Last Minute Studio Help

[jeliot86]

Noob recording artist hear, well noob ARTIST in general. My bands in the middle of a month of recording, just finishing up the scratch tracks this week. So its crunch time and unfortunately don't have a lot of trial and error time. So I though I would start this thread so I could throw out all my gear a let you pro's.......laugh at it and then give me your opinion on the best usage. Mostly I'm looking for help with which mic's to use where. I have a plethora of middle of the road mics and am lost as to what mic to use where and to pre amp and where I can get away with using my Allen and Heath Mixer's pre's.

So Here it is

Mics

MXL 990 ....Large Condensor
MXL 991 ....Diaphram
Rode NT1-A..... Condensor I think
CAD KMB 412....currently on the kick not sure I like it
CAD E-100....been using for vocals/acoustic
2 Shure Bet 58a (our live mic's)
2 Nady DM60's and 1 Nady DM80 (currently mounted to the 3 Toms)
Electrovoice RE20 my secret weapon for my bass cab maybe for the kick

Compresor

Alesis 3630 2 ch
and one on my TC M350 vocal processor if I need a 3rd compressor in the chain before the recorder when recording all 8 drum mic's (Motu 828)

Pre amps

Avalon U5
Presonus MP20 w/ jenson transformers

Software
Cakewalk w/ variety of average plugins

and FINALLY A LOT of TIME.........I'm milking it now...... I get married in JULY!

My band is Vocal and Acoustic Heavy and Really I'm just looking for help with anything you guys are willing to dish out. I know my topic is a LITTLE VAGUE but I'm hoping the most important things will get throw out there

Thanks a million.

P.S. I'll be on till JULY!

[2000Z28M6]

I'll just say I'm no pro but I got flammed for just saying and typing 3630...

Apparently this is the worst compressor you can get...

But IMO, as long as you know of it's faults you can still use it at your advantage.

According to many here the 3630 is very breathy and unmusical compressor. So just be careful with it, I have one and I can see how it likes to pump and throb when applying alot of compression.

Honestly I like using it thru my mixers line in/out input to help boost the DI bass signal a few dbs before It goes to the card.

I set it up very lightly thres -12, ratio a lil over 1.1, RMS mode, output till you see good levels, I go pretty heavy on the output. it's cranked at the 3 oclock area.

Since you say your band is acoustic heavy I would say my biggest advice is to monitor thru headphones your acoustic levels until you are happy with the mic placement in regards to the acoustic.

Obviously here you would want to use your condensers, you can experiment with stereo mic'ing but due note acoustic guitars usually always require a high pass filter in post processing to loose some of the low end boom. I usually start around 75Hz and sweep to the right until you get something appropriate relative to the song.

In doing so you will allow yourself the ability to layer the guitars with at least 3 different EQ settings. I've been playing around with 3 EQs, first normal, second Hi Pass and bright, third hi pass and midrange happy. Mix and Pan until you get something nice and thick.

Vocals wooh....hard to say without hearing you singer.

Maybe the veterans here can add and or correct me... GOod lUck

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Question #1: What is the main purpose of your recordings?

G.

[Yonce N Mild]

Use that MXL 991 on the snare. I love that thing as a snare mic.

[jeliot86]

Thanks for the info. I know about the 3630's rough reputation and actually the only reason I have it is for my bass rig. I was hoping it would work well for limiting the kick and snare a little before (or is it after..hmm) the pre amp and recorder.
I was hoping if its needed to compress/limit the vocal with the TC electronics compressor a little before the recorder.

My brother is the lead singer and has no balls what so ever. He has a type of John Mayer, Dave Matthews type of voice.

My dad also sings (mostly the old school Neil Young, Tom petty we do) he freaking blows out my mixer's pre's every time we play live.

Thanks again for the info

[jeliot86]

We are recording 5 originals to put out on myspace, and see what kind of response we get. And we are doing 5 covers to pitch to bars ect........

Covers
Run Around - Blues Traveler
All for You - Sister Hazel
Real World - Matchbox 20
Till I hear it From You - Gin Blossoms

Maybe a bit more info then you needed but could be relavent

[jeliot86]

The MXL 991 is being used for the snare right now and your right its awesome. To tell you the truth When I was messing around a little with the scratch track I ended up almost eliminating the top snare's top mic from the mix completely the sound of the 991 as a bottome snare mic is great