Panorama City, CA 91402

Bring Your Music To Life

recording studio los angeles, north hollywood, van nuys,
recording, mixing, mastering, video production, web development, SEO, rock recording studio

https://www.instagram.com/ultimatestudiosinc/
http://www.Facebook.com/ultimatestudiosinc
Twitter: URStudioinc

We believe EVERYONE deserves great sounding music!
Ultimate Studios, Inc is a boutique production facility for artists and bands to collaborate, create, and record.

Led by Producer/Engineer Charlie Waymire, our team assists artists through the entire creative process including recording, mixing, mastering, and video production.

Nov

2018

Drum Room Miking Techniques

Drum Room Miking Techniques: Using A Guitar Amp

Recording in a room that doesn’t allow for room mics? I have something for you to try!

Getting a drum room sound can be challenging without a good sounding room. Especially if your recording at home or in a rehearsal space or another space not designed for getting good acoustic drum sounds.

I like to find ways to not only get space from my room sounds but also a VIBE! You know, a sound that adds some cool sauce to your tracks and also puts a unique stamp on them.

One of the things I’ve done lately is run a microphone in front of the kit, in this case and SM57, into a guitar amp in my ISO booth and miking the amp. At that point you can do all sorts of fun stuff with mic placement, amp settings, distortions, EQ, mic types, etc..

When the sounds are used in moderation this technique can add a space around your kit without sounding too roomy but if used heavily it can really add some cool color to your tone. For this video I chose to use my Marshall JCM2000 but you can try this with any amp. My cheap little Fender 212 sounded pretty cool!

If you’re really interested in experimenting try putting some different guitar pedals in front of the amp. This is also a good way to bond with your guitar player! 🙂

Give it a shot and leave a comment how it worked for you and what amp(s) you tried!

Happy recording
Charlie

More about Ultimate Studios, Inc.
Ultimate Studios, Inc is a full service recording studio, mixing studio and band development resource located in Los Angeles, CA.
Panorama City, CA 91402

Bring Your Music To Life

recording studio los angeles, north hollywood, van nuys,
recording, mixing, mastering, video production, web development, SEO, rock recording studio

https://www.instagram.com/ultimatestudiosinc/
http://www.Facebook.com/ultimatestudiosinc
Twitter: URStudioinc

We believe EVERYONE deserves great sounding music!
Ultimate Studios, Inc is a boutique production facility for artists and bands to collaborate, create, and record.

Led by Producer/Engineer Charlie Waymire, our team assists artists through the entire creative process including recording, mixing, mastering, and video production.

At Ultimate Studios, Inc we understand that the recording process is just the beginning. That’s why we have a full team to help you create an online presence with full web development, SEO, advertising coaching and designing for Facebook, YouTube and Google.

Our ultimate goal is to help bands and artists build a strong brand for a lasting career!

https://www.instagram.com/ultimatestudiosinc/
http://www.Facebook.com/ultimatestudiosinc
Twitter: URStudioinc

Recording Ninja Workshops:
http://www.RecordingNinjaWorkshops

Charlie on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/cwaymire

Oct

2018

Recording Studio Tools! Trident Deca Dent 500 Rack

Charlie’s Favorite Recording Studio Tools! Trident Audio Deca Dent 500 Chassis

I’ll admit I’m a latecomer to the 500 series world. For whatever reason I put it off but the Trident Deca Dent has become an important part of my recording studio tools.

Continue reading →

Sep

2018

Recording Studio Tools! Charlie’s Favorite Gear.

Recording Studio Tools! Charlie’s Favorite Gear: Cloudlifter Zi

It’s been a while since I’ve had time to shoot some new video for the site. I’m excited to be back talking about some of my favorite recording studio tools. Over the past few months while I’ve been hiding in the studio a lot of cool gear has come through the doors but a few pieces have stood out. The Cloudlifter Zi is one of them.

As a studio owner it’s always beneficial to find gear that is versatile enough to be used in many applications. I need tools that help me get to the sounds I need as quick as I can and that I can use on every session. The Cloudlifter Zi is one of these pieces of gear.

Bass was the first instrument (obviously!) I used it on and man was I happy. Good player+good bass+Zi= great tone! Add in the variably impedance and I’m able to dial in the perfect tone.

Like I said before I like recording studio tools that are versatile. I have used the Zi on quite a few of my drum sessions as well. Quite often I like to put a dynamic mic right in front of the kit pointed at the ceiling and crush it with guitar pedals. The signal chain goes through the Zi and I use the variable impedance and high-pass filter to tweak the tone to taste.

I have done a similar setup with vocals too. Where I have a second mic setup running through a guitar pedal and the Zi.

The Zi has become one of my favorite recording studio tools and I use it on almost every session. Check out the Cloudlifter Zi from Cloudlifter microphones!

Watch Charlie’s new “Favorite Gear” video and be sure to like and subscribe to the Ultimate Studios, inc Youtube Channel!

About Ultimate Studios, Inc

Ultimate Studios, Inc is a full service recording studio, mixing studio and band development resource located in Los Angeles, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Panorama City, CA 91402

Bring Your Music To Life

We believe EVERYONE deserves great sounding music!
Ultimate Studios, Inc is a boutique production facility for artists and bands to collaborate, create, and record.

Led by Producer/Engineer Charlie Waymire, our team assists artists through the entire creative process including recording, mixing, mastering, and video production.

Our ultimate goal is to help bands and artists build a strong brand for a lasting career!

Dec

2016

Great Gear Under $400 PT1: Mics & Drums

The size of the price tag is not necessarily the way to judge how good a piece of gear will sound. Or if it will do what you actually need it to do.

I pick gear with only 1 thing in mind…..

‘Will this piece of gear do the job I need it to do’.

That’s it.

I have inexpensive gear right next to my expensive gear, and it all works. In PT1 of “Great Gear Under $400” I want to show you a few pieces of gear, that I use all the time, that are under $400. I’m starting with microphones and the drum set.

This is an excerpt from one of the live broadcasts that got a LOT of attention. I know a lot of you are on a budget. That’s why I did this broadcast, to give you some inexpensive options to add to your studio gear.

Enjoy the video and drop me a line to let me know what gear you dig that is under $400!

Happy recording,
Charlie

Recording Ninja Workshops

Recording Drums with Bloodfeast Ritual

Wiring A Recording Studio: Connecting the Console to the Computer

Mixing Tips! Parallel Compression on Drums

Quick drum mixing tip!!

Microphone Monday EP2 – Heil PR30

New!! Microphone Monday EP1: AT4047

Why have I wanted to do this?

The approach

Drum Room Miking – Using The Wall!

Using a wall for Drum Room Miking

Drum Room Miking Techniques

Drum Room Miking Techniques: Using A Guitar Amp

Recording Studio Tools! Trident Deca Dent 500 Rack

Charlie’s Favorite Recording Studio Tools! Trident Audio Deca Dent 500 Chassis

Recording Studio Tools! Charlie’s Favorite Gear.

Recording Studio Tools! Charlie’s Favorite Gear: Cloudlifter Zi

Great Gear Under $400 PT1: Mics & Drums

Sounds from the Studio

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