Comments on: Help: A More Comprehensive Recording Book

By: TheMenaceIsLooseAgain

TheMenaceIsLooseAgain — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 10:11:23 +0000

I used one of the earliest generations of N-Track. I made some recordings with it (Around 98-2002 give or take), but could no longer tolerate the latency and the PC also crashed. I got some to work, but latency was hit or miss which should not be tolerable. Anyhow I but a ZOOM MRS after that and was impressed by the simplicity, Editing/Mixing/Effects options and zero latency.

However has time has went on, I've found it is nearly impossible to come close to the editing and effects capability of even that early generation of N-Track. Now I don't care if all you have is an old Tascam 4 Track - if you love to create music, you're gonna find a way if that's all you can afford. However, neither of these methods I believe can touch PC/MAC stuff these days - however a dedicated computer is not cheap as well as software plugins.

I'd like to see tangible (step by step, start to finish) tips on the following:
-As another dude said, EQ. When enough is enough, when too much is too much. Give step by step demo's of popular and affordable software or other methods.
-Getting a good bass sound. It is extremely hard to get a good bass sound out of my stand alone. The mix ends up way too bassy.
-Compression and clipping. Getting mixes to sound good in a Car/home stereo or other playback method is virtually what good mix should do (many of my mixes have spots where the clip too much - they should be "smooth" without harsh peaks and/or valleys) - so tips and instructions on how to actually achieve that (not the theories on hZ and frequencies, etc.), but how actually get er done.
-Models and brands of studio proven headphones that don't "color" the sound to avoid the inevitable pricy search.
-Bread and butter plugins or in the case of standalone units effects, etc. Tried and true stuff with simple step by step applications - no outrageous stuff.
-A section on should I or shouldn't I use a deesser?, etc. Basically, show a good tried and true signal path from start to finish for Computer based and stand alone (i.e., from the guitar to the PC/MAC or standalone and everything that is essential in between).
-Include what outboard gear (actual compressors, mixers, i.e. non software stuff but hardware) is actually essential if at all. Additionally, stuff not to waste your money on.
-Simple explanations on Drums: how to lay good rhythm tracks without a drummer, Midi or a drum machine. What software, how to use it, etc.
-Again, the actual signal path from the guitar to the PC/MAC or standalone and everything in between laid out so the beginner cand follow it to the T as a useful template.

By: tjwhitejr

tjwhitejr — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:50:16 +0000

Where can I get in on the betting? You know, the book or the next Metallica CD? Which will come first? Got to be a pool somewhere!

By: A Bomb

A Bomb — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:56:22 +0000

1. Work flow
2. Writing songs quickly and capturing ideas quickly with your DAW
3. What to do in order to get the maximum value out of a home recording experience with the minimum amount of time left to work on it (usually due to family, work, other commitments)

By: Jeff Shattuck

Jeff Shattuck — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:03:20 +0000

What are the top 10 dos and don'ts for EQ? Thanks! Can't wait to buy your book.

Jeff
http://www.cerebellumblues.com

By: TOMMYTOMATOE

TOMMYTOMATOE — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 03:19:55 +0000

WELL, My 1st rec. ? would be" where can I DL a plug-in to make me 30 ,or so, YRS. younger? I wish they had all this when I was young, but engineers were a different breed and musicians always the flaky ones. That,[in my case & others ] still stands true.2nd ?- I believe that besides going to school, your gonna run into a million snags due to the fact that you need supervision from one with not only the same software, but the same kind of hardware and how you;re running it. In other words unless you've got a lot of time and dough for a personal tutor, many of them miles are gonna be very lonely.3rd? and this pisses me off sometimes. HOW come just about every book, manual or a forum, etcc,,,focuses mainly on the end product or from the middle? What I'm saying is it's always read or heard to just turn on machine, set levels accordingly and press RECORD. PUUCCKK!There's so much more to setting up and the basics that I believe 80% of newbies problems stem from that. Using a DI or not, types of cables and on and on. Right away they want you to start mixing and if you ain't mixing the right ingredients that " CAKE " is gonna taste like crap>>>> Xcuse me BRANDON did you ask for 3 questions? TAKE CARE ALL, TOMMY [ TOMMYTOMATOE ]

By: Phillydan

Phillydan — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:05:13 +0000

About two years ago I purchased a Pro Tools setup with a Digidesign 002 Rackmount front end. Quite frankly I found Pro Tools very difficult to use and set up correctly. With that background, here are a newbie top 3 recording questions.

1. What is the best and easiest recording studio software for a newbie to recording.
2. What options like plugin effects and drum machines are recommended.
3. Reasonably priced mics that work well for a start-up recording studio.

If your book answers the above questions with clarity and allows the newbie to get up and running quickly then you have accomplished your goals with your book.
BTW, when will your book be published?
Best Regards
Phillydan

By: George "Jay" Spurling

George "Jay" Spurling — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:20:10 +0000

My top three questions:
1) How can you mix studio hardware (Mixers,Recorders,Effects) with software (Cubase 4 in my case.) for the greatest advantage?
2) I have a lot of gear. What are the essential pieces of hardware for the home or project studio?
3) Can you include some kind of "workflow" diagrams for a home studio?

By: Michael LaMere

Michael LaMere — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:04:59 +0000

I think the most important part of recording is the drums and how to fit them into the recording so they sound good in the pocket. Recording the drums has been the biggest nightmare for me over the years and I think that just about EVERY recording manual out there skims this topic and just doesn't do a good job of explaining things.

Michael

By: lpvmc

lpvmc — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:33:13 +0000

Being a new......newbee it's impossible for me to ask my Top 3 recording questions. Too many questions but not sure at all what/which is important. Just trying to find my way in recording/homerecording.
I do appreciate the way you involve your future readers.

Kindest regards.

By: .tom

.tom — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:26:02 +0000

Talk about the first order of setting a recording session up -the performing room! Talk about how a mic isn't as forgiving as a ear and how small changes in room EQ can make a world of difference later.

Just tryin' to give you ideas;)