High quality audio material for any music production
In this tutorial, we want to introduce you to the media type 'Soundpools' and the basics of working with sound archives. Our Soundpool packages offer you high quality audio material for any music production, the perfect remix, fascinating DJ-sets, websites, video-dubbing and a whole lot more.
1. Introduction & installation
To gain access to the Soundpools, just open the category Soundpools at catooh.com. You can choose between monthly growing range of media from many different genres. The Soundpools can be used with the MAGIX Music Maker, Movie Edit Pro, Samplitude or any other Sequencer-program that supports the Ogg Vorbis and Wave format.
Below we explain how to use Soundpools with MAGIX Music Maker 15.
If you connect to Catooh via your MAGIX software, you will only have to place a checkmark in the download window to automatically add the Soundpool to the program.
This function is not supported by every MAGIX product. Thus you can open the Soundpools with the file manager as well. In case you download the Soundpool with your web browser, a zip archive will be saved on your hard disk. You have to uncompress the package to work with the Soundpool.
All instruments, except drums and percussion, are subdivided into tone pitches from 1 to 7, which contain the respective harmonies, as you can read in the 'BPM.info' that belongs to the package.
2. Usage of the Soundpools
Soundpools are divided into different instruments and their several tone pitches. To compose a song, you only have to drag the instrument with the right tone pitch into the arrangement window.
There are no limits to your creativity while you compose your song. You can use a classical song structure (verse, refrain, verse, etc.), which is typical for rock and pop productions, or less intrusive background music with laid-back rhythms and soft piano sounds. And you might as well accompany your videos or photo shows with an appealing soundtrack. On the bottom line, you have every possibility to experiment with many different styles of music.
In order to supplement your production, Catooh also offers you the possibility to search for innovative, exciting and experimental sounds, effects and loops in the categories 'Instrument Loops', 'Instrument Packs', and 'Sound Effects'.
3. Mix
To have an appealing listening experience, you should mix every song.
It would be best to begin with mixing the drums. Take care that the volume ratio between bass drum, snare drum and hi-hat is balanced. Do not place several bass drums above each other to avoid destructive interference. This needs to be regarded by every drum sound.
Equalizers give you the possibility to lower particular frequency ranges or to accentuate them. It is advisable to place a LoCut at a bass drum under 50 to 60 Hz, to leave some place for the bass (bass guitar, synthie bass, etc.).
Afterwards you should add the bass and respectively mix it. In this case, lift it a little in the area of 60 Hz.
Hint: Most of the loops contained in the Soundpools match each other and already have been mixed. So first of all trust your ears while mixing!
When you start adding keyboards, guitars, synthies and so on, try to avoid extreme superpositions and arrange the volume ratio in relation to the drums and bass.
Do not be afraid to work with equalizers in this group of instruments as well. Spread the instruments in a panorama, to make the song more lively. Accentuate highlights (guitar solos, melodies, etc.) and make them stronger than the rest of the song to gain attention. Or use special effects out of our constantly growing repertoire of more than 40 000 Sounds, Instrument Loops and Sound Effects, to heighten the recognition value of your song.
The vocals should also be accentuated in the medium frequency range and can be slightly cut in the bass range. Take care that the sum signal does not rise above 0 dB. To achieve this, you should lower the volume of the single tracks accordingly.
To judge the success of your mix, you should listen to reference CDs. Take breaks during the mixing process and do not listen to the song in full volume or your ears will get tired and it will be much more difficult to find weak parts in your mix.
So have fun working and experimenting with our Soundpools and our huge offer of sounds and samples!
