How many of you...

[K9SaVeLLi]

When recording beats for pop, r&b and hip-hop/rap music...how many people "track out" their beats? Is it always better to isolate and record each sound separately?

At home I do both, depending on if i have the time, if I think it needs it or the seriousness of the project (how much $$$). When I go to different studios they have me do it according to their preferences. A couple of times I've spent the time to track out a beat and the people didn't know what to do with it...all they wanted was the stereo mix...ARRRGGHHH!

I definately see the advantages with "tracking out" each sound (sound levels, effects, compression/eq), but is it possible to still get "pro" results when stereo tracking a beat? I have an older keyboard (XP-60 expanded to the gills) and definately notice a huge difference between "tracking out" and stereo tracking. But all these newer keyboards have way better effects, eq (I have none...DOH!), compression (I think) and mastering effects. Will they be able to produce that "tracked out sound?"

In the words of "the goat"...What's the good word, fellas???

Let a cracka know!!!

 

[flossyboy]

It depends on what the purpose of recording the beat is for. Of course, recording the beat is to eventually build a song, but take for instance, if you are just a producer slanging beats to people, then you can go the stereo route, and send them the beat. When they are ready to record then you can have the beat tracked out and then burn that whole project song on to cd in tracked out format.

It's best to just track it all out from the get-go, cause you never know what things will sound like once vocals go on there. I'm sure that the newer equipment(keyboads/drum machines) have good sounding effects and all, but unless you are recording the vocals at the same time then going the stereo way is a waste of time, unless you are the kind of person that likes to put out some b.s and i'm sure you dont want to do that. When I say B.S. i'm talking about having that feeling of "Damn, i wish I could turn this up, or turn that down, or tweak this or that" in your head when you listen to the song with vocals.

That Texas Fella
sugaty@aol.com

 

[pM of impk21.co]

"cause you never know what things will sound like once vocals go on there."

I think that is part of the problem Ive been running into. Before we did a demo over some internet beats. The beat seemed to be pro recorded, mixed properly and mastered to profection. We no longer promote the older material since we are trying represent ourselves with no questions asked.

My point, now I run into issues getting the vocals to mix well with my own beats. One thing Ive done that helps a little, I mix most of the beat and leave out the kick, bass, and any highs that may be hard to tame if left in the mix.

Somethin else, do you rap? Sometimes if Im concerned about beat, I rap over it myself, just to test it somewhat, that seems to help a little as well. pM