The Essential Role of TOZO Noise-Canceling Headphones in Home Studios

In recent years, home studios have revolutionized the music and audio production industry, making it possible for individuals to create professional-quality work from the comfort of their homes. As technology evolves, the tools available for these home setups continue to grow in sophistication and accessibility. Among these tools, TOZO noise-canceling headphones have emerged as an essential asset for home studio owners. With their impeccable sound quality, advanced noise-cancellation technology, and affordability, TOZO headphones stand out as a must-have. This blog post will explore why TOZO noise-canceling headphones are critical for home studios and how they enhance productivity and creativity.

Why Noise-Canceling Headphones Matter in a Home Studio

Before diving into TOZO's offerings, let’s examine why noise-canceling headphones are indispensable for a home studio. Unlike professional studio environments, home studios often lack comprehensive acoustic treatment. Ambient noise from traffic, family members, pets, or neighbors can interfere with critical listening tasks such as mixing, mastering, and tracking. Noise-canceling headphones mitigate these distractions, providing a focused listening environment and enabling you to hear every detail of your audio.

Noise-canceling headphones are particularly useful during mixing and mastering sessions, where precision is paramount. Subtle frequencies and intricate soundstage details can make or break a mix. Without proper isolation, these nuances might be missed, resulting in subpar audio quality. High-quality noise-canceling headphones ensure that external noise doesn’t compromise your ability to make informed sonic decisions.

Key Features of TOZO Noise-Canceling Headphones

TOZO headphones have earned a reputation for delivering top-tier performance at an accessible price point. Here are the standout features that make them ideal for home studio use:

1. Advanced Noise-Cancellation Technology

TOZO headphones use hybrid active noise-canceling (ANC) technology, combining feedforward and feedback microphones to cancel out a wide range of external noises. This ensures a quiet and immersive listening experience, even in noisy environments. Whether you’re editing a podcast or mixing a song, the ANC feature allows you to focus solely on your audio.

2. Exceptional Sound Quality

One of the most critical aspects of studio headphones is sound accuracy. TOZO headphones are engineered with high-resolution audio drivers that deliver a balanced frequency response. The bass is tight and controlled, the mids are clear, and the highs are detailed without being harsh. This neutral sound profile ensures you’re hearing your audio as it truly is, enabling accurate mixing and mastering decisions.

3. Comfortable Design for Long Sessions

Home studio sessions often stretch for hours, making comfort a top priority. TOZO headphones feature ergonomic designs with plush ear cushions and adjustable headbands to ensure a snug fit. Their lightweight build reduces fatigue, allowing you to work on your projects for extended periods without discomfort.

4. Wireless and Wired Options

Flexibility is another area where TOZO excels. Their headphones offer both wireless and wired modes, catering to different use cases. The Bluetooth connectivity is reliable, with low latency, making it suitable for casual listening or referencing. For critical listening tasks, the wired mode ensures an uncompressed audio signal, preserving the integrity of your work.

5. Long Battery Life

For those who prefer wireless functionality, TOZO headphones provide impressive battery life. Depending on the model, you can expect up to 30 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. This ensures that you won’t be interrupted during long sessions.

6. Affordability

TOZO headphones offer professional-grade features at a fraction of the cost of high-end studio headphones. This makes them accessible to home studio owners working within tight budgets, without sacrificing quality.

How TOZO Headphones Enhance Home Studio Workflows

TOZO headphones are more than just an accessory; they’re a tool that can significantly improve your home studio workflow. Here’s how:

1. Precision in Mixing and Mastering

The accurate sound reproduction of TOZO headphones ensures that you can identify issues in your mix, such as frequency imbalances or phase problems. This precision allows you to make adjustments that translate well across different playback systems, from car speakers to high-end audio systems.

2. Isolation During Tracking

When recording vocals or instruments, bleed from playback monitors can be a problem. TOZO’s noise-canceling headphones provide isolation, ensuring that the backing track doesn’t interfere with the recording. This results in cleaner takes and less time spent on editing.

3. Focus and Productivity

Distractions can derail your creative process. With TOZO’s noise-cancellation, you can block out the outside world and immerse yourself in your work. This focused environment fosters creativity and productivity, allowing you to achieve more in less time.

4. Versatility Across Applications

TOZO headphones aren’t limited to music production. They’re equally effective for podcast editing, video production, and general listening. Their versatility makes them a valuable addition to any home studio.

TOZO Models Recommended for Home Studios

TOZO offers several models of noise-canceling headphones, each with features tailored to different needs. Here are some models highly recommended for home studio use:

TOZO NC7

The NC7 is a flagship model with state-of-the-art ANC technology and a 40mm dynamic driver for superior sound quality. Its foldable design and extended battery life make it a practical choice for home studio users.

TOZO NC9

The NC9 takes things a step further with an upgraded noise-cancellation chip and transparency mode. This feature allows you to hear ambient sounds when needed, adding convenience during collaborative sessions.

TOZO NC2

For budget-conscious users, the NC2 offers excellent performance at an affordable price. It features hybrid ANC, balanced sound, and a comfortable design, making it a solid choice for home studios.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your TOZO Headphones

To maximize the potential of your TOZO noise-canceling headphones, consider the following tips:

1. Optimize Fit: Ensure the ear cups create a proper seal around your ears to enhance noise cancellation and bass response.

2. Use Wired Mode for Mixing: When working on critical tasks like mixing and mastering, use the wired mode to eliminate latency and preserve audio fidelity.

3. Maintain Battery Health: For wireless models, avoid overcharging to prolong battery life.

4. Pair With Acoustic Treatment: While TOZO headphones are excellent for isolating sound, combining them with basic acoustic treatment in your home studio can further improve your listening environment.

5. Clean Regularly: Keep your headphones clean to maintain their comfort and longevity. Use a soft cloth to wipe down the ear cups and headband.

Conclusion

TOZO noise-canceling headphones are a game-changer for home studio owners. They combine advanced technology, exceptional sound quality, and user-friendly design at an affordable price point, making professional-grade audio production accessible to everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or just starting your journey, investing in a pair of TOZO headphones can elevate your home studio experience and help you achieve your creative goals.

With their versatility, precision, and affordability, TOZO noise-canceling headphones are not just a tool but an essential companion in the modern home studio. Don’t let external distractions or subpar equipment hold you back—step up your audio game with TOZO, and bring your creative vision to life.

Fishman Rare Earth | Installation & Demo

I just installed my Christmas present and it’s awesome! If you’re looking for some amazing acoustic guitar tone, the Fishman Rare Earth Blend has it for sure. So, today, we’re diving into the Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend—an impressive soundhole pickup designed to elevate your acoustic guitar's sound. Whether you're a performing artist or a home studio enthusiast, this piece of gear promises to deliver a rich, natural tone.

Installation is a breeze. Just loosen the cork-lined mounting clamps, position the pickup near the end of the fingerboard, and tighten gently. For temporary use, you can run the cable out through the soundhole. For long-term use, Fishman recommends professional installation of the endpin jack. In this video, I show you how easy it is to install it yourself as well.

The Fishman Rare Earth Mic Blend is a game-changer for acoustic players. Its blend of mic and pickup technology provides unmatched tonal versatility. Whether you're performing live or recording, this pickup brings out the best in your instrument. 

➤ Get the Rare Earth Blend here

➤ Get the Behringer Mics here

➤ Get the Focusrite Interface here

Achieving Legendary Guitar Tone in a Home Studio

Creating legendary guitar tones from the comfort of your home studio may seem like a tall order, but with the right techniques, gear, and mindset, you can replicate the professional sounds of your favorite guitar heroes. Here’s how you can craft those signature tones that make your tracks stand out.

Start with a Great Foundation: Your Guitar and Playing Style

The heart of any great tone lies in your guitar and your playing. Before diving into amps or effects, ensure your instrument is set up properly. Here are a few tips:

Strings & Setup: Use fresh strings and make sure your guitar is intonated.

Pickups: Choose pickups suited to your desired sound. Humbuckers are great for

warmth and sustain, while single coils provide clarity and sparkle.

Technique: Legendary tone starts in your fingers, so focus on dynamics, picking,

and vibrato. Practice until your playing feels natural and expressive.

Choose the Right Amp or Amp Simulation

An amplifier shapes your tone more than any other element. While traditional tube amps offer unparalleled warmth, modern amp simulators can deliver incredible results without disturbing your neighbors. Consider the following:

Tube Amps: If space and budget allow, a small wattage tube amp mic’d with a

dynamic microphone can produce iconic tones.

Amp Simulations: Software like Neural DSP, Helix Native, or Kemper profiles

faithfully emulate classic amp tones, making them ideal for home studios.

EQ Matching: Pay attention to EQ settings to mimic the tonal character of the

amp or player you’re emulating.

Nail the Right Mic Technique for Real Amps

If you’re recording a physical amp, mic placement is key:

Dynamic Mics (e.g., SM57): Position close to the speaker for a punchy sound.

Condenser Mics: Use further from the amp for a natural room tone.

Blending: Experiment with multiple mics to blend direct and ambient sound.

Don’t have mics? Many amp sims and modelers include IR (Impulse Response) technology, which replicates mic’d speaker cabinets.

Layer and Blend Tones

Professional guitar recordings often feature layered tones. Here’s how you can achieve this:

Double Tracking: Record the same part twice for a thicker sound. Pan one take

left and the other right.

Combine Clean and Distorted Signals: Blend a clean guitar track with a heavily

distorted one for clarity and punch.

Experiment with Pickups: Use different pickup settings for each layer to add

complexity.

Effects: Less Is Often More

Legendary tones often rely on subtle, well-placed effects. Overloading your chain can muddy the mix. Start with these essentials:

Reverb and Delay: Use sparingly to add depth without overpowering the sound.

Compression: Helps even out dynamics while retaining attack.

Modulation: Try chorus, phaser, or flanger for a touch of color.

Overdrive/Distortion: Match the gain level to your genre, keeping in mind that

less distortion often results in better-defined tones.

Dial in Post-Processing

Once your track is recorded, post-production can take your tone to the next level:

EQ: Cut unnecessary low-end frequencies to avoid muddiness, and boost mid

frequencies for presence.

Compression: Use subtle compression to maintain dynamics while enhancing

clarity.

Saturation: Add analog-style warmth by lightly saturating the signal.

Reference and Experiment

Lastly, use reference tracks to guide your tonal journey. Load a track by your favorite guitarist into your DAW and A/B your sound. Be patient, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Legendary tone often comes from unexpected techniques and happy accidents.

Achieving legendary guitar tone in your home studio may take time and effort, but the process is part of the fun. With the right gear, knowledge, and creative energy, you’ll soon find yourself crafting tones that rival the pros.

Cakewalk by BandLab Tutorials

 

How much does Cakewalk cost? Is Cakewalk really free? 

Yes.Cakewalk by BandLab, once Sonar, is now FREE. Usually a FREE digital audio workstation (DAW) would be limited. Not this one! Whether it's beatmaking, recording, mixing, mastering, or anything in between, this is the most powerful full featured DAW on the market. 

 Is Cakewalk good for beginners?

In short, yes. Although my thought process is that the DAW is only a tool. If you're starting out it would be beneficial to start out with a DAW that can grow with you as you get better. Cakewalk is easy enough to learn quickly with a little help (see playlist provided) and yet robust enough to perform on par with any other DAW on the market.

Is Cakewalk different from BandLab?

 Yes. Essentially there is an online version and a desktop version. Each has there own strengths and weaknesses apart from each other, but also work well together. While the online version is more loop based and shareable right after conception. The desktop version is more robust and has more to offer the singer/songwriter or recording engineer.

Honestly, you have nothing to lose by trying Cakewalk as it is completely free and safe. If you're interested in trying it out this playlist will get you up and running quickly and feeling comfortable with the program. Enjoy!

Are Expensive Cables Worth It?

So recently I spent some hard earned money on some cable for the home studio. My intention was to upgrade and expand as my mic locker is expanding as well. The hype out there is telling everyone that the incredibly high end cables will "dramatically improve your tone", so being the skeptic I am, I bought some to test. I thought I would document my findings to help others make better informed decisions about this issue so included below are a couple links to the cable shootouts that I just did. Are the high end cables worth it? You decide. Enjoy!

XLR Cable Shootout

1/4 Instrument Cable Shootout

Free Tips,Tricks, and Training

Break Out of The Box

The audio world used to be full of rebels willing to break all the rules. Now it's held back by those who want to either follow suit or stay within presets and pre-defined guidelines. The reason why we have half of the effects, plug ins, and innovative gear choices at our finger tips, is because of someone who was not satisfied with the status quo.

It was those late night experimental mic placements. The beautiful accidents of various electronic anomalies. Those "mess ups" that were intentionally left because it DIDN'T sound like everyone else. There was a different thought wave when it came to music years ago. The studio was not so much a place to make magical recordings it was an instrument in itself that merely captured those magical recordings. Recordings that were made by well versed and thorough musicians. These great takes were then enhanced by a more than able engineer with good ears, a heart reference of what music should sound like, and a limited amount of ways to achieve that balance. It was not one person or any one idea that made a great record. It was everyone binding together and pursuing the same goal.

During the month of March, I challenge you to experiment with something new. We all get locked into our habits. That mi sounds good on that cabinet, that guitar pedal always stays at those settings, that vocal take is always treated with the same effects and sung on the same mic, in the same room, with the same person... See what I mean. It sounds kinda boring. 

If you want to really ramp up your interest and discover new things, then try new things and you will naturally be excited by what you get from that. Stand out, and do something that you or no one else you know for that matter has ever tried! Come back periodically and let me know what you've done and lets share!

We Have A Lot To Learn

I saw this a few months ago and just had to share it! This so true! I have been listening to a lot of podcasts and watched several videos of "famous" mixing engineers and all of them say repeatedly that they are learning stuff everyday. Mixing is very technical, but there is a side to it that is also very artistic. Maintaining a balance between the two is crucial, and when art is involved with nearly anything, it is always evolving and changing shape.The only way to effectively manage that change is to continue learning and trying new things.

Today, I encourage you, that before the end of this week, try something new. Search youtube for a cool trick or tip and apply it. Put up some mics and move them around a room with an acoustic guitar until you have a catalog of various sounds in that room. Put a distortion pedal on your keyboard. (It actually sounds pretty cool) What you will find is that by doing things in a different way and learning new things to try out, you will rekindle the passion for what makes you unique. Your methods will be different, your style is different, your music will be different, because you are unique. So don't be afraid of learning new things from someone else, rather embrace them and they will ultimately fall into your hnads and be molded in a way that only you can.

I challenge you to DO SOMETHING new this week!

Creating A Song: Step By Step

If there was one thing I really desired when I started to record and mix my own music, it was a clear cut, over the shoulder tutorial. I needed someone with more experience than I had to set me down and say, "Here is how you get started."

Unfortunately, I never had that. Though there are a ton of online tutorials, none of them seemed to cover just the basics, or how to get started in all of this. Since then there have been some who seen the need and stepped up to the plate to offer some help. I simply had to figure it out as I went and make a ton of mistakes.

That's why I decided to start a series of videos where I go through the entire process, step by step. It is that over the shoulder, "Here's how you get started" video series that I was looking for when I started out. Now you can follow along with me as I go through the whole thing! The best part is, I am not doing a ton of editing or working ahead. Why, is that important? Because it will allow you to see my mistakes. Yep, I said that. Then I will show you how I fix some of those mistakes! Priceless!

All to often (especially with social media) we catch only a glimpse of the beautiful editors rendition of something. This at times leaves us thinking that we need to be perfect. Although perfection is a good thing to strive for, and as a perfectionist I am guilty, we can over do it at times. The best concert I ever went to was a Casting Crowns concert. The reason why it was so good was because it was raw and unedited. They messed up a few times, but just kept right on going. The best training I have received on my job was at those moments when everything went wrong and chaos was running a muck. Thence trainer stepped in and showed how to fix it. Now, had that never happened, I would have been lost if the same situation cropped up without a trainer and without the experience. So, when I run into a problem with the mix we are working on, I am not gonna fix it in pre and then present it in post as a perfectly polished peice of work. Instead, I am going to point out the mistake and walk you through how I am going to attempt to fix it. A boss will tell you how to do something, a salesman will show you the finished product while carefully leaving out important flaws in that product. A leader, and a friend, will walk you through the whole process so that your aware of all the ins and outs, and show you how to do something.

That's what I am wanting to achieve in this video series. I want to genuinely help with a real world approach. Will the song be perfect? Nope? Will this series make you better? It may help you grasp some concepts to help you get there, but ultimately doing more recording, mixing, writing, etc., is what will make you better.

So head on over to YouTube and follow along with me as we go through the "Creating A Song: Step By Step" series.

Make sure you subscribe to stay up to date on all the latest videos I will be posting.

Recording with Purpose

By now I hope you have realized the futility of "fixing things in the mix". Not only does it take more time to "fix" things, but in the end everyone loses. The artist you may represent (even if it's yourself), the listener, your mom... (that is if she listens to your work) Everyone will be subjected to the an over processed audio nightmare! Getting a great take, from a great artist, who gave a great performance, without taking a great deal of time to set up mics and position them properly is like playing Russian roulette. You may get a good take by just throwing up a mic where you think it should go, but you may not also. You may be able to even get it sounding decent after an hour of grueling work and 133 plug-ins. However, what if when you got that amazing take, and incorporated it into the mix later, you thought "Hey that actually sounds pretty good the way it is!"

What if, after saying that, instead of struggling to find the right plug-in to make it sound good, you were struggling to find a plug-in at all to even put on it in the first place. Now, I know that in today's world of gear crazy, plug-in happy, home studios, this seems like some Utopia that is not attainable without the latest Wave's deal or that "Stupid Deal of the Day". Yet, in all actuality it is possible!

All it takes is some time to record with purpose. First you have to decide for yourself what is the purpose of the instrument/s you're recording? Are they supportive, or are they the leading elements that make up the song? Do they need a certain sound or tone to set well? Think about it as if you were recording it into your DAW without any hope of ever changing it again. Does the electric guitar need to be brighter to even out the low-mids that are panned hard left from an acoustic part? Maybe it needs to be darker to even out the hype from the keys? 

The best way to know for certain is to hear it as it is being recorded in real time. Break out the ol' headphones and crank up the monitoring level so you can clearly hear what that mic is doing to the sound. Small movements from a mic can dramatically effect the tone of something so move it around quickly until you get in the ballpark of what your looking for and then slow way down, moving it only by inches one way or another. Once you got that sweet spot, remember where you had and mark it in some way if you can. (Tape, sharpie, chalk, etc. use your better judgment as to which would work best) That way you can get back to that tone again if you should need to redo a riff or overdub.

Ultimately, you want to be thinking about the end result. What would you want it to sound like when it's all said and done? By taking this little bit of extra time up front and getting just the right sound going in, you will save a ton of time, CPU, and hair when it comes to mixing. 

I am starting a series on the YouTube channel where I am going to be covering this and other things related as I work through a song step by step from idea to finished product, follow along with me and make something of your own as well! When its all said and done, I'd love to hear what you got! Until next time, go make some music!

You can subscribe to the channel here: http://bit.ly/HSS_YouTube_Channel

Physics of Equality-Production Elements

Wow! It's been crazy busy around here lately! Family Christmas before Christmas, shopping, Black Friday, and on top of that the typical Studio work. (Recording, Mixing, Mastering, drinking lots of coffee...)

So, I recently had the privilege of Recording Singer-Songwriter Justin Clark. Justin has been a long time friend from way back in my High School days and at that time he was just starting out on the guitar. In fact, he conveyed to me that I was the first person to show him a chord! Well, fast forward to now and man alive! This guy is good! After we reunited through a concert I was having at a local coffee shop, we got to talking about music and "geeking out" on acoustic guitars. One thing led to another and I was recording him here in my home studio. Needless to say it has been a blast!

We have discussed already that we are going to work through an EP for him to release in early February. (that's my goal) I thought I would document my progress each step of the way and so here is my first installment. In the video below I cover some of the production elements that I added to what was originally intended to be a sparse arrangement. The first thing he wanted was to just get a song recorded. He was expecting a simple acoustic guitar track and a vocal over top of that. However, after discussing different options, and showing him what could be done with the song by adding a few elements to it on the production side of things, he jumped in feet first with a full production.

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Save Time with MIDI

MIDI Recording

Recording, although fun, we still want to speed things up a bit and get something released! This MIDI tip will help you do just that! I recently laid down a track for a song I am arranging and thought mixing would be easier if I could get all my takes from various MIDI sounds at once. Then I thought, arrangement  would go smoother as well if I had all those sounds at my disposal right out of the gate. Audio engineers tend to over-complicate things. So, as an experiment, I thought I would just route all of my sounds to the same controller and play the exact same part at the same time. After it was all said and done I had every sound I wanted at my finger tips. played the exact same way, and setting right in front of me! That was easy! Now I know that this isn't revelatory to some of you , but anything that saves time now days is worth mentioning. I hope this helps. Watch the video below for a visual on this. Oh, and don't forget to subscribe. I am now uploading a new video every Saturday!

Song Arrangement

Song arrangement, in its purest form is making things exciting, engaging, and emotional. Music in
itself demands, at times, an emotional response. While there are several tools we can utilize to add this much needed element to our art, arrangement is the most effective ingredient of a song to keep it
interesting.

Our mix can only go so far with our mixing skills and mixing ninja tricks. Though plug ins, mic
placement, effects ITB and outboard, etc. can provide a great foundation for emotional real estate,
arrangement is the icing on the cake. A great song can be hindered or helped by this one element.

There are at least 8 identifiable arrangement strategies that are used in music. I will explain briefly what each strategy consists of and try to give some examples of how they're
used. They are as follows:

• Minimal
• Reproducible
• Maximal
• Steady-state
• Cumulative/Subtractive
• Stepped
• Dynamic Contrast
• Unplugged/Plugged

Minimal

A minimal arrangement is one in which there are very few instruments and/or they are played in a
minimal style without to much complexity. This arrangement strategy makes good use of silence and
uses the vocals to feed emotion.

Reproducible

This arrangement strategy is one that is recorded with a live sound in a studio or is actually recorded
live. It is one that can be reproduced in a live setting without losing its studio versions fingerprint.

Maximal

This is the proverbial “Wall of Sound”. Anything goes in creating this wall as well. All instruments in, 40 vocal parts, you get the point.

Steady-State

This is where the song is pretty toned down. It may have a loop that plays through the whole song, a
sound effect or something, but it generally stays in the box. This style focuses on the lyrics more.

Cumulative/Subtractive

This arrangement style allows the song to grow and expand as it progresses, and at times may take
away elements to create interest and emotion. It usually ends in a climactic moment.

Stepped

A stepped arrangement is one is which the song uses two or three identifiable sections that are
contrasted by their dynamic level and instrumentation. The song alternates between these, stepping up to one and down to another at times. It also has varying keys and tempos at times.

Dynamic Contrast

The intention of this arrangement strategy is to create ear shock, usually by a sudden loud snare hit or
instrument. This can be achieved as well by volume changes and intensity.

Unplugged/Plugged

Some times a song that is done acoustically will be redone in an electrical fashion and vice versa. There used to be a trend for awhile that almost every artist had to do an unplugged version of some of their songs. It can fill another slot on that album and let new listeners hear something old, as well as old listeners hear something different. This can be really cool if you're predominantly a rocker, and then you put an acoustic song on your album. Keep them guessing and they'll stay interested.

Check out the video below for an example of nearly all of these elements in one song.

Mix Tips-Improving Workflow

In the video below I share with you some ways you can speed up your workflow and make your sessions more efficient. Some tips shared are Sonar specific, however, the concepts can be applied across any platform.

Mixing for Stereo Width

Mixing involves so much more than just moving faders around. It encompasses a whole skill set that has to be fine tuned and honed over years of practice. One prevailing question that I get is , "How do I get my mix to sound wide and full?" Well, as stated above, there are a lot of factors that go into creating stereo image. I am going to cover some of the basics first, and then we will dive a little deeper.

Wide vs. Full

When someone asks me that question I have to correct them in their presumption that both attributes (Wide and full) are one in the same. Although both contribute to one another, when someone asks this question they need to know that they are speaking of two different textures in a mix. For instance, a guitar can sound full and not sound wide, and vice versa.
Just like most everything else in mixing, a "full" sound can be subjective to the listener. However, anyone can spot a wide sound in the right listening environment. To me a "full" sound is a natural sound. It is more a feeling that comes from the instrument that places you in the same room with it, as if it were right in front of you. Whereas, a wide sound, places the instrument all around you and envelops you. So, now that I have set that straight, we can move on to ways we can achieve stereo width.

True Stereo vs. Stereo Shams

When I first started mixing, I thought that simply cloning a track and panning them hard right and left, would give me stereo sound. I soon found that there is no stereo width achieved by doing that. Essentially, all you are doing is creating a louder Mono track that now takes up more real estate on both ears, and your ears cannot decipher the difference between a single Mono track and a double of the same.

The best way to get true stereo sound is to record the same part twice, on two separate tracks, and then pan them out. The small inconsistencies in your playing will add up to  huge sound that your ears can decipher now as two different parts. You can use the same source, and the same settings if you'd like, although it may add more depth to add or remove elements from the second track.

Another way to get decent stereo results is by utilizing different mics and mic placements. There are a ton of ways to set up two microphones to record in stereo. One of my favorites right now is "Mid-Side Recording". In the video below I will cover that in further detail.

Then there are the shams... These are stereo widening plug-ins, delay plug-ins, and others that emulate width. Although you can get some usable results from these in certain situations, if you want real width you can feel, then you need to take a little extra time to layer another track or record in stereo. In the video below I will give you an example of both true stereo and stereo emulation. Don't forget to subscribe to the channel while you 're there.

A Better Mix: Simple Steps (Part 2)

In the previous post I included a video about the process and the concepts I used to dramatically improve my mix on the song "Livin' For The Moment". In the video attached to this post I go step by step explaining the concepts. I hope you enjoy this sort of over the shoulder approach. To hear the podcast associated with this post click here. http://bit.ly/HSS_Podcast

A Better Mix: Simple Steps

After my latest album release I made some resolutions. There have been some things that I have always done just to "get by" and make some music. Well, I realize that I was wrong about a lot of those methods. (Yep, I just said I was wrong)

So I decided if I was going to step it up and get more serious about making better music/better mixes that I had to break away from the norm. This means I would have to work harder, but I have to say, it was worth it! This latest song nearly mixed itself and the truth is, I had more fun with it! Though these things are commonly known, I am reiterating there importance to making better mixes. For the most part I have utilized these in most of mixes, but going forward, I will be takin the time to implement these methods on EVERY mix, EVERY time!

So, check out this video, and let me know if you have any other tips for the community. God Bless!