What Do I Need?

I appreciate the input. I at least have some guidelines to start with. I am very guilty of not reading instructions and just go. Up to now, I have basically hit record, added some reverb and print it.

I dont want to just keep trying to buy better stuff to fix the problem. I still may look at a condenser at some point. A cheap condenser still has to be better than my cheap dynamic. I feel like it is taking things away from my vocals and I am trying to put stuff back after the fact. Could just be me too.
 
Johnny N. said:
I appreciate the input. I at least have some guidelines to start with. I am very guilty of not reading instructions and just go. Up to now, I have basically hit record, added some reverb and print it.

I dont want to just keep trying to buy better stuff to fix the problem. I still may look at a condenser at some point. A cheap condenser still has to be better than my cheap dynamic. I feel like it is taking things away from my vocals and I am trying to put stuff back after the fact. Could just be me too.
Click to expand...

If you're interested in getting a bit more into the nitty gritty, this is an EXCELLENT book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/02...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470939291&pf_rd_i=507846

It's like a textbook though, so you might have to dig your heels in a bit... not an easy read but every single page has something useful on it. Another good one is:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/02...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470939291&pf_rd_i=507846
 
Last edited:
I never read a thing about recording until after I'd already gotten pretty decent at it. :embarrassed:

The way I learned was this:

Got a 4 track cassette recorder, a set of headphones, 2 cheap mics, and a big box of blank cassettes.
Started recording. Made tons of really bad recordings.
Started slowly getting better sounding recordings.
Figured out how to use my guitar effects processor for reverb.
Made tons more slightly less bad recordings.
Picked up a dedicated reverb processor and compressor on the cheap.
Made tons more even less bad recordings.
Eventually got a better mic.
Even more recordings.

Eventually the 4 track was falling apart from use, but I'd managed to figure out how to get pretty good sounding stuff out of the equipment I had.

Then I bought a stand alone 8 track digital and made tons more recordings.

Then I threw a monkey wrench into the whole thing by going to computer recording. That set me back a bit because my first attempt was with a pretty early version of a pretty shitty DAW with no real interface. I got a few things recorded on that rig that didn't completely suck before I gave up on it and bought a Lexicon Omega that came bundled with Cubase LE and a pretty decent, but not overly hefty plugin bundle.

That was the golden ticket. I was able to use the computer just like I used to use my stand alone, only I had lots more options with EQ and compression, and reverb and delay and modulation effects.

Started upgrading mics and got some decent monitors.

Then I got the T-Racks 24 mastering suite, which kicked the recordings up a whole lot.

Then I got the Firepods.

Of course, that's about a 20 year time-line. Reading stuff may shorten the learning curve a bit. :embarrassed:
 
That is kind of the track I have been on. I dont know that I will commit to reading books but I have at least decided to ask questions if I dont know instead of just skipping it or moving on. I guess my objective at this point is to develop somewhat of a template of how to work so it isnt so daunting every time I go to record something. There are so many options and features in Reaper, or any software I suppose, that it seems overwhelming. I figure if I can get a good handle on the basics, I can play with other stuff here and there. Primarily, I want to get much better at recording vocals.

I cant afford to be on the 20 year plan. Thank goodness for the internet.
 
Johnny N. said:
That is kind of the track I have been on. I dont know that I will commit to reading books but I have at least decided to ask questions if I dont know instead of just skipping it or moving on. I guess my objective at this point is to develop somewhat of a template of how to work so it isnt so daunting every time I go to record something. There are so many options and features in Reaper, or any software I suppose, that it seems overwhelming. I figure if I can get a good handle on the basics, I can play with other stuff here and there. Primarily, I want to get much better at recording vocals.

I cant afford to be on the 20 year plan. Thank goodness for the internet.
Click to expand...

If you're not sure about the books, get the Guerrilla Recording one. It's VERY funny and digestible.
 
Kerouac said:
If you're not sure about the books, get the Guerrilla Recording one. It's VERY funny and digestible.
Click to expand...



It's more about time than anything. I would love to sit down with a book and work through it from front to back and then get another but I end up with barely enough time to work on improving with the guitar much less devote to reading and working through the recording process. I have to kind of accept that I cant get it to the level I want to for now and learn what I can here and there. Kinda sucks but I my job and my family occupy most of my time. I'm not complaining, I like it that way but it is definitely hindering my rise to stardom.
 
The fact that you're already to the point of getting pretty good sounding recording puts you ahead of the game.

What I did when I switched from stand-alone to computer based is that for the first few mixes, I just completely ignored all plug-ins. Once you can get a decent mix with no effects, then you listen and decide "that vocal line is way too loud in places and way too quiet in others. Let's add some compression" or "you know, that bass line is a little muddy...let's try to EQ it" or "Those vocals sound too dry. Let's play with reverb today".

You don't have to use a ton of effects for a good mix. In fact, unless there's a certain sound you're going for, generally a little EQ, compression, and reverb is all you really need.
 
I am with you on all of that. I dont have the time to learn all of the tricks and crazy stuff anyway. I just want to make sure I'm not missing something simple. I do feel like every time I record something, I learn and get better.

Here's another question. Do you guys record all of your tracks in mono or is there a time where recording in stereo make sense?
 
The only time I record a track in stereo is if it's a keyboard track. No use using a stereo track to record a single mic, and when I double up on mics, I like to put each mic on a mono track and then pan them hard left and hard right.
 
Thanks. I know nothing. :embarrassed:

I am going to try to record a song this week for practice. If life will stay out of the way for a minute.
 
I will, on the rare occassion, record in stereo.
because with the Pod, I can have one tone on the left, and a 2nd on the right.
double up my vox/guitar, whatever, in half the time.

but generally speaking, I don't bother.
it's not often I want two different-sounding tracks to play exactly the same
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top