MR-8 and Outboard Equipment

  • Thread starter Thread starter Marcellovalerio
  • Start date Start date
M

Marcellovalerio

New member
I have a lexicon, and I would like to use it to apply reverb AFTER recording. Is this possible with the MR-8? I suppose i need a mixer...

Know of any cheap mixers with effects/return sends? I really don't know anything about sending stuff back to outboard equipment and back so...
Any help appreciated!

Thanks
 
Marcellovalerio said:
I have a lexicon, and I would like to use it to apply reverb AFTER recording. Is this possible with the MR-8? I suppose i need a mixer...

Know of any cheap mixers with effects/return sends? I really don't know anything about sending stuff back to outboard equipment and back so...
Any help appreciated!

Thanks
Click to expand...
If you use the stereo outs and record it to either your pc (mixed down), or to a cassette recorder, the reverb and onboard effects will be mixed into the track.

A better way to do this is to use the usb out and transfer your tracks to a pc and mix them in software.

If you don't want to go that route, the above suggestion should work for you. If you don't like the reverb and onboard effects in the MR-8, and you want to use something else, you will have to make sure you are not recording with the effects when you lay the tracks. Any effect you put on during tracking will come out when you mix down via the stereo outs.

What are you mixing down to? If I know that, I can help you set it up...
 
Rokket, just curious if you've been able to make use of the MR8's effects?
I've never accomplished anything with them, and of course once they are there, they are there... :mad:
 
cellardweller said:
Rokket, just curious if you've been able to make use of the MR8's effects?
I've never accomplished anything with them, and of course once they are there, they are there... :mad:
Click to expand...
I can't do much with the distortion, it's just too saturated, but I use the reverb when I track. I don't bounce tracks, it all goes to my pc, and I transfer them via usb, and they transfer dry. I tried to record through my soundcard via the stereo outs, and it sounded OK, but I had too much reverb on the track. I couldn't do much with it. A second attempt at it (this was before I got my software), with much less reverb was decent.

So reverb is OK on the MR-8, but I don't like the distortion. Too crunchy in the lower setting and too saturated when it's cranked up. Besides that, you can tell it's a DI guitar when you use it. I'd rather mic my amp...
 
Did not know that they transferred dry... good to know!
Which shows how often I've phucked with them, I've always preferred the few plug-ins I have, but I've never heard the MR8's other than through headphones.

I never bounce on the MR8, so I guess I'll never know ;)
 
cellardweller said:
Did not know that they transferred dry... good to know!
Which shows how often I've phucked with them, I've always preferred the few plug-ins I have, but I've never heard the MR8's other than through headphones.

I never bounce on the MR8, so I guess I'll never know ;)
Click to expand...
Before I got software, I did everything on the little red monster. It wasn't until I got the software and transferred the tracks the first time that I realized they transferred dry. I didn't think about the effects until I had already transferred them, and I was thinking I may have screwed the pooch. I listened to them and realized that using usb bypasses the mastering mode in the MR-8, and that's where the effects are added in. If you use the stereo outs, the effects you recorded will come out on the track....



Did I confuse anyone? :confused:
 
What I do is send each individual track via the USB to the PC. I DO NOT want ANY of the MR-8 Effects...

So I could use the Stereo Outs on the MR-8 to Send to the IN's On the Lexicon? But where do i go from there? Can i send the signal from the Lexicon back into the MR-8, or do i need to send the Lexicon Signal to something like a tape recorder?

Thanks
 
Marcellovalerio said:
What I do is send each individual track via the USB to the PC. I DO NOT want ANY of the MR-8 Effects...

So I could use the Stereo Outs on the MR-8 to Send to the IN's On the Lexicon? But where do i go from there? Can i send the signal from the Lexicon back into the MR-8, or do i need to send the Lexicon Signal to something like a tape recorder?

Thanks
Click to expand...
You'll need something like a tape recorder. Just make sure that you don't use the effects on the MR-8 when you record, and make sure they are also turned off when you use the stereo outs...
 
cellardweller said:
Rokket, just curious if you've been able to make use of the MR8's effects?
I've never accomplished anything with them, and of course once they are there, they are there... :mad:
Click to expand...

The built-in effects aren't "printed" until you bounce the tracks, say to 5/6 or 7/8. The delay is OK and the reverb is harsh if you turn it up too much, and unfortunately you can't use both at once. I never use the distortion or amp models.

I typically use the built-in effects for monitoring when recording. I save the individual dry tracks to my PC and also bounce on the MR-8 with the effects to create a demo. I actually use the saved dry tracks later for my real mix.

I just did one tune where I recorded on tracks 1-6 (1&2 bounced to 5/6, then recorded on 1-4), bounced to 7/8 with effects, then saved dry tracks 1-6 to my PC. I then deleted everything on the MR-8 and moved 7/8 (which I had saved on my PC) to 5/6 and recorded on tracks 1-4, with effects. Then I bounced 1-4 and 5/6 to 7/8 with effects printed, but saved tracks 1-4 dry...and so on. That way I get dry tracks I can mix later (10 total in this case) and I also can mix a quick demo with effects printed.
 
spariam said:
The built-in effects aren't "printed" until you bounce the tracks, say to 5/6 or 7/8. The delay is OK and the reverb is harsh if you turn it up too much, and unfortunately you can't use both at once. I never use the distortion or amp models.

I typically use the built-in effects for monitoring when recording. I save the individual dry tracks to my PC and also bounce on the MR-8 with the effects to create a demo. I actually use the saved dry tracks later for my real mix.

I just did one tune where I recorded on tracks 1-6 (1&2 bounced to 5/6, then recorded on 1-4), bounced to 7/8 with effects, then saved dry tracks 1-6 to my PC. I then deleted everything on the MR-8 and moved 7/8 (which I had saved on my PC) to 5/6 and recorded on tracks 1-4, with effects. Then I bounced 1-4 and 5/6 to 7/8 with effects printed, but saved tracks 1-4 dry...and so on. That way I get dry tracks I can mix later (10 total in this case) and I also can mix a quick demo with effects printed.
Click to expand...

I pretty much do the same thing, and I find myself using the same tracks for the same instruments, that way I don't get confused.
I put the stereo drum tracks on 5/6, bass on 4, guitars on 2 and 3. Then take the dry tracks to pc, and bounce it all down to 7/8.
Then I start adding more guitar or keyboard tracks to 1-4, take them to pc and bounce to 5/6.
Last I do the vocals, and take them to pc.
I usually don't do anything with the tracks on the MR-8, so most of the time I delete the song.
Everything mixing-wise is done on my pc....
 
I do pretty much the same thing, except
  1. Record tracks 1-4 individually
  2. record double-miced vocal track on 5/6
  3. transfer copies to PC
  4. bounce to 7/8
  5. curse cruel fate for my lack of musical ability
  6. attempt, in vain, to record a usable solo guitar track
  7. play crappy keyboards over and over to the point of near insanity
  8. listen to vocal tracks a weep in miserable self pity
  9. erase it all and contemplate suicide

That's pretty much it, if anyone needs any tips, feel free to ask...
 
cellardweller said:
I do pretty much the same thing, except
  1. Record tracks 1-4 individually
  2. record double-miced vocal track on 5/6
  3. transfer copies to PC
  4. bounce to 7/8
  5. curse cruel fate for my lack of musical ability
  6. attempt, in vain, to record a usable solo guitar track
  7. play crappy keyboards over and over to the point of near insanity
  8. listen to vocal tracks a weep in miserable self pity
  9. erase it all and contemplate suicide

That's pretty much it, if anyone needs any tips, feel free to ask...
Click to expand...
I need some pointers on #5..... :D
 
just a thought

instead of bouncing to 7/8, import a new mix from the pc, with your effects and eq as a go by instead, its a little more inspiring when yuo are recording to a go by track that sounds as goos as possible..... mr8 effectsd are usless
 
Dave - what plug-ins do you use most often?

Usually I'll add effects sparingly, but when I listen and usually prefer the dry track.
Do you apply effects over the whole mix or just individual tracks?
I'm sure this subject is covered in great depth elsewhere, but I just thought I'd ask anyway....
 
dave in toledo said:
instead of bouncing to 7/8, import a new mix from the pc, with your effects and eq as a go by instead, its a little more inspiring when yuo are recording to a go by track that sounds as goos as possible..... mr8 effectsd are usless
Click to expand...

Yeah, I agree. I'm just so lazy I can't seem to force myself to boot up Sonar or whatever it is I have on my PC...I originally bought the MR8 'cause I was only going to record some solo acoustic guitar...yeah, right. I think the last thing I did had 12 tracks total, with bounces and all. I still mixed on the MR8, but I did back up all my original tracks. So I'm starting to feel limited, so I may take up your advice.
 
My "pre's" is a mackie 808 PA. I have one dedicated outlet (on a breaker by itself) which my puter, mackie, MR8, and whatever else run to. If I don't turn things on in the proper sequence, if I leave my monitors on, if I don't give the mackie 15 seconds or so after supplying power to it, it trips the breaker (which is always ugly when you're in the middle of something on the PC).

So usually when I'm trying to record, my puter is not on. This does not lend itself to casual/convenient transfer of tracks.

I REALLY need that dmp3!
 
spariam said:
Yeah, I agree. I'm just so lazy I can't seem to force myself to boot up Sonar or whatever it is I have on my PC...I originally bought the MR8 'cause I was only going to record some solo acoustic guitar...yeah, right. I think the last thing I did had 12 tracks total, with bounces and all. I still mixed on the MR8, but I did back up all my original tracks. So I'm starting to feel limited, so I may take up your advice.
Click to expand...
I am usually recording anywhere from 14 to 20 tracks....

My PC is really fast, so from hitting the power button to transferring tracks only takes me about 1 minute....

What I am doing now:

I only bounce the bare tracks after that to continue adding more. There are usually only 6 tracks bounced to 7/8. The rest I delete as soon as I transfer them to pc....
 
Rokket said:
What I am doing now:

I only bounce the bare tracks after that to continue adding more. There are usually only 6 tracks bounced to 7/8. The rest I delete as soon as I transfer them to pc....
Click to expand...

So you do something like this?:

1) record tracks 1-6
2) bounce tracks 1-6 to 7/8
3) move tracks 1-6 to PC
4) delete tracks 1-6
5) record additional tracks on 1-6 using 7/8 as a guide
6) move additional tracks 1-6 to PC
7) delete tracks 1-6
8) repeat steps 5-6
9) mix on PC

I've been avoiding using my PC simply because I like not working on a computer. I basically do the same thing you're doing (if you do the steps above), except I only record addtional tracks on 1-4, move 7/8->5/6 and then bounce all that back to 7/8, then delete tracks 1-6 and do it again. I move all my individual tracks to my PC, so I could mix on my laptop, which I may do. Acutally, I'm starting to reach some limitations not using a PC, esp. when it comes to virtual instruments and midi. I do a lot of parts that would be better done with loops, etc. I've been doing stuff like physically playing the same one-bar part on a keyboard, when a loop or sequencer would have done the job easier and better...and my keyboard isn't that great, so I could really use some decent virtual instruments...
 
spariam said:
So you do something like this?:

1) record tracks 1-6
2) bounce tracks 1-6 to 7/8
3) move tracks 1-6 to PC
4) delete tracks 1-6
5) record additional tracks on 1-6 using 7/8 as a guide
6) move additional tracks 1-6 to PC
7) delete tracks 1-6
8) repeat steps 5-6
9) mix on PC

I've been avoiding using my PC simply because I like not working on a computer. I basically do the same thing you're doing (if you do the steps above), except I only record addtional tracks on 1-4, move 7/8->5/6 and then bounce all that back to 7/8, then delete tracks 1-6 and do it again. I move all my individual tracks to my PC, so I could mix on my laptop, which I may do. Acutally, I'm starting to reach some limitations not using a PC, esp. when it comes to virtual instruments and midi. I do a lot of parts that would be better done with loops, etc. I've been doing stuff like physically playing the same one-bar part on a keyboard, when a loop or sequencer would have done the job easier and better...and my keyboard isn't that great, so I could really use some decent virtual instruments...
Click to expand...

That's pretty much it. I don't record on 5/6 unless it's a stereo part (they are automatically panned hard right and left), so I stick with 1-4, after I do the first 1-6, transfer to pc and then bounce those tracks as a guide.
I don't do looping, it something that I never learned to use effectively. My keyboard isn't the best either, but it's not bad. I've only got 100 voices, but it's enough for what I do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top