MUPPET BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

If you haven't seen this by now, do yourself a favor and czech it out. Good fun.

Muppet video link

DROP BOX

The process of transferring files from one computer to another is as commonplace as an Obama appearance on primetime TV these days. Often, we use FTP clients to transfer files from computer to computer via remote servers. Sometimes we put files on a thumb drive, give it to a colleague who then sticks it in their machine (and then loses it - later claiming they never got a thumb drive from you). Heck, we even use good ole email from time to time to get our files from A to B. But as you may have already guessed, we found an easier way to do this…free!
The app is called DROPBOX https://www.getdropbox.com/. This handy little freebie let’s you share files right from a folder on your desktop or any other location of your choosing. All you do is download the app on the computers you wish to share files on, setup an account with a username and password and you’re good to go. There’s no learning curve here. DROPBOX folders behave just as any other folder would on your computer, Mac or PC with one exception. Putting a file in a DROPBOX folder automatically synchronizes with any other DROPBOX folder on other computers with DROPBOX installed. If you want to use your iPhone to access a folder you can do that too http://www.getdropbox.com/iphoneapp. And if you’re laptop doesn’t show up at the baggage claim carousel and you need to make use of those internet bars (who uses those anyway?) you can log into your account and access your files online using your username and password. The only drawback we found is that there is no recycle bin for the DROPBOX folder. Changes made to files in a DROPBOX folder are destructible, meaning – if you edit the doc, there is no going back. More importantly, once a file is deleted it’s DELETED so be careful!
According to CNET http://www.cnet.com/, the software is safe, secure and a great way to backup files and work on projects from multiple workstations. It’s still in beta testing but we found this to be no problemo. We use it here at the Bag and have not had any complaints yet. Give it a try!

Adding Some Realism to Your Productions

Simply panning a characters voice in a promo is one way to create space, but using two microphones in a coincidental pair (also known as “XY”) and placing your characters in that space adds much more realism. The two microphones must be placed as closely together as possible by placing the capsule of one microphone on top of the other as in fig.1. To achieve a wider image position the mics as in fig.2. Ideally you would use a nice matched pair of mics with changeable mic patterns. Realistically if all you have is a couple of 58’s lying around, or two mismatched mics, don't sweat it, you’re not recording the London Symphony. Just try and match the levels between the two and it's all good. The better the levels are matched the more obvious the spatial differences will be. If you did have a pair of mics that you could change the pattern on a figure eight would give you the widest image and works well in a small room. Hyper cardioid is a tighter sound. If you are trying to achieve the sound of a large group and have only a few people you can make them sound like a larger group by doubling or tripling them and moving individuals around in the stereo field with each pass.

LICENSE KEEPER

Have you ever lost a serial number to a plug-in or software? How about adding insult to injury when the developer tells you you have to buy a new serial number/license to replace your lost one. We've heard that before; "well sir, you DID lose your serial number". Rummaging through countless registration cards, manuals, sticky notes, and ancient emails trying to find software info is way painful. We dislike pain enough to search out a handy utility that keeps all purchase information in one convenient place.

LicenseKeeper from outer level software has been a true benefit in maintaining and organizing software license information. Manage serial numbers, license files, receipts, purchase history, and registration information in a searchable solution. You can import and export information, print detailed reports, scan emails for serial numbers, and purchase history.

The operation of LicenseKeeper is straight forward and intuitive. Put and end to the panic and headache (pictured right) when searching for that lost serial number.

http://outerlevel.com/licensekeeper

MUSICAL GIBLETS

Who put Thanksgiving so close to Halloween? We’re still burping up the leftover Kit-Kat’s we had for breakfast. Pilgrims, sheesh, what WERE they thinking?

Doing some last minute Thanksgiving production?

Here’s our unique list of songs to help get your creative skull marbles rolling.
If anything, maybe the list will get you in the mood for gorging on turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin pie…oh yeah…and giving thanks and stuff while dealing with dysfunctional family issues.

Adam Sandler - Thanksgiving Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z27FKwupds


Dee Dee Sharp – Mashed Potato Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQBKpV9emKc

The Original Schnickelfritz Band (1942) - Turkey in the Straw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsnZxfkkoKQ

Ol Turkey Buzzard (Yeah it’s about Vultures and Gold..we know…Turkey Buzzard sounds cool though)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRA3SrkqDSE

Ol Turkey Buzzard (On Letterman, weird, funny, okay then.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBpzTcW5qIg&feature=related

Lemon Demon – Pumpkin Pie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VVKx8AcYHs

The Plastic Ono Band (John Lennon) – Cold Turkey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARDnJLkzq_M

Billy Talent did a version of Cold Turkey… we thank you Canada for BT.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfrsaI70X5Y

Bob Hope and Shirley Ross – Thanks for the Memory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwqB2vhrtLE

Bob Marley – Give Thanks and Praises
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=668613672836639134#

Bonnie Raitt – I Thank You
http://popup.lala.com/popup/360569449467837986

Johnny Cash – Thanks A Lot
http://popup.lala.com/popup/937030227622711074

Get your sentimental mojo on via Josh Groban.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2M0GQOgYGg

John Mellencamp – Thank You
http://popup.lala.com/popup/432908518535527148

Alanis Morrisette – Thank U
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1lmw3_alanis-morissette-thank-u_music

ABBA (from Mamma Mia soundtrack) - Thank You For the Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8e9VOG1yk8

Ray Davies – Thanksgiving Day
http://www.amazon.com/Thanksgiving-Day-Ray-Davies/dp/B000BTJCPY

Dido – Thank You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1CjbcqhGyU

Sly and The Family Stone – Family Affair
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyx71_sly-the-family-stone-family-affair_music

The Ramones – We’re a Happy Family
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPxA7XIGHkQ&feature=related

Sister Sledge – We are Family
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSDh94eQTAk

GAIN STRUCTURE

Setting up a good gain structure is one of the most important aspects of insuring
a distortion free and open sounding production. If you overload at any gain point
(where you can increase or decrease volume such as a compressor or eq) you’ll carry that through the chain. An example of poor gain structure is when a mixers master volume is sitting near the bottom and all of the individual faders are crammed to the top. The master buss level may look normal, but there’s very little or no headroom as well as no clarity or dynamic range.
Keep your eyes on the master buss from the beginning and as you add new elements make adjustments. Your master fader should remain at zero. If your mix is beginning to look hot pull all individual faders down equally. (you could ensure this by grouping them momentarily, or if your DAW has a Trim plugin as Pro Tools does you could insert it before the limiter on the Master Buss and drop the level) Do not rely on the buss limiter to fix everything. In fact don’t engage the buss limiter at all until your mix is almost done. The harder you hit it the more limiting will kick in and diminish the dynamic range. Especially if you are using already produced and mastered music material in your promos. Usually these tracks have already been subjected to the “Loudness War” and adding more limiting to them will induce a “crunchy” sound. Better to adjust the individual elements so that your buss limiter is just tightening up the sound and preventing any overages as opposed to sucking all of the life and dynamic range out of your masterpiece. You could set up a separate buss that has all the elements that haven’t been squashed like your VO, drops & sound design and then feed that to the master buss or use light to moderate compression on each individual track then engage the buss limiter just as a trim.