CREATING PRO TOOLS TEMPLATES

If you’re constantly re-setting up groups, using the same eq settings for your VO in Pro Tools or any DAW for that matter it’s time to set up a master template. Even if your not grouping, having audio tracks already created with your “go to “ eq ready and your favorite limiter across the stereo buss can save you loads of time whn you add up all the productions you do in a week. I like to route my sfx and drops through a group and apply separate eq and compression to that and if I have more than one VO element run a separate group for that. The same applies to any multiple music tracks as in a hook promo.
If you’ve never set up a group before basically you assign the outputs of the tracks you want to group to a buss (e.g., buss 1 & 2) Create an Aux track and assign the inputs of it to buss 1 & 2, and the outputs of the Aux track to Stereo 1&2 (which feeds the Master fader). Any eq or compression or fx you want to apply to just those in the group you insert across the newly created Aux channel. It also makes it easier to mix if for instance you need to raise the level of all your Music elements.
Once you’ve created your template, choose “Save As” Name the session (e.g. Master template) and click Save. In the Mac finder locate the session and click on it once to select it and press” Command I” or right click it and select “Get Info”. Select the Stationary Pad option, select the locked option and close the window. When you open the template it will ask you whether you want to edit the stationary pad (in case you want to edit your template) or start a new session with your saved template. Click “New Session” which saves a copy of the template for you to work on.

HAPPY BELATED EARTH DAY

We were busy recycling used mp3 files on Earth Day so we hope you'll forgive our tardiness. Here's a vid to help celebrate even though it's a little late.


biz markie

WOODPECKERS FROM SPACE

Cool retro sound design and wicked woodpecker rapping make this piece unforgettable.


Click here to see the video.

10 Easy steps to boost your Internet speed without buying stuff

We here at Brown Bag realize that slow internet speeds can get in the way of productivity. Especially when it comes to downloading the many thousands of cuts we have to offer. That’s why we want to show you 10 easy ways you can tweak your way to a faster internet experience.
1. Adjust your browser settings
Use Mozilla Firefox. Internet Explorer downloads all files on a web page in sequential order – Firefox does not, giving you a little bit o’ bandwidth savings. If you have to use IE make sure you have all the upgrades. If your on a Mac, try the latest Safari. It isn’t bad.
2. Call your friendly neighborhood ISP
In these tough economic times you might be able to negotiate a better internet package for a reasonable (or sometimes even the same) price. If not, talk to the boss about switching the service. There might be something faster and cheaper out there.
3. Tweak your router settings
Check your router’s manual. See if there are ports you can open up to help boost speed.
4. Keep the riff raff out
Make sure those slackers next door in studio B are not piggybacking on your wifi. If they are downloading movies, music or other large files on your wireless network, they can slow things down quite a bit. Encrypt your network with a password (again check your router manual for instructions on how to do this)
5. Trim the bandwidth fat.
A lot of apps like to secretly hog your internet connection behind the scenes. They start up when your computer boots and unless you really know what to look for, you’ll never know about it. Look for programs like Windows Update, Antivirus programs (use caution with this one – try updating manually at the end of your shift etc.), Real Player, MSN, Skype and others. Even when you are not running the app, they can still run your speed into the ground.
6. Get a better router
Ok so this one’s not free but it could save you a ton of time. The router that came from your ISP probably isn’t the fastest on the block. A lot of good routers are pretty cheap these days. But if it’s not in the cards, try placing your wireless router and modem in a place that’s not obstructed by walls, doors or other equipment.
7. Ditch your wireless
If possible, try connecting your computer directly to the router with an Ethernet cable. Keep in mind, the longer the cable, the slower your connection may be.
8. Get techy with it
This one’s for all you geeks out there but rookies…listen closely
Keep in mind this works on Windows only
Click Start-->Run-->type "gpedit.msc" without the "
This opens the group policy editor. Then go to: Local Computer Policy-->Computer Configuration-->Administrative Templates-->Network-->QOS Packet Scheduler-->Limit Reservable Bandwidth
Double click on Limit Reservable bandwidth. It will say it is not configured, but the truth is under the 'Explain' tab :
By default, the Packet Scheduler limits the system to 20 percent of the bandwidth of a connection, but you can use this setting to override the default.
So the trick is to ENABLE reservable bandwidth, then set it to ZERO. This should speed things up a bit.
10. Firefox Addons
There is a Firefox add on called DownloadThemAll. This thing lets you customize download settings and has a download accelerator that can bring you up to ludicrous speed.

MUSIC FOR TAX DAY

Here are some songs about money that might help get the ball rolling on some Tax Day themed production.

The Beatles “Tax Man”
The Beatles “Can’t Buy Me Love”
Dire Straits “Money for Nothing”
Johnny Paycheck “Me and the I.R.S.”
The Kinks “Sunny Afternoon”
John Lee Hooker “I Need Money”
Barrett Strong “Money (That’s what I want”)
Flying Lizards “Money (That’s what I want”)
Pink Floyd “Money”
Monty Python “Money Song”
Michael Jackson “Money”
Ray Charles “Busted”
Robert Cray Band “1040 Blues”
Spinal Tap “Gimme Some Money”

AVID BUYS EUPHONIX

Lotsa buzz about this over the weekend. Here's a link to an article on marketwire.com that gives more info.


marketwire.com -avid buys euphonix

SMOOTH JAZZICA

Nothing says true fame more than Metallica performing hard rock in a smooth jazz style without their fans stoning them to death. What's next, a tour with Kenny G?


http://www.buzzfeed.com/awesomer/smoothjazzica

TUNE UP

A quick reminder...whenever you read a Bagazine post reviewing a piece of hardware or software, you can be sure that we used it before we tapped out the article. With that, let's talk tuning.

In the music biz, being in tune is a way of life. This little stomp box gem, PolyTune™ from TC Electronic makes it effortless.

Yeah yeah..... this is a guitar product but rest assured you can use a tuner across the entire musical spectrum, but you know this already. What is so cool about this one is, (guitar players get ready to tingle), PolyTune™ is a polyphonic tuner. You can see six strings at once!! This bad boy is a great chromatic tuner, a "chromatic champion" according to TC. You can set reference pitch to your preference and ranges from 435Hz to 445Hz. There are Poly, Needle, and Stream Modes that measure your input signal along with a "true bypass" mode when switching the tuner on and off. It also has a bass guitar mode for you 4 and 5 stringers out there.

If you like gear as much as we do and need an excuse or are jonesing for a new addition to your arsenal you cannot go wrong with a PolyTune™. The build quality is exceptional too.

Check out more at TC Electronic.