Long Distance Recording Logistics

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jason M Hancock
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Jason M Hancock

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Here's the deal: I (guitarist) am in Russia. Wayne (bassist) is in Texas. NONETHELESS, we're starting a studio band and I'll most likely drive the recording side of things. But the big question is, how do we pull it off? My own first stab in the dark at this is below. Anyone who sees any pitfalls or better ways of doing this, please let me know. We're both eager to start working on material.

1. I would lay down a click track and/or drum track (from a machine) and the guitar track. I'd use a good quality digital multitracker for this (thinking of the Korg D1600 right now).

2. The hard part: how do I get the tracks to Wayne so he can develop a bass line, rehearse it, record it, and then send everything back to me? The idea is that I would then add vocals, other instruments as needed, mix everything with whatever compression and effects would be needed and then master everything.

Is this possible or have we gone nuts? Digital seems best for this because it seems like it would be universal and wouldn't matter which unit either one of used to record our respective tracks. In contrast, if we used tape, I've read that the tape heads we'd each be using might not match up.

It seems like it should be possible to develop and record new material this way. Kind of like play-by-mail chess. It seems akin to taking an unfinished project recorded in New York to a mastering facility in LA. It's just gotta be possible! Please tell me how...I'll certainly appreciate any tips and guidance!

Jason
 
I got ya

Greetings,

I know how you feel man, I am in Ontario, Canada, working with my buddy in Florida. Its tough. Once you got your Korg you can record your digital tracks. The best thing to do after that would be to mix down to your computer through your sound card. Or for that matter, just record directly into your computer (since its a digital platform by itself.) Then you could send the .wav file to your buddy, either by uploading to a website (it would probobly be too big for that) or by real time transfer with some small chat client (Messanger, ICQ, IRC). Then he would record a track on something (computer or such) and send the mix back. (or he could just send the new track back and you could mix it yourseslf)

Wow, that actually makes sense.
SirRiff
 
.... or burn the tracks to cd and mail them. Have him record, burn his tracks and mail them back.
 
That village over there...

I didnt know there was a Kanata Canada.

Actually I live in London, Canada
 
burning to CD

Asi9, I thought abou that, but....is there a way to burn and keep the tracks separated? I'm somewhat to new to all of this, but it seems like once either of us would burn, that then we'd have a recording that we couldn't manipulate any further.

Am I just being thick?
 
Re: burning to CD

Burn each .wav file as data. I use N-Track on my PC and each track is a unique .wav file sitting somewhere on my harddrive. Make sure each track starts at 0, then you can burn the individual wav files (and possibly the project file, N-Track uses .sng files). I know you said you were using a Korg D16, but I would think using a PC and agreeing to use .wav files would be easiest. How costly would it get to snail mail CDs between you guys?
Good luck!

-Evan

PS - make sure you burn as DATA, not a music CD, would make it easier on the receiving end (especially if the files aren't 16/44.1)

Jason Hancock said:
Asi9, I thought abou that, but....is there a way to burn and keep the tracks separated? I'm somewhat to new to all of this, but it seems like once either of us would burn, that then we'd have a recording that we couldn't manipulate any further.

Am I just being thick?
Click to expand...
 
If Wayne is also using a D1600 you need only to mail project CD's back and forth. I use an Akai DPS16 and a friend of mine bought one not so long ago. We will continue collaborating when he moves across the country next month.

I'm also going to start collaborating with my cousin who lives in Atlanta. I'll give him nearly complete songs and he'll lay drums. On my computer, I use n-track and cooledit, he uses cubase and cool edit. We're confident swapping wav. files will work. I'm sure using some kind of time code would be the thing for us to do, but we're not yet that advanced. I'm not real crazy about software mixing (hence the Akai box) but I don't see any way around it for blending his drum tracks.
 
here is how I have sucessfully colaborated in the past, and continue to do. If you do not mind the quality of MP3 files, you can just email the files back and forth. ...otherwise, mailing a CD with the files on it will then be the next option. I definately keep things all digital and never go to a tape machine, because you will have drift problems, and the tracks will NEVER stay in sync together....NEVER..even with a top notch recorder. I would even stay away from tape based digital units too...such as ADATS, etc. You can slice and dice, and cut and paste, to keep things in sync, but an unecessary hassle, in my opinion. I always send stereo files with the 'new' track panned hard one way, and a reference track panned opposite. The reference can be anything..the click track, an instrument track that is played all the way thru...whatever...but I prefer the click. This way, people at all locations can compile tracks and mix individually..or whatever. Also, consider using a site such as IUMA.com to store tracks. That way the can be downloaded by several individuals, or just CC emails will work too. Using similar software multitracking programs can help everyone involved, but certainly not required. Additionally, you might check out Rocket networks (.com....I believe) will with a small amount of cash, steps you up to real time recording at both places. It is not as simple as that, but it does exist, and from what I understand, works well. Each end pays for storage space at the website, and uses a program like Cubase VST. You can stream *raw* sounding files for quick hearing...then download better quality files for keeping....should that be the decision. Only a small description of Rocket Networks, but hopefully, you get the idea. good luck!
 
I was just wondering.......

Has anyone ever tried to E-mail wave files?
If you let it download overnight or something would that work (or would it still be downloading in the morning)? One of my friends has cable connection but I have a 33k modem (but thinking about getting cable) so I guess that wouldn't work to good for sending stuff to me, but I could send him wave files right? How long do you think it would take to download this stuff (for him and for me :D)?

-tkr
 
I'd work with as small files as possible during song developement, sending them back and forth using ICQ or IRC. Keep the real tracks/files/whatever at home... once the song is ready for final production, burn wavs on cd and mail to eachother...
 
There is another, very good way. But that would mean both of you recording on a Pro Tools system (which can even be PT free of an 001, doesn't have to be a $$$$ set-up).

You can find details at http://www.digipronet.com
 
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