Drum Recording

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Cheese
Member Since: Jul 21, 2004

Hi guys.

I have pretty much my whole album complete, expect for the drums. As of right now, the drums are loops just to help keep the time recording the other tracks, and to help record the drums later in the process.

I am now ready to rent a studio room and record the drums. However, I have a problem.

I am using Cubase Sx to record the album. I've been using a Behringer mixer (with 2 mic inputs) to feed everything to the soundcard. I am definitly going to need to rent a mixer with more mic ports.

My problem is, how do you let the PC/soundcard identify which mic port I want used for individual tracks? At this point I haven't had to record any instruments more than 1 at a time. But now, I need to seperate the Bass drum, snare/hats, toms and ride/floor tom for recording. They need to be recorded at the same time, but reading into different tracks on the project.

does this make sense to anyone? If it does, can anyone help?

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Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004

Mar 01, 2005 03:25 pm

Quote:
rent a studio room and record the drums.

if you're gonna rent time at a studio, have them export the audio to cd's with wav files, then import them into cubase...

so get seperation you gotta pan (on the mixer) hard left and right, that'll give you two channels to record at once...it's gonna be tough (if not impossible) to get every mic on it's own track if you record at home with your current setup.

peace

wyd

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 01, 2005 03:30 pm

i am renting a studio room, but I don't want to pay for the engineer. I can do it myself and record it straight to my PC (bring my PC to the studio)

So there is no way of recording seperate tracks @ the same time with a Behringer mixer? The panning idea isn't too bad, but that only leaves me with 2 tracks @ once. I don't mind if each mic pics up a bit of sound it shouldn't, I can find my way around that.

i'm more concerned about recording multiple tracks at once.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 01, 2005 03:39 pm

your profile says you have a 2496, which has two analog ins, which means you will be limited to 2 tracks at a time regardless of what room the computer sits in.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 01, 2005 03:43 pm

I wasn't aware of that. That makes a lot of sense now...stupid me.

I guess I will have to pay the few extra bucks and let them record the tracks.

thanks dB

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004

Mar 01, 2005 03:43 pm

Yeah, makes sense... but you'll need a multi-input soundcard to do that . OR record the kick, and snare parts first, and then the overheads/toms next . Of course you'll also have to play those parts separately as well, so 'tricky' is an understatement .; ) Pan 'em hard L/R, eq and gate, and they'll be separate .

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003

Mar 01, 2005 03:44 pm

You can only record as many tracks at once as your soundcard has inputs and keep them separate.

So you need a mixer with at least 4 mic inputs and a soundcard in your PC with at least 4 inputs.

Dan

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 01, 2005 03:46 pm

lots of people do it with two tracks, just take care on the premixing and record the drums as a two track stereo piece, any tweaking later do with EQ's...it's not the best option, but it certainly works...and saves butt-loads of money.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 01, 2005 03:47 pm

ya, i didn't even think of my soundcard only having 2 inputs.

that completely sucks because it's double the price now hourly.

I guess I will have to really brush up my skills before going to record, so I use up as little time as possible.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 01, 2005 03:49 pm

But won't the drums sound crap with only 2 tracks?...

that's my fear mostly.

If the drums can sound good with 2 mics recording, i will definitly take that root.

Ex-Wookie
Member
Since: Aug 29, 2003

Mar 01, 2005 03:50 pm

if you get a real engineer to record your drums (the foundation of the song), the rest of the song will sound better anyway.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 01, 2005 03:50 pm

wouldn't it be worth your time to at least give a valiant effort to doing it yourself while brushing up? Just mic the drums, mix it to a nice stereo image and if it doesn't work, adjust accordingly...try again. No need to spend money on a studio.

This site exists to PREVENT you from having to do that. If you pay for recording I might just have to ban you :-D

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 01, 2005 03:51 pm

I know, using an engineer would be nice, dont get me wrong. but if I could save a lot of $$$, it would be even better.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004

Mar 01, 2005 03:52 pm

You can use more than two inputs on your mixer to get a sterio mix before it gets to your card .

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 01, 2005 03:52 pm

why would it sound crappy? only if you play crappy or record crappy.

Eventually the entire song ends up in two tracks anyway.

Ultimately it comes down to you, if you mic and mix decently, you could totally do it with two tracks, many have before, and many more will in the future.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 01, 2005 03:53 pm

ya, i am definitly going to attempt recording on my own before using an engineer.

My real concern is the bass drum needs it's own Mic for itself. I don't want to use the second mic to record the rest of the drums pieces.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 01, 2005 03:54 pm

do you have any suggestions where to place the mics?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 01, 2005 03:55 pm

Let's baby step on this.

You can have many microphones running in to the mixer, if you have enough channels (maybe rent a bigger mixer if needed, or spend your studio money on a bigger one) you could have a mic on each drum, run them all in to the mixer, then, at the mixer mix the kit in to a nice stereo image and run it into the stereo inputs of your sound card. Play and record a tune, listen to the mix, make any adjustments you need, play again, adjust again, until you get the right mix, then record for good.

It can work.

Member
Since: Apr 27, 2002

Mar 01, 2005 04:22 pm

where are you located chex81? if you're close enough you can come and use my equipment (mics/mixer/soundcard/processors) etc...etc...and i bet you wont pay half as much for it as if you just rented the room....just a thought...im willing to help..

Member
Since: Apr 27, 2002

Mar 01, 2005 04:24 pm

heck...ill even engineer it for ya...we have a nice sounding drum room too...and again...you wont pay half as much as you were gonna

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 02, 2005 09:19 am

Thanks dB, I will take that method. I completely forgot that I could adjust the high, mid and low levels on the mixer.

wontdieinPA,

I live in Toronto, Ontario.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 02, 2005 09:23 am

well, thats not exactly what I was referring to, but, once you get it recorded down to two tracks, if there is additional tweaking you can do a bit with EQ to bring up or down certain frequencies to help raise or lower specific areas of the total drum sound as well.

Glad to help.

crazy canuck
Member
Since: Nov 25, 2004

Mar 02, 2005 10:02 am

Hey Chex81, good to see a fellow Hoser in here...I am from the Toronto area as well. If you want to email me at:

[email protected]

we could probably arrange something...

I am running 8 ins to Cubase LE, we have a drum room and a good kit. I have been recording for probably 10 years or so, if you want to come and record your drums at our studio I can give you probably the fairest price in the GTA, not to mention a pro sounding drum recording...

If you are interested get a hold of me soon cause we will only be set up at this studio for another month, after that we have to relocate and I am not sure how long it will take until we are running again.

CHEERZ!

Member
Since: Apr 27, 2002

Mar 02, 2005 10:08 am

yah...im in northeast, pa...so that wouldnt work...haha...but it sounds like af_analog might be your best bet...but if you need help with the mixing or mastering...ill do it for like nothing,...if interested, i kinda wanna help if at all possible...

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 02, 2005 11:21 am

wontdieinPA,

thanks for the offer, I appreciate it. If you wouldn't mind I could use some tips when it comes to Mastering. I know how to edit and mix everything, just need help with the mastering part.

could i email you if I need help?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 02, 2005 11:41 am

why not read the tips here at HRC and search the forums, there is A LOT of mastering discussion around the forum...could probably help a lot.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 02, 2005 12:07 pm

hey dB,

i used to see a few, but I can't see any @ the moment. Are they in another section?

Direct me, please and thank you

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 02, 2005 12:12 pm

there are a couple at www.homerecordingconnecti...t&cat_id=12 and use HRC's search engine searching for "mastering" in the forum will bring you numerous links and results.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 02, 2005 12:15 pm

thank you

Member
Since: Apr 27, 2002

Mar 02, 2005 12:48 pm

sure can...id be glad to help anyway i could...i know how hard it is to put together a recording and be strapped for cash...and i dont think anything should get in the way of creativity and musical integrity...id be glad to help anyone i could...if you have any questions...let me know...when you're done mixing and mastering, i could even run into the studio i apprentice at and fix a few things through their amazing monitors (Genelec/Mackie....drool...)

JR Productions
Member
Since: Mar 03, 2005

Mar 05, 2005 07:32 pm

If you were gonna pay for the studio/engineer, why not just invest in a better interface with more inputs? Of course you need some knowledge before you do something like that, but there are some great books that help a lot. You only get better as you go on. Of course, you've already done some recording, so you have some background. In general, I would never pay hundreds for a studio instead of recording at home.

Member
Since: Mar 17, 2005

Mar 17, 2005 05:52 pm

I would say spend the studio money on a Delta 1010LT card or something similar. It will save you in the long run. It has eight INs and OUTs. You will be all set. I do agree with Josh Rose though. There are lots of good resources to expand your knowledge on this around the net or even right here!

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 22, 2005 10:57 am

Thanks a lot guys. I think it's a good idea to invest in a better soundcard as well. The Delta 1010LT is a good choice as there are 10 I/O. Thanks a lot for your help guys.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 22, 2005 10:59 am

8 analog in and 8 analog outs, 2 in and 2 out are digital S/PDIF I/O and two of the analog ins are XLR preamped which I have heard aren't that great...or, a couple members have noted that...

Here is another option, tho more expensive esi-pro.com/viewProduct.php?pid=49

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 22, 2005 11:06 am

hmmmm....$400 US for that ESP vs $230 for the Delta 1010LT.

Do you use that ESP dB?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 22, 2005 11:13 am

I use the ESI [email protected] love their stuff...

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 22, 2005 11:15 am

Well, since the Delta 1010Lt is more within my budget, I will just go with that. I have to keep in my I also need to invest in that interface with the Cubase software.

But before I go off buying the 1010LT, I will read some reviews.

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 22, 2005 12:31 pm

I am also looking into the Delta 66. I've noticed that it states 6in/6out. However, in the picture of the item it looks exactly like the Delta 44 (4in/4out)

Can anyone explain?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002

Mar 22, 2005 12:35 pm

the other two ins and outs are digital S/PDIF I/O

Cheese
Member
Since: Jul 21, 2004

Mar 22, 2005 12:37 pm

oh. ok.

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