Joe Albano

Joe Albano

Joe is a musician, engineer, and producer in NYC. Over the years, as a small studio operator and freelance engineer, he's made recordings of all types from music & album production to v/o & post. He's also taught all aspects of recording and music technology at several NY audio schools, and has been writing articles for Recording magazine for many years.

Articles by Joe Albano

/ 319 Articles

Making Sampled EXS24 Instruments Sound More Realistic in Logic Pro X

Don't read this Logic Pro X tutorial-article if you want your sampled instruments to sound lame, unrealistic and make your tracks sound bad. If you want better results then this is essential reading.

An Overview of iZotope IRIS 2

iZotope's Iris 2 continues to reap the rewards of its spectral processing abilities and now also has a powerful new modulation system, enhanced effects and over 11 GB of content.

Pro Tools: Bass Sound Design with Vacuum

If you use Pro Tools and are keen on your monophonic synths, then you'll find Vacuum a rather fun virtual-tube style synth. Joe Albano shows how to make an edgy bass sound.

Using the ES2 Modulation Matrix in Logic Pro

Joe Albano takes an in-depth look at how to make the most of Logic Pro's ES2 modulation matrix in this tutorial. If you're serious about modulation, this tutorial is for you.

Review: Waves SSL 4000

We've given the Waves SSL 4000 plug-in a thorough review to see if lives up to its reputation of faithfully emulating the original SSL.

Mastering Tips: The Benefits of Mid Side Processing

You have be aware of mid-side as a stereo mic recording technique, but it is also a mastering process. Joe Albano explores M-S processing can open up new possibilities when mastering a stereo file.

Convolution Reverb: Logic's Space Designer

Are you curious how convolution reverb works? Ever considered what makes Logic Pro's Space Designer shine? And how about recording your own custom impulse responses for Space Designer? Answers here!

Pro Tools Tips: Shortcuts For Day-to-Day Session Tasks

Being a power Pro Tools user means you have to get your head around the shortcuts. Joe Albano takes us to the next level of Pro Tools greatness showing how the Option and Shift keys can be utilized.

Mastering Your Music In The Box

There are plenty of times when you'll want to master your own music (or other musician's) in your home studio. But don't you need lots of expensive hardware? Maybe not. You can master in the box too.

Review: Samson Meteor M2 Multimedia Speaker System

Looking for speakers which are clean, loud, detailed, with a well-balanced sound but don't take up much desk space? Joe Albano finds out if Samson's Meteor M2 speakers fit the bill.

Working with Pro Tools' Xpand!2 Virtual Instrument

There's not many (any?) virtual instruments with an exclamation mark in their name. But that's not the reason Xpand!2 sample playback/synth deserves your attention. Joe Albano takes you deep into it.

Mixing Tips: How to Match EQ in Logic Pro

Logic Pro X has an arsenal of useful tools and plug-ins for mixing and sound design. The Match EQ is perhaps one of the less well-known "fixing" tools that does what it suggests, and does it well!

Mixing Tips: Understanding Multiband Compression

If you want to compress different frequencies of an audio signal you'll want to use a multiband compressor. Joe Albano explains the how and shows practical examples of multiband compression in action.

The Art of Mixing Rock, Part 5: Vocals

In part 5 of 5, veteran rocker and music technologist, Joe Albano, examines how best to treat lead and background vocals when mixing your next rock anthem.

Review: Waves TG12345

Waves recently updated their excellent Abbey Road bundle with a modeled version of the EMI TG solid state console, the TG12345. Joe Albano gives this plug-in version a thorough examination.