|
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Recently we had a thread about home recordings and all the different programs that we each use.
I was pretty bored today so I decided to knock out a few tunes. Nothing fancy...used Cubase SX 3.0 and about 8-10 tracks for each mix (guitar, bass, 3 vocals, the rest drums). No effects or anything special....DI'ed the instruments straight into the board. No processing on the vocals...kinda raw but it was just fun to do, spur of the moment kinda thing.
Took about 1 1/2 to 2 hours for each tune. As usual, the drums and percussions were my achilles heel and a royal pain in the butt.
The tunes should be recognizable despite me just putting them together from memory (so no guarantees that the song structures are correct).
Glenn Hess's (soon to be) preacher 12 is featured on the tracks.
Hope the links work and that you enjoy the tunes.
I just always loved the Beatles and the harmonies are always fun to do.
Magical Mystery Tour
Thought about this song because of the recent Adamas I model 1688-8 12 string that got away.
Cryin Time
In honor of the upcoming McCartney tour.
Listen What The Man Says
A hometown favorite (BJ Thomas) from when I lived in Houston.
Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Stephen
Enjoyed listening to your efforts. Was that a drum machine or are those drum tracks a part of cuebase? Good job!
Tommy |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 180
Location: Chicagoland | I thought I was the only one who recorded music on here! Nice work. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | What fun! I do a bit of recording and am sensitive to how much work it really is ... great work in a short amount of time. MMT sounds like the Cheap Trick cover more than the Beatles, which is not a bad thing at all! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Stephen,
Great Sounds. good job. wheni grow up i wanna be just like you! Or at least be able to really play guitar by then. :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Tommy, drums were from Cubase. I have a Roland DR880 that I use when laying down basic tracks but then go back in and do them within Cubase to add a little better realism and some variety to beat changes, etc.
Stoney....your right. It does sound more like the Cheap Trick version (I happened to have their greatest hits CD playing in the car). Probably why it sounds as it does....as I mentioned, memory only when laying them down.
Thanks Steve....stick to the banjo! ;)
I probably could have polished up the vocals with a little echo and compression and smoothed out the overall sound with some reverb and other effects but it was just a quick and dirty project. Didn't want to spend another 4 or 5 hours polishing them up.....maybe another day.
Thanks for the feedback. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Banjo??? That would be Tim...I have a hard enough time with Guitar! :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 417
Location: Cicero, NY | Very cool, Stephen! Great job! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374
| Hey Stephen either you blew your bandwidth limits or yahoo is down. will try again later.
God Bless,
Glenn |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Glenn,
Yahoo must have gone down. I don't think anyone else has had a problem with the downloads.
I also slightly changed the thread title since a couple people pm'ed me and said I should make it more descriptive so people will give a listen. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Glenn, did you ever get the tunes working on your end? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Nice job, Steve!
Wayne |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Wow! Nice job. Very good harmonies. I can't imagine having the patience to record this stuff. It was all I can do to lay down a couple of simple acoustic demos without going nuts.
Thanks for sharing these. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Very nice, Steve.
Just got notification from Dell that my new computer ships Monday. Audio card and Cubase(SE) are scheduled to arrive today from MF. Have been working on getting work area finished in my music room these past few evenings. Everything should be in place by next weekend. Psyched! . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | once I get a few projects done around here I am going to go the laptap and interface route. My plan is to contain all I need in a small rack box. I have been planning this for some time. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Cliff, which audio card did you get? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | M-Audio Audiophile 2496.
Very basic, but will suit my immediate needs (and more importantly - for now - was cheap).
I'll probably end up upgrading it down de'road, but hey! I'm just comin' off using a friggin' Tascam 4-channel cassette deck . . . I'm willing to wade over to the "deep end" b/w/o the "kiddie pool", for now. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | It's a great card. I've used one for the last 3 years, recorded my first CD on it.
I just recently upgraded to the FW1814 so I could use my laptop.
You might want to pick up a small mixer if you don't have one. Something like a small Behringer . Try to get one with subgroups if possible, makes it easier to route back into your monitors. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Wow, it sounds great, I could swear I hear compression in the guitar, but you say there's none. Second Wow. I'm very impressed, then again when I did stuff like this, it was onto a cassette. And you did this when you were bored in an afternoon? Holy crap, times have changed, this technology is great. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Stephen,
Credit must be given when due. Hard to believe you can get that kind of production value in the short time you spent laying the tracks down. MMT was really well done. SDSWS took me back to our family trips to Ohio ...laying in the back seat watching the the utility lines dash by in the rear window for 6 hours that seemed an eternity
Again well done. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Thanks everyone for the kind words...it was a fun project.
Jeff, it is considerably easier now than in the past. With a fast computer and a good software program, syncing issues are really a thing of the past. Just lay down a timing track to get the general feel and then go back and lay down each specific track as desired.
Since I did not use any effects or post mixing/mastering, each part took literally as long as the song it fit in. A harmony part took 3-4 minutes to record in place...que it up and sing along with the recorder.
an4340...no compression, just happens to sound that way.....maybe the magic of Glen Hess's soon to be Preacher 12 string. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | For some reason, I can't get the site to work. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | That makes sense, the 12 string would smooth out the sound. Nonetheless that's a great sounding guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Yeah, the Preacher 12 is a fantastic sounding and playing guitar. Only reason I am parting with it is that I have a Deacon 12 to fill the gap. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Hizzoner...site seems to sometimes be sporadic. If the first link doesn't work, try the others. They seem to be independent in their thinking and their responses. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Stephen: EXCELLENT recordings. I need to do something like this. So you laid down each track and overdubbed basically?
How about laying down I AM THE WALRUS for us? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Great singing - great work. Between steve and slipkid and Brian and who knows else, I'm sure the OFC could produce a band to flatten the Beach Boys, Eagles and probably the Boston Pops Choir. Great stuff. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Good job, Stephen! Technology is great, but it still takes talent to make the music*. You got it.
*Not counting that technomumble hip-plop stuff. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| "*Not counting that technomumble hip-plop stuff."
You know the correct term is RAPSHIT (copyright W2). |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Nope, RAPSHIT doesn't qualify as music at all.
I'm willing to consider flip-flop (I feel I'm being real generous here) technically music (bad music) but it certainly doesn't take any talent to create. As evidenced by the people who create it... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Someone please educate me on Cubase(SE). I'd like to lay down a couple of tracks. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Didn't it come with documentation??
I got a brandy new package of SE sittin' on the shelf in my MusicRoom . . . . waiting for Dell . . . who just f&^%#g "delayed" shipment!!
:mad: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | What is Cubase? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Cubase |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Cube Bass |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Cubase SX3 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Hizzoner,
I use Cubase SX3 but Cubase SE is a good starting place to see if you like the Cubase structure and way of laying down tracks.
The learning curve on some of the better programs are quite steep. However, once you learn the basics they are pretty easy to get around (with an occassional reference to the manual).
If you have Cubase SE, the best way to start is to set aside a couple hours a night for the next 3-4 days and work thru the tutorials until you get the feel for it. Then lay down some very simple tracks...ie. lay down a click track, then add a strumming guitar, then add some simple vocals.
Once you feel comfortable with doing those, then you can get a little fancier and start doubling guitar parts, adding bass and drums, harmonies, etc.
Then you can move on to adding effects and mixing down. Just takes time and patience until you get a good feel for it, then it is moderately easy to put together songs like the few I posted up.
Lots of fun and very satisfying once the frustration level disappears! Take your time and don't give up. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | So Cubase whichever is a computer program, and you lay down the tracks into the computer through that program? Or do you still have to DI through a mixer into the computer? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | S28;
What does SE lack that SX/SL have?
I bought SE as an affordable, entry-level foray into the realm in the hopes of upgrading to to the other version(s) further down de'road . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Master Templeman is slated to spend the night at my place the Wednesday night before we drive up to the OFC Tour . . .
Since he'll probably be crashing in my MusicRoom, perhaps I'll need to shackle him to my newly-built workstation and use various forms of sleep-deprivation techniques to glean whatever knowledge I can gain from his vast expertise . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Sleep over... Shackles... deprivation...
Must find a different topic to post on... quickly! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | What can I say? . . .
. . . Templeman IS a kinky bastid . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | How did I beat Witko to capitalizing on that one? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Hizzoner,
You have to either mic the instruments, DI them, or use plugins to simulate them (typically bass, strings, keyboards, etc). Guitars are usually mic'ed or DI'ed. On my examples, I just DI'ed them straight into my MOTU 828MK2. You could also just use a small mixer like a Yamaha or Mackie. You can see my basic setup in the gallery.
You do need a decent set of speakers/monitors to really get a good feel for what you are recording. Headphones are ok for a short period but I don't recommend for extended sessions.
Cliff, SE is a great starting point. It contains most everything you need to get started. I did not do anything on the songs I posted that could not have been done with SE. I will probably never use 90% of the features that SX has but I am an idiot when it comes to buying things. I always buy more than I need (just in case!!! which very seldom ever comes)
The differences are pretty significant between SE and SL/SX. Most of it is bells and whistles. Things like pitch shifting and real time stretching, freeze function, more plug ins, user definable color coding for tracks for easier id, etc. The best place is to go to the Steinberg website and look at the comparisons.
If I had it to do over again, I would probably go with the SL version over the SX. Has all the features I would ever "really use" and costs a lot less. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Gotcha, Thanks Stephen! . . .
Woodster;
I'd venture t'guess that y'probably got the jump on Witko cause he's busy over in Amsterdam cruising the "coffee shops" in a pair of red fishnets . . .
. . . which in all honesty (judging by all the photos he insists on sending me), he DOES look quite fetching in . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Thanks Hizzoner, Waskel and Schroeder!
Very kind words indeed. :D
I talked to Noah and he wanted to know who was doing the vocals (talking on the phone he hears my Texas drawl!) He said it sounded like English pop. I assured him it was me.
My son overheard the phone conversation with Noah and wanted to hear the songs. He didn't believe me either but my wife told him she saw me doing them so it was definately me! ;)
I cring everytime I hear the vocals on MMT because they sound slightly flat to me, but I guess they are ok considering no effects.
OK....I have bared my soul. How about some tunes by our other members? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I would, but haven't anywhere to post them at the moment. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I admired your recording when you first posted them.
Very nice stuff!
Better late than never. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Slipkid admired them so much he said it twice! :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| "Thanks Hizzoner, Waskel and Schroeder!"
Excuse me? I'm running third to a politician and a rabbit? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | You are dyslexic. Your name is actually first.
Drink 12 pints of Guiness and then look again! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Excuse me?
A noble creature of the forest trapped between a politician and a Brit? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| A fair point. I should mention I ate rabbit pie last weekend. Your third cousin was delicious. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Why, I oughta...
That's it. I've got Elmer on the line.
Didn't know he did contracts on the side when it's not hunting season, did ya?
What was your exact address again?
Of course you realize... This Means War. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Duck season! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Wabbit season! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Brit season! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Waskel,
I'm calling your bluff! :p
Send me a couple of your tunes in MP3 format and I will post them up on my site. It is small but I believe I can accomodate a few more tunes.
That way I can post the links and all the OFC can enjoy them :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Ok, Stephen, on the way! Thanks for the generous offer! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Thought I'd try the host that Joe used. Not real comfortable with having no edit or delete control tho...
Give it a try.
http://www.tindeck.com/audio/my?loc=1lezk-Soft%20Breeze%20On%20A%20... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| So hwo much did the Nashville Strings, Steuart Smith and Dan Huff cost exactly?
Using professional session men is clearly against the ethic of this board.
Now back in your hole.
Absolutely excellent - I'm already working on the second guitar part. Here's to the Tour 2006.
:D :D :D :D :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | "No professional musicians were harmed during the recording of this song." |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Sounds great ! I saved it on my drive. Good job. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Just because you didn't actually shoot anyone, doesn't mean threatening them wasn't harmful. Professional musicians can be sensitive people . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Yeah, I know. That's why they charge so much money.
Thanks, Steve - I appreciate it! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Joking aside (but only temporarily) - that really is terrific stuff Mr Wabbit. And the actual recording is very good as well. What did you use? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | The guitar was my 1867 into a 6 channel Behringer mixer. This ran into a M-Audio 24/96 Audiophile card. The bass was my Yamaha done the same way.
Recording/sequencing was done with Cubase.
The cymbal crecendos are from loops, the snare hits and strings are midi. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | This one comes with a prize - the first one to guess how I played the intro - in one take - gets a copy of my first CD.
http://www.tindeck.com/audio/file/17oab-The%20Clouds%20Below%20-%20... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | No clue, but it sounds great! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | There's a clue in my photo gallery... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Bart Simpson's butt? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | exaaaactly.
and how many times have you been re-elected? :rolleyes:
that would make a great name for a grunge band... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 2177
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | well I waz gonna say.....by the light of a "Full Moon?" :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Is that the picture you all go to first?
I'm sensing some serious issues here... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | I will neither confirm nor deny any comments I may or may not have allegedly made.... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Ah, that explains your success in the political realm.
Can I ask yerhonor for a comment on the musical portion of the show? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | EXCELLENT! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Thank you, sir.
We now return you to the future, which is already in progress. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Crazy Waskel
I return home from work, ready to post up your songs and find them already up and running :)
Comments.....very smooth and done very well. Obviously more production effort put into them compared to mine (or maybe you are just more talented :D ) I swear it sounds like a fretless bass in parts.
I was gonna ask what you used but someone beat me to it. How much time did you put into each song?
Good stuff and I liked your email....indeed would be cool if we lived closer. Maybe collaborate through email. I believe if our versions of cubase are compatible we could send back and forth the raw data and add parts......hmmmm...worth thinking about. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| The future may be in Progress, but he's in Converse. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | I'll be brave and post a couple of country gospel songs written by my brother. He is doing the lead vocals and I am doing the rest with the exception of the drum track on the second song which was contributed by my 17 year old nephew.
All the acoustic tracks on both songs are done with my GC Adamas prototype. The electric on the first song is my '53 Fender Esquire, the second one is totally Bluebird 6-string.
Sowing Seeds
Miracle
Wayne |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | This is great stuff we have going on here. Now I wish I had spent more time on my stuff so it sounded a little more professional :D
Wayne, tell us what equipment/system you used to record with? Was this done with overdubs, partially live, etc? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Thanks Stephen!
I use Magix Studio 7 for a recording program. Everything was done a track at a time using an sm57 mike into the Creative Audigy soundcard...no mixing board.
I run the electric guitars through a 1955 Fender Princeton tube amp (with all of three and a half watts!) and a vintage Ibanez TS9 Tubescreamer on the overdriven electric parts. The acoustic guitar is straight through the sm57.
For the first part of the lead guitar solo on "Miracle" I layered three harmony parts onto the melody for four total but I pulled the highest and lowest back in the mix.
Other than that, I added some of the onboard reverb and delay. I don't think I used any compression anywhere but it was a few months ago that I did this.
I should try to pick a couple of decent condenser mikes to keep the levels more even sounding. Lots of fun, anyway!
You and Waskel mentioned recording from afar. That is what my nephew (who lives fifteen hours from me) and I did to get his drum track. My brother has the same program so I sent him an MP3 of the project and he imported it into his program, recorded the drum track, then exported the drums only as mp3 and sent it back to me and I mixed it in. One could actually have a recording band and never meet in person.
Your recording sounds great...I could never whip up something to sound so good in so little time!
Wayne |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Hey, Stephen, I might still take you up on your offer - not too keen on posting anymore on that board, you don't have any control over it once you post.
Thanks for your comments!
The first song I already explained. The second one (My Life Is In Your Hands) everything but the vocals and guitar is MIDI. It's a wonderful thing for people like me who hear instruments they can't play.
EDIT:
My Life Is In Your Hands was done about 4 years ago with a $50 piece of software called PowerTracks. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I have created a monster! Just got a couple more tunes to post by some amazingly talented OFC members. I know Bluebird (Wayne) will like this one! :D
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
This is by Stu Gotts (Dave Rosean) and what a beautiful version. I will let him tell everyone how it was recorded and on what equipment. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Great job by Dave! That's gotta be a Deacon or Preacher type guitar with the regular Ovation humbuckers.
Wayne |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 33
Location: Clermont FL | Thanks Guys,and thank you Stephen for posting one of my tracks. I hate to say it but the guitar on that cut was my 62 Jazzmaster. The background is Band In A Box. I recorded it on a Tascam Portastudio 4 track tape. I plan to get a digital 12 track soon. I am retired from being a road musician for most of my life, I now spend much of my time recording. I have tracks made with my Elite 5868 also. I have a Guitorgan and I may try a cut using that before I sell it. I have saved the cuts by Stephen ,Bluebell and Waskel on my Music Match Jukebox, great stuff I love it. Stu |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | It's amazing how much your old Jazzmaster sounds like some of the Ovation solids. I have had a couple of old Jmasters and Jaguars but not for quite a while. Dave, are you playing straight in or miking an amp?
Wayne |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 33
Location: Clermont FL | Hey Bluebird, I am playing straight in through a Yahama EMX 640 powered mixer. I have a Fender Twin Reverb that is one year younger than the Jmaster, but when ever I mic it I get too many extraneous sounds. I can really control things when I go straight in. My wife and I worked for many years as a duo, at the time we retired we where using midi sequences for backgrounds, so I have a lot of them to work with. I also find loads of them for free on the net. I use my Ovation for back tracks on many cuts. Stu |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 327
Location: Houston, TX | Waskel - My guess is that the intro is done with a Roland GR-20 or Gr-33. I have the Gr-20, and the symphonic swell sounded familiar. Email me and I'll give you the address so you can send me your first CD!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 327
Location: Houston, TX | Miles - is it time to revisit the OFC cd idea? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | could very well be. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | We have a winner! Scott (intermetroman) was correct.
I used my strat and my GR33 to create the intro. No planning, actually it just came out of sitting and playing with my sequencer running, hoping something nice would happen. :)
An OFC CD would be very cool. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Phew. Finally got a break from year end inventory to sit and listen to these tracks a few times.
Wayne, nice job! Very nice guitar work, and the mixing is well done. I know from experience that mixing and mastering in a home studio is tough. I like that you collaborated long distance on the drum track - I think that would be a great way to work with others to produce some unique blends of styles and talents.
Dave R, very nice guitar work. Very fluid and melodic, something I haven't been able to get a handle on. Nice usage of BIAB, nice to know I'm not the only one using this wonder. Pretty amazing software for the price. Especially great for throwing together demos.
Stephen, those tracks sound great! I've been known to hole up in my spare room/studio for 6 hours, just trying to get one track down.
Kudos to all of you for sharing your gifts with the OFC! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Here is another tune by that WASKEL known as John.
Guitar seemd to be recorded a little hot but a very nice acoustic piece! Nice playing John :)
Cottage Brook
Sorry Waskel, but the other tune you sent me was too big. Awesome tune tho.....maybe you can post it from the other site. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Thanks for the kind words, Stephen... yeah, it was a little hot, and a little slower than I like to play it. At 10:00 pm, after 3 hours of trying to get all the way through it after work, I settled for this. This was on my 1867 - I'm going to re-track it on my 6778LX - when rested...
Here's the other one - sorry it's long (6:52), but you know, you get in a groove....
Autumn Rain
John. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Stephen,
Try as I might, I can't send that track. It just won't go. I woulda hated to make you guys look like amatures anyway. :rolleyes:
Waskel, very very cool. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Waskel - knock it off. My hard drives filling up. And what's this obsession with the weather? Are you secretly English?
I don't want to be too nice too often, so I'll just mention that I've played Autumn Rain 3 times in a row. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Waskel the music really is great. I'm enjoying it. Thanks again for sharing and a big thank you to Stephen for starting this post. Music was meant to be shared. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | You all are too kind.
Autumn Rain was interesting. I laid down the first guitar track with every intention of it being the only one. After listening to it a couple times I kept hearing these 'echoey sounds" in my head. I added the second guitar, then tried this plugin I had which lets you control not just the speed of the echo, but how many times it repeats. Then I grabbed my keyboard and added the "windy strings" using Atmosphere.
Then I sat there and listened to it 3 or 4 times, thinking "Wow. I made that?". It feels kind of self-centered, but it's one of my favorite things to listen to.
Steve, you're exactly right. Music was meant to be shared.
Thank you all for listening and sharing your impressions! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 33
Location: Clermont FL | Hey Waskel, Both Cottage Brook and Autumn Rain sound great. Recording is fun ain't it?? Stu |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | UPS just deliver my new PC . . .
. . . a hermetically sealed package of CubaseSE awaits patiently in my MusicRoom bookcase . . . .
. . . . "Countdown to World Domination" . . . . .
muwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha . . . . . . . . . . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Post a version of you performing Squeezebox first, ok Cliff? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . I don't think so, Tim . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Cliff,
Hizz is right. You do a great version of that song. ahh Memories from last years ofc tour.
Seriously,it was cool hearing you sing that song last year. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | It's a cute little 3-chord ditty . . . a fun little "filler" song t'do in live applications (especially w/other people) and y'need to "kill" some time, not really one of my faves . . . don't think I'd wanna commit it to tape . . . uh. . . disk space(?). |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| " After listening to it a couple times I kept hearing these 'echoey sounds" in my head."
Therapy?
I can't stop playing the ****ing thing..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Cliff, when you get ready to lay down that first song, do one that you know well, is easy to play, and that you think you really sound good on.
It will make the initial shock of recording go down a little easier than if you try something hard and get frustrated.
I am especially looking forward to hearing something from the world renowned Cliffster! :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Jeff, thanks for not embarrassing us!
I have to admit that the song you sent me was absolutely flawless. I couldn't hear a single mistake (musically or vocally) throughout the entire cut! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Not a problem.
I like to think of my style as ethereal and ephemoral. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Thanks, Waskel! I have been listening to the songs you posted here as well and it's great stuff.
A couple of questions:
What is "Atmosphere" and "Band in a Box"?
Also, I've noticed that every other recording posted here has a higher playback level than my songs as well as a nice airy sparkle that mine is missing. If I try to mix the levels any higher, they distort.
I've heard some negative things about using the Creative Audigy cards for recording. Could this be the problem or could it be some limitation of Magix Studio 7?
Stephen, can you post Jeff's song? It's great to hear form some of the talent on this board...this thread has been a lot of fun!
Wayne |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 51
Location: Kentucky | Waskel……Cottage Brook and Autumn Rain you got my attention very nicely done!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Wayne, it was an inside joke.
Jeff told me he was sending me his first ever effort at recording but sent me an eamil without anything attached.
Subsequent attempts also failed. Since he is using a Mac, I am unable to offer him any assistance.
Atmosphere is a plug-in for various software studios. Band-In-A-Box is an Apple only program similiar to Cubase, Cakewalk, Protools, etc., except a little more budget minded. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by stephent28:
Subsequent attempts also failed. Since he is using a Mac, I am unable to offer him any assistance.
Turns out, It was just too big as a quicktime file to send via email. I will see about converting it to MP3 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| "I am unable to offer him any assistance."
Nor me, nor the psychiatrists, nor the meds..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Bongo Boy know everyone out to get him, Bongo boy never let that happen. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| :D :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| It didn't arrive... :( :( |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | They are just teasing you now. Cruel Bastards. Nothing like good Belgian Ale(s) to drown your sorrows. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Atmosphere is a software synth. Mostly it is aimed at pads and leads that are 'airy'. Band in a Box is a PC-based program which provides... well it's like a Band. In a Box. This is easier than explaining it.
The sound and sparkle thing I'll explain when I have more time, Schroed. Gotta go help a friend move some stuff. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Wow....I thought BIAB was Mac only. Nice that there is now a Windows version. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| "Gotta go help a friend move some stuff"
street corner dealing again? I thought the judge told you no more second chances? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Stephen - BIAB has always been for PC. Only the last couple versions have been for mac as well.
Schroeder - ... oh, never mind. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | By the way...
Shameless plug time. The instrumental tracks I've shared here are part of a collection I have put on a CD called 'Rest'.
It is available for $5 + shipping, a very reasonable amount, if you ask me. It barely begins to cover what I spent on recording hardware and software. The more I sell the more it encourages me to keep at it...
Ok, end of ad. Thanks for listening.
John. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Geeeshhh.....
You think that as the promoter of this fine music I would aquire one, gratis. ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| The wabbit has the right attitude - no free cds, no free gigs. He's obviously a professsional at heart. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Bah :mad: .....promoters always get a piece of the gig :p |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . Cliff, when you get ready to lay down that first song, do one that you know well, is easy to play, and that you think you really sound good on. . . "
Thanks, Stephen.
I've recorded a BUNCH of stuff before.
But it was all done on my Tascam 4-channel cassette recorder. The results of which were STACKS of cassettes with a single song on each recorded at double speed in 4-tracks . . . .
Previously, I could mix it down to another cassete recorder to use for demos, but who the f@ck uses cassetes anymore???
Never had the ability to mix it down to a digital medium before . . . . till now.
The Tascam will now be relegated to being a 4-channel mixer.
Got the new new PC home Friday nite, but even with a 3-day weekend, didn't have a lot of time to "play" with it (gutting Jeanette's bathroom Sat/Sun, cookout to attend Sun, and I played music at a charity softball game Mon).
I DID get to install Cubase, and the little I've been able to tinker with looks KILLAH!!!!
(I shoulda' done this a LONG time ago . . . ) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Same for me, Cliff - except mine was a Fostex. Having a pc with cubase, sonar or even powertracks, a decent mic and a mixer is a whole different world. The things you can do with editing, mixing, effects... there's really no comparison.
T28, check your PM's. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Still think you should do Squeezebox, Cliff... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Me too! Should be a fun little 3 chord song for you to practice on. Besides, You do a great version of it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Bluebird:
A couple of questions:
What is "Atmosphere" and "Band in a Box"?
Also, I've noticed that every other recording posted here has a higher playback level than my songs as well as a nice airy sparkle that mine is missing. If I try to mix the levels any higher, they distort.
I've heard some negative things about using the Creative Audigy cards for recording. Could this be the problem or could it be some limitation of Magix Studio 7?
Wayne I've got a few minutes before going to my last inventory of the year (yay), so I'll see if I can hit these.
Atmosphere is a synth module, or 'vst' (virtual instrument - roland term), or 'dxi' (direct x instrument - cakewalk). It has a huge (3 gig) library of sounds which can be used as is or recombined into different sounds. Everything from pads to strings to leads to very interesting evolving sounds. What plays is controlled by MIDI notes and instructions. If you don't know about MIDI this should help.
Band in a Box is a MIDI-based program which has hundreds of pre-programmed song patterns, country, rock, blues, classical, bluegrass, jazz, etc... essentially you pick a style and a bpm, type in your chords(!), set up any repeats and codas, tell it how many times to play through and hit start. You can use the instruments set for that particular style - usually guitar, piano, drums, bass, maybe some strings - or select different ones from the choices in the GM set. You can also add an audio track (vocals, or whatever). I use it to set up backing tracks for demos. Again, as with all synths, some knowledge of MIDI is helpful. Quite an amazing program for setting up demos, especially. And at a very reasonable price.
As far as your sound is concerned, the Audigy is probably not the entire problem. Just remember Creative stuff is primarily designed for playback. You won't get the higher quality mic pre's you will find in an M-audio, Terratec, Presonus, MOTU, etc.
Still, you should be able to get workable tracks from it. Record your tracks peaking at about -.5db. If you have access to a hardware compressor/limiter, use one. Software compression has it's place in mastering, but if your initial tracks are too hot or too soft, correcting it with software will only introduce more noise into your mix.
'Sparkle' is mostly the judicious use of eq. Use an equalizer to carve out sonic space for each instrument. Here and here are some good tutorials on eq.
Above all, the better quality sound going into your computer will provide you with the best material to work with. The old adage 'fix it in the mix' is a bunch of llama poo. Use of a good mixer with quiet mic pre's and a quality sound card will show in the final product.
All in the interest of better sounding home-produced music!
Hope this helps. :D
Ok, I'm off to count plumbing fittings.... bbl |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Does anybody here have the instructions sheets for Band In A Box? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Yeah . .
. . . "DON'T open the Box". |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Moody. Should be easy enough.
Try this'
Take Program box in both hands
shake box hard enough to wake up the sleeping musicians inside.
once they are awake, tell them what key your song is in, then tell them to get their butts in gear and play the damn song already. ;)
oh, I'm sorry, thats not what you wanted at all is it? :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Ok moody actually if you try this link, it'll take you to a tutorial. Hopefully it'll tell you just what you need to know.
try this
http://aitt.acadiau.ca/tutorials/Music/bandinbox/ |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Moody, did you get my email? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Yup and between the two of you, I've got it covered. Thanks very much. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Paul, got the Jerry Reed lick!
Thanks a bunch....gotta go and have a go at it now! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Waskel, thanks for taking the time to explain a few things...it is very helpful. I will look at getting a different sound card as well as some of the other things you have mentioned.
Wayne |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | You're welcome, Wayne!
Now remember, you can have more than one sound card in your system. You could get a decent card for input and leave your Audigy in for playback.
If you also have an onboard sound proc I would recommend disabling it to free up the interrupt.
Happy shopping. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Any suggestions on a BASIC (ie: "inexpensive") mixer to use for recording?
I got my system to "work" using my old Tascam 4-channel cassette as an impromptu "mixer", but it won't allow me to record subsequent tracks without monitoring the intial track in the headphones (at least not without re-recording the initial track along WITH the subsequent track). It's designed to BE a recorder, not work in conjunction WITH a recorder . . .
I was considering one of those small Behringer 4-track mixers in MF.
Any recomendations?? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I have the Berh-Euro track UB1002 and have no complaints what-so-ever. It has held up really well and sounds as good as other much "higher end" mixers i've run across. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I have a Yamaha MG10/2. Great little mixer that you can find used for around $50-75 or new for around $100. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Cliff, make sure you get one with an alt 3/4 out. Here\'s a forum discussion on why and how to set them up. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Great link.....I think I learned something new. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I read Studio Central almost every day. Some of the posters are pro engineers and some are amateurs that produce their own stuff. You can gain a lot of insight into home recording techniques there.
Good stuff. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Bongo Boy
With your great IT skills how come you haven't solved the problem of posting Angie? I wanna hear a U in action. Can you play it properly or just the Paul Simon version? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| I could have phrased that better.
Is it the original Davy Graham version? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I thought he was talking the Stones version! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I'd like to hear a cover of Bill Shatner's version. :cool: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Stephent28;
In lieu of (again) commandeering the other thread "off topic", I thought I'd tack on the answer to your question here regarding my HomeRecording situation:
The major "difficulty" that I've been faced with, is that I just don't have the necessary TIME to invest t'get things to work properly, so I'd been doing smatterings of "attempts" whenever I can steal a few minutes.
When I had initially installed the M-Audio2496 card and CubaseSE on my new Dell, and got them to "recognize" each other, I was elated!
I fumphered my way of being able to get tracks into the software and play 'em back. Before the OFC Tour, I hastily did a quick run-through of "Taxi" (for Miles) and THOUGHT that I had successfully burned it to CD . . . I was wrong. When Miles received it, it was useless.
I'd been using my Tascam 4-track tape machine as a defacto "mixer", but was unable to monitor previous tracks in the headphones while monitoring subsequent ones. Remedied that with the purchase of a Behringer UB802 mixer (fer $50, nice lil' "bit o'kit"). After everything was hooked up, I was STILL experiencing "monitoring" and "latency" problems! Last Resort: Read the f*&%ng BOOK(s)! Cubase book: ". . check with audio card documentation . ." M-Audio book: ". . refer to recording software documentation/website . ."
Spent a weekend with a music stand on my left with one book, another music stand on the right with the other book, and my workstation in the middle being called every imaginable expletive possible by yours truly . . .
That evening, on my way out to the garage to fetch a 7lb. sledge and revert back to "cassette technology", I ran into one of my neighbors who got me stoned, and I then had it all "figured out and working" in ten minutes. (I'm considering having t-shirts printed that say "Ask Me About ASIO").
Was then able to record multiple guitar/audio tracks while selectively monitoring previous tracks, add effects (some of the Cubase effects are pretty cool), but couldn't (for the life of me) accomplish the "mixdown" and burn the track to CD. Spent two hours searching the Cubase documentation (which consists of a 650-plus page .pdf document on my hard drive). After getting thoroughly frustrated, I opted for the "easy way out" . . . went to go visit my neighbor . . .
I am now able to record multiple tracks, mixdown, burn to CD, and/or rip to mp3. Joy! Rapture!! Shoulda' done this a LONG time ago!!!
This past Sat. night was our first post-Katrina gig, and I wanted to open with something befitting. Decided on Jesse Winchester's "Biloxi". My fuckwit partner (who's a child of 80's HairMetalCrap), thinks Jesse Winchester is a character from "High Noon", and doesn't even know where Biloxi IS, let alone know the song . . .
I (easily) recorded a duo guitar/vocal arrangement and ripped it to mp3. Unfortunately was unable to e-mail it to him (I'm embarassingly STILL on "dial-up :-( We DID end up doing the song, off of a quickly-scribbled arrangement on the music stand, but I can see how this has real potential for working things out over a distance, and getting some audio files posted on our website (plus the fact that NOW I can finally work on some "originals").
At this point, I'm REALLY happy with my purchase(s).
NOW . . . I gotta find a decent condenser mic . . . and (somehow) find some more TIME!!! |
|
| |
GIVE A LISTEN .....Home Recordings