Recording a band (MR8)

[bsr2002]

This question has probably been brought up before. But I'd like to know the many different ways this could be done. This will be my first try at it.

I've been working with this band awhile and wanted to record a demo with them.
I have and MR-8 digital recorder. I want to make a demo for the band I'm working with.
We have Lead singer, Guitar w/ vocals, Keyboard w/ vocals, Bass player and drummer. The
recorder only records 2 simultanious tracks at a time. I'm sure most digital 8 tracks work
this way. I was wondering how you would record a band like this?

Thanks in advance,

 

[carelessorc]

You can record a stereo mix of a band performance or you all play your parts one after the other, against a click track and guide track.
If you want the band to play together but with each instrument or voice on its own track then you need something like a Fostex VF16.

Orc

 

[Markaholic]

Problem w/the MR8 is ..you only can record two tracks at a time...thus giving a dillema with recording drums.

I suggest getting a cheap 6-8 channel mixer and running all drum mics to the mixer...get the drums as PERFECT sounding as you can (level wise) then running to the MR8 as a stereo track.

Add guitars,bass vocals ect....later on afterwards 1 by 1!

 

[carelessorc]

Good idea, if you can get an external mixer. You're still gonna need guide and click tracks to keep it all together.

Orc

 

[hueseph]

Good idea, if you can get an external mixer. You're still gonna need guide and click tracks to keep it all together.

Orc

You're also going to want the guitars in a seperate room so you can mic them and have them in the headphones for the drummer. This is not just so he knows what part to play, I'm sure he knows the songs already, this is strictly for feel. Playing soley to a click track can leave the drums sounding sterile. Personally I would keep the drum micing to a minimum. 1 for kick 1 for snare/hihiat and two overheads. The drums are the hardest part so complicating things by overmicing is not going to help you. Using minimal mics will force you to get the sound right well before it goes to disk. Once you have the drums done, everything else is cake.

 

[rboyce_boston]

you should think about buying a different recorder...

You said:

"The recorder only records 2 simultanious tracks at a time. I'm sure most digital 8 tracks work this way. I was wondering how you would record a band like this?"

Please don't take this the wrong way, but the MR-8 is not designed to record a live band. It's more of a musical sketchpad, something that songwriters can use to demo songs. It's a great tool, but not really the right tool for what you are trying to do.

To multi-track record a live band, you should consider recorders where you can record more than 2 tracks at a time. Specifically, Fostex's VF-16 and VF-160 can record 8 tracks simultaneously, and can actually record 16 tracks simultaneously when used with an external ADAT mixer/interface (this works great).

You can pick up a used VF-16 for easily under $400. I would seriously consider selling your MD-8 and buying a VF-16 if you plan on recording live bands on a regular basis.

HTH,

Ray