MIDI Big Band - Recording Project

[Porter]

Hi everyone,

I'm not too sure which discussion to put this on so it's on a couple.

I'm putting together a CD with my Fiance as a Christmas present for our family and friends this year. She's has a great voice and she loves the 'Big Band' sound. We are currently working on the first track, the Peggy Lee classic, "Fever". I want to set a high standard and set it higher on every future song.

I've got a MIDI file for a song which She wants to record which I think was created/written from a score for the song. There are 4 trumpet parts, 4 trombone parts, bass (which I'll actually play myself) and drums and a couple of other brass instruments. I'm planning on using ProTool's Free so I can have it as a slave to the Roland 840EX (4 inputs) allowing me to play the MIDI files numerous times with a single instrument playing each time to get the separation of the instruments. I know that this will take time, however, if it sounds better I'm willing to spend that time doing it. The first question is: Does anyone know if that can be done, having ProTools Free as a slave to the 840EX?, I haven't used Pro Tools that much before and if it can be done I'll work out how to do it.

I have a Roland JV-1010 which I'll be using to produce the sounds. I want to make this recording sound as close as possible to that of a real band. Here's what I'm thinking:

Record each instrument individually, ie each trumpt track individually using only recording the time that they are playing (to save space). Now when bouncing them I'll change the EQ settings on each of the tracks slightly so that they sit differently in the mix and they sound different to each other, giving the impression that the same person (or computer) isn't playing it.

I think that I'll run the drums through the JV-1010. My other option is to play them through my SR-16. Any opinions on which one would be better to get that 'big band' sound?

As for recording the vocal and mixing it, at what stage should I mix it? Should I mix it with just a drum and a bass or should I mix it after I mix the brass section?

Before mixing the song and classing 'stereo' as 2 track, I'm probably going to be looking at 13-17 dry tracks. I'm probably going to be spending more time on bouncing than I did recording my previous 4 track song. Should I attempt to use MT1 mode or should I play it safe and use MT2?

I would love to get any suggestions or feedback for what I'm planning on doing. I don't know how Copyright works with this, however, once it's finished and if no one tell's I'll post it on my homepage so you can hear the finished product.

Thanks,
Porter

 

[TexRoadkill]

You are on the right track but a few things-

Why do you need to "bounce" anything? Maybe you are using the term differently but you will have plenty of channels without needing to bounce.

Forget about Free Pro Tools unless you are on a mac. The PC version crashes all the time and is worth every penny it costs. Get some real recording software.

If you use Sonar or Logic or something you can manage midi and audio and not worry about syncing anything.

Recording the parts individually is the proper way to do it.

Good Luck!

 

[Porter]

Hey Tex,

I'm recording onto a VS 840EX. I'm using Pro Tools Free so that I can record one MIDI track at a time to the VS to get the separation I'm after. The reason that I'm using Pro Tools Free is because I don't have to pay any money for it. I'm getting married in November so I'm saving all that I can ;-) I was playing around with it last night and I can use it as a slave to my VS.

When I'm referring to 'bouncing' I'm referring to recording say 4 Trumpets on 1-4 tracks on the VS then bouncing them to 5/6, then using V-tracks bring up the Trombones on tracks 1-4 then mix them, and the Trumpets on 5/6 to 7/8.

Here are all the instruments I'm going to be recording to the VS:

1 x Drums - 4 tracks (Kick, snare & 'over heads') for separation, then mix to a stereo pair
1 x Bass - 1 track (play this on my Bass Guitar)
1 x Piano - 1 track
2 X Alto Sax - 2 tracks
2 X Tenor Sax - 2 tracks
1 X Bari Sax - 1 track
4 X Trumpets - 4 tracks (then mix to stereo pair)
4 X Trombones - 4 tracks (then mix to stereo pair, probably with the trumpets that are already mixed)
1 X Vocal

So I'll be looking at about 20 tracks all up. I think that MT1 is definately out of the question.

Any more suggestions?

Porter

 

[TexRoadkill]

I think I understand what your doing.

Dont expect great results overdubbing the same keyboard sound (instrument). It will most likely just sound chorused or flanged. Even with changes in EQ it probably wont work. Your better off finding a good multi brass section patch and combining the parts. I could be wrong but that is my experience. It will sound cool in stereo but crappy in mono unless you use a unique instrument sample for each part.

Good luck with Free Pro-Tools. I'm glad it works for you because I couldn't do anything without it crashing.

And as a "friend" I must say if your engagement is already hindering your ability to buy quality software and equipment you might have to face the fact that your just not financially ready for marriage. You must have your priorities in order and it sounds like the woman will just have to wait until you have your studio completed

 

[Porter]

Thanks Tex,

Did I mention that I'm paying off a car at the moment? heh, that's what's taking up most of my funds. I know that I try and do the studio on the cheap, however as long as I get the results I'm happy with I'm happy .

I just think that the power I've got with my recording desk now vs. those of the time that the original of Fever was recorded, the power I've got in a little box is greater than the big recording consoles. I guess we are lucky that we are in the time of 'shrinking desks' with more power/functions.

Last night I recorded almost all the tracks with the exception of the Trumpts & vocal. I haven't mixed any at this stage and they are all dry, however the JV-1010 is making it sound really good, and with the sync of the 840 to ProTools slightly being out.. you would have to hear it from two sources to know, makes the recordings sound a bit more 'natural'.

I'll let you know when I finish it and put it up for upload. If this works out I might be in a real studio in a month or so to record the real thing with a real band. Fingers crossed.

Again, Thanks Tex.

Porter