What has helped you recordings the most? (non gear wise)
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Posted on Jan 24, 2005 11:48 am
BennisHahn
Ex-Wookie
Member Since: Aug 29, 2003
Well?
Anything but the physical gear. What has made your recordings better by a decent margin over the past year?
I will say mine has to be creating a fake set of "room mics" for my programed drums, then smacking them silly with a compressor. Can you say glue?
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Jan 24, 2005 11:54 am The thing I have found most helpful is learning better use of EQ in the mixing stage. Can't say thats been in the last year, but it's been my most recent epiphany in the realm of multitracking.
So I would have to say EQing, and what I have learned by using Har-Bal about EQing.
Blueninjastar's article gets an hourable mention in helping me learn that as well. www.homerecordingconnecti...tory&id=154
Jan 24, 2005 12:15 pm yeah carefull eqing does wonders for your sound, and really seperates ya from the pack....so insted of seconding dB, i'm gonna say learing how to use compression has also been instrumental to my "new and improved sound". i used to throw it on and set the settings based on general guides, but i've learned by combining applying the compression to the track (bounce) and looking at the waveform result, and also setting the ratio to an extreme setting and setting attack and decay that fit the part really made a noticable differance in my overall sound, which also lead to multi-band compression as a first step tward mastering.
peace
wyd
Jan 25, 2005 03:35 am Definetely reading. Although I havent been recording for a year, the things that have helped me most are 1.this site and 2. All the books I have bought.
About the things I have read, the things that helped me most are, Eq'n as mentioned above, Mic placement, and developing an ear for good music, and the way good music should sound.
EdvoMember
Since: Feb 18, 2004
Jan 25, 2005 03:48 am Listening and making some notes about material before mixing
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jan 25, 2005 03:48 am hmmm, well, I don't want to sound like a complete cad, but uh, yeah, I have to second db and wyd. First was how to use eq, and second was how to really get the most out of compression. I'm really happy with the way my music is starting to sound. Most everything I've learned, as I often say, is due to a combination of what I've learned on this site, and experimentation - getting my hands dirty.
One trick I've learned through experimentation was to add reverb to a track (maybe a snare for example), and then compress. It really intensifies (makes more prominent) and smoothes out the reverb trail, and can give more punch or more of a smooth sound depending on how you tweak. It's my new favorite trick.
dansaltdoganother day another ray of hopeMember
Since: Oct 14, 2004
Jan 25, 2005 04:50 am It seems that there are so many small tweaks to learn, that all of them in combination make for a good recording.
I'm still not happy that I have completely sussed mic placement. Each time I record I try a different position and get better results than before.
But definitely EQ and compression have helped no end to improving mixing and tracking. But I have to pick carefully on which tracks to use them, as I have limited compression due to recording in analogue.
I'm also really getting into gating the drums. Combined with compression, I'm finding the results can dramatically change the mix.
RigsbyUltra MagnusMember
Since: Nov 13, 2004
Jan 25, 2005 07:37 am Yeah, for me it's reading too, and collaborating more, both of which have helped me see new lights on things and given me food for thought which has lead to further discoveries and ideas.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Jan 25, 2005 08:03 am Blueninjastars article has really made a large contribution to the way I approach the whole process . Before building a DAW, and being able to actually see what was going on in the waveform, this article was as helpfull as a seeing eye dog to a man who's been blind for the last ten years .
vdalehubbardLost for words with all to say.Contributor
Since: Sep 12, 2003
Jan 25, 2005 10:22 am Without reading Blueninjastar's article a while back, no telling where I would be right now. Understanding the Audio Spectrum was the best thing that will help your mix.
