Spotlight Sessions

Chapter 1 : MASCHINE

• 10:56

  MASCHINE 2.6.6/7 Update

  The 2.6.6 update brings with it some useful improvements to MASCHINE, with new drag & drop capabilities and more. In this video Sami covers the update by demonstrating how these changes can positively change your workflow.

Chapter 2 : Production

• 14:55

  Making a Single Cycle Waveform Synth Patch

  Join Sami Rabia and see how to take a sample of a any single-cycle digital waveform, and turn it into a great sounding synth patch using any virtual or hardware sampler!

• 12:04

  Watery Textures from Drum Loops

  In this tutorial video, sound designer Sami Rabia builds an effects chain in Live that creates “watery” textures out of sounds for enhancing drum loops.

• 13:42

  Creating Iconic Trance Sounds

  In this video, Sami Rabia creates three distinct and classic EDM Trance sounds. Sami demonstrates how the sounds revolve around basic LFO modulation setups, then provides examples of musical phrases using each sound.

• 14:44

  Big Trance Pads

  In this tutorial video Sami Rabia takes us through creating a big trance pad, explaining the use of different layers and demonstrating the sound design involved.

• 10:25

  Drivebrato

  Explore ways of driving the EXS 24’s Filter input via multiple modulation routings at different rates, which creates a denser more saturated signal with richer harmonics. Coming before the filter input, the drive control allows for polyphonic triggering without intermodulation effects distorting the sound as it builds up. Then see how to apply a similar routing in Alchemy. Variations include the addition of deliberately generated intermodulation artifacts from the global filter as a creative effect to add character to the sound, and the use of a step sequencer pattern to control the modulation depth.

• 12:09

  Create Progressive Trance Chords

  Studio guru Sam Rabia demonstrates how to make huge sounding Trance chords. Sami breaks down the synthesizers used and how to effectively combine layers, process them with effects and explains a final step that ties it all together.

• 7:33

  Creative Vocal Processing in Logic Pro X

  In this tutorial video Eli Krantzberg explores interesting ways of doubling, transposing, and formant shifting a lead vocal in Logic Pro X using Flex Pitch.

• 7:40

  Snappy Drums from Samplers

  Rather than use a compressor or transient designer, in this tutorial video Sami Rabia explains how to create punchy electronic drums by loading your samples into a software sampler. He covers the use of layering, effects and creative routing.

• 18:24

  Logic Pro X Beat Mapping in Action Pt. 1

  Logic Pro X Certified Trainer Eli Krantzberg teaches you how to use the beat mapping function in Logic Pro X in this tutorial video. Learn to create a tempo map that follows either audio or MIDI performances that were recorded free of any click or tempo references.

• 3:12

  Logic Pro X Beat Mapping in Action Pt. 2

  Logic Pro X Certified Trainer Eli Krantzberg teaches you how to use the beat mapping function in Logic Pro X in this tutorial video. Learn to create a tempo map that follows either audio or MIDI performances that were recorded free of any click or tempo references.

• 6:48

  Printing Logic Pro X MIDI Effects

  In this video tutorial, Tim Allan reveals one of his secret methods to print the output of Logic Pro X MIDI Effects, which isn’t possible from within Logic Pro X itself. You’ll learn how to use the IAC bus to route MIDI data out of Logic Pro X and back in again.

Chapter 3 : Mixing

• 6:37

  Guitar DI Shaping

  In this tutorial video, Brandon S. Hire explores ways to shape the tone of a DI'd guitar using tilt EQs, transient designers, and compression.

• 9:23

  Compression Alternatives

  In this video, Brandon S. Hire demonstrates some of the ways compression can damage our audio, and how to avoid it if you wish to use more transparent methods.

• 8:29

  Exporting FX Stems in Studio One 3

  In this tutorial Michael Tomblin demonstrates the benefits and creative opportunities you’ll get by bouncing effects channels to audio tracks in Studio One 3.

• 7:24

  Overhead Drum Imbalance

  Alex Solano teaches you how to treat balance problems with overhead drum recordings in this tutorial video.

• 6:13

  Kick Gate vs Transient Designer

  In this video Alex Solano points out the differences between using a traditional gate and a transient designer to eliminate mic bleed through.

• 5:18

  Create a Bass Channel from a Stereo Mix

  Alex Solano shows you how to enhance the bass on a 2-track MixTape Hip Hop production in this tutorial video. He uses filters, distortion and compression to carve out a bass channel to enhance the track.

• 5:46

  Rap Hook Effects

  Watch Alex Solano as he tackles how to add width and depth to a rap hook in this tutorial video. Reverb and pitch modulation effects, when used subtly, can make your vocal hook cut through the mix while still sounding natural.

• 6:33

  Phase Rotation on Basslines

  In this tutorial video Sami Rabia demonstrates how phase rotation can be used on basses to make them stand-out texturally and fit in the mix better. He also discusses what kinds of plugins are best for creating this effect.

• 7:59

  Widening Stereo Leads

  Sami Rabia takes a stereo lead and breaks it down to its Mid and side components in this tutorial video. From there he explains how to process each component to make the lead sound more distinctive and to widen the original tone in a creative and sonically exciting way.

• 7:04

  Multiband Process any Effect in Live

  In another riveting “trade secret” Spotlight session, Tim Allan shows you in this video tutorial how you can use the Multiband Dynamics processor in Ableton Live to create a three band split that any effect can take advantage of.

• 10:09

  Swapping Drum Transients

  In this tutorial, Tim Allan takes a kick drum sample, and layers, swaps, and replaces its transients with those of other samples. This can lend a punch, and help a sample cut through the mix in unique ways.

Chapter 4 : Editing

• 6:56

  Mono Room Drum Tracks from a Stereo Recording

  In this video Alex Solano shows you how you can take a stereo drum room recording and convert it to mono.

• 8:09

  Cleaning Up Recorded Acoustic Guitar

  In this tutorial video, Alex Solano teaches you how to use subtractive EQ to clean up a poor acoustic guitar recording. Removing the right frequencies and remove noise, boom, and make your track shine in the mix.

• 7:36

  Cleaning Up a 2-Track MixTape

  In this tutorial video, Alex Solano covers different tricks for process a 2-track song that you’re compiling into in a MixTape Hip Hop production. The use of Mid/Side EQ and other subtle processing is key to make your songs fit together seamlessly.

• 10:47

  Cleaning Up Stacked Vocals

  This tutorial video, Alex Solano show you how to process vocal stacks in a Hip Hop production with EQ and Compression. Notching out the right frequencies and compressing multiple tracks together glues them together and makes them pop.

• 9:08

  Using Strip Silence in Pro Tools

  Alex Solano explains how you can use Strip Silence in Pro Tools to remove unwanted noise from audio tracks in this tutorial video.

Chapter 5 : Recording

• 12:46

  Recording through Apollo Guitar Amps

  Michael Tomblin shows you all your printing, monitoring, and recording options for recording guitars through the Universal Audio Apollo.

Chapter 6 : Ableton Live

• 4:56

  Live 9.7 Software Update

  Simpler now has four slicing modes. Also, any MIDI controller can take full advantage of Simpler.

• 14:38

  Live 9.7 Hardware Update

  No need to look at the software to change colors or routing. There are also some new workflow enhancements with recording.

• 4:44

  Ableton Live 9.6 Link

  In this tutorial video, Scottie Dugan explains how to use Link, the amazing new feature of Ableton Live 9.6.

• 6:42

  Ableton Live Link on iOS

  Learn how Ableton Live 9.6’s new Link Feature works on iOS devices in this training video by Scottie Dugan.

• 6:55

  Lush Vocal Pads with Ableton Live

  In this video, Sami Rabia takes a short vocal sample in Live's Simpler device and transforms it into a luscious vocal pad, demonstrating some variations in sound design possibilities in the process.

• 8:45

  Simpler Vocal Freezes

  In this video, Sami Rabia show you how to create a vocal freeze effect with Live’s Simpler device. He then goes onto to explore some creative possibilities to take the effect further.

Chapter 7 : Logic Pro X

• 4:39

  10.2.2 - Automatic Control Surface Assignment

  See how this new feature, introduced in Logic 10.2.2, allows supported USB devices to be automatically configured to act as control surfaces, with their knobs and sliders automatically mapped to the selected track’s smart controls.

• 8:00

  Quick Swipe Editing in Logic Pro X

  In this video Matt demonstrates how to use Quick Swipe Comping in Logic Pro X. Matt explores several uses for Quick Swipe including both single track and group use.

Chapter 8 : iZotope

• 4:56

  iZotope Mobius Filter Magnified

  In this tutorial video, Scottie Dugan explores the iZotope Mobius Filter. Based on the Shepard Tone, it uses multiple filters to create the illusion of continuously moving up or down. The filters and their resonance can also be controlled manually via an X/Y pad or through automation.

• 13:07

  iZotope Vinyl Magnified

  Izotope Vinyl allows you to add Lo-fi character to any track. You can add back the imperfection of vinyl records controlling the amount of dust, scratches and warping you want. In this Spotlight Session tutorial video Bill Edstrom reveals all of it’s secrets!

Chapter 9 : Studio One

• 10:33

  3 Mid-Side Tricks in Studio One 3

  In this tutorial video Bill Edstrom demonstrates three techniques for how to balance, EQ, and effect mid and side channels separately in Studio One 3.

• 8:24

  Note FX in Studio One 3

  Michael explores the Note FX plug-ins in Studio One 3, including the Arpeggiator, Chorder, Input Filter and Repeater.

Chapter 10 : Pro Tools

• 10:29

  New Features in Pro Tools 12.4 - Pt. 1: Freeze Tracks

  Todd explores a new feature which allows you to render audio, instrument and aux tracks to audio, as well as quickly "unfreeze" as needed.

• 2:36

  New Features in Pro Tools 12.4 - Pt. 2: Fades Workflow

  Todd digs into some handy new shortcuts for fades and batch fades.

• 4:42

  Clip Transparency & Batch Fade in 12.3

  Alex Solano shows you the benefits of visual editing using clip transparency in this video tutorial, along with the new batch fade window in Pro Tools 12.3.

• 7:26

  Commit Audio Track in 12.3

  In this video Alex Solano explains how to use the Commit Track feature to render plug-ins on an Audio Track.

• 6:03

  Commit Multi-Out Virtual Instrument in 12.3

  In this video tutorial Alex Solano demonstrates how to commit all the outputs from a multi-output virtual instrument in Pro Tools 12.3.