Music Production Knowledge Backlog

You can buy the whole EP on bandcamp: https://bit.ly/3fo4Gk3 or stream it: https://bit.ly/3t1YGkh - DAW Bitwig (supermassive, ...

Played around with some pads and #touchosc and thought about recording a short jam. So I took some pads out for a space walk.

In this video I discussed how to mimic the behavior of the DSEQ3 with Bitwig Studio's native Loud Split device. I demonstrated how to set the Loud Split device to a 3 dB per octave tilt setting and how to adjust the loudness level, knee setting, and rise and fall settings. I showed how to identify resonances and over amplified frequencies in a mixdown and how to use the Loud Split device to reduce these frequencies. I also suggested using the Loud Split device for mastering.

The Comb-Filter in Bitwig Studio is a visual comb filter with flexible frequency and feedback controls that can add metallic physicality to synth sounds, making them resemble real instruments like a kalimba or guitar. Unlike other devices, it lacks automatic gain compensation, so users should use a limiter to avoid clipping, and its mix knob allows blending the dry signal. While key tracking can be tricky due to logarithmic scaling, using the Comb-Filter within Bitwig’s FX grid simplifies this by allowing direct frequency-to-key mapping.

The Blur device in Bitwig Studio uses All-Pass delays on both left and right channels, allowing you to control both delay time and feedback through interactive dots for creative sound shaping. The feedback parameter uniquely blends feedback gain and dry signal, with 0 percent giving only the delayed signal and 100 percent giving only the dry signal, making it possible to find sweet spots for blending effects. This setup is ideal for creating reverb and stereo widening effects, smearing or blurring the signal for rich spatial textures.

In this video, I demonstrated how to create a simple auto-leveling patch in the grid. I used an oscilloscope, a divide or division operation, and a follow-off to average out the audio signal. I also implemented a threshold algorithm to make sure that the auto-leveler doesn't amplify noise annoyingly. This technique works in any modular environment and can be useful for maintaining the same loudness level for a generative grid patch or audio clip.

The Bitwig Studio tool device features two volume knobs for backward compatibility, allowing for fine control with overlapping dB ranges and the option to boost volume further using both. It provides panning and a width knob, enabling users to adjust stereo width from mono to very wide by manipulating the mid and side channels. Additionally, users can invert the polarity of left or right channels and swap stereo channels for more flexible audio manipulation.

The Bitwig Studio reverb is divided into early reflections for simulating room characteristics, late reflections for controlling the decay and frequency of the space, and an output section for blending the wet and dry signals, as well as adjusting stereo width. Unique features like wet FX and tank FX allow creative manipulation by adding effects either to the wet output or within the feedback loop, drastically shaping the reverb's sound and character. By tweaking parameters such as diffusion, room size, and feedback processing, you can achieve anything from subtle room ambiance to complex, experimental effects.

In this video, I demonstrate how to use the spacer plug in air, a modular reverb or delay effect by Spectral Audio. I show how to combine multiple delays and reverbs in the chain, as well as how to adjust the mix, output gain and EQ for each module. I explain the features of the convolution reverb, the crane reverb and delay, the normal delay, and the chorus and utilities, and explain how the dice button can be used to randomize parameters. I mention how one drawback of convolution is that it's static and doesn't modulate, and how an algorithmic reverb like Valhalla Reverb or Valhalla Supermassive can be used to add organic movement to a sound. I demonstrate how to solo and EQ each module, and also how to adjust the mod rate and mod depth of the reverb. Finally, I show how to use the grain reverb and delay to further enhance the sound.

In this video, I explore Bitwig Studio’s Saturator device, explaining how it shapes audio signals using a customizable transfer function to add harmonics and distortion. I demonstrate its impact on waveforms, different settings, and real sounds, highlighting features like gating, wave folding, and the importance of harmonics for adding richness to audio. The video offers a practical guide for musicians to better understand and creatively use the Saturator in music production.

In this video, I created a polyphonic synthesizer in Max with a new rainbow patcher. I started by creating an audio output module and then created a rainbow sub-patcher with an oscillator and connected it to the audio output. I then added MIDI inputs and connected them to the oscillator so I could change the frequency with my keyboard. I also added an ADSR filter to give the oscillator an attack, decay, sustain, and release phase. Finally, I exported the patch as a VST3 and tested it in BitwigStudio.

Between the skyscrapers of the modern city in a distant future. Where the fog of the ventilation systems settles on the window panes like glittering morning dew. Where the distant and loud blasts ring evenly to the beat of progress like a thundering summer storm. That's where we have settled, that's where we live. Life in the sense of waiting, with the deep longing and sadness for a redeemer.

Modulated some upper ratios in this grid synth and used spacer & supermassive for the reverb. - DAW Bitwig (supermassive ...

In this video, I introduced Plug Data, a plugin wrapper around Pure Data. I showed how to use it to create an oscillator and an amplifier and how to use the Node In module to control the oscillator with a MIDI keyboard. I also showed how to use the help page for each module and how to save the patch.

Performed my recent Grid with some additional gear :) You can watch how i build this on my other channel: ...