Soundbase

MacProVideo Tutorials

2011-07-04T00:34:00.000-07:00

Over the last few months I have ben writing tutorials for the excellent Mac online learning site, MacProVideo (www.macprovideo.com)

I have been providing tutorials on Apple Logic, Ableton and even Mac troubleshooting tips. MacProVideo have created an excellent facility called, the Hub, where trainers across the world come together and provide tips and tricks foor a host of different Mac applications. The Hub covers everything from Audio and Video through to Design, Web development and Mac tips.

Take a look at some of my blogs on the site, and feel free to make comments.

http://www.macprovideo.com/hub/author/gary-hiebner

MacProVideo Blog Anniversay Contest

2011-02-20T07:25:00.000-08:00

Check out this great contest at MacProVido. This is to celebrate their 1 year anniversay of there blog site. They really have some amazing tutorials.

http://www.macprovideo.com/blog/mpv/soundbase

New Track by Ricoshay

2010-06-27T03:49:00.001-07:00

Check out the new track by Ricoshay recorded at Soundbase Studios.

The track came together quick quick. We spent about 2 days working on the music production, and then another day on the vocals. The track was both mixed and mastered at Soundbase Studios. Let us know what you think of the track.

What I am listening to

2010-05-15T00:02:00.000-07:00

I am absolutely loving the Calvin Harris album - Ready for the Weekend. I heard a couple of his tracks on the radio. The big synths caught my attention. It sounds like he is using Logic's ES2 synth for most of the synth sounds. The tracks have simple structures and melodies, but oh man do they work, and get stuck in your head for days.

Next on the list, is my hero BT. His new album These Hopeful machines, is an absolute killer. It is a move away from his last release, This Binary Universe, and a move back to his more dance-oriented tracks. After the first listen I was a bit disappointed he had not gone in a similar direction as This Binary Universe. But after a few more listens, it has really grown on me. It is an absolutely amazing albums. He is really pushing the boundaries on this one. From the Glitch elements on Suddenly, and Every Other Way, to minimalist and tech-house tracks such as Rose of Jericho, and The Emergency.

From a technical side, I cannot believe the time signature change on the track Le Nocturne de Lumière. It blends from a 4/4 to a 3/4. I listened to the interview BT did with the Wire, and he commented that it took him 10 days to do the maths on figuring out the time signature change. I don't know how he has the time and patience for that. But you got to respect the man.

Soundbase Studio Gear 2010

2010-04-17T01:30:00.000-07:00

Every muso/studio producer loves raving about what gear they have, and more importantly what gear they would love to have.

Here is a list of the software/hardware we use, and what is next up on our wishlist:

Software:

Apple Logic Studio
ProTools LE 7.4
Ableton 8
CSound (a great open source software, that is code base, but can produce amazing audio processing)
Renoise 2.5 (a great music tracker application - a very different way to composing and writing music and beat).

Hardware:

Apple G5 Dual 2.0Ghz with Mac OS 10.5.8
Apple Macbook Pro 13-inch 2.26Ghz with Mac OS 10.5.8
Digidesign MBox 2 Pro Audio Interface
Event TR-8 True Reference Studio Monitors
Evolution 49-key MIDI Controller
Korg nanoKontrol
Yamaha RX-5 Drum Machine
Epiphone Les Paul - Jimmy Page Signature series
Fender Bassman 1969 Blackface, with
Fender 2 x 12 Twin Reverb Speaker Cabinet
Studio Projects B1 Condensor Microphone
Shure SM58 Dynamic Microphone
SE Reflextion Filter

Wishlist

M-Audio Axiom 49-key - this is the next controller on my list.
With semi-weighted keys, drum pads, more faders on endless rotary knobs. Who could want more?
Max for Live - this Integrates MAX/MSP with Ableton. Ableton are definitely taking some giant leaps in the Digital Audio Workstations sector. And I can't wait to see what is next up their sleeves.
Adam A7 Studio Reference Monitors

Ricoshay have finished their debut album

2010-04-10T14:40:00.001-07:00

I have started a new project with Mark Norrie from Driverlane. The new band is called Ricoshay. It is a mixture of different elements of electronica (house, big beat, Drum n Bass), and also includes elements of ska and rock. We have tried to create something fresh and new with this project. We have completed our debut album. Take a look at our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ricoshaymusic for a listen to some of the track and for the latest news.

The album was all recorded, mixed and produced at SoundBase Studios. It was quite a process, but we are very pleased with the results. Mark and I went through tracks that we had lying around, and built up the 12 tracks that are now available on the album. We went through and laid down the rough melodies lines, and vocals. And from there we began building on them track by track. From creating synths sounds, to building up interesting beats, to guitar melodies, and vocal effects.

The whole album process took roughly 4 months (from Dec 2009 - March 2010) from the initial rough tracks, to the mastering stage. We learnt quite a bit from the recording process, and actually can't wait to start on new tracks for the next album.

We found that in the beginning we were still finding our sound, and near the end process everything started coming together and the 'Ricoshay' sound started developing. So we feel that the next album will definitely be more cohesive and beat and bass driven. So stayed tuned for snippets of the forthcoming tracks on the Facebook page.

2010-04-05T11:13:00.001-07:00

Hi, My name is Gary Hiebner and I started Soundbase. Soundbase is a studio in Durban, South Africa. We specialise in music compositions for new media. In this blog I am interested in talking about everything music (techniques, software, tips, current trends and styles, and other interest of mine in music).

So keep posted.....