Need the advice of the PROS please help

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gate713

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Ok heres the deal in a couple of weeks im about to begin recording my bands demo, I want this demo to come out the possible best we can make it so heres the equipment i will be useing to record
1.The alesis adat studio pack
2. alesis adat edit
3.Zoom effects processor
I also have a load of decent mics so here is the set up of my band heavy metal hardcore 2 guitar players bass and drums vocals. now how would you use this equpment to make the best possible recording you could any replies will be greatly apreciated
thanks
gate
 
With the info given I can only give one piece of advice. If at all possible, leave the zoom effect thing out of the chain.
 
In 2 weeks, you won't have accumulated enough knowledge or skill to pull off a decent-sounding demo, so I suggest you take advantage of a local studio's demo deals and let them do it while you work on your recording skills. The learning curve for recording skills is a lot longer than you seem to think!

Good luck.......


Bruce
 
I'll second what Blue Bear said, there. Not to be discouraging, but if you really need the demo to sound good don't put yourself or the band through the stress of trying to learn how to record on the fly. That kind of stress could really make things tense- and THEN it won't sound very good for all the stress you went through to get it done.

You are also asking such a huge question that it is hard to offer concrete advice, unfortunately.

The best advice I can give you, unless you have more experience than your question hints, is to read the manuals for your gear and start recording a few things to get the hang of it. And don't expect to get a great demo in 2 weeks- maybe push the deadline out a few months and get some good solid experience getting the recording process down?

I've been recording at home for 13 years and didn't produce anything remotely demo quality for at least 8 years....

Take care,
Chris
 
I totally agree...

I started this so that I could a.) learn engineering, b.) produce a good releaseable cd for my band.

Well, I have been at it about 6 months....and, I've gotten some ok demo material out of it...learned a lot every time. Guess it depends on what a "demo" is to you. Either way...give it at least 6 months for that.

Releaseable CD I am hoping to be close to finishing by December....but, there are a LOT of factors involved in that.

Biggest problem for me right now is finding a good room to record in...

But, Chris S. has his own experiences....but don't be discouraged. It shouldn't take you 8 years in most cases. (Chris is a special case ;) hehe, jk)

I think if you give yourself a year and work hard at it, you can come up with some good stuff. Still be a newbie...but, to the naked ear...acceptable.
 
All you need is . . .

Alright, since I'm just now in the middle of my third project that I am actually getting paid for . . . I guess you can now officially call me a "pro." That's not saying much, mind you. I'm sure General Custer and the captain of that Exxon Oil tanker that went "kablooey" several years ago were pros, too. :)

Anyway, all I can say is you gotta' get a bunch of tubes. Seriously, quit laughing. All you need are gobs and gobs of tubes. Construct yourself a tube desk, a tube coffee mug, etc. Hand them out as souveniers to your band mates and they will be impressed.

And even though I'm a "pro" now, that tidbit of advice was pro-bono, no pun intended. You'll thank me later.
 
I would second what Bruce Said but add that you could recruit a local guy to run that equipment for you. Heaven Knows that If you have a store that sells you that stuff there may be a few guys willing to accomedate you working there or hanging arround. I would even put an ad on the bullitan board.

You are talking Heavy Metal so Its not brain surgury.
 
You should probably be wearing your spandex during the process.
 
metal ?not brain surgery

I would sit down with your band members and disscuss exactly what you want to get out of the process.Talk about how long you have been together and what type sound each member is wanting.Every one must be aware of the compremises that have to be made,the biggest metal guitar sound leaves no room for anything else same goes for the drums.Ask how well they think they would go playing by themselves with minumum of guide maybe just bass and vox for the drum tracks(wich should come first ). I would concentrate on one song so every one can get a go at it asap, be prepared to spend alot of time getting the sound up to a standard that the musos are happy with. Avoid using external effcts to tape(reverb,delay,flange dildo)just some compression to catch the peaks.ON the subject of compression take some time out to try to understand what it can do it is your biggest freind in the studio.When the band is playing get them to concerntrate on their playing very hard as the enginear you will need the most consistant sound possible to make your tracks sound killer.I disagree with the others that you need lots of years of experience(but it helps) you and your band members know what you want so go for it just keep at it until you get the best that you can.Remember that you dont have much stuff to record with so it wont sound like slayer but you might get close to pungent stench. but spend lots of time doing it and work the drummer really hard that iswhere it starts. LETS ROCK!!!!!!!
oh and forget the zoom
 
gate713 said:
\. now how would you use this equpment to make the best possible recording you could any replies will be greatly apreciated
thanks
gate
Click to expand...

I would take that equipment and try to trade for some other equipment. A PC, a Delta 1010, some software.
 
To give any reasonable answer to your question you would have to provide us with at least a couple of more details:

1) A description of the space are you recording in
2) A more precise listing of your microphone options, besides "a whole load".

To be honest, the fact that it didn't occur to you to provide that information kind of says a lot in and of itself!

But, since there's no one's money at stake, if they are all willing you might as well go for it. Worst that can happen is it will sound like crap and you'll hire an engineer or take it to a demo studio next time. On the other hand you might get lucky - more bizarre things have happened! :D
 
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