Mixing a band from one track

[JoeF]

Hi I recorded my bands song (KB) using a Tascam 4 track tape recorder. I used two tracks to record the band live and later used a third track to overdub the vocals. I really love how the song came out performance wise. And for the most part I really dig the sound. I only wish that I could take the bass and drums and make them a little louder.

Is there a way to mix a one track (i recorded the band with two mics on two tracks but they picked up virtually the same thing) recording. I know about Sony's Spectralayers software and if I can't cook something up otherwise I may try that route, but I am trying to do this without purchasing any gear. Essentially I am wondering if there is any type of compression I could use to achieve this.

My process thus far has been mixing the song as best as possible on my Tascam, sending it to my computer (garageband whatever), multiplying the instrument then messing with cutting and adding different frequencies and adjusting the volume of each new track essentially treating each track as an instrument. I've been getting some good and terrible results. Again I'm not looking to upgrade my equiptment or anything like that. I'm mostly looking for a some insight methods from some pros.

 

[moresound]

You'll have to go back to the source and record it again and get a bit closer to those instruments or turn down the others.

What microphones were you using to record with?

 

[JoeF]

Thank you for your response.

Don't laugh, but I'm pretty sure they were two radioshack mics. I've done some newer recordings where I used two small diaphragm condensers in a V shape to get a stereo image of the room and through a 57 behind the drums which has worked pretty well. We play in a very small space.

I'm not looking to rerecord the song again, and I wouldn't be heart broken if i couldn't get it to sound better. The band has since broken up and I'm mostly interested in archiving the song/practice in the best way possible.

 

[phriq]

Do you have any samples so we can hear the hum? Some DAW's have noise reduction features such as Adobe Auditions Noise Reduction Process. It is used for hiss a lot and may work for hums. However, it will alter some of the sound of the rest of your recording, sometimes greatly, but it is one way to remove a hiss or hum without rerecording. Regardless, like moresound said, its always better to get a decent recording first than trying to fix impurities later.

 

[Farview]

If you want the bass and the drums louder, I assume that means the guitars are too loud. Find a dominant frequency in the guitar that you can turn down without messing with the drums and bass.

Not being able to hear it, my first suggestions would be in the 400-600hz range and the 3k-4k range. But without hearing it, those are just wild guesses. (in fact the idea that the guitars are a problem is a guess too, I have no idea what instruments you have going)

 

[bouldersoundguy]

multiplying the instrument then messing with cutting and adding different frequencies and adjusting the volume of each new track essentially treating each track as an instrument.

This is a recipe for severe phase interaction.

 

[witzendoz]

This is an example where multiband compression can actually help a mix, by compressing the frequencies where the guitar sits the bass and drums can come forward in the mix a little.

Alan.

 

[JoeF]

Thank you. I'm gonna give that a shot today or tonight when I get a chance. Is there any good articles talking about how to most effectively use a multi band comp?

 

[witzendoz]

Thank you. I'm gonna give that a shot today or tonight when I get a chance. Is there any good articles talking about how to most effectively use a multi band comp?

Google is your friend Link

The trick is to make the multi-band act harder on the louder frequencies than the quiet ones. So setting the crossover points and the ratio/attack/release is what you have to determine, the only way to do it is to try and see what sounds the best.

Alan.