mixing console recording

[cpp boy]

Ok I'm new to recording, but I know my way threw music and I have some cheap experiences whit a computer microphone for recording and thats really cheap so here it is.

First of all, I'm buying a 12 to 16 track mixer for some shows and then the vender told me I could record whit it and that the sound quality is as good as when it comes out of the speakers. Here are my questions :

1. Do you have any experiences whit console and mixer recording. If so tell me some.

2. Witch software should I buy to be able to mixe my music and witch software should I buy to be able to put effects on my different tracks.

Also, I'm using a recording technic and I want you to tell witch way can I do better(if so) and I do not whant to buy a special recording device cause I don't have the money.

First, I will record the hole band whit the mixer and then make a small .wav file for each member to listend wile they will record individualy their track on the song until it's perfect.

 

[mshilarious]

1. Do you have any experiences whit console and mixer recording. If so tell me some.

Also, I'm using a recording technic and I want you to tell witch way can I do better(if so) and I do not whant to buy a special recording device cause I don't have the money.

I'm not clear on whether you are recording live shows, studio, or a combination of both. Personally I wouldn't try to combine the two, the studio overdubs just end up sounding out of place on a 'live' recording.

What is the 'recording technic' you have? A Technics brand tape deck or CD recorder? If so, do some rough panning on the mixer and route the stereo mix from your mixer to the deck. Depending on your mixer, it might have RCA outs, or you'll need a 1/4" to RCA cable. If you're got a CD recorder, just pop the CD in your PC & use your editing software from there. If it's tape, then route the tape back through your mixer to your PC soundcard's stereo line in (which will require yet another adaptor cable)

If you don't have a recorder, and were thinking of doing live recording on PC, that's not my preference. Some people here do it, but I'm a lot more comfortable using hardware for a live show. I'd look for a nice used ADAT, which can record 8 tracks at once. That might reduce your need to overdub the tracks in the studio later, and makes for fewer hassles during the show.

My experience with live recording is that if you're doing live sound (FOH, or front of house), monitors, and recording, then the recording will suffer. You'll have a hard time creating a good stereo mix with only one ear on the phones. So get the mix & monitors dialed in, and then work the stereo mix for the recording. The first couple of songs won't sound that great on tape as a result.

You'll need to get all of the instruments on tape, which means in the mixer, even if they don't run through the house system. So plan on some extra channels for bass and drums if you don't normally mic those. In that situation I'll use the aux sends (pre-fader) on the mixer for the recording rather than the stereo mains. However make sure there are enough pre-fader sends for monitors first. Also consider setting up an ambient mic (for the audience & room sound).

Make sure the band knows to leave enough time between songs for tape changes. 30 seconds ought to do if you have your tapes cued.

 

[cpp boy]

answers

First of all, I will be recording whit my pc. So I will be plugging the mixer directly to the computer whit the good jacks. You talked about recording to a cd burner. I'm interessted, but how here is what I have.

I have a cd burner on my computer that help me write cd's on it for data and music and you say that I can plug my mixer on it or on the computer and then start recording and then the cd mixer will make a track whit this and I only need to burn it ? This is what I understant I need more help whit this. But I prefer the methode connect to pc and then use the proper software to mix stuff together.

 

[NYMorningstar]

Hey cpp boy, welcome to the bbs.

Using your computer is fine but you may want to look into a soundcard that you can record multiple tracks with. For instance with your new mixer you might want to use up to 6 tracks for drums and one each for the bass, guitars and vocals. With a soundcard with 10 ins and outs you could record each instrument separately and mix them at a later time. If you use the soundcard that comes with the computer then you are usually restricted to mixing all your tracks down to stereo before you record. The downside of that is that is you can't fix or enhance individual instruments because they are already all mixed together. So if somebody screws up while recording, your done, no fixing it. You would have to do a whole new take which isn't possible during a live show.

You do need some type of software for recording onto your computer. There are plenty of software programs you can use e.g. cubase, cakewalk, shareware, freeware etc... but with a limited budget you need to shop around(alot). Also with a live recording you may want to use a compressor/limiter and a multiband equalizer especially if you are using the board to run the PA through. I'd prefer hardware for this but then again the limited budget...

With the recording software on your computer you can make .wav files which you can use with your cd burner. G/L