Recent Questions
please post all general questions into THIS thread… i will start by copying some questions from christopher
christopher Says:
11. October 2008 at 02:30
… and again i got some questions about producing music:
do you work with a “goniometer - stereosichtgerät”?
if yes, what do i have to keep in mind while working with it?
Rolf: No, i dont… my software has one built in but i never use it… if you know how “out of phase” sounds like (on good monitors or on headphones) and you have access to all sound sources (no out of phase recordings tracked by someone else for example) and you dont put the wrong effects on the wrong sources it is quite unlikely that you will have that big problems with phase cancellation…
christopher Says: do you have any tips or do you know any rules to keep in mind for a final mix? i am aware that i will not sound as you or any other producer BECAUSE i do not have the knowledge an i am not that experienced yet.
(…) when you have done your final mix of a track, do you still have to do some mastering? i have read that a well mixed song does not need much mastering…
Rolf: There are a lot of sources for mixing and mastering tips: Books, Websites, DVDs… for example you can start with the link on the right “gearslutz”…
Concerning mastering: Most of the time i get away with some kind of “mini mastering” included into the final mix - i will put an UAD Precision EQ with LoCut (20/30Hz) and some further adjustments on the master bus, route it out to my pair of germanium compressors (or sometimes even use a plug in as the waves SSL) and finally limit it with the UAD Precision Limiter (just the peaks!)
12. October 2008 at 12:20
Hi Rolf
For me would be interesting-
1. every, or the most important effects which you uses for the sound improvement,
2 and the sound scrap on this page – have run completely from the computer, or already also by hardware?
12. October 2008 at 14:40
if by “effects” you mean any general improvement of sounds (and not only effects like “chorus” or “reverb”) this is a list of the most important to me:
1. sound “fit” into the context - if you already have a fat bassdrum and and a thick low-mid bassline you need to cut the bass frequencies in quite every other sound - so the tool is either sound selection or a good EQ (preferred: hardware tube EQ or UAD neve EQs)
2. compression and saturation - especially computer generated synthetic sounds have a lack of “density” and can be massively improved by being compressed or saturated - ideally with good hardware but good “new generation” plug ins will also do most of the time (UAD plug ins, URS Saturation, Waves API etc..)
3. use effects like chorus and reverb sparingly! some rules of thumb: lo cut to thin out the effect channel, use automation to adjust to the context, use tip 2. for effect channels (record the corus signal through a hardware compressor for example)
4. use very different sound sources for a combination of benefits. mix acoustic recordings, virtual synths and drumsaples. combine FM synths with analog (subtractive) style bass sounds, classic sampled string sounds and recorded percussion loops for example. at least that is one way i try to give my productions a kind of “richness”
5. if you are working “ITB” (”in the box” meaning no hardware mixer) print out tip nr. 1 and staple it to your monitor. moreover use the possibilty of “total recall” to your advantage - dont try to finish a song in one session. save and start something totally different. some days later open the first one with fresh ears and open mind - works wonder, especially if you are working alone.
12. October 2008 at 14:42
the drums of the “recession” snippet already went through the thermionic rooster (tube EQ) with Lo Cut and a lot of saturation dialed in… and i would never call it “finally mixed”… i´d rather say i used my own tip nr. 5, had a session of some hours, made the snippet, saved and started something new
12. October 2008 at 19:11
I have question about creating new melodies. Do you make a new melody in your head and later you are using instruments (for example keyboard) to play it? Or just you play random notes on keyboard and then the idea of new melody comes? I’m just wonder for example how did you made the melody for my most favourite RMB song called River’s Edge? It looks like it came from random playing of the keyboard. Same goes with Vierfarbillusion song.
Anyway Rolf, you are my master! Respect!
12. October 2008 at 21:37
thanks!
both scenarios can happen. but most of the time a melody grows while i play ideas on a keyboard (often using a piano sound) and harmonies come to my mind as well. a melody is often improved later in the context of the song to better work with the harmonies and other instruments as well…
12. October 2008 at 21:42
hi again!
rolf, do you know any book or so where i can read and learn more about HARMONIENLEHRE?
12. October 2008 at 21:52
have you ever thought about making an orchestral version of spring?
that came to my mind when i heard the talla 2xlc version of it.
i think his lead sound was too much and somehow annoying…
did you like it?
while working on new music for your nnew album are you have some layouts, pictures or covers in mind, too?
what do you think about musicians like above and beyond and airwave?
in my opinion todays music sounds almost the same. its all well produced and stuff… but nobody seems to dare to try something new or something of their own?
guess, sometimes i miss all the beginnings. it did sound worse but honest!!!
13. October 2008 at 09:53
christopher, I think that’s a wonderful idea: orchestral versions of early RMB songs: Spring, Reality (which already has that cello sound), Whispering etc. (don’t want to repeat myself). Just like Dune did the Who wants to live forever with the London (or is it British?!) Orchestra.
13. October 2008 at 10:59
i have a lot of books about harmonics but there is no one i prefer - they are all very easy at the beginning (generally speaking about lengths of notes etc) and are horribly difficult at the end
the easiest way to learn harmonics may be to play the guitar. learn how to play the most important chords for a G tune (that is G, C, D(7), em) and you can
1. start to play 80% of all pop&rock music
2. learn how these intervals work
3. have a great time without looking at a screen…
about trance: i personally had problems enjoying the typical 4 on the floor “trance” stuff from the mid 90s on… and yes, i also think that a lot of electronic music didnt evolve in any way for the last 15 years - except for “sonics”.
but there still is a lot of great new music - its just hard to find in all that “myspace” and “me too” crap… and a lot of that great music is played with guitars
about rmb remixes: i doubt that there will ever be new versions of old rmb songs baring the name “rmb”… although it might be a lot of fun… there are insuperable disagreements between the two persons legally involved…
and btw - as you just said 1. there already have been orchestral cover of trance stuff and 2. there is not enough great new music
13. October 2008 at 11:42
Thanx Rolf for your answer!
I still believe, that RMB will back to the business. There are always some disagreements between 2 or more persons, if they are working for a long time. Sometimes we need to take the break and then later work again together. I was awaiting so long for the new RMB album “Evolution” but it never came. Why? I was really powerfulled with new tracks Feel The Flame, Touch The Sky (wonderful!!!) and April/Beauty Of Simplicity and I’ve expected wonderful new album… Is there still possible that RMB will back?
I don’t want new versions of old songs, I want new songs
13. October 2008 at 14:44
IT would be nice to have “the two persons legally involved” in the initial RMB band, back together!
But, if that’s a thing of the past, than we must take it as it is and welcome the new sounds of Rolf! I’ll burn with impatience to hear the whole album and see if it’ll be able wake inside me that spark of musical and rhythmic Heaven I have when listening to the old RMB songs!
13. October 2008 at 16:00
related to the RMB albums:
did you work on “this world is yours” more chart-orientated than on “mission horizon”?
by the way…
how much did low spirit or zeitgeist support your visions?
but listening now to “footprints…” is like meeting a way more grown-up rolf.
i like that you have not changed music-wise, you did evolve.
that is a good thing!
13. October 2008 at 16:28
ok, let me emphasize the background for this blog again: it is all about the upcoming ROLF MAIER BODE album… “its about… future”
i know that for some of you my “history” is even more interesting than my new music, but please allow me to concentrate on my present work…
@christopher: the album concept also includes visuals
13. October 2008 at 16:59
your new album…
how would you discribe story-wise (if there is any to it)???
is it more of a concept album or can we expect unmixed songs standing for their own? maybe you would like to tell a little about what you had in mind when you started working on it?
what is in you head when you are making music?
13. October 2008 at 20:41
Rolf, are there any movie-quotes planned for the upcoming album? I mean some dialogs from e.g. “Memento” or some other movie you like, woven into the song at the most supprising moments.
13. October 2008 at 21:50
While listening to footprints of your new songs here, I just feel like it’s just RMB
Maybe some lack of trance examples, but yes, this is RMB style 
When you will finish your work?
14. October 2008 at 02:13
C’mon people, RMB or Rolf Maier Bode is the same thing, but now Rolf dont have 24-25 years, and do thing like RAVE, dum dum stuff or something!!! Today we have new proficiency and aged Rolf, with new ideas, new experiment sound, I think Rolf wants to break out from “RMB” (squad), and do solo, for me this is the best thing!!! Rolf focus in your new album, for now u do great job!!!
14. October 2008 at 18:52
Thank you Rolf for this big info
point 1 is my big problem, I must work on it.
And how do I understand this, does it not go without hardware tube if I want to generate this typical juicy, smooth, soft, how butter in the ears melting sound?
Incredibly what warms small lamps can make
15. October 2008 at 10:41
oh, there is a lot of great solid state (thats the opposite of “tube”) gear as well for “warming” sounds… neve comes to mind, API or a studer tape machine…
but i believe that you dont need the full pallette of analog dreams to work against the weaknesses of virtual music production… just ONE good analog EQ and ONE compressor can make all the difference if you use them on all the tracks that never came out of the box…
my personal weapons of choice are well documented in some of the first posts here and soon you may judge by yourself if my “school of work” with just one rack of selected analog gear is hitting your taste as well…
21. October 2008 at 19:44
just ONE good analog EQ and ONE compressor - This I also think, but many other musicians say nobody needs today…., they say this one is able to do everything virtually…… and I did not believe it, and now you says too.(analog is better)
and thank you for the easiest explanation of the Low cut - now I have really understood it, actually also logically and - embarrassingly I get it only now (better later than never)
22. October 2008 at 19:24
Maybe I’m a little bit unpatient, but when the new album will be released and will be possible to buy it with Yours exclusive autograph ?
24. October 2008 at 11:27
When will the album come out?
25. October 2008 at 00:55
When is the article coming about summing up drum sample things?
29. October 2008 at 00:33
When will the album come out?
Will i be able to listen to it under the Christmas Tree?
How will i be able to obtain it?
Will i get it in on the net or in store?
Suggestion: I come along to duesseldorf and download it from your PC
29. October 2008 at 10:16
@boka: summing up drum samples?
about the release date… i will post information about it asap…
and for now it looks like it can be bought via email and money transfer…
30. October 2008 at 01:27
o.k. Rolf.
By the way: Is one of the new songs called Aufbau?
31. October 2008 at 00:42
A Recipe
31. October 2008 at 09:59
Rolf! I think I misunderstood your answer and it more belongs to 4th floor’s question. I was referring to this one:
Rolf Says:
20. June 2008 at 08:57
drumsamples will be a topic in the near future…
Anyway, i’ll be also joining the proud owners of the new album
cheers,
boka
31. October 2008 at 10:38
oh, i thought “summing up drumsamples” was meant about audio summing…
but yes, i will post about drumsaples soon
and no, “aufbau” has nothing to do with my album…
05. November 2008 at 02:01
Well just had a look in GEMAs database for your name and found some titles registered which i never heard of like AUFBAU, A RECIPE, JENSEITS, … Seems to me that a 4th LEVEL was sometime planned as an album …
07. November 2008 at 10:53
Have you ever had any Virus synthesizer? I do not remember hearing any sounds in RMB tracks that seemed to have come from Virus..maybe you do not like its sound? Cheers, boka
07. November 2008 at 11:57
several years ago i used a virus on a pro tools system… but i am working fully native since 2003 and the VIRUS TI - which i thought of buying a while ago - seemed not to work stable as a plug-in with total recall…
so for now the nord modular G2 is the only hardware synth i use… and i believe that i definatly have enough synthetic sound sources including all native instruments, omnisphere, zebra 2, all logic plugs, analog factory and all the gforce stuff…
for now i even try to avoid using a lot of “synths” and prefer to use my own sample-sets - for example orchestra chords i played with EWQLSO platinum and sampled through a tube eq…
11. November 2008 at 18:32
Thanks for the reply! I do not want to flood you with technical questions but I guess I still have some so I’ll try to put them one by one. Reading forums there are always disputation whether using compressor on vocals or rather drawing volume envelopes relying on ear. What is your opinion on this? And the other one which is in connection with this, what details have to be taken into consideration when layering vocals? Cheers, boka
21. November 2008 at 00:35
Bundesgerichtshof fällt Urteil zu Soundsamples
http://www.golem.de/0811/63687.html
Women - uah - god must have been a fucking genius.
28. November 2008 at 16:59
when layering vocals the “impacts” definitly need to be aligned and it mostly sounds better if the vowels are in time too… so when i use more than one vocaltrack (for background vocals eg) i carefully align the syllables by cutting and crossfading the audio regions… i know that there are programs for that but i believe in manual labor
i use compressors mostly for the sound and microdynamics (groove) not for macrodynamics - differences in volume between different parts of the song for instance… so in busy songs i usually ride the faders or “draw” the volume automation…