Caution! Bluegrass inside...

  • Thread starter Thread starter pdlstl
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Thanks crawdad!

That's some great mic info. I used the 4033 on everything (vox/instruments) except the banjo. On it, I used the 4041.

Right now all I have to choose from is:

4033 (2)
4041
CAD E-100
SM 57

Would any of these worked better than what I used?

Thanks,

Earl
 
Well, the 4033 is such a versatile mic, I think you made a good choice. After reading the thread I mentioned, I'd like to hear what the SM 57 sounds like on the banjo. It might be real cool for that application.

If I was you, recording bluegrass, I'd pick up a couple small diaphragm condensers--either the Oktava 012's or a par of the MXL 603's. They are supposed to be damn close to each other in sound quality. I also liked Harvey's suggestion of the ECM 8000 on the bass. You can get one of those for under $40 bucks so thats a no-brainer there!

Are you doing this as a one man band, or are there other musicians coming over?
 
This is a diamond in the rough...but it definitely is a diamond. I just can't wait to hear you slap some backup vocals on this. I like your voice a ton, but the vocal on the short clip (new mix) seems a little lower than I'd like. Everything else sounded great except the fake crowd, lol.

I already like this a lot...it's your voice. Now record it about 3-5 more times in intervals of roughly 1/3, 1/5, 1/7th, etc. Yeah, harmonies are gonna' be sweeeeeet on this.
 
crawdad - Although I do some things (mostly bluegrass/gospel) where I play everything except banjo, this is a bluegrass band that I've put together. We've been together a very short time. This tune is one of six that we've recorded. The original purpose was to take 45 second clips of each song and crossfade in and out of them for a demo CD which will be used for booking purposes.

Also, I thought the 4041 (which was used on the banjo) is a small condenser. Help me learn.....:confused:

chris - Thanks for the nice comments on my vocals! I spent many years singing hard-core traditional country and the hardest thing I've had to learn about singing bluegrass is to dump the vibrato. Since there's not much vibrato in BG, it tends to make a very honest singer out of you. No vibrato to cover slight pitch issues.:D

Earl
 
pdlstl said:
I've had to learn about singing bluegrass is to dump the vibrato. Since there's not much vibrato in BG, it tends to make a very honest singer out of you. No vibrato to cover slight pitch issues.:D

Earl
You make a lot of sense. I've been fighting my daughter on this issue since she started taking voice lessons. I went through the same thing when I went from "choir" to actual music...LOL. Something about a heavy vibrato just sucks all the life out of a vocal for me. Anyway, I hope you stick around, b/c I really like the throat, and you seem to be open to opinions on making stuff better.
 
I'm listening to the full version right now. I can only tip my hat to you for the ear massage. Makes me want to spit, magic.

Gerry
 
pdlstl said:


Also, I thought the 4041 (which was used on the banjo) is a small condenser. Help me learn.....:confused:

Earl

Of course! It is! My thinking for suggesting a couple others was if you record the whole group at one time.

Hey Earl. I need some help with getting the intonation right on my pedal steel--a 12 universal. I have a Kork MT-1200 tuner, so I can do custom tunings. Mine is based on a Jeff Neumann chart right now. What am I missing? PM me if you have a chance.
 
mixmkr said:
I wanna know if I buy one of those cheap ass dobros and banjos from musicians friend, if they'll be ok for recording and occasional use (for this aging rock and roller)


They are OK for beginners, but get a quality instrument. The top of the line Fender banjos are not bad, very usable, but no Mastertone.
 
i like this a lot. i was fooled by the crowd but then later when they cheered an shut up exactly when you wanted them too i figured it out. damn good job matching up the reverb on everything though!

i'm with chrisharris on the backups. you NEED them on this stuff. i kept waiting for them to kick in. and you NEED a section where all the instruments drop out and the chorus goes acapella. Ok, so you don't really need that stuff I just need to hear it.

here's what i really like about this recording. the vocal mic. seems completely absent of all the high end hype crap that I hear lately. i've heard that from a few others using this mic too.

that's it, i'm buying one today.
 
ive heard a lot of people say in this thread that they dont like the "canned" applause youve added. But me, as someone who listens to bluegrasscountry.org all day long, thinks it adds the larger than life element that makes this track so enjoyable. I mean, aside from the really great performance, and great "live-recording-like" sonic quality. but indeed i think the applause justifies the heavy reverb you used because it causes the ear to expect the acoustics of a large room and the recording quality associated with live performances. In my humble opinion, without the performance context youve created the mix wouldnt work as well.

also. i love your authentic bluegrass sense that is readily apparent in the way you phrase your banjo and guitar solos. some really great picking going on here.

you clearly are able to use your voice in a manner very well suited for bluegrass. the quality of your performance is up there with any one of the big names.

keep up the good work man. I am looking forward to hearing some more of this stuff.

-alex
 
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