How to start

[neuwirth]

I recently was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a Boss BR-8 and an Alesis SR-16 drum machine. Now I seem to have this steep learning curve, and I am not sure where to start. Obviously, I have a lot of reading and listening to do, but I would like to get my hands on the gear, too. I have tried recording my voice and guitar, but how do I start recording a full song? Drums first? And how do I get a drum pattern that fits what I want, complete with the fills and all? I am lost, HELP!!!

[Hard2Hear]

Use the search function at the upper right and do a search using the names of the gear you are using. I think you'll find alot using Boss BR-8. Start there and then come back if you have more questions.

Oh, and read the manuals first. You won't believe what you will know when you're finished.

H2H

[neuwirth]

H2H - Thanks for the reply. I have been into the manuals, but what I guess I am looking for is some kind of tutorial about how to actually use these things, more of a procedural thing than a reference guide. I just got the "Home Recording for Musicians" book, so maybe that will help. I would appreciate any suggestions, though. Thanks!

[c7sus]

Does the Boss have a built-in metronome function? If it does I would just start out playing along with the metronome. Playing IN TIME can be a bit challenging if you haven't been into playing with a rock-solid timekeeper. Then, after you have laid down guitar that's in time, you can add little drum lines, and maybe learn a bit about sequencing drums at the same time.

Another way to get a metronome function is to record a click track onto the Boss using the high-hat in 3/4, 4/4 or whatever time your tune is, at a set beat per minute. 100 bpm is a good place to start. Then try playing your guitar along with the click track.

The cool thing about a metronome is you can emphasize the first beat in each measure so you can clearly hear the 'one' beat. You could also program to do this by playing the first beat louder, then make a loop of the measure, and lay that into the Boss.

This isn't real scientific or anything, but it is hands on.

Another thing is, just lay down rough tracks at first. Everything doesn't have to be perfect. You just want to learn your way around the Boss. Once you have some tracks and more of an idea of what you want things to sound like then you can get further into the edit functions. Looping, cutting and pasting, FX, all that stuff.

Most of all just relax and enjoy.

[neuwirth]

Thanks, C7sus. Is this your favorite chord? :-)
This is more what I was looking for, just general procedural help. I think I'm trying to do too much too soon, before I really have my feet wet. Again, thanks!

[PannyDeters]

Hey, I don't come to this page real often (it goes in spurts) but I love helping people out with recording, so if you have any questions feel free to email me at PannyDeters@hotmail.com

[computerpizz]

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