Introduction - and a few questions

[Pen]

Hi all. Like many before me (I'm guessing), I'm finally getting my feet wet with recording after many years of performance. Frankly, I'm getting to an age where 9p-1a gigs are - well - just not as much fun as they once where. Recording should be a good bridge allowing me to still concentrate on my music. I've spent a few days reading extensively through the threads and look forward to the interaction here.

My stuff: Tascam US-144mkII, cubase LE5, variety of shur 57 & 58's, mostly acoustic instruments (some with pickups - some without).

I've had many of my questions already answered - but wanted to get your throughts on a few things....

-EQ'ing an acoustic guitar: Through much trial and error, I've come up with my "perfect" settings on my LR Baggs para-di box for live performances (with my Martin D28). I've read that I shouldn't boost my signal (nor EQ it) pre-computer. Why is that? I seem to be able to adjust the signal on cubase prior to recording - and if I have it EQ'd correctly - what's the drawback? Also, what about my instruments with an active pickup (vs my passive pickup instruments). Anything to worry about there?

-Adding a mixer board to the chain: It seems to be agreed on that it's not preferred to use the effects (like reverb) at a mixer (and prior to the signal getting to the computer). As I understand it, it limits what you can do with the recording. However, I was just wondering if my analog board could create a more organic sound than if mixed through cubase.

Drums: Yeah - I know. This is going to be the hard part. As I play (and will record) acoustic guitar, mandolin, keyboards and sing - I'll do this. A drummer I am not. I have drummer friends - but, as I'll never put a drum kit in my house - is it just going to be a monumental pita to try to bring my recording stuff to them? Are there good website's I can download actual basic real beats I can manipulate to match my music?

Thanks in advance!

 

[arcadeko]

-EQ'ing an acoustic guitar: I've read that I shouldn't boost my signal (nor EQ it) pre-computer. Why is that? I seem to be able to adjust the signal on cubase prior to recording - and if I have it EQ'd correctly - what's the drawback? Also, what about my instruments with an active pickup (vs my passive pickup instruments). Anything to worry about there?

-Adding a mixer board to the chain: It seems to be agreed on that it's not preferred to use the effects (like reverb) at a mixer (and prior to the signal getting to the computer). As I understand it, it limits what you can do with the recording. However, I was just wondering if my analog board could create a more organic sound than if mixed through cubase.

a pre-amp or active pickup is not an issue AFAIK - it's mostly changing the signal or audio source that people frown upon because you can't edit it later.

As far as more organic reverb, i think if you look you will find a reverb plug-in that emulates what you want - if you record the reverb your stuck with it.

Welcome to the forum!

I've spent a few days reading extensively through the thread...

That's a refreshing change I like you already

 

[Bobbsy]

-EQ'ing an acoustic guitar: Through much trial and error, I've come up with my "perfect" settings on my LR Baggs para-di box for live performances (with my Martin D28). I've read that I shouldn't boost my signal (nor EQ it) pre-computer. Why is that? I seem to be able to adjust the signal on cubase prior to recording - and if I have it EQ'd correctly - what's the drawback? Also, what about my instruments with an active pickup (vs my passive pickup instruments). Anything to worry about there?

My preferred way of working is to record all my original tracks with as little processing as possible, i.e. no EQ, no reverb, no compression. Why? Well, the sound that seems perfect at the recording stage usually seems less so when you try to mix the material with a number of other tracks. Mixing shouldn't end up as a series of solos; rather it's trying to meld everything together and the end result should try to be better than the sum of the parts. You have far more control adding EQ, 'verbs, etc. etc. when you can hear the result as part of a total mix. If you've added your "perfect" EQ at the time of recording, you scope for later changes is diminished.

-Adding a mixer board to the chain: It seems to be agreed on that it's not preferred to use the effects (like reverb) at a mixer (and prior to the signal getting to the computer). As I understand it, it limits what you can do with the recording. However, I was just wondering if my analog board could create a more organic sound than if mixed through cubase.

Basically the same answer as the previous one. If you add a reverb at the time of tracking you can't really change it later even if it doesn't "sit" nicely with the rest of the mix. Is a reverb in a mixer more "organic". Not really. Whether it's in Cubase or your mixer, it's still a software reverb so results should be the same working either way.

What a mixer IS good for though is monitoring while you track. By setting up a good monitor mix using pre fade aux channels, you should be able to give yourself the "perfect" mix in your headphones while recording. This can even include reverb that isn't recorded if you find this helps your performance...for many people it does.

Personally, I also find setting up levels is quicker when I can grab a handful of fader rather than messing around with small knobs on an interface or, even worse, dragging faders on a software mixer with a mouse.

Bob