Traditionally, big band music has been very difficult to replicate with samples. This is in part due to the numerous articulations required for the style, and because essential instruments like saxophones are not even included in most brass or woodwind sample libraries.
With the Glory Days – Big Band Horns Read more...
Louder is better. At least it sounds that way. There are good reasons to level match your music for truly objective critical listening decisions. And there are also good reasons not to bother it at all. Justin Colletti discusses both sides of this subject.
Thanks to Soundtoys and DistroKid for Read more...
Justin Colletti is back once again for a new installment in the mix critique series. This time on deck, a heavy metal track from Lazahrus, courtesy of viewer Mike Aguado, a jazz fusion track from Mark Wheeler, and a Latin production from Sebastian Garcia Ferro, by artist Emi Bueno.
Though it’s become incredibly crowded, Italian music manufacturers IK Multimedia jumped into the synth swimming pool with both feet back in 2018 with their analog-driven UNO Synth. We reviewed their first effort and took a liking to the plastic-encased, dual-oscillator instrument, which featured a multi-mode filter, variable wave shaping, and Read more...
Remote recording is for now the new normal. The audio industry is adapting in incredible ways and podcasters are finding new ways to adapt.
I have to admit, as a podcaster I was at a bit of an advantage when the pandemic hit. My podcast has been recording remotely for Read more...
Koen Heldens is a mixer for some of the most unconventional and cutting edge hip hop and R&B artists of today.
Perhaps best known for his work with XXXTentaction, Koen has worked with the likes of Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Wiz Khalifa, Sizzla, Thutmose, Lil Wayne, Missy Elliot, Dreezy and so Read more...
From the start of his career, as an intern at Platinum Island Studios in the 90’s, to mixing artists like J-Lo, Jay-Z, Kanye West, John Legend, Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, Diddy, Beastie Boys, Biggie, Alicia Keys, Nas, Will Smith, Ashanti, Ghostface Killah and The Backstreet Boys; Grammy Award-winning engineer Ken Read more...
Long Island City-based Electro-Harmonix already have so many overdrive and distortion pedals available that it wouldn’t be hard to miss one or two, especially among the onslaught of gear news that we are all subjected to these days. So you’d be forgiven if you missed the fact that they quietly Read more...
OK, it’s rant mode time! Justin Colletti shares some of his experiences working with mastering engineers early in his career to help illustrate what can go wrong, and what to look out for in your own projects.
Thanks to Soundtoys, Focusrite and Gear Club for sponsoring this episode.
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Justin Colletti is back for another mix critique video by popular demand, this time including a mastering shootout between his own master and one by another top-level mastering engineer. Check it out here:
![The Art of Mixing Hip Hop Records, w/ Koen Heldens [XXXTentacion, Dr. Dre, Timbaland]](http://sonicscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/unnamed-2.00_00_05_00.Still001-scaled.jpg)
