Classical tuba duet

[Stefan A]

This is my first real effort that I am willing to post. There are mistakes in my playing, but for now I am more concerned with learning basics of recording and mixing.

I recorded each part seperately using an AT-2035, Focusrite itrack solo, my iphone, and garageband. I panned each track a bit to each side, added some reverb and slight echo, and chose the medium hall effect.

Even though my playing isn't the best, I need to know if I am on the right track. If I don't ask now, I'll just keep on doing it the same way.

Thanks,
Stefan

 

[Pahtcub]

God not another tuba duet recording....hahaha

 

[Stefan A]

LOL. You would be surprised - we're out there!

 

[Stefan A]

It seems there is not too much interest in helping me. I realize that perhaps many of you have no experience with tuba. But as I said, its really the recording mixing efforts that I am curious about. I am attaching a link to the same music, but this time prepared with Reaper.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bz2cxSuv-NBqQ2hMaHRjZnFBeTg/edit?usp=sharing

 

[JimmyS1969]

Sounds quite distant to me. Not enough detail in the sound of the instrument IMO.

Hopefully there will be others with more insight with tuba recording.

Maybe look at THIS recent thread, and get some ideas from there.

 

[DavidK]

Sounds good, nice playing.

I panned each track a bit to each side,

It's probably too wide. If you saw it in concert, the players would be standing next to each other mid-stage.

added some reverb and slight echo, and chose the medium hall effect.

It sounds like you played in a fairly dry room, added some reverb and slight echo, and chose the medium hall effect. Don't feel bad, it took me years to realize this: the sound of a brass/orchestral instrument is a combination of the instrument and the hall. When you put reverb on a dry recording, you're only getting half of the sound you want. The other half can't be recorded because it never existed, the hall never responded to an instrument. Solution: get a portable rig and find a recital hall. What you're doing now sounds pretty good, it just doesn't sound "natural". Other than that it's nice work.

 

[Stefan A]

Definitely appreciate the advice and opinions. Jimmy - the mic is about 2 feet from the bell. This is the position I have determined gives me the best sound. I wonder how I can correct this.

David - You are definitely right about the panning. On the reaper version which I posted, I was more subtle with the panning. I do think that having some separation helps with this sort of music. Yeah, a real concert hall would be ideal. But this is the HOME recording forum . So I am looking for ways to get the best results at home. I just don't have access to a concert hall these days like when I was in college. I do have a band room at school which is fairly large. Still not the acoustics of a real hall, but worth a try.

Stefan

 

[DavidK]

Yeah, a real concert hall would be ideal. But this is the HOME recording forum . So I am looking for ways to get the best results at home. I just don't have access to a concert hall these days like when I was in college. I do have a band room at school which is fairly large. Still not the acoustics of a real hall, but worth a try.

I'm in the same boat, I play violin. For years I tried to record in my living room, which is dry yet noisy and near a street. I bought a portable recorder (Boss BR800) And I'm looking forward to taking it to various venues to try and get a better sound.