PROFESSIONAL AUDIO WORKSTATION
PROFESSIONAL AUDIO WORKSTATION
Tutorial
Tutorial
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Introduction
Welcome to the world of the AW2816!
If you have an interest in music production, you probably know that the songs of the artists you see on television and in magazines are produced in
sophisticated recording and mixing studios using lots
of expensive equipment, and pass through numerous
processes under the care of professional sound engineers who have a wealth of specialized knowledge.
Into the AW2816 is packed the functionality used for
every process that happens in these large and sophisticated studios. If the optional CD-RW drive is
installed, the entire process from recording to CD production can be carried out completely within the
AW2816, and all at professional quality.
Starting with a powerful digital mixer of equivalent
quality with the Yamaha 02R mixing console (the defacto standard for digital recording), the AW2816
includes an automix function that records and reproduces the operations of the mixer section, two digital
multi-effect units with a rich array of functions, a completely uncompressed 16-track recorder that supports
not only 16 bit CD-quality but also 24 bit recording/
playback that captures even the most subtle nuances,
and many other functions.
If you already have experience using a digital mixing
console or digital recorder, operating the AW2816
will soon feel completely natural to you, and you will
quickly be amazed at the astounding amount of functionality that is packed into such a small unit. On the
other hand if you are new to this type of equipment,
be reassured that the AW2816 is designed to make it
easy for you to fully use every bit of its powerful functionality.
Although this tutorial will guide you through a full
range of actual operations, this is just the first step in
understanding the full potential of the AW2816. We
hope that by working through this tutorial, you will
acquire your very own know-how that will help you
take full advantage of the AW2816.
About this tutorial
This tutorial is intended for people who have an interest in recording and mixdown but have never before
used equipment like the AW2816, and explains the
process from recording to mixdown on the AW2816
while leading you through the actual steps of operation.
Once you have worked through this tutorial, you will
have learned how to operate the basic functionality of
the AW2816. For a more detailed explanation of each
function, refer to the AW2816’s “Owner’s Manual.” At
the end of this tutorial there is a glossary of specialized terms related to the AW2816, digital mixing consoles, and digital recorders. Please refer to it when
you encounter an unfamiliar term.
Tutorial
1
Contents
Contents
Introduction........................................ 1
About this tutorial ......................................... 1
Contents ............................................. 2
Recording on the AW2816 ................. 3
Creating a new song ...................................... 3
Recording the rhythm section........................ 3
Using two mics to record the rhythm............ 3
Connect the mics to the AW2816 ................ 3
Recording sound from the mics onto the hard
disk............................................................ 4
Play back the recorded sound ...................... 4
Recording the sound of a rhythm machine.... 5
What is tempo data on the AW2816 ............ 5
Recording sounds that you step-recorded into
your sequencer............................................ 6
Recording vocals and acoustic instruments ... 6
Switching scene memories........................... 6
Tips – vocal recording.................................. 6
Overdubbing ................................................. 7
Switching virtual tracks ................................ 7
Tips – is it good or bad to record with
effects?....................................................... 7
To apply effects only to the sound being moni-
tored.......................................................... 7
Restoring the demo song................... 8
Restoring to the hard disk.............................. 8
Loading the demo song from hard disk.......... 8
Mixdown............................................. 9
Step 1. Listen to the recorded tracks and make
your plans.................................................... 9
Let’s begin ................................................... 9
Step 2. Setting up a rough mix..................... 10
Start with the kick and snare ...................... 10
Adding the drum overhead tracks .............. 10
Adding the hi-hat ....................................... 10
Adding the acoustic bass............................ 10
Adding the percussion ............................... 10
Adding the acoustic guitar ......................... 10
Adding the piano ....................................... 10
Adding the synthesizer............................... 11
Adding the organ ....................................... 11
Adding the electric guitar........................... 11
Adding the lead vocal ................................ 11
Adding the chorus...................................... 11
Listening to the rough mix.......................... 11
Saving the song.......................................... 11
Saving the scene ........................................ 11
Step 3. Assembling the mix for each part .....12
Channels 1/2: Bass drum and snare drum ...12
Channels 3/4: Drum overhead mics............13
Channel 5: Hi-hat.......................................14
Channel 6: Acoustic bass............................14
Channel 7: Percussion ................................15
Channel 8: Acoustic guitar..........................16
Channel 9: Piano........................................16
Channel 10: Synthesizer .............................17
Channel 11: Organ.....................................17
Channel 12: Electric guitar..........................18
Channels 13/14/15: Chorus ........................18
Channel 16: Lead vocal..............................19
Saving the song...........................................19
Step 4. Adding ambience..............................20
Using effect 1 send, and selecting an effect.20
Adding ambience to tracks as needed.........20
Channels 1/2: Kick and snare......................21
Channels 3 and 4: Overhead drum mics.....21
Channel 7: Percussion ................................21
Channel 8: Acoustic guitar..........................21
Channel 9: Piano........................................21
Channel 10: Synthesizer .............................21
Channel 11: Organ.....................................21
Channel 12: Electric guitar..........................21
Channels 13/14/15: Chorus ........................21
Channel 16: Lead vocal..............................21
Step 5. Completing the mix and making auto-
mation settings...........................................22
Automix ...................................................22
Listen to the recorded automix ....................22
About the contents of the “Can you feel it?” au-
tomix..........................................................22
Main contents of automix ........................23
Mastering ......................................... 24
Accurate monitoring is essential! ................24
Setting master EQ and dynamics..................24
Equalizer (EQ).............................................24
Compressor ................................................25
Master compressor settings for the demo
song..........................................................25
Recording the song to the stereo track.........25
Writing the song to a CD-R disc...................25
The next step.................................... 26
Glossary ............................................ 27
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Tutorial
Recording on the AW2816
Amazingly for its size, the AW2816 conceals potential
that rivals the mixing consoles found in large recording studios.
Although you can of course record a live performance
in a single pass, you can also use multi-track recording to take full advantage of the AW2816’s 16 x 8 =
128 tracks.
This tutorial will guide you through the actual recording process, so that you can learn how to utilize the
full power of the AW2816.
Creating a new song
In the WORK NAVIGATE section, press the [SONG]
key. When the Song List screen appears, move the
cursor downward, and press [ENTER] at the NEW
SONG button. You will be asked “Save current song?,”
so answer either YES or NO. Then specify the sampling rate (Fs) and number of recording bits (Recbit)
that the newly created song will use, and press
[ENTER]. Next you will be asked whether you want to
import mixer data (for details refer to the AW2816’s
“Owner’s Manual,” Reference section), but in this
case you need not select anything.
Now you can input a name for the song that will be
created. Press [ENTER] at OK, and the comment input
screen will appear. Unless you want to assign a comment, simply select OK. A new song has now been
created on the AW2816’s hard disk.
Recording the rhythm section
Using two mics to record the
rhythm
Since the AW2816 provides two channels of XLR mic
input, you can put up two mics in a recording booth
and record in stereo. In this section we are going to
assume that you will record using two mics.
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Connect the mics to the AW2816
Obtain two mics with the same characteristics (as far
as possible, two mics of the same manufacturer and
model), and connect the mic cables to the AW2816’s
INPUT 1 and 2 XLR jacks. If you are using condenser
mics, turn on the PHANTOM +48V switch located on
the back panel. (If you are using dynamic mics, leave
this switch turned off. Otherwise, the mic may be
damaged.)
Now let’s check that the sound from the mic is actually being input to the AW2816. First turn the gain
controls of the input to make adjustments. Recording
at as high a level as possible will take the best advantage of the AW2816’s potential, and give you the best
sound. However if the level is too high, the sound
may be distorted or a hissing noise may be recorded
along with the sound, so use caution. Adjust the gain
so that the PEAK indicator located at the upper right of
the gain control just barely flickers when you play
most loudly. If the PEAK indicator does not light even
when the gain control is turned all the way to the
right, check the connections once again, and if they
are OK, use the following procedure to check whether
the meters move.
When recording a new song, it is usual to start by
recording the rhythm section first, in order to set
down the tempo and groove (rhythmic feel) of the
song. After you have created the structure and rhythm
of the entire song, you can add vocals, guitar, and
other backing parts to complete the song.
At this stage, you just need the drums, bass, and percussion parts. In particular, recording the bass at an
early point in the process will clarify the chord progression of the song, and will make it easier for you to
perform overdubbing later. Parts that contribute to the
rhythmic feel of the song such as backing keyboard
and guitar chording should also be recorded early.
In the pages that follow, we will give several examples
of how the rhythm can be recorded. Refer to the
explanation for the method that you will actually use.
Tutorial
3
Recording on the AW2816
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Recording sound from the mics
onto the hard disk
When you have finished adjusting the input level,
connect the input to the track on which it will be
recorded. In the WORK NAVIGATE section, press the
[QUICK REC] key. On the left side are the sounds
being input to the AW2816, and on the right side are
tracks 1–16 (a total of sixteen tracks) on which you
can record. Try pressing [ENTER] on the circle for
CH1 in the left. In the screen, a connection will be
made between CH1 and TR1. In the same way, connect CH2 and TR2. In the CH SETTING area, select
[FLAT] to select the default settings when recording
for the first time.
When you have completed these preparations, press
[ENTER] on EXECUTE, located at the far right. You will
be asked whether you are sure, so select OK. If the
REC TRACK SELECT 1 and 2 indicators in the upper
right of the AW2816 are blinking, you are ready.
Press the [ON] key located immediately above the
input channel 1 fader, making it light. (At this time,
the channel 2 [ON] key will also light if pairing has
been enabled.) A volume meter will be displayed at
the upper right of the CH View screen, so adjust the
fader, and check whether sound is being input from
each mic into the AW2816. You will be able to record
with the best-quality sound if the level is adjusted as
high as possible without allowing the OVER indicator
in the meter to light when the loudest sounds are
played. If you were able to adjust the gain control successfully in the beginning of this process, a fader position of approximately 0 dB should be just right.
Now we can just record. When you are ready to begin
playing, hold down the [REC] key and press the
[PLAY] key. When you are finished playing, press the
[STOP] key.
Although you could record immediately, let’s pair the
two inputs so that we can record in stereo.
In the MIXING LAYER section, press INPUT [1-8], and
then press the channel 1 [SEL] key to make it light.
Now in the MIXER section, press [VIEW], and then
press [F1] to access the CH View screen. Use the
[CURSOR] keys to move to the MONOx2 area beside
PAIR, and press [ENTER]. You will be asked how you
want to pair adjacent channels, so for this example,
press [ENTER] on INPUT 1
neously control the settings for the two inputs channel
1 and 2. To try this out, move the fader of input channel 1 up and down. The fader of the adjacent channel
should move with it.
→ 2. This lets you simulta-
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Play back the recorded sound
Let’s listen to the sound that was recorded. If you used
the two mics in stereo, press the MIXER section [PAN]
key, and then press [F2] to open the Pan MONI
screen. If you have just created the song (and not
modified the settings), all sixteen tracks should be
heard from the middle (CENTER). In the screen, move
the cursor to the Pan control for track 1, and turn the
[DATA/JOG] dial all the way to the left (L16). In the
same way, set track 2 all the way to the right (R16).
What if you recorded the right mic on track 1? If so,
simply invert the left/right settings of the two tracks.
However since the input channels and tracks are
paired as 1-2, 3-4, ... etc., you should use the oddnumbered channel to input the left sound.
After you have made Pan settings, press the 0 [RTZ]
key of the keypad to return to the beginning of the
song, and press the [PLAY] key to play back. If you do
not hear sound, press the MIXING LAYER section
RECORDER [1-8] key, make the [ON] key light for
tracks 1 and 2 of the recorder, and make sure that the
faders are raised. Also make sure that the red STEREO
fader is raised and the PHONES control (if using headphones) or MONITOR OUT control (if using connected monitor speakers) are not lowered all the way.
If you still do not hear sound, it is possible that some
mistake was made when recording, so try the procedure described above once again, checking each step
as you perform it.
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Tutorial
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