I have some questions about tequnique. I'm trying to make near-studio quality recordings of about 10 songs of mine, and after making test recordings of all of them, noting what seemed to work and not work, and getting some new equipment (a drum machine for perfect rythm, and clearer definition of rythm tracks, an FX processor for some smooth reverb to blend the vocal tracks into the mix better) I think I'm finally ready to lay down the final versions of everything. But before diving into this final stage of the project, there was one detail about the test recs that I may not have the knowhow (or the technology) to remedy. I notice that on studio recordings, no matter how simple/complex a song tends to be, they have a way of making the sound really fill the headphones or the space around the speakers, and really immersing the listener INTO the song. On my finished recordings, although most of the music itself was satisfactory, I couldn't help but feel sort of detatched from the full 'sonic aura'. The recordings as a whole sounded flat as compared to professional tracks, despite the use of effects, such as reverb, chorus, etc.
I was wondering if there are any tricks, or simple techniques I could employ WHILE recording that would make the finished product sound more rich, full and engaging. I don't have the money to buy any more fancy tech, but I have had some thoughts on what might work. I am looking for some advice or input BEFORE I start recording, find out that I screwed it up, and have to do everything over AGAIN.
One idea was simply employing the FX processor a little more. Just adding slight reverb to instruments as WELL as vocals. I use accoustic guitar mainly for rythm on all the tracks. So instead of just recording the natural sound, which may end up kind of flat, if I add a touch of reverb behind the instruments, perhaps all will blend a little nicer, and the overall sound would be beefed up. I tend to notice this teqnique on a lot of recordings. Even some of the most purely 'accoustic' artists have SOME touch of reverb on the guitars to give it that 'studio ambiance'.
Another thought I gathered, listening especially to some Beatles recordings, was to pan different instruments to the left or right of the stereo, rather than recording everything 'down the middle'. Often, the rythm accoustic will play in the left speaker, strumming a few chords to get the song going, and then bass would pop up in the right speaker, lead guitar in the left, drums on right, and vocals eventually smack in the middle. The teqnique provides a nice effect, but does this also give the audio illusion of a 'Band' playing, with the different players on either side of the listener? Would panning individual instruments make the listener feel more surrounded by the music, rather than just listening to all the sound coming straight from the center? These are just thoughts I've had, but are wary to try before I can get some sage advice. Perhaps with my limited technology, I simply can't reproduce that full studio sound. If that's the case, then give it to me straight, and I'll do the best I can with what I have. But if you can give me any tips as to how to improve the overall ambiance of a recording, I'd be very greatful.
I'm using a Yamaha MD4s minidisk recorder, and the main components of the music are primarily accoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, drums, vocals, backup vocals. Thanks in advance for any help, and my apologies for being so long winded!
I was wondering if there are any tricks, or simple techniques I could employ WHILE recording that would make the finished product sound more rich, full and engaging. I don't have the money to buy any more fancy tech, but I have had some thoughts on what might work. I am looking for some advice or input BEFORE I start recording, find out that I screwed it up, and have to do everything over AGAIN.
One idea was simply employing the FX processor a little more. Just adding slight reverb to instruments as WELL as vocals. I use accoustic guitar mainly for rythm on all the tracks. So instead of just recording the natural sound, which may end up kind of flat, if I add a touch of reverb behind the instruments, perhaps all will blend a little nicer, and the overall sound would be beefed up. I tend to notice this teqnique on a lot of recordings. Even some of the most purely 'accoustic' artists have SOME touch of reverb on the guitars to give it that 'studio ambiance'.
Another thought I gathered, listening especially to some Beatles recordings, was to pan different instruments to the left or right of the stereo, rather than recording everything 'down the middle'. Often, the rythm accoustic will play in the left speaker, strumming a few chords to get the song going, and then bass would pop up in the right speaker, lead guitar in the left, drums on right, and vocals eventually smack in the middle. The teqnique provides a nice effect, but does this also give the audio illusion of a 'Band' playing, with the different players on either side of the listener? Would panning individual instruments make the listener feel more surrounded by the music, rather than just listening to all the sound coming straight from the center? These are just thoughts I've had, but are wary to try before I can get some sage advice. Perhaps with my limited technology, I simply can't reproduce that full studio sound. If that's the case, then give it to me straight, and I'll do the best I can with what I have. But if you can give me any tips as to how to improve the overall ambiance of a recording, I'd be very greatful.
I'm using a Yamaha MD4s minidisk recorder, and the main components of the music are primarily accoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, drums, vocals, backup vocals. Thanks in advance for any help, and my apologies for being so long winded!
