4 track recording methods

[Cooperman]

Here is my formula for recording on a 4 track:

I record drums on Tr1, bass on Tr2 and one rhythm guitar track on Tr3. I then bounce these over to Tr4. I re-record the rhythm guitar track on Tr2 and then bounce the drums and the new rhythm guitar track onto Tr3. I believe it is important to re-record the rhythm guitar track because just bouncing the original doesn't make it sound as if the are actually two guitar's playing, but rather one guitar panned left and right. When I do a final mix down these get panned hard left and hard right so that drums appear in the middle, bass on one side and two individual guitar tracks left and right. I then have Tr1&2 for Lead guitar and Vocals.

This method I believe is the best because it is extremely flexible. When there is no lead guitar parts you can do back up vocals on the spare track and when there are no vocals you can do duel lead harmony guitar stuff. At final mix down you can control the main vocals and back up vocals easily and with the two lead guitar bits they can be panned left and right.

Any other methods or comments?

Cooperman

P.S. For all those bass players out there ready to hunt me down for having the bass only on one side of the stereo spectrum, I apologize. As you can tell I am probably a guitarist and I love layering guitar tracks.

 

[Dom Franco]

Using your same basic method;
If you bounce both bass and drums while recording your second guitar part, you would end up with bass and drums left and right and the two guitar parts stereo.

Of course you have to get it right in one take! Providing that your machine has the capabilities of mixing "live " parts with "tape" tracks during transfers.

Dom Franco

 

[Cooperman]

Well yeah, that's why I don't do that because you have to get it in one take, and I am the kind of person who will keep re- recording a guitar track until it is absolutely perfect.

Who really cares other than the bass player that the bass is only one side anyway! (Damn, there I go again slagging off bass players - anyone not knowing better who reads this are gonna think that there is something inherently wrong with bass players... right )

 

[Dom Franco]

I'm not really a Bass player, but it would bother me to have it only on one side.

I think I would almost rather have the basic track all Mono, just to keep the bass centered. Just my oppinion... keep on
having fun.

Dom Franco