Recording Secrets - Please Share Yours...

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Hellhoundsonme
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:15 am

Recording Secrets - Please Share Yours...

Post by Hellhoundsonme »

I have heard some high quality recordings on this site. You folks have made me so ashamed of my own.

Can you please talk about your recording techniques? Do you use Reaper or some other software?

Thanks in advance.
fenson
Posts: 372
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 2:18 pm

Re: Recording Secrets - Please Share Yours...

Post by fenson »

Keep your secrets secrets :rofl:

Many Tutorials over the net... eventually too much...
My answer to your previous post: https://12bar.de/community/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3971 points out some of mine :D

A computer with a good amount of ram
A good built in soundcard + a good external soundcard
Good microphones (Shure mics are probably the best choice to record electric guitars (price/perf))
Good cables (both cables and connectors are to be considered a whole)
Good headphones (take of your ears)
Good control monitors (dry ones like Yamaha NS10 + those you use with your home HiFi system)

I'm do not use Windows, never did nor I will... :cool:
Did use Macintosh long time ago, but move to Linux around 2005, I'm now running AVLinux that I consider
the very best Linux Distro for home studio. It comes with all the best softwares around to make music.
Ardour, Audacity, Tuxguitar, Musescore, Hydrogen Drum Machine, Qsynth are those I'm daily using :banana:

Funny is that I run Linux on both my Macintosh hardware and my Asus laptop... :lol:
Vive the Free Foundation Software and the Open Sources community! :beer:

One link you might find interesting keeping in mind "simplest is always the best":
https://youtu.be/pkrrdkDSZCo

Hope this helps
"Don't be afraid by wrong notes, it doesn't exist" Miles Davis.
Hellhoundsonme
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:15 am

Re: Recording Secrets - Please Share Yours...

Post by Hellhoundsonme »

Again, Thanks.

You and others have shamed me into working harder to get a good, quality recording of my playing instead of just throwing something out there. I am starting out with my digital recorder and a mic'ed amp, instead of going straight in.

You have also got me working on my hybrid picking again. It would be nice to develop both although it is a little late in the game for me. Now where did I put that hybrid picking book...
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VikingBlues
Posts: 4466
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:44 pm

Re: Recording Secrets - Please Share Yours...

Post by VikingBlues »

I sort of have have two different recording setups / routines for acoustic and for electric.

The DAW is the same for both - I've settled on Magix Samplitude Music Studio software, because it was the only one of several DAWs I tried that would work properly under Windows Vista on a laptop that combined with Vista in a way to make recording music almost impossible. Now I've got used to the DAW I still use it under Windows 7. I did try Reaper but didn't find it intuitive enough and I lost the will to try to learn more.

I have a USB interface, an Alesis i02, which is fairly basic, but again I got it (finally) to work with Win Vista. I've tried a couple of other interfaces but one was problematic and then started giving off a burning smell, and the other upset all my software settings. I'd quite fancy getting an interface with higher quality preamps, but I don't fancy the effort needed to get it working and the risk in an expensive piece of gear turning out incompatible.

A lot of my acoustic recordings avoid using the interface and the DAW as far as the recording process goes, though the DAW will be used for editing. The recording itself being made with a Zoom H4n portable recorder. Often I'll use the H4ns own internal microphones, but sometimes will use a pair of Avantome CK-1 small diaphragm condenser microphones. If I record acoustic through the interface and DAW I'll use the Avantones. Great microphones for acoustic guitar, and I have different microphones for vocals and amplifier.

For electric guitar ideally I'd mic up the amps speaker (with two microphones), but in practice noise levels and living in a flat mean it's not possible. In which case it's either the line out from the amp, with the speaker volume being attenuated, or it's the Vox Tonelab LE, plugged into the interface. While I was playing a lot of electric guitar I did try quite a few bigger more complex digital multi-track recorders but my constant need to refer to a manual with those was a huge negative. The ability see see the recording graphically on a computer screen makes everything so much easier.

I totally understand Fenson's point about avoiding Windows. :D
It's not really an operating system that is geared towards music making.
It's interesting to see that where a business that sells computers specialises in those for music making customers, the way they're set up make the machines priced around the same level as a Mac.
An improv a day keeps the demons at bay!
Hellhoundsonme
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:15 am

Re: Recording Secrets - Please Share Yours...

Post by Hellhoundsonme »

Thank you, VikingBlues.

I have taken note of all the great tips given. It really is a struggle with no one around to give assistance.

Last year I bought Reaper and a focusrite interface unit. After many agonizing hours, I gave up and went back to Boss Digital Recorder. I plan to mic a Fender Super Champ XD amplifier and see if the Boss MicroBr can make a recording that is not quite so whiny and nasal.

If possible, I will post the recording this weekend, if time permits.
mjo
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 4:36 pm

Re: Recording Secrets - Please Share Yours...

Post by mjo »

OK, this is good ! Thanks peeps !
I got Logix with my Mac, but by the time I got around to trying it, I'd upgraded my OS and ..poof.. no more Logix...

I have to check out Linux now. I've heard great things, but this the first time someone mentions it for recording.

I swear, one day I'll be able to post some music here .. *bangs fist on table* ... I didn't see an icon for that :D

-best,
Mike
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VikingBlues
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Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:44 pm

Re: Recording Secrets - Please Share Yours...

Post by VikingBlues »

Hellhoundsonme wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2018 9:43 pm Thank you, VikingBlues.

I have taken note of all the great tips given. It really is a struggle with no one around to give assistance.

Last year I bought Reaper and a focusrite interface unit. After many agonizing hours, I gave up and went back to Boss Digital Recorder. I plan to mic a Fender Super Champ XD amplifier and see if the Boss MicroBr can make a recording that is not quite so whiny and nasal.

If possible, I will post the recording this weekend, if time permits.
Ah - another Super Champ XD user - glad to see it!
I've been amazed with the SCXD how good it is and also how good the direct out signal can be, especially if I use the Weber Micro Mass to attenuate the speaker volume down while I crank the input level up.
I had a Super Champ XD that went wrong under warranty and as the model was out of production I was given a new Super Champ X2 at no charge by Fender. Within a month I'd sold the X2 and bought a used Super Champ XD! So I guess it's safe to say I like the amp!

Focusrite has been one of the interface brands I've wondered about so many times. Good choice from what I've seen, heard, and read.

You're right - it is a struggle to sort out the recording system, and it doesn't help that everyone will have different elements in their overall setup. So you can never be sure that the particular part of it they like will work in your own set up.

Good luck! :thumbsup: :fingerscrossed:
An improv a day keeps the demons at bay!
Hellhoundsonme
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:15 am

Re: Recording Secrets - Please Share Yours...

Post by Hellhoundsonme »

VikingBlues wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2018 11:47 pm
Hellhoundsonme wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2018 9:43 pm Thank you, VikingBlues.

I have taken note of all the great tips given. It really is a struggle with no one around to give assistance.

Last year I bought Reaper and a focusrite interface unit. After many agonizing hours, I gave up and went back to Boss Digital Recorder. I plan to mic a Fender Super Champ XD amplifier and see if the Boss MicroBr can make a recording that is not quite so whiny and nasal.

If possible, I will post the recording this weekend, if time permits.
Ah - another Super Champ XD user - glad to see it!
I've been amazed with the SCXD how good it is and also how good the direct out signal can be, especially if I use the Weber Micro Mass to attenuate the speaker volume down while I crank the input level up.
I had a Super Champ XD that went wrong under warranty and as the model was out of production I was given a new Super Champ X2 at no charge by Fender. Within a month I'd sold the X2 and bought a used Super Champ XD! So I guess it's safe to say I like the amp!

Focusrite has been one of the interface brands I've wondered about so many times. Good choice from what I've seen, heard, and read.

You're right - it is a struggle to sort out the recording system, and it doesn't help that everyone will have different elements in their overall setup. So you can never be sure that the particular part of it they like will work in your own set up.

Good luck! :thumbsup: :fingerscrossed:
Thanks for letting me know I am not completely off base when I say that the Super Champ XD is one heck of an amp. I have never tried the line out for recording. Your post has prompted me to give it a try this weekend, along with micing the amp.

This is what I like about forums. At their best, they can spur a person on and give great ideas.
fenson
Posts: 372
Joined: Thu May 07, 2015 2:18 pm

Re: Recording Secrets - Please Share Yours...

Post by fenson »

mjo wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2018 11:45 pm I have to check out Linux now. I've heard great things, but this the first time someone mentions it for recording.
...
Mention Linux for the first day I join here!
I always mention Linux, FFS, Brave GNU World... and always will :cool:
Feel free to ask for tips & tricks 'bout Linux, you'll be very welcome ever !
"Don't be afraid by wrong notes, it doesn't exist" Miles Davis.
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