Publisher Resources

ULTIMATE HOME RECORDING SCHOOL (1ST EDITION)

The "Ultimate Home Recording School (1st Edition) is our top of the line training course for the recording musician, audio engineer or music producer.

Featuring over 6 Hours of Premium Hands-On Training to help you master your home recording studio. Hosted by David Wills (Engineer/Consultant with Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins), this is the one-stop training on Home Recording that you've been looking for.

Basically, if you've ever wanted to have David spend the weekend at your house and teach you everything he has learned from working over 25 years with the best names in the business...this is your ticket to that experience.

Whether you use a software solution like Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic or Reason...or a hardware multitrack recorder, this massive library of training tutorials takes you from novice to expert.

All of our product specific training DVDs center on what buttons to press and what screens to navigate, but this set was developed to teach you the unchanging principles of Recording, Mixing & Mastering your songs.

There simply is no other training product like this that takes you through the entire home recording process in such complete way.

INTRODUCTION

What We’ll Learn
Why New Equipment won't save you
The Scope...How to Record, Mix & Master
The Five Sessions
Your Teacher
A Brief History Of Recording
…The Early Days
…Multitrack Arrives
…Multitrack Matures
…The Home Recording Revolution
…The MIDI Revolution
...The Digital Audio Revolution

SESSION 1-WHAT IS SOUND?
The 3 Elements of Sound
Volume has consequences
Tonal Content has consequences
Environment has consequences
The Tonal Spectrum
The 10 Octaves of Frequency Content
The Signal Path
The 3 Rules of Recording
Rule number 1. Capture it CLEAN
Rule number 2. Get the best possible signal to noise ratio
Rule number 3. Isolate the sound
Dynamics
Points to remember

SESSION 2-RECORDING
Microphones
Microphone Recommendations
Microphone Placement
The Proximity Effect
Pickup Patterns
Getting a Killer Vocal Sound
Dealing with Plosives
Working with your Environment
Dealing with Reflections
Acoustic Treatments
The BIG Problems
Distortion
Unwanted sounds
Recording/Overdubbing
Punching In/Out
Alternate Tracks/Takes/Comping
Bouncing
Editing
Points to Remember

SESSION 3-EFFECTS
Mixer Basics
Effects Routing
Using Aux Sends
Pre/Post Fader Sends
Using an Insert Routing
Dynamic Effects
...Compressors
...Limiters
...Noise Gates
EQs/Filters/De-Essers
Delays
Calculating Delay times
Reverb
Gated Reverb
Modulation Effects
...Chorus
...Flanger
...Phaser
...Tremolo
...Vibrato
Pitch Shifter/Split Harmonizer
AutoTune
To “Print” or not to Print
Points to Remember

SESSION 4-MIXING
Mixing Styles
Who is the Star?
What CAN we do?
...Mixing Levels
...Panning across the Stereo Spread
...Using an Effects Loop
...Using Insert Effects
...Using EQ (Equalization)
The Mixing Process
...Fixing Problems
...Getting a Rough Mix
...Polishing your Mix
The Mixing Landscape
Blending Levels
EQ and Scooping/Masking
Notching Frequencies
Moving Sounds in 3D Space
Using Effects
Adding "Air" to Vocals
The Mixdown Process
The 4 Main Frequency Ranges
Getting to Know the Frequency Chart
Important Frequencies
Importance of Monitors
Points to Remember

SESSION 5-MASTERING
What is Mastering?
Mastering Effects
Multiband Compressors
Stereo EQs
Stereo Processing
Limiting
Software Mastering Demos
Mastering Points
Exporting and Archiving
Distribution of your Tracks
Marketing Your Music
Using Social Media

GRADUATION!

 

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ULTIMATE LIVE SOUND SCHOOL (1ST EDITION)

The "Ultimate Live Sound School" (1st Edition) is our top of the line training set for anyone interested in designing, troubleshooting and running a live sound system.

Hosted by David Wills (Sound Guru with Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins), this is the one stop training on Live Sound that you've been looking for. If you have problems understanding how to get Excellent, Consistent Sound out of your PA System, this training resource will give you everything you need to know and a step by step plan to...

  • Eliminate Feedback
  • Get Crystal Clear Vocals
  • Be an EQ Expert
  • Run Monitors
  • Master Compressors/Gates
  • Troubleshoot Impossible Problems
  • Design/Upgrade your System

Apart from working with the biggest names in the business on massive world tours, David has mixed thousands of events in Mega-Churches and little local Churches.

"My heart goes out to all the Churches around the world that have bad, inconsistent sound week after week. I do some consulting with many of them but I wanted to create a resource that you could have in your library and give to any new volunteer who wants to run sound. It's basically like hiring me for a weekend to train your sound team...but you can do it time after time as new volunteers cycle through." - (David Wills)

Let the master of Pro Audio train your team to bring you CONSISTENT, EXCELLENT sound. There simply is no other training product like this that takes you through designing, troubleshooting and running your live sound system in such a complete way.

INTRODUCTION
Introduction to Live Sound
Course Outline
What is a sound system made up of?
What is the role of a live sound engineer?
(mediator between artistic and engineering worlds)

SOUND THEORY
What is Sound?
Understanding Levels
Understanding Frequency Spectrum
Understanding Acoustics

THE EQUIPMENT
Can you design it yourself?
(Music Store vs. Professional Designers)
Choosing a Vendor
Overview of Equipment
Snakes
Mixing Consoles
Amps
Speakers
Monitors
Effects
Microphones
Wireless Systems

SETTING UP THE STAGE
Overview
Input Types
Mic Selection/Placement
Monitor Placement
Front of House Speaker Placement (Delays)

USING A MIXING CONSOLE
Overview
Input Channel
Aux Sends
Using Effects
Monitor Mixes
SubGroups
Advanced Applications

TROUBLESHOOTING
What kinds of problems will you have?
Understanding Signal Flow
Troubleshooting Logic
Line Checks
Wireless Systems
Feedback Issues
Distortion
Sound Checks

MIXING
Breakdown of the tools available
Blending Levels
Using EQ
Controlling Dynamics
Using Effects
Monitor Mixes

RECORDING/DUPLICATION
Recording
Duplication

GRADUATION!

 

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ULTIMATE GUITAR TONE SCHOOL

The Ultimate Guitar Tone School is a complete Encyclopedia of Guitar Tone designed to give you a ticket to an experience that is difficult if not impossible to get anywhere else.

A single place to hear each and every part of your guitar tone signal chain broken down into their individual elements so that you can emulate any tone you wish.

An online library of video modules that take you on a tour of the decades of guitar masters and how tones have been built by Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Brian May, Keith Richards and Eddie Van Halen.

INTRODUCTION
Breakdown of course subjects
History of the Electric Guitar
Variables in Signal Chain

WHAT IS TONE?
What is Sound?
Understanding Standing Waves & Harmonics
Nodes and Antinodes
Harmonic Content on Guitar String
Harmonics produced by Distortion
Understanding Modulation

GUITARS
Main Guitar Types
Pickup Demonstrations (all positions)
- Fender Stratocaster
- Fender Telecaster
- Epiphone Les Paul
- Epiphone 335 Dot
- 1967 Gretsch with FilterTrons
- 1961 Fender Jazzmaster
- 2007 Duesenberg Starplayer TV
- 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop with Lollar Imperials
Guitar Controls
Guitar Woods
Necks
Scale Length
Pickup Placement
MIDI Pickups

AMPS
Overview
DIY "Lamington" Tube Amp
How do Tube Amps work?
Tone Stacks
Reading Schematics
Building the "Lamington" Tube Amp
Gain Staging
 - Fenders
 - Marshalls
 - Hi Gain
Amp Effects Loops
Amp Switching

    SPEAKERS / MICS
    Overview
    Specifications
    Series / Parallel
    Impedance Matching
    Miking up Amps
    Microphone Positions and Blending

      EFFECTS
      Overview
      Gain (Overdrive, Distortion & Fuzz)
      Dynamics (Compressors & Noise Gates)
      Flangers
      Phasers
      Chorus
      Tremolo / Vibrato
      Rotary Speaker Emulators
      Ring Modulators
      Wah-wah
      EQs
      Pitch Shifters
      Delays (Slapback, Rockabilly, Ping-pong, Patterned)
      Reverb
      Loopers
      Effect Order
      Buffers

        RIGS
        Overview
        Pedalboard Design
        True Bypass Loopers
        Effect Loops
        4-Wire Setup
        Wet-Dry Rigs
        Wet-Dry-Wet Rigs

          ICONIC TONES
          Fender Era
           - Chuck Berry
           - BB King
           - Keith Richards
           - Stevie Ray Vaughan
           - Brian Setzer
           - Brent Mason
          Marshall Era
           - Jimmy Hendrix
           - Eric Clapton
           - Jimmy Page
           - Joe Perry
           - Billy Gibbons
           - Slash
          High-Gain Era
           - Eddie Van Halen
           - Randy Rhoades
           - Zakk Wylde
           - Eric Johnson
          Vox Era
           - Gretsch / Vox Combo
           - Duesenberg / Vox Combo
           - Brian May

            GRADUATION!

             

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            MASTERCLASS - COMPRESSORS, LIMITERS & GATES

            If you've been looking to the absolutely BEST training on the planet for Compression, Limiting and Noise Gates...you've found it! Over 3 hours of Premium Training on all things to do with dynamic processing.

            While I cover these subjects in our Ultimate Home Recording School and Ultimate Live Sound School, this course is for you maniacs who want to know it ALL :)  The knowledge and examples in this course are of the caliber that you would find taught in high end $30,000 a year sound schools like Berklee and Full Sail.

            INTRODUCTION
            Variety of Dynamics Processors
            History of Dynamics Processors
            Compression Analogies
            Compressors, Limiters & Gates

            COMPRESSORS
            Detection & Gain Reduction
            Example: Matching Levels of Sidestick and Snare
            Makeup Gain
            Threshold, Ratio & Makeup
            Attack & Release Times
            Example: Shaping a Tom Sound
            Example: Guitars & Bass
            Knees
            Limiters
            RMS vs Peak Metering

            NOISE GATES
            Explanation of Noise Gates
            Background Noise Gating Example
            Example: Noisy Guitar
            Example: Gating Drums

            ROUTING
            The Main Channel Types
            Single Channel
            Subgroubs
            Master Channels
            In the Hardware World
            In the Software World
            Sidechains
            Example: Dance Music Pad
            Example: Ducking Vocal Announcement
            Example: De Essing
            Parallel Processing
            Serial Processing

            TYPES OF COMPRESSORS
            Vintage Compressors
            Optical
            FET
            Tube
            VCA
            Multiband Compressors
            Pop Quiz of multiple Compressors

            DYNAMIC PROCESSORS IN ACTION
            ...Kick Drum
            ...Snare Drum
            ...Bass Guitar
            ...Electric Guitar
            ...Acoustic Guitar
            ...Acoustic Piano
            ...Male Vocal 1
            ...Male Vocal 2
            ...Male Vocal 3
            ...Female Vocal 1
            ...Female Vocal 2
            ...Female Vocal 3
            ...Split Vocal Example

            BONUS MATERIAL
            RMS vs. Peak Metering
            Geek Math Section ;)
            Understanding Presets
            Bonus Trick!

             

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            MASTERCLASS - EQ

            If you've been looking to the absolutely BEST training on the planet to be a master of EQ...you've found it! Over 3 hours of Premium Training on all things to do with EQ.

            While I cover these subjects in our Ultimate Home Recording School and Ultimate Live Sound School, this course is for you maniacs who want to know it ALL :)  The knowledge and examples in this course are of the caliber that you would find taught in high end $30,000 a year sound schools like Berklee and Full Sail.

            INTRODUCTION

            What is EQ?
            Types of EQ

            THE FREQUENCY SPECTRUM
            20Hz to 20K Sweep
            Wavelengths
            The EQ Chart
            Octaves and Hz
            Where is Midrange?
            Graphic EQs
            How to choose EQ points

            USING THE TOOLS
            Basic Bass and Treble
            Channel Strip EQ
            Parametric EQ
            EQ Routing

            EQ IN ACTION (DRUMS/BASS)
            Kick Drum
            Snare Drum
            Hi Hat
            Toms
            Overheads
            Ride
            Room Mics
            Shakers
            Tambourine
            Bass - Fingered
            Bass - Picked
            SONG 1
            Kick
            Snare
            Hi Hat
            Toms
            Cymbals
            Bass
            Acoustic Guitar
            Clean Electric Guitar
            Electric Guitar Effects
            Electric Guitar 2
            Guitars Group
            Piano and Keyboards
            Vocals and Overall Mix
            Vocal Solos - Male and Female Examples
            SONG 2
            Overview
            Bass
            Acoustic Guitar
            Electric Guitar and Keys
            Vocals
            Vocal Radio Effect
            SONG 3
            Overview
            Vocals

            TOP TEN EQ TIPS & TRICKS
            Using a Spectral Viewer
            Boost Wide and Cut Narrow
            Harmonics and Overtones
            Negative EQ
            Radio Effect
            Using Subgroups
            In Place EQing
            EQing Performances
            Time Management
            Use your Ears

             

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            MASTERCLASS - KILLER VOCALS

            If you've been looking to the absolutely BEST training on the planet for Producing, Arranging and Recording Killer Vocals...you've found it! Over 4 hours of Premium Training.

            While there are many production tools that give you "plug and play" radio-quality sounds to your mixes, getting Killer Vocals is one of the last elements of your mix that can't be cured by just using the "right microphone" or latest plugin.  David Wills takes you step by step through the industry best practices that are used in all major studios.  Look through all the subjects covered from caring for and warming up your voice, to arrangement, editing and mixing to get the kinds of vocals that you deserve but have not been able to get.

            Don't buy another microphone or preamp thinking that will fix your problems...get the training you need to get the vocal sounds of your dreams.

            INTRODUCTION

            YOUR VOCALS
            Physiology of your Voice
            Proper Breathing Technique
            Chest vs Belly Breathing
            Falsetto
            Warming Up Exercises
            Hydration
            Yawning
            Core Warmup
            Neck and Shoulders Warmup
            Mouth and Tongue Warmup
            Lip Trills
            Tongue Trills
            Breathing Warmup
            1-3-5 Sirens
            1-3-5-Octave Sirens
            The Big Three Enemies

            VOCAL PARTS
            Benefits of Vocal Arrangements
            Types of Vocal Parts
            Harmony 101
            Using a Keyboard for Chord Shapes
            Becoming a Student of Harmony

            TRACKING VOCALS
            Microphone Recommendations
            Phantom Power
            Addressing your Microphone
            Mounting your Microphone
            Proximity Effect
            Handling Plosives
            Using Pop Filters
            Setting Levels
            Preparing for Tracking Vocals
            Auditioning our Backing Tracks
            Tracking your Lead Vocal
            Punching In
            Comping Vocals
            Editing Comps
            Doubling Vocals
            Performance Tricks
            Doubling Example
            Double Levels
            Harmony Example 1 - "Echo parts"
            Importance of Preset Tracks
            Basic mix of 3 part Harmonies
            Plate Reverb on Harmonies
            Cleaning up Edit Points
            Harmony Example 2 - "Call and Response"
            Harmony Example 3 - "Pad or Wash"
            Confidence in Falsettos Parts
            "Flying" Vocals
            Harmony Example 4 - "Call and Response 2"
            "Flying" Vocals example 2
            Bridge Vocals

            EDITING VOCALS
            Editing Lead vs. Backing Vocals
            Cleaning up Timeline
            Color Coding Tracks
            Time Correcting Doubled Vocals
            Correcting Hard Consonants
            Correcting Time Slices
            Pitch Correction Overview
            Correction Speed
            Formant Control
            Time Correcting Bridge Harmonies
            Sliding Releases
            Pitch Editing our Lead Vocal
            Chopping Parts
            Working with Drift
            Working with Transition Time
            Working with Glissando Parts

            MIXING VOCALS
            Backing Tracks Mix
            Rhythm Section Mix
            Lead Vocal vs Double balance
            Lead Vocal vs Harmonies balance
            Compress before EQ
            Compressing the Lead Vocal
            Creating a Crush Channel
            Creating a Backing Vocal Crush Buss
            Cleaning up Backing Vocals with Noise Gates
            EQ Overview "Corrective vs Creative"
            EQing our Lead Vocal
            Using a HPF
            Adding "Air" to Lead Vocal
            Removing "Boxiness" from Lead Vocal
            Adding "Intelligibility" to Lead Vocal
            Creating EQ Presets
            Adding Time Based Effects
            Early Reflections vs Tail
            Delays with Feedback
            Adding a "Radio Effect" Echo
            Completing the Final Mix
            Automation

            GRADUATION

             

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            MASTERCLASS - MIXING

            The Masterclass in Mixing course is your answer to getting the mix that you deserve.  In over 3 1/2 hours of premium training you'll learn precisely how to break apart a mix and build it up from scratch.

            Using standard tools like EQ, Gates and Compression along with more advanced techniques like Transient Design and Parallel Crush Busses, you'll see 2 complete songs mixed right before your eyes.

            "Forever Begins Today" is a Pop song with real drums, funky guitars and massive layers of vocals. Then "Next to You" is a 6/8 ballad with electronic drums, piano, acoustic and distorted guitars and a "quartet" style backing vocal arrangement.

            Not only is this perfect for recording musicians, it's also great practice for live sound engineers to use some industry standard techniques along with newer "secrets" that give you a perfect mix. And because all source audio and MIDI files are included on the DVDs and the online access page...you can drop them into your favorite DAW or hardware recorder and quickly try your own mixes.

            As a BONUS, there is an Exclusive Interview with Clark Hagan (Grammy Award Winning Audio Engineer) who has studied under Elvis's long time engineer. Yours free with the course.

            INTRODUCTION
            Welcome
            What we’ll learn
            The Soundscape
            Monitors and headphones

            OVERVIEW OF THE MIXING PROCESS
            Organizing your Workflow
            Working with Templates
            The Rough Mix
            Noting the Important Parts
            Noting Problems
            Fixing Problems
            Getting Creative
            Building the Mix
            Automation

            THE TOOLS
            Balance and Pan
            EQ
            Compression
            Gates
            Harmonics/Distortion
            Transient Processors
            Delays
            Reverbs
            Limiters
            Editing tools

            ROUTING
            In line vs Parallel
            Aux Busses
            Subgroups
            VCAs
            Gain Stages
            Signal Flow

            SONG 1 - Forever Begins Today

            SONG 2 - Next to You

            (Sample Files included)