General Music Chat

A lot of people complain about the lack of audio files on Bandmix/MySpace/Whatever. Some people say things like, "If there's no audio, I won't even contact the person."

I think there is a good reason a lot of people don't have audio: they don't have the equipment to record themselves. I know I certainly don't have the equipment. And recording equipment seems to be very expensive.

I've recorded our band at rehearsal before with a video camera. Not my idea of "quality" if you know what I mean. If you've ever done this before you know how bad it sounds. You think I'm putting that up on Bandmix? No way.

So what I want to ask you folks is: What's the best way to record myself and/or my band with the minimum amount of money spend? What equipment do I need to get the job done, and how much would it cost? What tools/hardware/software do you prefer?

I've got an SM57 and our band has a P.A. system. We can mike every instrument.

Okay gang - Shoot To Thrill.

This is what I use man:

http://xrl.us/beo9db

Check out the song "check your behavior" on my profile. It works great.

I've got an SM57 and our band has a P.A. system. We can mike every instrument.

What kind of PA mixer do you use?

Well, there's always the old multi-track recorder. There are a lot of digital units on the market that aren't terribly expensive and give a decent recording quality. Several units are available from Tascam, Belkin, and Boss for around $200 - $250, and if everyone in the band is able to chip in a little, it won't be too big of a hit to the wallet. If you already have PA, you can run your mix from your board to either to the bus channels, L/R, or main out, and run that signal to the multi-track. If you have a little more in your budget to spend, many studios (in my area anyway) are offering blocks of time at discounted rates. You may be able to get an 8-10 hr day of recording, mixing, mastering (1-2 songs) for under $1000.

This is what I use man:

http://xrl.us/beo9db

Check out the song "check your behavior" on my profile. It works great.

Thanks Shredd6. That's the kind of info I'm looking for. That track sounds really good; I wouldn't have expected that kind of sound quality from something in that price range.

I've got an SM57 and our band has a P.A. system. We can mike every instrument.

What kind of PA mixer do you use?

This is it I think. It's my drummers; I don't pay much attention to it hehe. But I'm pretty certain this is the one.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Kustom-PA-KPM8420-PA-Package?sku=630544

This probably will not help unless you have one or know someone that has one? I used a Reel 2 real some years back and boy was that thing amazing and crystal clear.

It won't help in the final mixing stage but if you can output from a source you can get pretty much the whole thing on one of these. When I have the money I'll get another to tinker with.

You might get lucky and know someone who has one and who thinks its just trash which of course it isn't.

Well, there's always the old multi-track recorder. There are a lot of digital units on the market that aren't terribly expensive and give a decent recording quality. Several units are available from Tascam, Belkin, and Boss for around $200 - $250, and if everyone in the band is able to chip in a little, it won't be too big of a hit to the wallet. If you already have PA, you can run your mix from your board to either to the bus channels, L/R, or main out, and run that signal to the multi-track.

+1000000

I have a cheap tascam 8-track digital, cheap drum machine, cheap keys, and can record whenever and whatever I want.

Ive got a Roland VS1680.

I bought it new a few years ago, but units like it show up on craigslist and ebay all the time for great prices.

If you are actively playing and trying to get something together musically, you really need stuff recorded somewhere for folks to hear what youve got.

I dont think there is any excuse, beg borrow steal well dont steal but get some of your stuff recorded. Even if its only a couple of short parts of songs.

OK, it's a Kustom 8420 powered head. It has left and right record out. So all you really need for basic recording is an RCA to 1/8" stereo cable and your computer with a decent sound card (with mic in or aux in) and a wav file editor/recorder. And you'll need someone with basic mixing skills and someone (could be the same person) that can figure out the wav file editor/recorder software (Audacity can be downloaded for free). Run the cable from the RCA record out on the back of the PA head, into the 1/8"stereo aux in on your soundcard. Hook a CD player up to the PA to send signal (easier than holding a mic and saying "Check, check" over and over). Have the PA volume set to zero to begin with and with the software program in the record mode, start bringing up the PA volume to see if you are getting signal to the program (it will have record meters). Mic the drums with, say, a kick drum mic, and an overhead mic. Have your drummer play while you bring up those two channels until you have good signal on the recording meters. Don't try to get it too close to being in the red. As you add more instruments, it will add more volume. Then plug in the bass and check it. Then mic the instruments, vocals and so on until all is getting signal and you stay out of the red. Just play a little bit of the song with all the parts going (maybe just the first verse) while recording it. Play it back on the PC and listen to the mix. It'll be hit and miss for a while until you get the desired sound and mix.
This is just the absolute cheapest way to get a recording with what you have. Later you will probably want to get into multitrack recording. If you have any questions, contact me here on bandmix or ratsass@ratsass101.com and I'll be glad to help.

Ive been getting a lot of e-mail from sam ash and musicians friend who has always been real good to deal with especially when it comes to returning something that didnt meet my expectations. Sam sent me a note about a sale they are having on recording equipment and I seen the same mixer from the other post for 119.00 brand new. They had one alesis 8 trac recorder that seemed really great for 149.00 that also records to I pods or your computer with provided cubebase software. Hell it even has effects and drums. Ive been looking for something myself and havent made my mind up yet but I want something I can do some mixed recordings of just myself In my home or easily carry off to the practice studio and come off one of the busses of my 32 channel mixer. The biggest problem I always have is converting the files from wav to mp-3 and getting something I can live with. Im by no way an expert at anything other than plumbing and gas , but Im learning a lot as time lets me. Ill be watching this post to see what the other guys say cause Im in the market also . Wish you a lot of luck.


Its just another day in Paradise !!!

http://www.shuangsoft.com/

Thanks Shredd6. That's the kind of info I'm looking for. That track sounds really good; I wouldn't have expected that kind of sound quality from something in that price range.

I didn't expect it either when I bought it. But it comes with Cubase which has 25 tracks, each track can be eq'd after the fact, 2 assignable effects after the fact (per track), pro-tools type editing (copy,paste, vol. leveling, etc..), audio fade in or out, punch in, reverse, 25-track final mixing (mono/stereo), file conversion to mp3, etc.. It just goes on and on. And that's just the Cubase. The mixer has plenty of features of it's own. The things you can do with it for $150 is pretty extensive. Best $150 I ever spent.

Cubase is excellent.
Especially given my smaller and compact system. Folks should try a demo sometime and get a feel for it.

Any bundle coming with this will not harm your music in any way.

Cheers.

Chippy.

We went to a professional studio. We knew exactly which songs and how we wanted each recorded. I talked with a number of different studio owners and the one I chose didn't try and sell me a "package" deal. I told him the instruments we had, what kind of music we play, and he told me that he should be able to record six tunes in under fifteen hours. It turned out to be seven tunes in thirteen hours. If you buy the right equipment and learn how to use it you might end up with what you need. If you go to the right pro studio you most likely will get what you need. Hopefully your band members would be happy to split the cost with you. Good luck...