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inSync Tech Tips cover over 4,800 music and audio topics spanning 15 years of technological development. Look here to find answers to your tech questions, cool tips and tools for making music, and more.

Permalink to Power for RJM Music Effect Gizmo/MasterMind

Jul 26 2010, 12:00 AM

Power for RJM Music Effect Gizmo/MasterMind

Q: The manual for my RJM Music Effect Gizmo/MasterMind says that I can power the foot controller (the MasterMind) using a 7-pin MIDI cable. I thought MIDI cables only had five pins, and that two of those were... Read more »

Permalink to Curing PA Rumble

Jun 28 2010, 12:00 AM

Curing PA Rumble

Q: After we EQ our PA and tune our Feedback Eliminator we notice there is always a low rumble coming through the system. We can bring down the level of the vocal microphones and most of it goes away, or we can lower... Read more »

Permalink to Keep It Clean!

Jun 18 2010, 12:00 AM

Keep It Clean!

One of the primary predators on electronic equipment is airborne dust. You should cover your mixer, exposed gear, and keyboards when they are not in use. Dust build-up will cause mixer sliders to become noisy, and... Read more »

Permalink to RJM Music MasterMind

May 25 2010, 12:00 AM

RJM Music MasterMind

Q: I think the RJM Music MasterMind looks like the perfect MIDI controller for my rig, but can I use it to control other effects besides just the RJM amp switchers and loop switchers? A: Absolutely! The MasterMind... Read more »

Permalink to Lexicon PCM90 Battery

Apr 5 2010, 12:00 AM

Lexicon PCM90 Battery

Q: I have a Lexicon PCM90, and recently, when I turn it on, the screen has started to say that it has a low battery. Can I change the battery myself, and do you know what kind of battery it needs? A: The battery in... Read more »

Permalink to MIDI Amp Switching

Mar 12 2010, 12:00 AM

MIDI Amp Switching

Q: I have a guitar set up where I'm using a couple of rack effects boxes that I'm controlling with a MIDI switcher pedal. I really want my amp to change channels when I call up certain programs, but the amp doesn't... Read more »

Permalink to Effects Placement

Mar 11 2010, 12:00 AM

Effects Placement

Q: I have a new guitar amp with an effects loop, and I'm trying to figure out which of my effects should go in front of the amp and which should go in the loop. Can you help? A: Generally, pedals that do gain... Read more »

Permalink to Plug-in Order

Feb 26 2010, 12:00 AM

Plug-in Order

Q: When mastering, what order should I run my plug-ins? EQ first, then dynamics, or the other way around? A: Sorry, there is no single correct answer to this question — every mastering engineer has their own... Read more »

Permalink to Compressor Placement

Feb 9 2010, 12:00 AM

Compressor Placement

Q: Where should my compressor pedal go in my guitar effects chain? A: As with pretty much all guitar pedals, you can place a compressor stompbox pretty much anywhere in the signal path that you want — you're... Read more »

Permalink to Comparing Apples to Apples

Jan 29 2010, 12:00 AM

Comparing Apples to Apples

As audio geeks, we spend a lot of time A/B comparing pieces of gear to choose which one is best for a given task. The key to making quality comparisons is to match the volume levels as exactly as possible. If the... Read more »

Permalink to Structure Instances

Nov 11 2009, 12:00 AM

Structure Instances

Q: I'm using Structure in Pro Tools to do the horn parts in a blues song I'm working on. Should I be using a separate instance and track for each instrument (trumpet, trombone, alto and tenor saxes) or should I use... Read more »

Permalink to Down and Dirty

Nov 10 2009, 12:00 AM

Down and Dirty

Q: I want to run some of my tracks through my guitar stompboxes when I'm mixing. What do I need to make it work? A: You'll need a box that can convert the line-level output of your recorder/mixer/DAW to instrument... Read more »

Permalink to When to replace tubes?

Nov 9 2009, 12:00 AM

When to replace tubes?

Q: When should I replace the tubes in my guitar amp? A: It is difficult to come up with a definitive answer to this question — it also difficult to come up with an empirical test; for example, pulling out the... Read more »

Permalink to MIDI Out and Thru

Oct 12 2009, 12:00 AM

MIDI Out and Thru

Q: What is the difference between a MIDI output and a MIDI thru? A: A MIDI output sends out data that was generated within the device, by playing its keys, turning a knob, moving a performance controller, or... Read more »

Permalink to Record MIDI

Sep 2 2009, 12:00 AM

Record MIDI

Q: Does Propellerheads' Record include MIDI tracks? Or do I have to have Reason to work with MIDI? A: Record supports MIDI tracks, can record MIDI, supports MIDI control surfaces, and has a full-featured MIDI... Read more »

Permalink to Mix Preparation

Aug 21 2009, 12:00 AM

Mix Preparation

The next time you finish tracking a song, and are getting ready to do the mixdown, go ahead and set up several reverbs and delays in your mixer ahead of time. Go for a long hall, a medium plate, and a short room... Read more »

Permalink to Cool Tool Alert

Aug 7 2009, 12:00 AM

Cool Tool Alert

From the "Why didn't I think of that?" file: ProCo Siamese Twin cables. You're going to want these cool tools for your studio or live rig. The idea is to combine XLR or TRS cables with IEC power cables into one... Read more »

Permalink to Multiple EQs In Series

Aug 3 2009, 12:00 AM

Multiple EQs In Series

Another tip garnered from the man himself, acclaimed engineer/producer Frank Filipetti, during his seminar at Sweetwater's GearFest '09 on how to mix using the Universal Audio UAD-2 plug-ins. There's nothing wrong... Read more »

Permalink to AES vs. S/PDIF

Jul 20 2009, 12:00 AM

AES vs. S/PDIF

Q: Can I connect AES digital signal to S/PDIF input, vice versa? A: As far as the data goes, there should be no problem connecting these two digital formats. Electronically, in most cases, interconnecting them will... Read more »

Permalink to Multiple Compressors in Series

Jul 17 2009, 12:00 AM

Multiple Compressors in Series

During producer/engineer Frank Filipetti's seminar on using the Universal Audio UAD-2 card during mixdown, which he presented at Sweetwater's recent GearFest '09, he had several tracks set up with more than one... Read more »

Permalink to 1176 vs. 2-1176

Jul 15 2009, 12:00 AM

1176 vs. 2-1176

Q: Are there difference between having two separate Universal Audio 1176 compressor/limiters and a 2-1176 Twin compressor/limiter? A: In both cases you have a pair of 1176s that can be used dual mono or linked for... Read more »

Permalink to Turn It Down!

Jul 10 2009, 12:00 AM

Turn It Down!

Another tip drawn from the Sweetwater GearFest Producers Panel discussion, this one coming from mixer/remixer/producer/studio owner Fab Dupont: "You're recording too loud!" Fab doesn't mean that you should turn down... Read more »

Permalink to Using Returns and Inserts

Jun 26 2009, 12:00 AM

Using Returns and Inserts

Q: I'm confused about when I should insert plug-ins directly onto a track and when I should use an aux send and return for them. Can you help? A: The answer depends on what you're trying to do and what type of... Read more »

Permalink to Multiple Limiters

Jun 25 2009, 12:00 AM

Multiple Limiters

Many engineers use a limiter plug-in to raise the overall level of final mixes when mastering. The problem is that pushing the limiter too far will result in audible artifacts. (Why we push the limiter too far is... Read more »

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