Persona Digital Studio
Recording studios are moving toward computers and software mixers. Computers
with fast dual core processors, large amounts of RAM and SATA hard drives are now
common and inexpensive. With the right software, they can do multitrack audio mixing
and editing as well as professional equipment. Old obstacles to computer-based
recording have disappeared.
Digital audio workstation (DAW) refers to a variety of hardware and software
combinations that create a virtual studio, including an audio multitrack mixer
and recorder, MIDI recording and playback, usually incorporated in a host
computer with audio/midi interface hardware. A professional DAW must have
high quality ADC-DAC hardware, professional audio software and a fully empowered
midi sequencers. Home studio versions of DAWs are increasingly common and affordable
but have limited capabilities.
Persona Studio History
In 1985 Persona began by buying state of the art equipment; a Yahama DX7 Synthesizer,
a programmable sound effects module, mixing board, an analogue tape recorder and
a PC that ran a DOS based sequencer, Textures. (See Synthesizers) The temptation for most studio
musicians is to keep adding to a collection of aging synthesizers, mixers and sound
processors until the studio begins to look like a museum of electronica. Sometimes
the bond between a musician and an an old keyboard is so strong that no natural
force can part the two. This is good. The opposing tendency is to seek novelty and
buy the latest gear hoping for an advantage over the competition. Both tendencies
have been at work in my mind but I found that simplicity is best. Most hardware
can now be retired in favor of computer based music composition and recording.
I
decided that three hardware music workstations produce the best sounds and
offer abundant opportunities to create instruments, explore psychoacoustics and develop
and understanding of sound physics. The only software sound modules I use routinely
is the EMU X2 and X3. All composing, editing and mixing are done with software in
two computera with a fast multicore CPUs, 6 GB RAM and fast SATA hard drives
> 500 GB. At least 2 drives are required: the boot drive should contain the
operating system, programs and data; the second drive is committed to audio recording.
Studio Sound Modules, Workstations
Korg Trinity
The Korg Trinity is a synthesizer, music station, first available in 1996.
The Trinity became a highly regarded professional instrument. The Trinity workstation
features sound samples combined with filters and a versatile set of sound processing
effects to create diversified orchestration. Programming is done through a graphic
touchscreen. Song composition is available with a built-in 16-track sequencer.
The Trinity synthesizer was a descendant of the original Korg OASYS synthesizer,
an acronym for Open Architecture Synthesis System that Korg previewed in 1994 but
did not market until it released the Trinity.
EMU Proteus 2500
The EMU Proteus 2500 music synthesizer, workstation without keyboard. The P2500
represents a highly evolved, excellent example of electronic engineering, sound
sampling and musical sophistication. Our current configuration has 2200 instrument
samples, 512 programmable user presents ( programs) and and additional 1024 presets
in ROM. Its high speed processor handles dense MIDI data without dropouts or distortion.
The module is highly programmable with an amazing array of 4 layered sounds 50 filters
and 2 sets of effects. The synthesis architecture is the same in Emulator X2 so
that familiarity with either allows you to program both. Often an instrument requires
modification to fit into the mix. The 16 knobs on the left are programmable and
provide quick access to 64 programming parameters. I have always enjoyed turning
knobs to adjust sound... one of the sensual pleasures of early analog synthesizers
that EMU resurrected in this synth. This is a module for sophisticated professionals;
beginners should avoid.
EMU X3 Emulator & Sampling Software
The EMU X2- X3 Software is the latest and best. Over 30 years of sampler development
at EMU has been packaged into a program that turns a PC into an orchestra or any
other sound source you can imagine. Best results are achieved having a fast computer with
an EMU professional sound card and then you can produce exquisite sound quality,
using powerful sampling, synthesis and filters. We dedicate one computer for the
X3 to run without competition from other programs and use the EMU Audio/Midi interface
1820M. We have accumulated a planet-wide sound-sample collection. The X3 enables
a composer to select and program sounds to fit special and often the unique needs
of a composition.
EMU Digital Audio & MIDI Interface
Over the years, we have used a number of sound cards, digital audio converters,
amplifiers, mixing boards and sound processors. At the moment we are very happy
to have two EMU interfaces hard at work. Each module is controlled by software mixing
boards in two computers. The sound of the 1820M is excellent. Each
unit receives a total of 8 analogue inputs and the digital to audio converters are
hi grade with a dynamic range of 120dBA.
The EMU X3 resides on its own computer and shares one 1820m with the Trinity.
A second 1820 inputs to a 64x dual core computer that handles the Proteus 2500 and
other optional modules we might use. Both 1820s together provide an additional 4
microphone inputs. Most of the mixing is done in computer. Each 1820 has two sets of MIDI
in and outs. The net effect is that we have up to 64 MIDI channels to work
with. The Proteus 2500 will send and receive on 32 channels.
Below is a 4 channel version of the EMU software mixer. Any number of channels can
be added as needed. On the right you can see an input and output patch bay above
the output controls. There are a host of effects that can be inserted in the channel
strips or as side chain auxiliary effects. The mixer is displayed on its own LCD
monitor; a 1440x900 19" display is perfect for a 16 channel setup. The complexity
and versatility of the mixer can confuse and deter inexperienced users, but makes
perfect sense to experienced sound engineers,
Korg M3
In 2009, the Korg M3 sound module was added to the Persona Digital Studio. This
is a descendent of the Korg Trinity and Triton series of workstations that evolved
in the past 15 years. Some familiar features of the Trinity/Triton series persist
-- banks of programs and combinations, a touch screen with progressive menus, and
a 16 track sequencer. All the features appear in layered collections of menus;
the overall complexity of the M3 compared with the Trinity has been multiplied 100
times. The M3 looks promising but the learning curve is steep, even for old pros.
I have concerns that a new, inexperienced user will face a series of obstacles.
The problem with the Korg M3 and Karma is that the setup is complex and not intuitive.
One interesting feature is a new version of Stephen Kay's Karma, an algorithmic
composition/performance program that advanced students of music can study and enjoy.
The M3 comes with a computer based editor that would be very useful if the program
had advanced beyond the stage of a programmer's prototype. It lacks all the user
friendly finesse that we expect from 2009 software.
Another problem with the Korg design that began with the first Trinity has to
do with mixing a composition. The programs (patches) are designed to be played alone
and some, at least, are wonderful creations by experienced programmer-musicians
--- each program utilizes several effects to achieve the final result; however,
when you mix these magnificent voices your tend to get music mush. The first
rule of mixing is to admit only the highest quality voices, free of effects.
Here is an edited description from the M3 manual of this complex and potentially
expressive instrument:
Rich and vivid sound produced by a new Enhanced Definition Synthesis sound generator
based on PCM sources. Each voice has two oscillators allowing four-stage velocity
switching ,cross fading, layering, using up to eight (stereo) multisamples,
four filters, two amps, five LFOs, and five EGs, all available simultaneously.
The oscillator selection is 1,032 multisamples sampled at 48 kHz, as well
as 1,606 drum samples. The amp section includes a driver circuit that adds edge
and character to the sound. The key tracking generator allows the filtering to vary
according to the keyboard range; you can apply subtle filtering for convincing simulation
sounds, or aggressive filtering that produces drastic changes in filtering as you
play up or down the keyboard. Envelope generators allow you to
specify how the sound develops over time. The each EG stage (attack, decay, slope,
and release) allows you to create accurately simulated acoustic sounds.
50 different modulation sources provides complex expression control over the
performance. AMS Mixers let you create even more detailed modulation designs, such
as mixing two modulation sources together, multiplying one modulation source
by another, or modifying the shape of the modulation source in various ways.
DAW Software We Use
Sonar 8.52
The program began as Cakewalk, a MIDI sequencer/editor that has evolved into
sophisticated software that handles most aspects of composing, arranging,
mixing, recording and mastering.
REAPER is a multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing,
mixing, and mastering program that I would recommend to people who are setting
up or upgrading a home studio. We often use Reaper for mastering audio
recordings and for assembling audio clips into finished recordings. Reaper can be downloaded for a
free trial and is a bargain when purchased.
See Reaper Online
FaceBookShareMany of the topics presented online are from Music Notes by Stephen
Gislason.
Download a free copy of the work in progress. Your comments are welcome.
Persona Digital Studio is located on the Sunshine Coast, Sechelt,
British Columbia, Canada.
www.personadigitalstudio.com email
music@personadigitalstudio.com. Our Music catalogue includes recorded
performances by the P2500 Band, Em4U, and the Persona Classical Consort.
Music downloads are available from iTunes, Napster, AmazonMP3 and from our
companion website: Persona Digital
Online.
We have enjoyed association with Reverb Nation who provides an online service
for musicians to present and market their music.
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