View Single Post
Old Jul 13, 2005, 02:36 AM   #6 (permalink)
Maddogg6
Tail Razer
 
Maddogg6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA
Posts: 3,668
Maddogg6 will become famous soon enough

Was there a problem with my site?

Anyway, in order to get stereo imaging, you need to record/mix with stereo in mind.

this *can* be done in 2 tracks when recording a live performance. Basically depends on mic placement, BUT - because of the high volumes involved in the usual small space, its pretty hard (read almost impossible).

Its best each instrumnet is mic'd

The only real tips to be had will depend on your system and what you have available.

But here are some things that CAN be done with minimal mics

Take the recording you have and RE-RECORD all parts into seperate tracks while the player plays along in headphones. Record dry (no effects if possible) and re-mix.

For guitars - I use a Johnson amplification J-Station - was only $150 US and sounds great when plugged right (DI) into the sound card. No Mics. Many will say micing a good amp and using such and such mic is a must, I find it easier to get along with myself compared to a good punchy bass tone.

Bass guitars (IMHO) sound best miced AND DI (direct injection = plugged in directly) but depends on equipment and taste. I programmed mine. a little stereo chorus can add some dimension.

Drums are trickier - *usually* youd mic the snare, the bass drum, and 2 (or more) mics to capture the stereo image from toms and cymbles. Again - taste and equipment dictate. I program mine. If you only have 2 mics (2 LD Condensors are best) you can just play around with placement or yet again over dub another track of just the snare and one for the bass drum.

Vocals - a good condensor - the best you can get your hands on. LARGE DIAPHRAM. - get 2 to get the drum stereo image above. But even the $100 musicians friend special is better than a dynamic. Add SOME stereo chorus and a LITTLE reverb, just enough to get the steril mono turned into some stereo. Vocals have ALWAYS been my biggest headache, maybe Im too picky - but its one reason why there are no vaocal on my stuff.

Biggest mistake are - too much reverb.

OR

Just put a mic in front of all the amps and drums and mix (use the panning on the channels to get a sound/stereo image you llike or best you can get)
Mixed into stereo and into the sound card.

There are literally volumes written on this very subject so Ill vnever be able to summorize in a forum post. The sky is the limit and what works for me may not for you. ALOT is trial and error, but some direction as a starting point may help.

Bottom line is - if your serious about your music, be serious about the equipment. BUT, I do have to say your sound quality (even tho its in mono) is better than a lot that Ive heard from many so-called professionals (listen/look at some of the bands on myspace.com)
So, i wouldn't panic or anything either. I know how money doesn't grow on trees, but good quality will cost you whether its in a studio or at home.

Also, the demos as is are good enough for demos. I wouldn't 'sell' them tracks the way they are - or at least if I were to have paid for em, Id feel slightly well... lets just say 'rectal muscles would contract'. :P
Maddogg6 is offline   Reply With Quote