UA Free Bundle + Noah Kahan New Track Notes

popindieuniversal-audionoah-kahanplugin-dealsproduction-technique

Universal Audio Free Bundle Drop

Universal Audio dropped 8 plugins for free in April, including their LUNA DAW with AI features. Just caught this now.

The bundle includes the 1176 compressor and Pultec EQ, which is pretty significant for indie producers. These were expensive tools before this move.

This could spark competition among plugin companies to offer similar free tiers. Bedroom producers are going to see a notable jump in production quality from having access to these professional-grade tools.

Noah Kahan's Crossover Direction

Checked out 'Doors' from Noah Kahan's new album 'The Great Divide: The Last Of The Bugs'. The indie-folk to pop transition is becoming clearer.

Production is more polished than his earlier work, but he's keeping the emotional vulnerability intact. This seems to be the standard path for indie artists crossing into mainstream territory.

Tried parallel compression on acoustic guitars using FabFilter Pro-C 2's vintage mode - works well for adding warmth while maintaining dynamic range. This crossover production style is worth noting for similar approaches.

Producer Focus Issues

Reddit thread about producers struggling with focus during creative sessions. Social media distractions competing with the iterative nature of music production.

This resonates. Music creation requires sustained attention, but phone notifications break that flow constantly. Using Forest app or airplane mode during the first hour of sessions seems like a practical approach.

Apparently this is becoming a recognized issue in the production community. More producers will probably adopt digital wellness tools and structured creative routines.

High-Pass Filter Reconsideration

Producers are questioning automatic high-pass filtering and instead preserving natural low-end content. Also synchronizing reverb pre-delay to song tempo.

Tried this approach and mixes definitely sound fuller with more punch. Used to habitually reach for high-pass filters first.

Reverb pre-delay calculation: 60,000ms ÷ BPM ÷ note division value. Creates rhythmic cohesion with the reverb tail.

Guitar-Vocoder Combinations

Guitarists exploring vocoder/multivoicer effects for polyphonic harmonization, influenced by artists like Polyphia.

Using guitar signal as carrier and simple MIDI triads (root-3rd-5th) as modulator to create choir-like effects. Could work with FabFilter Pro-Q or Waves OVox for experimenting.

Interesting technique for solo guitarists to achieve fuller sounds without additional vocalists. Bridges organic guitar performance with synthetic vocal textures.

References

  • [Universal Audio is giving away eight of its most popular plugins for free in the UAD Explore FREE bundle](https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/universal-audio-is-giving-away-eight-of-its-most-popular-plugins-for-free-in-the-uad-explore-free-bundle)
  • [Noah Kahan — Doors](https://open.spotify.com/track/3qlUIPzkFzIm3Ouzg0AoiH)
  • [What do people do when you can't focus?](https://www.reddit.com/r/musicproduction/comments/1tbbe0r/what_do_people_do_when_you_cant_focus/)
  • [What's a simple piece of advice that massively improved your sound?](https://www.reddit.com/r/musicproduction/comments/1tc5dxi/whats_a_simple_piece_of_advice_that_massively/)
  • [How/what midi chords should I be playing when using a vocoder/multivoicer for guitar?](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeAreTheMusicMakers/comments/1tcglw9/howwhat_midi_chords_should_i_be_playing_when/)