Beginner Here and Needs Help

Posted on

Beau
Member Since: May 28, 2008

Hey guys, im a junior in highschool and im planning to record a CD for my senior project. Im super excited to start and work on my project but i need help on what i need.

Heres what I got:
-Dell XPS 420 /w Microsoft XP Pro sp2
-Mackie Onyx 1220 Mixer
-2 Mackie MR5 Studio Monitors
-Line 6 Bass Pod Pro XT Live
-Digitech RP250
-Reason 4.0
-Casio Midi Keyboard

Mics:
-MXL 4000
-MXL 603S Pencil Mic
-Shure Beta 58A

My Friend is lending me:
-Presonus FirePod
-AKG 200
-Cubase LE

any suggestions? comments?
thanks

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www.TheLondonProject.ca
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2005


May 28, 2008 06:21 pm

What kind of recording project do you have in mind? Solo artist, 5 piece rock band, orhcestra etc???

Beau
Member
Since: May 28, 2008


May 28, 2008 06:28 pm

rock bandish.. haha

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


May 29, 2008 12:39 pm

What exactly are you looking for suggestions on?

what to record?
who to record?
what type of music?
what type of CD?

I'm gonna assume that for senior project, you'll need to document the whole project, outline, etc. Do you have an idea of what type of CD project? covers? originals? instrumental?

Are you going to be doing all instruments? will there be other people involved?

Will you be recording one at a time? or recording many people at once? will you be using backing tracks? will you be using loops to record over. Will you be making loops / beats, or buying / scrounging them.

Will there be auxiliary sound, like synth parts, orchestra parts like violins, cello, horns, etc.

All these questions may seem over-board, but you haven't given us any direction yet, so they're all possible until you cut them out.

Will you be producing this CD when finished? mastering services? production (of the CD) services? Graphic arts services?

These can all be part of a CD project, so good to get them out in the open now, so you can plan for it later.

Seems that with the gear you have (nice guitar list), you've been doing this before, so the mechanics probably aren't totally new. But the project scope may be new, so think through some of these issues, and put some answers to them, then the project will seem clearer.

Timelines don't hurt either, if you haven't thought of it yet.

Oh yeah, how long do you have to do this? how many hours per week are you thinking? how much $$$ do you plan to use, or if you have to at all, etc.

Since you're probably the one in control most of the time, always play to a click if possible. Create beat tracks for people (or you) to record over, so you stay in time. Then you can add MIDI parts later, and they'll sync up.

You can create tone tracks for singers to hear in headphones. Basically, the notes played by keyboard at the same note the singer should sing. This beefs up singers, and can help keep them on key.


Beau
Member
Since: May 28, 2008


May 30, 2008 02:12 am

Yes, for my senior project I do need to document and do all the other things. I'm planning to make the CD half original and half cover.

I'm planning to use (for each song):
1 or 2 vocals
1 or 2 acoustic guitars
1 piano/keyboard
1 synth
2 or 3 electric guitars
1 bass guitar
1 drums

That is what I'm looking at..

And yes, I will be having people help me out. I will be asking several people to back me up singing, play piano/keys/synth and electric guitar.


I will most likely record 1 at a time. No backing tracks, and I dunno bout... loops or whatever

Yes, I plan to produce, master and all that. But if I need help, I just became an intern at a local studio and I can have it done there as well.

My project will be due march/april 2009 time. I'm thinking I'm going to be spending a lot of time during the summer on this. I'm thinking around 2-4 hours a day?

And budget wise, Im pretty decent. i want to stay away from things that cost $700+ though. And I need help picking what software would be best for a windows xp sp2 and what interface would be good.

Also, I'd like some ideas on what mics I should get and stuff like that.

I hope this is enough info for ya guys to help me out haha...

Thanks!

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