I
Ironklad Audio
New member
why you don't find someone who knows a little about mixing, and who would mix for pretty cheap...then send them the tracks?
J
jrhager84
expert newb
I'm thinking of asking the tonic room if I could pay to sit in on their tracking sessions and take notes. (assuming the band doesn't mind either). Like a pseudo-internship LOL. Yes, I could get them mixed and mastered somewhere else, but I'd like to do it myself at first.
A
Adan
New member
There are a variety of great engineers out here in Nashville that specialize in taking decent tracks and really getting them into a "pitchable", listenable state if you're wanting to pitch them to labels or songwriters. I'd consider paying one of them to mix at least one song and letting you watch. I know several well paid engineers who started this way. The learning experience is invaluable.
J
jrhager84
expert newb
That's what I'm going for. Hopefully they'll let me sit in, I'd pretty much pay whatever. I was thinking of going to school for it, but I don't have time right now. I will eventually though, but there is no replacement for hands-on learning. Thanks for all the input guys, it's greatly appreciated.
TerraMortim
New member
Here's my two pennies.
First of all jrhager is right. Absolutely. It's still an album, regardless if it sounds like a big budget recording or low-fi. Coming up with this elitist crap is just nausiating as usual. Really, when it comes down to it, if the songs are good, then it doesn't matter all that much. People will buy it, regardless if Bob Rock mixed it or some bum on the street corner. The guy has some live experience, so he knows enough about getting sound from a mic into electronics, and whether it sounds "good" or not, that's enough of a start. He wants to produce and album, so he should...it could suck could be good, but he should do it, and do it over and over. Some of the earliest albums I did, I just didn't know what I was doing and just did it, and some people actually liked it, despite the horrible sound. Don't discourage someone from doing shit just because you have a chip on your shoulder from your years of failure. (Don't even try to argue that, if you were any better you would not be spending most of your time on a home recording forum insulting people who are asking for help, and insisting that everyone is in awe of your skill, you'd be out there making music...maybe answering the odd question here and there.)
First of all jrhager is right. Absolutely. It's still an album, regardless if it sounds like a big budget recording or low-fi. Coming up with this elitist crap is just nausiating as usual. Really, when it comes down to it, if the songs are good, then it doesn't matter all that much. People will buy it, regardless if Bob Rock mixed it or some bum on the street corner. The guy has some live experience, so he knows enough about getting sound from a mic into electronics, and whether it sounds "good" or not, that's enough of a start. He wants to produce and album, so he should...it could suck could be good, but he should do it, and do it over and over. Some of the earliest albums I did, I just didn't know what I was doing and just did it, and some people actually liked it, despite the horrible sound. Don't discourage someone from doing shit just because you have a chip on your shoulder from your years of failure. (Don't even try to argue that, if you were any better you would not be spending most of your time on a home recording forum insulting people who are asking for help, and insisting that everyone is in awe of your skill, you'd be out there making music...maybe answering the odd question here and there.)
TerraMortim
New member
oh yeah... jrhanger..if you want any help or such from me, email me at auralinflux@gmail.com. I'll do my best to give you some advice or whatever time permitting. I'm no god of audio, but I've been making music for a long time, and I do get pretty good feedback on my work.
J
jrhager84
expert newb
I will say in people's defense here (yes chessrock too) I do think that what they said was helpful, although it might be a little more of a darker picture than I would have hoped for. But it's alright, everybody's entitled to their opinion. That's the beauty of it. You really do have the same mentality as me, as I've done some live sound for a while, I know the 3-to-1 rule and ways to avoid phase cancellation, etc. I'm not claiming to be an expert, because I'm really not at all. I will, however, argue what my dad always used to say about me.
"Son, you may not always make the best decisions, but you damned sure see them all to the bitter end, without batting an eye."
That's my personality. I commit myself, and there ARE no other options. I WILL make an album, whether or not people find it "good", the jury is still out on that. I will read, and pine, and study, and fiddle, and cuss, and swear, and BLEED until this album is "good" in my eyes (i.e. I feel at least a small sense of accomplishment when all is said and done). I will not rest until it's done. I think I will take you up on that offer Terra, and appreciate your offer. I'd also like to thank everyone else for his input (even if reality paints a dark picture). I'm glad I have a circle of people that aren't afraid to put their 2 cents in. Kudos sirs, let's do THIS SHIT!!!
-Joel
"Son, you may not always make the best decisions, but you damned sure see them all to the bitter end, without batting an eye."
That's my personality. I commit myself, and there ARE no other options. I WILL make an album, whether or not people find it "good", the jury is still out on that. I will read, and pine, and study, and fiddle, and cuss, and swear, and BLEED until this album is "good" in my eyes (i.e. I feel at least a small sense of accomplishment when all is said and done). I will not rest until it's done. I think I will take you up on that offer Terra, and appreciate your offer. I'd also like to thank everyone else for his input (even if reality paints a dark picture). I'm glad I have a circle of people that aren't afraid to put their 2 cents in. Kudos sirs, let's do THIS SHIT!!!
-Joel
R
RAMI
Guest
Hehe....Just found it interesting to see the standards getting more and more realistic as the thread went on.
G
Greg_L
Banned
Lol for real. 
Dogman
Unkle Ticklefingers
Have you looked at any other studio's, and what they charge?
This one is in Boise...
http://www.gcmstudio.com/studio/studio.html
This guy is in Eagle...
http://www.osmosisrecording.com/studio.html
I have no idea what they are like, but look at some options.
This one is in Boise...
http://www.gcmstudio.com/studio/studio.html
This guy is in Eagle...
http://www.osmosisrecording.com/studio.html
I have no idea what they are like, but look at some options.
E
eeb
New member
EXACTLY how I started into this.. it took me close to a year and a half to record our first ep...(that is only finished now)
i'm still not happy with it.. I know if i could retrack it now it would be better but the guys in the band said enough is enough.. it took this long because of retracking the album so many times.. (and we happened to lose a drummer so we had to start over because of that too)
be prepared to have the album almost done only to realize a few things you did wrong and want to redo it..
it's a cycle that i found it really hard to get out of and something that i'm glad I went through though.. just realize that eventually you'll have to say "enough is enough" let the album be what it is.. and the next one will be better.
C
chessrock
Banned
I really dig the attitude. I really do.
Five years from now, when the album is finally near completition ... that tenacity and "whatever it takes" attitude will have served you really well.
Just kidding. Kind of. Good luck, and have fun.
.
theblackBay
Mean average best idiot..
jrhager84
hi I would be very interested to hear some tracks ... no matter what anybody says you can do everything and i mean everything with the equipment you have.
I’m currently "one" of the best song writers in the world i use almost totally digital equipment and if you like send me some backline tracks and i will punch them up for you.
I’d like to help you.
sometimes people fail because they keep telling themselves they will.
be you own critic first.
really, I didn't read the whole thread because of all the back an forth but when you start to mix when you are first happy with it bounce an un-mastered (actually don't even attempt to master) here and then get feedback.
I’ll be waiting.
I can help you produce
hi I would be very interested to hear some tracks ... no matter what anybody says you can do everything and i mean everything with the equipment you have.
I’m currently "one" of the best song writers in the world i use almost totally digital equipment and if you like send me some backline tracks and i will punch them up for you.
I’d like to help you.
sometimes people fail because they keep telling themselves they will.
be you own critic first.
really, I didn't read the whole thread because of all the back an forth but when you start to mix when you are first happy with it bounce an un-mastered (actually don't even attempt to master) here and then get feedback.
I’ll be waiting.
I can help you produce
theblackBay
Mean average best idiot..
my first advice to you. friend
as with any cake start from the bottom
and the bottom is the Beat.
if you spend 75% of the time of your whole album on the beat i can assure you will have something decent to work with. you can always go back to a good beat but never forward from a bad one.
remember that ok.(I’m pointing at you)
that was no joke 75% of the time my friend.
now you should tell me if that is an issue or not and I will be able to tell you what you can do.
Actually I’ll just go back and look at your equipment list.
I like you attitude.
as with any cake start from the bottom
and the bottom is the Beat.
if you spend 75% of the time of your whole album on the beat i can assure you will have something decent to work with. you can always go back to a good beat but never forward from a bad one.
remember that ok.(I’m pointing at you)
that was no joke 75% of the time my friend.
now you should tell me if that is an issue or not and I will be able to tell you what you can do.
Actually I’ll just go back and look at your equipment list.
I like you attitude.
theblackBay
Mean average best idiot..
kolin.evans@theblackbay.com
i want to hear something different .
i want to hear something different .
Reggie
PutsTheLotionOnItsSkin
Wow, a bonafide prodoosuh is on the case now. 
Anyway jr, I think you are a very good candidate for getting into the home recording muckity muck. It sounds like you are very into critical listening, which is a big part of it all. But you are kidding yourself if you are doing this because 1) you think you can do this efficiently/quickly, 2) you think you can do this cheaply, or 3) you think you will be benefitting your music/band by doing this yourself.
Reasons for the numbered items:
1) There is a huge learning curve to studio recording; even just for the basics.
2) Your recording obsession will become a black hole money pit and you will end up spending more than it would have cost to record at a pretty nice studio. "Ah, of course! All I need to do is buy xPreamp, and my drums would probably sound more like xBand..."
3) Rather than spending time rehearsing/gigging with your band, you will need to stay home and work on mixing or trying to figure out what that noise is on the bass track or try to figure out why your mix sounds like soft mush compared to xBand, etc. Eventually you will lose interest in performing music anyway, and just devote your extra time to recording other bands. Or your bandmates decide they need to replace you with someone who actually has time to rehearse/gig and take the band thing seriously.
So yes, I paint a bit of a dark picture, but it is really all about perspective. Maybe you would be happier in the end just doing the studio stuff anyhow...or maybe you will defy all odds and turn into an ultra-producing-songwriting-mixing-performing-golden eared-megawonder! Good luck
Anyway jr, I think you are a very good candidate for getting into the home recording muckity muck. It sounds like you are very into critical listening, which is a big part of it all. But you are kidding yourself if you are doing this because 1) you think you can do this efficiently/quickly, 2) you think you can do this cheaply, or 3) you think you will be benefitting your music/band by doing this yourself.
Reasons for the numbered items:
1) There is a huge learning curve to studio recording; even just for the basics.
2) Your recording obsession will become a black hole money pit and you will end up spending more than it would have cost to record at a pretty nice studio. "Ah, of course! All I need to do is buy xPreamp, and my drums would probably sound more like xBand..."
3) Rather than spending time rehearsing/gigging with your band, you will need to stay home and work on mixing or trying to figure out what that noise is on the bass track or try to figure out why your mix sounds like soft mush compared to xBand, etc. Eventually you will lose interest in performing music anyway, and just devote your extra time to recording other bands. Or your bandmates decide they need to replace you with someone who actually has time to rehearse/gig and take the band thing seriously.
So yes, I paint a bit of a dark picture, but it is really all about perspective. Maybe you would be happier in the end just doing the studio stuff anyhow...or maybe you will defy all odds and turn into an ultra-producing-songwriting-mixing-performing-golden eared-megawonder! Good luck
J
jrhager84
expert newb
Hehe....Just found it interesting to see the standards getting more and more realistic as the thread went on.
I wouldn't call it my standards changing, I'd call it a "constant re-definition" of what I think would be "good". People heard "good" and automatically thought I wanted it to go platinum. Then I had to redefine it further, because someone took something else out of it too. I mean by "good", I personally feel good about it, and it's not horrible (meaning for my limited experience, being the best possible). I just have to be VERY careful and SUPER specific 'round here, or people will run off with wild assumptions.
Chessrock:
I appreciate the luck wish. As I say to every other person who thinks I'll fail: "Time will tell".
Black Bay:
I've got beats covered. I'm a fairly proficient drummer, and with proper mic/recording technquie I'll knock that outta the park.
Dogman:
I have Osmosis Recording's card. It's 200 bucks a day (10hrs) and 25/hr for mixing. I was told to realistically expect spending MORE time mixing then tracking...so that's where things get 'spensive. I'll give him a call and see what's up...
J
jrhager84
expert newb
Wow, a bonafide prodoosuh is on the case now.
Anyway jr, I think you are a very good candidate for getting into the home recording muckity muck. It sounds like you are very into critical listening, which is a big part of it all. But you are kidding yourself if you are doing this because 1) you think you can do this efficiently/quickly, 2) you think you can do this cheaply, or 3) you think you will be benefitting your music/band by doing this yourself.
Reasons for the numbered items:
1) There is a huge learning curve to studio recording; even just for the basics.
2) Your recording obsession will become a black hole money pit and you will end up spending more than it would have cost to record at a pretty nice studio. "Ah, of course! All I need to do is buy xPreamp, and my drums would probably sound more like xBand..."
3) Rather than spending time rehearsing/gigging with your band, you will need to stay home and work on mixing or trying to figure out what that noise is on the bass track or try to figure out why your mix sounds like soft mush compared to xBand, etc. Eventually you will lose interest in performing music anyway, and just devote your extra time to recording other bands. Or your bandmates decide they need to replace you with someone who actually has time to rehearse/gig and take the band thing seriously.
So yes, I paint a bit of a dark picture, but it is really all about perspective. Maybe you would be happier in the end just doing the studio stuff anyhow...or maybe you will defy all odds and turn into an ultra-producing-songwriting-mixing-performing-golden eared-megawonder! Good luck
I'll take the last one please!
DavidK
New member
E
eeb
New member
thanks for giving me a much needed laugh.
hahah holy shit i missed that comment while i was reading..
funny shit.. bow down to "one" of the best song writers in the world!
the mighty
the magnificant
THE BLACK BAY