nin forums - Audio Gear and Software

HDA - A Drowning guitar tone (no replies)

kyeno — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 01:09:50 -0700

Can anybody tell me how Reznor gets this guitar tone at 1:56 and 3:12?
[www.youtube.com]

This would be the same general effect as well.
[vimeo.com]

I always assumed it was a swarmatron, but I guess it isn't. Doesn't have to be the exact effects but something similar. Any ideas?

1,000,000 live drum beat improvisation (no replies)

jack_b — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:25:08 -0700

Hi all,
I've just seen this video from the 2009 tour...

http://vimeo.com/3385757

...and I wonder what are the techniques used by Trent in the beginning (after 0:56 actually...), where that noisy drum beat gradually morph into the main drum beat of the song.

I think it's amazing and I would to reproduce the same effect. Anyone can help me?

Thank you. Jack.

Buchla documentary (1 reply)

Sanseth — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:20:48 -0700

Hey folks. Any kickstarter users here? Thought I'd reach out to the nin community too with this (good excuse to actually start using the nin forums). I wasn't quite sure where to post it. But I suppose it's the right demographic in here at least. ;)

Here's the link for anyone interested. 9 days left of the campaign now.

[www.kickstarter.com]

my guitar (the fragile custom) (2 replies)

the_fragile_36 — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:04:19 -0800

I share it with you.

Music Tag Software (no replies)

clever_duck — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 02:13:47 -0800

Hello,

I wanted to know is there software out that you install and it picks up all your music tracks and tags all the relevant information on the track. Stuff like Album artist, cover art, etc. Or am i asking for too much?

Thanks,

Sam

Listening to music on PC (2 replies)

Insilica — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:41:17 -0800

Does anyone have any recommendations to replace the dreaded winamp?
I'm getting so sick of seeing articles about Justin Bieber, One Direction, Lady Gaga and various other non-entities every time I boot it up.

Best sound solutions to listen new nin albums (no replies)

darkboutique — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 14:13:22 -0800

What is the best solution to listen new nin albums (headphones, op-amps, soundcards, etc)? If money can't stop you from right choice.

Suggestion for beginner and in general awesome synth Minibrute (4 replies)

MicahinDeath — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:58:44 -0800

I have been collecting synths for quite a while(moog, oberheim, yamaha etc)and i see people on here often ask about good synths for beginners. recently i picked up an Arturia Minibrute after a long pre-order and it is really awesome. Unlike their other productions ( all digital and vst) this is an analog synth. It just came out this last spring and was pretty hard to find until recently. All of its functions are accessible from the front panel plus it has usb connectivity as well as CV (for modular and vintage synths).
this is a very aggressive synthesizer but can be tamed with practice. Great for industiral type sounds. Lots of unique modulation, specifically for the oscillators
Just thought i would bring it up to those looking to learn about synthesis.

Korg Microkorg vs. Alesis Micron for a beginner (1 reply)

jmtd — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 10:36:15 -0800

Hi - I own an alesis micron. I'm a beginner at making music. I find the micron fun but hard to use. I think that's partly because of the micron's minimalist approach to controls: very few, one major knob to control everything. I'm wondering if I'd get on better with the microkorg.

Has anyone used both and can anyone comment on the two?

What are those devices called? (1 reply)

adam80 — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 19:30:18 -0800

In the video below there are some devices that I have no idea what they're called, could anybody help me with this?

[www.youtube.com]

Device 1 (String like) @ 00:12
Device 2 @ 03:46
Device 3 (in his hand) @ 04:18

NIN Gear for sale (1 reply)

cccpfox — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:38:24 -0800

Anybody have any trent guitars for sale?

In need of wisdom: software/hardware... (no replies)

MassacreAsthetic — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 18:02:08 -0700

I’ve been in involved in rock and metal bands for a number of years in the traditional drums/bass/guitar style, but I am now wanting to get involved with electronica. But I don’t want to create “dance music” as such. I have always like electronica in music, I just haven’t really used it myself. My background is vocals and piano.

I love the sound Nine Inch Nails and other industrial artists such as Marilyn Manson and Rammstein are able to create. I also like a lot of what Moby does with electronica, Eurythmics, recent Linkin Park. I’m interested in the way groups like Swedish House Mafia, Knifeparty, Pendulum and Aphex Twin create music, but I don’t really enjoy listening to it: because I like the sound of their music but I don’t like their songs... If that makes sense.

Anyway, I’ve used Pro Tools in the past but I used to use it on a laptop that was a 4gig ram, 800gig hard drive machine that I was told was state of the art when I purchased it in late 2008. However, it didn’t take long before it was regularly crashing on me.

After talking to a few people I recently got a new Mac desktop and got it upgraded to 16Gig ram. I’m moving house right now, but once I move I’m planning to get a Pro Tools upgrade and also get Ableton Suite. There’s a DJ school in my city (Melbourne, Australia) that runs Ableton production courses , I’m considering doing the course to get some immersion in the program.

I haven’t started using Ableton yet, but every time I sit down to write music at the moment I’m imagining the songs as if they would have electronica elements and structuring them accordingly.

One of the things I’m contemplating is how do I translate the recorded electronica music into live music. My current train of thought is I’d have a DJ playing a version of the tracks with edited out vocals and guitar or any instruments I’d want to be played live and then obviously playing those instruments and singing over the top of the track. So the DJ becomes the drummer.

I do think having a live drummer would be cool, but how do you have electronica in each track and have a live drummer? How does one enable that? Especially if several layers of synthetic sounds are used? I am aware of the concept of triggers, but don’t know much about them, Sorry, I’m ignorant…

I’ve bought the Mac, so I’m going to try being a Mac person. What do you all think my idea of using Pro Tools in conjunction with Ableton? Is it the way to go? Or have I been grossly misinformed?

Just so you know I plan to use it in conjunction with my Roland 300SX, an acoustic Yahama upright piano (that I sometimes Mic up). I have a lot of friends that are guitarists, so when I need to get guitar layered hopefully one of those guys will help me out.

I’m prepared to spend a couple of grand to get the right software and hardware and get appropriate lessons to achieve the sounds I want to achieve.

Just wanting some wisdom…

Amps or Distortion used on Broken (1 reply)

jwbink1500 — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 16:55:56 -0700

Hi,

I thought I'd ask a question I've wondered since I first heard Broken. What pedal or amp did Trent use on Last? That song alone is the reason I picked up a guitar. And after 20 years, I thought I should finally ask. (:P) I've read somewhere that he used a zoom pedal but I have no idea if that is true or not. I've searched the forum and net but not found anything.

Can anyone help with this? I've tried a lot of distortion pedals and only came close once: A modded Ibanez Metal Charger into a modded Boss Heavy Metal HM-2 into my Marshall 2555sl.

WHat about the rest of Broken? Same amp/distortion I assume?

Thanks
Joel

The right bass strings for a 6-string (3 replies)

Kalin_Iliev — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 05:47:50 -0700

I'm switching the strings on my 6-string bass for the second time.

I don't know what strings it came with, but I liked them. When I switched them out, I bought a pack of D'Addario regular light guage strings, which is apparently the only size they come in because I've never seen any other pack of six strings from them online or otherwise. Still, while effects do help a lot, they're just a little too bright for me on a clean setting, so I'm thinking of trying something new this time around.

The issue I'm having is A ) there are so few options available for complete sets of six strings because who the hell plays a 6-string bass, anyway? and B ) I have even less of a clue of where to start in terms of mixing and matching.

I'd love to try out a couple of sets and see what I like, but I don't have that kind of money to throw around. I'm gonna have to commit to something I can play on for a while, ideally medium guaged, so I'm wondering if there any specific brands or size combinations somebody has had luck with.

If I had to compare the overall range I'm going for to something, I'd say think Ænima-era Tool or radio-friendly Zeppelin; like, right around:

<   Metal             Funk  >
<...:::...:::...:::...:::...>
here------^

Nice and heavy, but can't take too much away from the high end.

pro tools help (no replies)

feather618 — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 19:51:04 -0700

I am using Pro tools 7 with a digidesign 002. I have a focusrite sapphire 10I/O for extra inputs.

I have connected the focusrite 10I/O via firewire to the Digidesign 002.

Pro tools is recognizing the Focusrite in the software but not mapping to the mixer (it does not show up in the inputs available)
If anyone could help me out with this I would really appreciate it! thank you

Noistatik Gear (no replies)

ekosystem — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 16:37:04 -0700

Greetings,
I have my own project, Noistatik, influenced heavily by NIN. Noistatik MP3's (My Space)
I use FruitLoops Studio XXL v8, Sony ACIDPRO, M-Audio Keystation 88key, SONAR, Cakewalk, and M-Audio Venom Synthesizer, Zoom RhythmTrak DrumMachine

circuit bending (no replies)

hollowone — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:50:13 -0700

i am looking for a few circuit bending pointers. i have a minor knowledge of how it is done, what i am probably really asking is with what.

Any idea what Synths/keyboards used on Mansons "Mechanical Animals"? (1 reply)

Mr.Lee.1990 — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:48:17 -0700

While Mansons other albums are fun, Mechanical Animals is an album i really like. Particularly the keyboard sounds. Ive tried researching using the net, but failed. Any idea what synths are being used on that album? Especially on songs like LAst Day on Earth.

PHM Drum machine (1 reply)

AndroidOnAcid — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:44:49 -0700

Hi everybody, I've been searching and listening all around the net and I just can't figure out which drum machine was used on Pretty Hate Machine. Does anyone have a clue which one could it be? I'm also beginning to think that this drum machine was used on Ministry's Twitch (hear the end of Down In It shred).

P.S. - I'm new on this forum :D

Fixed Gave up - audio jumbling software (2 replies)

rockasoo — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:32:08 -0700

Hi alls,

I am trying to remember what software is used to jumble up the audio in the song Gave Up on NIN Fixed album.

I used to HAVE this software several years ago... but of course have long since forgotten. It's very frustrating. lol.

I once used it to mess up Eminem's Without Me...

[official.fm]

Sorry,
Rocky.

Trent's Picks/Amps/Guitar Gear? (4 replies)

AshX — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 15:08:53 -0700

Just wondered if anyone who was lucky enough to go to a NIN show ever got one of Trent's guitar picks and could say what type of pick he uses. My assumption based on one live video of 'The Hand that Feeds' from 2005 is that he uses a Jazz III pick (I use Jazz III's and they're extremely precise and have a sharp tip [as well as bright red] and seem like they would be up Trent's alley): [www.youtube.com]

As far as guitar gear, I know he uses tons of stuff in the studio but as far as the live show goes is he mainly into Les Pauls? What kind of cabs?

Thanks!

on bounce mode (no replies)

gqimagen — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 10:52:49 -0700

Hey does anyone knows what does it means when bouncing a track and on the Coversion quality: says Tweak Head. most of the time it says good!
Thanks!!

7 Inch Nails? (6 replies)

SSquirrel — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:31:04 -0700

I wonder if Trent is aware of this digital effect. check the first pedal.

[www.harmonycentral.com]

Best possible solution for a synthesizer or media player (no replies)

1n5p1r4t10n — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 11:48:11 -0700

Hello everyone,

Sorry to bother you all, but I just had a simple question that I hope you can be able to assist me with. I am looking for a synthesizer or something pretty alike to it which performs especially delay or echo effects while I am playing the music on my "Itouch Library". In addition, if someone could give another option for a music player that can be able to produce some environment effects (srs wow effects, trubass, etc).

P.S.> I am not really an audiophile, but I really like to enjoy all the frequencies to the max.

Thanks in advance

Recording A Decent Demo: Feasible? (4 replies)

AshX — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 06:14:52 -0700

Hey guys,

I'm currently in the process of tracking demos for my band and figured, where better to get some feedback about my studio set up than NIN.com. I'm a college music student and took a recording class this past semester...it was more of an overview of recording as a whole (and not much actual recording sadly) but I've been messing around and reading up for the past 6 months.

Right now my set-up is extremely limited as I'm still in the process of getting things together. I have an M-Audio Mobile Pre 2nd Gne USB Interface that I received from college, a Shure Beta 58A microphone, and the latest iMac and MacBook Pro both running Logic Pro 9. I know the interface isn't that great and the set up is minimal, but I already have complete drum tracks for 3 songs that I outsourced at an actual studio from a previous session that are in pretty good shape. Some of the songs also have a lot of electronic elements, although the core is really heavy, driving rock.

As far as a budget goes, I'm at the point where I'm just collecting things over time when I can get them. I'm not looking for professional quality just yet, but rather something that can present a good sounding demo that I wouldn't be ashamed to put online. Would anyone have any suggestions on what I should start thinking about investing in next? A better interface? A midi keyboard? I've been recording direct-in for guitars and bass, but it's sounding too one-dimensional to me. Would it be possible to get a decent miked sound with my Beta 58A? Any kind of homemade/makeshift tricks to getting a decent sound in a poorly soundproofed environment?

I know these are quite a few questions but any help would be greatly appreciated! I know it's a long-shot and that many audiophiles would probably be disgusted by my current set-up, but hey you do what you can do! Thanks!

Chris Vrenna Woodstock Drum Set-Up? (no replies)

mythkid1208 — Sun, 20 May 2012 20:26:22 -0700

Hello fellow NIN fans/drum freaks. I want to know the drum set Chris used during the Woodstock show/DS era. I would like to know the drums, specs, etc. I already know he used Zildjian cymbals (I saw he was using Z's). But if you can tell me, that'd be awesome

midistart music 25 software (5 replies)

xcore — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:04:05 -0700

Hi! Today I got my first midi keyboard, read the owner's manual and did the installation. But now I need a software, advanced freeware.
Any ideas or concret advices?

Please help! :-)

building a new studio protools/mac mini (2 replies)

shwmusic — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 23:16:14 -0700

I haven't built a home studio in almost 10 years and I am at it again from scratch. I bought a mac mini and I am going to buy pro tools mp9 c400. After searching for the best price I am finding stores on ebay who are selling the c400 with versions SE and others for less. As you can guess the obvious question is should I spend the extra few bucks for the MP9 since the 10 is out now and I will probably upgrade with a year or two or will an older version do just fine like SE until then. I am a bit frugal and like to get the biggest bang for the buck. Since I haven't used Protools in a very long time I am not sure about the differences of the different versions. Help please

Advice/Help taking electronic sounds to the stage (1 reply)

Mr.Lee.1990 — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:20:28 -0700

For years ive only played in what you could call "bog standard" live bands. 2 guitars, bass, drums and a singer. Thats it.

Recently the music i have been making obviously contains these elements still, but now ive got synths and programmed drum sounds also. I know for a fact there isnt a way i can cut corners on some of these things live, i need those sounds, i dont see why i should compromise the music im making due to a lack of knowledge. So, how do i do it guys? How do i get this stuff on the stage, NIN do it (albeit with a shitload of money), so im sure with a good laptop, and keyboard using midi, i can too?

My main questions would be. How do you get the synth sounds youve created (in my case) on Logic 9 to a synth onstage. Do you need to have a powerful laptop with yet another purchase of logic 9 to achieve this? Can you not just get the midi itself n put it through some other, smoother running software?

Can it all be done through one synth?

How do you get the programmed drums working? Through the same software? a drum machine?

The drummer, i assume plays with head phones and a metronome on, to keep in time with any triggered drums.... how do you link the metronome he hears to said machinery?

I know this is a lot to ask, but it can obviously be done as other artists do it. I thought what better place to ask than the NIN forum.

Waldorf Pulse 2 coming soon! (summer 2012) (no replies)

brickisred — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:08:41 -0800

[www.waldorfmusic.de]

Like a Waldorf Blofeld, but 100% analog. Looks pretty nice too.

Also, you're all invited to my Synth Experts group. [www.facebook.com]