record what track first - bounce preference

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andyhix

andyhix

:dank:
(I posted this also in the analog forum, but it probably is more approriately posted here - sorry about the double post)

Hi. I'm working on a Tascam 424. With the understanding that nobody likes to bounce stuff, what is the recommended instruments to keep isolated on their own track.

Say I'm gonna put a standard rock song together - drums (machine), bass, el. guitar, ac. guitar, vocals, bac. vocals, and maybe piano. [In reality, I won't have all that at the same time...just for discussion sake] For mixdown purposes, what insturments are easiest/best to bounce together, and what should really be left to have its own track?
 
As a basic rule, try to keep your "lead" instruments on their own tracks - lead vox, guitar, etc. You can bounce the rhythm tracks (drums, bass, rhythm guit) together, but be sure you have the best mix you can. You can't fix it later.

Also, remember that you can put any number of instruments on a single track, as long as they aren't playing at the same time. For instance, since the singer doesn't usually sing during the guitar solo, you can record the guitar solo and the lead vox on the same track.
 
one thought I had was to merge two things with opposite eq range (ie bass and lead guitar or falsetto vox harmony), with the idea that I could sorta have some additional control after the bounce by tweaking EQ.

If the bass seems slightly loud in the final mix, I might be able to turn down the low EQ range a bit, without effecting the wailing guitar too much. Any merit in that line of reasoning?
 
Yo Andy:

Personally, I don't like to bounce tracks unless I'm looking for some special/creative effect which will affect my overall mix.

As you have noted, if you bounce tracks you no longer can tweak them individually -- however, you can drop the eq or raise it a bit.

I'd rather have all the tracks with only one cut so I have full control over them when I mix.

If you only have a 4 tracker, that's the problem with a 4 tracker. Most folks with 8 trackers can fill most of their needs. When you get to the 12 and 16 and MORE trackers, well, that's beyond what I need for my work. Depends what you want to do and how MUCH you want to do.

Green Hornet:D :cool: :cool:
 
I'm well aware of the shortcomings of 4-track recording, but since thats what I'm working with now, and because I do have the need to record songs with more than 4 instruments, I was looking for some tips on what to bounce or not to bounce.

The recording is basically for personal use - not looking to break into the top 40 with my end product. So, anyway, thanks, I guess for pointing out that 8 track recorders are more flexible than 4 tracks. I'm still not buying one anytime soon.
 
As Dirty suggested, bounce your rhythm tracks together and keep solo and vox tracks separate. Bouncing to a VCR is supposed to help with sound loss.
 
As you stated, you lose something in the bounce. But not that much where the normal person is going to hear the loss. (You make that call).
I have found that keeping the vocals on it's own track to be smart. Punching in the lead on the same track works out very well.
Bass and drums together also works out well. Keep that "rhythm" together. That's another good way to remember it.
On those instuments where you don't require the most volume or presence, bounce those too. (i.e tambourine, cabasa, claves, etc.)
But definitely keep vocals alone and whatever you may use as "padding" in the song that will need to be adjusted accordingly.
I turned out some of my better work with bounces in the songs.
Experiment away...
 
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