Recording order
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Posted on Jul 29, 2004 02:39 pm
TallChap
Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member Since: Jun 24, 2004
I'm yet to delve into the wonderful world of PC recording (my old PC needs to be replaced), so I'm in the unfashionable depths of stand-alone depravity.
I use a BR532, with four tracks, plus eight virtual tracks per standard track. Since it's digital, there's little quality loss from bouncing (oh, alright, there's some..). The rhythm track is separate and stereo, so that doesn't come into play until the last mixdown.
My question is: Is there an optimum sequence in which to bounce to build the best possible mix?
I will usually record up to three guitar parts (all in stereo), a bass part (mostly stereo), one to four keyboard lines (dependent on song), and a vocal track (stereo). Plus drums (see above). I have yet to do any harmony vocals, but that's just coincidental rather than my modus operandi.
I usually will record rhythm guitars and keyboards, bounce, add bass, bounce, guitar solo (no guitar gods here...), bounce, vocals, mix.
This sequence has allowed me to have a stereo mix to listen to while I record on the other two tracks. The difficult part is getting the pan and effects right, so they sound clear and sit properly in the mix after bouncing. It's hard to pan anything before bouncing to ensure that the part will be properly situated in the final mix after subsequent bounces.
Is this making sense? Confuses the crap out of me!
Any ideas on best place to put things?
e.g. Bass at One O'Clock, Rythm Guitars at three and nine, keys at four and eight o'clock....
Any helpful hints would be most welcome.
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SKOTZILLApSyChOTTic-da caps spell me nameMember
Since: Aug 07, 2004
Aug 07, 2004 09:18 pm When you just gotta bounce, it's best to bounce similarly ranged instruments onto the same tracks. For example, Put the higher keyboards on the same tracks as the rhythm and lead guitar. Keep lower keyboard parts with your bass tracks.
You mentioned noise too. When you are bouncing your recorded guitar tracks, try over eq-ing the higher frequencies, which is where a lot of noise comes from. Why the hell would you want to add to the noise when you're bouncing? When it comes time to mix, your guitar parts sound a bit shrill because you over eq'd when you bounced. Cut the highs to your liking, and you're also cutting the noise. Give it a try.
Aug 08, 2004 01:20 am I also use the BR-532, but not in the same way. I utilize the tracks on the 532 without bouncing, then bring the wav files into my computer for mixing. This way, you dont have the problems inherent with bouncing. You arent stuck with a mix that sounded good at the time you mixed it, but sounds like crud once you get the other instruments in the mix. I get better results this way than with just the 532 as a standalone. All you'd need is a Smartmedia card reader and an Audio Editor such as Guitar Tracks or some such. It'll cost a few more dollars, but the versatility is well worth it.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Aug 13, 2004 02:50 pm Thanks for the advice. My old PC might not be up to the mixing - yes, it's that bad. Perhaps it could just mix......
I love the over-eq idea. I've been cutting the highs pre-bounce, and it just adds mud!
I also like the idea of separating the high and low parts on the keys (not that I'm any good at them anyway).
This forum is great! Thanks a lot.
SKOTZILLApSyChOTTic-da caps spell me nameMember
Since: Aug 07, 2004
Aug 13, 2004 07:58 pm Glad to be of help. I just joined last week and I wasn't sure if I was making an *** out of myself.
