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xallblues
- FB Fan -
3 Posts |
 Posted - 02/23/2006 : 13:06:07
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I've just begun my first serious attempts at recording music here at home. The setup I have is basically a Tascam four track and a cheap condensor mic. I've had mixed results so far. On the positive side, I'm improving with every attempt. But as you can imagine, it's tough with such limited hardware.
What has been your guys' experience with home recording? Any tips?
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11690 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2006 : 13:15:55
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Have you got a 424?
My first attempts and occasional demos are with it, but I'm not a huge fan. I use my computer whenever I can. My experience has been that trying to get it from a multitrack tape to multitrack computer are, at best, very very difficult. Mixing down's an option but not a great one.
One thing that improved the sound dramatically was to have the right setting for the line/mic fader. I never really played with that one much and I found that backing it off a little from either helped when my friend asked what it did.
It's great for a start but I tired quickly of the limitations.
 "If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
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Doog
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
1220 Posts |
Posted - 02/23/2006 : 15:35:40
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Stick at it, is really all I can suggest. All my stuff (www.myspace.com/doog) has been done in my front room, bedroom and garage using 2 £70 Shure mics and an 8 track. After a while of using the same equipment, you learn how to get decent results very quickly.
Compare your recordings to "pro" recordings of a similar style. See what the differences are.
Nimrod's Son: Tribute To the Pixies - The Venue, New Cross (London) - Fri 3rd March
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xallblues
- FB Fan -
3 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2006 : 04:39:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
Have you got a 424?
My first attempts and occasional demos are with it, but I'm not a huge fan. I use my computer whenever I can. My experience has been that trying to get it from a multitrack tape to multitrack computer are, at best, very very difficult. Mixing down's an option but not a great one.
One thing that improved the sound dramatically was to have the right setting for the line/mic fader. I never really played with that one much and I found that backing it off a little from either helped when my friend asked what it did.
It's great for a start but I tired quickly of the limitations.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate."
This is my four track: This is my four track: http://www.tascam.com/Products/414mkII.html
The DBX noise reduction is perhaps the tastiest feature.
I always track everything on my four track and then mix down to a wav file on my computer using Audiograbber. I find the results are very pleasing. How much of a role does your computer play? What software do you use? Just curious. 
Doog, your stuff sounds really, really good. Kudos!
One thing that is very cool is that I've been running my GuitarPort direct through the line in on my four track. This allows me to get a decent "amp" sound without mic-ing, which would be a potentially hazardous process given my setup and lack of experience.
For my upcoming batch of songs I'm just going to setup my mic and play live though; I need some demos quick, and I enjoy the purity of intentionally getting a lo-fi sound. |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11690 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2006 : 06:27:18
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Yeah, the DBX is nice. Generally you have to mix straight down because mechanical timings on multiple plays differ enough that your tracks will go out of sync. But I had recorded a lot of stuff (including both tribute covers we did) multitrack on the 424 (your 414 isn't much different, just a generation prior) and then brought those tracks onto computer and wondered why they didn't sync after the fact. I like to have my tracks on computer and towards the end I'd haul my computer in the garage for recordings or just mix live-to-two track and not worry about mixing down jam sessions later. For actual song recordings, I'd record one instrument at a time into the computer. Drums with the main instrument playing into his headset. Then usually bass. Then guitar. Then keys (since that was me, I could do it on my time). Depending, of course, what was prevalent in the song.
I use CoolEdit, love it. Also use it for our podcast.
Recording direct is convenient for sure (I always had a problem reproducing the tone with a mic, but I fear this is a bigger problem direct- I've not tried it though?).
Anyway, good luck, and Doog's got some great recordings too, I'd take his advice over anything I say.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
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Suicide_Samurai
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
431 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2006 : 15:05:50
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I use Guitar Port and Cool Edit, but I can't ever add vocals to the mix because I get a hiss when recording with a mic. I don't have this problem with the guitar because it's plugged straight into the GP/PC. Is it just because I'm using a cheap mic I ripped off my little sisters toy keyboard or what?
I thought about myspace and I really got me down  |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11690 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2006 : 16:16:17
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Probably a little of that, yup. Though the easiest way to remedy that in Cooledit is leave a blank space where there is ZERO noise (no mic movement, no breathing). Then select that patch after you record, Noise Reduction, Get Sample From Selection.
THEN close that window, select the entire wave, NOISE REDUCTION, and OK. Done. It's gone.
"If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominos will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate." |
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Suicide_Samurai
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
431 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2006 : 13:27:19
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Thanks, that certainly helps a bit. I always wondered how to work that. I really must take time to read that help manual.
I thought about myspace and I really got me down |
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Oil Boy
- FB Fan -
USA
40 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2006 : 12:48:11
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I use N-Track for all my recording. It's a really good digital multi-track recorder for PC. I'm amazed that it's only $50.
www.n-track.com
I primarily use it for single-track overdubbing but it can handle multiple tracks very well depending on the quality of your computer. All you need is a good mike & you're set. |
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NimrodsSon
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1938 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 20:08:33
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I did 8 track cassette recording for a while, and was not satisfied with the quality of the 1/8 inch tape running at 7.5ips at all, so I decided to make the switch to ProTools. I got ProTools with M-Box and did not like the limitations (only two simultaneous inputs for $400! I can't recommend it to anyone). Right now I'm using Mackie's Traction software, which I absolutely LOVE! It's EXTREMELY easy to use. The only problem I have with it is that basic editing operations can be a pain in the ass if you're not used to the way it works. I'm doing that with an Echo Audiofire12, which allows up to 12 simultaneous inputs/outputs (I got it for about $600 on ebay, and it's worth every penny!) I have a Mackie 1604 mixing board, which I output to the Audiofire12, and I output from the Audiofire12 to the console, so that I can do all of my monitoring through the console. It's a great setup, that can be obtained for about $1000 if you look out for deals on ebay (plus a computer). I wouldn't necessarily recommend the Mackie 1604, as it has a lot of issues that I'm constantly dealing with, so maybe someday I'll invest in something else. More direct outs would be nice, too (the 1604 only has eight, so I can only take advantage of eight of the twelve Audiofire12 inputs at the moment). The computer I'm using is just a Dell with a pentium D processor (not sure what speed off the top of my head) and 1GB of RAM, and a very large hardrive. It's very cheap, but I haven't had any problems with it, and it performs very well for recording, even when I'm recording eight tracks at once (which is the most I've ever tried. I'm sure it could easily handle many more).
”Viva los Católicos! |
Edited by - NimrodsSon on 03/12/2006 20:10:44 |
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2006 : 03:46:28
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I use a free doohickey for my PC called Kristal, tis fun.
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Gravy boat! Stay in the now! |
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jose
- FB Fan -
France
140 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2006 : 07:58:57
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Hey Doog,
what is the mic you're usinbg for your voice ? It rocks dude !
I said Pretty Please ! |
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martindeblaca
- FB Fan -
Ireland
6 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2006 : 07:10:12
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quote:
Originally posted by xallblues
I've just begun my first serious attempts at recording music here at home. The setup I have is basically a Tascam four track and a cheap condensor mic. I've had mixed results so far. On the positive side, I'm improving with every attempt. But as you can imagine, it's tough with such limited hardware.
What has been your guys' experience with home recording? Any tips?
Hi ya,
Hows the recording going
Martin |
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Topic |
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Home recording
