After a bit of a hiatus, Nerd Alert is back! It’s our ever so popular series of production tips specially formulated to be a basic introduction to concepts related to production.
Often you hear about colorization of sound – sometimes this desirable while other times – not so much. In the world of analog gear (EQ, compressor, mixing board, etc) would introduce a certain level of harmonic distortion into the signal. Part of what made classic gear like Neve and SSL so desirable was the manner it colored the sound.
Now what is harmonic distortion? That is something I am far underqualified to speak in-depth about. The most simplistic explanation is that it creates subtle harmonics in the signal and enhances the tone. It basically creates the “warm” sound people say is missing from digital production. This is not massive distortion like you expect from a Justice bassline – but something far more subtle. In fact, you may not even (overtly) hear it at all.
I particularly find it very becoming on hi hats and other top end percussion. It gives the signal an enhanced presence without resorting to over the top EQ boost that can introduce unpleasant resonance. Of course, the process can be used on all the sounds. A traditional analog console would effect every channel, with additional colorization coming from whatever external hardware was routed into the individual signal paths – so this is also something to consider.
So as a bedroom producer with no outboard gear, how can you “warm up” your track? There are many plug-ins that emulate pre-amps and tape saturation. Some of the more affordable and good quality that I have found are the 112db Pre-amp and PSP’s Mix-Saturator, although there are loads more. Of course, true gear snobs will attest there is no emulations for the real thing and they are probably right – but we work with what we can afford, right?
Again, this is about the most simplistic introduction to the concept ever. Do some research and do some experiments of your own. I am sure with a little trial and error you will find some digital means to “warm” up your sterile digital sounds.
Yes indeed a very controversial topic in the music production world, mainly focused around the whole general hype of the use of tubes in circuit designs.
As this ‘coloration’ happens at the distortion stage of the signal, this distortion generated by tubes create harmonics that are far more pleasing psycho-acoustically to the ear than the distortion harmonics for a transistor circuit. Also hyped up by senior engineers is the use of tape saturation that also had a similar effect instead of clipping a signal instead adding a harmonic quality of the tape, Tape saturation.
For producers like me that find themselves wanting to add these qualities into their productions they might find special “trial” versions of quality products from McDsp, Waves, that model a lot of vintage compressors, channel strips, and tape saturation emulators.