Music Production Knowledge Backlog

In this video, I explain why I don't use the buttons and features of the Bitwig Connect 4/12, preferring the efficiency of keyboard and mouse controls in Bitwig Studio. The device is well-built and integrates nicely, but features like the big knob and transport controls don't fit my workflow. While it's a great audio interface, it doesn't fully meet my needs or preferences.

Today, I'm excited to introduce the Roto Controller by Melbourne Instruments and its new Bitwig integration, currently in beta. This controller, while perhaps not the ultimate MIDI controller, is unique for its tactile feedback and innovative mapping features. With modes for MIDI, plugins, and mixing, it offers a highly intuitive experience that you can try out at Superbooth or the Bitwig booth.

In this video, I showcase the Bitwig Connect 4/12 and share some creative patching ideas using it, even if you don't own an external synthesizer. I demonstrate how to convert digital signals to analog and back to digital, utilizing feedback loops for distortion and creative sound effects. The convenience of having input and output jacks readily accessible makes it easy and fun to experiment, and I plan to share more tips in future videos.

In this video, I recommend two open-source, free plugins: Gate1 and Time1. Gate1 is great for shaping volume with precision, offering features like waveform visualization that you won't find in similar tools. Time1 allows you to manipulate delay time for creative effects like halftiming or simulating turntables.

In this video, I dive into the free Filter plugin by blepfx, exploring its features, including various filter modes, modulation options, and its unique interface controls like middle mouse button clicks. I demonstrate its sound capabilities and how it can be used in a music production setup, noting its integration with Bitwig. I encourage viewers to try it out, highlighting its versatility and recommending other free plugins from the developer.

In today's video, I explored the Concatenator by DataMind Audio, a unique granular audio effect that uses samples from your hard drive to replace the input signal, matching pitch and dynamics with a clever algorithm. It offers various customizable grain settings and can create interesting textures and ambient sounds, making it a versatile tool for music production. There's a seven-day trial available, and I find it an innovative concept worth checking out.

In this video, I introduce a fun script called TextMaker for Bitwig that lets you write text melodically in a note clip using scales like natural minor. You can experiment with different settings like text width, height, and gap to create unique note arrangements, although it's primarily meant as a humorous project. Let me know if you'd like me to expand on it or explore other creative ideas for the piano roll!

Learn what crest factor means in mixing and mastering, how to measure compression, and how to compare track dynamics more accurately.

In this video, I demonstrate how to use expansion to make drum samples from libraries fit better in a mix by stretching the dynamic range. Using Bitwig Studio, I highlight methods like the dynamics module, compressor plus, and transfer curve to enhance the groove and dynamics of over-compressed samples. This approach helps create a cohesive mix where all sounds blend seamlessly.

In this video, I introduce the latest update to my melody maker script, showcasing new features that allow for more expressive and randomized sequences with just one click. I demonstrate how the updates include randomized parameters like timbre, pressure, and release velocity, as well as advanced options like motif development and rhythmic emphasis for creating more dynamic melodies. Additionally, I discuss some technical challenges with the API and share plans for upcoming updates to my other music scripts.

In this video, I showcase my third iteration of a physical modeling piano preset I've crafted using Bitwig Studio, which you can download for free in the description. This version uses comp filters, noise bursts, and other techniques to create a more convincing piano sound than my previous attempts, with various adjustable knobs for mechanical noises and tuning effects. I'm open to feedback and encourage viewers to tweak the preset and share their improvements.

In this video, I introduced Topos, a new saturation distortion plugin with unique features like a topological view for creating custom distortion curves and detailed module settings for the input filter, amplifier simulation, and speaker simulation. While I appreciate the plugin's design and sound quality, I found the behavior of the settings window slightly annoying as it automatically reverts to the wave view. Despite this minor issue, I recommended downloading the demo version, Topos Play, to try it out, as it's lightweight, affordable, and doesn't require iLok.

In this video, I introduce a tool I created in Bitwig called Tonal Balancer, which automatically balances the tonal distribution of a track by using noise sources and EQ to match levels across frequency bands. I demonstrate how to use features like the target knob, custom curves, and rise/fall settings to adjust how the EQ adapts to changes in the audio signal. The preset, available for free on my GitHub, is not yet finished, as I plan to implement a threshold feature to prevent unwanted amplification of quiet parts.

My hands-on Serum 2 review: the new third oscillator with wavetable, sample, granular and spectral modes, the refreshed GUI, expanded modulation, built-in clips and arpeggiator, plus whether the free update is worth it for existing Serum 1 owners.

In this video, I demonstrated how to recreate the Delta distortion plug-in in Bitwig Studio by using techniques such as amplitude modulation and signal subtraction to generate overtones and modulate the original signal. I outlined the patch setup, including using a band-splitter, AMRM module, and customizable distortion curves, allowing for modulation with either the side chain or the main signal itself. You can download my preset for free from my GitHub to experiment with these techniques in your own projects.

In this video, I introduce the Ottopot, a homemade MIDI controller created by one of my Patreons, Gero. The device features 14-bit resolution potentiometers with LED rings for precise control, offering a unique one-to-one mapping experience. If you're interested, you can build it yourself using the materials listed on Gero's website, or potentially get one made by him if he's available.