My backup saved my ass again. My backup system currently is just backblaze. And yeah, it takes time to download a file I may have accidentally written over…don’t judge me… But it’s simpler to just have backblaze instead of hauling 2 redundant hard drives to the various rooms I’m working in around my home on a given day. Right now, … Read More
Productivity Apps: Asana
No secret, I have ADHD. One of the best things to ever happen to my poor working memory was making a habit of externalizing information. This keeps me from needing to remember things that might be easily forgotten. It’s not as though it’s easy to train the brain of a 38 year old to have better executive functioning skills, so … Read More
How Much Headroom Do I Actually Have In The Box?
(This article is not discussing how audio levels impact plugins, or what happens at an output leading to a d/a converter. This article is discussing the linear behavior of audio passing between channels within our DAW.) What you’re seeing in the picture: Going Up Taking a test tone, calibrated to -18dbfs Boosting that test tone to +762db of gain above … Read More
Task Delegation
This is part 3 of a series dedicated to workflow strategies for audio engineers, with a specific focus on engineers who have ADHD (like me). In part 1, I outline the importance of automating repetitive tasks. In part 2, I discuss ways to consolidate your toolset for maximum efficiency. In this part, we’ll discuss delegation. But before we begin, I … Read More
What Happens At The -18 “Sweet Spot”?
Common advice is to “gain stage” your tracks by calibrating them to -18. People often leave out whether they mean -18 dBFS or -18 dBVU, both of which would yield vastly different levels depending on the source material. But why choose a calibration point to begin with? Here’s Matthew Weiss from The Pro Audio Files describing the differences between VU … Read More
Task Consolidation
In this 3 part series, I discuss ADHD friendly workflow strategies for audio engineers. But why the focus on ADHD? It’s been said that those with ADHD can be excellent at spotting ways to improve efficiency. As someone who lives with ADHD, I’ve often looked for ways to reducing the mental energy necessary to complete a given task. This has … Read More
Task Automation
This post discusses workflow strategies that are very ADHD friendly, devised from my own research into managing my adult ADHD. If you don’t have ADHD, you should stick around and read anyway. It can be said that the non-linear thinking of the ADHD brain is well suited at enhancing workflow due to the structures and systems we tend to put … Read More
“I’ll Trust What You Say When You Get Gold Records”
A person’s success level is independent of their knowledge base. I won’t name, but I’ve had several confirmations over the years where someone with name recognition struggled with a concept. This proves two things. Just because they’ve had success doesn’t mean they’re a scholar in this field. Just because you don’t know everything doesn’t mean you’re incompetent. The premise that … Read More
Take Off The Training Wheels Already!
Yes, this is audio related. Read on. The San Francisco Bike Coalition teaches that training wheels aren’t very effective in teaching one how to balance on their own. Once they’re removed, the rider knows how to pedal, but they aren’t confident in their ability to keep upright without crashing. They haven’t developed the muscle memory to keep balanced, and therefore … Read More