Micing drums and bouncing tracks.

[diocide]

Using a 4-track I am going to record the following sources:

1. Miked drums...I will probobly use a splitter to get 2 mics in this track.

2. Miked kick...I am going to record this seperately from the rest of the set.

3. Bass guitar

4. Lead guitar

5. Rhythm guitar

6. Vocals

I will record four tracks then bounce it to two... obviously they will be in mono. Which tracks should these be? Which are more important to have the option of panning? Of course, it is a matter of personal preference, but I'd like some 'do's, 'don't's, and suggestions. Any information is greatly appriciated. I'm sure it's very apparent that I'm pretty new at this, and that I;m not much of a speller, either. Thanks again.

 

[regebro]

A couple of questions first. You say you will use a "splitter" to get two mics in one track. Could you specify more what you are going to do there, cuz I don't get it. What are you splitting?

There are so many options here...
But basically, bounce as few instruments as possible. If you are doing it all in mono, then you can get the vocals, the lead guitar and the bass separate tracks, and mix the rhytm guitar and the drums together. You might not even need to bounce, and record them at the same time, if you have enough mics. Or, you could record the bass and the drums at the same time. Basses usually sound decent when lined, so then you don't need to mic it.

Or, if you want the drums in stereo, you can record that on two tracks in stereo, record the bass and the rhythm guitar onto separate tracks, bouce these four to a minidisc or so, copy them back onto a new tape and then you have one channel for the lead guitar and one for vocals.

So there are loads of ways to do it. But IMO, save the last two channels for vocals and lead guitar anyway.

 

[diocide]

Sorry...by splitter I meant a 1/4 jack that will fit into the first input and give me two inputs for that track.

 

[regebro]

(Sorry for the delay in answering, but I've been busy)

Anyway, if you need more inputs for one track, you really should use a mixer. Splitting like that MIGHT work, but it's not a really good idea. You will for exemple get weird effects from the fact that the impedance of the two outputs differ and so on.
You are almost certain to get problems if you to it with two mics.

Instead, I'd use all three mics for the drumset and put them to one input channel each and mix them to one track when you record. Of course, this means you have to be able to put mics on three channels on your recorder.
What 4-track are you using?

 

[John Sayers]

Yeah - I agree with rege and I'd probably take the second method. Alternatively you can record the bass and drums in stereo, on tracks 1 and 2, the bounce them to 3 and 4 adding the rhythm guitar and any percussion. That leaves 1 and 2 for L/gtr and Vox.
That's only one generation and modern cassette 4 track can handle it, but bouncing and adding as you go is a good way of using a 4 track. That's how the Beatles did it.
cheer
john