Better to start out simple?

[mellotron]

I'm finding that having to use a computer for recording is taking away from my inspiration. I'm not sure if it's the fact that it's a hassle when I need to move all my stuff when I record piano or if it's just that I've run out of song ideas.

I wish I started out with a really basic analog four-track instead of going the Firebox with Cubase route. I basically figured that I already have a computer, might as well use it, plus I would probably upgrade to a computer-based setup eventually.

Maybe there's just something about not using a device meant solely for music creation that I can't get over. I think have to worry about too many variables, like MIDI quantization and which plugins to use. And coming from a classical background, I've only ever had to worry about only the music.

Anyone else feel the same way, that they should've started out simple so they'd be more willing to hone their music-making ideas rather than worrying about what the sound quality would be like?

 

[XLR]

Yes, better to start out simple. But using a computer for recording can be very simple.

I have a studio desktop system and a portable laptop rig. The laptop is quicker and easier to use than my old analog 4track. Goes anywhere and records on battery power. And it takes no maintenance to keep sounding good.

Probably depends on the software you use too. Reaper's very simple.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

I think have to worry about too many variables, like MIDI quantization and which plugins to use. And coming from a classical background, I've only ever had to worry about only the music.

That's all you should worry about, is the music. The medium you record to is relatively irrelevant in comparison. Look at it this way:

If you had something like a portastudio instead, you'd still have the same MIDI issues because you'd still have the same MIDI instruments. In fact, there are plenty of dedicated recorders that can't handle MIDI at all. Have you considered just recording the audio output from a MIDI device instead of recording the MIDI itself? That's what you'd be doing with an analog 4-track.

And as far as the plug-ins, forget 'em. Here again, you have nothing like that on most Portastudios. Though some are including their own digital effects now, they are often harder to work and pale in quality comparison to many plug-ins. Just record your stuff as cleanly and with as good a performance as you can practice up to muster. Screw the plug-ins. They are not anywhere near what they are cracked up to be.

Concentrate on the music. That's not only what you want, that's what will give you the best results. Just hit that big red button and start playing. Keep it simple and let the performance do the talking.

G.

 

[avieth]

It's not too late. You can pick up a 4-track cassette from eBay or local classifieds for a really low price. You can't go wrong with a Tascam cassette portastudio. It'll always be a good device to have.

 

[gecko zzed]

I'm finding that having to use a computer for recording is taking away from my inspiration. I'm not sure if it's the fact that it's a hassle when I need to move all my stuff when I record piano or if it's just that I've run out of song ideas.

I wish I started out with a really basic analog four-track instead of going the Firebox with Cubase route. I basically figured that I already have a computer, might as well use it, plus I would probably upgrade to a computer-based setup eventually.

Maybe there's just something about not using a device meant solely for music creation that I can't get over. I think have to worry about too many variables, like MIDI quantization and which plugins to use. And coming from a classical background, I've only ever had to worry about only the music.

Anyone else feel the same way, that they should've started out simple so they'd be more willing to hone their music-making ideas rather than worrying about what the sound quality would be like?

Well . . . sure . . . it is always better to start out simple. But: boiling an egg is simple; making a three course meal not so. So if you want to progress for breakfast to cordon bleu, either you have to be prepared to master the skills needed, or get someone else to (and concentrate on your music).

Both PC and stand alone systems have their complexities which need to be surmounted before they become simple. It is possible to arrange your work area in such a way that some of the complexities are hidden. For example, setting it up so that everything is always set to go, so that all you do is load up your application, hit record, and off you go.

You need to shift your gear to record your piano? Can you relocate the piano, or relocate the gear so that you don't have this problem? Can you get a keyboard to leave coupled to the system. If you are working with MIDI, you can use any keyboard to drive it.

 

[_brian_]

Pc Daw, Oh Naw

I'm finding that having to use a computer for recording is taking away from my inspiration. I'm not sure if it's the fact that it's a hassle when I need to move all my stuff when I record piano or if it's just that I've run out of song ideas.

I wish I started out with a really basic analog four-track instead of going the Firebox with Cubase route. I basically figured that I already have a computer, might as well use it, plus I would probably upgrade to a computer-based setup eventually.

Maybe there's just something about not using a device meant solely for music creation that I can't get over. I think have to worry about too many variables, like MIDI quantization and which plugins to use. And coming from a classical background, I've only ever had to worry about only the music.

Anyone else feel the same way, that they should've started out simple so they'd be more willing to hone their music-making ideas rather than worrying about what the sound quality would be like?

One of the best things about analog is that you stop wasting time *thinking* about "how am I going to do this" and actually start doing it. You're limited in what you can do & when songwriting I find this to be a great asset. You're better using a portastudio to get ideas down, think of it like a sketch pad. Then if you want you can finalize everything on your PC. I can record on a portastudio, my PC, my D-90 hard disk recorder or my R8 reel to reel. I use my portastudio for small snippets of ideas, the D90 to work on arrangment and to really finalize a song and I then (once i've rehearsed everything and am happy ) will record everything on my R8. I used to use my PC for everything, once I got into using dedicated equipment >analog or digital< (before any arguments errupt) I couldn't believe how much time I had wasted & how much fun had been ripped from me by not throwing the pc to the side quicker.

PS Maintenance on any analogue equipment consists of a quick clean with a swab & demagnetizing, two minutes tops (almost as much time it takes a computer to load up with your software, creating session files, backing up shutting down). You don't even need to carry out maintainance at all, only if you want the best sound possible, for most people this is unimportant with a portastudio!!

Hope this helps

 

[Dani Pace]

For "serious" recording I go the digital route but for quick recording like when writing I still rely on my faithfull old Yamaha 4 track.

When I first began the transition from a simple tape deck to computer I was overwhelmed untill I realized it's the same concept, just a different medium.

To me it is a matter of choosing the right tool for the job at hand.

 

[mrister]

I know what you mean, a lot of times I get an idea that I want to get down really quickly, but the tediousness of recording kills my inspiration. I have started to try to finish and polish my songs/song ideas before I record, so I have more motivation and more purpose to record.

 

[WhiteStrat]

I know what you mean, a lot of times I get an idea that I want to get down really quickly, but the tediousness of recording kills my inspiration. I have started to try to finish and polish my songs/song ideas before I record, so I have more motivation and more purpose to record.

Leave something set up. I have a fairy robust studio, but I can still go from 0-60 in about a minute. Since most of my "sketching" is done w/an acoustic, I've got a Rode NT5 on a stand right behind me. I've got a template in Cubase with my connections already set up. And my pres and my interface are in the same power supply as my computer. So all I gotta do is click an icon and I'm recording.

BTW--I have a SM57 permanently on my amp, and my keyboard right here as well. So I can "sketch" on either of those in nothing flat as well.

 

[MikeTheSurfer]

For me the creative process changed dramatically.

Here's what I used to do: Strum or pick the guitar (acoustic or electric) and come up with a catch riff or chord progression.

Then I'd record it and try to add things to it.

It always dead-ended. Nothing good.


Now I approach it from the opposite end. I build a drum track using pre-recorded loops and samples (not electronic--acoustic drums recorded in a studio....lots of companies offer this now. I use Beta Monkey).

Anyway, after I build a basic drum track (that I can add to later), I plug my bass into a pre-amp, then into my usb interface (M-Audio). Then, I jam to the drums until I get a bass line I like. Then I record.

Then I get my guitar and start jamming on top of the bass and guitars.

I've never felt more creative in my life.

But I guess part of the reason I'm enjoying it now is that I know that I don't have a musical career to look forward to. That was a heartbreaker for a while, but at forty I've learned to accept that I won't be a rockstar in front of thousands of people. I can live with that. In fact, now I'm glad I didn't go that route. I actually am.

The fact of the matter is that I am simply not talented enough to be a rockstar. I could play bass in a band and be fine, and would be a good contributor to the musical process, but that chance is gone.

It's like my sister said to me once, "Name one single rock star who was discovered after the age of 29."

I realized she was right.

The last holdout was country music. You could still be in your thirties and get rich and famous, but think even country has now bowed down to the culture of youth.

Such is life.

Now I make music for fun. And when I make a CD of songs I really like, I'll probably quit.

That's just the way it panned out for me.

I'll have other avenues I'll pursue, most likely writing. There are a TON of professional authors who made it in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s.


That said, I use Guitar Tracks as my recording software, Beta Monkey Drum Loops, a Yamaha Bass, a Gibson electric, an M-Audio usb interface, and that's about it.

My songs are not nearly as good as most guys on this site, but I'm improving and enjoying.

 

[mikeshead]

I sympathise.
When I was looking at the options for recording just after Christmas I got some very good (as it turns out) advice from a recording engineer. He said that he had been working on a computer based system for about five years and he was still learning. He suggested that if I wanted to get into recording (home or otherwise) then go for a computer based system but if I was a musician who wanted to progress the music go for a standalone system (I bought a Boss BR900).
That advice has been very useful as I have found that the more I learn the more simple I want to keep it. Just acoustic guitar and vocals with some reverb and delay. I have (with help from Guys in this forum ((Many thanks guys)) learned a little about how to apply delay and reverb, EQ (which I very rarely now use and try to get that right in mic placement), double tracking to thicken the sound, minimising everything to get a good vocal and then focussing on the guitar when the vocal is not taking centre stage..
A couple of exceptions, to my personal surprise the biggest improvement was improving the room and mic placement (at no cost).
My philosophy is to spend time getting the recordings as good as I can get them as simply as possible. Once I become aware of the limitations of my equipment (never thought I would hear myself saying that phrase) I can start thinking about upgrading but I am talking about years not weeks.
I remember John Lennon talking about one of the Beatles earliest recordings on a very cheap (and I mean nasty) tape recorder. He said that although the sound was poor (err British understatement) you can tell that there is something there......and he was right.