DSF Q&A Sessions : The Widdler : Closed For Questions

[xthewiddler]

hey thanx read the thread and already learned alot. i have questions too:
1. how many synths/patches do you use per track ?(for the bass not including the sub)? do you use many different ones or just put effects on the same
2. and when do you know if a track is finished? (im asking cuz i tend to somtimes overdo mine and it ends up messy)

1. My tracks vary greatly with how many tracks they have. A tune like sensi samurai had about 30 or so tracks where as something like acheri has maybe 10 -15 tracks. I try to keep the amount of tracks low by using combinators and doing in session bounces.

2. You don't. to an extent. You work until you think adding will only take away from it. There is a whole 5 page thread somewhere on the forum about finishing tunes and what that means.

[xthewiddler]

Not sure if someone asked this already but what does the widdler mean? to be honest I think its such a sick name

The name mean "one who smokes". The reason being, weed = wids , so The Widdler was born from that

[Basic A]

hey thanx read the thread and already learned alot. i have questions too:
1. how many synths/patches do you use per track ?(for the bass not including the sub)? do you use many different ones or just put effects on the same
2. and when do you know if a track is finished? (im asking cuz i tend to somtimes overdo mine and it ends up messy)

1. My tracks vary greatly with how many tracks they have. A tune like sensi samurai had about 30 or so tracks where as something like acheri has maybe 10 -15 tracks. I try to keep the amount of tracks low by using combinators and doing in session bounces.

2. You don't. to an extent. You work until you think adding will only take away from it. There is a whole 5 page thread somewhere on the forum about finishing tunes and what that means.

Im not fmailiar with reason

Average it, what percentage of your tracks are for drums / perc, what percent for bass, percent synths/melodics, percent incidents haha... odd question maybe, but Im trying to find a balance

[Mr Wubblezworth]

Big ups, stay froggy

[pdomino]

Big up for doing this and what he said ^^

[SunkLo]

There is a whole 5 page thread somewhere on the forum about finishing tunes and what that means.

Dis one? http://www.dubstepforum.com/tips-on-get ... 42954.html
Forum search is balls, google didn't find anything else. If there's another one somewhere I'll have to go digging.

I've found writing down your goals and checking them off helps give me the focus to work at a tune. It's much easier to write down tasks than to actually do them. Then once you have them all laid out on paper you just need to pick one and follow your own instructions.

[xthewiddler]

There is a whole 5 page thread somewhere on the forum about finishing tunes and what that means.

Dis one? http://www.dubstepforum.com/tips-on-get ... 42954.html
Forum search is balls, google didn't find anything else. If there's another one somewhere I'll have to go digging.

I've found writing down your goals and checking them off helps give me the focus to work at a tune. It's much easier to write down tasks than to actually do them. Then once you have them all laid out on paper you just need to pick one and follow your own instructions.

Nice one thanks! There have been a few of these threads started in the past couple years, always good to hear new input on the subject.

[FSTZ]

when and where was your first show?

cheeky question, I know

[legend4ry]

when and where was your first show?

cheeky question, I know

haaa !

[FSTZ]

when and where was your first show?

cheeky question, I know

haaa !

ok Yoni, you don't have to answer that one

[xthewiddler]

when and where was your first show?

cheeky question, I know

haaa !

ok Yoni, you don't have to answer that one

ACTUALLY, my first show was in sarah lawrence college in NY. 10 people showed up, 5 of them came with me, 2 were event organizers. If ya meant my first reeeeal show I'm pretty sure it was all thanks to you uncle festa

[FSTZ]

haha awesome

[nitz]

Ok here a few question for you, am going to try and be as specific as possible.

1. From the images i have seen of your rack's, it seem that you like to use the EQ on the 14.2 mixer, rather the using the Mclass one?
From my knowledge, the "boxed in" sound from Reason, is not due the any all of dynamic processors what so ever, the Mclass does a good job. The problem lies in the mixer, to be specific the 14.2 mixer, when channels being fed into this mixer is the heart of the problem. Not so much on the 6.2 line mixer though. Thus, why many people route their channel from Reason into another DAW, therefore not being fed into the 14.2 mixer. Hence, the result, more open and wider sound when rewired.

So my question is, why are you using the basic EQ in the mixer? It seems mind boggling to me?

2. Mastering question. A/B a fully polished mixdown from Reason, and compared that mixdown to another mixdown from a different DAW. There will be no distinct differences between the two, no significant differences. A/B the same song, but not the master versions... and there should be some distinct differences. I have tried it, it most... cases there will some differences. There will be more space and width and openness coming from the other DAW. However, this is not always the case. So how are you complementing this using reason? It can be done, evidence... you

From your sensi image, you have one mastering suite , one 8 band limiter, scream 4 unit, another imager, and 2 maximizer's
Seeing that, you seem do have alot of processing on the master. However, some things i just can not seem to justify. I understand the master suite of course, the scream unit ... hmm, the only use i see for it to fit as a mastering process is for abit saturation, that's about it. The imager's use, yes understandable. The maximizer now... i use two as well, but am assuming you actually have 3, because one may be found the the mastering suite? but the other two? I tend to have one in the mastering suite, and one just before the audio hits the hardware unit. This is because it lets me check the DB before anything hits the output, great for when producing and mixing. Also, i apply soft clip here, not in the mastering suite, because i don't want to kill all the transitions. So how are you using the maximizer's. Finally, the 8 band limiter? i cant see how this fitted in? why, how? What justification is there for a 8 band limiter ?

Although... the 8 band limiter has stereo imager's for each band...! ? Maybe multi band is the key...

Very long post, sorry i know.

[SunkLo]

Wow Reason has an 8 band limiter? I'd never suspect something so ostentatious

Widdler what the hell you thinking using an 8 band limiter and a distortion unit on your master?!

I DO WHAT I WANT CUZ I'M GROWN BITCH!

Ahh good answer... good answer

[nitz]

Wow Reason has an 8 band limiter? I'd never suspect something so ostentatious

Widdler what the hell you thinking using an 8 band limiter and a distortion unit on your master?!

I DO WHAT I WANT CUZ I'M GROWN BITCH!

Ahh good answer... good answer

Its' not questioning him, it's a matter of developing a more comprehensive understanding of the principle.

Silly fool!

[SunkLo]

Its' not questioning him, it's a matter of developing a more comprehensive understanding of the principle.

I know this, I'm curious too.























Holy shat it's a moon matrix!!!

[nitz]

Its' not questioning him, it's a matter of developing a more comprehensive understanding of the principle.

I know this, I'm curious too.






Holy shat it's a moon matrix!!!

Haha !

[AnalGangstaHo]

Hi, what are you looking forward to most in Reason 5. Also how are you integrating the iPad into your work. You checked Nanostudio out yet? It's mega!

[xthewiddler]

hey thanx read the thread and already learned alot. i have questions too:
1. how many synths/patches do you use per track ?(for the bass not including the sub)? do you use many different ones or just put effects on the same
2. and when do you know if a track is finished? (im asking cuz i tend to somtimes overdo mine and it ends up messy)

1. My tracks vary greatly with how many tracks they have. A tune like sensi samurai had about 30 or so tracks where as something like acheri has maybe 10 -15 tracks. I try to keep the amount of tracks low by using combinators and doing in session bounces.

2. You don't. to an extent. You work until you think adding will only take away from it. There is a whole 5 page thread somewhere on the forum about finishing tunes and what that means.

Im not fmailiar with reason

Average it, what percentage of your tracks are for drums / perc, what percent for bass, percent synths/melodics, percent incidents haha... odd question maybe, but Im trying to find a balance

My workflow has changed throughout the years, and I'm not sure how to exactly answer that question. I usually have 4-5 tracks for drums (kick, snare, hats/rides, percussion, percussive fx) . Then I just add from there. It is different from each track. In this thread I posted up a few new screenshots, so maybe that can answer? http://www.dubstepforum.com/screen-shot ... 6-140.html

I would say though, it isn't about how many tracks, but the substance of them. I think Ray Charles once said something like "I don't care if you have 2 tracks or 200.. What it does it sound like baby"

[xthewiddler]

Ok here a few question for you, am going to try and be as specific as possible.

1. From the images i have seen of your rack's, it seem that you like to use the EQ on the 14.2 mixer, rather the using the Mclass one?
From my knowledge, the "boxed in" sound from Reason, is not due the any all of dynamic processors what so ever, the Mclass does a good job. The problem lies in the mixer, to be specific the 14.2 mixer, when channels being fed into this mixer is the heart of the problem. Not so much on the 6.2 line mixer though. Thus, why many people route their channel from Reason into another DAW, therefore not being fed into the 14.2 mixer. Hence, the result, more open and wider sound when rewired.

So my question is, why are you using the basic EQ in the mixer? It seems mind boggling to me?

2. Mastering question. A/B a fully polished mixdown from Reason, and compared that mixdown to another mixdown from a different DAW. There will be no distinct differences between the two, no significant differences. A/B the same song, but not the master versions... and there should be some distinct differences. I have tried it, it most... cases there will some differences. There will be more space and width and openness coming from the other DAW. However, this is not always the case. So how are you complementing this using reason? It can be done, evidence... you

From your sensi image, you have one mastering suite , one 8 band limiter, scream 4 unit, another imager, and 2 maximizer's
Seeing that, you seem do have alot of processing on the master. However, some things i just can not seem to justify. I understand the master suite of course, the scream unit ... hmm, the only use i see for it to fit as a mastering process is for abit saturation, that's about it. The imager's use, yes understandable. The maximizer now... i use two as well, but am assuming you actually have 3, because one may be found the the mastering suite? but the other two? I tend to have one in the mastering suite, and one just before the audio hits the hardware unit. This is because it lets me check the DB before anything hits the output, great for when producing and mixing. Also, i apply soft clip here, not in the mastering suite, because i don't want to kill all the transitions. So how are you using the maximizer's. Finally, the 8 band limiter? i cant see how this fitted in? why, how? What justification is there for a 8 band limiter ?

Although... the 8 band limiter has stereo imager's for each band...! ? Maybe multi band is the key...

Very long post, sorry i know.

1. First off, yes. The 14.2 mixer sucks. The screenshots I have posted are of reason 4 tracks and are dated persay. Now in record, I use the new mixer which has much better output sound and MANY MANY more features. That being said, the reason I used the eq on the 14.2 is laziness. =P. What I will be doing in the future is probably exporting the tracks and importing into logic and doing the mix from there. For those using reason 4 still, listen to nitz and take his advice. The 14.2 mixer although big, has it's flaws.

2. Hmm... I would have to disagree with the first part. As soon as I rewire something into logic, even through reasons 14.2 mixer, the sound quality is instantly improved, due to logics final audio output algorithm. Anyways, yes outher DAWS (esp logic) have a lot more space and width the mix, giving more clarity. The only way to combat this in reason alone, or how i get fuller wider sound is a few things. First off, you have to do everything with less subtlety. For example, if a normal amount of reverb for a certain track in logic is at 14% wetness, it would need maybe 16-17% wetness in reason to not get lost. Same with chorus, pan, eq, etc. Everything needs to be pushed a little harder and little more extreme (a little!) That being said though, when i rewired a tune that sounded good in reason into logic, i noticed harshness and the extremes that were masked by reasons output. Another thing I do is on the final output create a stereo imager. Anything below 100 is mono'd. Everything above gets a HAIR of widening (seriously only a hair). BUT a cool trick to give PERCEIVED wideness is this. Automate the everything above 100hz wideness knob so that anything before the drop is 5-10 values into mono and everything after the drop is back to the normal setting of 1-2 value widening.

The mastering on any of my tracks varies greatly one to another since each track needs different processing afterward to some extent. So all my answers here are about the mastering of sensi specifically. The scream is to add warmth and reduce harsh high frequencies via the tape setting. It also adds a wee bit of compression. I removed the one from the mastering sweet as I was still sending the signla into process. The reason I have 2 maximizers is one of them was to reach a normal state of volume so the limiter was off (I worked with very low levels for max headroom), the second one was for loudness and limiting. The 8 band limiter was almost completely bypassed within itself. I used it as sort of an eq/shaper for the overall final sound. I compressed and lowered the lower mids a bit, compressed the highs a bit and that is about it. I didn't use any stereo imaging within the 8band limiter for sensi BUT i have used it for that in another tune, cant remember which right now.

The best idea is to get a drum loop or anything looping and try out everything in the combi fx list, there are a lot of good tools in there just waiting to be discovered. For those of you using record already, inside records fx>dynamics>general purpose there is something called Mulitband Bass Shaper, and it is boss for shaping bass lol.