Topic: DAW Tutorial Wish

[stevetoney]

I've lamented a million times (with this post...a million and one times) about not understanding how to best use the various functions we have available to us in our software.  There's currently ongoing discussion about the tools and techniques to use to attenuate clapping.

Wouldn't it be great to have a sub-forum that takes each of the general functions in the DAW and a) provides a central 'goto' location for each tool or function in the DAWs so that those that understand how to use that tool can teach the rest of us, and/or b) has a stickied tutorial of sorts...written by ts.com members if possible...so that we learn how to best take advantage of the tool for the types of uses we have. 

As it is now, these things get discussed under the general forum topic, buried and kinda forgotten, until the same question gets asked again next time around. 

Mostly I'd just wish to have a brain dump from people that know how to use each tool, which acts as a sorta tutorial for the rest of us and something that's stickied that you can go back to when you need to.

BTW, if such a beast exists somewhere else on the internet, say in an Audition talk group forum, or someplace like that, links would be fantastic.

[page]

I think 2 things are needed:

1) an understanding of the concepts (e.g. what do compressors do and fundamentally how do they do it)
2) an understanding of the software in question (e.g. how are the delivered compressors in Soundforge different from those in Reaper when setup to accomplish the same result). Sometimes this is the same, sometimes it's not, depends on the task.

The limiter post you made is what made me think of the second one; I can talk about how a function works, but accomplishing that function is different in each piece of software or plugin.

a third thing that is needed in practice but not theory (compared to the first two) is a revealing playback environment and learning how to truly listen (what do various frequencies sound like, what does imaging sound like, etc). I have one which I'm now comfortable enough knowing where it's few flaws are that I can make decent decisions on it, but the other 4 options I have, while valuable, I wouldn't commit anything on. I use those others as test beds (does it sound good in the car, how about with earbuds, how about trebley speakers, lets try with a subwoofer, etc). That allows me to compare edits I've made, not necessarily decide what edits to make.

So where would you like to start?

[DigiGal]

Training Videos for Audio Software...

http://www.groove3.com/str/training-videos/

[flipp]

While not specific to DAW README1st! Links to frequently asked about topics... does have some subsections that address a few DAW specific issues.

A Samplitude user, kraznet, has produced a series of tutorials for Samplitude which can be found on youtube - from initial basic setup to detailed ones on how to do specific tasks. Retail boxed versions of Samplitude come with a thorough 300 page manual and if you don't find the answer there an even more comprehensive built in HELP is included in the program. As a bonus their website also has a series of tutorials which address specific issues though they seem to be geared for the composer and musician who wishes to record their own music rather than someone who wants to do post production editing. For general post work, their workshops are better suited for what I use Samplitude for.

You mean that all DAW software isn't as well documented?

[stevetoney]

So where would you like to start?

I like and agree with your comments Page about one step related to theory vs. another step about how specific packages employ that concept. 

As far as where to start...whew! 

I know I have the ummm will-power to spend alot of time and effort to put together a shell for people to put info into and to spend time putting information in, but I'd think a starting point would be to get enough feedback from people to confirm that this is something that is needed (in case there's already adequate resources out there already...links have already been posted) and if so, if the site mods would be willing to support such a project.  I suppose I could see myself having the will power to even start a parallel site for some such beast, but I haven't got a clue where I'd start...the idea only came to me this morning.   

[Chuck]

Unfortunately, as with almost anything these days you actually might have to put in the time using the DAW and plug-ins to learn how they work.

I was going to start another one of my "Information overload..." threads again today, but I figure it's just redundant. I feel overwhelmed with information overload all the time. I wish I had the time to actually learn things like I did back in the good ole days... But we are in a new over abundance of information era. Pick a topic and you can spend weeks/ months/ years learning about it online. But, I find that I actually have to DO what I'm reading about for it to really make sense to me.

My grand kids can run circles around me on computers. They can find info and work social media like crazy, but they know nothing about the workings of it. I started with computers when DOS was the big thing. DOS 6.22 was the bomb. I learned that everything a computer does has to have the right type of instructions in order to make it do what you want it to do. Windows and other GUI's just mask all that and make it easier for people to do productive work on them. The grand kids can use computers better than I can, but they don't have that deep understanding about how it all comes together like I do.

Anyway, I say suck it up and find some time to just learn how to use a DAW effectively by obtaining the software and using it.

[page]

I started with computers when DOS was the big thing. DOS 6.22 was the bomb

can I get a w00t w00t! 

But yeah, I can do a quick and dirty on the tools I use in a theoretical sense as it relates to OTS taping, but in terms of actual plugs or pointed Qs on certain software, you'll do better to research it. I think the big things we would look at are (in no particular order):
limiters
stereo expanders (evil, evil mistresses...)
coloration modelers
EQ
compressors (specifically multi-band in terms of it being useful to us but general onstage work could use single band ones) (also, somewhat evil)

distant cousins:
noise reduction (although, there generally isn't a good reason to use this, it's a nice tool to be familiar with).
reverb (only useful in very specific situations)

I think that's about it. I'm not sure I tinker with anything else... Of the first five, the compressors are the most complex and the stereo expanders are the ones with the greatest potential for abuse that you won't catch till it's too late... I have played with all 7, but really try and avoid using the expanders, NR, and Reverb unless I absolutely need to. I don't use a multi-band compressor, but I generally understand why I'd want to and where it would really help. That's probably something I should learn, but I went in the direction of getting distinct inputs over trying to surgically modify something that's already been summed. As others have said, there is gobs of info online about some of this already, it just takes time to wade through it. The best I can hope to provide is a primer on when I'd use each tool in OTS/onstage taping.

[Marshall7]

I've already got too many people wanting me to master their recordings, if I actually knew what I was doing I would be swamped.

But I'm with you Steve...this is something that is badly needed, I think.  There are lots of plug-ins and effects available, but without knowing what do do with them I'm reluctant to try many of them.

[stevetoney]

I started with computers when DOS was the big thing. DOS 6.22 was the bomb

Woot woot.  I learned on Basic and Fortran.

[capnhook]

I started with computers when DOS was the big thing. DOS 6.22 was the bomb

Woot woot.  I learned on Basic and Fortran.

TS Basic and Tandy Basic for me.........woot woot

[DigiGal]

I started with computers when DOS was the big thing. DOS 6.22 was the bomb

Woot woot.  I learned on Basic and Fortran.

TS Basic and Tandy Basic for me.........woot woot

TRS80's - a.k.a - Trash 80's with TS DOS Basic / Tandy DOS.  Oh the joy!!!

[stevetoney]

Ok, to be clear, I don't miss the days of doing my own programming, but I gotta admit that it was pretty damn cool to write a program from scratch and have it work. 

[Matt Quinn]

I still think this is one of the best sites on the internet for this stuff:

http://tweakheadz.com/guide-to-home-and-project-music-studios/

It starts with the absolute basics of audio/digital audio/MIDI and works up from there. Just read the guide in order and I bet you will find answers for a LOT of your questions. Or you can skip up to teh DAW/software section if you're comfortable with all the lower level concepts. There's an incredible wealth of information there.