Live Solo Acoustic/Vox recordings!

B

BJW

New member
So I had a gig at a local casino a few weeks ago and decided to record it via my laptop setup.

Here is my humble setup (using a MacBook pro):

Vox -> Sure beta 58a -> PreSonus FirePod -> Reaper
Acoustic Guitar (Takamine fd-360sc) -> Direct Box -> FirePod

That's it. I run a bit of reverb on both channels, little EQ and a little compression.

I mixed these with headphones really quick, so if they sound boomy (or just not right), that probably has a lot to do with it. I think there's a bit too much reverb in there, too - especially on the acoustic guitar.

What do you think?? I'm looking for comments concerning the recording and the performance itself, so fire away!

Cover of Outside by Staind - here's my take on this overdone cover. Also - please excuse me botching the first line of the song :o
Outside

Cover of Hang by Matchbox 20 - you don't hear this song very often, but I love it.
Hang
 
I listened to both clips. Seems like they were great performances.
Mix-wise, (or recording-wise), there is a good deal of clipping which manifests itself as a static coming more from the left channel at times.
On the second song, the guitar is a bit too loud.
The guitar signal sounds good, but it seems EQ'ed a little too towards the 'bright' end of the spectrum and is kind of abrasive at times.

I do like your singing and playing on both clips. A job well done. I would have sat down and watched you play had I been in the casino randomly.

As you stated, mixing with headphones caused some issues... mostly with EQ, just a tad with levels.

Good job, and congrats... a gig well performed.
 
JazzMang said:
I listened to both clips. Seems like they were great performances.
Mix-wise, (or recording-wise), there is a good deal of clipping which manifests itself as a static coming more from the left channel at times.
On the second song, the guitar is a bit too loud.
The guitar signal sounds good, but it seems EQ'ed a little too towards the 'bright' end of the spectrum and is kind of abrasive at times.

I do like your singing and playing on both clips. A job well done. I would have sat down and watched you play had I been in the casino randomly.

As you stated, mixing with headphones caused some issues... mostly with EQ, just a tad with levels.

Good job, and congrats... a gig well performed.
Click to expand...

Hmm - sorry about the clipping - I'll have to take care of that. I didn't really spend a lot of time mixing it or anything - careless on my part.

Thanks for the compliments!
 
I listened to "outside" last night just on some headphones on my laptop - I didn't hear any clipping.

I'll go have a look at the Reaper file - see if it clips out anywhere.

:confused:
 
Brian - great performance for live.

Not getting any clipping. But I'm getting a bit of pressure from the compressor? every once of a while on the guitar when you stop strumming. Hard to explain, really.

Vocals sound brighter than I expect for a non-condensor (good thing). You have great mic style either that or the compressor is working overtime!

Guitar sounds nice - rings nicely.

I think the compressor might be a bit high overall but it gives it a modern sound...

Again, great performance.....love your work man...

:) :D :) :D
 
ido1957 said:
Brian - great performance for live.

Not getting any clipping. But I'm getting a bit of pressure from the compressor? every once of a while on the guitar when you stop strumming. Hard to explain, really.

Vocals sound brighter than I expect for a non-condensor (good thing). You have great mic style either that or the compressor is working overtime!

Guitar sounds nice - rings nicely.

I think the compressor might be a bit high overall but it gives it a modern sound...

Again, great performance.....love your work man...

:) :D :) :D
Click to expand...

Thanks!!

Yeah, I've got a little multi-band compression on the master track - I really debated putting it on, and I think it sounded better (more "live" and natural) without it.

The brightness is mostly in the mic - the beta 58a is just perfect for my voice. I guess I sort of "work" it a lot - moving into and out of it while I sing, if that makes sense. I sing a lot in my church, and I always feel sorry for whoever sings in the mic I use the week after I do - I get up close and personal with those things.

Thanks again for listening!
 
ido1957 said:
Brian - great performance for live.

Not getting any clipping. But I'm getting a bit of pressure from the compressor? every once of a while on the guitar when you stop strumming. Hard to explain, really.
Click to expand...

The clipping is there. It is slight, but there. Check 1:31 into 'Outside' listen carefully to the vocal timbre.

Its there.
 
JazzMang said:
The clipping is there. It is slight, but there. Check 1:31 into 'Outside' listen carefully to the vocal timbre.

Its there.
Click to expand...

Will do - thanks for the heads up about where to look, too.
 
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