Hi!!

[johnb]

Hello All!
My name is John Bowen and I'm an amatuer songwriter/singer who has some small low scale gear. I was cautioned by somebody else that users with low end gear will not be comfortable here. I'll reserve judgement on that for now as I like to give all the benefit of the doubt and believe in the best in people. If the above is in fact true, I'm quite sure some kind soul here will let me know in a nice way that this isn't the place for me.

So I'll start by telling you what kind of gear I do have and how I approach my recording:
I track on a Zoom MRS802BCD 8 track hard disc recorder. I don't use the internal mixer. Instead I convert the proprietary tracks to WAV format and export them to my PC and mix using the Kristal Audio Engine. This gives me more track options and the ability to greatly improve the sound by using a wealth of VST plugin effects.

Currently the only instrument I have is a Yamaha PSR295 keyboard. My drum sounds come from a few different places. The Zoom recorder has a built in programmable drum machine, but of late I've been using the kit sounds on the Yamaha keyboard, playing them in real time on the tracks. I frequently collaborate with other people for various other instrumentation and I frequently collaborate with a guitarist from Paris, France.

I use a Peavey Dynamic PVM 38 microphone for vocals.

I have a website. I'll post the URL when I can
That's it for now. I'm looking forward to hearing from an conversing with others here.

John B.

 

[DJWheels]

Hello there

Hi John, nice to meet you. I have been recording music (if you can call it that) now for about 8 years, and this is a great place for your beginner or even a grizzled veteran. I find most on here to be very helpful and kind. This is only my second post but have been lurking on the boards for quite some time and have learned a great deal. When you get your URL up I’ll be sure to check it out. Hopefully you find your stay here as enjoyable as I do, and if you do make sure you correct those rumors.

 

[dualflip]

This is the right site for you, welcome aboard

 

[suprstar]

I was cautioned by somebody else that users with low end gear will not be comfortable here.

That's a crock, this is homerecording.com, I dont expect anyone to have a great high-end setup.. A few do, but there's a lot more Behringer, Phonic, and Nady around here than Neve, SSL, and Neumann! In fact, I dont think I've EVER seen anyone around here get dogged for having a less-than-spectaculous setup..

Oh, and welcome!

 

[johnb]

Thanks DJ & Duel!
I can't post the URL yet, but if you Google "voclizr" and go to the one that says Music & Musings.... that's the one.
jb
Thanks Supr!! You snuck in there while I was typing. You (all) have assurred me that I'm at the right place!

 

[dualflip]

That's a crock, this is homerecording.com, I dont expect anyone to have a great high-end setup.. A few do, but there's a lot more Behringer, Phonic, and Nady around here than Neve, SSL, and Neumann! In fact, I dont think I've EVER seen anyone around here get dogged for having a less-than-spectaculous setup..

Oh, and welcome!

You got that right, in fact thats what gearslutz is for, expensive gear (mostly) , ohh and john ill check it up Cheers!

 

[Dani Pace]

Don't sweat over the gear thing. This is home recording. It's more about getting the best results with whatever gear you have. What you have is better than what I started with, I started digital recording on an old Compac with a Soundblaster card and Audacity software and a couple of cheap mics, that was a pretty minimal set up. That was several years and several upgrades ago, I finally made it to a Mac and Protools and the learning process started all over. The guys ald gals around here really helped me to understand a lot of the dos and don'ts and how tos. Most of us are happy to pass along any tips we learned from experience or formal training. Sure, there are a few egos around and you get a sarcastic remark once in a while but mostly this is a good place to get real answers from real people. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Dogbreath]

Hey John...

Welcome! n-shit

Don't worry about the gear thang. Ya got whatcha got, right? Learn it inside and out and step up when it's time.

There's a bunch of good folks here. Some get a little rambunctious but it's all good.

When ya need some fresh ears for a project you're doin, got questions on some stuff or know some answers to other peoples questions...jump right in.

Oh...and the new guy brings the beer.

n-shit

 

[mikeh]

Most people on this site are very willing to help and answer questions or offer advise. There are some people on this site with high end gear - there are many people with rather basic gear. Most on this site are not gear snobs - although many are gear sluts - but almost everyone will share an opinion.

There are three things that I would suggest:

1. Avoid asking questions that are too general. The more specific the question, the better the chance of a specific answer.

2. Try to do a search before asking questions. Many questions have been asked so many times that even the most helpful people eventually get tired of giving the same answers - and the search option can provide a lot of info!

3. Be nice - People who post agressive, insulting comments tend to get replys in the same tone - people who ask intellegent questions in a nice way tend to get more effective replys.

Welcome to the site - I think you'll find it a wealth of information

 

[johnb]

Thanks all. I already feel quite welcome and comfortable. Thanks for disproving what I heard about this board. I didn't want to believe what I heard. I'm glad it's not true.

I should perhaps clarify that while I'm new to this forum I'm not new to home recording and songwriting. I first posted in Newbies because I'm new to the forum here and am using this as a way of introducing myself. I actually started songwriting and recording way back in 1977 with an acoustic guitar and a cheap cassette recorder. In the 80s I "graduated" to a couple of Fostex 4-tracks, and after a 13 year absense, in 2005 I re entered the hobby with the digital gear I have now. I've taken note of all the different areas here where specific brands and types (Fostex, Tascam, PC Recording etc) are addressed. Where would my particular recording techniques be best discussed? As I said above, I track on a stand alone 8 track HDD recorder but mix with PC. Also, Mainstream radio and the current music scene doesn't interest me anymore and the past few years I've been listening to almost all independent music. I enjoy listening to original music by others as well as having folks give me their opinions of my tunes as well. Is there a part of the forum for that? This is certainly the largest forum of it's kind I've encountered. The administrator must really have his (or her?) hands full!!!

Thanks again!! This is post number three. After #5 I can give you the URL to my site.

jb

Correction. Post #4. One more to go!!!

 

[suprstar]

If you take a look at the main list of forums, at the top there's a section for 'Equipment' for q's about mics, guitars, drums, rack stuff, etc. Then there's a section for 'Forums By Brand', if you have a Fostex 824 for example, you could ask questions specific to that unit in the 'Fostex' forum.. There's another section for 'General Discussions' that include forums for 'Mixing', 'Recording Techniques', self explanitory. There's the 'Mp3 Clinic' where you can post links to your songs for critiques and feedback. And at the bottom there's 'The Cave' if you like to troll, start shit, argue about politics, tell jokes, post boobie pics, etc.

 

[mikeh]

Many people on the site started recording many years ago and have gradually moved up to hard disk . I started in the 60's bouncing from one 1/4" reel to reel to another - moved up to a Fostex 4 track cassette - then to a Fostex 1/4" 8 track reel to reel - then to ADAt - and finally to hard disk (currently using either Sonar or Pro Tools depending on the project).

Many of the younger people started directly on computers - and actually can be very helpful with discussions on that technology.

Recording which thread to post your specific questions - as already indicated that are specific threads for various manufacturers and specific threads for mic vs. rack gear, etc. Many people use the MP3 thread to offer their recordings for review and many people also offer lyrics and or links on the songwriters thread.

 

[johnb]

Thanks Guys!!
jb