I'm going to be predictable and say auto-align. It's not "fire and forget", and there is still a learning curve, but it's relatively easy to figure out the right workflow and once you're there then there's no quicker way of getting things in phase. Mainly use for live drums and bass (when you're blending a DI and amped track) but this can also be useful for programmed drums and guitar (when you've got two tracks off the same performance with different amp/effects). I've tried other plugins (no names) and also tried doing it by ear using a delay plugin but, for me, none were as quick and reliable as auto-align.
The built in polarity optimization in Harrison Mixbus. I wish all DAW's had it. So quick and easy to identify the problems and try different solutions.
The polarity explanation is spot on. The phase explanation assumes that all phase change comes from a time delay, which is not a good way of thinking about phase. Phase is more general, and there are several delays that can be derived from it; dead time, phase delay, group delay, and others. In a studio, moving microphones around will change the dead time, and this is described via a linear phase, but phase changes are also coming from the electro-mechanical setup of the loudspeaker. So dead time (delay due to travelled distance) is the special phase case of linear phase, and a polarity flip is the special case of shifting the phase across frequencies 180 degrees.
Perfect timing for me, finding this. I had just recorded two tracks of acoustic guitar using a bridge pickup and a Rode NT1, and no matter what I tried it was phasey. At first I figured the pickup might have been wired backward (I installed it in the guitar, so very possible). Even after hitting the phase button on the channel strip, which helped on some notes, the problem persisted. After watching this, I zoomed in on the waveforms, and sure enough, there was just enough delay between the channels that I had phase issues. Tweaking the position of the bridge pickup track to visually align it with the Mic track instantly fixed the issue, and I ended up with the exact sound I was going for. I assume the problem was the small (40cm) distance that sound traveled to the Mic vs. the immediacy of the pickup? Both signals were going through the same interface. Either way, great explanation, and a reminder that there are often simple solutions to complex problems.
Idont even wanna know how often i must had trouble with things "pulling when they should be pushing" or opposite, things zeroing each other out in my multilayered uplifting trance mixes...
Hi. thank you for the video. I did not understand the relation between snare top, snare bottom and overheads. I would be really grateful if someone can explain that. Thank you :)
Kinda, sorta…. Not really. The whole issue of phase relationships goes much deeper than you think. I’ve been working with variable phase on every single mic (or input) except for 1 track for about 40 years. Including Grammy winning recordings with orchestra. It is an extremely deep subject. Your viewers can not possibly understand or implement by watching a little YT video.
Do you have a favourite plugin to fix your phase and polarity problems?
I'm going to be predictable and say auto-align. It's not "fire and forget", and there is still a learning curve, but it's relatively easy to figure out the right workflow and once you're there then there's no quicker way of getting things in phase. Mainly use for live drums and bass (when you're blending a DI and amped track) but this can also be useful for programmed drums and guitar (when you've got two tracks off the same performance with different amp/effects).
I've tried other plugins (no names) and also tried doing it by ear using a delay plugin but, for me, none were as quick and reliable as auto-align.
UAD's little labs
My ears and eyes. Time adjuster in Pro Tools to align waveforms using sample delay and the polarity button on any plugin that has one.
The built in polarity optimization in Harrison Mixbus. I wish all DAW's had it. So quick and easy to identify the problems and try different solutions.
The polarity explanation is spot on. The phase explanation assumes that all phase change comes from a time delay, which is not a good way of thinking about phase. Phase is more general, and there are several delays that can be derived from it; dead time, phase delay, group delay, and others. In a studio, moving microphones around will change the dead time, and this is described via a linear phase, but phase changes are also coming from the electro-mechanical setup of the loudspeaker. So dead time (delay due to travelled distance) is the special phase case of linear phase, and a polarity flip is the special case of shifting the phase across frequencies 180 degrees.
Fantastic video Sara!! I really enjoyed it! Thanks for posting such great well presented information!!
Thanks Warren!
You both are legends breaking down and presenting all this great information on TH-cam for free
You’re great at explaining these things. Love your channel!
I appreciate that! Thank you 😅
Thank you, Sara. This cleared up a lot of things for me.
I'm so glad!
Perfect timing for me, finding this. I had just recorded two tracks of acoustic guitar using a bridge pickup and a Rode NT1, and no matter what I tried it was phasey. At first I figured the pickup might have been wired backward (I installed it in the guitar, so very possible). Even after hitting the phase button on the channel strip, which helped on some notes, the problem persisted.
After watching this, I zoomed in on the waveforms, and sure enough, there was just enough delay between the channels that I had phase issues. Tweaking the position of the bridge pickup track to visually align it with the Mic track instantly fixed the issue, and I ended up with the exact sound I was going for. I assume the problem was the small (40cm) distance that sound traveled to the Mic vs. the immediacy of the pickup? Both signals were going through the same interface.
Either way, great explanation, and a reminder that there are often simple solutions to complex problems.
Brilliant. Many thanks. This is really useful stuff that I haven't come across elsewhere. Much appreciated.
Mark Holmes, thanks for watching and for the feedback!
Thank you Sara. This is a such a high quality tutorial.
originalvonster, thank you so much :)
Great video Sara!
Glad you liked it!!
Idont even wanna know how often i must had trouble with things "pulling when they should be pushing" or opposite, things zeroing each other out in my multilayered uplifting trance mixes...
Great Great Video.
Thank you very much
Thank you and thanks for watching!
This is an excellent video, Sara. One of the best I have seen, great work!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Sara! I'm sure this video will be amazing. I'll study it for sure.
Thanks, I hope it helps!
the best channel on youtube ,keep up sara ,thx
Thank you! Will do!
Just got here but loving the channel so far, ty!
Glad you enjoy it!
Thanks for all the information. I very much like the clean presentation. Cheers
Thanks for watching!
Hi. thank you for the video. I did not understand the relation between snare top, snare bottom and overheads. I would be really grateful if someone can explain that. Thank you :)
Thanks again!
Thanks for watching!
sara thank you for this video!!!!!
You're so welcome!
Should the sine waves be the same or they should be in the same time
What a good channel it is!!!🔥
Thank you!
Hi Sara, new sub here! Just discovered you today and looking forward to discovering more. Love the channel!
Yay! Thank you!
Great! Thank you!!!!
You’re welcome!
Love you 💕
that is awesome! thank you :)
Jingle Dot Com, thank you so much :)
Thanks
You're Welcome!
i have 6-7 year practice but i learn phase and polarity 1 years ago (its very-very-very-very big mistake)
Bravo!
Thanks!
Hello front America. Great video😊
Hey, thanks
Kinda, sorta…. Not really. The whole issue of phase relationships goes much deeper than you think. I’ve been working with variable phase on every single mic (or input) except for 1 track for about 40 years. Including Grammy winning recordings with orchestra. It is an extremely deep subject.
Your viewers can not possibly understand or implement by watching a little YT video.