My first analog recording w/ TASCAM TSR-8

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rickson Gracie
  • Start date Start date
Sounds great to me. The only thing that I dont like is I would like to hear a mix with the vocal brought down alot. I like the effect you are using on the vocal but the volume of the vocal just grates on me real quick.

I hear alot of yonger folks come out with vocals that are so low I cant hear them. But this one goes way overboard in the opposite direction. Atleast for me anyway.

Other than that I like it.
 
LOL.

When can I get an analog copy?

Just kiddin'.

It's very cool to have that capability.

So how'd you do it?
 
Herm said:
Sounds great to me. The only thing that I dont like is I would like to hear a mix with the vocal brought down alot. I like the effect you are using on the vocal but the volume of the vocal just grates on me real quick.

I hear alot of yonger folks come out with vocals that are so low I cant hear them. But this one goes way overboard in the opposite direction. Atleast for me anyway.

Other than that I like it.
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thanks for listening. i hear what your sayin. i just uploaded another mix!

also please let me know if you think the bass is either too loud or too low. thanks!

apl ill send u a cassette tape is you give me your address:)
 
apl said:
I need a Nak with needles. :o :o :o

So besides the TSR-8, what are you using for pres, mixer, fx, and converting to digital?
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im using a Blue Robbie for the vocals snare and bass mics and the pres in the TASCAM M308 vintage mixer. im using 4 RNC compressors and everything master to an ALESIS Masterlink CDR burner.

I use a Blue Blueberry condensor for a lot of stuff.

I am really trying to getthe most out of this setup but I know its going to take a lot more trial and error:confused:
 
Rickson, first of all let me go on record and say that this song material deserves to be getting air play on the radio. It's very good.

I'd still bring the vocal down a bit more. In fact, it seems as you've boosted the mids - highs on the instruments and went overly bright (harsh) on the vocals. I would like to hear the instruments in their original, less 'sweetened' state and at which point you wouldn't have to crank up the brightness on the vocal. I'd also ease on the compression a bit and the brightness on the vocal actually underlines the massive compression artifacts.

This is a great, great track, with a superb performance [vocals and instruments] and I think it deserves a bit better, more neutral mix, because, IMHO, as it stands now, it's too 'processed' sounding.

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What I would do is use that over compressed vocal sound - that I like :D just for the inital introduction & chorus, and swap to a more... usual sounding vocal for the verses. It could be pretty cool - it would sound like you are shifting personalities or something & losing the plot. The vocal becomes a bit too prominent & grating in the verses & I really don't think dropping the fader is the answer. Hope this helps, nice track :p
 
It reminds me of "student demonstration time" on "surf's up" by the beachboys, what a great but little known album!!
 
thanks for the feedback :)

yeah i figured the vocals are probably too processed with compression and eq. i guess im not too confident in my singing ability so my natural voice just doenst sound 'rightt lol i just wanted to hear someone else say it.

im gonna go back and take some compression off and roll back some mids and see how it goes.
 
First off there aint anything wrong with your voice secondly I think that vocal effect was really good - but don't think it should be on constantly, give the listener a break but don't deprive them!! And thirdly I can't get your link to work:D
 
Rickson Gracie said:
thanks for the feedback :)

yeah i figured the vocals are probably too processed with compression and eq. i guess im not too confident in my singing ability so my natural voice just doenst sound 'rightt lol i just wanted to hear someone else say it.

im gonna go back and take some compression off and roll back some mids and see how it goes.
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Rickson Gracie said:
OK just uploaded a new mix with less compression...etc. let me know what you think. thanks!


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=541776

fixed link:)
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Oh baby!! :D That's what I'm talkin' 'bout! This rocks! Obvious improvement in every area. Much better mix overall. The drums, for example, seem more alive now, with more impact and 'meat' to 'em. Everything seems to sit more 'tight' with a polish lacking in the previous vers. Nice.

BTW, there's nothing wrong with your voice, singing ability or instrument performance. First rate! The only issue was with the mix, compression, EQ etc... but that's easily fixed and this version is getting closer to what it should be. Whatever you're doing, keep at it. Great stuff.

BTW, don't try to imitate the overly processed and harsh sounding hits of today. Take any good 70's cut and follow that example. ;)

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thanks cjacek:)

apl said:
So every time you make a new mix with less compression does that mean you have to retrack the whole thing?
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No, I track everthing flat and dry and add the compression and EQ on the mixdown so I can always go back and change it. I believe that is the best way and most common way to do it.

So far the only thing I miss about Pro Tools is the ability to save mixes and go back to them. That and maybe the fact that I can rearrange a song if i dont like how the arrangement works out but with better planning the latter isnt much a of a problem.

Working in analog has really helped me improve my playing. Before I got so good at editing and SO lazy at everything else lol I thought it was going to be a disaster but I really dont mind doing the take until i get it right and in the end you get a more natural and energetic track.
 
Rickson Gracie said:
Working in analog has really helped me improve my playing. Before I got so good at editing and SO lazy at everything else lol I thought it was going to be a disaster but I really dont mind doing the take until i get it right and in the end you get a more natural and energetic track.
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I think you hit the nail on the head, as far as the pros of analogue are concerned. Its inherent limitations, as far as tweaking, are also a great asset. When you see that tape a rollin', ya better know how to play! :D ;)

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Except that punch in editing was available with analog tape long ago, and was used extensively. Many prosumer multitracker tape decks had a foot operated punch in facility so you could even do your own punch ins on you own.

Whether in analog or digital, nobody forces you to edit a poor take. You can do a full take in digital just as easily. You just have to be a good enough musician.

By all means use analog tape but dont blame digital editing for poor playing.

Same with pitch correction facility. You can always do the obvious: sing in tune and so you dont need it.

Cheers Tim
 
Tim Gillett said:
Except that punch in editing was available with analog tape long ago, and was used extensively. Many prosumer multitracker tape decks had a foot operated punch in facility so you could even do your own punch ins on you own.

Whether in analog or digital, nobody forces you to edit a poor take. You can do a full take in digital just as easily. You just have to be a good enough musician.

By all means use analog tape but dont blame digital editing for poor playing.

Same with pitch correction facility. You can always do the obvious: sing in tune and so you dont need it.

Cheers Tim
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For whatever reason, it seems very hard, for many, to restrain themselves from using the extensive editing capabilities of digital. I guess that's just human nature, wanting to push the limits and such but in that way, a more indirect way, one can easily make the argument that digital can indeed be blamed for 'poor playing'. You are the company that you keep and digital multi-tracking can especially be a monster, much more so than the rather tame, comparatively limited and much harder to do 'editing', as found in analogue. Sometimes getting down to mere essentials, the basics, is all one needs to get back on track, a view, I'm sure, the original poster can relate to. I really do believe that 'limitations', as imposed by a recording technology, such as analogue, is a very healthy thing for a musician. ;)

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cjacek said:
For whatever reason, it seems very hard, for many, to restrain themselves from using the extensive editing capabilities of digital.

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so true.

for me i stop making music and start using a 'word processor.'

copying and pasting (my biggest vice), sliding things over to line up perfectly, tab to transient - clearing out any hiss, beat detective, autotune, a million plugins...etc

current pop radio is loaded with music created by pro tools edit freaks. they didnt have to use it but they do:)
 
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