Have a listen
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dmcveyMember
Since: Feb 28, 2003
Mar 02, 2003 08:40 pm I like the song. It has a nice vocal melody. The recording needs a little work. Sounds like a single mic was place in a rehearsal studio. If you would like some suggestions on how to achieve a better recording let me know, I'd be happy to offer my two cents. How did you record it? What mic's?
Keep up the good work.
Mar 03, 2003 12:15 pm Thanks for the reply. I'm doing all the recording thru my PC in my bedroom, rough eh. The mic I use is an Optimus omnidirectional.I've been recording seriously now for about 2 months, so I have alot to learn. I mic my amp with the same mic, and use my keyboard for all the drums and bass and other instruments. I really have no idea what it takes to get a good sound so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Mar 03, 2003 12:57 pm Nice job for a first up!
It is hard to tell too much with the lofi I am using here, but it almost sounds a little jumbled. One expirement might be to DI everything except vocals on seperate tracks. Are you using headphones for overdubs? How much volume are you using? It almost sounds like you have achieved a little too much room effect. That can be limited with lower volumes if you can still get the same feel out of your amp.
Really now it's just a process of trying different things. Obviously keep all of your cuts to mix and match as you go.
Can't wait to hear the next!
Mar 03, 2003 02:59 pm Thanks Walt, I'm trying create a wall of sound with my recordings. My main influences are the Beatles, Big Star and Badfinger. I'm putting everything onto seperate tracks one at a time and using headphones for dubs. I let the meters peak just at the red line and only using some reverb and compression through the master effects. I really had Oasis' sound on "Whats the Story..." in mind when recording this song. I know I need some help with room placement.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Mar 03, 2003 03:51 pm Gotcha!
Now I hear a little more detail! You will eventually need to pick up a premastering plug to maximise the volume and presence of your recording like ozone. You did a nice job of it for what you used. A maximizer is like the fairy dust of wall-O-sound presence. In the mix you just get everything even and where you want it and leave the in the face presence to the pre-mastering app.
Mar 03, 2003 05:19 pm I have Ozone, not sure what you mean by applying it though
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 03, 2003 09:29 pm What he means, I think. Is when your tracks are all at a the levels you want them at. You can then mix down to a 2 track stereo mix. then use Ozone on the 2 track mix to bring everything up to max level and fullnes wise. Applying is the term used to refer to running the effect, or processing with Ozone or whatever FX you are using. Some apps have an OK button and others have an APPLY button. Hence the word apply.
dmcveyMember
Since: Feb 28, 2003
Mar 03, 2003 09:32 pm I agree with Walt in that you might want to try recording direct. When recording digitally, you pretty much want to stay away from peaking the meters red. It causes digital distortion, no good. The recording reflects that.
If you can pick up a decent vocal mic, it would greatly improve your sound as well. I don't think you will ever get a recording as good as the song deserves out of a Radioshack mic. Even a Shure SM58 or SM57 would probably serve your purposes if you are on a real tight budget. You can pick a SM57 up for under $100 at most music stores or musicians friend (see the affiliate section of this site).
As for a wall of sound, you can double guitar and keyboards parts, panning each hard left and right. It will definitely fill out the sound. You can also experiment with recording two or more different types of sounds and mix them together, for instance, you can record a guitar part with a distortion box and another with a chorus, then blend the two.
Hope this helps, I look forward to hearing more in the future. Let me know if you need further clarification or need any other suggestions.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Mar 03, 2003 10:15 pm Thanks guys! I got a little lost as to how to respond. I felt as if I was about to commit hoof in mouth. Yes, I would as stated in the two replies above, try recording direct. (I didn't realize that was a rad shak mic. Now I really admire your recording skills.) Then mix down to a two track concentrating on balance, stereo image, and clarity. Apply Ozone to the mixed down two track to bring out the "wall of sound" ambiance you want. I hope I avoided Hoof in Mouth.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 03, 2003 11:05 pm Yep, now horse footy in them chops!
Mar 04, 2003 11:06 am Excellant guys, thanks for all the rockin advice. I will have to ditch the Radio Shack mic. Didnt think it would degrade the recording that much. I will also try to stay away from peaking the meters at the red zone. I forgot to mention that I also have Wavelab, so I will use Ozone than after I've mixed down in 2 track. I will post some more songs in about a week or two as it takes up so much time to record them. Cheers.
dmcveyMember
Since: Feb 28, 2003
Mar 04, 2003 08:20 pm Cleamon, keep up the good work and definitely save for a decent mic. I think I'd rather have a good mic and a poor recorder than the other way around. Look forward to hearing more tunes.
Posted on Mar 02, 2003 03:01 pm