One of the most important tools in mixing is the equalizer. It shapes individual sounds, bus groups and mixes into cohesive wholes. If used correctly it can add clarity to muddy sounds or sparkle and definition to already great sounds. READ MORE

Searching for anything online can be a complete waste of time if you are looking in the wrong places. It is often difficult to figure out the best place to begin your search, and can be quite overwhelming. READ MORE

Digital music caught the record labels off guard and smashed their business to pieces, and from the rubble new economic realities are emerging. In this new reality, most independent artists, especially those who are just starting out, should give their music away for free. Sound crazy? Maybe, but hear me out. It boils down to 3 main concepts. READ MORE

An Introduction To 3D Mixing

Mixing is arguably the most important stage of the music production process. When done properly, one can do everything from add energy and warmth to a sound to completely alter the feel and flow of an entire piece of music. READ MORE

U2 played to a packed house at Phoenix’s Cardinal Stadium on October 20th where Conservatory Director of Education Kevin Becka got a behind the scenes tour for a story he wrote for the December issue of Mix Magazine.

Pro Tools Elastic Time is great for fitting drum loops to a song’s tempo or changing the tempo of your entire session, as well as adjusting vocal phrasing. Check out this free lesson on D-TV

SSL users were among the majority of nominees and winners at the recent 36th annual “American Music Awards” (AMAs). The star studded event was broadcast live on ABC from the NOKIA Theatre in Los Angeles and featured 43 artists and projects competing in 23 categories, with 60% of the nominees and 74% of the winners using SSL consoles to create their hits. SSL users who were nominated include: Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, Coldplay, Daughtry, Enrique Iglesias, J. Holiday, Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks, Kanye West, Kenny Chesney, Lil Wayne, Mamma Mia, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, MercyMe, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Rhianna, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, The Dream, Usher and Wu-Tang Clan.

“The Conservatory’s SSL studios and classes focus on real world applications and its great to see that the AMAs reflect how strong SSL’s products are in the industry,” says Director of Education Mike Jones. “SSL is one of the few, if not the only company that has maintained a consistent look and feel throughout their product line. If you start on an SSL 4000 Series console, you can easily understand and operate an AWS 900+ or Matrix from their current line.”

photo caption: Students setting up for a session on the SSL 4000+ in Studio A at the Conservatory’s Gilbert location

Founded by Grammy-winning engineer/producer Charles Dye, alternative indie artist John Ralston, and recording studio owner/podcaster Allen Wagner, Turn Me Up!â„¢ is a non-profit music industry organization working together with a group of highly respected artists and recording professionals to give artists back the choice to release more dynamic records.

Fans and audio pros have been complaining about the sound of Metallica’s new CD, Death Magnetic, in comparison to the same tracks in Activision’s Guitar Hero III. News outlets including NME, UK Mastering engineer Ian Shepard’s blog, The Guardian, and Wired magazine have all carried stories featuring comparisons of the two releases including audio waveforms as evidence of over compression and distortion. You can see the difference in the waveforms below comparing the same song from the CD and GHIII. A mystery Metal producer actually remixed a song from the Guitar Hero stems and fans have circulated a petition calling for the record to be completely remixed.

Realtraps are used in studios, home theaters and mastering environments