Help! (Beginner here...)

[AndrewYap]

My band and I are creating a rough demo in our home studio... None of us know nutz about how to do it. The only thing we know how to do is to record each layer and paste them together in time on the computer. Any advice for me?

One more question, say I have a bass track that is perfect in timing but sonically very inconsistent. The volumes fluctuate up and down and is very noticable especially in the verse. Is there anything I can do about it? Does normalizing help (I barely know what it is)? If so how do I do it?

Please don't laugh... ^_^

 

[Stealthtech]

You have lots to learn Andy.
Lets start with questions.
What gear
What is layering...Tracks ?...Audio or midi or both ?
How are you recording...software ? hardware ? 4 track cassette ? To the PC ?

 

[dr.colossus]

what software are you using? for the bass volume fluctuation i think a compressor is what your after... for a simple set up of the compressor set the attack time as fast as possible and the release fairly slow... start with a compression ratio of 2:1 and then increase it until you get the desired dynamic control... by no means are my attack and release settings set in stone play around with them and see what happens..

oh yeah, welcome to the board

 

[AndrewYap]

Stealthtech,

We're recording to PC direct. I know so little that I barely understand your question. Hehe...! We're using a standard audio recorder on the computer. It's called creative wave studio. I don't don't how it happened but we also have plenty on plugins in there as well... I think Cakewalk plugins work for this program. Any software to recommend? Are there any free ones that are obtainable on the internet?

I guess only audio is layering... If I understand your question right. Thank you so much for willing to help!


dr.colossus,

Forgive me for my ignorance. But would you mind explaining to me what a compression ratio is? I'll try looking for a plugin that can do the compression thingy. Thank you so much!

 

[Stealthtech]

Im assuming your using a soundblaster card or onboard audio.
These cards will record, but have a rather low quality.
You should use multitracking software to avoid the layering and timing thing.
Try Pro-tools free. Do a search on google for it.
To look at it the simpliest way, its like a hardware mixer/recorder in a software format.
This will allow you{limited to your soundcard} to record each track seperate so you have control over each instrument (level, pan, effects, etc..)

Compression simply keeps the audio track consistant in level. It levels out the peaks. You can use a hardware compressor or software plug-in. Not always neccessary if the bassist plays well and consistant.

 

[AndrewYap]

Stealthtech,

Yes I am using onboard audio... I have zero knowledge about multitrack facilities. Does this mean an internal click track? How do I record with the software? Does it mean that when I record, the recording will layer itself? e.g Like rewinding the tape and recording again while listening to the track thats already recorded while it records in sync with it?...

I've tried to find out more about Pro Tools and I've discovered that its not XP compatible. Is there an alternative? Are there any other programs for free?

Ok... What exactly is the Compression Ratio. A ratio of ?:?... Attack time : Release time ??? Once again thanks a million stealthtech!

 

[dr.colossus]

the ratio is between the the peak volume and the amount of reduction... threshold is something that completley slipped my mind thats the point (volume) at which compression starts to act... i'm sorry words are at a bit of a loss to me when it comes to explaining compression, and i don't want to lead you down the wrong path.... check out www.hitsquad.com/smm for some free multitrack software look for n-track, i think there is a registration fee, but a lot of people have success with this program, and there are heaps of free multitrackers at hitsquad...

 

[AndrewYap]

Thanks again!

dr.colossus,

I'm assuming that threshold has nothing to do with the attack times and the release times... Is that right? Forgive me because I haven't had a chance to get to my friends house to test it out yet (home studio is there)... Thanks again for the link! I didn't expect such hospitality here in the forums... If I knew I would have come here much earlier...

 

[Leeking]

Hi Andrew, fellow malaysian

where in Malaysia are you?

I suggest you read through this forums and learn some basic for recording. (There is vast infomation here if you have the patience) I practically learn everything here.

some links that are helpful as well:
http://www.studiocovers.com/articles1.htm
http://www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/regular_htm/pwhiteworkshops94-01.html

Have fun!

 

[AndrewYap]

Hello! I'm actually from K.L... Maybe you can be my mentor. Hehe... Are you a pro sound engineer or something?

 

[kormaniac]

compression

Hey Andrew...I think I finally have the concept of compression under wraps, so i'll try to explain it...since that is a potential fix for your bass.
First, listen to the entire bass track and see what the maximum level is. (Say at one point the bass guitar hits 3db) Also, pay attention to the levels and see where the lower and more constant level is. Now, set your threshold to be what your constant level is (maybe its -10db). Now, you set the ratio....to something like 5 or 10:1. What this will do is compress any noise above your constant level down 10db. So, what its doing is making your loud bass playing closer to your constant level of bass playing. So, now most of your bass sound should be around -10db. This might be too quiet, so you may have to either increase the volume of the output track, or often there is an 'auto-boost' that will increase the output signal level after you compress. This should do the trick for you. Hopefully, I didn't explain it incorrectly, this is how I think of it and approach the problems your dealing with. The same technique can be applied to uneven snare hits...bass drum hits...or even vocals. Hope it helps.

 

[AndrewYap]

Thanks!

Thanks a lot kormaniac! I'm definitely going to try that out... I'll post here if I AM successful.